Xu Zifan successfully participated in the imperial examination and won first place, achieving the highest rank five times in a row. Several officials who reviewed the papers were deeply impressed by him and specifically mentioned Xu Zifan's name when reporting to the emperor.
The emperor, busy with state affairs, did not remember the past between Xu Zifan and Lin Ruoshan. The prefect, fearing that Lin Ruoshan's affair might hinder Xu Zifan, had only briefly mentioned him, not elaborating. Therefore, the emperor was delighted with Xu Zifan's answer and laughed, saying, "This boy is no ordinary person; our dynasty has gained another talent. I will thoroughly test him in this palace examination."
During the palace examination, the emperor deliberately posed a tricky question: a problem in the Jiangnan officialdom that the previous emperor had failed to solve and which was currently being rectified. The candidates entering the palace were dumbfounded upon seeing the question. They lacked in-depth knowledge of these matters, and moreover, they dared not express their opinions casually, for a single misstep could offend someone or even displease the emperor. How should they answer?
Many people frowned, some even breaking out in a cold sweat. The emperor, sitting on his throne, looked them over one by one, gaining a certain understanding of each person's adaptability and courage. When he saw Xu Zifan, he found Xu Zifan calm and composed, and after a moment's thought, he had already begun writing.
The emperor couldn't help but become curious. He got up, walked to Xu Zifan's side, and watched him answer the questions with his hands behind his back.
The emperor was the most powerful person in the world, and the candidates were seeing him for the first time. Some candidates were so nervous that their minds went blank just because he walked by that they couldn't answer the questions. Other candidates were able to remain calm, but they were not very natural and their bodies tensed up unconsciously.
Only Xu Zifan was unaffected by the emperor's presence, so even with the emperor standing beside him, he answered the questions with ease and composure. This "normality" was interpreted by the emperor as unflappable composure. Looking at Xu Zifan's written words, the emperor pondered for a moment, his eyes gradually revealing approval, and a smile appeared on his face.
This imperial examination was undoubtedly extremely difficult for the candidates. Not only were the questions too challenging, but the emperor's presence also exerted immense pressure, resulting in unsatisfactory performances from the candidates.
After reviewing Xu Zifan's exam paper, the emperor found it impossible for anyone else to surpass Xu Zifan's score. Although it was customary to designate the young and handsome candidate as the third-ranked scholar, this time the emperor directly appointed Xu Zifan as the top scholar.
The saying goes, "Three top honors are possible, but six top honors are unheard of." In the history of this world, no one had ever achieved six consecutive top honors, making Xu Zifan the first person in history to do so. Once the imperial edict was issued, his fame soared, and his name became known throughout the land.
Xu Zifan knew how difficult it would be for a student with no background to enter officialdom, so from the day he decided to take the imperial examination, he made a high profile all the way. Not only did he pass the exam six times in a row, but he also had extraordinary insights into politics, which attracted the emperor's attention and made him a genius of his time.
His unwavering dedication to learning throughout his life was his foundation; even in the most flamboyant situations, he could maintain control and remained undaunted by challenges. It was precisely this ability that caught the emperor's eye, who directly bestowed upon him a mansion befitting a top scholar, a hundred taels of gold, and appointed him as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy.
The position of Hanlin Academy Compiler was a sixth-rank official, responsible for compiling national history. Those favored by the emperor could frequently enter and leave the palace, assisting with the preparation of memorials while the emperor reviewed them. This position was a stepping stone to future high-ranking officials, a high starting point for a glorious official career, and the dream of countless candidates. Xu Zifan naturally had an even greater reputation among the students.
As Xu Zifan rode his horse through the streets, many people threw flowers at him. Lin Ruonan also stood by the window on the second floor of the teahouse, smiling as she watched Xu Zifan and throwing red flowers she had picked from the courtyard at him.
Xu Zifan used his spiritual energy to possess himself, so all the flowers thrown at him would fall to the ground without staying. He simply raised his hand to catch Lin Ruonan's flower, looked up at her, smiled slightly, and shook the flower in his hand.
The maidservant beside Lin Ruonan said with a grin, "Madam, Master is so amazing! He actually caught your flowers."
Another maid said, "Master is so good to Madam, he only accepts flowers from her!"
Lin Ruonan quickly fanned herself a few times with a round fan to dispel the heat from her face, and said with a dignified and generous smile, "You two stop fooling around, hurry back and prepare hot water and food, don't delay."
"Yes, madam."
Lin Ruonan gently waved her fan, met Xu Zifan's gaze from afar, and smiled tenderly. "My husband passed the imperial examination with top honors! That's wonderful!"
Before moving into the Zhuangyuan Mansion, Xu Zifan had it decorated. It was filled with red wedding silk and festive lanterns, and double happiness characters were pasted inside and outside the main courtyard. The rooms were set up like wedding chambers. Dragon and phoenix candles, brocade quilts, and mandarin duck pillows were all present, making it even more luxurious and opulent than their own wedding day.
He led Lin Ruonan out of the carriage and into their future home. "This is our home in the capital, our first home that we've settled ourselves. Do you like it?"
Lin Ruonan looked at the artificial hill and flowing water in the courtyard, and at the festive red color everywhere, and nodded with a smile, "I like it, I like it very much."
He dismissed the servants, took her hand, and walked with her, saying, "When you first came to my room and told me you were willing to exchange wives, I thought, how could this young girl be so bold?"
Lin Ruonan laughed sheepishly. Back then, she was just a fearless newborn calf. If she could do it again, she might not be so bold.
