Very soon, Cheng Jun-wangfei brought the still somewhat dizzy Li Ru Yu into the palace. Cheng Jun-wangfei originally was thinking, once Li Ru Yu recovers, to go look for the Luo family in private and have this matter settled privately, but unexpectedly, it was directly brought before his Majesty this soon. She was also glad that Li Ru Yu was still sick at the moment. At least, they can pretend to look pitiful, and if nothing else, at the very least, cant let her daughter bear all the responsibility, else once she marries into the Chen family, how will she be able to establish herself. However, Cheng Jun-wangfei also regretted. She shouldnt have killed off those two servant girls that quickly. Wasnt that clearly showing ones guilt? Moreover, the Empress, no matter what, was still her full-blooded older sister, and wouldnt go as far as to not help her in the slightest, right? Before entering Kunyi Palace, Cheng Jun-wangfei calmed her nerves. Afterwards, tears instantly fell.

Cheng Jun-wangfei wasnt an idiot either, and didnt start loudly bawling. One has to know, never mind that that kind of crying method would easily incite others loathing, in front of his Majesty, if by chance you get pinned a label of being discourteous before the Emperor, then the gains dont make up for the losses.

She properly and orderly knelt down, performing a bow. Li Ru Yu dizzily followed by Cheng Jun-wangfeis side, very much quiet.

The Empress raised an eyebrow, Whats wrong with Ru Yu?

Replying to your Highness, yesterday, ever since Ru Yu returned, shes been having high fevers. Even now, shes still muddled.

Luo Pei Shan, a grown old man, naturally wont dispute with a woman. Moreover, he previously didnt think Li Ru Yu would get sick either. However, just exactly whether this illness was real, or man-made, was worth thinking over.

Your Majesty, your Highness, this subjects granddaughter originally was thinking of waiting until after her older cousins metropolitan exam results come out before discussing this matter. And if hes able to pass the exam, then need to wait another two days, until he finishes taking the court exam. On one hand, its because she doesnt want it to affect his exam performance, and on the other hand, its because she doesnt want his reputation affected either. And now, from the looks of it, Ru Yu Junzhus situation isnt too good either, and wont be able to have things explained clearly. How about waiting a few days, and when time comes, have everyone called together, and have all the rights and wrongs all asked clearly one by one. Presumably, by that time, Ru Yu Junzhu will have fully recovered.

Luo Pei Shan had intended on going along with Jing Wans idea from the start. The reason why he went to look for Cheng Junwang this soon was just to make a stancethat towards this matter, he wont take things lying down. Just, unexpectedly, Cheng Junwangs temper was even more irritable than rumored.

Fine. In that case, you all can return first. Le Cheng Emperor said.

Cheng Jun-wangfei choked inside. Shed just entered, yet was immediately getting kicked back? She couldnt even use Li Ru Yus current state to win sympathy, because if she were to insist, shell be considered to not value her daughters health. Cheng Jun-wangfei turned towards her own older sister, the most honorable woman under the heavens, but the Empress had her head lowered sipping tea, and simply didnt even look at her. How could she still not understand. Her daughter was being completely abandoned. Cheng Jun-wangfei wiped her tears and led her daughter in bowing to take their leave.

As for Cheng Junwang, heh, Cheng Jun-wangfei for the most part pretended she didnt see him.

In the earlier years, Cheng Junwang was also one that feared his wife. It couldnt be helped, his wife was the powerful Ding Duke Manors di daughter, a fragrant steamed bun eyed by dont know how many people. Even marrying a qinwang was all possible. Yet, she instead married the heir of a previous generation qinwang, the current Cheng Junwang, who had no power nor influence. Everyone all say, this was Le Cheng Emperors attempt in weakening the power and influence of the Ding Duke Manor. But the Ding Duke Manors prestige was displayed there, and moreover, there was even an Empress older sister. Even if he wanted to do a little something, he would still need to ponder over it. But even so, Cheng Junwang Manor was still well-off for several years. As for from when did it start showing signs of decline, he really was unclear.

Just like that, this matter was temporarily pushed back. But, people that became aware of this matter, nevertheless, increased more and more, and the main reason was on Jing Wan. The fragrant steamed bun in someone elses bowl, after the initial regret, naturally couldnt be stared at anymore, but now, this fragrant steamed bun was placed back onto the table fully intact once more. How could this bunch not eye covetously and secretly scheme to have this fragrant steamed bun pulled into their own bowl.

