Thrown out of the house, the wet nurse enters the noble household and becomes a person of high statu

Several young men in fine clothes were waiting by the carriage. When they saw him come out, they all surrounded him.

They were all Pei Yaojun's usual cronies, and they had come specifically to wait for the palace examination to end so they could take him to celebrate.

Pei Yaojun's gaze swept over the crowd; Chen Jin was not there.

Indeed, after the last time Mianyue Pavilion was beaten up, Chen Jin would avoid him and wouldn't dare to approach him again.

The others, however, were quite shameless, acting as if those sordid things had never happened.

"Let's go! A new batch of Hu girls has arrived at Mianyue Pavilion. They're the best at the Hu Xuan dance. Their figures, their eyes... wow... we have to celebrate for you today!"

The young master at the head of the group winked and made faces.

"Exactly! Now that the palace examination is over, it's time to relax!"

The group started talking all at once and tried to pull him onto the carriage.

Pei Yaojun broke free, his eyes devoid of warmth. "I'm tired today, let's do it another day."

Some people complained, "What's there to be disappointed about? We've been waiting for you, we even booked the table! Yaojun, you can't spoil the fun!"

"Exactly! You were hesitant last time, it wouldn't be right if you didn't go this time!"

"I really can't go. I have some things to take care of at home."

After speaking, Pei Yaojun ignored everyone's reactions and walked straight to the Duke's carriage.

"Hey—Yaojun!"

"Pei San! You're really not going?!"

The shouts behind them faded into the distance.

Pei Yaojun boarded the carriage, and the curtain fell, shutting out the noise from outside.

The young men outside the palace gates looked at each other, their expressions not very pleasant.

"Damn it, they really don't give me any face!"

The leader spat, "Just because you passed the imperial examination, you think you're all that? Who knows if you'll even pass the higher-level examination!"

"That's right. We're all from prominent families, but he doesn't take the path of officialdom through hereditary privilege. He insists on taking the imperial examination instead."

"How incredibly foolish! Now look at you, you don't even want to hang out with us anymore. What, you haven't even become an official yet, and you're already trying to be a pragmatist?"

"Given his personality, even if he passes the imperial examination and enters officialdom, what kind of career will he have? Tsk, so arrogant and inflexible, he'll run into trouble sooner or later!"

"Pah! Stop pretending to be high and mighty! We'll see!"

The group grumbled and cursed as they boarded the carriage and drove off.

……

The day after tomorrow will be the day the results of the palace examination will be announced.

The servant Ah Cai paced back and forth in the room, his steps hurried and hurried, like an ant on a hot pan.

He glanced at the bed from time to time. His third master was still lying there with his eyes closed, the quilt covering his chest, his breathing steady, looking like he was still fast asleep.

It's like the emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is!

But only Pei Yaojun himself knew that he hadn't slept much all night.

The results of the imperial examination were a matter of great importance to Master Pei's reputation, so how could he possibly sleep soundly?

Ah Cai rubbed his hands together and leaned closer to the bedside, whispering, "Third Master, you said the people who posted the results should have arrived at the manor by now, right? What time is it...?"

"Shut up."

Last night he tossed and turned, his mind filled with the word "Cewen," and now Ah Cai's constant chatter was giving him a headache.

"If you keep making noise, get out."

Ah Cai shrank back and retreated to the side, looking dejected.

But after a short while, he couldn't help but say, "Third Master, wouldn't you like to get up and wait? If you lie here like this, it would be impolite if the messenger arrived..."

Pei Yaojun grabbed a soft pillow from beside him and threw it at him: "Didn't you hear me tell you to shut up?!"

Ah Cai caught the pillow, embarrassed and not daring to say anything more.

Silence returned to the room, and Pei Yaojun closed his eyes.

He wasn't unnerved.

He was the third master of the Duke's mansion, a good-for-nothing playboy in the eyes of the world.

Other scions of prominent families had long since taken the path of officialdom through hereditary privilege, securing sinecure positions in the Six Ministries.

Only he was forced by his father to take the imperial examination, who said that the sons of the Pei family should have real talent and learning.

genuine talent?

He has studied and worked hard over the years, but which of those scholars who studied diligently for years didn't hang themselves by their hair or prick their thighs with an awl?

If the imperial examination paper receives the lowest grade, wouldn't it be a disgrace to the Pei family if word got out?

How will his cronies laugh at him?

Just as he was getting annoyed, Ah Cai came over again and muttered something under his breath.

"If Nurse Liu keeps talking like this, Third Master probably won't find it noisy; he might even think it's celestial music."

