Chapter 394: Ranking

Translator: Atlas Studios       Editor: Atlas Studios

Li Qing looked at the clean small courtyard. There were some onions and coriander planted in wooden frames at the foot of the courtyard wall, as well as a basket of green rapeseed. The side dishes and seasonings in the capital were not cheap. It seemed that Laidi had developed a good habit of being thrifty with her aunt. If Li Fengqi did not have bad intentions and were of the same mind as Laidi, the Li family would not have to worry about not being able to live a good life.

Laidi brought over tea and interrupted Li Qing’s thoughts. Laidi looked at Li

Qing and smiled at him gratefully. “Ah Qing, thank you. Do you know when

Cousin and the others will return to the capital?”

“I don’t know either,” Li Qing said, shaking his head. Li Fengqi walked out with the test paper he had written and handed it to Li Qing. Li Qing sat on a chair and read it seriously. He realized that there were several places that were inconsistent with his answers. After reading it, Li Qing felt that Li Fengqi’s hopes of getting on the rankings were very slim.

When Li Fengqi saw Li Qing’s expression, he knew that he did not have much hope. Thinking about how the last place was also unexpected, he felt a trace of luck. Even if he had the background of a scholar, it would be good!

After Li Qing finished reading, he pointed out the areas that were different from his answer. Then, he discussed two places with Li Fengqi that he was not sure of before bidding farewell and walking back. Just as he reached home, it started to rain heavily. Li Qing looked at the heavy rain and was worried about Li Yu and the others’ safety on the way.

Zhao Cai comforted him. “Young Master-in-law, don’t worry. Master and Madam are experienced. They will definitely arrive safely.” Li Qing thought about it and was relieved.

The next day, Lin Zexu brought the gift box to the residence again. This time, Li Qing saw Lin Zexu. When Lin Zexu saw Li Qing, he was stunned for a moment and thought to himself why he looked so familiar. Could he be the son of an old friend?

Li Qing greeted Lin Zexu with an indifferent expression and accepted his thank-you gift. Seeing that Li Qing did not want to talk to him, Lin Zexu bade farewell and left with Ling Dang.

After March, it was soon time for the rankings to be released. Zhao Cai and Ah Lei were already waiting in the tribute courtyard. Zhao Cai recalled that the last time, it was for Young Master. This time, it was for Young Master-in-law. In the future, it would be for the Young Master and the children at home. Zhao Cai felt proud as he thought about it.

A group of people stood there talking. The door to the Zhonggong Academy opened to the anxious anticipation of the waiting people. Zhao Cai saw soldiers with sabers hanging from their waists; they were guarding officials in dark official robes. They took the list and went straight to the stone wall of the list. Just as one was pasted, the waiting people swarmed forward and searched the list for the name they wanted to see.

The first one did not have Li Qing and Li Fengqi’s names. Zhao Cai was not as nervous as last time. He calmly looked at the second list. The second list did not have their names either. Ah Lei nervously grabbed the corner of Zhao Cai’s shirt and looked at the third list. Ah Lei’s breathing became rapid. Zhao Cai saw Li Qing’s name in fifth place on the A list at a glance. Ah Lei also saw it and was so excited that he was incoherent. “Brother Cai, you got it. Fifth place, Ah!

Hahaha…

Zhao Cai pinched Ah Lei’s nose excitedly and shouted with a smile, “Brat, it’s not me. It’s Young Master’s brother-in-law.”

The two of them came out and walked back. Laidi, Li Fengqi, and Li Qing were all waiting in the alley. Seeing their happy expressions, Li Fengqi’s heart burned with hope. Then, he saw Ah Lei pounce on Li Qing and hug him. He said excitedly, “Young Master, you got it. Fifth place, fifth place!”

Li Qing let Ah Lei hug him in a daze. His tears couldn’t stop flowing. He looked at the sky and shouted, “Sister, did you hear that? I got onto the rankings. I didn’t let you down. Brother-in-law, Ah Qing didn’t let you down!”

Everyone by the road looked at Li Qing. Zhao Cai smiled at the tearful Li Qing.

Laidi also congratulated Li Qing with tears in her eyes. She turn and asked, “Zhao Cai, how did my Fengqi do?”

Zhao Cai said apologetically, “Young Master Li, you didn’t clinch it this year. You’ll definitely get it next time.”

Although Li Fengqi had long expected that it was impossible for him to be on the rankings in one go, he felt even more upset when he saw Li Qing obtain such a good ranking. He felt that if Li Qing had looked for him before the exam, he would be in the rankings no matter what. He glanced at Li Qing and could not help but feel a trace of jealousy. Zhao Cai looked at Li Fengqi and shook his head in his heart. He thought that he had to remind his Young Master-in-law to be wary of this person when he returned.

Li Qing also saw the flash in Li Fengqi’s eyes and smiled self-deprecatingly. He found his thoughts a few days ago laughable and felt again that he was still too inexperienced and not as accurate as his aunt.

Zhao Cai looked at Li Qing and smiled. ‘Young Master-in-law, let’s go back! Be careful not to be captured by the people below the rankings later.”

Li Qing smiled and said, “Alright, let’s go back first. The bailiff who reports the good news will be coming later.”

Li Fengqi thought that no one had discovered his dissatisfaction with Li Qing. He even forced a smile and thanked Li Qing. Laidi looked at Li Fengqi worriedly and comforted him with a smile. “Fengqi, it’s fine. We’ll take the exam next time.”

Li Fengqi could only nod in agreement. The group went to Guihua Alley on East Street. Li Fengqi and Laidi saw the majestic stone lion and vermilion door at the door and praised them in their hearts. After entering, they saw an exquisite shadow wall. The flowers and grass in the courtyard were fragrant. Laidi clicked her tongue in admiration.

The Zhou family was really lucky. His Majesty had rewarded their family with such a good house. Li Fengqi heard that the people living here were all high-ranking officials and nobles, relatives of the emperor. A house like this in the capital could not be bought with money. If he could live here and befriend some high-ranking officials and nobles, he would benefit a lot.

After Li Qing invited the two of them to sit down, the bailiff who had reported the good news arrived. Zhao Cai gave the celebratory money and Ah Lei and the doorman set off a firecracker. Soon, someone sent a congratulatory gift to their door.

After the palace examination, Li Qing was ranked third. The Top Scholar was an uncle in his thirties. On that day, the handsome and elegant Third Honors Scholar rode on his horse confidently in the streets, causing those watching along the way to throw all their flowers at Li Qing. For a moment, the limelight of the Third Honors Scholar was even greater than that of the Top Scholar. It was really as the saying went — he who has attained success would see all the flowers in Chang’an in a day.

Li Yu, Zhou Jia, and the others had already left Qitong County. After leaving the city, it was drizzling for a few days. The mountain path was slippery and foggy in the forest. Ji Xiang reminded everyone to slow down.

In Li Yu’s carriage, Yangyang was studying with Zhou Jia. Li Yu leaned against the small table in the carriage and fell asleep. Xiao Bai lay in the carriage and watched as its little tail kept swinging back and forth.

Coming down the mountain, Ji Xiang saw an overturned carriage in the ditch at the side of the road in front of him. Two middle-aged men and a man in a leather hat stood near the carriage and exerted force. It seemed that they were trying to lift the carriage from the ditch. The heavy carriage only swayed a little. The old woman and the girl anxiously rolled up their sleeves and wanted to go down to help. The woman holding the horse on the way said something to the person standing in the ditch..

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