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

Li Haisheng did not go to see the list in person, firstly because his elder brother stopped him, and secondly because he himself did not want to go.

These past few days, my two older brothers have been taking turns going out and have already bought most of the betrothal gifts for Xinghe Prefecture. If anything is still missing, they can be added along the way or when they arrive in Xinghe Prefecture.

The things they bought couldn't fit in one carriage, so the Li brothers rented another carriage in the nearby Mule and Horse Lane. Luckily, both of them had learned how to drive, so each of them drove one carriage.

Traveling day and night was arduous, but not impossible. They wouldn't tell their third brother that they were trying to save money on hiring a driver.

The messenger carrying the good news trotted up to the second floor of the inn. Li Chunsheng had prepared the reward money in advance. Although it hurt a little, he couldn't refuse to give it.

Several tails also "whooshed" in, pushing and shoving, none of them willing to fall behind.

The innkeeper was both happy and worried. He was happy that his inn had produced a top scholar, which meant he wouldn't have to worry about business in the future. He was worried that his staircase was about to fall apart from being squeezed so much!

He wasn't worried about the few dollars spent on repairing the stairs; he was afraid someone would die on his own turf!

After the constables stopped, they announced loudly, "Congratulations to Young Master Li Haisheng of Linhai County, Yunhai Prefecture, for achieving the highest rank in the provincial examination!"

Li Chunsheng hurriedly handed over the reward money with a smile, saying, "Thank you for coming to report the good news, sir."

"I dare not address you as 'Sir,' for our Li Jieyuan is the true future 'Sir'!"

At this moment, the group of people who had followed in quickly squeezed to the front, saying, "Li Jieyuan, I am the chief steward of the Yunhai Chamber of Commerce's vice president's residence. I have come on the orders of my patriarch to invite you to our residence for a chat!"

"Li Jieyuan, I am the head steward of the Yunhai County Association, and I have been ordered to invite you to my residence for tea and to admire the flowers!"

"What do you mean! Don't you know about first come, first served!"

"What do you mean! Our master is the president, not as influential as your vice president, so naturally he has to come to our residence first!"

The two were arguing loudly when a short steward squeezed past them to stand in front of Li Haisheng: "Master Jieyuan, our master and the Prefect of Yunhai County are brothers-in-law. They have prepared wine and food at the mansion and would like to ask you for some advice on scholarship."

The two stewards who were arguing immediately stopped and turned their anger towards the short steward who had seized the opportunity to provoke them, and the three of them started arguing again.

The eldest brother, Li Chunsheng, shouted, "Enough! Shut up, all of you! My third brother is celebrating his birthday today. He doesn't want to argue with anyone, nor does he want to watch others argue. Please, everyone, make yourselves at home!"

Li Qiusheng also stood in front of his third brother, making a gesture of protecting the chicks, preventing anyone from coming forward.

Seeing this, the others wanted to persuade them again, but the men in the family had given a strict order. If they left like this, how would they explain themselves when they got back?

"Our master is the richest man in Yunhai County, Li Jieyuan, do you know what you're about to miss out on!"

"You're just a top scholar in the provincial examination, yet you dare to disrespect the prefect. Your career is over!"

"Get out! Get out! Get out! All of you get out!" Li Chunsheng and Li Haisheng, relying on their tall stature, shoved everyone out of the room.

After the crowd dispersed a bit, Li Chunsheng patted Li Haisheng on the shoulder: "Third brother, don't let these kinds of people upset you."

"Yes, Third Brother, we should go to Xinghe Prefecture to present the betrothal gifts as soon as possible. We can't just force you to come and take you back with us!"

Even the two brothers, who rarely went out, knew that this group of people were there to find a husband for their daughter. How could they allow it? How could they allow such a fine girl as Miss Jiang to be compared to any Tom, Dick, or Harry?

Moreover, the two families have already gone through the "one letter and three rites" and are about to proceed to the betrothal ceremony. Once they go to Xinghe Prefecture to present the betrothal gifts and set the wedding date, the "two letters and five rites" will be completed, and the "three letters and six rites" will be almost finished.

Li Haisheng nodded. Although he was still a little annoyed, he quickly adjusted his mood, thinking that Miss Jiang was still waiting for him at Xinghe Mansion. He wasn't some weak scholar who couldn't even kill a chicken. Trying to capture him? No way!

The Deer Banquet on the second day

The newly appointed scholars gathered together, beaming with joy and excitement.

The chief examiner and deputy chief examiner are also required to be present, as are the local officials, including the Prefect of Yunhai County.

I wonder if that gentleman who claims to be the brother-in-law of the Prefect of Yunhai has complained to his brother-in-law...

