u do"Huier started to cry in pain, but more so from fear. She choked out, "No, Father! Bao Lei didn't make me do anything. She just said this smoke gold is expensive and next time she wants me to buy...The cook in the Lu family was brought over from the southwest border. His cooking style differed slightly from that of Xindu. Almost every dish included some spicy and numbing ingredients, so naturally, the flavors were much heavier.

But such dishes are also the most satisfying.

Everyone is at a good age and would love to eat four meals a day, and even want to get up for an extra plate of dessert.

At this point, one person had already finished two bowls of rice before slowing down to talk about some trivial matters.

After they had finished their meal and the table was cleared, it was reset with snacks and a pot of good wine was heated. Only then did everyone begin to discuss the main matter at hand.

Jia Ren stepped forward and asked, "Brother Lu, you were the top scholar in the high school exam, which should be a joyous occasion. Why have you seemed troubled these past few days We've been worried and only dared to visit today to inquire about your well-being. If there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask.

"That's right, Lu Xiong, we've been friends for years, not closer than brothers. You're alone in the new capital, if you need any help, be sure to let us know." Jia Xu also spoke from the heart.

Lu Zong's heart felt a slight warmth, and he let out a soft sigh. He raised his head to gesture for his貼身長隨 to go out and keep watch, then said, "This matter originally only had a faint clue, perhaps there could be changes. I didn't want to tell you all because I was afraid you would be troubled. Unexpectedly, my little slip made you all worry!"

"What's going on" Jia Xu was a bit anxious.

Lu Zong was born into a noble family and was an only child. If there were any trouble, it wouldn't come from his family; it must have something to do with the new capital.

As expected, Lu Zong raised his hand to refill their drinks and said, "My success as a top scholar is not earned honestly!"

Does it come from an improper source

All of the House of Ren were puzzled and confused. They had all participated in the palace examination together, and the exam papers had been sealed up on the spot. The Emperor and high-ranking officials reviewed them together, and finally determined the rankings. How could there be any errors

Could Lu Zong have still found an opportunity to cheat under these circumstances

Lu Cong guessed their thoughts and smiled wryly, shaking his head as he said carefully, "It's not what you think. It's... the Emperor, for some reasons, bestowed upon me this honor of being a Tanhua. With my abilities, I'm afraid I can only make it to the second ranking."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd, but curiosity only intensified.

This is a once-in-a-few-years national talent selection. What reason would lead the Emperor to personally open the back door for Lu Zong

"Since you, Brother Lu, have brought this up, could you elaborate on the matter What happened in the southwest that caused the Emperor to appease your family by raising your rank" Jiaren thought more deeply and immediately sought an explanation from the perspective of their family.

Lu Cong shook his head, the anger in his heart was also unbearable, and he directly threw it clean.

"It's not because of our family, it's the Emperor choosing a husband for the Third Princess!"

"When the results were first announced, I was suddenly awarded third place. I was amazed and thought that my writing had been fortunate enough to catch the emperor's eye."

"But by chance, the County Princess was present. In idle conversation, I mentioned that during the palace examination, I had glimpsed a corner of a blue skirt behind the screen and guessed that it must have been the County Princess remembering us and peeking secretly."

"The county princess then said, "The third princess was also present. I immediately felt that something was wrong!"

"As a humble detective, I'm afraid the emperor might be intentionally...exalting me!"

A few words, but the information was indeed massive, and it even involved Jia Yin. This caused both Jiarren and Liguoer to frown.

Jia Ren thought for a moment and asked, "Brother Lu, this...might be you overthinking things Although the Third Princess is a few years older than Fu Niuer, she's still young at heart, playful and loves excitement. Stealing glances in the past was understandable, it doesn't necessarily mean she's choosing her husband."

Lü Zong smiled bitterly, he had comforted himself countless times like this, but the reality made him unable to feign ignorance.

"We have a few informants in Xindu, too. When the list came out, I told them to find out more. The Emperor does indeed intend to choose a son-in-law for the Third Princess!"

"I also hope this is just wishful thinking. I'm waiting, waiting for these few days to see if the Emperor will summon me into the palace. If I am summoned, then this matter is likely a certainty."

Everyone was at a loss for words. Although they had all learned some social etiquette from their elders, their main focus was on studying. Suddenly confronted with such a situation, they couldn't help but feel confused and flustered.

Jia Xu perked up and said with a smile, "Brother Lu, don't worry. If you become the son-in-law, it's not a bad thing after all. After all, the third princess is quite favored. By marrying into your Lu family, your family won't have to worry about the emperor being suspicious anymore."

"Your marriage will bring peace of mind to the emperor and your families."

Lu Zong drained his cup in one gulp, as if trying to quell the turmoil within him. He replied in a low voice, "I'm afraid everyone would think that way. If my family needs me, I will naturally agree to marry the princess, even if I have no affection for her."

But after ten years of hard study, if I get a place on the second list, it would be well-deserved and I would feel content.

Now that I've been chosen as a son-in-law and secured the position of top scorer, everyone will assume I got it because of royal favoritism, robbing me of all the hard work and dedication that truly earned this place.

"I...don't accept this!"

The crowd sighed, and their hearts were equally heavy.

They all knew that what Lu Zhong said was right. As soon as the news came out that Lu Zhong had been chosen to be a son-in-law, he would immediately become someone that all scholars looked down upon.

No one will care if he actually has talent or not.

At this moment, it was Li Ge who spoke up, "Brother Lu, whether this is true or not, aren't you going to send a letter home Just in case your family disagrees, they will naturally find a way."

Lu Cong knew this was comforting him, after all, no matter how he thought about it, his family wouldn't possibly disagree.

The Lu family is a clan with the surname of king, what they worry most about is the emperor's suspicion and fear.

For so many years, the Lu family has been diligently and faithfully guarding the border. They even proactively sent their only son to Xindu just to reassure the Emperor's heart.

Now, he married the county princess and became the emperor's son-in-law. He had children later who took over the southwest borderlands, making the emperor feel more at ease, and the Lu family no longer worried about the future.

Under the premise of the safety of the entire clan, his honor and disgrace, his preferences, are of no importance at all!

Jiarren gestured to his younger brother to stop talking, and raised his hand to pour wine for Lu Cong, persuading him, “This matter is not something we can control. All we can do now is observe and wait, letting things take their course.”

Jia Xu also nodded, raising his cup to toast Lu Cong, and chuckled wryly, “Who cares what tomorrow brings, let’s just enjoy ourselves today!”

Jia Ren and Li Ge'er also raised their cups, and the four of them drank the wine in their cups. In a tacit understanding, they changed the subject and began talking about their plans to return to the academy together tomorrow to give their teacher gifts...

Outside, the night was deep and serene, with a warm spring breeze rustling through everything. It tugged at the branches of trees that had just begun to sprout, shaking them wildly and adding a touch of vibrancy to the otherwise tranquil world...

Another two days passed in the blink of an eye. In the morning, Jia Yin was busy changing her clothes and preparing to leave the palace and return home.

My house must be busy these days. Besides celebrating my elder brother and sixth brother's high school graduation, the fleet from the south is almost here too.

Only Sister-in-law Wan'er was in charge of the arrangements, and Jia Yin was truly not at ease. and large eyes fringed with long eyelashes. Her nose was high, and her lips were a vibrant red, making her exceptionally beautiful.A plump girl stood a few steps away, dressed in red, she was teachi...