The first time in history

Li Shishi shook her head. "That means I will marry you as my wife in a formal ceremony, and I promise you that I will only marry you in this life and will not take any concubines. You must believe me."

"Really?" Li Shishi's tears fell down.

"It's true!" Qian Mingduo hugged Li Shishi tightly. "Baby, from today on I am the top scorer. Do you know what it means to win three consecutive championships?"

Li Shishi nodded, "I know, it means winning the first place in the first place, the second place and the third place in the first place consecutively. But...how many people in this dynasty can achieve such an honor?"

"Me!" Qian Mingduo looked at Li Shishi, "I know this thing is difficult, but as long as I work hard, I can still give it a try."

As they were talking, they heard the sound of gongs and drums outside, coming from the alley all the way to the doorstep.

"Please invite Lu Jieyuan to come out and welcome the good luck!" someone outside the courtyard shouted.

Li Shishi looked at Qian Mingduo and said, "They are here to congratulate you. Use that little bit of silver to send them away!" After saying that, Li Shishi turned around and went back to the inner room and closed the door.

Qian Mingduo took out a silver ingot of five taels and opened the gate. He saw a group of people standing outside the gate. When they saw him come out, they bowed and saluted, "Congratulations to Lu Jieyuan for passing the imperial examination. We are here to congratulate you."

An old man walked up to Qian Mingduo and said, "Lü Jieyuan, I am the guarantor of our place. Now I am here to send you a red envelope on behalf of all the neighbors. Please accept it!"

Two young men held a huge red silk flower and gave it to Qian Mingduo to wear in front of him. At this time, the gongs and drums sounded again, making the whole alley buzz.

"I am so grateful for the kindness of the folks here. I have no words to express it." Qian Mingduo handed the silver to the head of the village, "Please ask the head of the village to treat everyone to a drink on my behalf. I would like to thank you all again."

Bao Zheng put the silver in his arms and said, "Tomorrow the prefect of Lin'an Prefecture will invite Jie Yuan to the prefecture to discuss matters. I can convey the message on his behalf."

Qian Mingduo nodded and walked towards everyone.

After watching everyone leave the alley, Qian Ming Duocai turned around and closed the gate. When he opened the door to the inner room, he saw that Li Shishi had already lowered the curtains of the bed.

Qian Mingduo sighed softly and slowly lifted the curtain. He saw Li Shishi lying on her side, facing inwards, with her long hair covering the entire head of the bed.

"I know you want to live a peaceful life," Qian Mingduo said, lying next to Li Shishi and hugging her waist. "I'll take care of everything, and you can just stay at home. No one will know your identity, okay?"

Li Shishi nodded slightly, Qian Mingduo gathered Li Shishi's long hair and gently put it on top of her head. Then he hugged Li Shishi again and put his hand into her clothes from behind. After a while, accompanied by Li Shishi's panting, the bed made a slight "creaking, creaking" sound.

The next morning, Li Shishi packed everything for Qian Mingduo. She snuggled in his arms and whispered, "You have to come back soon! I miss you!"

"I haven't even left home yet, why are you missing me already?"

"Yeah!" Li Shishi nodded. "When I thought about you leaving home, I couldn't help but start missing you."

Qian Mingduo sighed, "My dear, I can't stay in the government office for a while. I will be back soon, ah!"

Under Li Shishi's gaze, Qian Mingduo winked at her, pouting his lips and kissed her in the air before closing the gate.

Qian Mingduo was taken directly to the back court by the yamen runners. The prefect Chen Lian was sitting in the hall. When he saw Qian Mingduo coming in, he slowly stood up.

"The top scorer in the undergraduate program, Lu Zhengyi, pays his respects to the prefect!" Qian Mingduo bowed.

"Please take a seat, Lu Jieyuan." Chen Lian also bowed in return. "Come on, have some tea."

Qian Mingduo looked at Chen Lian. He knew that this was just a courtesy summons from the prefect to the new champion. It was nothing more than some polite words of encouragement.

"The candidate wrote a great essay!" Chen Lian nodded and said, "It can be seen that the candidate is a man of great talent. I hope he will continue to work hard. When the imperial examination comes, he will pass it again!"

Qian Mingduo stood up, bowed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. I will work harder and live up to your expectations."

"Please sit down." Chen Lian looked at Qian Mingduo, "I wonder if Lu Jieyuan is married?"

Qian Mingduo was a little confused when asked this question. He had already written everything very clearly when he submitted the petition. Why did the prefect still ask this question?

"My Lord, I am already married."

Chen Lian nodded, "I wonder what Lu Jieyuan thinks about the imperial examination?"

Qian Mingduo smiled and said, "Students will use all their life's knowledge to strive to be on the list."

"The top scorer's answer to the imperial examination questions..." Chen Lian glanced at Qian Mingduo, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

Qian Mingduo thought about it, "I wonder what the exam questions you mentioned mean?"

"I have no other intentions," Chen Lian tapped the table with his fingers. "Judging from the essay of the first prize winner, it is the best among the best works. The idea is profound, and the writing is smooth and natural. The depth of insight into worldly affairs is amazing."

"Of course it's an exaggeration!" Qian Mingduo said modestly.

"Your article has clear and powerful arguments, rich and detailed evidence, and extensive references, which are convincing. If you can serve as an official in the court in the future, it will be a blessing for our dynasty!"

Qian Mingduo immediately stood up and saluted, "Master Chen thinks too highly of me. I really don't deserve it!"

"Your essay seems to be well-thought-out and written in one go. I just want to know..." Chen Lian looked at Qian Mingduo, "before the exam started, were there any signs of winning the provincial exam?"

Qian Mingduo understood that Chen Lian wanted to ask him whether he knew the test questions before the exam. "Sir, I have been familiar with the classics, history, and literature since I was young. I also pay attention to current affairs. As for the test questions of Cisco in advance... How can I know the signs of foresight?"

"Ah! Ha, ha, ha..." Chen Lian laughed loudly, "Jie Yuan is a man of profound knowledge. It seems that no matter what the question is, it won't be difficult for you."

Qian Mingduo bowed slightly and said, "Sir, I dare not say that I am well-versed in the classics. I have only gone through the pain of piercing my bones and hanging from the beams, and the fatigue of studying all night long."

Chen Lian nodded, "Then continue to study hard and strive to pass the imperial examination!"

When Qian Mingduo came out of the prefectural government, he had the two hundred taels of silver awarded by Chen Lian in his pocket, and hurried back home.

Li Shishi had already prepared the meal and was waiting for him in the yard.

Qian Ming had just closed the gate when Li Shishi hugged him. He patted Li Shishi's hand and asked, "Am I back soon enough?"

"It's almost two hours, and it's still fast?" Li Shishi asked, "What does the prefect want to see you about?"

"It's just a routine matter." Qian Mingduo took out some silver. "Give him some words of encouragement and praise. And give him some more silver. That's all."

Li Shishi took the silver and said, "How can such an expert be rewarded with silver?"