Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 764 Why?! [Thank you! Thank you again! 25K words owed]

Shouan Hall is clean and bright inside.

On the Luohan chair at the head of the table, the old lady sat cross-legged to one side, with an incense burner with its lid open on the table in front of her.

Seeing the old lady making incense, Fang Mama and Cui Mama, who were standing by her side, exchanged a smile.

Madam Cui said, "Grandma, why don't I have someone wait outside the courtyard and report back as soon as they have any news?"

The old lady continued making incense without looking up: "Sixth girl is waiting in the outer courtyard, why send someone else!"

Mother Cui smiled and said, "Yes, you used to be able to make incense in a quarter of an hour, but today it's been almost half an hour. You seem distracted."

"Go away, go away, who's being absent-minded!" the old lady said with a smile and a reproach.

Taking a deep breath, the old lady prepared to continue making incense.

At this time,

"Mother!"

"Mother!"

"Bai'er is overjoyed! The Sheng family is overjoyed! The Xu family is overjoyed too!"

Before anyone could see Wang Ruofu, loud and excited shouts came from outside.

Hearing the commotion, the old lady gripped her chopsticks tightly and turned to look at the door.

Immediately, the old lady put down her chopsticks, smiled, turned to the side, and, with the help of Cui Mama, put on her shoes and stood up.

quickly,

Wang Ruofu, looking excited, walked in with Liu Mama and Wei Shuyi, followed by Rulan and Minglan, who were both smiling.

"But the results of Bai'er and the others' imperial examinations have been released?" the old lady asked with a smile.

“Yes, Mother!” Wang Ruofu smiled and walked over quickly, nodding repeatedly.

Seeing the old lady extend her hand to invite him, Wang Ruofu did not refuse politely and sat down on the other side of the old lady!
After sitting down, Wang Ruofu put down the handkerchief in her hand and said without taking a breath, "Mother, just now Wulang's attendant came to report that Bai'er has won third place in the first class!"

"Third place? Wouldn't that be the third-place finisher?" The old lady looked surprised.

“Yes, Mother! Our Bai’er is…” Wang Ruofu, who was all smiles, was stunned for a moment: “The first-ranked scholar?”

As she spoke, Wang Ruofu stared blankly at the old lady, then at the bewildered Rulan.

Upon hearing this, Minglan blinked and belatedly said, "Oh, right, Madam, the third place is the third-ranked scholar, and the second place is the second-ranked scholar!"

After a moment of reflection, Wang Ruofu slapped his forehead in annoyance and said to the old lady, "Look at me, I'm so happy I'm dizzy!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room burst into laughter.

The old lady smiled and nodded: "Bai'er's achievement of ranking first is a testament to his years of hard work!"

"Mmm!" Wang Ruofu nodded repeatedly, "Speaking of which, it's the same ranking as my father-in-law!"

The old lady nodded with great emotion, then asked, "Just now, Madam said that the Xu family also had great joy, but have the rankings of Zhang Ge'er and Jing Ge'er been announced as well?"

"Clap!" Wang Ruofu clapped her hands excitedly: "Congratulations, Mother! Jing'er is the top scholar in the first class!"

Upon hearing this, the old lady leaned back slightly: "The top scholar?"

A surprised look appeared on Fang's face. She instinctively stepped forward and helped the old lady up.

“Yes, Grandmother! Brother Xu Wu is the top scholar!” Rulan echoed after regaining her composure.

Minglan, standing to the side, nodded with a smile: "Grandmother, of the three students in the first class, two are from our family school!"

"Ha—" The old lady turned her head to look at Fang Mama in disbelief: "Jing-ge'er is the top scholar! The top scholar!"

Madam Fang had been with the old lady for decades. Seeing the old lady's expression, she understood what the old lady was thinking, and then smiled and said, "Yes, young lady! The Xu family has produced a top scholar!"

"He was the top scholar in the imperial examinations, achieving the highest honors in all three levels! I imagine there will be another plaque in the Xu family ancestral hall soon!"

