Do You Know?: Rule the World

She turned around and saw Shulan holding the hem of her skirt and slowly getting off the carriage with the help of a maid. She couldn't help but urge her, "Second sister, hurry up!"

After saying that, she directly took Shulan's hand.

"Girl, there are so many eyes watching you outside, can you please behave yourself?"

Although Shulan said this, she couldn't help but quicken her pace after getting off the carriage.

Sheng Wei and Zhao Han stood beside the carriage, watching the two girls disappear in the bustling crowd, and couldn't help shaking their heads and laughing.

It's noon.

The vermilion lacquered gate of the Imperial Examination Hall slowly opened with a heavy creaking sound under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

When the officials from the Ministry of Rites stepped over the threshold holding the yellow list, the crowd surged forward like a tide.

Several elderly scholars were squeezed to the front row, their fingers tightly grasping the corners of their clothes, their foreheads covered with fine beads of sweat.

"Silence—" The solemn voice of the officer penetrated the noise, and the surroundings suddenly became quiet.

Everyone held their breath unconsciously, their eyes fixed on the yellow list in the officer's hand.

Zhao Han stood on the edge of the crowd and saw Pinlan's petite figure nimbly squeezing to the front.

Shulan followed closely behind her, her creamy cheeks flushed slightly from running, and her eyes sparkled with a long-lost joy.

Soon, the yellow notice was slowly unfolded, and the yamen runners shouted at the crowd to retreat with long sticks.

Only after the list was posted and the officers left did people dare to rush forward and scramble to check it.

"Dad, Mom! I won, I won!"

"34th place in Class 2!"

A scholar in a blue robe suddenly squeezed out from the crowd.

He clasped his hands together, looked up to the heavens, and chanted repeatedly, "34th in the second class. Heaven has mercy on me. After ten years of hard study, I have finally lived up to this ambition!"

Some people around him bowed to congratulate him, while others were secretly sad. After wiping away their tears, they lowered their heads and left silently.

An old scholar with gray hair shook his head and sighed, "This is the fifth time I've failed the exam. Fate is so unfair..."

After saying this, he left tremblingly on his crutches.

"Why didn't I win? This shouldn't be the case. Where's my name?!"

"impossible!"

A candidate stood in front of the list in disbelief.

He looked from beginning to end, and then from end to beginning again, his eyes scanning every name on the list.

Suddenly, he grabbed the sleeve of the person next to him and said, "Help me look, my name is Wang Fugui, am I seeing things? Why is there no name for me?"

At this time, Pinlan was standing on tiptoe. After seeing the list, she shouted excitedly.

"He won, Brother Zhao won, Second Sister, look!"

"Where? Where?"

Shulan narrowed her eyes, frowned slightly, and her eyes kept moving around.

"Look, he's the first in the first class, at the front, the champion!" Pinlan answered with unconcealable joy in her voice.

"I saw it, I saw it!"

"Brother Zhao is so awesome!" Shulan's face was filled with a smile as bright as spring flowers.

Just as the two were about to call Zhao Han over, they found themselves surrounded by a group of wealthy businessmen.

"What?! Huiyuan! Little girl, where is your brother? Is he married?"

"My daughter is only 28 years old. She is beautiful, gentle and virtuous. Her family has quite a bit of assets..."

"My daughter is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and is as beautiful as a flower. Hurry up and call your brother over. Let's find a place to meet her..."

"..."

"You guys go away. Brother Zhao is already married. It's the soon-to-be-appointed Lord Cheng Zhilang!" Pinlan blocked Shulan behind her and said bluntly.

After hearing this, a hint of pity flashed across the eyes of the wealthy businessmen, and then they turned their attention to another candidate who passed the exam.

After all, no one would dare to take the son-in-law of a court official home even if they had ten times the courage.

However, there were still many people staring at Shulan and Pinlan. They had no other thoughts but to see the true face of this year's champion.

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Chapter 36 The Sheng Family Arrives in Beijing

The successful candidate came from afar alone, and did not know much about the custom of catching a son-in-law in Bianjing.

Faced with these scorching gazes, he couldn't help but take a step back in fear.

As soon as he stammered out the four words "not yet married", several wealthy businessmen rushed over and fought for it.

One pulled his belt, another pulled his collar, and some directly stuffed the engagement letter into his arms.

Taking advantage of the chaos, a burly wealthy businessman joined in with four or five servants. Without saying a word, he pushed everyone away, carried him into his own carriage, and drove away.

This operation left many people stunned and amazed.

Pinlan and Shulan walked through the crowd and came to Zhao Han's side. They said in unison, "Congratulations, Brother Zhao, for winning the first place in the imperial examination!"

"Congratulations, nephew. If Brother Hong knew this news, he would be extremely happy."

As Sheng Wei spoke, the envy in his heart grew stronger.

He knew very well how valuable the title of Huiyuan was. In the Great Zhou Dynasty, those who could pass the Huiyuan examination were already halfway to becoming the prime minister.

