The queen is crazy and spoiled, and the tyrant bows to her

Jiang Wantang suddenly thought of Yun Shang's life experience. Her hometown was once a wealthy businessman in the Jiangnan area.

After a long moment, Jiang Wantang collected his thoughts, looked at Xiuzhu, and said calmly, "It's nothing. She might not be holding herself properly."

Then she sent someone to find out about the new top scholar.

Lu Jinan was born into a family of officials in Jiangnan. His family was famous in the Jiangnan area. They had served as officials for generations and their family was glorious.

Now, at the age of twenty, he has already won the first place in the imperial examination. His literary talent is brilliant and has been deeply appreciated by Your Majesty. He is full of ambition and has a bright future.

It sounds like he is a young man of extraordinary talent and noble character.

Jiang Wantang looked at Xiuzhu, who looked eager for gossip, and couldn't help but laugh. "Go find out where this new number one scholar is now?"

Upon hearing this, Xiuzhu ran out happily.

Then, Jiang Wantang sat in front of the window and read a book.

After a while, the chattering of several palace maids was heard outside the window. They were all discussing the hottest new number one scholar, Lu Jinan.

"I heard that the new number one scholar, Lu Jinan, is a very handsome man, so handsome that he looks like an immortal."

"That's right, he's already the top scorer in high school at such a young age, his talent must be astonishing."

"I heard he's from Jiangnan. Jiangnan is a land of natural beauty, and it's amazing that it could produce such an outstanding person."

"I also heard that during the palace examination, he answered questions fluently and offered insightful opinions, earning praise from His Majesty and the ministers."

"Oh, I just wonder if this Lu Zhuangyuan has married or gotten engaged. Otherwise, I don't know how many noble ladies in the capital he would have charmed..."

Several palace maids chatted with each other, their words full of admiration and praise for Lu Jinan.

No wonder Xiuzhu is so curious today.

Jiang Wantang just listened and didn't feel anything.

How handsome and outstanding can he be?

Can he compare to Ji Wuyuan and Xie Zhiyan?

Jiang Wantang looked out the window casually, but saw Yun Shang standing alone in the yard, absent-minded and with a bad look on her face.

It seems like old friends are reuniting.

Jiang Wantang put down the book in his hand, stood up and walked out.

When she walked over, Yun Shang had her head down, and no one knew what she was thinking.

Jiang Wantang walked over silently. It was not until she reached her side that Yun Shang reacted and looked up at her. There was confusion and sadness in her eyes that had not yet faded away.

Jiang Wantang didn't ask anything, just said, "Are you okay?"

Yun Shang's eyes flashed with a tiny light, and she called out, "Sister..."

At this time, Xiuzhu ran in excitedly and said that he saw the top three, headed by Lu Jinan, wearing big red flowers, riding tall horses, and being escorted by the guards of the palace to parade on the most prosperous streets of the capital.

She said that the capital must be very lively today, and her eyes were full of longing and yearning.

Jiang Wantang has a deep understanding of this.

In her previous life, when she escorted Yun Shang's coffin out of the city, she saw an unprecedented grand scene.

The streets of the capital city had long been crowded with people, and the streets were decorated with lights and red lanterns and ribbons were hung at the doors of shops. Everyone was celebrating this lively day.

Some of them stood on high places, while others squeezed in the crowd, craning their necks to look at the parade.

As the parade moved forward, eunuchs shouted loudly: "The new top three scholars are parading!" The sound echoed in the streets.

She looked up and saw the leading man in a red top scholar robe, a hairpin with flowers on his head, riding a tall horse, looking dignified and full of vigor.

The people on both sides of the street cheered and applauded.

"Look, that's the new number one scholar!"

"What a promising young man!"

"The number one scholar is so impressive!"

Exclamations and cheers rang out one after another.

She supported Yun Shang's lonely coffin and walked out of the city. The cold coffin passed by the tall horse of the new top scholar.

The wind blew gently, lifting the white banners of the funeral procession and also blowing the red silk cloth on the horseback of the new top scholar.

A wedding or a funeral collided with each other...

Everyone was cheering, but the gloomy sky seemed to be mourning for the poor woman.

Some people are showered with cheers, flowers and applause amidst the bustling crowds.

Some people are bullied in unknown corners and spend their short lives in loneliness and misery.

On the day he passed the imperial examination, she died tragically...

If the latter's miserable life was caused by the former...

What a ridiculous irony!

Jiang Wantang was lost in thoughts of the past, with her eyes lowered, and remained silent.

Xiuzhu raised his hand and waved it in front of her eyes, wondering, "Girl! Girl! What are you thinking about?"

Jiang Wantang came back to his senses and looked at Xiuzhu and said, "If you want to go and see it, I can arrange for someone to take you out for a stroll under the pretext of going out of the palace to do some shopping."

Xiuzhu nodded happily.

Xiuzhu has a childlike nature, and Jiang Wantang never restricts her. In her opinion, it is good for Xiuzhu to be happy and carefree every day.

After the horse-riding parade, the top three new candidates will be invited to the palace to attend the celebratory banquet today. Civil and military officials, as well as aristocratic families will be present.

Jiang Wantang curled up the corners of her lips and smiled. It was time to meet the new number one scholar in person.

Before the palace banquet began, Jiang Wantang thought Yun Shang would be unwilling to attend this time, but unexpectedly, she followed her side as usual.

Everyone has his or her own scars, which are the marks left by time in the depths of the soul, whether deep or shallow, hidden or visible.

Unless Yun Shang is willing to bring it up on her own initiative, any further questions from others would be like rubbing salt into her wounds.

When the two of them walked to the rockery in the imperial garden, they happened to hear the sound of people talking there.

Jiang Wantang looked over and saw Lu Jinan, dressed in the red robe of the top scholar, and a minister in the court.

She twitched her lips, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

What a coincidence, isn't it?

"Master Lu, please stay..."

A minister in official uniform walked up to Lu Jinan and said with a smile, "Lu Zhuangyuan is extremely talented and handsome. He is truly a rare talent."

"I have a daughter who is in her prime, with outstanding looks and extraordinary talent. If Mr. Lu does not mind, I am willing to marry my daughter to you, and we will have a happy relationship. What do you think, Mr. Lu?" The minister stroked his beard, his tone full of admiration and expectation.

Lu Jinan was slightly startled, then he bowed and said, "Your Excellency, I am deeply grateful for your kindness."

"But my family has already arranged for a beautiful and virtuous wife. This is my parents' order and the matchmaker's words. I hope you will forgive me."

The minister showed a slight disappointment, but still did not give up. He said, "As long as they haven't gotten married yet, there is room for maneuver. People tend to go to higher places, and water flows to lower places. Why don't you go back and reconsider, Mr. Lu?"

Lu Jinan readily agreed, emphasizing each word: "I appreciate your kindness, sir, but she is my only wife in this life, and I will never have other thoughts."