The old lady nodded with a smile full of anticipation: "Excellent! Excellent! A top scholar who achieved the highest honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations—I imagine the ancestors of the Xu family would be delighted to see this!"

Xu Zaijing's great-grandfather was the old lady's father.

"The top scholar," the old lady repeated softly, then looked at Wang Ruofu and asked, "Where is Zhang Ge'er?"

Wang Ruofu smiled and shook his head: "They said they'd have to wait a little longer, the son-in-law's ranking hasn't been announced yet!"

"Yes! In any case, Brother Zhang is a Jinshi of this year!"

"Mother is right!"

"Look at today, we'll have to set up several tables for a feast again!" the old lady said with a smile.

Wang Ruofu nodded with a smile.

After Changbai passed the imperial examination, the second branch of the Sheng family had already celebrated once.

But Changbai's ranking today is extraordinary; he became the third-place winner in the first division, so the Sheng family will naturally continue to celebrate tonight.

Taking advantage of a lull in the conversation, Rulan held Minglan's hand and looked at the elders on the daystand, saying, "Grandmother, Mother, brother and brother-in-law, are they going to ride horses through the streets tomorrow?"

The old lady smiled and nodded.

Wang Ruofu then looked at her daughter.

"Then," Rulan said hesitantly.

Having guessed her daughter's thoughts, Wang Ruofu smiled and said with a slight smirk, "What, you want to go see it tomorrow?"

“Yes, Mother!” Rulan nodded repeatedly.

Wang Ruofu pursed her lips and looked at the old lady: "Mother, what do you think?"

The old lady smiled and said, "Ru'er and her brothers-in-law have passed the imperial examinations with flying colors and are parading through the streets on horseback. It's such a joyous occasion that they naturally want to go and see. You sisters should all go together!"

Minglan and Rulan exchanged an excited glance, then curtsied in unison and said, "Thank you, Grandmother!"

After bowing, Rulan said, "Then, Grandmother! I'll go and tell Fourth Sister this good news."

Wang Ruofu tried hard to control his smug expression.

The old lady ignored Rulan and simply smiled at Wang Ruofu, saying, "Madam, have some tea."

"Yes, Mother," Wang Ruofu replied, gesturing to Rulan.

Rulan and Minglan curtsied and walked outside together.

Linxi Pavilion
Outside the courtyard gate,

Mo Lan, clutching a handkerchief, came out with two maids.

Seeing Rulan and Minglan at the door, Molan, in a displeased mood, curled her lip and said, "What brings you two sisters to my place?"

Like a proud little rooster, Rulan raised her chin and looked at Molan, laughing, "I've come to tell Fourth Sister about the results of the imperial examination for the brothers!"

“I’m right here, go ahead and say it!” Mo Lan rolled her eyes.

"Ahem!" Rulan cleared her throat and said smugly, "Second brother's ranking wasn't that great! He was only third in the first class!"

As she spoke, Rulan looked Molan up and down and tsk.

Ignoring the look in Rulan's eyes that said, "Your own brother didn't even pass the imperial examination," Molan was dumbfounded.

Lu Zhong and Yun Zai, who were behind Mo Lan, exchanged a surprised glance.

Then, Mo Lan said in disbelief, "Third place in the first class? Second brother is actually the third-place winner!?"

"Yes! That's right! The third-place scholar!" Rulan nodded proudly.

Mo Lan tried hard to suppress her envy and jealousy, saying, "Fifth Sister, you're really being hypocritical! Second Brother is already a third-place scholar! And you keep saying his 'rank isn't that great!'"

"It's not like you, Fifth Sister, became the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination. What are you so smug about in front of me for!"

Rulan said proudly, "My own brother became the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination, so I'm very proud. Why don't you let your third brother take the exam too? Besides, my second brother's results weren't that great! My fifth brother, Xu Wu, was the top scholar!"

Knowing that Rulan wouldn't joke about this, Molan's heart skipped a beat.

