Chapter 298: Chapter 299: Number One Scholar

Old Madam Bai looked at Bai Jinglie standing before her, a sense of relief finally settling in her heart. ’My eldest grandson really is resourceful,’ she thought. ’Even without military authority, he can still find other ways to help the Holy Emperor manage the state’s finances.’

Bai Jinglie tried to argue, but Old Madam Bai cut him off. "Besides, do you really think an ordinary, well-bred young lady could fare well under Ms. Kuang?

Just look at the Central Palace now. Isn’t it much quieter than when the late Emperor was still alive?"

Bai Jinglie finally understood her reasoning. "But not everyone is like Empress Zhou. Temperament is also very important. If she turns out to be a weak-willed person, wouldn’t I be ruining her life?"

"I’ve already looked into all of that for you. This Miss Deng isn’t some sheltered girl who never steps outside. She grew up on the border, often riding across the grasslands with her friends, and even goes hunting occasionally. Her personality is said to be quite forthright.

What I appreciate most is her strong constitution. She won’t be like your ill-fated mother..."

Seeing her grandson’s displeased expression, Old Madam Bai changed the subject. "As it happens, her portrait was among those the Empress sent over. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dared to entertain the idea."

Bai Jinglie said, "I’m just afraid that Ms. Kuang will use etiquette to keep her down. I’m always away and can only offer limited help. Let’s just forget it."

’Although I’d like to see that old man make a fool of himself, if this marriage really happens, that couple will probably just blame me for everything again, accusing me of making him lose his military authority.’

"As long as you approve, your grandmother will handle the rest for you.

If you’re truly worried, I’ll give you my word right now: you can take her with you when you leave."

Bai Jinglie was tempted. Who doesn’t want a wife, a child, and a warm home? "But given our situation, her family might not be willing."

Seeing her grandson finally relent, the old madam thumped her chest and promised, "I have some history with Mrs. Deng. This time, I’ll swallow my pride and go beg her myself if I have to."

"..."

&

On the day the official rankings were to be announced, the entire mansion was exceptionally quiet.

"Are you sure you don’t want to send someone to check?" Jin Qianqian asked, resting her chin in her hand as she met his gaze.

"Forget it. The scene there was a little scary." Gu Wenheng still felt a lingering fear just thinking about it. If Prince Bai hadn’t had a private room nearby, he probably wouldn’t have been able to get away in one piece that day.

Even during the few days he’d been hiding at home, he had to specifically send people out to spread the word that he had a wife and child and that they were a loving couple. Otherwise, clueless matchmakers would have probably started blocking his door.

Jin Qianqian was speechless. "..."

Soon, all of Shangjing City was in an uproar. In Jinluan Hall, the Holy Emperor had personally announced the names of the top scholars, appointing the top scorer, the runner-up, the third place, and the other Advanced Scholars.

In the past, whenever sons of high officials and nobles participated in the imperial examinations, they would more or less find a place on the list. This time, the purge was truly thorough.

An observant person went through the list and found that, aside from Xu Zhongren who was dangling at the very bottom of the Advanced Scholars list, it seemed not a single one of them had passed.

Shan Ke’an was at home, clapping his hands in glee. His attendant student knew who he couldn’t stand, so the first person he gossiped about was him. "Let’s see how that brat gets his revenge now! There are over a hundred people ranked above him. It’d take some real skill for him to make something happen to all of them."

"By the way, who were the top scorer and the runner-up? Why are you only telling me the least important news?"

Shan Ke’an suddenly glared at the servant before him. "You know what I care about."

"Young Master, I was just about to tell you. The top scorer is Gu Wenheng, the runner-up is West City Ning Yuchen, and third place is He Nan of Hua City.

Oh, and when I was coming over, I ran into the nanny from the Madam’s chambers. She said the Madam wants to see you."

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"Brother Wen Heng really is the top scorer!" Shan Ke’an was overjoyed, not hearing the last part of the message at all. He suddenly grabbed his attendant student. "I’ve struck it rich, right?"

"Yes, yes!" The attendant student’s mouth split into a wide grin. The young master had bet his entire fortune this time, and based on the odds, the payout would be several times that.

"Young Master, the Madam wants to see you..."

&

But the ones who were truly ecstatic were in the Gu Mansion. Jin Qianqian had the central doors thrown open and was having people toss out handful after handful of pre-exchanged copper coins at the entrance.

The neighbors on their street were all shocked. They were all merchants, so how did a top scorer suddenly pop out of nowhere from among them?

But that didn’t stop them from showing up with congratulatory gifts. If they didn’t build a good relationship now, they might not get the chance to curry favor later if the family moved away.

Gu Wenheng looked at Jin Qianqian, who was still grinning like a fool. "How come you’re even happier than I am?"

Jin Qianqian grabbed his face and planted a loud SMOOCH on both of his cheeks, startling the maids in the room into quickly lowering their heads.

Gu Wenheng took the opportunity to pull her into a hug. "You’re this happy that I became the top scorer."

Jin Qianqian jumped up and down on the spot, her words becoming incoherent. "We’re rich! It would be great if you could become the top scorer a few more times, then we could just coast for the rest of our lives! What a pity."

Gu Wenheng was speechless. ’Has she really gone silly from happiness?’

Jin Qianqian then remembered that he had been shutting out the world for the past few days, so she finally calmed down and explained everything to him.

It turned out that no one had any idea who the top few candidates would be, so the gambling dens had set the odds according to the usual conventions.

Although Gu Wenheng had been at the top of the list from the beginning, he wasn’t well-known over the years. Everyone was spreading rumors that he would surely choke during the final palace examination, so the odds on him winning were actually quite high.

When Jin Qianqian saw how much everyone was underestimating Gu Wenheng, she didn’t think twice and threw down one hundred thousand taels in silver notes. Now, with a threefold payout, how could she not be thrilled?

Gu Wenheng grabbed her hands, turning them over to inspect them. "I can’t believe you actually gambled. Weren’t you afraid of losing money?"

Jin Qianqian puffed out her chest, full of bravado. "It’s just a drop in the bucket! Besides, I believed in you."

Gu Wenheng reminded her, "Then you should hurry and send someone to cash in the winnings. Don’t let the bookie get away."

Jin Qianqian was completely confident. "How could that happen? So many people in Shangjing placed bets. Plenty of them have sent their servants to stand guard, and I have someone watching too. They can’t get away.

Your win was a huge upset, so the house should have made a killing. They have no reason to default on the payment."

Even with all her money, she wouldn’t have thrown it in without doing her research first.

&

The next day, the top scorer led the Advanced Scholars in giving thanks for the Emperor’s grace. The Holy Emperor granted them a celebratory parade. Gu Wenheng, wearing a golden flower official hat and a great red robe, sat astride a Red-maned Horse. Flanked by two rows of Sword Guards clearing the way, he was about to lead the other scholars on a procession through the main streets of Shangjing.

Jin Qianqian had brought her two sons to a private room in a teahouse early in the morning to wait.

Hearing the gongs and drums drawing near, Jin Qianqian pushed open the window and peered into the distance. In just a moment, the procession signs demanding "Silence" and "Make Way" had arrived in front of them.

The streets on both sides were already packed with onlookers.

"Daddy! Mommy, it’s Daddy!" Gu Benluo, held tightly by Li Qiu, suddenly shouted in excitement.

Jin Qianqian saw him then too. She watched him in his red robe, nodding from time to time to the enthusiastic crowds. At that moment, her heart was filled with only that splash of red, and it was as if she were once again seeing that high-spirited senior from her school days.

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