Afterward, everyone stayed at the Huo family’s villa, still remaining in the capital. Wuqing and his two companions also stayed. The few young men had caused such a commotion at the Imperial Academy that forget seeking employment at the Six Doors—they should be grateful if there weren’t wanted posters out for them. Now they could only stick with her.

Speaking of which, these few young men were quite skilled—they even managed to cut off Lian Xin’s hair >_<

The villa had an old man called Old Sun who took care of their meals. Huo Chang’an then washed his hands of the matter and left. Before departing, he said that if she wanted to leave the capital, she could have Old Sun notify him and he would arrange it.

He didn’t prevent them from going out, so Leng Xue, Wuqing and the others split into four groups, disguised themselves, and began secretly searching for the Return to Spring Hall.

Su Zhen regretted her weak willpower—she had fainted shortly after seeing Wuqing and the others that day, leaving two matters she never got to ask Huo Chang’an about. First was Mu San’s identity. Mu San’s background was definitely not simple—just a brief description of his appearance and Huo Chang’an would surely know who he was. Second was Lian Yu’s temperament.

Thus, over ten days passed.

This morning, she had just gotten up when several young men burst through her door. Fortunately, she was too lazy to remove her makeup before sleeping… The young men still carried the morning mist and dew on them, apparently having rushed back from outside. Their expressions were uniformly grave, each holding a roll of cloth.

Su Zhen was greatly curious and snatched one to look at.

She saw written on it the four characters “Metropolitan Examination Results.”

Her heart immediately jumped—this was… the imperial announcement? She swallowed and opened her eyes wide to look. The… the first place was… Li Zhaoting!

She pressed her hand to her heart, feeling as if something had swept over it in that instant.

She wanted to cry, yet couldn’t help smiling.

Zhaoting.

He truly had the talent of a champion, standing out among ten thousand people. Though he didn’t love her, she hadn’t misjudged him, had she?

She was filled with joy, momentarily forgetting everything else. She looked down the list—second and third place were strangers, then saw Si Lanfeng in fourth place. Suddenly, several hands pressed down forcefully in one spot.

“Look here!” Leng Xue shouted irritably.

She was thoroughly startled, but when her gaze fell on the spot everyone was pointing to, she was completely stunned.

Ninth place: Li Huaisu of Lu County.

Su Zhen had always thought her name definitely wouldn’t appear on the metropolitan examination list.

According to the Great Zhou imperial examination system, the top ten from the metropolitan examination could participate in the final palace examination, where the emperor himself would set the questions and select the top scholar, runner-up, and third place—

Who had given her this opportunity? Or was this… Lian Xin’s plan to lure her out? Su Zhen’s heart pounded rapidly as several young men saw her dazed and all went to pat her.

Even the usually taciturn Iron Hand smiled and said, “Li Huaisu, are you so happy you’ve gone stupid?”

“Li Huaisu, who the hell have you gotten involved with that you’ve even provoked Old Sixth Murong?”

Su Zhen was about to respond when someone lifted the tent flap and entered, clearly with a stern voice.

Su Zhen wanted to cry but had no tears—this was a boudoir, a boudoir! You guys just barge in like this one after another— She looked reproachfully at the newcomer, but wisely swallowed her words after meeting Huo Chang’an’s sharp gaze.

This… why had Huo Chang’an also come? Wait, who was Murong Sixth?

Leng Xue and the others also looked surprised. Huo Chang’an glared at her fiercely and said gravely, “Murong Sixth is looking for you!”