Chapter 63: Palace Examination

In the courtyard, Cao Xi was teaching Qin Zhao while Qi Qige and the old Marquis were playing mahjong.

The four of them sat around a table, the speed of the game slowing down with each passing hand.

“Master, here’s your tea.”

Qi Qige handed a teacup to the old Marquis, who quickly glanced at it before focusing on his cards.

“What is it?”

“I’ve finished the tea, so it’s your turn to play,” Qi Qige placed the cup on the table and leaned lazily against his chair.

The old Marquis shook slightly in surprise. “What are you chasing? I can’t quite see it clearly… Two of circles.”

“Peng!”

Qi Qige instantly sat up straight, reaching out to grab the two of circles. The cards on the table were overturned with a swift motion.

“Hahaha, I win!” Qi Qige laughed triumphantly.

“What?!” The old Marquis stood up in a rush, his body leaning towards Qi Qige’s cards, asking Cao Xi, “Did he really win?”

Cao Xi glanced at the cards, stifling a laugh. “He’s faking it.”

“Hahaha, I knew it, I knew it! Hah, faking a win, hahaha!” The old Marquis laughed heartily, clutching his belly.

“Master, aren’t you worried about your private savings?” Qin Zhao reminded with a serious face.

The old Marquis rolled his eyes at him. “Private savings? I’m not worried. It’s just a game of cards. My eyes are fixed on my hand, no distractions.”

Qin Zhao was speechless. He wasn’t bothered by it, but Cao Xi, sitting next to him, turned red in embarrassment.

“Stop analyzing and reshuffle the cards.”

The old Marquis interrupted Qi Qige as he was reviewing the game. With a wave of his hand, the sound of cards shuffling filled the air.

Cao Xi said, “Master, let’s take a break after this round. You’ve been sitting for quite a while.”

“I won’t rest, let’s keep playing!” The old Marquis was deeply immersed in the game, getting more and more into it as he remembered the rules clearly.

Qi Qige couldn’t help but laugh, her face shaking with amusement as she looked at the old man, then at Cao Xi. At this rate, this round was bound to be lost.

The old Marquis suddenly asked, “Is this mahjong available for sale outside?”

Cao Xi replied, “It’s still in production, but it’ll be available soon.”

“When it’s available, sell me a set.”

“Master, you’re joking. We’ve specially prepared one for you. I’ll bring it to you right away.”

Cao Xi shuffled the cards, and just as she placed a nine of circles on the table, Qin Zhao took it with a “peng.” The old Marquis shot him a glare.

“Tonight, you’re going to owe me a meal for the unfilial grandson,” he grumbled, glaring at Qin Zhao, “Three of circles.”

“Haha, I win!”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” The old Marquis, still not convinced, was preparing for another round of revenge against Qin Zhao.

Qi Qige continued to laugh loudly, not able to hold it in.

“Master, you’re wasting your time on him. Qin Zhao is notoriously protective, stingy, and always gets even. He’s quite ruthless.”

The echoing laughter filled the air.

The old Marquis, irritated, grumbled, “Cao Xi, I want some braised pig’s trotters.”

“Plop!” Qi Qige burst out laughing again, only to be kicked by Qin Zhao from his chair.

In the evening, the old Marquis was holding a new set of mahjong tiles, looking extremely satisfied as he left the room.

After seeing off the old Marquis, Cao Xi and the others chatted for a while and decided to visit the night market—not to sell anything, but just to browse aimlessly.

Cao Xi and Qi Qige continued to walk and eat, while Qin Zhao occasionally was fed a bite.

“Qi Qige, Qin Zhao!” A familiar voice suddenly called out from behind them.

Qi Qige turned to see that it was none other than Xun Mao, whom they hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Xun Mao, what a coincidence!” Qi Qige beamed with a smile, glad to see an old friend.

Xun Mao slapped both of them on the back.

“Are you here for the exam?”

“Yes,” Qin Zhao replied, “I didn’t expect to run into you here, Xun brother. What a pleasant surprise.”

Xun Mao laughed heartily. “I’m here tonight with my sister, just letting her stroll around.”

At Xun Mao’s words, Qi Qige noticed the woman standing beside him—tall and beautiful, with a radiant appearance.

