In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 1250 - 1161: Planning for the Future

Chapter 1250: Chapter 1161: Planning for the Future

Every eye was focused on them. They were the center of attention, and their every move sent the crowd into a frenzy. With a casual wave of his hand, a stir erupted among the spectators, followed by a chorus of cheers.

"Unmoved by honor or disgrace, I leisurely watch the flowers bloom and fade in the courtyard. With no intention to stay or go, I casually follow the clouds rolling and unfurling in the sky beyond."

This scene Su Ke would never forget for the rest of his life. No wonder all scholars in the world dream of the day they are listed on the Golden Plaque! It really feels so wonderfully terrific!

Alas, the usually long Imperial Street was walked in no time at all.

By the time they reached the inn where the top scholar, Lu Da, was temporarily residing, the entire Horse Riding Parade ceremony came to an end.

Everyone seemed reluctant for the festivities to conclude, proposing to go enjoy a grand feast at the premier restaurant.

Su Ke, however, slipped away from the crowd quietly. At such a moment, the best way to celebrate was undoubtedly to join his own family and have a proper celebration together.

As for building camaraderie with his fellow candidates, there was no hurry! After all, there would be plenty of days ahead!

Su Ke had just boarded the carriage when Xue Qian chased after him, insisting on cramming into Su Ke’s carriage rather than taking his own.

After experiencing nearly a whole day of tension and excitement, it was only at this moment that Su Ke finally relaxed, feeling a wave of exhaustion encapsulating his heart, and he realized he was terribly hungry and thirsty.

He quickly poured himself a cup of refreshment to soothe his throat.

But as soon as his cup was filled, Xue Qian snatched it away and gulped it down.

Giving Xue Qian a sidelong glance, Su Ke filled another cup. Xue Qian, having drained his cup, passed it back with a sycophantic smile, prompting a laugh from Su Ke, who refilled it for him.

Su Ke had to down three cups of refreshment before his throat felt quenched.

Xue Qian was equally listless.

"Today was truly thrilling, a pity it all went by too fast."

If only the day could have been twice as long.

"Yes! Happy times always seem so fleeting," Su Ke also lamented with emotion.

Xue Qian, feeling a similar sentiment, nodded, "Right, foolish brother has yet to congratulate you on your top placement and singing names in the golden hall. It’s really something to celebrate! Now, I estimate the entire Civil and Military Officials must remember you. All the eligible maidens in the Capital City must be lining up for your selection."

The title of top scholar is prestigious; leading the parade, the glory is like a brief glimpse of passing scenery.

However, being first place outside of the first class scholars means standing on the platform in the Golden Throne, reading the Imperial Decree with His Majesty’s Imperial Jade Seal, not only remembered by all fellow candidates but also by the prideful Civil and Military Officials.

The world of officialdom is like a battlefield, filled with enemies, yet allies are necessary. But allies aren’t formed with mere words—they are built on actions.

As for him and Xue Qian, from the current situation, they seemed to be on the same path!

As for what the future would bring, that would be left for time to prove!

Thinking of these things, the expression on Su Ke’s face eased a bit, and with a sideward glance at him, he hummed through his nose, "Congratulations for what? Compared to you, who still managed to place second in the second class despite a mistake in the exam question, what does my result amount to?" If it weren’t for Su Ke encountering a question where he misinterpreted the topic, how could he have let him outrank himself?

"But that’s not how you say it. No matter the reason, a mistake is a mistake. You did better than me—that’s the truth."

Xue Qian was particularly moved, and suddenly, he thought of something, quickly changing the subject,

"By the way, haven’t we heard that this year’s Examination will have ten fewer places? What about you? What are your plans for the future? Do you want to stay in the Hanlin Imperial Academy as a compiler?"

Under normal circumstances, when the Great Zhou Examination recruits scholars, a few days later, there is another Examination for the newly qualified Jinshi scholars, oriented towards practical needs, picking out a group of people to take positions in the Hanlin Imperial Academy. Of those remaining, some will be selected as temporary meritorious scholars, commonly known as "appointed to Hanlin," and the rest will usually be granted official positions below the seventh rank based on their Examination results. Once appointed, people can choose to immediately take up their post or decline and stay in the Capital City to seek other opportunities.

And this period is also when those with connections are frantically active.

It is also the time of year when corruption and embezzlement are most rampant.

As Su Ke was listed first in the second class, as soon as the results were made public, His Majesty had already conferred official positions on him and Xue Qian, naturally omitting the procedure of the Examination.

This should be what he’s really concerned about, right?

Su Ke chuckled inwardly, a bit puzzled by the meaning behind Xue Qian’s question,

"Let’s talk about this later. I’m not clear on it myself."

He had carefully considered his future path during these past few days, and naturally, his first step was to see if his Fourth Sister and Fourth Brother-in-law had any arrangements for him, after which he could consider other options.

No matter what, he also wanted to stay and protect his Fourth Sister.

Perhaps because he had already made up his mind, Su Ke’s face was naturally calm when he spoke of the matter,

"I think, I’ll probably stay in the Capital City for a couple of years? I’m still young at the moment, and even if His Majesty were to assign me some task, I probably wouldn’t be able to do it."

At present, Su Ke was only seventeen years old.

A seventeen-year-old boy would probably just be staying in the Hanlin Academy to slowly gain experience, and even with two years of hard work, not to mention whether others would assign him any tasks, it would take him a long time to get accustomed if they did.

Thinking of all these things, his heart actually swelled with ambition.

Until now, it had always been his Fourth Sister protecting him, but now, it was time for him to protect his Fourth Sister.

"You’re absolutely right in what you say!"

Xue Qian gave a clap, "I too feel that I’m still young and should spend another year or two in the Hanlin Academy. But my father doesn’t think so. He..."

Amidst Xue Qian’s prattling, the carriage slowly made its way to the Su Family’s Mansion.

The Su Family’s Mansion was bustling with excitement; Mrs. Su-Hua had early on ordered the kitchen to prepare a big table of Su Ke’s favorite dishes to wait for him. As her children were now successful, Mrs. Su-Hua’s status in the Su Family had naturally transformed from the bull and horse status to the lady of the house in command.

Walking with an air of authority, even her eyebrows and eyes seemed brighter.

The servant sent to scout for news outside soon reported back, "Madam, the young master’s carriage is on its way back, and will arrive at the mansion very soon."

"Quickly, get the meals ready; once Ke’er returns, we’ll all eat together!"

Mrs. Su-Hua instructed joyfully, turning to direct another group of people, "Don’t just stand there, get the wine heated up, so they can have a shallow toast later in the evening."

The servants scurried about quickly, bustling with activity.

Before long, firecrackers burst in a cacophony outside the grand gates of the Su Family’s Mansion, crackling and echoing down the entire street, drawing people from several nearby streets to gather around and watch the spectacle.

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