I was sold when I opened my eyes! My sick and disabled husband comforts me every night after he wake

Ling Jiawei was badly injured by the people from Shuntian Prefecture, which further strengthened Lan Zhi's determination to stay.

Through her elder brother's experience, she realized that even if she followed Consort Liang's advice and left Wei Jianning with the money, her elder brother would probably never have a good life again, and it might even be more difficult than it is now. Rather than that, it would be better to stay here and face the situation bravely.

After lying in bed for three days, the eldest brother insisted on getting up. Xiangxiu, helpless, ran to call Lanzhi.

"Your Highness, Brother Ling has woken up. He's insisting on getting out of bed to work, and we can't stop him."

Upon hearing this, Lan Zhi reluctantly put down her teacup and hurried towards her elder brother's room.

The eldest brother's room was the first room at the very front of the west wing. This was where the steward of the Crown Prince's residence used to live, and it was the most spacious and bright room in the entire west wing.

At this moment, Ling Jiawei had already dressed and was about to go out when he happened to run into Lan Zhi.

"Brother, where are you going? Didn't I tell you to rest for a couple of days?"

Ling Jiawei patted his chest,

"I'm fine now. The imperial edict is being issued today, I need to go and take a look."

Huh? Is it already the day the results are released?

"Big brother, I'll go with you."

Ling Jiawei hurriedly waved his hand to stop him.

"You'd better not go. I feel like I might not even make it into the third-place group. That would be embarrassing."

Lan Zhi replied calmly and composedly:

"Brother, you've studied hard for ten years. Whatever you pass the exam, it's the result of your efforts. Besides, you can't hide this from me. I can find out by just asking around."

Ling Jiawei scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.

“You’re right, let’s go then. But let’s make a deal: you said you’d make me your housekeeper, so whether I win or not, you can’t go back on your word.”

Lan Zhi's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Big brother, are you trying to extort me? What if you become the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination? Would you be willing to be my steward?"

Ling Jiawei nodded confidently.

"Yes, even if I become the top scholar in the imperial examination, I will still be your housekeeper."

Lan Zhi pointed at Xiangxiu and Aqi,

"Did you hear that? My eldest brother said that even if he becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination, he will still be my steward. You all have to be my witnesses."

Xiangxiu and Aqi couldn't help but smile.

When they arrived at the entrance of the government office, it was already crowded with people coming to see the imperial edict.

Some of them were all smiles, while others were dejected. Ling Jiawei squeezed into the crowd for a while before stepping back out.

Lan Zhi asked curiously,

"Big brother, you're back again? How are you?"

Ling Jiawei shook his head.

"Since I'm not in the top three, I'm not going to watch it."

Lan Zhi guessed that her elder brother didn't have the courage to look, so she immediately waved to A Qi.

"Go and take a look..."

Ah Qi always loved joining in the fun. Seeing that Lan Zhi had given her permission, she dashed into the crowd and shouted as she squeezed into the innermost part.

Xiangxiu stood there, looked around, and then asked curiously:

"Your Highness, today is the day the results are announced. Will the Tang army come?"

Mentioning Tang Jun, Lan Zhi suddenly remembered him. "Oh right, he must have been here today!" she thought, immediately instructing Xiang Xiu.

"Go and look for it, but don't wander off. I'll wait for you here."

"it is good."

Xiangxiu hurriedly agreed and turned to look for someone. At that moment, Aqi ran over, and Lanzhi quickly went to greet him.

"Ah Qi, how's it going?"

Ah Qi looked up at Ling Jiawei, then said excitedly:

"I saw my older brother's name. I counted, and he's ranked 152nd. He got into the third-best team..."

Upon hearing this, Ling Jiawei gave a bitter, disappointed smile.

"See? I didn't even get into the second tier. I told you I couldn't do it."

Seeing that he was a little downcast, Lan Zhi quickly comforted him.

"Brother, there are hundreds of people participating in the palace examination. You have made it into the top three, which puts you in the top two hundred. This is a good result, and it shows that your ten years of hard study have not been in vain."

Ling Jiawei knew that Lan Zhi was comforting him. He also knew his own limitations and was already very satisfied with getting into the third tier.

He immediately grinned.

“You’re right. Since I’m going to be your housekeeper anyway, it’s the same whether I become the top scholar or the successful candidate in the imperial examination.”

Ah Qi echoed this sentiment.

"That's right, it's quite an honor to have a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) as a steward in our Crown Prince's residence!"

At this moment, Xiangxiu ran over quickly, spread her hands, and shook her head.

"I've looked all over, but I haven't seen any sign of Scholar Tang. I guess he didn't come!"

"Is his name on the imperial edict?"

Xiangxiu nodded.

"Yes, not far from my elder brother, he also made it into the third tier."

"It seems he didn't come in person. Let's go back and have the kitchen prepare some good food for lunch to celebrate for our brother."

Ling Jiawei immediately shook his head and waved his hands in refusal.

"Don't embarrass me. It's not embarrassing enough. I'm telling you, when you get back, don't tell anyone about this. Just pretend it never happened."

Lan Zhi nodded, suppressing a laugh.

"Okay, I'll listen to you..."

Just as they were about to turn and leave, Ah Qi glanced at the corner of the wall and couldn't help but mutter to himself.

“Brother Ling, look at that guy, he definitely didn’t pass the high school entrance exam, he’s hiding there crying. You should at least get a third-place finish, you’re better than him.”

Lan Zhi and Ling Jiawei curiously looked in the direction she was pointing and saw that there was indeed a person sitting there, with his hands covering his head and his body trembling.

Lan Zhi frowned slightly, wanting to step forward, but was stopped by A Qi.

"Your Highness, what are you doing?"

Lan Zhi carefully examined the person, then her expression froze, and she said to Xiangxiu beside her:

"Don't you think he looks a lot like Tang Jun?"

After Lan Zhi said that, Xiang Xiu nodded as if she suddenly understood.

“The clothes look similar to mine. I remember Tang Xiucai wearing these clothes for at least three years.”

Hearing what the two women said, Ling Jiawei quickly walked over, squatted down in front of him, and patted his shoulder. The man looked up, and Ling Jiawei immediately called out to him.

"Brother Tang, it really is you."

Tang Jun looked at him blankly, then looked at Lan Zhi, Xiang Xiu and the others standing in front of him.

When he saw who it was, he hurriedly wiped his face a few times with his sleeve, then stood up from the ground.

"What...what are you all doing here?"

Looking at his red and swollen eyes, Lan Zhi guessed that he must be upset about not doing well on the exam. However, for a grown man to cry in the street, it must be more than just that!

"Tang Jun, it's been a long time. When did you arrive in the capital?"

Tang Jun pursed his dry lips somewhat awkwardly.

"I've been here for four or five days..."

Lan Zhi seemed to realize something.

"It's noon now. There's a restaurant up ahead. Let me treat you to lunch, and we can chat while we eat!"

Ah Qi couldn't help but remind him about going home for lunch.

"Didn't you just say..."

Lan Zhi quickly interrupted her.

"Tang Jun, it's been a long time. I was just about to ask you about your family. Let's go!"

Although Tang Jun had heard that the previous crown prince had died and a new crown prince had succeeded him, he did not know that the new crown prince was the previous Mo Ning, and he would never guess that Lan Zhi had become the crown princess.

He hadn't had a proper meal in two days, so when Lan Zhi said that, he didn't refuse and followed them to the restaurant.