The young woman smiled and nodded first toward Qin Zhao and Cao Xi before her gaze settled on Qi Qige. She was composed and confident, quietly standing next to Xun Mao, listening to them reminisce.

Seeing that they were standing in the middle of the street, blocking traffic, Qi Qige suggested, “Why don’t we find a restaurant to sit down, eat, and chat?”

Xun Mao replied, “Not tonight. My sister has to return soon. Next time, I’ll invite you all.”

Qi Qige didn’t insist. “Alright, you go ahead, we’ll have another chance to gather.”

After they parted ways, Princess Qingyang asked, “Brother, are those people you knew in Qizhou City?”

Xun Mao sighed, reflecting on how time had passed. “Yes, time really flies. I wonder how they did on the exam this time.”

---

The results were posted the next day, and the old Marquis stopped writing his books. He and Qi Qige, along with Qin Zhao, were locked in a room to prevent anyone from catching sight of the results and using them to find a son-in-law. No one was allowed to enter.

Qi Qige pouted. “We’ll know soon enough.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the old Marquis slapped her on the head. “Be quiet.”

The servant had been waiting eagerly, and when the results came in, the crowd was too large to get through. By the time the servant returned, his shoes had been lost in the crowd, his clothes were torn, and his face was beaming with joy.

“Uh, uh, uh!” The servant ran too quickly, catching his breath and sputtering as he tried to speak.

“Who did it?” Ada quickly helped the servant breathe, sweating nervously.

“Uh… it’s done, Qin Zhao took first place, and our Qige is second!” After saying this, the servant chuckled foolishly.

“That’s great!” Cao Xi held back her excitement and gave Qin Zhao a comforting squeeze on his sleeve to calm his emotions.

Qin Zhao finally calmed down and smiled at Qi Qige.

Qi Qige suddenly lunged at Qin Zhao, and the two embraced each other joyfully.

The old Marquis couldn’t stop laughing heartily. “I knew it! With my guidance, how could they not succeed?”

As the excitement died down and reason returned, Cao Xi turned to the others. “You all chat, I’ll go make some food for everyone.”

“Make me some braised pork hocks!” the old Marquis immediately ordered when he heard Cao Xi was going to cook.

A table full of food was prepared: three dishes that Cao Xi made herself—Qin Zhao’s favorite braised pork, Qi Qige’s favorite braised ribs, and the old Marquis’ favorite braised pork hocks. The group gathered around, enjoying the meal and celebrating their success in the exams.

“After the palace exam, don’t be afraid. Answer truthfully when the emperor asks you anything,” the old Marquis said while enjoying his pork hocks.

Qi Qige chewed on the ribs and mumbled, “Mm, we’re not afraid.”

Although Qi Qige said this nonchalantly, the old Marquis couldn’t understand why someone like him would even want to participate in the imperial exams.

The old Marquis kicked Qi Qige’s foot and, with a wicked grin, said, “The old emperor has two daughters. You two better be careful.”

“Uh!” Qi Qige was choked by the old Marquis’ words and had to pause to catch his breath, his face turning red. “You really dare to say that?”

…

Time passed quickly, and soon Qin Zhao and Qi Qige, dressed in their official robes, were ready to attend the palace exam.

It was still early, so they had to wait outside.

Li Chenqi slipped out of the crowd and walked over to Qin Zhao and Qi Qige. “Congratulations on your excellent results.”

“Thank you, thank you.”

Qin Zhao and Qi Qige returned the greetings. They had met Li Chenqi before, and it was a pleasant reunion, especially after seeing him again at the palace exam.

Just as the three of them were catching up, a eunuch came running from the palace and shouted, “Please, the candidates for this year’s exam, enter the palace.”

The candidates lined up in order of their rankings, with the eunuch leading them into the palace to face the emperor’s personal examination.

When Qin Zhao entered the palace, he bowed his head and avoided looking around, not daring to meet the emperor’s gaze.

The candidates all knelt in respect, standing to the side while waiting to be called.

“Raise your heads and let me see you,” the emperor commanded.

Qin Zhao obeyed and raised his head. The emperor, seated on the dragon throne, appeared to be an elderly man. Despite his age, he still had a sharp and spirited presence. His eyes were bright, and although his expression didn’t show anger, his imposing demeanor was undeniable.