Chapter 118: Wang Qiluo’s Matchmaking

Chapter 118: Wang Qiluo's Matchmaking

"Is it true that Liu Shuhui has become the top scholar?"

Lu Lingyun asked only this.

"Yes, Young Master Liu is indeed full of talent. He answered all questions in the imperial hall with ease and grace, neither arrogant nor humble, and was personally appointed as the new top scholar by His Majesty!"

"What about the second and third places?"

"I don't remember the third place; he was a newcomer from another province. The second place went to a nephew of the Left Censor-in-Chief. In my opinion, he falls far short of Xiao Liu, only good at talking on paper and relying on his family background to gain favor with His Majesty."

The second place was the same as in her previous life, someone from the Left Censor-in-Chief's family. It seemed that even if Li Wenxun didn't win the top scholar, that talented young man with a deep family background still couldn't take the top spot.

But for Liu Shuhui to come out on top was truly surprising to Lu Lingyun.

"Xiao Jun, you have a good eye, picking such a fine match for our Qiluo right away," General Wang said.

Wang Qiluo, who had been listening the whole time, blushed instantly, "Father, what are you talking about! We haven't even discussed it yet!"

"I've set my eyes on this son-in-law, and Xiao Liu has agreed to come over for dinner. How can you say we haven't discussed it?"

"Is Young Master Liu coming to our house?" Wang Qiluo exclaimed in surprise.

At that moment, a servant announced from outside, "General, the newly appointed top scholar, Liu Shuhui, has arrived."

"Quickly, quickly, invite him in."

With a male guest arriving, Lu Lingyun and Wang Qiluo moved behind the screen.

Wang Qiluo, nervous, clutched Lu Lingyun's hand, "Lingyun......"

"There's no need to be so nervous!"

"How could Father act so hastily!" Wang Qiluo's face was both embarrassed and red.

The list was just announced today, and they were already inviting him over. What kind of thing was this?

Lu Lingyun looked at her bashful, youthful face and poked her forehead teasingly, "If we don't act fast, someone else might snatch him away!"

As she spoke, he arrived.

Behind the screen, Lu Lingyun and Wang Qiluo saw Liu Shuhui, still dressed in his simple, patched robe.

His recent success as the top scholar added a touch of confidence to his demeanor, but his inherent sharpness and composure remained unchanged.

He was the same before and after his rise to fame.

Calm and composed, with a heart as vast as mountains and rivers.

No wonder, in the years to come, he alone would become the Grand Commissioner of Jiangnan's grain transport.

"Top Scholar Liu!" General Wang strode over to him, "You finally made it!"

Liu Shuhui bowed, "General Wang, please call me Xiao Liu."

"Then don't call me General either, just Uncle Wang!"

General Wang had met Liu Shuhui twice before, once seeking his help and once offering his own. They had interacted, and both had a good impression of each other.

At the time, Liu Shuhui didn't know that General Wang was Wang Qiluo's father; he treated him like any other acquaintance, and they became friends.

After today's palace examination, Liu Shuhui learned that the person he met the other day was also an official in the court.

And he was Wang Qiluo's father.

Invitations poured in after his success as the top scholar, but Liu Shuhui declined them all. Only when Old Wang revealed his identity and mentioned that he was Wang Qiluo's father did Liu Shuhui agree to attend the banquet at the Wang residence after some thought.

"Young Master Liu is truly a star of literature descended from heaven. No wonder my husband and daughter speak so highly of you!" Lady Jiang stood beside him, sizing up Liu Shuhui.

A mother-in-law looking at her future son-in-law, the more she looked, the more satisfied she became.

Hearing her mention Wang Qiluo, Wang Qiluo, hiding behind the screen, grabbed Lu Lingyun's hand.

"Lingyun, Mother has gone mad, saying such things! What will Young Master Liu think of me!"

Lu Lingyun chuckled softly, looking at Liu Shuhui, who remained unperturbed, "Keep your voice down."

Wang Qiluo's heart pounded, and she could only continue listening with a red face.

Outside, after a brief exchange, Lady Jiang warmly invited Liu Shuhui to sit down.

Once seated, the atmosphere grew even more intense.

General Wang opened the conversation, "Xiao Liu, you're just past your coming-of-age ceremony, right?"

"Yes."

"Truly a young and accomplished man!" Lady Jiang praised.

General Wang followed up, "I have a daughter, who is sixteen this year. Her age matches yours perfectly!"

Behind the screen, Wang Qiluo almost screamed.

Father, Mother! Can't you be a bit more restrained!

So direct!

Lu Lingyun, seeing Wang Qiluo's expression, couldn't help but laugh.

Isn't this what marriage talk is all about?

Especially when it comes to catching a son-in-law from the list of successful candidates, it's all about being straightforward and direct, with no room for beating around the bush.

Liu Shuhui, who was outside, heard their conversation and frowned slightly.

"Are you talking about Miss Wang?"

"Exactly, have you met my Qiluo?"

Liu Shuhui nodded, "I've had the pleasure of meeting Miss Wang a few times."

"We only have one precious daughter, Qiluo, but she wasn't spoiled. Qiluo has a good nature, kind and lovely, with a warm heart. She is also very beautiful. I can assure you that among my friends' daughters, none can match the beauty and charm of my Qiluo." General Wang said heartily.

Wang Qiluo, blushing fiercely, dug her toes into her shoes. At that moment, she heard Liu Shuhui's voice from outside.

"Miss Wang is indeed excellent."

In an instant, her shyness and nervousness turned to bewilderment, and she looked at Lu Lingyun with eyes full of joy.

Lu Lingyun gave her a disapproving look, "Is this all you can manage!"

"You think so too, right!" Jiang Shi, hearing his praise of Wang Qiluo, clapped her hands happily, "My daughter is truly flawless, she has a bit of a temper, but her character is impeccable."

Liu Shuhui responded as usual, "Mm-hmm."

Wang Qiluo, hearing all this, was already at a loss. The next moment, she heard her father shout, "Bring in the gifts!"

Following General Wang's command, servants carried in several chests of gold and silver.

"This is five thousand taels of silver and one thousand taels of gold."

The servants then presented a tray with a stack of documents.

"These are the deeds to five estates, three shops, and two mountain properties."

Finally, a row of maidservants stepped forward.

"These are the attendants we have arranged for Qiluo."

"Young Master Liu, what do you think?"

Behind the screen, Wang Qiluo was completely speechless at the scene before her.

Her eyes wide and face flushed, she stared at her parents.

This, this, this...

"Lingyun, have my parents gone mad?"

Lu Lingyun patted her hand, watching General Wang and Lady Jiang busily arranging everything outside.

Not exaggerated, not at all. There are those who seek brides, and there are those who seek grooms.

Those who catch a son-in-law from the list don't wait for the newly-minted scholars to propose on their own. If they fancy someone, they invite them home and offer gold, silver, and conditions outright.

General Wang, being a military man, has even fewer qualms. If he likes someone, he offers the greatest sincerity openly.

If it works, it works; if it doesn't, it doesn't.