Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 77 The Greatest Versailles in History: Do You Need to Prepare for the Imperial Examination to Become the Top Scholar?

As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Although I've only been away for two or three days, a lot has happened recently, and I've accumulated a lot of anger.

The next morning.

Feng Suzhen and Meizhu both stayed in bed.

Li Zhaoting was smugly doing his morning exercise in the garden.

He first practiced the Eight Pieces of Brocade, then Tai Chi. After his battle with Bai Yujing, Li Zhaoting's understanding of Tai Chi reached a new level, and his Tai Chi movements became graceful and fluid.

A watermelon is cut in half. You take half, I take half. If you don't want it, I'll take it back and give half to him. If he doesn't want it, I'll take it back and give half to her...

Qu Feiyan followed Li Zhaoting for morning exercise.

Recently, Qu Feiyan has been following Feng Suzhen to learn martial arts and has gained some basic skills.

He learned light-body skills quite well.

His fist, foot, and sword techniques have some merits.

On a whim, Li Zhaoting taught him a few moves.

After her morning exercise, Feng Suzhen reluctantly got out of bed.

Lan Fenghuang prepared traditional Yunnan cuisine, and everyone ate breakfast together, discussing the upcoming arrangements.

"Brother Li, what a waste! So much gold and silver jewelry was given to Fatty Tang. That much money could buy hundreds of cartloads of salt and last for years!"

“We have plenty of money in our family. What would I do with those jewels? They’re too conspicuous. Those who have lost money won’t let it go easily.”

"Isn't Tang Zhuquan afraid of trouble?"

"Better to offend Yama, the King of Hell, than Tang Clan."

"Their family has already broken away from the Tang Clan."

"He can hire the Tang Clan at a friendly price. One of the Tang Clan's external businesses is assassination."

"Tang Zhuquan wouldn't do that, would he?"

"He said no, do you believe him?"

Li Zhaoting picked up a flower cake: "The flower cake is very well made, much better than my dad's."

"Is your uncle very good at making flower cakes?"

"He can't bake desserts!"

Li Zhaoting pinched Lan Fenghuang's nose.

Lan Fenghuang was taken aback at first, but then realized that Li Zhaoting was teasing her. She headbutted him with a rocket-like headbutt and crashed into Li Zhaoting's arms, muttering to herself.

"Brother Li is a big bad guy!"

"I will destroy you on behalf of the moon!"

"It's a beautiful girl's duty to eliminate bad guys!"

Lan Fenghuang was born in the Miao village of Moon Mountain. When Li Zhaoting was helping her escape from the pursuit, he told her many stories to lull her to sleep, the one that best matched her background was "Sailor Moon".

The blue phoenix came from the "moon".

After its body fully develops, it carries the moon with it.

Feng Suzhen suggested, "My lord, you always say I have the makings of a top scholar. Since the imperial examinations are approaching, let's go to the capital to take a look. I'm itching to try my luck!"

"The capital city? The imperial examination system?"

Li Zhaoting gasped.

The imperial examination system was roughly divided into three steps.

The provincial examinations were held in the autumn and were also called the autumn examinations.

Those who passed the exam became "Juren" (举人), the most famous being Fan Jin (范进). The top scorer was called "Jieyuan" (解元), and the most famous Jieyuan was Tang Bohu (唐伯虎).

The provincial examination was held in spring and was also called the spring examination.

Due to transportation issues, students who passed the autumn imperial examinations traveled from their hometowns to the capital. Those who arrived early rented rooms to prepare for the exams, while those who arrived late crammed at the last minute. Those who passed were called "Gongshi" (贡士).

Palace examination.

After the imperial examinations concluded, the emperor personally presided over the selection of the top three scholars: the first, second, and third. The top scholar was granted the privilege of riding a horse through the streets and attending the imperial banquet, bringing honor to his ancestors.

If you get first place in three exams, you are considered an academic superstar, and are respectfully called "a triple champion".

Throughout history, very few people have been able to do that.

This year's imperial examination is extraordinary.

the reason is simple.

Bao Zheng will participate in this imperial examination.

Wherever Bao Zheng went, rivers of blood flowed.

This year's students are also very impressive.

Several high-ranking officials, the highest-ranking being prime minister, were also involved in the examinations with Bao Zheng, along with Liu Changying, Li Xunhuan, and others, leaving all the other candidates exhausted.

Bao Zheng's reputation was not fabricated.

Bao Zheng was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) who passed the imperial examinations with flying colors.

Top 30 nationwide!

He was a top student at every stage of his life.

Speaking of exams, Li Zhaoting recalled a joke.

The story of a scholar and a rich young lady.

The rich young lady casts a wide net, hoping to catch a rich man.

The scholar, on his way to the imperial examination, waited specifically to have the fish baited.

To some extent, Bao Zheng also fits this story, as does his marriage.

On his way from the autumn imperial examinations to the spring imperial examinations, he passed through a secluded village, caught a ghost with the help of a fox spirit, won the heart of a young lady, and married his first wife, Lady Li.

