Are you satisfied with Chapter 99?
Xie Yunman achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations, and apart from the Xie and Xue families, Xiao Ling was the happiest.
Upon learning this news, the Crown Prince congratulated him.
"Congratulations, Xie Yunman has finally achieved the highest rank in all three levels of the imperial examination."
You're one step closer to your goal of marrying the third daughter of the Xie family.
Xiao Ling smiled and said, "The nation has gained another outstanding talent. Congratulations!"
The Crown Prince looked at Xiao Ling and asked, "Tell me, what are your plans next?"
Xiao Ling thought for a moment and said, "Let's see what position my uncle gives him first."
The Crown Prince asked, "Which position do you prefer? Compiler in the Hanlin Academy, Secretary, or Lecturer to the Emperor?"
Xiao Ling turned to look at the Crown Prince: "How was the Emperor's lecture?"
"Yes. As a close advisor to the emperor, his future prospects are limitless."
The Crown Prince nodded and said, "Alright, for the sake of your marriage, then you shall serve as my tutor."
"If Father doesn't want to listen to the lecture, he shouldn't be summoned; instead, he should be sent to lecture me."
After the two reached an agreement, the Crown Prince went to find the Emperor.
Xiao Ling stood up, dusted off non-existent dust from his clothes, and leisurely left the palace.
The following day, the imperial court held the Qionglin Banquet, and Xie Yunman, as the newly appointed top scholar, naturally had to attend.
Who would have thought that Xue Zhan would arrive just as Changshou left the house?
He was accompanied by two lean men who looked quite skilled.
"These are the guards Weiyang chose for you. Take them with you when you go out for self-defense."
Xie Yunman expressed his gratitude.
After Xue Zhan left, he asked the two men their names: one was Xue Shiba (meaning "Eighteenth") and the other was Xue Shijiu (meaning "Nineteenth").
Xie Yunman: ...
At the Qionglin Banquet, Xie Yunman, despite his young age, sat at the head of the table, which displeased many of the older people below him.
So they set all sorts of questions, supposedly for discussion and exchange, but actually to test the teachers.
However, Xie Yunman was not afraid at all and dealt with each one of them.
Everyone saw that his talent was indeed outstanding and that he could not be stumped.
Then they started pouring him more wine; Xie Yunman was indeed no good.
So he said that he had been in poor health since childhood and was really not good at drinking alcohol.
However, despite being persuaded by everyone and having taken hangover pills beforehand, he still returned home drunk.
On the way back, Xue Shiba drove, Changshou took care of Xie Yunman in the car, and Xue Shijiu followed behind.
The two people Xue Weiyang sent were originally intended to guard against the Crown Prince harming Xie Yunman.
As expected, they discovered someone was secretly following them.
Xie Yunman was unwell and used the excuse of feeling unwell after a hangover to stay at home for several days, not venturing out of the house.
On this day, the Crown Prince summoned the old Grand Tutor to the palace. When the old Grand Tutor came out, he was all smiles.
After that, Xie Yunman continued to stay home and didn't go out.
In March and April, the eldest prince and the second prince got married one after another.
Apart from the Ministry of Rites, who were extremely busy, everyone else in the capital also enjoyed the festivities.
Xie Yunyu and Wu Yumin sighed, "No matter how unwilling Wei Ningyan was, she finally became the Crown Prince's consort."
Wu Yumin smiled and said, "I saw Qin Yingying on the street a couple of days ago. She seemed quite happy and satisfied with the marriage."
“Everyone has their own destiny. The Second Prince is actually quite suitable for her,” Xie Yunyu said.
As the two were talking, they saw a stranger visiting and quickly returned to the backyard.
It turned out that it was Su Chen, Xie Yunman's good friend from Nanshan Academy, who had been slashed on the Lantern Festival, who came to visit him.
Su Chen was slashed and is recuperating at home. He missed this year's imperial examination and plans to take it again next year.
After his injuries had healed, and seeing that the newly appointed top scholar had not yet left the house, he came to visit him.
"You, the top scholar, why do you stay at home all day like a young lady, never going out?"
Su Chen joked.
Xie Yunman led the person to a tree in his yard.
Because Xie Yunyu liked to lounge in a recliner, over time, other family members also ended up with recliners in the yard.
At this moment, Xie Yunman and Su Chen were slumped in their recliners.
Lying here in the March breeze, watching the leaves sway on the branches overhead, is incredibly pleasant.
Su Chen sighed, "Sigh, you really know how to enjoy life."
Xie Yunman laughed and said, "My home is so comfortable, why would I go out?"
"You're about to enter the imperial court. Everyone else is making friends and visiting their masters. It's good to have a good official position in the court."
"But you're so carefree, you don't care about anything, all you do is stay home and do nothing."
Su Chen was furious at his lack of ambition.
Xie Yunman smiled and said, "I'm different from them. I've already caused trouble for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
I don't want to go out and cause any more unnecessary trouble.
