Quick Transmigration: The Female Supporting Character's Counterattack, A Guide to Cunning Strat

The imperial examination proceeded as scheduled, and as expected, Gu Yanli once again came in first place.

A keen observer quickly realized that he had already won five yuan in a row.

Those who admire him appreciate him and believe that the top scholar must already be within their grasp.

The narrow-minded are jealous and secretly pray that he will lose his composure in front of the palace and lose his usual composure.

There's been much discussion about who will ultimately win the top score in this year's competition.

The gambling dens even set up a bookmaker for this, with as many as 60% betting on Gu Yanli to pass the imperial examination with a score of six.

Lin Shuwan happened to be passing by and found out about this.

She excitedly joined in the fun, and in her excitement, she even staked all the money she was carrying in it.

If Gu Yanli hadn't persuaded and pulled her away, she would have even wanted Zhi Qiu to go back to the manor and get some more.

Thus, the palace examination began amidst everyone's anticipation.

The reigning emperor's era name was Chengping, though he was somewhat suspicious and worried.

After all, few people in this position are not thoughtful and meticulous.

However, he was diligent in his political affairs and attached great importance to the imperial examination system for selecting talent.

Therefore, after he ascended the throne, he personally set the questions for each palace examination.

In addition, six officials who were Jinshi graduates, including ministers, vice ministers, and left censors, were appointed as examiners.

The day before the palace examination, Emperor Chengping put down his pen, handed the completed examination questions to the eunuch to be sent to the examiners for selection and sealing, and then suddenly asked, "Is the second son of the Duke of Cheng also participating in this year's palace examination?"

“Yes, Your Majesty,” said Ma Lugui, the chief eunuch attending to the emperor.

"The Duke of Cheng has boasted about his son to me quite a bit."

Emperor Chengping casually toyed with the thumb ring, a slight smile playing on his thin lips. "I remember, wasn't he Liu Zhitang's (Suli Jushi) junior disciple?"

"Your Majesty, Young Master Song now has a junior brother. Last year, the Hermit of Plain Shoes accepted a disciple named Gu An as his last disciple."

"Oh, he also took on a closed-door disciple?" Emperor Chengping became interested.

Without the emperor asking any further questions, Ma Lugui recounted Gu An's entire life story.

After listening, Emperor Chengping stared intently at the thumb ring, his gaze lingering on it, and unconsciously began to stroke it.

"This Duke Zhenguo is really lucky. Even a servant in his mansion can have such good fortune."

Ma Lugui lowered his head, not daring to make any rash comments.

After a long silence, Emperor Chengping spoke again: "Is his name Gu An?"

"Back to the emperor, exactly."

"Go and investigate this person more thoroughly. I want to see what the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is really after by putting forward such a person."

"Yes."

*

March fifteenth.

Suitable for: Sacrifices, prayers, consecration

The candidates, dressed in robes, hats, and boots, were divided into two teams according to their ranking in the imperial examination.

Those with single names are on the east and those with double names are on the west, entering the Hall of Heroes in an orderly manner.

To demonstrate the importance attached to it by those in power, and to show their benevolence and virtue.

The emperor would sit in the court, and after everyone paid their respects, he would say a few words of encouragement before leaving.

The distribution of exam papers and invigilation will then be handled by the police officers.

This year was no different from any other; Emperor Chengping sat on the dragon throne, waiting for the candidates to enter the examination hall.

"The time has come; all candidates, enter the hall—"

Emperor Chengping looked up and happened to see Gu An walking at the very front.

"Xin'er." Emperor Chengping suddenly stood up, unconsciously took two steps forward, and murmured.

Fortunately, no one dared to look directly at the emperor's face, so only Ma Lugui saw Emperor Chengping's loss of composure.

When Ma Lugui saw the emperor's reaction, he was also surprised by Gu An's appearance when he looked over.

But he quickly adjusted his facial expression and whispered to Emperor Chengping, "Your Majesty, all the candidates are waiting for you to speak."

Emperor Chengping then withdrew his gaze, barely managing to suppress his turbulent emotions: "You are all pillars of our dynasty's future..."

After finishing his brief explanation, he took one last deep look at Gu An before leaving.

Emperor Chengping only came to his senses after he had completely left the Jiying Hall.

He saw the shadow of his deceased wife in Gu An.

"Prosperity and honor".

Ma Lugui quickly walked to Emperor Chengping's side, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, this servant is here."

"You see, Gu An and Gu An bear some resemblance."

Ma Lugui carefully observed Emperor Chengping's expression, trying to fathom his thoughts, and cautiously said:

"Because it was backlit just now, I couldn't see very clearly, but there seemed to be some resemblance. However, there are people in this world who look alike, so it might just be a coincidence?"

"How old is he?" Emperor Chengping's seemingly calm eyes seemed to hold an undercurrent of emotion.

“This servant remembers, it should be twenty-one.”

"Twenty-one. If my crown prince were still alive, he would be about this age."

A fleeting look of melancholy crossed Emperor Chengping's face, but it was quickly replaced by ruthlessness:

"Investigate. The resemblance isn't surprising, but the age matches up, and yet he happened to appear before me. I don't believe this is a coincidence!"

Although Emperor Chengping did not know what the Duke of Zhenguo was planning, he still regarded it as a conspiracy from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

But if it's really a coincidence, is there really someone in the world who looks so much like him and Xin'er?

If there is another possibility...

