The newly appointed top three scholars (Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua) can exit the palace through the main gate (Wumen), while the rest can only use the side gates.
Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi walked through the Donghua Gate on the other side. Yongqi smiled and said, "See you at Huibinlou."
After the four met at Huibinlou, Liu Qing had already arranged rooms for them.
The food was already prepared. Liu Qing raised his wine glass and said, "Congratulations to our new top scholar and third-place scholar. Congratulations to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess for gaining another powerful ally."
"Then you all stay here and enjoy your meal. I'll head down and get back to work now."
Liu Yu and Qian Dayun never dreamed that their trip to the capital for the imperial examination would lead them to become friends with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
"Your Highness, this cup is for you."
"Brother Liu, once we leave the palace, just call me Brother Yan as before."
Xiao Yanzi chimed in, "Yongqi is right. We shouldn't stand on ceremony here outside the palace."
"Very well, Brother Yan, Madam Yan, we thank you both."
Little Swallow asked in confusion, "Why are you thanking us? You became the top three scholars through your own abilities."
Yongqi nodded, "Yes, we didn't do anything!"
"You can stay in the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice with peace of mind, study hard, and get rid of the parasites inside as soon as possible."
"After you are officially appointed to your official positions, I will introduce Erkang and Ziwei to you."
"These must be the legendary Princess Mingzhu and Prince Consort Mingzhu, right?"
Xiao Yanzi nodded, "That's right, it's them, along with my brother Xiao Jian and sister-in-law Qing'er."
Qian Dayun raised his glass and laughed, "You are all outstanding individuals. It's truly a blessing from our ancestors that we can befriend you."
Yongqi also raised his glass and said, "Whether it will smoke or not is still unknown, but what you need to be sure of is that if you do anything illegal, disorderly, or disrupt the court, I will not show any mercy!"
Liu Yu and Qian Dayun cupped their hands and said, "Brother Yan, rest assured, we understand!"
"Knock knock"
A knock came at the door, and Xiao Yanzi got up to open it. "What is it?"
"Princess Hanxiang and the others have arrived."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yanzi quickly turned to Yongqi and said, "Yongqi, Hanxiang and the others are here."
Upon hearing this, Yongqi quickly came out as well, asking, "Really?"
Liu Yu and Qian Dayun were completely baffled.
Afterwards, Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi saw Hanxiang and Mardan downstairs, with two children beside them.
"Yongqi, could that be Hanxiang and Mardan's child?"
Yongqi laughed and said, "I think it's probably true."
Hanxiang and Mardan also looked up and saw them. Then, led by Liu Hong, the four of them went upstairs.
Xiao Yanzi and Hanxiang hugged each other. "Hanxiang, it's been so long since we last met."
Hanxiang smiled and said, "It really has been a long time."
Yongqi and Mardan hugged each other, and Yongqi asked, "Hanxiang, Mardan, how long do you plan to stay here this time?"
Mardan shook his head. "I don't know yet."
"Hanxiang heard that you have some kind of imperial examination here, and thought that you might have some kind of event, so she came to check it out."
Liu Hong smiled and said, "You guys don't need to stand outside, come in and sit down and chat."
"I'll have someone bring over a few more dishes, and you can eat and chat at the same time."
"Liu Hong, have someone go find Ziwei and Qing'er. If they are free, have them come over."
"good."
Mardan's family entered the room and looked at Liu Yu and Qian Dayun face to face. "Yongqi, who are those two?"
"One is Liu Yu, the top scorer this year, and the other is Qian Dayun, the third-ranked scholar."
"Liu Yu, Qian Dayun, this is Princess Hanxiang from the Hui region, the other is her husband, and these two little ones are their children."
"Greetings, Princess Hanxiang and Your Highness." Liu Yu and Qian Dayun bowed in unison.
After everyone was seated, Xiao Yanzi looked at the two children and asked, "Hanxiang, what are their names?"
"My daughter is named Mai Xi'er, and my son is named Mai Jie'er."
"Xi'er, Jie'er, aren't you going to greet them?"
