Teasing the First Dragon at the Start

This made her somewhat disappointed, but she quickly regained her composure. There are many talented people in the world. Although she was confident in her own extraordinary talents, she was not arrogant and thought that she was the third most important person in the world.

She felt a slight sense of disappointment. She thought she had done well on the imperial examination questions. Even if she didn't make it into the top thirty, she should at least have a place among the top fifty.

"boom."

"Ouch."

Chen Ping covered his forehead, which was already somewhat red and swollen, and his delicate eyebrows furrowed tightly.

Someone just squeezed past her from behind and bumped into her.

The newcomer was tall and slender, with a straight back, sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and was extremely handsome. He wore a white robe and looked dashing and elegant.

The young man looked at her apologetically: "I'm sorry, I didn't see it just now."

Chen Ping frowned as he looked at the young man's carefree demeanor: "You frivolous fellow, you are truly impolite."

The young man wasn't angry after hearing her words. Instead, he asked with a smile, "I've noticed you've been staring at the list for a long time. May I ask your name?"

Chen Ping's clear eyes widened in surprise. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "My name is Chen Ping, and I am from Youxiang in Weidi."

"Wha...what, you're Chen Ping?"

A hint of surprise crossed the young man's face as he looked at her with some curiosity.

Chen Ping was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "I am indeed Chen Ping. Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something dirty on my face?"

"No...it's nothing. I just heard that the top student in high school is Chen Ping. I didn't expect to run into him by chance."

The young man smiled and pointed to the list.

"The leader?"

Chen Ping lifted her fair, jade-like hand, her dark hair between her brows, and looked in the direction the young man was pointing.

"Seventeenth place, Wang Fugui."

"Eighth place, the manor."

"First place, Chen Ping."

Upon seeing her name, she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "I...I'm actually number one?"

The young man smiled and said, "Yes, from now on I'll have to call you Lord Chen."

After all, according to the imperial examination system, as long as one could pass the exam with top honors, the imperial court would generally grant him an official position, allowing him to remain in the prosperous city of Xianyang and wield considerable power—a meteoric rise indeed.

Chen Ping's face showed little joy. She tossed her dark hair aside and glanced in the direction of the Shaofu with her clear, autumn-water-like eyes.

She couldn't help but ask, "May I see the Grand Chancellor?"

The young man's face immediately showed a strange expression: "It's possible, but what do you want to see him for?"

Why should I tell you?

Chen Ping rolled his eyes, snorted, and turned his head away.

After all, a man suddenly asking her for information out of the blue doesn't seem like a good person at all.

The young man scratched his cheek, feeling both amused and exasperated.

This young man was none other than Bai Su.

Upon seeing that Chen Ping was the top scholar in the imperial examination, he couldn't resist coming over to see if he could get to know this great talent.

After all, Chen Ping's talent was no less than that of the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty. As the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, he rose through the ranks to become prime minister. Such a great talent could not be easily overlooked.

Bai Su never expected that her simple question would be mistaken for that of a bad person.

"Um... do I look that much like a bad guy?"

"Anyway, you're definitely not an honest person."

Bai Su watched Chen Ping quietly move away, and couldn't help but twitch her lips: "What kind of person would you even consider?"

Chen Ping glanced at Bai Su, pondered for a long time, and then said, "Your man looks quite handsome, but your words are frivolous, and you clearly don't have much ability. It's a waste of that good looks; you're all show and no substance."

"In my opinion, a real man should not only be judged by his appearance, but also by his talent, just like the Grand Master Bai Su."

"To govern the world with a pen and to settle the universe on horseback, you, a pretty boy, are far inferior."

Bai Su's expression immediately turned strange, and she felt an urge to laugh.

Looking at the earnest woman, he forced himself to hold back and coughed twice, saying, "Ahem, you're right. Of course, I can't compare to Lord Bai. Lord Bai is handsome, elegant, talented, and charming. He is the dream lover of countless young women..."

Since it was a compliment to herself, Bai Su was very generous, praising herself with every word.

A faint blush rose on Chen Ping's fair and pretty face.

Even though she knew Bai Su was flattering her, she couldn't help but nod slightly because the person being praised was her idol. Her impression of the young man in front of her even improved considerably.

"You know that even ten thousand of you are not worth a single hair of Lord Bai's head."

Bai Su looked at Chen Ping's serious face and almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He coughed lightly and said with a serious expression, "You're right, I really can't compare to him. But since this young lady knows so much about the Grand Chancellor, could it be that you're one of his little fans?"

Chen Ping was taken aback: "What is a little fangirl?"

Bai Su explained, "I just admire him a lot, I like him a lot, and I want to have his child..."

Chen Ping blushed and said shyly, "Having children is too early, but I really admire him. He is skilled in both civil and military affairs and cares about the people. What woman wouldn't be moved by such a man?"

"When I was in the countryside, I had the privilege of reading the poems he wrote, such as 'What is love in this world that makes people willing to die for it?' I imagine he must have been a deeply affectionate and romantic person."

