The Prime Minister's Darling

Chapter 198: 126 and Hairpin (First Watch of the Night)_2

Wuyang looked perplexed and said, “Does the Prince still remember the recommendation quota for the county? I have learned that Gu Jiao’s husband ranked first in both of his youth exams, thus taking first place overall in the county.”

Prince An responded, “I’m aware of that. It’s precisely because of his excellent performance that I managed to convince my grandfather to reopen the Guozijian. This way, he can bring his entire family to study, and the Empress Dowager can also enter the Capital City without attracting much attention. Is there a problem?”

With a puzzled expression, Wuyang said, “The county’s recommendation isn’t his, he earned his placement through exams!”

Prince An reacted with confusion, uncertain whether to be more surprised that the other had ranked first in the provincial exam or by the issue of the given slot.

“Who was given the slot?” he asked.

Wuyang replied, “It was given to his friend, a man named Fen Lin. I have checked, and this Fen Lin has no background. He ranked seventeenth in the provincial city exam, took his child exam in Song County, and did not even earn the ranking of scholarship student. Yet somehow, he managed to secure the Guozijian recommendation slot.”

Prince An sneered, “Just bribing the county magistrate would be enough.”

Wuyang furrowed his eyebrows, “But, the Guozijian slots are submitted first, and then the provincial exam results are released. Could it be that Xiao Liulang was confident he would rank first even before the results came out? Therefore, he bribed the county magistrate in advance, giving the slot that should have been his to his friend? Isn’t that absurd?”

Indeed, it was absurd; even Prince An would not dare to attempt such a risky move.

However, if it was suggested that there was some shady conspiracy at play, Prince An wouldn’t believe it either.

After all, Wuyang had scrutinized Xiao Liulang’s background. He was only a poor orphan from a foreign land who had lost his father at a young age. His mother had brought him up along with his older brother, but they both died, leaving only him.

He fainted outside the village and was saved by Gu Jiao. He then got married and settled in the village.

He had gained the appreciation of Principal Li who even unilaterally declared him his direct disciple.

Xiao Liulang never responded but his academic performance definitely skyrocketed after becoming Principal Li’s disciple.

Originally only occupying the bottom rank of his class, who would have expected that in less than one year, he would astoundingly rank first in the provincial city?

Prince An smiled indifferently, “Principal Li and my fourth uncle were once known as the four brilliant scholars in Capital City, my fourth uncle was always dissatisfied with Principal Li ranking higher than him, looks like now he has his answer.”

Could it really be Principal Li’s merit? Or was it that Wuyang suspected that Xiao Jieyuan was the one who was truly extraordinary?

However, Wuyang didn’t voice this, as he well knew the nature of his master. He was cunning and had the ability to plan ahead, yet he considered himself superior and did not believe that anyone could be smarter than him.

In the blink of an eye, it was the eighteenth of October, a day with crisp autumn weather and a light breeze.

The Marquis Residence began bustling before dawn.

Today is not only Gu Jinyu’s birthday but also her hairpin ceremony.

Lord Gu originally intended for Gu Jiao and Gu Yan to return to the residence to celebrate the birthday, but they mercilessly declined.

Gu Jiao refused to return as she no longer considered herself part of the Marquis Residence, while Gu Yan refused because there were very few people in the residence who truly welcomed him.

His grandmother only had his three brothers in her heart. He was the sickly child, bad luck following him since he was a child, and never gained her favor.

As for his three brothers, he had innocently thought they were his real brothers when he was young. After being beaten a few times, he understood that he could never be part of their family.

Only the young masters of the residence and some trustworthy servants knew of Gu Jinyu’s real heritage. Outsiders were unaware that Gu Jinyu was the wrongfully taken daughter or that the Yao Family’s mother and sons had returned to the Capital City.

As with previous years, they believed it was just Gu Jinyu, the only daughter, celebrating her birthday and hence did not raise any suspicion.

The Yao Family had given their gifts to Gu Jinyu the night before, and early the next morning, they visited the Guozijian to celebrate the birthday of the twins.

Gu Jinyu did not have time to feel neglected because her day was filled with surprises.

Shufei, due to an unexpected issue within the palace, could not split herself in two and come to the Marquis Residence. She asked the Fifth Prince to come in her stead.

The Fifth Prince also brought along an imperial edict from the Emperor, officially conferring her as a county princess with the title Hui.

This was the first county princess conferred from the Marquis Residence. Everyone felt honored, and the Old Madam Gu felt it gave her face as well. She knelt down to give thanks for the Emperor’s grace.

“Grandmother.” Gu Jinyu helped Old Madam Gu up.

Old Madam Gu affectionately patted her hand, looking fondly at her, “I knew you would always make us proud. The Emperor confers you as the County Princess Hui, this title ‘Hui’ is proof of the Emperor’s recognition of you!”