Chapter 455: Haven’t had a chance to congratte my elder brother_1
“No, I prefer not to join in on the excitement.”
Wei Ruo could easily guess what kind of bustling scene awaited outside.
At this moment, everyone would undoubtedly be congratting Wei Yichen. She preferred not to attend this celebration.
After some thought, Wei Ruo said, “Meimei, go outside and check if Zhao Hai’s brother has passed the examination.”
“Alright, I’ll go now.”
Xiumei epted Wei Ruo’smand and left. She returned with good news an hourter.
“Zhao family’s second young master has also passed, but he ced quite low, at the second-tost ce,” Xiumei said.
“As long as he passed. Given his health condition, it was already not easy for him to participate in the examination smoothly. Making it onto the list is cause for great celebration,” Wei Ruo remarked.
Zhao Xun’s sess was beyond Wei Ruo’s expectation. That the initially moribund man not only survived but also achieved such aplishment after an initial recovery from a severe illness was umonly rare.
“Additionally, Xiu family’s young master also passed, and his position is rtively high. I counted, and he is in twentieth ce,” Xiumei added.<div>
“Hmm. The final results will have to wait until after the pce examination. Let’s see,” Wei Ruo said.
After the pce examination, the final rankings would still see some changes— the top threeprising of the top schr, second-ce schr, and third-ce schr are referred to as “sessful candidates”; the second rank is referred to as “born a sessful candidate” and the third rank is referred to as “also born a sessful candidate”.
The sessful candidates would immediately be given posts. The second and third ranks would participate in an examination at the Hanlin Academy, where they would study for three years before being given posts.
###
Apart from Wei Ruo, there was one other person in the house that had not gone to congratte Wei Yichen in the front courtyard.
Wei Qingwan did notck willingness, but rather dared not go.
Wei Yichen was the top schr of the imperial exam, and without a doubt, his ranking after the pce examination would not be low either.
Even if he was not the top schr, second ce, or third ce, he should be able to rank in the second category, and he was likely to aplish something in the future.
However, the brighter Wei Yichen’s prospects appeared, the more anxious Wei Qingwan felt.
Sitting at the dressing table, staring at herself in the bronze mirror, her eyes revealed sorrow and destion.
“Miss, don’t worry. It’s been so long… perhaps the young master has ceased to be angry,” Cuiheforted her.
Wei Qingwan’s voice fell, “How do you know he has let it go… I’m afraid he hasn’t… he might even be holding a grudge against me…”
“Miss, please don’t say those discouraging words. After all, you and the young master share more than a decade’s worth of affection. This isn’t something that can be erased so easily.”
“In the end, he isn’t my biological brother, and won’t be as forgiving towards me as before,” Wei Qingwan said.
“Miss, however, outsiders don’t know that Young Master isn’t your biological brother. As long as the young master doesn’t sever ties, he will always be your support. This will smooth a lot of things for you at the King Yu residence,” Maid Cuihe gently reminded.
A woman’s family’s position and power after marriage were crucial. If she had a powerful family, her inws would naturally respect her more.
“How could I not know that? Stop talking about it, I have my own ns.”
Weary, Wei Qingwan shut Maid Cuihe and the outside mor out of her mind.
###<div>
The first of April.
The emperor bestowed the title of King Rui upon the ninth prince, Chu Yi, and granted him a residence on Suzaku Street, which was close to the Imperial City and convenient formuting to and from there.
The enfeoffment ceremony was even grander than that of the sixth and seventh princesst year, which once again proved the emperor’s extraordinary affection for Prince Chu Yi.
Unfortunately, due to his frail health and short life expectancy asserted by the Imperial Physician, he could not participate in the fight for the throne, nor could he shake the status of the other princes. The emperor’s love for him, no matter how great, was momentary and could notst.<div>
###
April 11, pce examination.
Wei Yichen was selected as the top schr by the emperor; Xiu Fengyuan ranked in the second category, known as “born a sessful candidate”, and Zhao Xun in third, known as “also born a sessful candidate”.
Although everyone knew that Wei Yichen’s performance would not be far off when he achieved a high score in the examination, and even if he didn’t rank in the first category, he had a high probability of ranking in the second category. The probability of him bing the top schr was also high.
But when it was officially announced that Wei Yichen was the new top schr, a wave of excitement surged through the Wei family. The old master was so delighted he nearly fainted.
In the days that followed, the Duke residence was bustling with activity. The courtyard was filled with visitors. Even those who had not visited the Loyal and Righteous Duke’s residence in many years all came to express their congrattions.
This influence affected everyone in the residence when they went out, too.
It was much easier for Wei Mingyong to negotiate business, and the treatment he received was worlds apart from before.
Bai’s family received numerous invitations from some influential madams to participate in various banquets and gatherings.
A few days ago, because two girls from the Duke residence were going to marry into the royal family, thedies of Bai’s family began to interact with the madams of otherrge families.
But at that time, those noble madams still somewhat belittled the Loyal and Righteous Duke’s residence.
Now, Bai’s family could finally hold their heads high. With a nephew who was a top schr, Bai’s family felt as though they were standing straighter.
Conversely, Mo’s family, who was the wife of the Crown Prince of the Duke residence, and Yun’s family – Wei Yichen’s biological mother, were more low-key at this time.<div>
Mo’s family was serene by nature and always acted low-key. Whether in times of disregard or favoritism, their demeanor remained the same.
Yun’s family, on the other hand, were worried that such high-profile actions would invite trouble. They knew that although the Duke residence was on the rise, its foundation was not yet stable and should not becent.
###
After half a month, the excitement gradually faded, and Wei Yichen finally found some peace.
Wei Yichen had just returned from outside and was crossing the garden when he was called.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om
“Big brother.”
Hearing the voice, Wei Yichen stopped.
Seeing Wei Yichen waiting for her, Wei Qingwan’s heart leapt with joy, and she quickly walked up to him.
“Big brother, after you ranked first, I didn’t have a chance to congratte you.” As she spoke, Wei Qingwan presented the food box before Wei Yichen.
Wei Yichen didn’t reach out, so Wei Qingwan opened the food box and said, “Big brother, this osmanthus cake is made using the osmanthus flowers I picked when you took the provincial examinationst year. You always loved the cakes that I made. I wonder if you would like to taste my baking skills again…”
Wei Qingwan’s voice was soft, her head lowered as she finished her sentence, then gently raised it again. Her eyes, full of anticipation and caution, glistened as she gazed at Wei Yichen.
In her heart, Wei Qingwan felt uneasy. What she gave to Wei Yichen was not only an osmanthus cake. It was also their beautiful memories from past times.
Big brother used to cherish her a lot and enjoyed the cakes she made herself. Every time she brought him an osmanthus cake, he would praise her for it.<div>
He also promised that he would enjoy her handmade osmanthus cake as a reward if he scored high in the exam. The osmanthus honey used in it had to be made from the osmanthus flowers she picked.
She had made it as she had promised him. She wondered whether it could evoke his brotherly affection for her.