There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 338 Top Scholar

The osmanthus blossoms are yellow in the courtyard during Mid-Autumn Festival, and the maple leaves are red on the cliffs in September.

The fragrance of osmanthus blossoms filled the city, occasionally wafting into Li Shuchen's nostrils. She sat by the window, resting her chin on her hand, inhaling the sweet scent.

"Today is the fifth day of the ninth month; the results of the provincial examinations should be released by now."

"What you mean is right, Miss. The list of successful candidates will be posted at Chenshi (7-9 AM), which is auspicious and is considered a dragon list. Judging from the time, it should be posted in a little while. Would you like to go and wait for it, Miss?"

Li Shuchen nodded, stood up and glanced downstairs. There were already quite a few pedestrians heading towards Shuntian Prefecture, seemingly also going to see the results of the imperial examinations.

"Hurry up, Grapes, or you won't get a good spot!"

"The carriage is already prepared downstairs."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen patted the grapes: "Good grapes, well prepared."

The two boarded the carriage and escorted Li Wanbai to the front of the Shuntian Prefecture government office.

"Miss, there are so many people!"

Li Shuchen jumped off the carriage, saw the bustling crowd, grabbed Grape, and plunged into the throng.

Twisting left and right, swaying left and right, I successfully reached the front row.

Grape straightened up and laughed, "Miss is truly amazing. She'll be able to see the names on the list clearly when it's posted."

Li Shuchen stroked his braid and said smugly, "That's right, we watched it from beginning to end."

"They're here, they're here! The officials are here to post the results."

Someone in the crowd shouted, and Li Shuchen immediately stepped aside to make room for him.

The notice was pasted in black and white on the bottom left corner of the signboard.

Li Shuchen, whose view was blocked by the officials, crouched down and went to the other side to start looking at the first list.

I read carefully from top to bottom, and finally spotted a familiar name on the last page.

Li Lingxiao, number 500

After reading it, Li Shuchen straightened up and said, "Grape, let's go home."

Grape looked bewildered: "Huh? Aren't you going to check if the young master has even graduated from high school?"

Li Shuchen smiled adorably: "Xiao'er won! Let's hurry home and prepare the money!"

Grape exclaimed happily, "Yes, Miss!"

The two boarded a carriage and hurried back to the inn.

Li Shuchen strode to the counter: "Uncle Xu, quickly prepare some money; the messenger will be here soon with good news."

Shopkeeper Xu was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Miss, did the young master win?"

Li Shuchen: "It's a winner! You should get ready."

Manager Xu nodded hurriedly with a smile, "Yes, okay."

Everyone at the inn was overjoyed. Li Shuchen quickly tidied her makeup and clothes in front of the mirror.

Soon, a great commotion arose outside, with gongs and drums beating and firecrackers exploding. An official shouted...

"Good news! Young Master Li Lingxiao of the Li family has achieved the 500th place in the provincial examination!"

"Good news! Young Master Li Lingxiao of the Li family has achieved the 500th place in the provincial examination!"

"Good news! Young Master Li Lingxiao of the Li family has achieved the 500th place in the provincial examination!"

Hearing the sound, Li Shuchen hurried outside, and upon looking up, he saw it was the same official who had previously brought the good news.

Official: "Congratulations, Miss Li! Your son has passed the provincial examination with flying colors and will soon become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination). Congratulations, Miss Li!"

Li Shuchen grinned from ear to ear: "Uncle Xu, the money."

"Yes, miss"

Shopkeeper Xu handed a purse of silver to the official who brought the good news.

The officials said in unison, "Thank you, Miss Li."

For a moment, the guests in the reception hall stopped eating and rushed out to offer their congratulations.

"Congratulations, Miss Li! Congratulations!"

Li Shuchen grabbed the copper coins from the tray and began scattering them outwards.

Congratulations! Congratulations!

"Sister"

Li Lingxiao ran over from a distance, her hair disheveled and slightly out of breath.

An old man standing nearby scrutinized Li Lingxiao and said, "This must be Young Master Li. Young Master Li is truly an exceptional man, handsome and talented. My daughter is of marriageable age and not yet married, so perhaps..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was invited over by an older woman on the other side.

