The first time in history

"Please get up quickly. I'm grateful to the shopkeeper and the other young men for taking care of you during this period of time." Qian Mingduo put the silver in the shopkeeper's hand and said, "It's just a token of my appreciation. I'd like to invite you to have some hot wine to warm your bodies."

"Mr. Zhuangyuan, it is our honor to have you stay in our inn!" The shopkeeper bowed and said, "I hope you can take care of our inn in the future!"

Qian Mingduo smiled and helped the shopkeeper up. "Young men, please get up quickly. We are all acquaintances, so there is no need to be so polite."

"I have ordered them to clean up the entire street and wait for the person who will bring the good news to arrive."

"Thank you, shopkeeper and the young men."

After seeing them off and returning to the house, Li Shishi pursed her lips and said, "It's about to start. You'll be busy these few days."

Ling'er brought Qian Mingduo a cup of hot water, "Master, you are amazing!"

The sound of gongs and drums could be heard at the street corner. Li Shishi hurriedly helped Qian Mingduo put on a newly bought mink coat. She also gave him fifty taels of silver and said, "Hurry up and go to the store."

"I know you don't like noise." Qian Mingduo kissed Li Shishi on the mouth, "I'll be back soon."

"Congratulations, No. 1 Scholar. Congratulations, No. 1 Scholar." Dozens of people who came to announce the good news knelt down together. "We are here to announce the good news to the No. 1 Scholar."

"Congratulations, congratulations!" Qian Mingduo helped the leader up, "It's so cold and freezing, and you're still here to tell me the good news. Lu Zhengyi is very grateful."

"Tomorrow morning, invite the number one scholar to the palace to express gratitude. Then we will parade him through the streets to praise his position, and then attend the Qionglin Banquet granted by the Emperor in the Imperial Garden."

Qian Mingduo nodded and handed the silver to the leader. "Brothers, buy some hot wine and drink. Please accept my kindness."

Just as the person announcing the good news had left, many people from the village where the inn was located also came. The village chief led everyone to congratulate Qian Mingduo.

Qian Mingduo spent the whole morning receiving all kinds of people who came to congratulate him. The shopkeeper specially arranged an elegant room on the second floor and invited Qian Mingduo and the other three to have lunch together at noon.

Li Shishi didn't want to attend such a banquet, so she discussed with Qian Mingduo and went to eat alone. Li Shishi and the other two still had their meal in the other courtyard.

At the banquet, everyone took turns to toast. Qian Mingduo was also quite happy and drank a few more glasses. Then he went back to the villa and fell asleep.

Li Shishi tucked in the quilt for him and lay down beside him. Looking at Qian Mingduo's slightly red face and peaceful sleeping posture, Li Shishi felt an indescribable emotion in her heart.

This seemingly insignificant person, who was a poor scholar last year, would become a famous figure of the time in just one year.

She was not sure whether the man in front of her could still love her as before, and whether he could still hold her feet in his arms to keep them warm, after he became the top scholar and won the top three prizes.

At this time, Xiao Cui came in with a bowl of hot water, "Miss, please have a cup of hot water to sober up."

"Put it on the table first." Li Shishi waved to Xiao Cui, "Come and sit down."

Xiao Cui nodded and sat down on the edge of the kang.

"You are sixteen this year, right?" Li Shishi asked softly.

"Yeah!" Xiao Cui nodded, "After the Chinese New Year, I'll be sixteen."

"Are you a virgin?"

Xiao Cui was surprised. She looked at Li Shishi and nodded shyly.

"I want to discuss something with you." Li Shishi held Xiao Cui's hand, "What do you think of our young master?"

"The young master is a good man." Xiao Cui said.

"If I ask you to be my mistress, would you be willing?"

"This..." Xiao Cui blushed, "Girl...what's wrong with you, I..."