When Sun Yi Lin learned of this matter, he directly smashed the teacup in hand, so excited that he somewhat lost control of himself. This was the heavens taking pity on him, and once again giving him a chance. If he doesnt properly seize the opportunity, and let someone steal her again, he might as well not marry for his whole life.

As for those saying, with his younger sister about to marry into the Luo family, he under normal circumstances wont marry someone from the Luo family, what all are those things? Its not like the law wont allow it, so naturally hes able to marry.

Have to say, among the official families, especially those large and prestigious ones, for the most part, the practice of marriage swap simply doesnt exist. Mainly it was still because each clan all needed a vast relationship network, and marriage played a crucial role in this. And between two families, one tie was more than enough. If they need to make a second tie, normally it was because a long time had passed, and they need to continue maintaining this relationship, thus needing to rely on the next generations marriage. Of course, there were also those that had close relationships, and because the other familys child was someone theyd watched growing up, they feel reassured. This naturally didnt belong in the scope of marriage connections. And among the same generation, tying a second knot, that was wasting resources.

The more outstanding the child, the more likely this sort of situation wont appear.

Aside from the Luo and Chen family, as well as Li Ru Yu, no one actually knew that theyd already cancelled the engagement. They were all waiting, waiting for the metropolitan exam to end, and waiting for the results of the metropolitan exam.

Thus, under this kind of strange circumstance, many people were all paying attention to Chen Zheng Mins metropolitan exam results. When the list was posted, they looked even more eager to see the results than the Chen family.

Three hundred candidate names were picked; a total of three lists of successful examinees. First was the last one hundred names. When one saw or heard ones name, even if one was unsatisfied with the grade, one would still grin from ear to ear. And for those that didnt see their name, not one wasnt anxiously waiting, or perhaps, they knew that at their level, they definitely wont be able to enter the top two hundred, thus naturally just let out a despairing expression. However, in the bottom of their eyes, they still had a tiny flame of hope.

Young master, not going to look?

Look at what? Someone that Head Minister Luo fancies, would they fall behind the two hundreds?

What if they didnt perform well?

En, makes sense, go, go look.

Yes, this servant will go right away.

This sort of situation wasnt in the minority either. Thus, the people that came to look at the list crowded into a huge pile. Quite a few even recognized each other, and after seeing the other party, they first blanked, thinking, what did they come for, their master didnt participate in the imperial exam, and afterwards, they very tactfully turned away. Turns out, everyones purpose was all the same.

Very good, on the first list that came out, they didnt see Chen Zheng Mins name.

One incense later, the second list was posted. En, still no.

Then, from the looks of it, it was either he completely bombed the exam and fell outside of the top three hundred ranks, or he didnt and was on the top one hundred list. If thats the case, they can directly start looking from the top.

Another incense later, the third list came out, and afterwards, Chen Zheng Min, fifth place.

The loud voice made the entire site instantly quiet down. Afterwards, these five words continuously echoed through.

This made the candidates of the exam or others who were looking at the list all confused. Who was this Chen Zheng Min, even the first place huiyuan[1] wasnt paid attention to this much.

Oh, looks like he performed rather well, then we still need to wait another two days. Lets go, return to the manor.

Thus, quite a few noble young masters in the surrounding left, and the ones that encountered those they were familiar with even greeted one another.

This scene further made quite a few people all unable to make any sense of the matter. That said, what exactly happened?

Eh, isnt this Chen Zheng Mins book boy, your familys young master didnt come? This is wanting to go look at the list? No need to look, your familys young master is in fifth place, quickly go back and report this good news.

That book boy naturally had already heard his own young masters rank. Just, why were there this many people paying attention to it? Also, after someone had pointed out that he was Chen Zheng Mins book boy, the attention on him also shot up instantly, as if becoming everyones focal point. Someone please tell him, just what exactly is going on? The book boy just felt his scalp going numb, and afterwards, he ran away in a panic.

[1] Huiyuan the title for the person who ranked first place in the metropolitan exam (the preliminary of the imperial exam). The word is literally just a shortened form of first place in metropolitan exam. The Hui in the term is short for hui shi (name of the metropolitan exam), and yuan just means first.