“Young Master Li, my youngest daughter is just sixteen years old, and she is the perfect match for you…”

Before he could finish speaking, another man interrupted him.

"Young Master Li, my younger sister has just turned 18 this year, and she has grown into a beautiful and graceful young woman, a beauty that would shame the moon and put the flowers to shame..."

Suddenly a lot of people rushed up, introducing this and that.

Seeing that things were going badly, Li Shuchen grabbed Li Lingxiao and pulled him into the store, dragging him up to the third floor.

Three Treasures Hall

Li Shuchen steadied himself and caught his breath: "Xiao'er is only fifteen years old, how come you've already been arranged to marry?"

Li Lingxiao: "Xiao'er doesn't want to get married, she only wants to study."

Li Shuchen poured a cup of tea and asked, "Has Xiao'er seen the list of successful candidates?"

Li Lingxiao picked up the drink and said, "I've seen it. Getting into high school this time was really lucky for Xiao'er."

"He has both luck and skill."

Li Shuchen sat down at the table and took a sip of tea.

Li Lingxiao sat down and said, "Sister, it was just that I was lucky. The weather was terrible during the provincial examination, with alternating hot and cold temperatures. Many talented scholars fell ill and couldn't perform to their full potential, which is why I was able to take advantage of the situation."

Li Shuchen nodded upon hearing this: "I know, I mean I have the ability."

Li Lingxiao was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then nodded after a moment's thought: "Indeed, elder sister is capable. I am grateful to elder sister for her help."

Li Lingxiao stood up and bowed.

Li Shuchen smiled slightly: "Alright, although Xiao'er is qualified to be an official, she is still young and inexperienced. With a few more years of experience, she can participate in the provincial examination and even the palace examination in the future."

Li Lingxiao: "Xiao'er understands, Xiao'er will certainly follow elder sister's teachings."

Li Shuchen: "What rank did your brother Xiao get?"

Li Lingxiao: "Brother Xiao is the runner-up, you came in second place. Why is Sister asking this?"

Li Shuchen: "I wonder when your brother Xiao proposed to your sister Gu?"

Li Lingxiao: "Xiao'er doesn't know either. Brother Xiao hasn't mentioned this matter, but he's a man of great foresight. He's in love with Sister Gu and can't live without her. He will definitely marry her."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen raised an age-old question.

"If your sister Gu and brother Xiao have a fight, whose side will you take?"

Upon hearing this, Li Lingxiao immediately replied, "Help Sister Gu."

Li Shuchen raised an eyebrow; she truly hadn't expected this kid to answer so quickly.

"Why?"

"Sister Gu, as a woman of the Purple Star Dynasty, has already had a difficult life. Brother Xiao, as a man, should stand tall and make a name for himself. What kind of hero is it to argue with a woman?"

If the two of them really have a conflict, I will definitely blame Sister Gu. Sister Gu is not wrong; it's all Brother Xiao's fault.

Li Lingxiao answered seriously, while Li Shuchen fell into thought.

After a long while, she said

"If Xiao'er were to become an official, would she seek to improve the welfare of women and reform unreasonable systems?"

Li Lingxiao: "Of course, Xiao'er knows that the staff at your inn were treated unfairly, which is why you saved them. Xiao'er will take you as my role model and will do my best to help women."

Hearing this, Li Shuchen happily patted Li Lingxiao: "Good Xiao'er, your older sister fully supports your studies. Study hard!"

Li Lingxiao: "Yes, elder sister."

Li Shuchen: "Xiao'er is going to the Deer Cry Banquet tomorrow, right?"

Li Lingxiao: "Yes, elder sister."

Li Shuchen: "Don't go to your sister Gu's place. Go back to the manor. Get some rest early tonight, so you won't be late for tomorrow's work."

"Xiao'er understands. Then Xiao'er will return to the manor."

Li Lingxiao got up to leave, and Li Shuchen spoke up.

"Wait, take some food back with you. Dad probably didn't cook. Don't go hungry."

"it is good"

Li Shuchen went to the kitchen and fetched a lot of food: "Grape, drive the carriage and take the young master back to the manor."

"Yes, miss"

After seeing Li Lingxiao off, Li Shuchen went to help in the guest hall, where all he could hear was...

"Young Master Cheng has achieved first place in the provincial examination, becoming the top scholar (解元)."