Transmigrated into the fat wife of the future prime minister

Chapter 25 Head of Case
Xu Qingmeng asked curiously, "What are you doing?"

"I heard that her eldest grandson passed the imperial examination and became a student. These people have come to share the good news."

Xu Qingmeng wondered if the results of the preliminary examination had been announced. The original book didn't seem to describe it much, so she wasn't very clear about it, but she seemed to remember that Gu Yunyi had come out on top this time.

Xu Qingmeng was just about to go back and call He Shi to go see the list together,

"Hey, isn't this the new daughter-in-law from Gu's Restaurant?"

Xu Qingmeng turned around and saw a small old woman, about fifty years old, standing at the door with her hands on her hips. She had a sharp and mean look on her face and seemed like a difficult person to get along with.

Xu Qingmeng inwardly grumbled, but showed no sign on her face. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Madam He approaching.
"Auntie has a happy occasion to attend to, so there's no need for you to worry about my daughter-in-law."

He pulled Xu Qingmeng away.

Old Lady Lin stepped forward and stopped him, "Why are you going home? I remember your Yunyi was also involved this year, right? Or am I mistaken?"

Mrs. He's face immediately fell. She pinched herself hard before she could laugh and said nonchalantly, "Auntie, you have a really good memory. My Yunyi was in the competition this year."

"Oh dear, who doesn't know that your Yunyi is a genius? His scholarship is so outstanding, he's bound to be on the list of successful candidates, no wonder you can remain so composed," Old Madam Lin sighed.

If she hadn't known the old woman's character, Madam He would have almost thought that this person genuinely cared about her.

Before He Shi could speak, Lin Laoniang's daughter-in-law burst out laughing and said,
"Mother, are you confused? The person who brought the good news just now said that the good news is announced from the back to the front. Our family is the seventh, and there have been six people before us. We haven't seen anyone come to announce the good news this way."

"Oh dear, look at my daughter-in-law's mouth, she really doesn't know how to talk."

Old Mrs. Lin patted her daughter-in-law, looking regretful, and then said...

"However, Gu family, don't worry too much. Everyone says that your Gu Yunyi is a literary star incarnate, and he might even be in the top three."

Mrs. He was so angry at Old Lady Lin's words that she trembled all over, but she didn't know how to refute them.

Xu Qingmeng saw this and smiled as she spoke.
“What Aunt Lin says is true. My husband has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, so this little preliminary examination is naturally no problem for him. However, my Yunyi often says that if he cannot get the top score, he would rather not be on the list at all. So, if his name is not on the list today, it is simply because he did not want to be on it.”

Xu Qingmeng's words left Old Lady Lin and her daughter-in-law looking at each other, unsure of how to respond.

The onlookers were also discussing the matter, with some praising Gu Yunyi's high aspirations and others mocking him for being too arrogant.

Hearing Xu Qingmeng's words, Madam He couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. She glanced at Xu Qingmeng and thought to herself, "This daughter-in-law is truly a wonderful person!"

When Lin Laoniang saw Xu Qingmeng say this, although she still had a smile on her face, a hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes. She cursed inwardly, "This little hussy, she's got a sharp tongue."

"Third place in the preliminary examination for the imperial examination, Hu Yuanwen, Qingyun Hutong, West District, Quan County."

A shout came from afar, and a group of people carrying red ribbons crossed their street and headed towards Qingyun Hutong.

Old Lady Lin exclaimed, "Oh my, they've already come in third place!"

"I know Hu Yuanwen. I heard that he studied at Hengshan Academy before, and his father was a teacher at the academy. Many people thought he would be the top scorer this time, but he only got third place."

"Hengshan Academy is full of talented people, so it's not surprising that Hu Yuanwen came in third."

"It's out! The second place is on East Street, it's Huang Boyang, the son of the county magistrate."

"Huang Boyang? He's a top talent from Quan County, yet he only got second place."

The crowd was buzzing with discussion. Lin's steamed bun shop was located on the street, and the imperial examination was a major event for the entire city, so everyone was watching closely. When Madam He heard this, even though she believed in her son, she didn't dare to say that he really was the top scholar. She took Xu Qingmeng's words as praise for her son.

Xu Qingmeng already knew from the original book that Gu Yunyi would win the top prize, but she was also worried about the butterfly effect that her transmigration into the book would cause, so she was a little nervous.

Seeing this, Old Lady Lin was naturally very happy. Recently, due to the opening of Gu Family Restaurant, her own steamed bun shop's business had been very bad. This time, she was able to finally vent her anger.

She sighed dramatically, "Some people are just too ambitious, with a life as fragile as paper."

Upon hearing this, Madam He's expression changed slightly, but she remained silent.

Xu Qingmeng held He Shi's arm tightly, smiled gently at Old Lady Lin, and spoke softly.

"Grandma Lin, you're overthinking it. But the top spot hasn't been announced yet, so it's not necessarily true that my husband won't be on the list. Besides, my husband is only seventeen, unlike those who were twenty when they had to take the exam."

Old Lady Lin glared at her and said, "Hmph, just wait and see."

Xu Qing smiled and remained silent, waiting quietly. She knew that further arguments would be futile at this moment; only the outcome could prove everything.

"They're here! Look! The messenger has arrived!" Suddenly, someone shouted, and everyone rushed forward.

He paused, then looked in the direction of the crowd and saw a group of people wearing red cloth and beating drums and gongs coming towards them.

The preliminary examination for candidates to pass the imperial examination was not considered the first hurdle in the imperial examination system, so there was no official announcement of good news. In general, some people would wait in front of the list of successful candidates in order to ask for some money as a reward. After the list was posted, they would go to the homes of the successful candidates to announce the good news. Even if it was just to ask for money, the homeowners would still welcome them.

However, the top scorer is an exception, as they are the only ones who receive a personal announcement of their good news from government officials, complete with gongs and drums.

The fact that these people from Mingluo are coming here clearly indicates that a top scholar has emerged from their western district.

"Qing, Qingmeng, will, could it be... could it be..." Madam He excitedly grabbed Xu Qingmeng's arm.

Xu Qingmeng's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down, and a faint smile appeared on her face.
"Mother, hurry back and prepare some loose change."

Old Lady Lin was right next to her, and she had just been shocked. Now, hearing Xu Qingmeng's affirmative words, she said indignantly,
"Don't be too happy, it's not like Gu Yunyi is the only one who got involved in this area."

"Boom!"

As soon as Old Lady Lin finished speaking, the gong sounded, and a person draped in red silk shouted loudly,

"Gu Yunyi, from the Gu family in the western district of Quan County, topped the list in the children's examination!"

Upon hearing this name, Mrs. He was instantly moved to tears, and she tightly grasped Xu Qingmeng's hand.

"Qingmeng, it's Yunyi, it really is Yunyi!" Her voice trembled, filled with joy and pride.

"Congratulations, Sister-in-law Gu!"

"Yun Yi is really amazing, the top scholar! Only one like him comes along every three years."

"Yunyi is a good child. He has always been different from other children since he was little."

"Yes, yes, Yunyi is clearly an extraordinary child. He's destined to become a high-ranking official in the future."

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(End of this chapter)