Inside the courtyard of Linxi Pavilion, Zhou Xueniang stood behind the door, clutching a handkerchief and listening intently.

Upon hearing Rulan's words, Zhou Xueniang's eyes widened, and she immediately turned and strode into the house.

"What? Brother Bai is the third-ranked scholar? And the fifth son of the Xu family is the top scholar?"

Inside the room, Lin Qinshuang stood up from her chair, rapidly waving a round fan in her hand.

"Miscalculation! Miscalculation!" Lin Qinshuang exclaimed. "If I had known that Xu Wulang was capable of this, I should have made Mo'er risk her reputation for a better future!"

At this time,

Mo Lan stormed back.

"Mother!" Mo Lan shouted angrily, "That girl Ru Lan just now really made me furious!"

Seeing Lin Qinshuang about to speak, Mo Lan said, "It's all my third brother's fault for being so incompetent! He spends all his time mingling with the maids in his courtyard, which has caused him to fail the imperial examinations and make his daughter lose face so badly!"

Lin Qinshuang stepped forward and pressed Mo Lan down on the embroidered stool, advising, "Mo'er, don't be angry! Someone will always teach Ru Lan a lesson for being so arrogant and smug!"

"Who would deal with her! Her own brother is already a third-place scholar! And her third brother..." As she spoke, Mo Lan angrily slapped her leg.

"Alright, alright!" Lin Qinshuang comforted Mo Lan while looking at Yun Zai: "What did Fifth Miss say just now?"

"Reporting to you, Madam, Fifth Miss also said that she wants to go with her sisters to watch the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) parade tomorrow."

"We should go! We should go!" Lin Qinshuang said, "Let Feng'er go with us tomorrow too! Let him see the extravagant style of those who have passed the imperial examination, and it will also encourage him to improve."

“If Brother Yuanruo isn’t going, then I’m not going either!” Mo Lan pouted.

"Mo'er—you!" Lin Qinshuang advised, "Even if Young Master Qi is exceptionally talented and wants to ride a horse through the streets, that will be three years from now! By then, Mo'er, you'll be..."

Seeing Mo Lan's aggrieved expression, Lin Qinshuang didn't continue speaking.

Mo Lan has been of marriageable age for two years now, and in another three years, she will be almost twenty years old.

Lin Qinshuang shook her head: "Let's not talk about this anymore!"

Looking at Mo Lan, Lin Qinshuang continued, "Mo'er, let's dress up beautifully tomorrow! Maybe your second brother's classmate, or even the top scholar Xu Wulang, will be attracted to you!"

"If you find a good match, Mo'er, you'll be the wife of a top scholar or the wife of a successful candidate in the imperial examinations!"

Mo Lan looked at Lin Qinshuang with a wronged expression: "Mother—!"

Lin Qinshuang helplessly advised, "Mo'er, your mother also wanted your father to go to the Qi family to ask for your hand in marriage. I begged your father several times."

"But your father said that because Young Master Qi requested a marriage decree from the Emperor and failed the imperial examination, Princess Pingning might be somewhat resentful towards our young lady!"

"If something were to happen to the Qi family, it would be better if their social standing were lowered! But as it stands now, the Qi family's social standing is far too high!"

"If your father goes to propose marriage, he will not only humiliate himself, but also tarnish your eldest sister's reputation!"

"Young Master Qi is mostly looking for the legitimate daughters of high-ranking and wealthy families, so you should give up on that idea!"

Zhou Xueniang, who was standing to the side, said, "Fourth Miss, what I said makes sense! My husband heard outside that Princess Pingning is in a bad mood recently, and the atmosphere in the Duke of Qi's mansion is very serious. The servants and maids are often beaten!"

I, Mo Lan, was speechless for a moment.

"Be good," Lin Qinshuang said. That afternoon,

Quyuan Street,
The entrance to a restaurant not far from the street corner.

"Shut up!"

A horse-drawn carriage carrying wine jars came to a stop.

The coachman glanced curiously at the people on the street not far away, then jumped off the carriage and shouted into the shop, "The wine has arrived! Someone come out and help!"

