Chapter 586: Chapter 573: Epilogue (Part 2)
Shen Zhi:...
He felt that the people of Shengjing, except for his Brother Cui, were all somewhat flawed.
A few days later. The examination papers were reviewed.
The Chuanlu Official proudly held up the golden list and sang the names. The top three in the first rank were called out three times each.
"In the Dingxu Year, the first rank, top scorer, Hu Qin."
"Dingxu Year, first rank, second place, Xu Zhao Min."
"Dingxu Year, first rank, second place, Shen Zhi."
"Ding..."
The gongs and drums filled the air, and the parade proceeded through the streets.
Shen Hua had reserved a private room early at the First-tier Sky Restaurant.
"They’re coming!" Cheers erupted from below.
Shen Hua hurriedly stood up and peeked out the window.
The sides of the road were packed with people, all eagerly looking forward.
With flags and drums leading the way, the joyful noise was thunderous, and the signs held up read ’Silence’ and ’Make Way’.
Silence was impossible. After all, it was a celebration.
The top scorer looked over fifty, his hair at the temples graying, slightly chubby, and he appeared very kind.
The second place and third place followed on fine horses, each dressed in red, adorned with flowers and wearing hats.
The second place had dark skin and a burly stature, resembling a military general.
As they passed First-tier Sky, Shen Zhi looked up.
His visage was handsome, and he had a gentle and graceful demeanor like jade. The crowd gasped.
"Is the third place married?"
"He’s so young and handsome! Truly fitting for the third place!"
"Throw the wallet, throw the wallet quickly."
"I dare not, I’m afraid the wallet is blind and might hit the top scorer who’s as old as my grandfather."
Shen Hua listened with great pride.
Her eyes shining brightly, she waved energetically at Shen Zhi.
"I heard that after this palace examination, the three best examination papers were presented to Ji Teng, and without discrimination among them, he chose the rankings based on the portraits of the three candidates."
The neighboring window was also open, and a clear voice carried over.
"This Shen Zhi is not bad. What do you think, young lady? If you say the word, I shall abduct him for you."
There were many suitors on the list, Ji Huo thought it was no big deal.
Maybe he’d even gain a promising son-in-law, and Prince Gong and his wife wouldn’t keep nagging him all day.
"Hey!"
Then, from the next room came an unusually annoyed voice from the girl: "He’s already married!"
"So what! Can’t he divorce?"
Ji Huo scoffed: "There’s nothing this Princely Heir cannot do once I take action."
Ji Huo intended to warn the other party not to meddle in his affairs, or else he’d make her regret it.
But unexpectedly, he met the gaze of the next room’s youthful yet radiant face. The words stuck in his throat.
His heart, that had died because of Zhen Mi, once again madly pulsated at this moment.
It’s over! He’s fallen again.
Ji Huo quickly restrained his playboy demeanor; he cleared his throat, and before he could pose as cultivated, he received a brazen reply from the other side.
"Dog thing!"
Ji Huo: !!!
Even the young lady’s scolding was so pleasantly crisp to the ears!
Shen Hua was furious, about to go next door to teach Ji Huo a lesson, when a loud scream outside drowned her thoughts.
Countless wallets and scent sachets were hurled down at one person below.
Even more lively than the earlier parade of the top three.
As Cui Yun approached, he was caught in the embarrassing rain of objects.
He coldly looked around, and the crowd paused momentarily in fright, but they didn’t stop.
The wallets were ready, all filled with red ropes from the marriage tree at the Daoist School! Missing hitting the third place was a regret among thousands; they had to hit someone.
Seeing this, Shen Hua felt even more choked up.
She couldn’t move forward or back.
Her look was harsh; with a ’snap’ she shut the window, out of sight out of mind.
Yet someone clueless pushed the door open. Ji Huo had obviously tidied himself up; his smile was roguish.
"May I know if the young lady is betrothed?"
"Get out!"
"The concubine of my previous room also rejected me from a thousand miles away at first."
Shen Hua looked at him expressionlessly.
Yingwu whispered in her ear, "It’s the Heir of Prince Gong."
Shen Hua scoffed, "Oh, the one who recently lost so badly in the gambling house that not even his underwear was left, and whose Daddy and Mama were too ashamed to bail him out, that wastrel."
Ji Huo: ???
In other circumstances, he would have punched anyone for such remarks.
But at this time.
"Feisty! I like it!"
"Taking you as a concubine would be an injustice to that face; how about I marry you as the official wife instead?"
Ji Huo had even decided what their future children would be named.
He was full of youthful vigor.
"Tell me, what’s your name?"
Shen Hua, who always preferred action to words, was reaching for a Luminous Pearl to smash on Ji Huo’s head when.
"Cui Yun, what brings you here?"
Shen Hua turned abruptly, the familiar figure standing at the door with an indifferent expression.