Li Haisheng had his elder brothers pack his luggage, and two carriages were waiting near the restaurant where the Deer Cry Banquet was being held. He then went to the banquet with a normal expression and casually found an inconspicuous corner to sit down.

By this time, some "display dishes" had been laid out on the table—four plates each of dried fruit and fresh fruit—but no one actually reached out to take them or eat them. That's why they're called "display dishes"—they're meant to be eaten!

The more important and higher the status of the person, the later they appear. The officials who arrive first are all ordinary examiners who assist in the provincial examination. The prefect of Yunhai County is not late either.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Li Haisheng noticed that the prefect was looking in his direction several times.

Li Haisheng wondered to himself, "Could it be that the man really went home and complained? Or did the prefect know from the beginning what his brother-in-law was going to do?"

Just then, the chief examiner and deputy chief examiner arrived. Everyone bowed and exchanged pleasantries. The chief examiner said some words of encouragement and then told everyone to make themselves at home and not to be reserved.

How could they not be reserved? For many of them, this was the first time they had ever met a high-ranking official of the third rank!

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, it was finally time to compose poems and paint. This was a perfect opportunity to showcase one's talents, and many candidates were eager to try.

Li Haisheng didn't want to stand out, but the examiner called his name, so he had no choice but to step forward.

Although he deliberately sat far away, the title of Jieyuan (top scholar in the provincial examination) was too dazzling. Among all the successful candidates, he was almost the youngest, so he naturally attracted a lot of attention.

Even if the chief examiner doesn't mention it, others will still bring up his story as the young top scholar.

Li Haisheng stepped forward and accepted everyone's praise. His composure and humility aroused the interest of the chief examiner, Lord Xu.

Lord Xu stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly, while the deputy examiners also showed expressions of appreciation.

Just then, the prefect of Yunhai County stood up and slowly said, "Talent and knowledge are indeed important, but I have a different opinion on whether Li Jieyuan is truly humble and modest."

These words caused an uproar. Li Haisheng felt a pang of bitterness: Here they come! The troublemakers have arrived!

However, he remained calm and composed. The prefect continued, "I heard that Scholar Li turned away those who came to invite him from the inn. Is this true?"

Li Haisheng didn't expect the prefect to actually stand up for his so-called brother-in-law, but he wasn't afraid. Just because someone sends someone to invite me doesn't mean I have to go. Even if there are mountains of knives and seas of fire waiting for me, do I have to obediently go?

My junior brother once said that we must never be influenced by others' opinions or subjective views.

"My lord, it is true that someone came to invite me, but I did not kick them out of the inn. After all, I am weak and have no guards or servants at home. I only have two older brothers by my side. How could I possibly drive away several managers and a dozen burly servants and guards?"

Li Haisheng: Hey~ I can do it, I won't admit it, I'll make you guys angry!

"You, you, you! You're just spouting nonsense! The victim said it himself, how could it be false?"

Pshaw~ What a victim, isn't he just the prefect's brother-in-law? What, you think you're so capable that you went home and cried to your brother-in-law, the prefect?

"Alright, this is the Deer Cry Banquet today. Let's not talk about these unimportant things anymore. All the new candidates are here. Let's not lose face as superiors."

"Yes, it was my fault for being impolite," the prefect said, reluctantly taking his seat.

When the supervising official, Lord Xu, speaks, the prefect cannot disobey; after all, he holds a higher position.

Besides, today is the home turf for the successful candidates. Who doesn't know why the prefect is making things difficult for the top scholar? Does he think everyone is a fool?

The examiner, having taken a liking to Li Haisheng, naturally wouldn't allow him to be bullied in front of him.

The lively Deer Cry Banquet was ruined by the local prefect. The chief examiner left midway through the event, and before leaving, he specifically instructed his subordinates to leave a congratulatory gift for Li Haisheng, which was also a way of supporting him.

Li Haisheng was grateful and bowed deeply to see Lord Xu off.

After the chief examiner left, the deputy examiners also left one after another, leaving only the new candidates in the banquet. Before everyone could get acquainted and build relationships, Li Haisheng slipped out of the restaurant under the pretext of "changing clothes".

After going downstairs, they quickly boarded the carriage that Li Chunsheng had prepared in advance through the dark alley. The carriage was piled with things, leaving only enough space for one person to sit.

Li Qiusheng was also driving a carriage, which was packed full, with two large boxes even tied to the roof. It was twice as full as the carriage in front of him. However, Li Qiusheng's driving skills were already very good. Even though the carriage was heavy, he kept up closely behind Li Chunsheng's carriage and never fell behind.

Just before the city gates closed, the three people and two carts finally got out of the city.