The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

Jia Jue turned around and saw Shi Xiangyun had arrived. He smiled and said, "So it's you, Sister Yun. Come in quickly."

When Daiyu saw Shi Xiangyun arrive, she naturally couldn't open up, so she just smiled and remained silent.

It was getting late, so the three of them only chatted briefly before Daiyu and Xiangyun went back.

Silent all night.

The next day, when the sun was high in the sky, Jia Jue suddenly heard a commotion outside.

Without his command, Musk Moon had already gone out.

Before long, Musk Moon returned, her face beaming with joy, as if something good had happened.

Just now, Jia Jue faintly heard the sound of firecrackers and firecrackers again, and he already understood the general idea in his mind.

Sure enough, Musk Moon said, "It's Master who won! People outside say he's number one!"

This was beyond Jia Jue's expectations.

Although he was confident in his writing and had Li Ren's assurance, he knew that passing the imperial examination was inevitable. However, he never expected that he would become the top scholar in the examination.

Then Musk Moon said, "Someone came to announce good news, and someone has already gone to deal with it. Now the old lady wants Master to come over!"

Jia Jue nodded. His own grandson had achieved the highest score in the imperial examination, which was a great honor for the Jia family. How could she, as the matriarch, not show her appreciation?

Thinking it over, he stood up and said to Qingwen, "You wait here for a while. Someone will probably send an invitation later. Please keep it for me and let me know when I get back." Then he turned to Mushe and said, "Mushe, you can come with me."

Both of them agreed.

Jia Jue and Musk Moon arrived at Rongxi Hall.

Before they could even go inside, they could hear Wang Xifeng's bursts of laughter coming from within.

His second sister-in-law is no pushover!

Jia Jue suddenly remembered that when he read "Dream of the Red Chamber" in his previous life, Wang Xifeng was arrested for lending money at exorbitant interest rates, which seemed to be the trigger for the Jia family's downfall.

Initially, Jia Jue did consider whether there was any way to get Wang Xifeng to drop the matter and see if that could help the family, which was in dire straits, to get back on track.

However, Jia Jue now felt that this method was no longer feasible.

Looking at the entire court and the families of all the nobles and officials, which one doesn't do this? Do you really think His Majesty doesn't know?

His Majesty certainly knew, even when the first interest rate was levied.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard of this dynasty is not like that of the previous dynasty, where even the commanders were mediocre fools who could be beaten to death by high-ranking officials in front of the emperor.

However, the palace turned a blind eye – because such a small mistake was insignificant to His Majesty. Besides, the palace needed to find fault with you so they could use you with peace of mind.

If someone were truly a perfect person, the emperor would never dare to employ him.

However, this sister-in-law is truly remarkable, far surpassing her brother Jia Lian, who is not particularly accomplished.

Jia Jue stepped inside, but as soon as he entered, he heard Lian's second sister-in-law call out:

"Alright! Our top scorer has arrived!"

Jia Jue laughed and said, "How did that make me the top scholar?"

As he spoke, he greeted the old lady with a bow.

Grandmother Jia also laughed and said, "This fiery Feng really dares to speak her mind!"

Wang Xifeng stood up, walked to Jia Jue's side, put her hand on his shoulder, and pushed him in front of the old lady, saying with a smile, "Grandmother, look at Jue'er, he's only thirteen years old and he's already the top scholar. Isn't becoming the top scholar just a piece of cake?"

Everyone present laughed, but Jia Baoyu's eyes seemed to show disdain.

Jia Jue certainly noticed this, but he didn't care.

He knew his younger brother all along, and he had always looked down on mediocre people like himself who took the imperial examinations and pursued fame and fortune.

To be honest, if he hadn't known that the Jia family was doomed to collapse, Jia Jue wouldn't have been willing to work so hard.

Born into such a wealthy family, wouldn't it be better to be a spoiled brat?

Even at the very worst, he would only be like Jia Lian.

However, reality forces him to move forward, but what can he do?

Sometimes, he really envied Baoyu—who was showered with love and affection without having to do anything.

Jia Jue snapped out of his thoughts and saw the old lady looking at Baoyu, realizing that the old lady had also noticed Baoyu's emotions.

The old lady may not have noticed the disdain in Baoyu's eyes, but mistakenly took it as loneliness and envy.

Therefore, Grandmother Jia's feelings were also complicated. She was happy that Jia Jue had passed the imperial examination, but she was also unhappy that he had made Bao Yu unhappy.

"ha."

Jia Jue could only chuckle to himself.

Grandmother Jia turned her gaze back to Jia Jue and said to him, "I've always known that Jue'er is a good person. Now that he has passed the imperial examination and is ranked first, he has brought honor to our family. But there is something I need to tell you."

"Please speak, Ancestor," Jia Jue said with a smile.

Grandmother Jia nodded and said, "In a family like ours, we don't need to study so hard. But now that you've passed, you should continue to take the exams. You absolutely must not ruin your health because of studying."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "Of course, I understand."

Grandmother Jia said to Yuanyang, who was standing beside her, "Jue'er is promising. As his matriarch, I can't just leave without showing some appreciation." She thought for a moment and said, "Here's what we'll do: go and get my stone tripod and give it to him. I'm old and don't do these things anymore. Jue'er is young, and it will be more presentable for him when he receives guests in the future."

Jia Jue quickly thanked him for the gift.

Wang Xifeng, standing to the side, laughed and said, "It's clear that the old lady really dotes on Jue-ge'er. Even though I've been married into the family for so long, I've never seen the old lady take out this treasure."

The old lady pointed at her and laughed, "Your mouth..."

After everyone had chatted and laughed for a while, someone else came to report that the master wanted to see him.

Grandmother Jia then said, "Since it's your father who's looking for you, go quickly!"

Jia Jue then bowed again and left.

Before leaving, he casually glanced at the faces of the people around him.

But then she noticed a hint of envy in Wang Xifeng's eyes.

That makes sense. With her strong will, how could she not want her man to be successful?

It is said that Brother Lian Er promised Wang Xifeng that he would get her an imperial title.

Judging from the current situation, it seems unlikely that the imperial decree will be granted.

Is this hint of envy a sign of disdain for Jia Lian's incompetence?

what.

Within the Jia family mansion, everyone harbors their own ulterior motives.

Therefore, relatively speaking, he preferred to spend time with Jia Zheng rather than with his elders.

The reason is that Jia Zheng is dull-witted. Although he is somewhat unreasonable, he doesn't have many ideas in his heart.

Before long, Jia Jue arrived at Mengpo Studio.

Upon entering, they found Zhan Guang, Shan Pinren, and other guests inside.

Jia Jue quickly bowed to Jia Zheng first, and then to all the guests.

Jia Zheng summoned Jia Jue merely to encourage him, telling him not to be arrogant because of this, but to humbly study and review his lessons in preparation for the prefectural examination in April.

The guests naturally showered him with compliments.

Jia Jue almost had the illusion that these people usually read books and memorized only auspicious and lucky words, so that they could use them in this kind of situation.

After giving a few instructions, Jia Zheng sent Jia Jue back.

Just as Jia Jue came out, he saw someone carrying books walking over, saying that someone else wanted him to go out.