After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

My room is two zhang long and one zhang wide, a little smaller than my mother's room.

The space is a bit cramped, but at least it doesn't feel stuffy when the window is open.

The interior was simply furnished, with a wooden bed placed on the left side of the entrance, covered with quilts, and very clean.

A dark brown wardrobe stands at the foot of the bed. It's an old item that's over twenty years old, and it always makes an unpleasant creaking sound when you open the doors.

The elm wood desk is placed on the right, by the window. It was newly made, with mortise and tenon joints. It was a bit rough, but sturdy and durable.

Two bamboo chairs were placed one in front of the other in front of the table, and an oil lamp was lit on the desk. The dim light of the lamp cast a warm, yellowish hue over the room.

It wasn't exactly destitute, but the word "simple" wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Before going in, Ning Nan ran to the carriage outside and took a box of Dongtang. The box was an exquisite sandalwood box with an eight-treasure design and intricate dragon and phoenix patterns carved on it.

Unfortunately, when I entered the room, smiled, opened the box, and said I had brought back some delicious snacks for you, it was all for naught.

Cui Cui's expression remained indifferent. After glancing at it, she blurted out, "Put it down, eat it later."

There was no surprise in her eyes, as if she was used to this kind of thing... Ning Nan sighed. As expected of a pretty maid from a wealthy family, she was much more knowledgeable than those easily startled village bumpkins.

"Hmm... Is there something you need?" Ning Nan placed the eight-treasure box on the desk and asked with a gentle smile.

Cui Cui frowned slightly, her eyebrows as faint as distant mountains, and her lips parted slightly, but she quickly closed them again without saying a word.

The two remained silent for a while, almost staring at each other.

After a moment, she pulled a blue, thread-bound book from under a stack of books on her desk and asked softly, "Do you want to take the imperial examination?"

Ning Nan glanced at the book; the cover of the blue thread-bound book was titled "Xinliu Zhai's Essentials for the Imperial Examinations"... Oh, a reference book explaining the eight-legged essay.

"Pretty much, I want to give it a try... I just want to give it a shot."

Cui Cui pursed her pink lips: "Is it the imperial examination today?"

"Didn't you just start a new course last year? There isn't one this year, is there?"

The warm, dim light cast a glow on the woman's profile. She shook her head. "This year is different. This year... this year, the new emperor will ascend the throne, and there will be a special imperial examination."

Ning Nan suddenly realized.

No wonder Li Yanting went to study in Hangezhuang, it turns out he heard this news... He glanced at Cuicui with a sigh, city people are still the most well-informed!

Ning Nan pursed his lips, his gaze gradually darkening. If there was an Enke this year, he would have to get the household registration issue sorted out as soon as possible, otherwise it would be delayed for another three years.

Although Shangguan Xiuxiu said that once he became the eldest son of the Marquis's family in about ten days, he would easily resolve her household registration issue.

But Ningnan does not intend to rely on this.

If Xiuxiu were still the same Jinyiwei centurion she was before, and made this guarantee, he would be very happy to accept it.

But when the other party becomes the son of a marquis, things change.

The Marquis of Zhenguo's mansion... has more than one son.

I've heard a lot of things at the Marquis's residence these past few days. For example, Shangguan Yun, the heir of the Marquis of Zhenguo, is a confidant of the emperor, holds the official position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and is the most prominent young talent in Nanjing. He is considered second only to the emperor.

Although it's a bit early to talk about such things, wealthy families always have these kinds of ridiculous and troublesome things... He glanced at Cuicui and quietly exhaled. Isn't that how it is in the Zhu family?

Once you've accepted Shangguan Xiuxiu's favor, if Xiuxiu develops ambitions in the future and plans to compete with his brother or other noblemen for something, it will be difficult for you to stay out of it.

Moreover, he intends to take the imperial examinations and become an official in the future.

Regardless of rank, anyone who holds an official position is bound to be seen as having value by the ambitious Xiuxiu, thus fueling Xiuxiu's own ambitions... Ah, I hope it's just my petty mind judging others...

At this level of conflict, a single misstep could lead to the destruction of a family and the loss of loved ones.

Ancient times were different from modern times. Collective punishment was inevitable. Executing the entire family was considered an act of mercy by the emperor, while exterminating nine generations of relatives was the emperor's basic practice.

Ever since the story of the Orphan of Zhao, the Chinese people have disliked leaving any survivors for their enemies. The Shangguan family, a family that shares the fate of the nation, must understand this principle.

The rank of a centurion in the Embroidered Uniform Guard is just right; no matter how much the other party makes a mistake, it won't implicate a friend... Unfortunately, Xiuxiu's rank is a bit too high.

It's best to be friends with no vested interests. Take him to brothels often to temper his ambition and let him know that he can't beat his brother... That's the best way for the two of them to get along.

He owed the other party a huge favor, and sometimes he had no choice but to get involved in the mess... Ning Nan rubbed his forehead. He thought that he should take a long-term view and not take shortcuts.

The ideal approach would still be to rely on a wealthy merchant like Master Zhu. He has connections with the government and can handle many things, but he won't get too entangled with the officials... Hmm, that doesn't seem quite right.

The room fell silent.

Looking at the man's ever-changing expression, Cui Cui frowned and said, "If you really want to participate in this year's imperial examination, you'd better start preparing now..."

You should put Miss Zhu's matter aside.

Ning Nan nodded, smiling as he thanked her, "Okay, thank you...cousin." He paused, then stopped, his smile brightening.

If the engagement is real, then he can simply say "Thank you, madam."

His original plan was to win Miss Zhu's heart and become Master Zhu's son-in-law, in which case Master Zhu would have to help him.

But on the one hand, he's not very good at pursuing girls, and on the other hand... he's currently engaged.

Whether or not Cuicui took it seriously, the marriage certificate in black and white cannot be faked.

However, on the other hand, this is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, if Master Zhu is a big merchant, then being the son-in-law of a merchant is not a good reputation... It would be safer to help Master Zhu defeat Black Tiger Stronghold and find the traitor within the Zhu family.

After some random thoughts, Ning Nan optimistically offered the most reasonable explanation and direction for the current situation.

A gentle night breeze drifted into the room, causing the oil lamp's flame to flicker.

Seeing that Cuicui had fallen silent again, Ning Nan lowered his eyes as well.

Thinking that the other person might be in a difficult position, unsure how to say, "Please don't take this engagement seriously,"

"Ha, even if you pass the imperial examination, let alone the provincial examination, you young lady will be regretting it..." With this thought of "never underestimate a young man's potential," he pouted and cheered himself up, raising his head with great style.

He planned to say something like, "Thank you so much for your kindness in saving my mother. I think this marriage proposal is acceptable..."

"Um..." Ning Nan gritted her teeth, steeling her resolve, "About our engagement..."

"You object?" His silent eyes turned cold and sharp at this moment.

"Uh...of course I don't object."

"If you don't object, then go out," Cui Cui said calmly.

"I meant to say..."

"You want to marry Zhu Qingmian?"

"How could that be?" Ning Nan denied, his eyes wide, his heart pounding... Besides, that's your young lady, and you're calling her by her first name...

Cui Cui snorted, her expression disdainful: "Your mother and I asked around, and not a single person in the surrounding villages would even consider you..."

Ningnan was struck as if by a heavy blow.