After Ji Yanming won the title of Jieyuan, it was revealed that he had been the top scorer in the previous three exams as well.

More people began to pay attention to and study him and soon learned that Ji Yanming usually kept a low profile and seldom spoke. The thing he talked about most with others was the music played by his cousin. Some people even saw him bending over his desk to write a short music review for his cousin, which was fluent and elegant.

Therefore, everyone concluded that Ji Yanming’s ability to get first place this time might be closely related to Tao Sheng’s zither playing. He even made time to listen to his little cousin play a song on the eve of the exam.

This statement spread from a small circle to a big circle.

Some people began to eagerly ask Tao Sheng to play the zither for them so that they could enjoy the same treatment as Jie Yuanlang. Others thought that it all sounded mysterious and that coincidence played a big part, so they chose to wait and see.

Mother Tang was delighted to hear this and came to find Tao Sheng again: “Miss, have you played the zither for the young master often recently? I heard from Young Master Yin and the others that the young master was able to get first place in the exam this time, all thanks to you.”

Mother Tang remembered that when she mentioned this to Tao Sheng last time, the other party did not directly agree but said she would talk about it when there was a chance in the future. Mother Tang thought this was Tao Sheng’s polite refusal but did not expect the girl to be so dedicated. Not only did she play the zither for the young man from time to time, but she also helped him achieve first place in the exam.

Tao Sheng felt a little embarrassed by what Mrs. Tang said. Actually, her original starting point was the mixing review ^[1]which is an analysis of music..

However, Tao Sheng chose to clarify their misunderstandings based on metaphysics: “My cousin was able to get first place in the Mid-Autumn Examination because he studied hard and did his homework seriously. I didn’t help much.”

Maybe I’m doing more harm than good by taking up other people’s time writing music reviews every day.

“You are too modest,” Mother Tang said sincerely.

She simply didn’t know there was someone as good as Tao Sheng in the world, who made such great contributions but never expressed them, working silently and modestly.

This is probably the character of a goddess descending from heaven.

I used to think my own son was good enough, but now it seems that my cousin has better character.

Thinking of this, Mother Tang’s admiration for Tao Sheng increased a little more: “Miss, if you have time, you can go and play a few more songs for the young master. If the young master is lucky enough to win the top prize in the future, I think both of you will become famous, and our store’s business will also improve.”

Tao Sheng remembered that in the original text of the novel “A Life of Glory,” Ji Yanming’s scores in the provincial examination, metropolitan examination, and palace examination were not very good. It was not until he entered the court as an official that he gradually came to the fore.

To become the top scorer, one must pass the next two levels. The fact that the result this time does not match the original may be pure luck. It is highly unlikely that Ji Yanming will continue to be so lucky in the future.

I think by that time, the rumors that she helped him achieve a high score in the imperial examination with her zither playing would be self-defeating.

Facing Mother Tang’s eager gaze, Tao Sheng still couldn’t say no: “Then I’ll try my best.”

Mother Tang laughed.

Although Tao Sheng still did not give a clear promise this time, she knew her cousin’s character was so noble that she would definitely use her music to help him achieve greater success, so there was no need to worry.

_

Wenyuanhou Mansion.

Originally, several gentlemen had informed Shen Yu about Shen Huan’s failure in the provincial examination.

Shen Yu also knew that the provincial examination was different from the previous ones. It was more difficult, the questions were more tricky, and the level of the examinees was higher. After several estimates from the gentlemen, he had gradually accepted that Shen Huan might not pass the provincial examination.

But when the results were actually posted, Shen Yu found it hard to accept the result when he saw that Shen Huan had failed the exam and Ji Yanming had taken the top spot.

He originally thought Ji Yanming would definitely fail the exam. After the results came out, he thought Tao Sheng would feel that her current family had no future, so he wanted to move back to the Marquis’ Mansion.

However, he never expected her cousin to become the champion of the provincial examination while his own son would be the one with no future.

This period was almost the lowest for Shen Yu in the past ten years. Everyone in the mansion avoided him when they saw him. Aunt Han and Shen Huan didn’t dare to show their heads, fearing they would be driven out by the head of the Shen family and left to fend for themselves.

In such a tense and depressing atmosphere, after hearing the news that Ji Yanming had passed the exam, Luo Xin and Tang Yizi could only hide in the house away from everyone and secretly be happy for a while. Once they left the room, they dared not show it at all.

Time quickly came to the twelfth month of the fortieth year of Youde, the day when the two girls in the family came of age.

Old Madam Shen informed everyone early in the morning that she would hold a grand and unforgettable coming-of-age ceremony for Ruojin. The entire Shen family valued this event highly and prepared for it carefully, treating it as more important than the New Year.

During the preparations, Shen Yue suggested that since both girls were coming of age on the same day and were both his sisters, Tao Sheng should also be invited to attend the ceremony.

To make plans, Shen Yue asked Tang Yizi to consult Tao Sheng for her opinion.

As Tang Yizi entered the house, she ran into Ji Yanming, who was just leaving. After a brief greeting, she was shocked and pulled Tao Sheng’s sleeve, suppressing her excitement. “Who is this young man?” she asked.

“My cousin,” replied Tao Sheng.

Tang Yizi’s eyes lit up. “Is this the Ji Jieyuan from the high school this autumn exam?”

Tao Sheng nodded. “It’s him.”

Tang Yizi looked regretful and asked, “Why didn’t I see you when I came to look for you before?”

“When you came here some time ago, he was mostly in the study preparing for the exam. It was just bad luck that you didn’t run into him those times.”