Xu Zifan continued, "Later I found out that you are a very good person. You are filial to your parents, respectful to your husband, and manage the household and other affairs very well without ever complaining. In order to prevent our parents from working hard and to ensure that the family can live well, you single-handedly supported the cloth workshop; in order to allow me to study in peace, you never told me about any of your disagreements. You have done so much for this family, and my glory today is half due to you."
Lin Ruonan held his hand tightly, "Zifan"
Brother, I'm doing this willingly; I enjoy doing it.
"I know, but I still feel I've wronged you and made you work so hard." Xu Zifan stood in front of the hospital door, pushed it open to let her see the double happiness symbol inside, and smiled at her. "So I want to give you another big day of happiness, Ruonan. Marry me again. Today, we will worship heaven and earth and become husband and wife. We will walk hand in hand for the rest of our lives, grow old together, and I will never leave you or abandon you. Is that alright?"
"Okay!" Lin Ruonan nodded emphatically without hesitation, smiling sweetly, but her eyes glistened with tears. She sensed that something had changed; it seemed that from this day forward, they had truly become husband and wife.
The dragon and phoenix candles burned until dawn. All the servants noticed that the master and mistress seemed to be even closer. When there were no outsiders at home, they were always affectionate with each other, unlike the respectful and distant manner of other families. Their master really valued their mistress. Some people might think that their master would disdain the village girl's words and not believe a word she said, but their master was not that kind of person.
Such a momentous event as the top scholar passing the imperial examination six times in a row naturally reached the palace. Lin Ruoshan overheard the palace maids' gossip and was shocked to discover that Xia Lian was gone. The task she had entrusted to Xia Lian hadn't been completed, and Xu Zifan had actually become the top scholar!
So now Lin Ruonan is the wife of the top scholar? At least she has the spiritual spring to please the Emperor and Empress Dowager, but what does Lin Ruonan have? This honor was given to Lin Ruonan in the initial arranged marriage, but why should she? She doesn't want to see them have a good time!
Lin Ruoshan lost weight from anxiety in just a few days. Without the spiritual spring, she had no one to rely on. She even dared to stay in bed, but she heard that Xu Zifan was living a life of great prestige in the top scholar's mansion and was extremely respectful to his wife, not even glancing at other women.
She thought of how, since her pregnancy, the Emperor had favored two new concubines, both beautiful and understanding, and a surge of resentment welled up inside her. She lived in constant fear in the palace, while Lin Ruonan was exclusively favored and respected by Xu Zifan, able to do whatever she wanted without having to please anyone. How could she be content with that? Even with the boundless splendor of the palace, she was still just a minor noblewoman; she couldn't even wear bright red.
Lin Ruoshan grew increasingly angry and summoned Qiu Ye, ordering her to quickly inquire about Xia Lian's condition. Qiu Ye, though puzzled, readily agreed and went to do so. The news she received was that Xia Lian had died the very night she left the palace, and her entire family had attended her funeral, never to return.
Lin Ruoshan had a gut feeling that something was amiss, but she had no one she could rely on, and investigating outside the palace was even more inconvenient. The Liu family had long since left the capital; what could she possibly find out?
Lin Ruoshan was so angry that she smashed a room full of porcelain. She was unwilling to accept this, but could only suppress her resentment; she could do nothing and dared not do anything. Now, she only hoped that the Emperor and Empress Dowager would consider her health and not force her to brew wine or cook food. Without the spiritual spring, even she herself couldn't stomach what she made.
Lin Ruoshan wished she could shrink herself down and try not to attract attention, but when she heard that Xu Zifan had entered the palace to play chess with the emperor in the Imperial Garden, she couldn't resist. She dressed up in her finest clothes and went to the Imperial Garden alone with Qiuye.
Fearing the emperor would find out something, she didn't dare show herself. Instead, she waited at a distance on the road Xu Zifan was sure to take when he left, pretending to be admiring the fish in the pavilion.
[Shaohua: Host, Lin Ruoshan is waiting for you.]
Xu Zifan glanced at the virtual screen, which showed Lin Ruoshan's location. He thought for a moment, carefully timed his departure, and deliberately excused himself when Qiu Ye went to get tea and snacks, thus bumping into Lin Ruoshan at the pavilion.
Xu Zifan pretended not to look at her face and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency."
Lin Ruoshan made sure no one was around, then stood up with a smug smile. "Xu Zifan, look up and see who I am?"
Xu Zifan straightened up and looked at her, saying coldly, "So it's you."
There was none of the astonishment or panic Lin Ruoshan had hoped for. He remained as indifferent, even disgusted, towards her as ever. Lin Ruoshan's face hardened. "Kneel down! I am carrying the Emperor's child. Today I said you have offended me. Guess how the Emperor will punish you?"
Xu Zifan straightened his sleeves and said with a half-smile, "Lin Ruoshan, you think you can climb to the top after being reborn? In my opinion, not necessarily. Didn't you learn your lesson from the previous times? This time, you tried to use the dragon prince to threaten me after Xia Lian tried to harm me?"
He stepped forward, looking down at Lin Ruoshan, and said softly, "If you dare to use the dragon prince as an excuse, I dare to make your excuse come true. Do you want to try?"
Lin Ruoshan's eyes widened suddenly, and she trembled with fear all over her body. "You...you...you were also reborn?"
"Otherwise, how could I possibly predict your every move? Lin Ruoshan, in my past life you caused my family to be destroyed, so in this life, how do you expect me to collect my debt?"
In my past life...
No one knows what happened in her past life. Hearing this, Lin Ruoshan completely believed him, her face turning deathly pale with fear. She clutched her abdomen and retreated, "No... don't come any closer..."