"You're new here, so you don't know. Back then, there was a really big case in the capital. It was said that Prince Xiao Pingshan was plotting a rebellion. At the time, the old emperor was on the throne, and he immediately ordered the entire Xiao family to be executed. Oh, it was so tragic. More than a hundred people were wiped out. Rumors among the people said..."
The woman glanced back again to make sure no one was looking their way before continuing, "Everyone says this matter is inextricably linked to Marquis Xi Ning!"
Upon hearing this, Wanwan frowned slightly, a thought stirring within her, but it vanished as quickly as an eel, and she failed to grasp it.
Upon hearing this, the others also frowned and lamented the tragedy.
"Honestly, why bring up this kind of thing outside the exam hall? It's really bad luck," a woman complained, and was immediately punched by the others with round fans.
The exam time seemed to drag on endlessly. After everyone finished their conversation, they fell silent. The sun rose, dispelling the lingering chill of the fog, and Wanwan began to pace listlessly.
A few days later, the exams ended, and everyone waited together for the results to be released.
Wan Yuechi showed no anxiety whatsoever, continuing to eat, sleep, and drink tea as usual. In his spare time, he even taught Wanwan new poems.
The day the results were announced finally arrived. Before the brother and sister could even leave the house, a large crowd suddenly surged through the gate, almost blocking their way.
"Congratulations, Young Master Wan! You've achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination!"
The people who came cheered loudly and surrounded the two, asking for lucky money.
This is a custom on the day the results are announced. The first group of people to see the top scholar will rush to his house to report the news, and after reporting, they will ask for a reward.
The brother and sister were at a loss, surrounded by a group of strange men. They were helpless in the face of the outstretched hands. In the end, it was Zhang Xiu who stepped in and got rid of these people.
"My son has become the top scholar in the imperial examination." Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiu stood still, muttering to himself. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, he hugged Wan Yuechi tightly.
"That's wonderful! My son is so promising!"
Zhang Xiu jumped up and down with excitement, hugging her son like a little girl. Then she grabbed Wan Yuechi's shoulders and pulled him close to her eyes to look at him closely. Her watery eyes were full of heartache. "You've lost weight. You've lost a lot of weight. Mom will make you something delicious tonight."
Two streams of excited tears welled up in Zhang Xiu's eyes. He didn't bother to wipe them away and rushed into the inner room to find Wan Kongshan, shouting as he went, "Husband! Come out quickly! Yuechi has become the top scholar! Father! Your grandson has become the top scholar!"
The Wan family was made lively by Zhang Xiu's delight.
Wan Yuechi and Wanwan stood there dumbfounded in the courtyard, not yet able to react, when a second wave of people rushed in with good news, even more than the first wave. Before they even entered the door, they started shouting, "Congratulations, Young Master Wan! Young Master Wan has become the top scholar!"
Upon seeing the dense crowd of heads, the brother and sister hurriedly followed Zhang Xiu into the house.
"mother!"
"Auntie! The messenger has come again with good news!"
Just as lively as the Wan family was the Cao family. Cao Chengye had become the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination, and the overwhelming enthusiasm of the people bringing the good news kept him stuck at home.
As evening approached, the two families gradually quieted down.
After dealing with the messengers bringing good news all day, the Wan family finally stole a moment of peace and were about to start their meal when they were interrupted again by an imperial edict delivered by a eunuch sent by the emperor.
The crowd hurriedly knelt down to receive the imperial decree.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Wan Yuechi, the top scholar, has performed exceptionally well in the palace examination and is hereby granted the rank of sixth grade. Cao Chengye, the third-ranking scholar, will serve as his deputy. Tomorrow, the former Grand Tutor Wan Suizhou is invited to bring his family member Wan Wanwan to the palace for an audience with the Emperor. This is the imperial decree."
Although they were puzzled as to why Wanwan had to be brought into the palace, the Wan family quickly thanked the emperor for his kindness and accepted the gift.
The brother and sister discussed the matter for half the night, but still couldn't figure out why the emperor wanted to see Wanwan.
"Is the Emperor someone who sits in a very, very high position?" Wanwan had never seen such a description in storybooks, and she was very puzzled as she held the imperial edict.
Wan Yuechi didn't know how to answer. During the palace examination, he was only focused on his own paper and hadn't actually seen the emperor's face yet. He also didn't know how to properly answer his sister's question.
"In short, you can't look the Emperor in the eye when you meet him. It will be seen as disrespecting the Emperor and you will be punished. Grandpa will tell you the rest tomorrow," Wan Yuechi said patiently, a little worried, as he reached out and stroked Wanwan's head, which was always full of doubts.
Under the warm yellow light, Wan Yuechi's moon-white clothes were tinged with a warm orange hue, making his already gentle eyebrows and eyes appear even softer. His slightly lighter-colored eyes were like glass washed with clear water, bright and shining, reflecting the scattered lights, making them even clearer and brighter.
Wanwan looked at her brother, not wanting to ask any more questions, and obediently nodded, "Oh."
Its head drooped, and the blue ribbon tied around its head also drooped down, as if it had instantly lost its life.
Why is this emperor so delicate! He wants to condemn someone just by looking at them.
Wanwan spent a confusing night, and the next day, as soon as the sun rose, Wan Suizhou dragged her out of bed.
Having escaped the warm comfort of her bed, Wanwan was met with the lingering fog. She rubbed her eyes with a slightly aggrieved expression, pouted, and stepped onto the carriage.
The roads in the capital were wide and flat, and the carriage was traveling smoothly, but suddenly it was stopped.
The two people in the carriage were stunned for a moment. They lifted the curtain and looked out, only to see a huge carriage with six horses blocking their way.
Given the wide road surface, it seems that the other party's actions were intentional.
The opposing horses were all completely black, without a single stray hair. They were tall and had huge hooves, almost twice the width of Wanwan's horses. They were kicking their hooves in frustration, while the grandfather and grandson's horses were retreating in fear.
Wan Suizhou frowned. Seeing that the other party had no intention of giving way, he instructed the driver to turn around and continue on his way.
Upon hearing this, the coachman immediately cracked his whip, and the horse, still shaken, veered to the side.
But before they had gone a few steps, the curtain of the carriage opposite them was lifted, and a man who was nearly fifty years old stepped down.
Before Wanwan could see the person's face clearly, she spotted a thick cloud of black mist.
She hadn't seen such a heavy black color in a long time!
Wanwan's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately understood the man's identity. He was also meeting the emperor, and he had such pure black aura and such a luxurious carriage. What high-ranking official could he be but the Marquis of Xining?
As the black mist dissipated, the wrinkled face of Marquis Xi Ning was revealed. His turbid eyes were fierce like those of a hawk, and his solemn official robes and meticulous demeanor exuded an imposing aura.
Even though he's reached an age where his temples are gray, his cold and stern demeanor alone is enough to deter anyone from daring to offend him!
He approached and went straight to Wan Suizhou. The grandfather and grandson had no choice but to get out of the car.
"Grand Tutor, how have you been? It's an honor to meet you here. I came here specifically to say hello."
His tone softened considerably when he spoke, but his curved eyes remained fixed on that undeniable cloud of black mist.
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