The driver called out twice, but no one came out of the shop.

Just as I was about to continue shouting...

"I'm coming!"

Three people walked briskly towards the street corner.

Upon seeing the coachman, the man dressed as the manager among the three exclaimed, "This wine is truly a generous gift!"

The coachman, oblivious, listened to the distant chatter and asked with a smile, "Oh! Manager Tang, what's all the commotion about?"

Manager Tang turned around and looked at it, saying, "You didn't know about something this big?"

The driver shook his head blankly: "What important matter?"

Shopkeeper Tang smiled with pride and said, "That's the Xu family of the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion on that street. Their youngest son is the top scholar in this year's imperial examination!"

"A top scholar? Isn't that like the God of Literature descending to earth?" the coachman exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes! To be honest, that top scholar even had a meal at my house!" said Manager Tang.

"Really?" The driver looked surprised. "Then I'll go take a look! I'll be right back."

Just as Manager Tang was about to speak, the coachman had already jogged away.

"Manager, shall we?" the waiter asked.

"Wait! We'll move it when that guy comes back!"

On the other side, the coachman had already reached the edge of the crowd. Standing on tiptoe, he could vaguely see the large lanterns on the gate of the Marquis's mansion in the distance, as well as the Kaifeng Prefecture yamen runners maintaining order on the street.

People occasionally pointed and talked about the gate of the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion deep in the street.

A man next to the coachman said, "The Taoist priest from Yuqing Temple came by earlier and said that the stone lions at the entrance of the Marquis's mansion are made of very particular materials and placed carefully! The feng shui around the Marquis's mansion is also good. The Taoist priest observed that the scholarly atmosphere is rich and lingering!"

"is that true?"

"Remove the 'ma'! Of course it's true!"

"Oh my! If I live nearby, won't I be able to absorb some of that scholarly atmosphere?"

"I think this street should be renamed Zhuangyuan Street (Scholar Street)!"

"Wow! Opening a foot massage parlor nearby would definitely boost business!"

Upon hearing this, the driver's eyes lit up instantly.

"Haha, you're too late! All the land around here that was available for sale was bought up by wealthy and extravagant people on the day the results of the imperial examination were announced," someone laughed.

The driver looked surprised.

Someone else chimed in, "Speaking of which, the Fifth Young Master is still unmarried! Such a fine young man, I wonder which noble lady he will marry!"

"Isn't it good to marry Princess Shang?" a passerby asked excitedly.

One commoner retorted, "Are you blinded by lard? What future does the Fifth Prince have after becoming the imperial son-in-law?"

suddenly,

"The top scholar has arrived!"

Someone outside the crowd shouted loudly,
The coachman and the onlookers all turned to look.

Sure enough, not far from the main street, several people were riding horses toward them.

The people at the street corner quickly gathered around.

quickly,

"Give it!"

"Don't get close!"

The Imperial Guards leading the way for the knights shouted occasionally to prevent the onlookers from blocking the road.

For the past six or seven years, Xu Zaijing has been going to school almost every day, and naturally he has met the surrounding shopkeepers and neighbors countless times.

Those who knew Xu Zaijing or had dealings with him all cupped their hands in congratulations and offered their best wishes with smiles.

Congratulations, Fifth Young Master Xu!

"Young Master Xu is a fine man!"

"The top scholar!"

"The Fifth Prince has achieved the highest honor in the imperial examination, standing out from the crowd. Congratulations!"

The coachman, curious, called out, "Young Master Xu, why aren't you wearing your scholar's robe today?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Zaijing smiled at the coachman who had asked the question, nodded, and said, "The parade will be tomorrow! The clothes will naturally be worn tomorrow!"

Upon hearing Xu Zaijing's reply, the surroundings fell silent instantly.

Following Xu Zaijing's gaze, the onlookers all turned to look at the coachman.

The coachman, who hadn't expected Xu Zaijing to answer him, felt somewhat flattered by the surrounding gazes and bowed, saying, "Oh! No wonder!"