"If I could sit on the ground with you, sir, and admire the moon and flowers, I would die without regret. As for you... you are far inferior to him, you are just an empty shell."

Bai Su sighed, “Lord Bai is the backbone of our Great Xia and the pillar of the court. Countless women are infatuated with him. Besides, he has already married the princess. How can you be with him now?”

Chen Ping scoffed, "I can stand alongside you in the imperial court, serving as your right-hand man, offering advice and strategies. We'll go to court together at sunrise and return together at sunset. Whether it's matters of state or private matters of romance, I can always be by your side, understanding you..."

"As for other women, they are nothing but ordinary beauties, at most offering only physical pleasure. How could they possibly have the same tenderness and intimacy with me, where body and soul are intertwined?"

As the saying goes, "If you swing your hoe well, there's no corner you can't dig down."

"Just give up. I can't stand a man like you who's all looks and no substance. My heart is already filled with that other man..."

Bai Su looked at Chen Ping, who was standing confidently beside her, and her expression suddenly turned strange: "Well... that's really a pity. I can only wish you all the best."

He didn't know what to say anymore. After all, Chen Ping, as the top scholar in the imperial examination, would be participating in His Majesty's palace examination tomorrow. The two of them would definitely meet in court tomorrow.

Now Chen Ping is talking to him about how much he likes her, how he's poaching her, and how confident he is. He'll feel so ashamed when he finds out his true identity tomorrow.

It can only be described as social death.

He secretly hoped that when Chen Ping learned that he was the current Grand Chancellor, the man she had always longed for, she would see what kind of expression on the girl's face.

Wouldn't it be embarrassing to dig out an Epang Palace from the ground with your toes?

Just thinking about it brings me joy.

Chapter 286 Heaven, kill me!

Bai Su looked at the little fangirl in front of her with great interest: "Why are you so fond of Da Liangzao? After all, you two have never even met. Do you really like him that much?"

A blush crept onto Chen Ping's fair and pretty face.

She lightly bit her red lips with her pearly teeth, her fingers shyly tracing the patterns on the wall, and mused, "It's less about liking and more about admiration."

Bai Su was taken aback: "Qingmu?"

Chen Ping nodded slightly and said, "A man of such talent is capable of governing the country and expanding its territory. What woman in the world would not be moved by such a man?"

"Secondly, marriage is like doing business. Now that I have achieved the highest rank and have the capital to be respected, I would rather sell myself to an elder than to someone else."

"After all, Lord Bai is the Grand Master of the Imperial Household, holding great power in the court. His Majesty has to consult him on many decisions. If I can get on the good side of such a powerful figure, my future career will be bright."

"Moreover, I have long cherished his poems. If I could sit in the courtyard with such a man, enjoying the moon and flowers, it would be a double blessing for me, both in my career and in love. Why not?"

After hearing her plan, Bai Su couldn't help but laugh and said, "Since you are so confident, I won't say anything more. I wish you success soon."

Chen Ping didn't notice anything amiss and went to collect his items at the call of the clerk announcing the results.

Bai Su watched Chen Ping's departing figure and couldn't help but laugh.

He wanted to recruit a talented person, but unexpectedly encountered a scene where the top female scholar tried to seduce her boss.

That's really interesting.

"Sir, what are you looking at?"

Just then, a familiar female voice came from the side.

Looking back, I saw Liu Ji, dressed in a red official robe, walking towards me after finishing his work.

When she saw Bai Su, her large, almond-shaped eyes lit up immediately.

Bai Su stroked her chin and said, "I'm thinking about what to say tomorrow."

"tomorrow?"

Liu Ji was stunned, not understanding what Bai Su meant.

Bai Su smiled and recounted what had just happened in detail.

After hearing Chen Ping's plan, Liu Ji gritted his teeth and couldn't help but curse, "What a shameless bastard! Instead of thinking about making achievements, he's trying to seduce the young master and climb the social ladder by clinging to his coattails. Bah! I, Liu Ji, despise this kind of woman the most."

Bai Su looked at her disdainful spitting expression and said with a strange look, "Aren't you the same?"

Liu Ji's indignant expression suddenly froze on his face.

She blinked her big, almond-shaped eyes and retorted, "It's different. I was just infatuated with you, young master. She's just greedy and opportunistic; her intentions aren't pure."

Bai Su didn't speak, but just looked at her with a half-smile.

Liu Ji's voice gradually softened as he forced himself to say, "Young master, look at my pure eyes. Do they look like eyes that can deceive people? And... I have always been deeply in love with you."

"His Majesty has entrusted the affairs of state to you, young master. The Mohist Master and the others can only offer you a helping hand at most, but I can offer you several helping hands..."

Before she could finish speaking, Bai Su covered her mouth.

Bai Su noticed the strange looks around her, and her eyelids twitched involuntarily: "Alright, alright, I believe you, okay?"

"Since you trust me, why did you cover my mouth to prevent me from speaking? Could it be... that you still doubt me?"

As Liu Ji spoke, tears welled up in his eyes.