Lian Yu had taken many exams, both big and small, and had even personally experienced the metropolitan examination. However, the metropolitan examination and the palace examination were quite different.
The imperial examination was overseen by the emperor, and Lian Yu was quite nervous. After all, besides wanting to get good grades, he also wanted to marry the emperor's most beloved daughter.
However, he realized he had been overthinking it when the exam started. Although Emperor Kangxi was supervising the exam, he couldn't watch them all the time. He only showed up twice, and the rest of the time the exam was supervised by a special person.
After finishing the exam, Lian Yu felt he had done quite well. He handed in his paper and went home to wait for the results.
The results of the palace examination came out faster than those of the provincial examination. On the day the results were released, Anle specially sent people to wait at the place where the results were posted, just to find out Lian Yu's results as soon as possible.
"Make way, make way!" The officials had just finished posting the list of successful candidates when they were blocked by a swarm of people. Those who wanted to enter couldn't, and those who wanted to leave couldn't.
It took a while for the officials to come out.
Those who embraced a relaxed lifestyle were quick-witted and were the first to see results.
"Princess, good news! Princess Lianyu has won the third place in the imperial examination."
Lian Yu was originally third in the provincial examination, but now he has become the third-ranked scholar in the palace examination. It is not surprising, but it is still something to be happy about.
The people from Lian Yu's Suochuoluo Mansion were not as clever as the people from Anle, so Lian Yu learned about his results from someone sent by Anle.
Such good results brought joy to some and sorrow to others. Lian Yu was naturally happy, and his father Yongde was also quite pleased. He was doing well as an official and his son was successful, so he was naturally happy.
Li Jia was the most unhappy. Her stepson was doing well, which made her biological son look incompetent.
Regardless, Li Jiashi still appeared very happy and even went to congratulate him in person.
Her niece, Li Jia, also went to offer her congratulations.
After receiving the news that Lian Yu had become the third-ranked scholar, Miss Li Jia was naturally very happy. Since she was scheming, she naturally wanted Lian Yu to be as successful as possible.
Miss Li Jia has been in Suochuoluo for some time, but this is the first time she has seen Lian Yu. She had only heard that he was handsome, and although she had imagined him in her heart, she did not know much about him, and her imagination could not compare to the real Lian Yu.
Sure enough, upon seeing Lian Yu for the first time, Miss Li Jia blushed, lowered her head, and felt a sense of timidity.
Li Jia felt she was not good enough for Lian Yu, given his appearance and demeanor, but she was unwilling to let go, which made her even more distressed.
Looking at her niece's expression, Li Jia didn't know who to be angry with next.
After exchanging many pleasantries, Li Jiashi came and went in a hurry, leaving after only a few words, and Lian Yu didn't take it too seriously.
After Anle's people left, the people Lian Yu sent arrived, accompanied by government officials. One of them was ranked third in the first class and was of Manchu ethnicity, so it was indeed worth the officials making this trip.
After the officials were seen off, the entire Suochuoluo mansion knew that Lian Yu had become the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination, and the whole mansion was overjoyed.
Lian Yu was also happy. After dealing with the situation at home, he went to the palace, where there were still many things to do!
When Lian Yu came out of the palace, he was already dressed in a red robe. This year's top scholar was already in his early thirties. Compared with the top scholars of the past, he was naturally young and promising. However, although he was in his thirties and had a refined temperament, he was not young. He was also handsome. Naturally, all eyes along the street were on Lian Yu.
As for the runner-up, he was about the same age as the top scorer, but not as good-looking.
For a time, among the three people riding horses, only Lian Yu stole the show.
Anle watched Lian Yu from a private room in a restaurant along the street. The maidservant serving her couldn't help but say, "I noticed quite a few people throwing handkerchiefs and sachets at Young Master Lian Yu. I'm afraid that quite a few people will want to marry Young Master Lian Yu today!"
Anle's smile vanished upon hearing this.
Lian Yu was a bit older than An Le. Many men his age in the capital had already gotten married, and some even had children who could talk and walk.
As the saying goes, "One should establish a family and then a career." Lian Yuye has already achieved some success, so this family will surely succeed as well.
Thinking this way, Anle felt even more uncomfortable.
Anle felt regret and remorse just thinking about the possibility of Lian Yuzhen marrying the woman next to him.
"Princess, what's wrong?" She was fine just a moment ago, why did she suddenly become so downcast?
Anle shook her head: "It's nothing, I was just thinking about something."
After saying that, Anle continued to look in Lian Yu's direction. Just as Lian Yu was about to ride away on his horse, Anle suddenly took off a betrothal token from her waist, aimed it at Lian Yu, and threw it into his arms.
Anle had a good aim; few others could throw sachets accurately. Lian Yu caught it just in time. He subconsciously looked in the direction the jade pendant had come from and saw Anle with a bright smile. Lian Yu immediately smiled as well, and then put the jade pendant into his pocket.
Lian Yu's smile caused the women along the street to gasp in surprise. The young master's smile was like a gentle breeze and a bright moon, instantly dispelling the last chill of winter.
Anle smiled happily as she watched him put the jade pendant into his pocket.
Even Yu was busy that day; he only had some free time on the second day.
At noon, Lian Yu arranged to meet An Le at their usual restaurant. An Le had taken the time to dress up, which was unusual for her, and Lian Yu also paid extra attention to his appearance.
When the two met, they couldn't help but smile.
Lian Yu was older in mind, and seeing An Le's different appearance than usual, he felt more confident about what was to come.
There were only the two of them in the private room; the servants beside them had been dismissed.
After the meal, Lian Yu said very solemnly, "There's something I want to tell you."
Anle said, "Then you go first. I also have something to tell you."
Lian Yu didn't stand on ceremony.
"I am a humble man, twenty-one years old this year, and I have already achieved the title of Jinshi. I wish to ask for the princess's hand in marriage. I wonder if the princess would be willing?"
Anle was stunned when she heard this. She hadn't expected that what he wanted to say was the same thing she wanted to say.
Now that she's confessing her feelings, Anle blushes and her heart races.
Anle wasn't one to be pretentious, and immediately nodded in agreement.
"Okay, I agree."
Lian Yu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. He had been quite nervous, as he was somewhat confident but not certain of success.
Then Lian Yu asked, "What is it you want to say?"
Anle smiled and said, "There's no need to say anything now."
No need to say anything more?
Seeing Lian Yu's puzzled look, An Le explained, "You've already said it, what else can I say?"
Lian Yu immediately realized that the two of them were talking about the same thing.
That's wonderful.
"I will propose marriage to His Majesty."
On one side, the two lovers finally got married. On the other side, Li Jia said to her husband.
"Lian Yu's success in the imperial examination is a major event for the manor. I think we should hold a grand celebration to make it more lively."
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