CHAPTER 1618: CHAPTER 1618 CONGRATULATIONS

Changzhong, ill-intentioned, did not answer, "You’ll know when the time comes."

Yu Wen also laughed, "I’ll take a nap."

Ming Rui, "..."

This is right, this is his fifth sister!

Yu Wen adhered to the rules indeed, she was different from her mother, her mother was an orphan back then, she heard all sorts of rumors while staying at the Su family, so she was bold and unafraid of gossip. Her mother could boldly pursue her father. She couldn’t; she was a woman of the Zhou family and couldn’t damage the family’s reputation, which concerned the reputation of all Zhou women.

Yu Wen closed her eyes, but her mind did not stop thinking. She intended to see today whether Gu Sheng was targeted by several families, whether he complied or found a way to solve it.

The carriage quickly arrived at the Jiang family. The Jiang family’s carriage followed. Before the results were announced, many people were already waiting ahead.

Several people in Changzhong’s group did not rush to alight, letting the young servant go ahead.

Outside the carriage came the voice of the young servant, followed by the door being knocked. Changzhong and Ming Rui exchanged a glance, and the young servant said, "Sir, Mr. Zhuo wishes to see you."

Changzhong took a glance at his niece. There were many people here with wandering eyes, and Zhuo Guyu had a decent reputation, if he did not meet him, Hou Residence would seem arrogantly unapproachable. He signaled Ming Rui to open the carriage door, "Mr. Zhuo not going to see the results? Is he confident in his performance?"

Zhuo Guyu recognized Zhou Changzhong’s young servant, so he came over. Upon seeing An He, he was quite surprised, "I just arrived, saw the Hou Residence carriage and came to take a look; now I will go upfront to wait for the results."

Changzhong, "Then I won’t delay Mr. Zhuo’s viewing, please."

Zhuo Guyu felt quite stifled, the master of Hou Residence had no affection for him whatsoever; look at how Zhou Changzhong formulated his question, yet Zhuo still pursed his lips and said, "Magistrate An He, are you here for the results too?"

Yu Wen opened her eyes, stared directly into Zhuo Guyu’s eyes, and spoke, "I dislike trouble, I don’t want my future days to be surrounded by endless trouble, please go ahead, sir."

Zhuo Guyu glanced back at the already closed carriage door, turned and went forward to see the results, his expression seemingly calm, but unrest lay within. He had never dreamed of a future wife because he knew marriage couldn’t be self-chosen, and the wife’s character didn’t matter as long as she could assist the Duke Residence.

Every time he interacted with Magistrate An He — this seemingly low-profile fifth girl of the Zhou family — she surprised him; she was too perceptive, he understood clearly, he needed such a wife, a wife to fight by his side.

As for Magistrate An He’s rejection, he did not take it to heart, An He was still young.

In the carriage, Ming Rui spoke, "Yu Wen fancy any family’s son? If his family is of status, well then, if they are poor scholars."

Yu Wen, "I understand."

Changzhong laughed, his niece understood well, so there wouldn’t be any action, otherwise, Gu Sheng would have long ago perished.

With the results announced, Yu Wen did not get off the carriage; Changzhong left the young servant and Ming Rui went off together, Ming Rui went to look for Shangguan Liu, his rare friend.

Jiang Zhu and Mu Fan were not confident; this cohort of candidates was too formidable, they didn’t stay upfront but looked from the back.

Shangguan Liu was much more confident, directly looked from the front, "Eighth place."

Ming Rui, "Congratulations."

Shangguan Liu felt settled, "You don’t know that when Zhuo Guyu was gaining fame, my father had his eyes on me reading every day, fearing I’d disgrace the Shangguan family."

Ming Rui’s gaze fixed on the top of the list, "Still lacking some."

Shangguan Liu’s face was gleefully malicious, "I thought he was a sure thing but Gu Sheng snatched first place."

Ming Rui, "Another triumph for the South."