Zhao Han remained unfazed by praise or criticism, and said with a cupped hand, "I was able to successfully enter high school this time thanks to Uncle Sheng's care and support. I will never forget this kindness."

When Sheng Wei heard this, he couldn't help but feel warm in his heart, and secretly sighed that Zhao Han's future must be limitless.

After all, if an ordinary candidate wins the first place in the imperial examination, most of them will not be full of confidence and glory, but he can still be so humble and steady.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but think of the scholar named Sun Zhigao, whom he had tried his best to support when he was in Youyang.

Sun Zhigao passed the imperial examination at the age of twelve and was a well-known child prodigy in Youyang, with a bright future.

But ever since he failed the provincial examination last year, he has become a different person, spending all his time hanging out in places of entertainment, drinking and chatting with people from all walks of life.

The most infuriating thing is that he would come to the Sheng family to borrow money many times in an arrogant manner, saying that he would return all his money even if he spent it all.

If Li had not stopped him, he would have kicked Sun Zhigao out long ago.

After a moment, Sheng Wei came back to his senses. He looked at the humble and polite Zhao Han in front of him.

Thinking about the good-for-nothing Sun Zhigao again, he secretly sighed that he was still not as good as Brother Sheng in the ability to judge people.

-

Three days later, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Zhouqiao Wharf is already a busy scene, with all kinds of ships coming and going on the Bian River.

Zhao Han and Sheng Wei had been waiting here early.

Not long after, a red-lacquered official ship with a flag bearing the Chinese character "Sheng" emerged from the fog. Two young men in brocade robes stood on the bow, waving from afar.

Zhao Han looked closely and saw that it was the brothers Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng.

The boat slowly approached the shore. Zhao Han calmly straightened his clothes. After the rope was tied, Hua Lan supported Old Lady Sheng and walked down the stairs steadily.

The old lady's silver hair was combed meticulously. Hualan wore a lilac-colored skirt with only a few plain pearl flowers in her hair. There was a perfect smile on the corner of her lips. In the morning light, she was as beautiful and elegant as a lotus flower emerging from the water.

Sheng Hong, who had been following behind and kept looking at Lin Qinshuang, suddenly seemed to remember something and hurried forward to support the old lady.

"Mom, please be careful with your steps." Sheng Hong said softly, looking like a loving mother and a filial son.

After approaching, Sheng Hong smiled and bowed to Sheng Wei, "Brother Wei, sorry to have kept you waiting!"

Sheng Wei hurriedly returned the greeting, his sleeves fluttering in the morning breeze: "Why should we be so polite when we're brothers?"

As he spoke, he turned to the old lady and bowed respectfully: "Nephew pays his respects to the old lady. You must have been exhausted from the journey. Are you feeling well?"

Old Madam Sheng extended her hand to support him, and said with a laugh, "Thank you for your concern. I'm fine."

After a round of greetings, Sheng Hong couldn't wait to turn his attention to Zhao Han.

He twirled his beard, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "The results of the imperial examination have been announced. I wonder how you ranked, my dear son-in-law?"

Zhao Han smiled slightly, cupped his hands, and said solemnly, "I have lived up to my father-in-law's expectations. I am lucky enough to have passed the imperial examination."

He paused, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Hua Lan lowering her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow on her cheek. His voice softened, "Thanks to God's blessing, I have won the first place in the exam."

As soon as these words were spoken, Sheng Hong's eyes widened and his lips trembled slightly.

"Hui...Huiyuan? The first place winner of this year's examination?!"

Hua Lan was shocked and no longer cared about being reserved. She raised her beautiful eyes and stared straight at Zhao Han.

Sheng Wei smiled and raised his hand, pointing in the direction of the Imperial Examination Hall. "Brother Hong, are you confused?"

"The imperial edict is now posted outside the Imperial Examination Hall. I brought two maids to see it with my own eyes. Nephew Zhao's name is written first!"

"Oh my God..." Sheng Hong muttered to himself, and a hint of luck flashed across his eyes.

If he had not decided on the marriage, such a handsome, elegant and talented Huiyuanlang would have been gone.

I'm afraid that he would have been vying for a son-in-law among the nobles in the capital.

Sheng Changbai's eyes showed endless envy, and the old lady also looked at Zhao Han with loving face.

"What a great Huiyuanlang! He is truly a rare talent!"

"It's rare to find someone as young as you who can achieve the highest score in the imperial examination."

As she spoke, Old Lady Sheng smiled and patted Hua Lan's hand, "Our little girl Hua is so lucky to have found such an outstanding husband."

"Grandma..." Hearing this, Hua Lan was so embarrassed that even her ears turned red.

She raised her eyes quietly and met Zhao Han's gentle gaze. She lowered her head hurriedly and twisted the handkerchief in her hand.

Sheng Hong was even more delighted and kept saying, "Mother is absolutely right!"

"My son-in-law is one of the best in the entire Bianjing City, with his good character and talent."