On the fifth day of the tenth month, just at dawn, the front of the Ministry of Rites’ Southern Yard east wall was already crowded with people.

“Ah, we’re late.” Shi Buyu, dressed in men’s clothing today, held her headwrap and jumped down from the carriage, calling to Yan Shian as they squeezed inside the crowd.

Yan Shian willingly protected her as they pushed toward the front. On a day like this, having someone accompany him to wait for the results — whether cheers or disappointments — and someone to share whatever emotion afterward was the best thing for him.

“Brother Shian.”

Hearing the voice, Yan Shian immediately put on his usual smile. “Brother Zeng.”

After greeting, Zeng Xian stopped paying attention to him, joining the others waiting for the examination hall doors to open.

Shi Buyu saw his calm expression, but noticed his fists clenched and unclenched repeatedly—obviously, his heart wasn’t as composed as he appeared.

She gestured for Yan Shian to lean in, whispered, “A classmate you don’t get along with?”

Warm breath brushed her ear, a bit hot and ticklish. Yan Shian suppressed the urge to touch it, replying softly, “A classmate, neither good nor bad relationship.”

Got it. Shi Buyu nodded—just an ordinary classmate.

They all looked toward the same direction, and Yan Shian felt a bit nervous. If he didn’t pass, how would Miss Shi think of him? Plus, her plans afterward wouldn’t go smoothly.

“They’re coming! They’re coming!”

The crowd erupted in noise. Once the examinees pasted four yellow sheets, everyone eagerly crowded around.

Shi Buyu didn’t want to be left behind. Instead of scrambling for the last sheet like most, she grabbed Yan Shian and rushed to the first sheet. Without thinking about his possibly low rank, she looked from the top down—and quickly found the name!

“Fourth! Yan Shian, you’re fourth!” Shi Buyu jumped up and pointed it out to him. “Here, here, see? Fourth!”

Yan Shian wanted to smile but his lips were stiff. Fourth place—he actually won the top four! He only hoped to pass, never expected to place fourth!

“Why are you holding back? Such a happy thing—smile!”

Yan Shian looked at her, gently patted her head, and smiled.

One laughed calmly, the other laughed wildly, yet it was the calm one who was really the winner.

Yan Shian already had some fame and good reputation in the capital, recently he had also made a splash at a literary gathering, spreading his name far and wide. Standing there, he stood out like a crane among chickens. Once his results came out, even more eyes were on him.

Great reputation is hard to live up to, and though there had been whispers before, he truly earned the praise this time—“Great reputation with no impostor!”

“Are you the young master Yan Shian?”

A woman appeared in front of him, smiling warmly as she appraised him from head to toe, then pointed toward a carriage path nearby. “My daughter wishes to invite you for a talk.”

Yan Shian cupped his hands politely, “My family is already waiting, so I won’t disturb.”

“My daughter’s surname is Zhang. Young master Yan, no need to refuse so quickly—you can think it over.”

Catching the groom under the list!

Shi Buyu suddenly understood, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Yan Shian. What would he do? No, she was his fiancée, she couldn’t let her fiancé be caught away. Should she pretend to cry?

Yan Shian shook his head, “Thank you for the kindness.”

The woman seemed genuinely surprised by his sincere refusal and hurried back to the carriage.

Worried about complications, Yan Shian immediately took Miss Shi and started walking out quickly, with Shi Buyu jogging to keep up.

Waiting by the carriage, Wan Xia hurried over, “Didn’t pass?”

“Passed—fourth place. Amazing! But he almost got caught under the list,” Shi Buyu’s mind raced. Though she didn’t like using women for schemes, if someone begged her, she really would.

Wan Xia sincerely congratulated them. After spending time together, she agreed with Miss Shi’s words that Yan Shian was well-behaved, and she often thought of treating him better now.

“Thank you, Aunt.”

Yan Shian regained some joy from seeing his name on the list, but hearing hurried footsteps behind, his smile faded before it could fully bloom.

“Yan Shian, stop!”

A coquettish voice! Just that one call made Yan Shian decide—people like this never quit until they get what they want.

“Don’t answer, don’t refuse,” Shi Buyu whispered and wisely stepped aside, making herself unnoticed but able to hear their conversation.

Yan Shian glanced at her, then turned to face the approaching woman.

She was boldly obvious, even removing her veil, clearly wanting to be recognized. Here and now, with so many people around, it wouldn’t take long before news spread across the capital that Yan Shian was being caught under the list by Miss Zhang’s family.

This was no spur-of-the-moment decision.

“Do you look down on me, or look down on my Zhang family?” The woman was pretty, stopping two steps away from him, tone aggressive.

Yan Shian took a step back and bowed, “Miss, your kindness is overwhelming. But I am already betrothed. If I agreed to you now, wouldn’t you be mistaken? Today I betray another because of the Zhang family’s power; tomorrow, I might betray you too.”

“I’m not worried about that. What family is more powerful than the Zhangs?” She snorted. “I understand now—you look down on the Zhang family.”

“Miss, why don’t you give me a reason to look down on your family?”

“Don’t play word games with me. If I had your level, I’d be taking the imperial exams.”

Her lips pursed a little, with a natural charm. When she wasn’t speaking, she wasn’t unpleasant to look at.

But Yan Shian’s mind was on the four words Miss Shi gave him. He certainly wouldn’t agree—but he couldn’t flat-out refuse either…

“Did your family know you came today?”

“Of course. If I wasn’t coming myself, my brother would’ve brought people to catch you under the list. He’s less polite than me. I advise you to say yes to me.”

Seeing his surprised expression, she smiled proudly. “If it’s something I want, my parents and brother will make sure I get it!”

Yan Shian’s face darkened slightly. “So, in your eyes, I’m just a thing—no different from a hairpin or rouge.”

“No, I don’t mean that!” She waved her hands frantically. “I meant, whatever I like, my parents and brother won’t stop.”

“Words spoken without thought are the truest feelings,” Yan Shian bowed. “I have many things to attend to. I must take my leave.”

“Hey, Yan Shian!”

He ignored her, mounted his horse, and rode off.

Shi Buyu smartly boarded the carriage first. The group quickly withdrew, leaving the frustrated Miss Zhang still surrounded by onlookers.