When they came out of the courthouse, a roar of approval erupted from the people gathered outside the door.
Liang Yu has been arrogant and domineering in Yunzhou City for many years, and he has oppressed countless people. Now that he was convicted, it cheered the people immensely!
Qian Wanjin, Liu Zhixia and the rest were equally excited. If it weren’t impolite, they’d all want to lift Nannan up in the air and cheer!
Liu Yusheng’s performance this time opened their eyes, and it was Liu Dalin and his wife that were shocked most.
Through this incident, they suddenly realized that their precious daughter, whom they had always wanted to protect in the palm of their hands, had grown up without them noticing.
She was seemingly delicate, but smart and tough, showing agility and calmness in troubled times far better than them!
Their daughter no longer needed their tender loving care long ago!
“Lucky Nannan, you’re amazing! Your brain turns faster than Liu Zhixia, the great genius! How did it grow?” Sitting on the carriage, Qian Wanjin’s excitement has yet to abate.
Shi Xianrou nodded her head in agreement. “You’re indeed awesome, and you impressed me.”
“One loop after another, luring them to jump into the trap automatically without even realizing it – Nannan has really grown up.” Liu Zhixia sat next to Liu Yusheng and raised his hand to rub her head.
His sister was even tougher than he thought she was.
Liu Yusheng merely pursed her mouth and smiled with arched eyebrows.
The Lius lived in simplicity, and so did the Xinghua villagers. In such an environment, she could do without schemes or fight intrigues.
That didn’t mean she was innocent or couldn’t.
It was merely unnecessary.
They were the people she treated with sincerity all her life, but still wasn’t enough.
“Since things are settled, and there are still three days before the list is released, we have no place to stay in the city. Why don’t we just leave the city and find a place for fun!” Qian Wanjin proposed with his palm.
Liu Yusheng looked at her parents. “Father, Mother, what do you think?”
The couple looked at each other with a smile. “Let’s go!”
They were in high spirits. Despite the terrible experience midway through, the outcome was still satisfactory and wonderful.
More importantly, their hearts became more open than before on this trip to the capital.
“Go! Let’s go!” Qian Wanjin brandished his arm, and the carriage left the city.
Peals of laughter trailed in the wake of the carriage along the road.
Courthouse. The case has been settled, and Lord Yang bade Magistrate Hou Deye farewell. “Lord Hou, I should also return to Gongyuan. The students are eagerly awaiting, so we need to check the papers as soon as possible and release the ranks to appease the hearts of this year’s examinees.”
Hou Deye got up. “I’ll send you off, Lord Yang.”
“No need for that. As the magistrate, you’ve got loads of things to do.” Lord Yang stood up, glanced at Huo Deye, and solemnly shared his thoughts, “From the outset, Lord Huo was also once an official in the imperial examinations. You should understand how hard it is to persevere in your studies despite adversities – it should be cherished.”
Seeing the old man leave, Hou Deye’s face turned gloomy and indistinguishable behind.
Lord Yang was reminding him – Don’t stand in a high position for a long time and forget once heart.
The Liang and the Hou families have almost reached the point where no one dared to provoke them in the entire Yunzhou City because of their relationship with him over the years. Especially when his nephew acted too wildly outside, and he ended up cleaning a lot of messes for him.
Suppose this matter was reported to His Majesty, his career would probably be in shambles.
If it wasn’t for Lord Yang this time and replaced by any other official, the report about him would have already been on its way to the capital.
Cold sweat soaked his clothes and back.
Back to Gongyuan, Lord Yang Lao specially took Liu Zhixia’s test papers and personally reviewed them. The Four Books and The Five Classics, discourse on politics, poetry – the font on the three exam papers were neat and tidy with the surface smooth.
He flipped through one by one, with his movements slowing down at the latter part and his smile growing deeper.
“Good, good! Incisive insights, unique arguments, outstanding articles!”
“When discussing current affairs from the perspective of the people at the bottom of the society, there’s calmness in between the lines, but it also pierces the heart of the matter, good!”
“Fortunately, fortunately, I didn’t bury a talent! This young master will become a great weapon!”
After reading the paper, the old man contemplated for a moment, and then put pen to ink.
A few moments later, a memorial was sent to the capital overnight.
For three days, Qian Wanjin led the way, guiding his party to wander around the various attractions around Yunzhou City.
They stayed in a bed and breakfast and ate in stalls, watched waterfalls and took a tour of the lake.
All things aside, they really had crazy fun for three days.
On the third day, the release time was in the afternoon.
After lunch at a bed and breakfast, the group took a horse-drawn carriage to the city.
It was inaccurate to say they were rushing, but they rode the carriage slowly and leisurely. There was no point in feeling anxious.
From time to time, there were exclamations in the carriage, rendering a bit of joy in the air.
“Zhixia, you will be seeing the ranking soon. Are you nervous?”
Liu Zhixia smiled. “No, I tried my best.”
“Yes, there was nothing to be nervous about, as long as you tried your best.” Liu Dalin patted his son’s shoulder, “You should keep your mind calm.”
Qian Wanjin teased, “Uncle Liu, have you not eaten enough just now and are still hungry? Why are your hands so shaky?”
Liu Dalin, “…”
Shi Xianrou looked at the wicked man, and felt helpless and amused. Couldn’t he give Uncle Liu some face?
Chen Xiulan and Liu Yusheng turned their faces away in unison to snicker.
His counsel was admirable, but his mentality wasn’t as good as his son.
When the carriage entered the city, the entrance of Gongyuan was already crowded with people, and the front of the ranking platform was crowded to the hilt.
The ranking was yet to be posted, so the group got off the carriage and found a tea shop to sit temporarily.
Because of the reversal of the cheating case in the examination room a few days ago, Liu Zhixia’s name has spread throughout Yunzhou City.
Coupled with his classmates’ mentions in Yunzhou, almost no students did not know his name.
They walked all the way to the tea shop, and everyone who recognized Liu Zhixia stepped forward to greet him and exchange a few banters. It was a far cry from when they shunned him a few days ago.
It was human nature to pursue good fortune and avoid evil, to be worldly-wise and play safe. Lu Zhixia gave these people light-hearted responses but abided by a line of defense without being overly warm to them.
On the second floor, they chose a window position with an excellent view, so they could see all the movement in front of the ranking platform below.
They would be able to see the moment the ranking was posted.
Liu Yusheng was drinking tea while watching the crowd below.
It was said that when the ranking in the imperial examinations was released, you could see all kinds of appearances in life.
In ancient times, students spent long years of hard study. They only constantly looked forward to getting ahead and passing brilliantly in the imperial examinations.
If not, many people would lose their minds, and in turn commit all kinds of craziness.
The surrounding tea seats were full of students waiting for the release of the ranking. They gathered in groups and flattered each other.
Liu Yusheng sighed soundlessly, listening to them.
Later, she wondered how many people would laugh, cry, and go crazy.
“Bam!” An ear-splitting gong sounded, and the noisy environment just instantly stilled, as if a stop button was pressed.
Immediately afterwards, the crowd rushed downstairs like a tidal wave.
The front of the platform had been blocked tightly, and there were still people shoving forward – chaos and shouting ensued.
This scene turned Qian Wanjin’s knees into jelly. “My God, if I go down at this time, I’d be trampled to death!”
Peek-Aboo 
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