The beloved baby has a space

Chapter 652 The Top Scholar's Parade Through the Streets
"Please, Father-in-law, read the imperial decree here. Our family is all here," Old Mrs. Wang suddenly replied from upstairs.

Ayu looked up and saw Wang Wulang and the others hiding behind Old Lady Wang, all giving her a thumbs up.

Unexpectedly, their seemingly kindest and most lively little sister could be quite eloquent, and most people couldn't keep up with her.

Defeng Tower was originally a royal property, so issuing imperial decrees here would not disgrace the royal dignity.

This time, Eunuch Xi did not come to announce an imperial edict, but rather a verbal message, saying that Wang Chuangui had performed exceptionally well in the Golden Hall, and that not only the Emperor appreciated him, but also that some of the cabinet ministers present highly valued him.

This was just verbal praise without any actual reward, but other candidates didn't receive this praise. If Wang Chuangui were to be appointed to an official position in the future, he would certainly receive a better position than others.

Not to mention those who receive personal praise from cabinet ministers; barring any unforeseen circumstances, they may even be granted titles and positions, and perhaps even leave a mark in history as talented and virtuous individuals.

This is an honor that money can't buy.

The imperial edict did not refer to Wang Chuangui's full name, but rather to his courtesy name, Wang Chuheng.

Everyone initially thought it was some young man, until Ayu said, "Second Uncle is indeed amazing," and then they realized that this was the Second Uncle that Yuxiangjun had mentioned.

Look at him, he was born into a farming family, but now he has not only gained the emperor's favor, but his future is also limitless.

Those who were gossiping behind the scenes felt their faces burning with embarrassment, completely forgetting that the person they were originally discussing was not a student from a poor family.

Wang Wulang called Ayu upstairs. Everyone was preparing to start the banquet after Qin Huai and Wang Chuangui returned, but they found that the students had not left, but were gathered outside Defeng Tower.

"Sister Ayu, why aren't these people leaving? Did you say something too harsh just now? Are they ashamed now?" Wang Wulang asked, puzzled.

It is said that scholars are very thin-skinned, but Wang Wulang did not find this pattern in his own family.

The Wang family is incredibly shameless; if they were, they wouldn't get many things.

Besides, so what if you got scolded? It's no big deal. Just listen to it and it'll pass. If you can take it to heart, that's your own good fortune. If you can't, it doesn't matter.

They'd been scolded by their grandmother since they were little, so they were pretty tough by now. They always felt that what Sister Ayu said was too mild. If their grandmother had said it, they probably would have dug a hole and crawled into it.

Ayu also peeked at the students. When the students saw Ayu's head peeking out from the second floor, they all opened their eyes slightly, and some even bowed to Ayu.

"Is there anything else?" Ayu asked.

One of the students mustered his courage and said, “Lord Yuxiang, we know we are unworthy to speak to you. Your words just now were like a wake-up call, and we have benefited greatly. I dare to ask if you are married? If not, then I—”

"Hey, are you blind or deaf? Just now, you were all whispering and gossiping about how our Wang family was trying to climb the social ladder by marrying into the Duke of Yong's family. That young master of the Duke of Yong's family is our Wang family's grandson-in-law. Who else could he marry? Of course, it's our Ayu!" Wang Wulang shouted loudly, then realized what he meant and looked at Ayu with a shocked expression. "The young master of the Duke of Yong's family?!"

Ayu: "..."

It turns out they'd been listening to people's gossip for ages but had forgotten this crucial point. Old Madam Wang knew that Qin Huai was from the Duke of Yong's mansion, and Liu Shi had also been informed by Old Madam Wang. Ayu later found out as well, and the rest of the people who arrived in Wanning City had, intentionally or unintentionally, guessed that Qin Huai's status was not low.

Only Wang Wulang and his brothers, who were usually carefree, never thought about it too deeply.

Upon hearing this, the students understood and all looked dejected.

Yu Xiangjun does look quite young. I originally thought he was unmarried and was considering arranging a marriage for my nephews and nieces. If Xiangjun doesn't mind, I'm not in a position to marry him...

"Gentlemen, you must know that there are no shortcuts in life, and if there were, there would always be a price to pay. Now is the time when Dachang desperately needs talent. If you truly have the ambition to serve your country, you should work hard and strive forward, instead of thinking about any crooked paths. Heaven is fair and will not let down those who work hard." After saying this, Ayu ignored the group of students.

She wanted to criticize these people, not to become their teacher.

Some of what I said earlier were things that Ayu had summarized in her daily life, and some were things that Ayu had learned from the stories she told. Whether they were useful or not, let them figure it out for themselves.

Just then, the sound of gongs and drums came from afar. It turned out that the top scholar was beginning his parade through the streets, walking all the way from Sansi Street to Defeng Tower.

The eunuch, who was invited to the second floor for tea, said with a smile, "This is the return of Scholar Qin and the second-class Jinshi."

The main characters in the parade of the top scholar were not just the top scholar, but the top two scholars, a total of twenty people. The top scholar rode a horse at the front, and the rest of them sat in open-air sedan chairs in order. Along the way, flowers were scattered, lyrics were sung, and music was played. The procession would take a whole day to circle the imperial city.

People forgot all about the excitement here and rushed to see the grand spectacle of the top scholar's parade through the streets.

Qin Huai was the top scholar, dressed in a red scholar's robe, with a red square hat on his head and a large red silk flower tied around his waist. His face was covered in makeup, and from a distance, he looked like a monkey's bottom.

Fortunately, Qin Huai was extremely handsome; it was rare to find such a good-looking young man in Wanning City. The makeup on his face actually made him look a little older and quite mature.

During the parade, Qin Huai remained expressionless and unsmiling, a stark contrast to the jubilant second and third place winners and other second-class scholars behind him.

The procession quickly arrived in front of Defeng Tower. Qin Huai stopped his horse and immediately saw Ayu on the second floor. He rarely smiled.

"Wow!"

Those around him couldn't help but gasp; the young scholar's smile was truly captivating.

Wang Wulang peeked out, pursed his lips, and thought that when he became the top scholar in the imperial examination, he would parade through the streets and let Ayu ride on his top scholar's horse in front of everyone.

Let everyone see who truly dotes on Ayu!
Ayu had no idea what Wang Wulang was thinking. When she saw Qin Huai, she waved happily and said, "Brother Ayou, I'm here!"

She cupped her hands together, as if afraid he wouldn't hear her: "You're so amazing!"

Qin Huai's lips curled up slightly. He wanted to suppress it to appear more dignified, but seeing A Yu's bright and cheerful expression, he smiled again: "Mm."

(End of this chapter)