The "Hidden Village" in "Young Justice Bao" comes from this. Coincidentally, the actress who plays Ling Chuchu happens to have the surname Li, which corresponds to the Three Heroes and Five Gallants.

In other words, Bao Zheng's romantic partner is Ling Chuchu.

Later characters like Little Dragonfly and Little Barbarian will all be relegated to the back; Ling Chuchu is the true queen.

Because of Bao Zheng's immense fame, Li Zhaoting had read numerous studies on forums before his transmigration. Some experts had watched hundreds of episodes of TV dramas to find evidence, from their childhood to old age, from Zhou Jie to Jin Chaoqun. The entire Pang family was wiped out, Chen Shimei was repeatedly beheaded, and princesses, noble ladies, princes-in-law, and imperial brothers-in-law were all spared.

The final conclusion is that Bao Zheng was neither the reincarnation of the God of Literature nor the God of War with a new head; rather, he was the reincarnation of the King of Hell, with the head of the Year of the Rat in his body.

The autumn imperial examinations have just finished, so why is it said that the imperial examinations are approaching? Because the roads are difficult to travel, and candidates who live far from the capital will be delayed for several months.

Generally speaking, after confirming their success in the autumn imperial examinations, most students would immediately travel to the capital. This was to prevent wasting too much time on the journey and to prepare for the exams, inquiring about the examiners and their preferred writing styles.

This kind of thing could go on for three days and three nights.

My father-in-law, Feng Shaoqing, was a graduate of the imperial examination system.

Back then, he was a top student who was incredibly talented.

Now, he is 20 to 30 pounds thinner than Tang Zhuquan.

Feng Suzhen wanted to visit the capital, Lan Fenghuang had longed to go there for a long time, and Meizhu pouted because someone needed to take care of the house, so Meizhu had to stay and look after it.

Li Zhaoting waved his hand and said, "Let's all go!"

Li Zhaoting has found a suitable candidate.

This person is... Qu Feiyan!

When she initially agreed to take care of Qu Feiyan, the little girl had quite a few mischievous ideas. Knowing she had no one to rely on and couldn't keep living off others, she simply became Feng Suzhen's apprentice. Li Zhaoting had no children, and Qu Feiyan's current identity was the eldest daughter of the Li family. Li Zhaoting left behind several exquisite hidden weapons, enough for the little girl to protect herself and avoid trouble.

After resting at home for a few days, the group headed to the capital.

……

In the world of martial arts, there are too many masters, and the city walls are high and thick, especially the walls of the capital city. It is said that they can withstand the bombardment of a grandmaster. They are equipped with crossbows with eight oxen. If anyone tries to break through the city walls, they will be shot into a giant hedgehog.

When Zhuge Zhengwo, the Grand Tutor of the court, was young, he personally oversaw the reinforcement of the city wall. The design blueprints were drawn up by Xu Xiaoyi, Zhuge Zhengwo's senior brother. After the expansion of the city wall was completed, Zhuge Zhengwo personally tried to break through it, but failed three times.

The capital city is a place where hidden talents abound, and masters are as numerous as clouds.

Leaving aside the Imperial City Guard, the Six Doors, and the Eastern Depot, just consider Empress Dowager Liu E, who was the leader of the Heavenly Gang.

The battle that confirmed the leader of the Heavenly Gang was the same one that led to the coup in the imperial city, when Emperor Renzong of Song, Zhao Zhen, ascended the throne.

Then, Li Nanxing was demoted!
Five years have passed. Liu E is living a life of luxury, with endless delicacies and countless martial arts secrets to learn. No one can say for sure how skilled she has become.

It may progress, or it may regress.

Since the new emperor ascended the throne, Empress Liu has been ruling from behind the curtain. She has important military and political affairs outside and attacks from her ministers inside. Her energy has been severely depleted. Where would she find the time to go into seclusion and practice martial arts?
In addition, Liu E came from a poor family, and her childhood experiences resulted in a weak foundation. Even with a huge amount of rare and precious materials to make up for it, she still could not make up for her weak foundation. If she wanted to break through the Heavenly Demon Extreme Realm and reach the realm of Ten Thousand Demons Without Limits, she needed the opportunity of innate spiritual essence. Most of these opportunities were found in deep mountains and forests, and they withered immediately after being picked.

Where would Liu E find the time to search for treasure?
Li Zhaoting's mind raced through various intelligence reports, while Mei Zhu excitedly shouted, "Qionglin Garden! Qionglin Garden!"

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed the Qionglin Garden outside the city.

Qionglin Garden is not inside the city, but outside the city.

The Qionglin Banquet was held in Qionglin Garden.

On that day, the weather was fine and the sun was shining. Feng Shaomin, the top scholar in the imperial examination, was in high spirits. He had wings on his head, wore a brocade robe, and rode through the streets on horseback with the imperial guards clearing the way. He looked as handsome as a god.

Princess Tianxiang fell in love at first sight and secretly pledged her heart to him.

Feng Shaomin utters the greatest Versailles of all time: He left his home to save his beloved Li Lang, only to unexpectedly become the top scholar in the imperial examination!
You good-for-nothings actually need to prepare for exams!
I took the exam without any preparation and still got the top score in the high school!

