nce to talk about common interests and enjoyed each other's company.As the sun dipped below the horizon, a warm orange glow bathed them in its light, casting two long shadows on the ground.This scene,...Today, the weather is sunny.

The imperial examination also began today. Gu Xiuwen and Meng Chengzhang also participated. Before the imperial examination, they had already participated in the county examination and the prefectural examination, becoming students. Now participating in the imperial examination, if they perform well this time, it is very likely that they will become talented scholars, and then they will be scholars with achievements.

Besides them, Meng Chengxing, under the instigation of Meng Jinyu, also participated in this academy examination.

Meng Jinyo, as the elder sister, was getting nervous. Of course, it was only for her younger brother Meng Chengzhang that she was worried about. As for Meng Chengxing, whether or not he would pass the imperial examination had nothing to do with her.

Mrs. Zhang was also nervous about her youngest son's exam. Last year, her eldest son passed the juren exam, but his ranking was low, so he didn't participate in this year's spring examination. Seeing that Mr. Chen's son had passed the jin shi exam this year, she felt envious in her heart. Now that her youngest son was taking the yuan shi exam, she hoped that her youngest son would pass the xiucai exam so that both sons would have achieved official status, bringing honor to their family.

Besides, their main family was the weakest among the three branches of the Hou Mansion because the eldest master wasn't capable. After his wife passed away, if the main family couldn't pass the exam for her husband, they would have to rely on their two sons. If both of Xuan Yi's two elder brothers were successful, things would be much easier in the future.

Prior to her eldest son's entrance exams, Zhang had never been this nervous. Now, with her youngest son taking them, she is extremely anxious, ultimately due to a lack of confidence in his academic abilities.

But after the tension, Zhang realized she had been too strict with her eldest son and seemingly negligent towards her youngest, even indulging him excessively. This resulted in the eldest son being disciplined while the younger one was lazy and only knew how to play. Although he is now diligently studying at Ling Shan Academy, it remains unknown whether he will be able to catch up on a year's worth of missed knowledge.

Zhang sighed deeply. Of her three children, only the eldest son had turned out well. Her youngest son and daughter had both been poorly raised. The daughter's willful behavior led to her current predicament, and the youngest son only managed to enter Ling Shan Academy thanks to his mother-in-law's suggestion and his uncle's help in pulling strings. Only then was he able to reform himself.

When she let out a sigh, Meng Jinyang and Chen Shi both looked at her.

Chen asked, "Elder sister-in-law, why are you sighing"

Zhang did not answer the question and instead steered the conversation in a different direction: "Nothing much, isn't your second sister-in-law trying to find a suitable partner for Xiu Hong Is there anyone she has her eye on"

It's best not to bring this up, but once it's mentioned, Mrs. Chen becomes upset and helplessly says: "I did introduce a few good girls to him, thinking that he would prefer one of them, so I went to talk to the girls' parents and arranged for him to meet them. But he told me he wasn't ready yet, to wait a little longer. Before he passed the imperial examination, he said he had no interest in marriage and only wanted to study. I understood then, but now that he has passed the exam, what else is there to wait for"

Meng Jinyao asked curiously, "Second sister-in-law, could it be that Xuhong has a crush on someone"

Zhang also said, “Second sister-in-law, perhaps Xiu Hong is really as the third sister-in-law said, and has already set her sights on someone.”

Chen said without hesitation, "He usually only reads the books of sages and wise men, he doesn't listen to anything outside his window, nor has he been seen getting close to any young woman. It's impossible that he has a sweetheart. Besides, if he did, he should tell me or his father, and we, as parents, would go and arrange a marriage for him. But he hasn't mentioned it at all."

Meng Jinyao thoughtfully said, "Second Sister-in-law, don't worry. I think Xiuming is ambitious. Perhaps he hasn't been appointed to an official position yet, so he doesn't have the heart for marriage right now. When he has secured a position and truly embarked on his career path, he will consider getting married."

Chang agreed, "Third sister is right. Xiu Hong has always been independent, so second sister should wait and see."

Chen sighed: “This is the only way.”

Meanwhile, Du Sizhe had been brooding for days after a disagreement with his cousin. After much self-reflection, he decided to visit the Marquis Gu, who his cousin favored, to see what kind of man he was and if he was worthy of her affection and lifelong commitment.

Du SiZe went there at a precise time, waiting outside Dali Temple's office. He hoped to run into Gu JingXi.

Now it's a time for free-for-all, officials are coming out from Dali Temple.

Suddenly, a young man, dressed as a constable and not yet twenty years old, ran back to the Dali Temple. Just as he reached the entrance, he shouted inside, "Temple Master!"

Du SiZe was slightly taken aback. Wasn't Gu JingXi the Minister of Dali Temple

He looked up towards the entrance of Dali Temple and saw two officials standing there. The one on the left was ordinary-looking, around fifty years old. His age didn't match, so he couldn't be Gu Jingxi.

And another, handsome and scholarly, with a neatly trimmed beard, looking to be in his thirties, was sternly rebuking the constables. He seemed to be criticizing them for their carelessness.

Upon seeing this, Du Si Ze's eyebrows furrowed. Hearing that Gu Jing Xi was thirty years old this year, how could he look so anxious

If he stood with his cousin, they wouldn't look like a couple at all, more like a father and daughter. What on earth could his cousin possibly see in Gu Jingxi

Could it be that because Uncle Meng did not give his niece paternal love, she lacked fatherly affection since childhood and felt cared for by Gu Jingxi, so she mistakenly believed it to be romantic love

Just as Du Sizhe was lost in thought, he saw a younger man appear behind the two officials. The young man looked to be in his twenties, exceptionally handsome and dignified. The other two officials and the constable bowed to the young man.

Du Sizhe looked at the man, hearing the two officials call him "Temple Supervisor," he was slightly stunned. Had he just mistaken him Was this person actually Gu Jingxi now

Soon, Du Sizhe discovered the difference in their official robes. The young man was wearing the robe of a third-rank official, while the man in his thirties had been wearing the robe of a fifth-rank official. He had mistakenly assumed the title "Minister of Dali Temple" and focused on the appearance, ignoring other details.

After Gu Jingxi finished speaking with the constable, he parted ways with his two colleagues and went down the steps. Suddenly, he saw a young man who hadn't reached adulthood walking towards him. He stopped and sized up the young man before him, making eye contact and after a moment of thought, guessed his identity: "You are Master Du's nephew"

Du Sizhe's face showed surprise: "Lord Gu has met me before"

Gu Jingxi said lightly, "Never met before, just a guess."

Du Sizhe was stunned, but he had never met Gu Jingxi, and Gu Jingxi couldn't have met him either. He asked, "Since Lord Gu has never seen me, how could you guess my identity just by looking at me"

Gu Jingxi pursed her lips and smiled faintly: "Master Du, since I can become the Dali Temple Qing, I still have some eyesight. Is there anything you want to say to me"

Hearing this, Du Si ze's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't said anything yet, how did the other party know what he wanted to do

Gu Jingxi said again: "This place is not a suitable place to talk. Let's find a teahouse and have a good chat."

Du Sizhe meekly replied, "Okay," then followed Gu Jingxi's pace. He was completely bewildered. How could he be led around by Gu Jingxi in just a few words was surprised, no wonder he had always been so calm. She suddenly felt a bit curious: "When did you start monitoring him"Gu Jingxi asked softly, "Last month, Xuan Yi got married. Xiu Wen took a leave...