Chi Xingyue covered his pounding heart and was supported by Baozhu as he sat back down at the table.
The star-chasing people followed the parade, and the streets gradually became quiet.
The Ling family rested for a while and prepared to leave.
The daughter of the chief priest hurriedly took out the banknotes and said, "I'm sorry, Madam Ling, I don't know your identities. I was rude just now."
Shu Muyun quickly refused: "It's okay, how can we go back on our word?"
He patted the young lady of the Jijiu family's arm and said, "You and Xingyue are about the same age. Come to my house and play someday."
The young lady from the host family nodded: "Thank you, Madam Ling, for the invitation!"
Shu Muyun didn't say anything else. He went downstairs with the old lady and Chi Xingyue and got on the carriage to go home.
After the figure disappeared, the maidservant of the chief priest said, "It's just that his son passed the imperial examination and became the top scholar. Why does it feel like the Ling family is so arrogant?
Especially how the wife of the top scholar said the word "no need for formalities".
Doesn't she understand the rules of the government backyard?"
The daughter of the chief priest hurriedly interrupted the little girl's nonsense: "This city is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Who knows, the wife of the top scholar may have other backgrounds.
Just like the bracelet on her hand, did you see it? It’s of average quality.
I'm afraid even if I sell everything in my house, I still can't afford to buy one.
But the wife of the number one scholar did not seem cautious at all in her behavior.
What does this mean? The Ling family has a deep foundation. It's not as shallow as it appears on the surface."
The little girl thought for a moment and suddenly remembered: "Miss, I remember that last summer, a girl in the city was named the Princess of Le'an County, and her husband's surname seemed to be Ling.
Could this number one scholar's wife be the Princess of Le'an County?"
The young lady from the chief priest's family widened her eyes in surprise, recalling how calmly Chi Xingyue said "no need for formalities", and felt that it was really the case.
She couldn't help but feel a little panicked, and hurriedly took the little maid home to inquire about the news.
Unexpectedly, this conversation was heard by the onlookers who were about to go home after watching the excitement.
So word spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and Chi Xingyue, the low-key and insignificant county lord, became famous along with Ling Jiheng.
In just one day, everyone in the city knew that the top scholar's wife was the Princess of Le'an County.
Now, the one who had this idea is completely screwed.
I dare not, I dare not at all.
However, Ling Jiheng did not return until late at night.
After the parade, Ling Jiheng took off his red robe and waited with the students for Emperor Zhou to finish his government affairs so that he could hold a banquet for the new scholars.
I haven't eaten all day, and to be honest, I'm quite hungry.
But the government did not arrange lunch for them, so even though their stomachs were rumbling, they dared not say anything.
They persisted in this way until the Ministry of Rites held a banquet, and then everyone had a chance to eat.
Even if you are so hungry that you can't bear it anymore, you still have to maintain your composure in front of the emperor and restrain your desires.
Ling Jiheng didn't have so many concerns. If he said he would eat, he would really eat without wasting anything.
I just feel that the royal chef’s cooking skills are average, and many of his dishes are not as delicious as those made by his Aunt Taohua.
In fact, it’s not that the royal chef’s skills are bad, but that the Ling family’s ingredients are too good.
It is fresh, nutritious, and there are new things popping up from time to time.
If paired with Chi Xingyue's spiritual spring water, it would be strange if it didn't taste good.
But for scholars with little knowledge, such specifications are already the best.
Especially the last plate of strawberry cream cake, which made their eyes light up. They thought that it was indeed a palace and there was such a novelty in it.
Qin Zhaolin took a bite and asked Ling Jiheng, "Brother Ling, this pastry looks just like the ones in your shop!"
Ling Jiheng said modestly: "Although they look similar, the craftsmanship of the imperial kitchen is more exquisite!"
Emperor Zhou heard the conversation between the two and laughed.
“The royal chef indeed learned this skill from the bakery chefs.
However, the mastery of heat control makes the product slightly better."
Ling Jiheng said "yes", and everyone realized that this new number one scholar had an old relationship with the emperor.
However, no one doubted that his position as the top scholar was obtained through illegal means, because at the beginning of the banquet, Emperor Zhou pointed out the highlights of several test papers.
After hearing this, everyone felt that the top three were well-deserved. At the same time, they also understood Emperor Zhou's preferences.
The topic of desserts passed by quickly, and Emperor Zhou asked about Qin Zhaolin's marriage with a smile.
Of course, all of this had been investigated beforehand, and asking this question was just for show.
“Your Majesty, Zhaolin was previously busy with his studies and had not yet engaged with any other girl.
Now that I have passed the imperial examination and become the third place, I can ask my father to help me find a suitable candidate."
Emperor Zhou laughed heartily: "In that case, how about I act as a matchmaker for you?"
Qin Zhaolin quickly knelt down and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"
Emperor Zhou winked at the chief eunuch beside him, who took out the imperial edict and granted marriage between the top scholar and Princess Showa.
The others put down their chopsticks in surprise, with an expression in their eyes that was hard to tell whether it was envy or jealousy.
I thought that having a background makes one different. He hasn't even been assigned an official position yet, but he has already established a connection with the royal family. Wouldn't he have a bright future?
After Qin Zhaolin accepted the order and expressed his gratitude, the group of people quickly restrained their expressions and stood up to congratulate him.
Qin Zhaolin greeted everyone with a smile and seemed very satisfied with the marriage.
Seeing that they had almost finished their conversation, Emperor Zhou gave positions to the top three.
The top scholar was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, and the second and third scholars were appointed as editors in the Hanlin Academy.
At the same time, Ling Jiheng and Qin Zhaolin were given half a month's rest time.
As for Jiang Yuanyang, he was from another place and had to go home to worship his ancestors, entertain his neighbors, and then take his family and luggage to settle down in the provincial capital.
The round trip would take quite a while, so Emperor Zhou gave him a three-month vacation.
Jiang Yuanyang glanced at Ling Jiheng and Qin Zhaolin with envy, and accepted the order and expressed his gratitude.
For him, distance is not a problem, time is not a problem either. The problem is that his family is poor and he cannot afford the expenses of living in the provincial capital.
They say being an official is good, and it is indeed good. But once you truly step into this world, you realize that having a background makes all the difference.
At least Ling Jiheng and Qin Zhaolin didn't have to worry about where to live. But he still had to rent a house.
Emperor Zhou saw that he was frowning, so he asked, "Is the runner-up in the imperial examination in any difficulty?"
Jiang Yuanyang's expression froze, and he quickly said, "It's not difficult. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Ling Jiheng shook his head, thinking how stupid.
While Emperor Zhou is in a good mood, you can complain to him and maybe you can get a house for him.
At the very least, you can find a "free dormitory" to stay in temporarily.
But people are like this, they love face.
Jiang Yuanyang probably didn't say anything because he was afraid of damaging his image in the emperor's mind.
But he didn't know that before the students took part in the palace examination, the government had already investigated their situation thoroughly.
So, it was a missed opportunity.
After the banquet ended, a group of people left the Ministry of Rites together.
Those who have cars will take those who don’t home, and they can chat on the way.
Ling Jiheng was worried about Chi Xingyue, so he bowed to express his apology and left first.
The others looked at the back of the carriage, feeling jealous and sour, but they didn't know what to say.
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