After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

When the topic turned to academic discussion, Landlord Jiang glanced at his grandson.

Ahem, someone who ranked first in the provincial examination and received personal tutoring and discussions from the top three scholars, why would they be so eager to achieve the 78th place?

Even if his grandson is too busy, there's still Tan Hao, who ranked third in the provincial examination. How could this nobody possibly get a chance?

"Alas, I am old and fortunate enough to have passed the preliminary examination this time. It is already thanks to the blessings of my ancestors. My health is not good enough. I dare not even think about the provincial examination."

Young people can certainly give it their all, but my son is dull-witted, and he came in last place in this year's imperial examination.

Sigh... I might not even pass the upcoming scientific expeditions. I'll just have to take it one step at a time. I won't ask for too much.

"Oh dear, Uncle, you are too modest. Your family has three scholars. This is a blessing that most families don't have."

"It's just the imperial examination. Communicating with the top-ranking scholars will always be beneficial. With a little effort, you can pass the imperial examination!"

Liu Qingping felt that he had already been very straightforward, but he couldn't understand why these grandfather and grandson were so clueless.

No wonder his exam results were at the bottom – he's clearly not good at studying and his mind isn't very sharp either.

But these are the kinds of families that are incredibly wealthy. With such limited intelligence, it's a mystery how they amassed such a vast fortune!

"Yes, yes, what Liu Xiucai said makes sense, it makes sense, we will."

"Ah, ah? Haha, haha." Liu Qingping was also taken aback by this.

I just silently complain in my heart that this company is all show and no substance, complacent and inflexible, lacking any ambition or drive.

I didn't gain any advantage, but at least I bought some time, so going downstairs now won't look too bad.

Just as Liu Qingyun was about to take his leave, a series of footsteps came up the stairs, and everyone in the private room turned to look at the door.

"Tuang! Tuang! Tuang!" Another familiar and melodious gong sounded.

What followed was a lavish procession announcing the good news—yes, 'lavish,' with twice the number of people as before.

This is the prestige of the top twenty in the provincial examination!

Tan Hao straightened his clothes and sat up straight. He knew it was his turn!

Sure enough, the bailiff announced his name—

Congratulations! Tan Hao from Xinghe County, Xinghe Prefecture, has achieved third place in the imperial examination!

Congratulations, Mr. Tan! Congratulations, Mr. Tan!

Tan Hao smiled slightly and instructed his only page to distribute red envelopes to the constables.

After offering their congratulations, the constables left, making a lot of noise, presumably heading straight to the person who came in second place in the provincial examination to report the good news.

Liu Qingping, who was standing to the side, hadn't even had a chance to say goodbye and go downstairs when he witnessed this scene. He was now quite embarrassed, extremely embarrassed.

Third place in the provincial examination! And he's so young!

This kid is actually a poor relative of the sugar daddy he's set his sights on!

Why would a wealthy man with such a close relative want to associate with a complete stranger, especially one whose rank is far below his relative's?

I'm so ashamed of myself. I ranked 78th in the provincial examination, which is nothing compared to someone who ranked 3rd in the provincial examination!

With such a young talent here, his exam, which he took after he turned thirty, is really worthless!

I was so delusional downstairs, thinking I was the most ranked person in the teahouse. Now I've been proven wrong!

Liu Qingping really wanted to be invisible, and everyone could just pretend he didn't exist.

But Landlord Jiang did not go as he wished, and specifically called out his name.

"Oh my, Mr. Liu, look at this! He is a true prodigy! We can't help but admit we're getting old!"

The path to the imperial examinations still belongs to the young! The future belongs to the young! Hahahaha!

"Haha, yes, yes." Liu Qingping didn't know if the 'young people' that Landlord Jiang was referring to included him.

There were six people present: three children, one old man, and the rest were him and the guy who came in last in the provincial examination.

So, are they considered young people or not?

Liu Qingping's face flushed red. He secretly glanced at Tan Hao and saw that the other man was calm. He felt even more ashamed and angry and wanted to leave this place that made him lose face.

He had completely forgotten how determined he had been to go upstairs just fifteen minutes earlier.

At this moment, Landlord Jiang spoke up again: "Master Liu, although talented people emerge in every generation, we don't need to be discouraged. With a little effort, we can pass the imperial examination."

The words seemed familiar.

Seeing that four out of the five had passed the imperial examination and become scholars, Liu Qingping genuinely wanted to take his leave.

However, after receiving the good news, why did these people still sit in the teahouse and not leave, even though it was getting dark?

This teahouse only serves tea and snacks, not meals. Are we supposed to stay here overnight?

As his thoughts raced, he inexplicably swallowed the words of farewell he was about to say.

Landlord Jiang tried to expel him twice, both openly and secretly, but the man pretended to be stupid, his buttocks firmly embedded in the chair, unable to be pulled out.

Although Liu Qingping was thick-skinned, he was still a little uncomfortable because no one was talking to him. He could only keep drinking tea.

One glass after another, his stomach was rumbling. He glanced at the others out of the corner of his eye, while thinking to himself:

Maybe they just want to enjoy the view from the teahouse? My stubborn refusal to leave is a bit of a spoilsport. Perhaps I should take my leave?

No, let's wait a bit longer!

Just then, Landlord Jiang said, "Mingfei?"

Oh? So the little jade-like figure who hadn't spoken a word was named Ming Fei. It's a nice name. If you look closely, although she's dressed simply, she's extremely good-looking.

"It's alright," Yu Xue replied with just two words.

"Alright, we're setting off tomorrow anyway, so it won't involve anything."

Forcibly driving people away will only attract more attention.

Just like the commotion caused by the person downstairs, Hongxuan sent someone up because he was worried that this auspicious day might cause unnecessary trouble.

The waiter came over, brought another batch of hot tea, and also gave us two plates of the teahouse's most famous butterfly pastries as a complimentary gift.

The shopkeeper is a good person; he's already said privately that everything except the venue booking fee will be waived.

After all, four of these five people were scholars, and one even came in third place. How could he not try to curry favor with them?

However, he was reluctant to waive the several hundred taels of silver for the private event, so he waived the tea and snacks as a token gesture.

Outside the window, the last team of messengers bringing good news had already lit lanterns, their red and orange glow growing brighter as they approached, which Jiang Xiaoqi could clearly see from the teahouse.

The red lights reflected in his eyes, and his eyes encompassed the entire night.