Anyone who disagrees, step forward.

I have also attended the Qionglin Banquet.
I also rode my horse in front of the Imperial Street~
Everyone praises my handsome looks!
So the gauze hat was meant to cover up the beautiful woman!
Li Zhaoting hummed along on a whim.

Li Zhaoting sang a Huangmei Opera tune. Feng Suzhen was from Hangzhou and was quite familiar with it. She thought the tune was very pleasant to listen to, but then she became so angry that her eyebrows shot up.

What does "a gauze hat covering a beautiful woman" mean?
What's wrong?

Are you destined to be framed and imprisoned?

I'm going to take the imperial examination and become the top scorer to get you out of prison?
Will the emperor execute our entire family?

Lan Fenghuang praised, "Brother Li's folk tunes are the best. He can also sing Yunnan folk songs. Back in Moon Mountain, he sang with more than a dozen people..."

Feng Suzhen: (「▼皿▼)
"My lord, you are truly talented!"

"I know a little! Just a little!"

"Does my lord know how to sing folk songs from the capital?"

"If my wife wants to hear it, I certainly will."

The capital city is Bianliang, which is Kaifeng. The local opera genre in Kaifeng is clearly "Henan Opera".

Li Zhaoting hummed a section of "Mulan".

"Does my lord know any folk songs from Sichuan and Chongqing?"

"Some preparations need to be made."

"what to prepare?"

"mask!"

"My lord is truly learned and talented!"

This statement was not sarcastic, but a genuine compliment. In terms of poetry and prose, Feng Suzhen was far superior to Li Zhaoting. In terms of local customs, Li Zhaoting was knowledgeable and well-versed, especially in eating, drinking and having fun.

Upon arriving at a certain prefecture, they could talk about the best food, the best activities, the most beautiful scenery, and the best time of year to visit, all in great detail.

After waiting outside the city for a while, the long line was finally inspected, and Li Zhaoting dismounted and entered the city.

Upon entering the city, what immediately catches the eye is
--bustling!
Shops lined the streets, and the place was filled with people of high status.

The crowds were shoulder to shoulder, a constant flow of people.

As far as the eye can see, the prosperity is beyond description.

The group had planned to eat some local specialty braised noodles on the street, but they discovered that the noodle vendor was beating someone. The person being beaten was a coal seller who was surrounded and beaten by several other vendors.

Li Zhaoting stopped Lan Fenghuang and told her not to rush to act as a chivalrous hero. After making some inquiries, she learned that the coal seller deserved the beating.

Doing business requires hawking and attracting customers.

The noodle vendor shouted, "Noodles!"

The coal seller chimed in, "Coal for sale!"

It would be a miracle if he didn't get beaten up!
In late autumn, it's indeed time to prepare some coal.

It's understandable that coal sellers are eager to make money.

This hawking is just too bizarre.

It appeared in the wrong place.

Li Zhaoting gave a wink, and Mei Zhu wrote a sign for the coal vendor, persuaded the noodle vendor to find a seat, and waited to taste the Beijing snacks.

"Speaking of Beijing delicacies, besides braised noodles and spicy soup, there are also soup dumplings. Beijing's soup dumplings are the best in the world. Let's go try them tonight."

"Have you prepared any dishes for the test takers?"

"Carp with noodles! Made with Yellow River carp, deep-fried and drizzled with sweet and sour sauce, paired with noodles as thin as hair, it symbolizes the carp leaping over the dragon gate, and is loved by all the test takers."

What's Brother Li's favorite snack?

"fried chicken!"

The capital city is Kaifeng, and the cuisine of the capital city is Kaifeng cuisine, which is abbreviated as KFC, which is just fried chicken.

……

Pang Mansion.

Grand Tutor Pang, a man of high rank and great power, rubbed his eyes, looked at Feng Yihan with a headache, and scolded, "Li Zhaoting has already arrived in the capital. This is your last chance."

"Grand Tutor, Li Zhaoting knows nothing. He's been misled. Why kill him to silence him? If he escapes, he'll definitely seek Lu Xiaofeng's help!"

"Are you afraid of Lu Xiaofeng?"

"Lu Xiaofeng may not be able to achieve anything, but he can definitely ruin things. Whether it's a thirty-year-old plan or a series of interconnected mysteries, as long as he gets involved, the plan of the person behind the scenes will inevitably fail. He is very accurate. Since his debut, Lu Xiaofeng has ruined hundreds of schemes."

"Effective? Well said! I've heard that Li Zhaoting calls himself a fortune teller in plain clothes. Go and have your fortune told by him."

"What kind of?"

"Take a look at the water in your brain!"

Grand Tutor Pang turned and left.

Feng Yihan helplessly wiped his face.

There isn't much water in my brain.

There was quite a bit of water on her face.

Grand Tutor Pang is really good at spouting nonsense.

Even a spray bottle nozzle can't spray this much!

"Ah! Ahh!"

Grand Tutor Pang sneezed twice.

(End of this chapter)