The Story of a Destitute Noblewoman Farming

The day of the results announcement finally arrived. Everyone got up early and walked towards the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall.

Even though Yun Yi was confident, he still felt a little nervous when the results were about to be announced.

"Brother Yun, with your real talent and knowledge, you will definitely be on the list. We would like to congratulate you in advance." Everyone wanted to ease the tense atmosphere and chatted with each other.

"Please don't laugh at me, my dear friends. It would be a joke if my name wasn't mentioned later. If you have time, you can come to Chongshui County to find me. I'm teaching the children in my hometown, and I hope you can help me with your guidance."

"It's a deal then. We'll definitely visit when we have free time." Everyone made an appointment, and after a while, while they were talking, they saw soldiers coming over and starting to announce the results.

"I passed, I passed." As soon as the first red list was posted, someone saw his name, laughed out loud, and told everyone he met that he had passed the exam.

"Oh, he is so happy that he is crazy. Someone bring a basin of water and pour it on his face to wake him up immediately." An experienced officer was used to it. Over the years, those who passed the exam always had this situation.

Soon, a basin of water was poured on his head. Fortunately, it was hot and he woke up immediately. His followers immediately wiped him clean.

This incident calmed down many people present. When they saw their names on the list, they were only excited to the point of being a little exaggerated, and no longer went crazy.

Those who failed the exam could only leave in disappointment, and this time they had lost hope again. Some of them were already in their forties or fifties, but were still obsessed with passing the exam.

"There is another list with the top 30 on it. Brother Yun, you must be on that list." Li Cheng had just found his name, and when he saw that Yun Yi's name was not on the list, he also comforted him.

Sure enough, another list was posted soon, and Yun Yi’s name was on it, and he was ranked first, the top scorer.

"Congratulations, Brother Yun, congratulations, Brother Yun, you are the top scorer in this provincial examination." The people around also began to congratulate. They had witnessed Yun Yi's talent in the past few days. No one else was dissatisfied with his success in the provincial examination.

"Thank you very much. I'm happy with you."

Yun Yi was overjoyed. He had finally lived up to the expectations of his older sisters and brothers, and had not disappointed the elders and fellow villagers.

Soon, the Lu Ming Banquet arrived. Yun Yi, as the champion of this exam and the first place selected by the chief examiner himself, naturally sat in the seat closest to the Minister of Personnel.

"Mr. Yun, I have heard of your name since I was in the capital. I never thought I would meet you again in Hezhou today. You are such a young and talented man. If you pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi in the future, I will be able to choose a talent for the emperor."

The Minister of Personnel was named Song Jinghe. When he saw Yunyi, he was attracted by his talent. He happened to have an unmarried daughter, Yunying, who was about the same age as Yunyi. If the two of them could get married, such a talented person would be his son-in-law.

"Teacher, you are too kind. I am not very talented. I heard that you were also a runner-up in the imperial examination. It is my honor."

"Haha, the Yangtze River's waves behind push forward the waves in front. You are the future of Daqi. We have been ordered to select talents for the emperor. I am very pleased to see so many outstanding young people today. Come, come, let's have a drink."

Everyone stood up, raised their glasses and looked at Minister Song respectfully.

Shangshu Song is the chief examiner of Hezhou. They can all be said to be people selected by Shangshu Song himself, and can respectfully call him teacher, but whether Shangshu Song will take a liking to them is still an unknown.

After three rounds of drinking, some people were drunk and tried their best to suppress their original temper.

Yunyu had sobering pills, and seeing that the examiner had not left yet, no one dared to be the first to ask to leave.

"Mr. Yun is only eighteen this year, right? He's really young and promising. I wonder if he's married yet? Although I don't have any unmarried daughters, I'm really eager to act as a matchmaker."

Officials from Hezhou Prefecture were also present. One of them, while drinking, raised this question that everyone was concerned about with a smile.

These young scholars are everyone's favorite candidates for sons-in-law. They are expected to enter official careers in the future and help and achieve mutual success with their families.

"Thank you for your concern, sir. I am not married yet, and my eldest sister is in charge of the household affairs. I will follow her arrangements in everything." Lu Linlang had guessed this problem before, so she warned him in advance not to agree to other people's inquiries about marriage casually, and just push everything to her.

"I see. If someone marries Mr. Yun, they'll have a wonderful son-in-law. Miss Lu is a remarkable woman. With her taking care of things, you can be much more relaxed. I heard that Miss Lu isn't engaged yet. The talented people in Hezhou also want to know if they can marry your sister."

When the official heard him mention Lu Linlang, he became even happier. Although he didn't have a daughter, he had a son. Miss Lu was so young, yet she had achieved so much and had a relationship with the emperor. It would be even better if his son could marry Miss Lu.

"Sir Qin, if Miss Lu were willing to marry, the woman she'd choose would definitely not be an ordinary person. Although I have a son who's still unmarried, I wouldn't dare marry someone above my station. As a younger brother, how could Mr. Yun dare to casually discuss his elder sister's marriage? You're asking the wrong person."

Li Cong stepped forward to change the subject. Miss Lu was not someone this official could casually comment on, let alone discuss casually by him. Didn't he see that Yun Yi and Shangshu Song didn't even look up to speak to her?

"Yes, yes, it's my fault. I drank a few sips of wine and said stupid things. Please don't be offended, Mr. Yun. I can't hold my liquor well. Lord Song, I'll take my leave first." Lord Qin sobered up after hearing Li Cong's warning. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer he would offend others, so he didn't dare to continue.

Seeing this, the others quickly found excuses to leave, and Yun Yi and Li Cheng also left together.

"Sir Li, I heard that you used to teach students in Xishan Village and were familiar with Miss Lu?" Sir Song asked Sir Li privately.

"Your Excellency is right. I used to work under Miss Lu." Li Cong didn't know what the Minister meant, so he could only speak vaguely.

"Mr. Yun is still unengaged. I have a daughter, Yunying, who is still unmarried. This time, I would like to ask Lord Li to help act as a matchmaker and pass on a message to Miss Lu. If the two are destined to be together, we will all be happy if our two families marry. If not, Lord Li, please do not disclose it to others, so as not to damage the reputation of our two children."

As soon as the provincial examination was over, Shangshu Song was about to set off back to the northwest. He didn't have much time to find someone for help, so he could only ask him for help directly.

"Mr. Yun is an excellent scholar. He has been favored by Lord Song. I will definitely help pass on a message. If the two are destined to be together, I believe Miss Lu will definitely give me a generous gift as a matchmaker. I will do my best to handle this matter."

Li Cong did not refuse. An outstanding man would certainly be favored by many families. Moreover, he had passed the imperial examination. When he came out of retirement this time, there would definitely be people watching him. So he did not deny it directly. At worst, if he failed, he could just send a letter to explain, and he would not offend anyone directly.