They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 102 I don't believe his luck has always been good.
Xu Zhichun escorted his brother-in-law to the county government office. He watched as his brother-in-law stepped forward with an invitation in his hand. After someone checked the invitation, a servant in blue led him inside.

The county government office is a key official location; one must not linger there unless it is for an important matter.

Seeing that the guards standing at the yamen gate were glancing this way, he knew that if he stood there any longer, they would probably come and chase him away.

Xu Zhichun dared not stay any longer and had no choice but to leave.

In a flower hall in the back garden of the county government office, the young scholars and several other scholars who had been invited to the banquet had already arrived. They were chatting and talking politely and with smiles on their faces, some standing and some sitting.

That's how scholars are—so polite and courteous.

Liang Mingxuan was led in by a servant and introduced himself to everyone. Obviously, the once calm surface of the water was now rippled.

We haven't seen a student this young in many years, no wonder everyone finds it so rare.

"This is Liang Tongsheng, who came in third place? The younger generation is truly formidable!"

"Not only is Liang Tongsheng exceptionally talented, but he is also exceptionally handsome, surpassing even us common folk!"

"Haha, that's right!"

Everyone warmly invited Liang Mingxuan to sit down, showering him with compliments.

Liang Mingxuan bowed respectfully, considering himself a junior and adopting a humble attitude. Many people who were initially unconvinced felt much more at ease upon seeing this and were willing to smile and speak to him politely and warmly.

After all, he is still a child. For an adult to argue with a child would be beneath them.
We are all cultured people who have studied the classics, and we value propriety and face more than life itself, so naturally we would not do such a thing.

Some people were initially skeptical, thinking that a ten-year-old child ranking third must mean that his parents had been forcing him to study and memorize since he was three, turning him into a bookworm.

Now that I've met him in person, he has an outstanding appearance and temperament, clear and bright eyes, and he is polite and courteous yet elegant. He is neither rigid nor childish, and at such a young age, he has the demeanor of a gentleman.

I couldn't help but sigh to myself: indeed, people are different; there really are geniuses in this world.

The initial resentment vanished instantly.

This child is clearly no ordinary person. Now is the time to make good friends with him while he is still young, and there is no need to make enemies with him.

The atmosphere at the scene instantly became even more harmonious and lively.

It's as if everyone is a loving family.

Liang Mingxiang arrived earlier. Before Liang Mingxuan arrived, he was the focus of everyone's attention, after all, he was also very young.

Of the three students who passed the exam this time, Liang Mingxuan was the youngest, another was an eleven-year-old young master from the local scholarly family Lin, and then there was Liang Mingxiang.

Unfortunately, Liang Mingxiang and Liang Mingxuan are cousins, and Liang Mingxuan did so well in the exam. After everyone paid attention to Liang Mingxiang and praised him, they would inevitably ask about Liang Mingxuan.

Liang Mingxiang already harbored resentment towards Liang Mingxuan, and Liang Mingxuan was always arrogant and conceited. Even though he had told himself to be humble more than once before coming here, it's hard to change a person's habits overnight.

All the inquiries, praises, and exclamations about Liang Mingxuan deeply affected him, causing his expression to change.

Although he felt he was trying his best to be patient and restrained, he was still young and rarely interacted with people except for studying. He knew almost nothing about social etiquette, so his attempts at patience and restraint were all too obvious to others.

Few scholars are fools, and even if some are, they're probably just pretending.

Their eyes met, seemingly unintentionally: "You saw it? What a coincidence, I saw it too."

Everyone understood the implication and wisely stopped discussing the issue.

What a joke! Since he doesn't want to mention his cousin Liang Mingxuan, if we try to talk to him about it, wouldn't we be at his mercy?
Who among those seated here would be willing to defer to the whims of a mere student? If anyone sitting here were to have to be mindful of someone's mood, it would be the magistrate.

Liang Mingxiang is so petty. He's still just a child at heart.

He simply doesn't understand how beneficial it is for a family to have two such outstanding youths working together. He's already jealous; what if he can't see through this and starts turning on his family? Ha!
Liang Mingxiang was completely unaware that his jealousy of his cousin had been clearly seen by others. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief when everyone finally stopped asking about his cousin.

He was just looking forward to making friends with his seniors and peers when Liang Mingxuan arrived.

It was as if a drop of water had fallen into a hot oil pan, instantly enlivening the atmosphere.

Liang Mingxiang's face turned cold, and he deliberately stepped aside, his face tense, his eyes cold as he watched the commotion before him. The word "sycophant" popped into his mind.

These people are nothing but snobbish opportunists!
Liang Mingxuan is really enjoying his moment of glory. But as the saying goes, the higher you climb, the harder you fall. This time he's in the limelight, but when he takes the imperial examination next time, countless eyes will be watching him. If he fails then, that will be truly a sight to behold.

He didn't believe his luck would continue to be this good.

A servant entered, bowed to the crowd, and said politely with a smile, "Is Young Master Liang Mingxuan of Liangjia Village here? Please follow me."

Everyone laughed and nudged Liang Mingxuan, saying, "It must be that the old master has invited you. Liang Tongsheng, you should go quickly."

Those who understood didn't feel jealous; instead, they felt it was only natural. Such talent at such a young age, coupled with the fact that the grandfather valued talent, meant it was perfectly normal for him to be summoned for a private talk and encouragement.

However, Liang Mingxiang didn't think that way, and his palms were secretly scratched until they turned red.

Liang Mingxuan followed the servant out and headed deeper into the garden.

He hesitated only slightly before continuing to follow.

This is the backyard of the county government office. This servant came to invite me openly and honestly; he has no reason to harm me.

"Young Master Liang, please go ahead. I will only escort you this far."

"Thank you, brother."

Liang Mingxuan nodded his thanks and walked towards the artificial rockery hidden by flowers and trees.

"Hehe! We meet again! Didn't expect that, did you?"

Liang Mingxuan never expected to see Xiaoyue here.

The little girl wore a light orange-red dress embroidered with butterflies and primroses. Her glossy black hair was styled in two small buns, adorned with two sparkling pearl flowers. She had red lips and white teeth, a smile as beautiful as a flower, and bright, clear eyes as clear as spring water and as lively as stars. She was as beautiful as snow and jade.

Liang Mingxuan was stunned for a moment, "Xiaoyue!"

Xiaoyue sat by the stone table, swinging her little legs, and waved to him with a smile: "You sit down too!"

Liang Mingxuan sat down opposite her, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Can you tell me what your relationship is with the county magistrate?"

"you guess."

Liang Mingxuan: "."

I actually guessed it, but I was afraid of being wrong, so I didn't dare to say it out loud, otherwise it would be very embarrassing.

Xiaoyue chuckled and blinked: "I came with my father."

Liang Mingxuan: "You are—Miss Lu?"

The only daughter of the county magistrate.

(End of this chapter)