I traveled back to ancient times, but I was able to lie down and relax.

Liu Nanjia has been very anxious lately. One reason is Liu Yanxi's palace examination, which requires him to enter the palace and answer questions under the very nose of Emperor Liang.

Another thing is that news from the north is being kept tightly under wraps; at least among ordinary people, it's impossible to find out anything.

Then, Liu Nanjia thought of someone.

"Brother, do you think this is appropriate? Do you think they'll agree?" Liu Nanjia pondered, resting her chin on her hand.

"Well, actually, the teacher told me to consult with Master Ge when I have time, and he even gave me a letter of introduction." Liu Yanxi hesitated.

"Brother, why didn't you say so sooner?" Liu Nanjia jumped up.

Liu Yanxi was a little embarrassed, "I was just afraid of bothering them."

"I met Lord Ge last time I came here. He's a very nice guy. Why don't we just give it a try?"

The "Lord Ge" the brother and sister were talking about was Ge Feng, who was also the only connection they could think of in the capital.

Unlike last time, this time it wasn't purely for personal matters. The brother and sister posted the message and waited anxiously.

Unexpectedly, just two days later, Ge Feng strolled to the doorway alone, as if taking a walk.

If Liu Nanjia hadn't given instructions that someone might come in the next few days, Uncle Liu, the gatekeeper, would have thought they were asking for directions.

Once inside, they acted as if they were at home, without any formality.

Liu Nanjia had met him once before and knew a little about his personality.

Liu Yanxi looked shocked. He only knew that this was the outstanding student and genius that the teacher talked about every day, and he thought that he was the kind of upright gentleman.

Thinking back now, the expression on Confucius's face when he gave him the letter of recommendation seemed a little strange.

However, when it comes to serious matters, Ge Feng is quite reliable.

"Battle reports from the border are rarely mentioned, even in court; they are mostly reported to His Majesty privately."

"Why? Such a big matter, and even the officials don't know about it?" Liu Nanjia was shocked. She had watched historical dramas and political intrigue dramas, and even if they were not very realistic, they had never concealed such important military information.

Ge Feng chuckled and said, "Our guy here," pointing in the direction of the palace, "is very petty."

"They want Prince Ning to guard the border and win battles for them, but they don't want Prince Ning to have too high a reputation and overshadow them."

"If we lose, we're afraid of causing panic; if we win, we're afraid of being overshadowed. That's how it ended up like this," Ge Feng shrugged.

Liu Nanjia and Liu Yanxi were speechless. They already had a bad impression of the emperor because of the Song Chen family incident, and now it was even worse.

"That's good, so it won't end up like the An family before, where they became too big to be noticed, won battles and made great contributions, but couldn't even protect themselves."

Perhaps thinking of his good friend, Ge Feng's voice was somewhat low.

Liu Nanjia, however, caught another layer of meaning in those words: "So, you mean we can win this battle?"

Ge Feng glanced at her and raised an eyebrow: "Pretty smart. According to the information I have, the battle is going well. It should be nearing the final decisive moment and is about to end."

"That kid, as expected of someone from the An family, is no less capable than his brother. This time he's back, he'll probably be able to get a general's position."

Liu Nanjia's heart, which had been hanging in suspense for a long time, finally calmed down, and she warmly invited Ge Feng to stay for lunch.

Ge Feng didn't hesitate at all and immediately agreed.

Then he shared some of his experience with the palace examination with Liu Yanxi, telling him not to be nervous and to just relax.

After eating and drinking to his heart's content, Ge Feng prepared to leave, and Liu Nanjia and the other person saw him off.

Just before reaching the door, he turned back to Liu Nanjia and said, "You didn't know, did you? My brother, that brat, has also come to the capital."

"Huh?" Liu Nanjia looked blank. "I don't know."

Now that you mention it, it seems like it really has been a long time since I've seen him.

"It's nothing, just letting you know." Ge Feng waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to see him off, and then strolled away as he had come.

This conversation with Ge Feng put Liu Nanjia at ease.

Liu Yanxi continued preparing for the exam, and she also had to handle some supermarket affairs. The days passed by one by one.

There was also some good news during this period.

When Qin Zhiyuan's three-year term as Tongpan in Linchuan expired, he was promoted again on the recommendation of Prefect Ge and transferred to the capital to continue serving as Tongpan.

Although the official position remained unchanged, the status of officials in the capital was different from that of local officials, and their rank was also raised by half a grade.

More importantly, Qin Shu and Liu Sirou, the two best friends, can meet again.

Soon, the day of the palace examination arrived.

In the previous round, Liu Yanxi ranked fifth. It's true that he was the top scholar in Qingzhou, but with so many elites from all over the country gathered here, including more than a dozen top scholars, he was already very satisfied with this result.

Passing the imperial examination was almost a certainty for Liu Yanxi. He thought that the chances of ranking in the top three were slim. As long as he could pass the examination to become a probationary official and stay in the capital, that would be fine.

If he were to be reassigned, he might have to go to some remote county town. Liu Yanxi didn't want his two younger sisters to have to travel with him anymore, and he was also worried about leaving them alone in the capital.

When the results of the palace examination were announced, he was the third-ranked scholar!

Later, Ge Feng revealed to them that when the exam papers were graded, Liu Yanxi was actually ranked fourth.

But when Emperor Liang saw the rankings, he berated the examiner, who was over fifty years old: "Look at this third-place candidate! He looks older than you! Is he the kind of person who can be the third-ranked scholar?"

The top two scholars were both middle-aged men in their thirties or forties, and at best, of decent appearance. Furthermore, their writing style was indeed seasoned and sophisticated, clearly superior to the others. It's impossible to drag them down in the rankings because of that.

Then Emperor Liang saw Liu Yanxi's name, who was ranked fourth. "Hey, I remember him. He's good-looking and young. The papers of the third and fourth place are about the same. He'll be the third-place winner!"

So it's a pity that the original third place winner missed out on the top spot because of his face.

Who says being good-looking is useless?

On the day the results were announced and the parade was held, Liu Yanxi wore the clothes of a third-ranked scholar, adorned with red flowers, and rode a horse. He was handsome and had a tall and straight figure.

He stood out among the group, attracting the attention of the young ladies who came to watch the spectacle.

Liu Nanjia, who had booked a private room by the roadside well in advance, and Liu Sirou were waiting by the window on the second floor.

Seeing Liu Yanxi walk to their spot, they jumped for joy and waved wildly.

On one hand, he felt honored, and on the other hand, he was nervous. He told Deng Lin and Deng Yan to keep a close eye on their older brother, for fear that some family would snatch him away from them.

Liu Yanxi also saw the two of them, and smiled, which triggered another round of screams.

He achieved the third-highest rank in the imperial examination and entered the Hanlin Academy, where he served as a compiler of the seventh rank.

Although the official rank was not high, the Hanlin Academy was considered a reserve for future high-ranking officials, with great potential for advancement.

"Tsk tsk, quite the show-off, only slightly less impressive than me back then."

Ge Feng came again, mentioning the street patrol that day and giving his comments.

"That's right, you were the top scholar back then." Liu Nanjia was in a good mood recently and joined in the teasing.

Unfortunately, to Ge Feng, these words were pure praise, and he accepted them without hesitation.

“Yan Xi has now entered officialdom, and we will be colleagues from now on. As for you, Nan Jia,” Ge Feng raised an eyebrow, “your good news is coming soon.”