The Comeback of the Charming Farmer's Wife

By the time evening came, she actually had a dream, and in it Ye Zi’an had ranked in the top three, riding a tall horse through the streets.

Wearing a big red flower on his chest and donning a robe of pure white brocade, he looked quite spirited and handsome.

Just as she wanted to take a closer look, the scene changed to a theatrical performance.

In the middle of the night, Yang Chuxia held her head, trying to recall, and finally thought perhaps the daytime play about the Advanced Scholar returning home in glory had left an impression on her.

However, what she didn’t know was that a few days ago Ye Zi’an indeed rode on a tall horse, parading several times around the Capital City, receiving flowers and handkerchiefs thrown by young wives and old ladies alike.

This result was quite surprising even to him.

Capital City

On the tenth day of the fourth month, the triennial Imperial Examination was not held anywhere else but directly in the Golden Throne Hall, conducted in the presence of civil and military officials, with the Emperor himself posing questions and the candidates answering, which was one part of the exam. Prior to this was a round of written tests, with questions set on the spot and compositions written then and there, subsequently reviewed by the Emperor and various ministers.

Having ranked first during the spring examination, Ye Zi’an’s on-the-spot written test naturally attracted a bit more attention. When his test papers were presented, the Emperor was the first to review them.

The second-place candidate was a middle-aged man in his forties, with hair that was turning gray.

As for the third-place candidate, though younger-looking than the second, he was still in his thirties.

Compared to them, the first-place Ye Zi’an drew an extra share of looks, as he was but nineteen, not yet at the age of 20, his brilliance and talent truly exceptional.

After the oral part of the exam, people felt even more so, thinking that this year’s top scholar would likely be this young man, although he was already married, for in ancient times, a man was considered to have reached full maturity only after the age of 20.

Even Baili Yan, standing in the hall, thought the title of top scholar should belong to Ye Zi’an.

However, the reality was a jaw-dropping surprise.

The top three Advanced Scholars were appointed by the Emperor’s personal decree, yet in the end, Ye Zi’an was not the top scholar!

The third-place stayed the same, but Ye Zi’an, who was originally first, became the second-ranked, while the top scholar was that middle-aged man in his forties!

This result almost made everyone go blind with astonishment and left them utterly baffled.

Because everyone knew, the third-ranked usually deals with practical matters, the top scholar is to be employed in crucial roles, but the second-ranked is reserved for appearances—typically being assigned a department post-examination with not much to do. If you mesh well, you might rise to prominence, but if you don’t, that’s your lot for life.

Therefore, many would rather be the third-ranked or even an ordinary Advanced Scholar than the second-ranked.

Becoming an ordinary Advanced Scholar allowed one to be sent out to do practical work, with the chance of gradually climbing upwards, but the top three Advanced Scholars were to stay in the Capital City, which was teeming with cagey old foxes. How could a greenhorn get a chance to shine?

Everyone was wondering what Zi’an had done to displease the one on the Dragon Throne, to end up as the second-ranked.

However, the Emperor’s next words stopped them from seeing Ye Zi’an through their usual lens and instead left them in disbelief.

"Ye Zi’an, being still young, needs more experience. I must think carefully about which department to send you to!"

This statement caused an uproar in the hall.

"Ye Zi’an, oh Ye Zi’an, you little rascal... What should I say about you, talented yet unpolished... The top scholar and the third-ranked will report to the Imperial Academy in five days, court is adjourned, and the rest of you should handle the arrangements," said the Emperor, majestically waving his hand to dismiss the court. However, the court officials below were collectively dumbfounded.