After a master of metaphysics severed ties with his family, the whole family was filled with regret!

Chapter 66 Luo Chentian Enters the Palace Examination
"His Highness said that no matter how rare the jade is, it is not as precious as Miss Luo. As long as Miss Luo likes it, His Highness will do his best to find it," Nan Ke replied with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Luo Chujiu couldn't help but laugh out loud, and then accepted the set of jade jewelry.

"Please thank His Highness for me, and tell him I really like it. But if you're going to pick out jewelry for me next time, please take me with you. I'd like to browse around too." Luo Chujiu looked up at Nan Ke, asking him to convey her message to Xiao Beiming.

"I will certainly convey Miss Luo's words. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave now."

"Ah."

This time, Luo Chujiu didn't give any return gift. After all, Xiao Beiming had said last time that he gave her something simply because he wanted to give it, not because he wanted a return gift.

Therefore, Luo Chujiu didn't bother with any formalities and simply let Nan Ke leave empty-handed.

"Miss, this jewelry is so beautiful. Let me find an outfit to match it for you."

Feiyun also thought the jade jewelry was extremely beautiful and would definitely complement the young lady's skin tone.

"No rush. There are no banquets recently, so there's no need to dress up. Just leave this jade set for now and wear it when you go to the palace to see your cousin Kui Kui."

"Alright, then this servant will put it away for you first, and take it out when you go to the palace."

"Okay, you can keep it."

Luo Chujiu glanced at it indifferently, said nothing, and told Feiyun to put the jewelry away.

So, what exactly does this ominous sign refer to?
Xiao Beiming was summoned to the palace by Xiao Jinglin again, along with Nalan Qingyin.

Xiao Jinglin selected ten of the most appreciated answer sheets from among the many exam papers, but the ranking still needed to be considered, so he asked Nalan Qingyin and Xiao Beiming to take a look.

"I have met His Majesty."

"You've arrived, perfect timing. The Imperial Advisor is here too. You two, please evaluate these ten papers. Which three are you most satisfied with?"

After saying that, Xiao Jinglin gave up his seat so that Xiao Beiming and Nalan Qingyin could review the papers together.

Nalan Qingyin and Xiao Beiming did not refuse and stepped forward to examine it carefully.

In the end, the three answer sheets they chose turned out to be the same, and unsurprisingly, these were also Xiao Jinglin's favorites.

"Your judgment is very similar to mine. I also think these three people have the best answers. Among these three, Shen Zangfeng is the best and should be ranked first in the first class. As for the second and third place, I am a little undecided. What do you think?"

The top scholar has already been decided; only the second and third place scholars remain, and Xiao Beiming and Nalan Qingyin need to take their opinions together.

The two then hesitated for a long time between the remaining two, unable to make a decision, as their abilities were so similar that it was difficult to choose.

"Your Majesty, since ancient times, the most handsome and talented scholar has been chosen as the third-ranked scholar in the palace examination. Why not make the final decision in tomorrow's palace examination?"

Xiao Beiming suggested.

In situations where it is difficult to make a judgment, other conditions are often used to determine the outcome, which is, to some extent, a fairer approach.

"That will do. As long as the top scholar is undoubtedly the best, the second and third place will be decided tomorrow depending on the situation. I am very satisfied with this year's top three papers. It is clear that they are all talented scholars who will surely be able to serve the court and make a difference!"

"That's natural. Talented people emerge in every generation, and in this prosperous and peaceful era, there are even more talented individuals."

Xiao Beiming smiled and said, and Nalan Qingyin nodded in agreement, indicating that this was indeed the case.

Xiao Jinglin was very pleased and invited them to stay for lunch before leaving. After leaving the Imperial Study, Nalan Qingyin and Xiao Beiming looked at each other.

"In fact, Your Highness has already made a decision regarding the second and third place scholars, hasn't he?"

"Haha, nothing can be hidden from the Imperial Advisor. It's just that one of them has a rather special identity, so I can't say too much about it," Xiao Beiming frankly admitted.

Judging from the papers, Luo Chentian, the illegitimate son of the Luo family, has a slight edge in writing and is worthy of the second place. However, Luo Chentian is still young, and if he becomes the second place, he may attract criticism. Moreover, he is a member of the Luo family, so Xiao Beiming should deliberately avoid him.

Nalan Qingyin understood perfectly well that Luo Chentian's identity was too special. He had a younger brother who cheated and an older sister who was about to become the Princess Consort of Xiao. It was indeed difficult for Xiao Beiming to comment on him.

Nalan Qingyin's reason for not commenting is even simpler.

As the Imperial Advisor, he rarely participated in state affairs, only offering his opinions when His Majesty needed him to.

His favorite, Shen Zangfeng, was undoubtedly number one. He didn't care about the others; it was none of his business, so he didn't care who the second and third place winners were.

"I heard that Shen Zangfeng is Mr. Kong's last disciple. It's no surprise that he won first place, and he deserves it." Xiao Beiming smiled and looked at Nalan Qingyin.

Nalan Qingyin glanced at Xiao Beiming, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

We are both intelligent people, and we can understand each other's meaning without having to say things too directly.

Meanwhile, the Luo family also received a notice that Luo Chentian would participate in the palace examination the next day.

Upon receiving this news, the entire Luo family was extremely excited.

Especially Luo Wanping, who never expected that his usually unremarkable son would actually make it into the palace examination! You must know, only the top three can enter the palace examination! Out of so many candidates, only ten can make it into the top three!

When Aunt Liu heard that Luo Chentian was going to take the imperial examination, she wept with joy! After years of forbearance, she had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel!

"Auntie, I finally, finally have a chance to make something of myself!"

Luo Chentian held Aunt Liu's hand tightly, very excited, with tears in his eyes, extremely moved.

"Good child, your aunt knew you could do it. From now on, your aunt will rely on you. You must work hard and become a good official."

Aunt Liu's expectations for Luo Chentian were not excessive; they were only the most basic, and she was afraid of putting too much pressure on him.

"Don't worry, Aunt, I will. After I pass the palace examination, I will ask my father to make you a concubine so that you can have a better life in the mansion."

Luo Chentian wanted to make a name for himself, not only for his own sake, but also to make his aunt's life in the mansion easier.

Over the years, he has always remembered how much neglect and contempt his aunt and he had suffered in the mansion, and he dared not forget it!

He knew that in such a deep and secluded mansion, only the imperial examination could allow him to carve out a path for himself and make his and his aunt's lives a little easier!
Finally, all those years of hard study have paid off!

Soon, Luo Wanping had someone invite Luo Chentian over and gave him instructions regarding the matters related to tomorrow's palace examination.

As the matriarch, Lady Luo Jiang was also present, and together with Luo Wanping, she gave Luo Chentian some instructions.

"Father and Mother, please rest assured, Chen Tian knows his place and will certainly not behave improperly in front of the palace."

(End of this chapter)