Zhaolin Courtyard was only so big, with no maids, only servants, but the female voices that drifted from the rooms every few nights were impossible for them not to notice.

Pei Yaojun opened his eyes, glared at him, and said, "Are you itching for a beating?"

Indeed, if she were here, even if she were nagging, he would be happy to listen.

But can you really say that?

Pei Yaojun grabbed another pillow and threw it at him.

Ah Cai was prepared. He caught the pillow and smiled ingratiatingly, "I wouldn't dare. I was just guessing. If Nurse Liu finds out that Third Master has passed the imperial examination, she might come to congratulate him."

That was a clever way of putting things, and Pei Yaojun liked to hear it.

Just then, a deafening sound of gongs and drums came from outside the mansion.

The urgent sound of gongs, accompanied by the clatter of horses' hooves, came from afar and drew nearer.

"Good news! Pei Yaojun, the third young master of the Yuguo Duke's Mansion, has achieved seventh place in the second class of the imperial examination and has passed the Jinshi examination!"

The sound penetrated the high walls and spread throughout the entire mansion.

Inside Zhaolin Courtyard, Ah Cai was first stunned, then overjoyed.

"They're here! The messenger has arrived with good news! Third Master, hurry! Go out and receive the good news!"

Pei Yaojun's heart was pounding in his chest, but he forced himself to remain calm and quickly walked out of the house.

A large crowd had already gathered outside the mansion gate.

The steward, accompanied by a group of servants, waited below the steps. Upon seeing him, they immediately bowed and offered their congratulations.

In front of the mansion gate, the messenger sent by the imperial court had already reined in his horse and stopped, followed by a procession of ceremonial guards, with gongs and drums resounding and a joyous atmosphere prevailing.

"Congratulations, Young Master Pei! Congratulations, Young Master Pei!"

The messenger dismounted, cupped his hands in greeting, and smiled.

"Young master, you ranked seventh in the second class and have passed the imperial examination! This is truly a cause for great joy! Please change your clothes immediately and accompany me on horseback through the streets before entering the palace for the Qionglin Banquet!"

Pei Yaojun returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

Madam Wen Jingshu also came out with a group of female relatives. Liu Wenying, holding Pei Yexuan, stood at the back of the crowd. Her figure was slender and inconspicuous.

But that's where she is.

Pei Yaojun raised the corners of his lips slightly, withdrew his gaze, and said to the messenger, "Please wait a moment, sir, while I change my clothes."

After changing his clothes, he put on the brand-new scholar's robe that had been delivered to him, wore a black gauze hat and a jade belt, and walked out of the mansion gate surrounded by people.

Tall, white horses with bright saddles and bridles were already prepared in front of the mansion gate.

Pei Yaojun mounted his horse with a straight posture, dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited steed.

The drums and gongs sounded again, and the ceremonial guards cleared the way.

The procession moved slowly forward, strolling along the long street.

The roadsides were already packed with onlookers, who were discussing the spectacle.

Even bolder women would throw down fragrant handkerchiefs and flowers from the pavilions overlooking the street, their laughter echoing through the air.

Riding a horse in the spring breeze, I can see all the flowers of Chang'an in a single day.

As Pei Yaojun rode on his horse, his gaze swept over the throngs of people on both sides, a smile playing on his lips, but what he was thinking about was that last look before he left.

She stood on the steps, holding her child, gazing at him from afar.

In the instant their eyes met, there was warmth in her eyes as she nodded slightly, as if offering her congratulations.

Pei Yaojun felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his smile deepened.

After the parade, it was already afternoon.

Pei Yaojun returned to his residence for a short rest before heading to the palace for the Qionglin Banquet.

Ah Cai was so excited that his face turned red. He straightened his clothes while rambling on and on.

"Third Master, you've really made us proud! You've passed the imperial examination! From now on, you'll be an official!"

"I heard the Qionglin Banquet is being held in the Imperial Garden. How magnificent that must be! I'm so incredibly lucky to be able to accompany Third Master into the palace and witness such a spectacle!"

Pei Yaojun glanced at him: "Is that all the ambition you have?"

Ah Cai chuckled, "I'm such a good-for-nothing! Third Master, do you think there might be palace maids pouring wine for us? They must be so beautiful..."

"Shut up," Pei Yaojun interrupted him. "You don't need to come to the palace with me tonight."

Ah Cai was taken aback: "Huh? Then who will serve Third Master?"

"Why don't you just serve me the day you kept nagging about this morning?"

Ah Cai's eyes widened in surprise: "Third...Third Master, you mean Nurse Liu?!"

…………