"Young Master Xu answered your question, and you didn't even thank him?" someone nearby jeered.

The driver reacted quickly, bowing and saying, "Thank you for your guidance, sir! I wish you a bright future."

Thinking of what he had just heard about the Fifth Young Master being unmarried, the coachman shouted again, "In the future, he will marry three beautiful wives and have five sons and two daughters, so that all seven children can be reunited!"

Why seven sons? Because there were two sons-in-law.

Xu Zaijing was taken aback upon hearing this.

"Hahahaha!"

Hearing the driver's shouts and seeing Xu Zaijing's appearance, the surrounding commoners and wealthy households burst into laughter.

Zai Zhang, who was on par with Xu Zai Jing, also laughed.

Qingyun, standing to the side and behind, reached into his sleeve and handed over a handful of copper coins: "Young master, would you like to reward someone?"

As Xu Zaijing accepted the copper coin, the surroundings fell silent once more.

"Ding Ding Ding-"

Xu Zaijing flicked the three copper coins lightly, and they flew straight to the coachman after making a sound.

The coachman reacted quickly, and seeing the copper coin flying towards him at a moderate pace, he reflexively caught it in his hand.

Clutching the copper coin in his hand, the coachman hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "I am You Haidao, thank you for the reward, Fifth Brother!"

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile.

After flicking three copper coins, Xu Zaijing threw the remaining copper coins into the air.

The surrounding people jumped or raised their hands to grab it.

"The scholarly air of the top scholar!"

"Got it!"

"."

Listening to the voices around them, Xu Zaijing and the others continued walking towards Quyuan Street.

Xu Zaijing and his entourage turned into Quyuan Street, where the Kaifeng Prefecture yamen runners at the street entrance quickly blocked the entrance again.

Seeing his mother, Madam Sun, and the others standing at the gate, Xu Zaijing and Zaizhang quickly nudged their horses and sped away.

Upon arriving at the Xu family's gate, Xu Zaijing and Zaizhang dismounted, bowed respectfully to Madam Sun, and exclaimed in unison, "Mother!"

Mrs. Sun nodded with a pleased smile: "Good! Good!"

As she spoke, Madam Sun walked up to her two sons, who held her hands tightly in theirs.

After calming herself down, Madam Sun turned around and said, "Bring out the reward money!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

The strong woman of the Marquis's mansion should know this.

Madam Sun turned around and looked at her two sons, saying, "The Imperial Guards and yamen runners who escorted you here have also worked hard. Jing'er, Zhang'er, you should distribute the reward money yourselves."

"Yes, mother!"

Xu Zaijing and Zaizhang quickly agreed.

As the two men distributed the reward money, the imperial guards and yamen runners who were protecting them all shouted their thanks.

After distributing the reward money, Xu Zaijing and his elder brother accompanied their family through the gate.

Outside Quyuan Street,

The innkeeper and his servant in front of the restaurant looked on in bewilderment as the coachman was chased by a group of people.

"Brother You, I only want to buy one copper coin! I'll pay ten strings of cash for it!"

"Do not sell!"

"Brother You, I only need one! Fifteen strings of cash, would that be alright?!"

"Go find somewhere cool and stay there!"

After learning about You Haidao's "adventure," Manager Tang and his two employees exchanged a distressed glance.

"No! Why him?!" one of the workers exclaimed.

South Lecture Hall Lane, Rong Family Residence, Huixue Courtyard.

She took a delicate piece of gold-flecked stationery and walked along the veranda into the main house.

He lifted the beaded curtain and said softly, "Miss."

With a smile on her lips and in a good mood, Rong Feiyan looked up: "What's wrong?"

Xi Bu pursed her lips: "It's an invitation from Miss Chai Jiazheng, inviting you to watch the newly appointed scholars parade through the streets on horseback tomorrow!"

Ningxiang, who was standing to the side, looked surprised.

Rong Feiyan smiled and frowned slightly, saying, "Oh?"

(End of this chapter)