Mai Xi'er and Mai Jie'er looked at Xiao Yanzi and Yong Qi and called out, "Auntie, Uncle."
Little Swallow asked, "Hanxiang, I remember, weren't they born the same year I returned to the palace?"
Hanxiang nodded, "Yes, so they're both nine years old now."
Yongqi laughed and said, "These two children are actually the two oldest among our group of children."
Mai Xier looked at Yongqi curiously, "Then, Uncle, when can we see our younger brothers and sisters?"
Yongqi smiled, lowered his head and asked, "Do you really want to see them?"
Mai Xi'er nodded, "Of course."
Hanxiang smiled and said, "It's not just Xi'er who wants to see us, we want to see us too."
"When we came before, Xiao Taiyang, Dong'er, Mianhua, and Mianyao were only one year old. So many years have passed, their appearances must have changed quite a bit..."
After thinking for a while, Xiao Yanzi said, "Let's meet here in five days."
"They may be a bit busy these next few days, but in five days, it will be their rest time."
Hanxiang lowered her head and said to Mai Xier, "Xier, did you hear that? We'll wait here for five days, and then we'll be able to see our younger brothers and sisters."
Mai Xier nodded and replied, "I understand."
"By the way, Hanxiang, how is your godfather's health?"
Hanxiang smiled and said, "I'm fine."
Mardan chimed in, “Absolutely! He still has the energy to curse!”
The usually quiet McGill couldn't help but burst out laughing, "Who told Daddy to do something bad..."
“…” Mardan fell silent.
Yongqi asked curiously, "Jie'er, what bad thing did your father do?"
"My father..." Before he could finish speaking, Mardan covered his mouth, "Mmm..."
"McGill, don't go around telling others about family matters!"
Yongqi hadn't guessed what the bad thing was at first, but when Mardan covered his mouth, he understood.
“No wonder…” Yongqi looked at Mardan with a sly grin.
Mardan swallowed hard. "We're evenly matched. If Little Swallow's parents were still alive, they'd definitely scold you too!"
Little Swallow couldn't help but laugh, "The person who insulted him was his own father..."
Hanxiang and Mardan couldn't help but burst into laughter again. Mardan mocked mercilessly, "Looks like you're even worse off than me. Even your own father can't stand you!"
Yongqi was speechless. "Little Swallow!"
Liu Yu and Qian Dayun were completely dumbfounded as they watched these people interact.
Mai Xier looked at Liu Yu and Qian Dayun curiously, "Uncles, what's wrong with you? Why are you spacing out?"
Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi finally came to their senses and looked at the two people, finding them staring blankly. Xiaoyanzi laughed and said, "It seems they were scared by us."
After chatting for a while, Qing'er and Xia Ziwei finally arrived late.
"Hanxiang!"
"Ziwei, Qing'er!"
The three of them hugged each other again. "Ziwei, Qing'er, I'm so glad to see you again."
Qing'er noticed the two little ones behind her. "Hanxiang, Mardan, are these your children?"
Mai Xi'er said, "I've seen you in Mother's portrait. You're Aunt Qing'er..."
Qing'er was wearing a light green dress, and Xia Ziwei behind her was wearing a light purple dress. "You are Aunt Ziwei."
Qing'er walked up to Mai Xi'er and asked, "What's your name?"
Mai Xier smiled and said, "Aunt Qing'er, my name is Mai Xier, you can call me Xier."
“That’s my brother, Maijie.” Mai Xi’er pointed to the little boy standing next to Maidan.
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After catching up for a while, Yongqi glanced at the sky outside and said, "It's about time, we should go back."
"Hanxiang, Mardan, you can stay at this guesthouse. We'll come out again when we have time."
Mardan nodded. "Don't worry, we won't hold back!"
Xia Ziwei smiled and looked at Hanxiang, "Hanxiang, Qing'er and I live outside the palace. If you have nothing to do, you can come and visit the Scholar's Mansion and the General's Mansion. I think Dong'er and Xiao Taiyang will be very curious about you."
Mardan nodded in agreement, "We will go."
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