The warmth and fragrance filled his arms, only to separate upon contact.
Even so, Zhang Jun felt completely satisfied during the secret rendezvous.
After sending Zhang Jun away, Shuyu’s smile faded, and her charming face became like a thin mist covered in frost, indifferent and cold.
Back at the residence within the alley, the hidden members of the Celestial Heart Sect came out in single file.
Leading them was the Protector Bai Luo in a plain white robe, alongside a woman dressed in a green tight outfit, who was Qing Luo, one of the Five Luo Guardians of the Celestial Heart Sect.
"Reporting to the Protector, I have sprinkled Tracking Powder on him. As soon as he returns, we can trace the Crown Prince’s whereabouts."
Bai Luo glanced at Shuyu, who looked at him with affectionate eyes, then turned around and instructed, "The Crown Prince is old and lecherous. Last time, due to unforeseen circumstances, he couldn’t spend the night with Miss Han Meng..."
"Qing Luo, you can disguise yourself as a maid and find a way to help Miss Han Meng get close to the Crown Prince... Remember to be careful."
Qing Luo glanced at Bai Luo, whose gaze had suddenly softened, but said nothing and left the residence.
Jinmen Prefecture Government Office.
The Prefect, along with Baisha County’s principal officers, Deputy Officer Quyang, and other prominent figures, were busy preparing the announcement of examination results in the Government Office with the Crown Prince.
At three quarters past the hour of the dragon, the list of candidates for the prefectural examination was publicly posted.
Xu Qing and others went in groups, and hundreds of exam candidates stood on tiptoe outside the Government Office, eagerly waiting.
The Supervisor of Studies held the name roster, while letting the Government Officials post the list outside, announcing the top three candidates of the prefectural examination in sequence.
"In the seventy-third year of Qianyuan, Jinmen Prefecture Examination’s top candidate, Wu Zhiyuan."
"Second place, Wu Wencai."
"Third place, Li Ke."
There was an uproar among the crowd in front of the Government Office.
Zhuang Zijun, who considered himself the top scholar in Jin Sect, looked as if he had lost his parents, wishing he could flee in shame.
Wu Zhiyuan, upon hearing that he ranked first, was stunned for quite a while.
Ten years of hard study, with his elderly parents turning gray, supporting his education, now hearing such great news, he felt a surge of complex emotions in his heart.
He really wanted his waiting parents at home to know the news as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Wu Wencai clapped his hands with a smile, unable to hide his joy.
"Whoa, I made it! Being a scholar isn’t that hard!"
Xu Qing glanced at his smug expression, thinking to himself, if I don’t pass, then in a few months, the taxes will have to be paid by you.
With them was Guo Dongyang, who coughed, inadvertently causing one elderly fellow to become upset.
Old Tian waited anxiously, and his great-grandson squeezed through the crowd to read the red list and returned after a long while.
"Congratulations Brother Xu, Brother Xu ranked fourth, higher than Jin Sect’s top scholar Zhuang Zijun."
Old Tian, leaning on his cane, sounded anxious, "What about me, your grandpa?"
The Tian family’s grandson paused briefly, saying, "I also passed the scholar exam this time."
Old Tian’s breath caught in his throat, and he held back his emotions, praised his grandson a few times, then hinted, "If both you and I had passed at the same time, it would have been quite the tale."
His grandson’s scalp tightened, his face turned sour, and after a long while, he stammered, "Grandpa, your name is not on the list."
Old Tian unexpectedly struggled to breathe, his expression visibly dimming.
Just at this moment, the Supervisor of Studies who announced the top three candidates rushed to the gate of the Government Office, hurriedly shouting:
"The Crown Prince has granted special permission! With the Prefect’s recommendation, due to Tian’s diligence and consistent efforts over the years, though he didn’t pass the exam, he has been recognized for his dedication to the country and has been granted the title of scholar. He will receive eight dou of rice each month, to aid in sustenance, and ten liang of silver annually for educational expenses."
A scholar must be a candidate for the child student exam, endorsed by others, with no unclear background or impersonation, to qualify.
Similar to special recruitment.
After this announcement, the Supervisor of Studies added: "Considering Tian is seventy-one years old, well past seventy, unable to work, he is permitted to abandon his vehicle and retire, enjoying his later years."
Officials typically retire at seventy, thus the phrase abandoning vehicle not using it.
This act by the Crown Prince has warmed the hearts of many students while ensuring those who didn’t receive special treatment did not hold any bias, achieving multiple goals.
Outside the Government Office, Old Tian, who was with Xu Qing and others, suddenly opened his eyes wide.
At that moment, he seemed to see paradise.
As soon as he said this, Old Tian’s view went black, and he completely lost consciousness.