"Indeed, at least I brought honor to Shangguan family, the imperial exam relies on luck."

Ming Rui saw Mr. Wen too, "Wen Liu, tenth place."

Shangguan Liu whispered, "I admire him, this can also rank tenth."

Ming Rui admired him too, an illegitimate son, he turned just in time to see Wen Liu, Wen Liu glanced over, it was his first time seeing Wen Liu so happy with a smile, Wen Liu nodded and walked away.

Shangguan Liu indicated to look to the other side, Ming Rui turned his head to see Zhuo Guyu staring at the list tight-faced, with people congratulating him awkwardly.

He saw the encircled top scholar, then squinted slightly, his heart paused; this man was truly well-formed.

On the other side, Jiang Zhu and Mu Fan found their names, Jiang Zhu over two hundred and forty, Mu Fan over one hundred and eighty, they felt settled seeing their names on the list.

Changzhong continued to gaze at the list, familiar families in the capital didn’t rank high, he saw Mr. Du in over the hundreds.

Jiang Zhu, "Uncle, who else are you looking for?"

Changzhong squinted, saw Ji Deming in over the eighties, this person surprisingly scored well, tsk tsk.

The crowd around gradually dispersed, Changzhong went upfront to see Gu Sheng’s name right away, followed by Zhuo Guyu, his gaze scanned around, several family stewards surrounded Gu Sheng.

Ming Rui came over, "Uncle."

Changzhong turned his head, "Shangguan?"

"He’s already left, I’m waiting here for Uncle."

Changzhong coughed, "You have spotted it."

Ming Rui looked at Gu Sheng, "He’s a top scholar, when titled in the Golden List, more officials will pay attention to him."

He stood looking for a while, several stewards were inviting Gu Sheng to the teahouse, what they talked in the teahouse naturally was related to marriage.

Jiang Zhu, "..."

What were they talking about?

Changzhong turned around and startled, "Why have you come over?"

Yu Wen walked over slowly, "The closer, the better view of the spectacle."

Ming Rui, "..."

Indeed the most spirited sister, she was in no hurry, still lively in watching the spectacle, then he felt something wrong, when Yu Yi several got engaged, he wanted to punch someone, when it came to Yu Wen he suddenly sympathized with the future brother-in-law?

Gu Sheng sweated on the forehead, "There’s no need to say anymore, my elder brother is not yet married, Gu Sheng will not consider marriage."

A steward regarded Gu Yan with a laugh, "Brothers marrying together would be a good tale wouldn’t it?"

Gu Sheng sighed, "Pardon sincerely, Gu Sheng will not marry until twenty, Gu Sheng appreciates your kind intentions."

The stewards laughed and left without much concern, anyway, there was still the imperial exam, being able to invite him to the teahouse was better, if not it also expressed intention.

Gu Yan, "Don’t worry about me, you have a good family at hand."

Gu Sheng furrowed his brow, "Brother, I understand but I didn’t consider marriage."

It was honest, and besides, he didn’t want a family-in-law that kept managing everything for him, he knew how much was given meant how much needed to be returned.

Gu Yan patted his brother’s shoulder, then turned and spoke, "Mr. Zhou."

Gu Sheng looked not only at Mr. Zhou but also Mr. Zhou’s nephew, the most surprising was that Magistrate An He was here too.

Gu Sheng stepped forward, "Gu Sheng once again thanks Mr. Zhou for helping, Gu Sheng managed to achieve top scholar."

Changzhong, "You earned it with your ability, congratulations to Mr. Gu."

Ming Rui and others congratulated in succession, Changzhong introduced Ming Rui, "My second brother’s eldest son, Ming Rui."

Gu Sheng, "Pleasure to meet you."

Not sure if it was an illusion, he felt Mr. Zhou’s nephew examining him.

Yu Wen also spoke, "Congratulations."

Gu Sheng had no fanciful thoughts, his gaze honest and clear, "Thank Magistrate."