During this time, Xie Hao would frequently visit the Shi residence, and each time he came, he would bring Shi Wenxuan her favourite cloud cake.
He even meticulously commissioned many pieces of jewellery for her to be made at Zhenfanglou, which she liked...
Honestly, Shih Wenxuan's impression of Xie Hao has been getting better day by day lately, and her favorability towards him has skyrocketed.
For the first time, she had a thought: Actually, marrying Xie Hao wouldn't be so bad!
Besides, she was pregnant with his baby.
There are supposedly two!
Seeing her younger sister's happy and shy expression, Shi Wenya licked her lips and nodded slightly.
"As long as you're happy."
Shi Wenxuan looked at her sister and smiled sweetly.
"Sister, you will definitely be happy! I believe happiness won't be absent, it's just late!"
Shi Wenya patted her hand.
"Okay, don't overdo it."
After saying that, she got up and left.
She wanted to go back to her own courtyard to reflect on life.
The Imperial Palace, Yikun Palace.
Consort Li, in a fit of temper, was punishing a young palace maid.
Nothing has been going well lately.
Emperor Jingyuan, in particular, now only goes to the Empress's Kunning Palace when he enters the inner palace, which greatly annoys her.
When Chang Le was demoted to a commoner, as her mother, the imperial concubine, was extremely anxious.
If Emperor Jingyuan doesn't come to her Yikun Palace, how can she whisper sweet nothings in his ear?
She sent a message to her father, Su Qingshan, who told her to remain calm and not to act on her own. He assured her that the Su family would take good care of Chang Le outside the palace.
But she was still worried.
She hopes that her daughter can regain her princess status as soon as possible.
At this very moment, in the Golden Palace, Shen Mingzhu lowered her head, wrapped herself tightly in her cloak, and silently continued to watch the drama unfold with the system
Her official rank is low, and she stands close to the entrance. It's snowing, so she needs to be well-dressed to keep warm.
Guagua, do you think my uncle will remarry?
Host, as long as your uncle is willing, he can soon have a new wife. The key is that right now, he only wants to drive out the barbarians and protect the northern lands; he doesn't want to get married again!
Alright. My eldest uncle is devoted to the people and guards the Great Yan; he is truly a good general for His Majesty.
Emperor Jingyuan: I am quite at ease entrusting the northern lands to the Xie family.
Minister Xie has indeed lived up to my expectations.
Prince An: Uh... The entire court knows the Xie family's loyalty!
Guagua, have the results been released yet?
Host, the results were released first thing this morning! Your older brother already passed; didn't I tell you already?
Oh my, host, your older brother has even improved! He's still at the top, hahaha, and if he's lucky, he might even make it into the top rank!
Shen Changyuan: What? Qinghong can get into the top class?
Very good!
The Shen family has a worthy successor!
Finally, all the hard work and learning over the years have paid off.
Guagua, my older brother, has really made something of himself!
Host, what do you think! Due to the sudden drop in temperature and snow, many examinees underperformed because of the cold during this imperial examination. Although your older brother came out looking listless, he performed very well in the exam.
Yeah?
That's all thanks to the cloak, silk quilt, knee pads, instant noodles, dried meat, and ginger tea, among other items that you gave him! These all came in very handy. You were in the exam hall then, and you saw how miserable the other students were; some were even carried out!
Ten years of hard work vanished in the blink of an eye due to a sudden drop in temperature and a cold; one student, unable to cope, even hanged himself!
[What? ]
All the officials replied: "No, no, there will be other opportunities in the future."
Prince An: Which student has such poor mental fortitude?
Guagua, what happened? He didn't pass this time, but he can try again next time!
Host, this examinee is from Qianzhou. His family is extremely poor; they have truly tightened their belts to support his education. Because of his studies, he already has three older sisters. His eldest sister works as a maid in a wealthy family in the city, his second sister married a rich merchant in the county as a concubine, and his third sister married someone she didn't love—all to support his education. This time, he was carried out of the examination hall due to a cold and couldn't accept it, so he committed suicide!!!
The entire court of officials said: "He is indeed a child with a tragic fate."
But life is only once, and it is extremely precious!
Besides, as a scholar, he could also copy books to ease the burden on his family...
How could he possibly commit suicide!
Guagua, was the person rescued?
Host, unfortunately, this student was already dead when he was found!
For a moment, Shen Mingzhu fell silent.
This is a sad story.
He came to Shengjing to take the imperial examination with the hopes and expectations of his whole family. He arrived as a healthy person but returned as a cold corpse.
How much pain must his family be in!
Guagua, I can't even imagine how heartbroken his parents and sisters must be when they hear the news of his death.
Host, there's nothing we can do. That's just how the world is. This might be the last straw that breaks the camel's back.
As Shen Mingzhu's thoughts echoed, the entire hall fell silent.
Everyone felt deep regret for this student from Qianzhou.
Guagua, how are the others? How did their exams go?
Host, Xiao Yanzhi, Wang Chuanzong, Zhao Deren, Leng Lujie, and Xue Pengfei have all passed!
Guagua, Wang Chuanzong won even with a bad examination cell ?
Host, you underestimate the strength of the Langya Wang clan. Do you think the disciples of great Confucian scholars fail the imperial examinations so easily? Their talent speaks for itself; otherwise, they wouldn't have become great Confucian scholars, respected by other students, would they?
Yes.
However, host, Wang Chuanzong did not perform to his usual standard; his results were much lower than Xiao Mingli's and the others.
[Um. ]
Prince An shook his head, recalling Wang Chuanzong covering his nose while answering questions in the examination hall.
Looks like that kid's pretty good.
Not bad!
Host, I have good news for you.
Guagua, what good news can we expect now?
Host, didn't we hear know that the Second Prince Yan Yunxuan was cultivating his own power base? He placed many of his own people in this imperial examination, and two-thirds of those he selected failed.
Shen Mingzhu glanced at the Second Prince Yan Yunxuan, who was standing at the very front.
Yan Yunxuan seemed to sense something and turned to look at Shen Mingzhu.
Shen Mingzhu rolled her eyes at him.
Snort!
An annoying guy.