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In the Zhao Yang Palace, Xiao Yu had changed into a light spring attire and was sitting on an imperial concubine's couch, flipping through an account book.

Half an hour later, Zhu Jun hurriedly approached from the corridor, addressing Xiao Yu respectfully, "Your Highness, the Emperor has already selected the top scholar, and indeed, it is that candidate from Jinan Prefecture."

Xiao Yu put down the ledger, smiling softly. "Call for Lan Xuan, let's leave the palace together. Didn't Lan Xuan always want to see the newly crowned champion and third-place winner parade along the Imperial Street? Today, I'll take her to broaden her horizons."

Zhu Jun acknowledged with an "Ah," then went out to instruct the servants to prepare the palanquin.

By the time their carriage arrived at Changan Avenue, the street was already teeming with people.

Xiao Yu lifted the carriage curtains, cradling a jar of pine nut sweets as she slowly savored them while waiting. After a moment, she suddenly heard the crowd ahead cry out, "Here he comes! Here he is! This year's top scholar is most strikingly handsome!"

Putting down her sweet jar, Xiao Yu gazed through the window, her eyes fixed on Changan Avenue.

She saw three young men riding on white horses, leisurely making their way towards Donghua Gate. The one in the lead was the tallest and most handsome of them all.

Xiao Yu couldn't help but smile; she knew her father would surely choose him as the champion scholar.

When she met him the following day, she would have to address him as "Scholar Gu."

Xiao Yu's visit to Changan Avenue was merely to immerse herself in the excitement of his imperial procession, and after indulging in the festivities, she intended to depart.

Three white steeds, amidst the escort of ceremonial officials, traversed the streets at a leisurely pace, gradually disappearing into the distance.

Xiao Yu lowered the carriage curtains, barely having time to instruct the coachman to depart when a sudden commotion erupted.

Xiao Yu was about to lift the curtain to investigate when it was suddenly pulled open from the outside.

A tall and stately figure caught my eye.

Xiao Yu's expression froze as she gazed silently through the carriage window at the stranger.

The curious crowd watched Gu Changjin intently.

They couldn't understand why this top scholar, who had been strolling calmly ahead, suddenly changed his demeanor and rushed over in such haste.

Assuming he had spotted something remarkable, they never expected it to be for a young lady.

Curiosity piqued, everyone craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the girl's beauty down the alley.

"Purple Robe," Xiao Yu instructed softly.

Understanding her intentions, Purple Robe led a group of guards to block the path of the civilians ahead, gently urging them to move away.

The alley suddenly fell quiet.

In the slow spring afternoon, the air was filled with the sweet scent of pine nut candy.

Gu Changjin spoke first, "Shen Zhao."

"It's me," Xiao Yu replied with a smile. "Are you trying to invite all the citizens of Capital City to watch our spectacle, Scholar Gu?"

Gu Changjin's jaw tensed slightly as he lowered his voice. "Would you wait for me here, please?"

"Not at all," Xiao Yu's smile remained unwavering. "Scholar Gu should be attending the Banquet of Grace after your victory parade on the Imperial Street. I know where you reside, so I'll seek you out tomorrow."

Gu Changjin's expression paused for a moment.

Halting her carriage and lifting her curtains was indeed an extremely disrespectful act, not befitting a gentleman.

The man pondered for a moment before nodding. "I, Gu, will await Miss Shen's good news."

He lowered the carriage curtain, closed the window, and turned back. Under the astonished gazes of the second and third place scholars, he mounted his horse and continued on his way to Donghua Gate, his expression serene.

Unbeknownst to them, his hand holding the reins trembled slightly.

He had been searching for her for a long time.

He had assumed that once he knew her name, he could easily inquire about which family's daughter she was when he arrived in the capital.

Gu Changjin had made up his mind. Once he found any information about her after the palace examination, he would immediately pay a visit to propose marriage. If her family's status was too high, he would have to ask Xiao Yan to mediate for him.

He had thought through every detail, but never expected that in the capital, he wouldn't be able to find any information about a noble lady named Shen Zhao.

Until just now, he had caught a glimpse of the snow jade bracelet on her wrist by chance.

Gu Changjin slowly exhaled, forcefully suppressing his wildly pounding heart, like a wild horse breaking free from its reins.

He had finally found her.

Upon concluding the royal street parade to celebrate his achievements, Gu Changjin returned to the palace to express his gratitude to the Emperor. Afterward, he changed into a new attire and proceeded to the Ministry of Rites for the Banquet of Imperial Grace.

This year's lead examiner for the imperial examination was Lu Zhuo, the Minister of Justice. After several rounds of wine, Minister Lu could no longer conceal his admiration for Gu Changjin, bestowing upon him the courtesy name "Yunzhi."

At the Banquet of Imperial Grace, receiving a personal gift of a courtesy name from a high-ranking official of the first rank was an immense honor.

Gu Changjin was coerced into drinking copious amounts of alcohol.

Leaving the Ministry of Rites, his green brocade court robe reeked of alcohol.

His residence in the capital was situated in the Silver Willow Lane.

At the end of Silver Locust Lane stands an ancient pagoda tree, which, centuries ago, was struck by lightning. Afterwards, it miraculously bore silver-hued locust flowers. Since then, the lane has been renamed Silver Locust Lane.

Behind the old locust tree, Gu Changjin had rented a courtyard. He circled around the tree and was just about to take out his key to unlock the door when he suddenly paused. His eyes, tinged with the remnants of alcohol, fixated unblinkingly on the graceful figure ahead.

Assuming it was a hallucination brought on by excessive drinking, Gu Changjin blinked his eyes shut. But when he opened them again, that enchanting figure was still there.

The young lady stood just outside the door, her back to him, gazing quietly at the red silk cloth hanging on the old locust tree.

Under the swaying tree shadows, the gentle night breeze blew, causing countless red silk ribbons to dance gently in the moonlight.

Each of these red ribbons represented a wait.

Gu Changjin called out, "Shen Zhao."

Hearing his voice, Xiao Yu turned around and looked at him, saying, "Gu Changjin, I couldn't wait any longer. I came to find you tonight."

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Gu Changjin was finally certain that this maiden was not an illusion of his mind.

Furrowing his brows, he strolled forward and asked, "How could your family elders allow you to leave home?"

"I got my elder brother to cover for me. Neither Mother nor Father will know," she replied, holding her silk lantern as she slowly approached him. "I heard that at today's Enfeoffment Banquet, Lord Lu gave you a courtesy name?"

Gu Changjin abruptly lifted his gaze.

How could she know about what happened at the Enfeoffment Banquet?

It seemed likely that either her father or her elder brother was present at the banquet, but among those who attended the feast today, no high-ranking official had the surname Shen.