Outside the palace gate on this day of the palace examination, when the sun rises, the candidates have already set off to wait here.

The vermilion gate, several feet high, was closed tightly. As soon as Chen Hou arrived, a drum sound came from the palace, and the gate slowly opened. After a unified body search, the candidates passed through the towering palace gates and stood in the square in front of the Golden Palace. Dozens of officials, including the document reading officer and the document receiving officer, also stood on the Danbao. After accepting the visits of the candidates, they waited for the emperor's arrival.

At the moment of Chen, the emperor slowly came with a solemn expression, but he could not see the look of illness.

The emperor glanced at everyone, and at his gesture, everyone entered the hall, knelt on the ground, bowed five times and three times in unison.

Subsequently, the examiner read out the imperial edict and the questions were included. After reading, the candidates took their seats one by one. The desks used for the exam were already placed by officials the day before. After seeing that everyone was ready, they began to issue the questions and answer sheets.

For a moment, the rustling sound of the candidates writing quickly was heard in the hall. The emperor stayed for about an hour and left first.

In the afternoon, several candidates handed over the papers and left until the sunset was dusk. At this time, the papers were officially completed and the candidates' answers ended.

Many students left together and couldn't wait to discuss the topic and their own ideas.

Song Xubai, the first place in the previous exam, was surrounded by many candidates, and everyone chatted about discussing and sharing.

There were also those who couldn't see it. They felt that Song Xubai, an unknown man, had actually won Huiyuan. They couldn't help but sarcastic: "Some people should not be happy too early. Everything depends on the emperor's will. If the ranking comes out, it's not too late to compliment."

Some students wanted to retaliate but were grabbed.

Before the palace gate, it was always difficult to cause trouble. Everyone snorted coldly and dispersed one after another.

Three days later, as soon as the yellow list was released, the emperor appointed the top scorer as Gu Zhiheng, the second scorer Song Xubai and Tanhua Ji Zhuo.

The rankings of other candidates were also announced on the yellow list, and Huang Ming was ranked eleventh. In fact, this is already a very good ranking, but naturally it is not as good as expected.

People in the Huang family thought that their young masters were at least in the top ten, and they might be the top three if they worked hard. They didn’t know whether to be happy or unhappy with their current results. Looking up, there were also people around them who were happy and sad.

On this day, the streets of Kyoto were beating gongs and drums everywhere. Gu Zhiheng wore red silk and rode on the tall horse he gave to the emperor, and his handsome face was irrepressible with excitement. Behind him were Song Xubai and Ji Zhuo, and both of them were happily nodding with the people watching the roadside.

There were those brave and enthusiastic people who saw that the priest and others were so handsome and talented, and threw flowers and handkerchiefs at them. The street was filled with cheers, as if the whole of Kyoto was boiling.

In Tingfeng Pavilion, Shen Qingyun, who was by the window on the second floor, withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly: "Qianxue, you really have a keen eye to recognize heroes."

Ji Qianxue sat opposite her, looking at the distant back, but she didn't come back to her senses for a long time, and there was a blush of excitement and joy on her cheeks.

When she noticed that Shen Qingyun was looking at her with a funny look, Ji Qianxue lowered her head, took a sip of tea and covered her shyness, like a little rabbit caught secretly gnawing on carrots.

She coughed lightly before saying softly: "Qingyun, I should thank you anyway. If you hadn't asked the prince for help for me, maybe you wouldn't have seen this scene at this moment."

"It's just a simple task, let alone such talents will always shine. Fortunately, I didn't miss this opportunity."

Chen Qingyun smiled slightly and added a cup of tea. The fragrance of tea spreads inside the house. The breeze slowly raised several strands of her hair, and the sun shone in. Her indifferent and delicate face was shining with bright light, as if she was dizzy.

Ji Qianxue couldn't help but be stunned and couldn't help but quip: "Qingyun, I've seen you haven't seen each other for a while, and you seem to be a little more beautiful. After filial piety this year, I'm afraid the doorbars of the Duke's Mansion will be trampled."

Chen Qingyun glared at her angrily: "You dare to talk to me, but you, the Grand Tutor, are so anxious."

She paused and said obscurely: "Gu Zhiheng's article was appreciated by the Grand Tutor in the past. Now, you have thought about the top scorer in high school. Should you tell me the truth about your help?"

Upon hearing this, a trace of confusion and bitterness flashed in Ji Qianxue's eyes.

Chen Qingyun didn't say anything anymore, and the two sat quietly for a while.

"Qingyun, let's not say anything. Besides, when I helped him, I never wanted to repay kindness. If I told him, he would be very stressed. I don't think he knew about this and would be good to everyone." After a long time, Ji Qianxue said slowly.

Chen Qingyun nodded in a clear understanding.

Although Gu Zhiheng was the top scorer in high school, his family was in decline. I am afraid that the Taifu would not consider marrying Ji Qianxue to him.

Seeing Ji Qianxue's expression of loss, Chen Qingyun smiled and changed the subject: "Look at your brother who has also won the second place this time, I believe that the Taifu Mansion will also celebrate today."

"Yes, my father always said that my brother was not knowledgeable enough, and it was unexpected that he would get such a good ranking this time. I guess my father must be very happy."

The two sat and chatted for a while, thinking that Ji Qianxue would go home early today, so they would return home.

On the carriage, Pearl was still discussing the top three just now, then came over and whispered: "Miss, in my opinion, Mr. Gu and Miss Ji are really talented and beautiful, and they look like Deng is very close."

Chen Qingyun poked her forehead: "You are not allowed to mention this sentence outside, so as not to affect Qianxue's reputation."

Pearl smiled and stuck out her tongue.

Yi Cui, who was standing beside him, said emotionally: "Miss Ji is beautiful and kind-hearted. Which man would not like such a woman? Unfortunately, Mr. Gu was not born well, so he might miss his fate."

Pearl nodded in agreement.

Chen Qingyun looked at the two little maids with helplessness and discussed in a low voice, leaning on the back of the carriage, closing his eyes and concentrating.

I don’t know when Si Moli will come back.

A few days later, Gu Zhiheng's figure appeared in the palace, but the old housekeeper told him that the prince had not returned yet when he went out to the border.

Gu Zhiheng nodded with clarity. He handed over the remaining silver he owed to the old housekeeper and said respectfully and politely: "When the prince comes back, I will come back to visit and thank you."

The old butler smiled and nodded, sending Gu Zhiheng out of the palace.

Gu Zhiheng walked home and heard someone calling him halfway through: "Hey, Zhiheng, why are you here? I still want to find you? Just go back to Ji Mansion with me. Today I invited some classmates to gather at home for exchanges."

He heard this sound and knew it was Ji Zhuo. He smiled and turned around and replied: "Brother Ji."

"Okay, there is no need for so many false gifts between you and me. Let's go." Ji Zhuo smiled brightly, pulled Gu Zhiheng up, and the two of them arrived at Ji's mansion.
Chapter completed!