*

The palace examination lasted only one day, and candidates could leave after the examination ended.

As soon as Gu Yanli stepped out of the palace gate, he unsurprisingly saw the carriage of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Inside the carriage, Lin Shuwan heard the noise and leaned out of the window, immediately spotting the towering Gu Yanli.

"Gu Yanli, Gu Yanli, over here!" She waved excitedly at him, which made all the candidates smile at him, and made Zhi Qiu behind her raise and lower her hand in a hurry.

Song Huaiyun nudged Gu Yanli's shoulder with a mischievous grin: "Junior brother, you're quite the ladies' man."

"Senior brother, please be careful with your words. Yan Li will excuse himself now."

As Gu Yanli approached the carriage, he could still hear Zhi Qiu rambling on to Lin Shuwan:

“Miss, with so many men around, you shouldn’t have shown yourself, and you certainly shouldn’t have called out to Gu Jieyuan so loudly. At the very least, you should have worn a veil.”

"Oh dear, I was just worried he wouldn't be able to find us."

“There are fewer than five carriages around here, and Gu Jieyuan has seen the carriages in the mansion more than once. How could we not find them?”

"Okay, okay, I know, I won't do it again next time."

Lin Shuwan gave a few perfunctory replies, then suddenly her eyes lit up. "Hey, Gu Yanli, you're here. How did the exam go?"

"Sigh." Gu Yanli sighed.

"Is it difficult? It's okay. Once you get into the palace examination, you're unlikely to fail. As long as you don't do too badly, you'll definitely get a Jinshi degree..."

Looking at Gu Yanli's expression, Lin Shuwan's voice gradually softened as she asked softly, "You're not going to be eliminated, are you?"

"Possibly." Gu Yanli nodded.

"Well, that's alright. You've only studied for two years. Come back in three years, and you'll definitely be able to do it." Lin Shuwan reassured herself and said confidently.

"What if I can't take the exam anymore?" Gu Yanli asked.

"You didn't offend the Emperor during the palace examination, did you?" Lin Shuwan looked at him with suspicion.

(Offending the Emperor would be a real problem.)

(I wonder how much influence my grandfather has with the Emperor. I wonder if it would be of any use if he went to plead with the Emperor on my behalf?)

(Oh right, and my aunt too. Should I have her whisper some sweet nothings in her ear?)

"No, not at all," Gu Yanli quickly replied.

Given the current fear of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, if they were to actually do this, it's hard to tell whether they'd be pleading for mercy or courting death.

He hadn't offended the emperor, but he suspected he might really be the child of the late emperor and the early emperor.

Emperor Chengping even bore an eight-tenths resemblance to his father from his previous life.

If his conjecture is correct, then according to custom, princes cannot participate in the imperial examinations.

Even if you participate, your score will be cancelled.

"Then what are you worried about? You can take the exam again in three years. You're not afraid to take it, are you? But it's okay, you're already very capable."

Lin Shuwan patted his shoulder and declared, "At worst, I'll support you."

"Miss!" Zhi Qiu exclaimed in exasperation.

Even if you like Gu Jieyuan a lot, you shouldn't say things like that directly.

"Really?" Gu Yanli was pleasantly surprised.

He was wondering when Lin Shuwan would bring up the matter of a live-in son-in-law again, and it seemed that it might be today!

"Aren't I the one supporting you now?"

Lin Shuwan looked at the two people whose expressions had suddenly changed with a puzzled expression. "To be precise, it's the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Aren't all the clothes and things you're wearing and using made by my Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"

“That’s true.” Gu Yanli was immediately disappointed upon hearing Lin Shuwan’s explanation.

"Now that you mention it, something suddenly comes to mind?"

Gu Yanli looked up in surprise. Was it what he was thinking about?!

"If you don't become the top scholar, then my hundred taels will be wasted," Lin Shuwan said, rubbing her forehead in heartache.

"That should be true." Gu Yanli also thought of this matter, feeling somewhat helpless.

He stopped Lin Shuwan because he was worried that his guess might come true.

Who would have thought that what you fear most would come to pass?

"Ah, my one hundred taels."

Lin Shuwan collapsed onto Zhi Qiu. Gu Yanli was about to comfort her when she suddenly sat up again, saying, "No, you have to pay me back this hundred taels."

Gu Yanli was greatly shocked, pointed to himself and said, "Me, pay up?"

"Of course you should pay for it. If I didn't believe you could become the top scorer, I wouldn't have spent the money!"

"But it's not like I forced you to go..."

Gu Yanli suddenly changed the subject, going along with her words, "Alright, as you said, I rely entirely on the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion for my food, clothing, and daily necessities. How can I compensate you? Perhaps..."

"Why don't you be my slave for the rest of your life, as a way of paying back the money? How about that?" Lin Shuwan looked at Gu Yanli with a smug expression.

OK OK.

Gu Yanli was so angry he laughed. Last time he was a live-in son-in-law, but this time he's been reduced to a beast of burden.

Forget it, if he still disagrees, who knows what awaits him next time.

There's always another lifetime to live.

Gu Yanli nodded, which was taken as an agreement.

Lin Shuwan said smugly, "Then it's settled, you'll be my slave for life."

(Ah, this seems to be what they mean by "taking things slowly" in storybooks.)

(I'll get him to agree to become my son-in-law sooner or later.)

Gu Yanli was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then a smile appeared in his eyes, and his thin lips parted slightly, gentle yet helpless: "Okay."