If we cause any more trouble, His Majesty will be displeased.
Su Chen listened thoughtfully and asked, "What, has news come out of the palace?"
"Yes. My grandfather went to the palace a few days ago."
"But you don't need to worry about my official position. As long as there's no trouble here, my position will be fine."
Su Chen nodded: "That's good."
Su Chen thought it was His Majesty who had said something.
Xie Yunman was actually referring to the eldest prince.
Because of Xue Jiu Niangzi's matter, they offended the eldest prince. If they cause another disturbance, the emperor will probably be dissatisfied with the Xie family in order to protect his son.
So, it's best to keep a low profile and wait until you're officially appointed to your post before making any further moves.
He had already written to Xue Zhan a couple of days ago, explaining the upcoming arrangements.
Allow the Duke of Zhenguo to attend court as usual. If the eldest prince provokes you, do not argue with him; outwardly, appear submissive.
Just bear with it, and some censors and officials will surely stand up and speak up for the Duke of Zhenguo.
It will leave a good impression on His Majesty.
The household must be kept strictly guarded. Xue Weiyang should not go out unless necessary, and if she does go out, she must take enough people with her.
Xue Zhan read the letter and nodded repeatedly.
As expected, the Crown Prince's faction has been targeting the Duke of Zhenguo in court these past few days, and the Duke of Zhenguo has put on a very convincing act of being wronged.
They were submissive and submissive, like a submissive daughter-in-law, with their heads bowed and backs bent, showing that they dared not speak out against their anger.
As expected, the imperial censors stood up and collectively criticized the eldest prince's faction.
The emperor was also unhappy, feeling that the eldest prince was using his imperial power to oppress others, and his dislike grew even stronger.
When the court session ended, the emperor specially kept the Duke of Zhenguo behind to offer him words of comfort.
He also said that he was going to marry off his daughter, and gave Xue Weiyang many gifts to take back with him.
When the Empress heard that the Emperor had bestowed something upon Xue Weiyang, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
This is a blatant slap in the face to the eldest prince.
So the husband and wife quickly followed suit and sent a bunch of gifts to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, saying they were for Xue Weiyang's dowry.
The Duke of Zhenguo returned to his residence with a beaming smile.
"Hahahahahahahaha..."
The Duke of Zhenguo let out a loud, booming laugh.
"That was fucking satisfying. All these years, all I've heard are those censors impeaching me every day."
I never thought they'd speak up for me. It's fucking satisfying!
Then he turned to look at Xue Zhan: "That kid from the Xie family came up with a good idea."
Finally, I've managed to hold my head high in the court! Hahahaha…
The Duke of Zhenguo's face was contorted with rage, and his voice echoed throughout the hall.
Xue Zhan smiled as well.
Looking at the gifts in the hall, the Duke of Zhenguo said, "Come, these are gifts from His Majesty and the Empress to add to Weiyang's dowry. Send them all to her courtyard."
The Duchess of Zhenguo was also very happy. It seemed that the Emperor supported the marriage, and her daughter had married a good man.
So he directed the servants, saying, "Someone, gather up all the tonics and energy-boosting pills in the house and send them to the son-in-law."
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Zhenguo quickly replied, "Yes, yes, send them over, send them all over."
Xie Yunman is chatting with Su Chen.
Suddenly, a dozen or so servants entered the house, each carrying a box.
"Second Young Master, these are all tonics sent by the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
Xie Yunman asked in surprise, "Wasn't it just delivered a few days ago?"
"The person who came was Miss Yunqi, who was by Ninth Lady's side. She said that the Emperor and Empress had added a lot of makeup for Ninth Lady, and Ninth Lady had selected some to be sent over."
Xie Yunman immediately understood what was going on. He waved his hand, instructing Ping An and Changshou to arrange a place to put it away.
After the servants left, Su Chen asked Xie Yunman with a strange cry:
"Does the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion often send things over?"
"Um."
Xie Yunman answered contentedly with her eyes closed.
"Sending so much at once?"
"Yes. There were more before."
Su Chen reached out and patted Xie Yunman: "You're so lucky. It's true what they say, comparisons are the thief of joy."
Xie Yun opened her eyes and looked at him, puzzled.
"Is your family going bankrupt? Or was your father's salary confiscated?"
"Pah, pah, pah, can't you wish me something good?" Su Chen glared at him.
Su Chen's father was the Vice Minister of Rites, and came from a wealthy and influential family.
"I mean, this marriage is quite good. It seems the Duke of Zhenguo's family is very satisfied with you."
Xie Yunman lay back down, closed her eyes, and said:
“You’re not stating the obvious. Everyone in the capital knows how this marriage came about, and the Xue family is naturally satisfied.”
Upon hearing this, Su Chen suddenly became gossipy:
"I've met that Lady Xue before. She's quite beautiful and very valiant."
Are you satisfied now?
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