Chapter 331 Lu Kuan Wins the First Prize

"You've done well, and make sure you keep your dad around every night from now on." Lady Li Bihan said with a fake smile.

"Of course. Dad loves me the most. If I ask him, he'll definitely stick around," Cheng Lanying said confidently.

Lady Li Bihan didn't say much seeing her like this; she just added some dishes for her, encouraging her to continue.

After finishing her meal, Cheng Lanying was wandering around the Marquis's Mansion with the maids. She hadn't walked far when she ran into Qiu Ling and Ling Long bossing people around in the pavilion.

"Hey, isn't that Second Miss?" Qiu Ling greeted her upon seeing her.

"Aunt Qiu, Aunt Ling are so busy," Cheng Lanying gave them a lazy look and said.

"Our lady doesn't help us with procurement anymore, all the work up and down has to be done by ourselves, naturally we're busier," Qiu Ling replied with a grin.

"Oh yeah, Second Miss, what is your aunt assigned to do now? Why haven't we seen her in the night patrol team for several days?" Ling Long teased.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Lanying let out a snort, "Pfft! My aunt doesn't do these menial tasks!"

Qiu Ling: "..."

Ling Long: "..."

"My aunt has my father's favor, she doesn't need to do hard labor like you two to please the lady!"

At this, Qiu Ling and Ling Long rolled their eyes and Qiu Ling retorted without hesitation, "Then go tell your aunt to hold onto the boss's heart for the rest of her life, and don't let him go see any of the other ladies."

Just then, Cheng Suying arrived with her maid Cahe.

Cheng Lanying saw her from afar and deliberately shouted loudly, "Father loves me the most. With me around, he naturally dotes on my mother, coming to my mother's place every day. Unlike certain people, who are utterly useless and gain no favor, doing anything is meaningless!"

After saying that, Cheng Lanying marched off all smug-like.

Cheng Suying froze up when she heard that.

She led Cahe back to Lu Lingyun's courtyard looking bummed out.

At this moment, Lu Lingyun was busy with something important.

Today was the grand day of Lu Kuan's spring examination results announcement. The Lu Family had invited her to go out and watch together.

Seeing Cheng Suying come in with a gloomy face, she asked, "What's wrong? You look unhappy?"

"Mother," Cheng Suying rushed into Lu Lingyun's arms, "Do I suck or what?"

"Why would you ever think that?"

"The one favored in the Bi Shui Courtyard can get Dad to dote on her and also help her mom get some attention too, but I cannot," Cheng Suying looked down, feeling very ashamed.

Cheng Yunshuo didn't like her, and hardly ever came by their place.

Her mother was the head mistress of the Marquis's Mansion, yet she wasn't as popular as Mom.

Upon hearing this, Lu Lingyun let out a little laugh.

"Mother, what's so funny?" Cheng Suying looked up curiously at Lu Lingyun.

Lu Lingyun reached out and gently poked her forehead, "Dumb kid, today I'll teach you a lesson. To rely on looks alone, once the looks go, so does the love. A woman should never depend on a man's favor to live. No matter when, you must have enough confidence and strength. With these, your husband will respect you. Respect is more important than favor."

"Mother?" Cheng Suying's eyes lit up at this.

"Come on, your uncle is releasing the list today. Let's see where he ranks."

"Good!"

Outside the Examination Hall, there was once again a sea of people.

The last time Lu Lingyun was here was six years ago, when she came with Wang Qiluo to check Liu Shuhui's results.

Now she was accompanied by a large family. Lady Liu brought many members of the Lu family to come and see Lu Kuan's name on the official results. Before they could even squeeze through the crowd, they heard cries from the front.

"Who is this Mr. Lu?"

"First place!"

"Top scholar!"

"Did you hear that? It seems like they're talking about our young master!" Auntie An shouted excitedly beside Lu Lingyun.

"I heard it too—it's first place!"

"Really! Did our young master really get first place?"

A group of maids and matrons, hearing the voices from the front, became so excited that they rushed forward.

Beside Lu Lingyun, Lu Kuan, hearing these voices, smiled faintly at the corner of his mouth. His eyes sparkled as he looked ahead. "Don't worry, there's no rush. The list will be available for viewing anytime after it's posted."

Meanwhile, Lady Liu, standing beside him, said with a complicated expression, "Yes, why are you in such a hurry? The list is there; it's not going anywhere. There's no need to rush."

After her words, Auntie An, who had pushed into the crowd first, shouted loudly towards those behind, "He passed! He passed!"

"Lady! Madam! Our young master really got first place!"

"Our young master is the top scholar in the civil service exam!"

Auntie An's voice cut through the air. After hearing Auntie An's confirmation, Lady Liu's face changed repeatedly.

First place, top scholar... A little-known second son from her family actually became the top scholar!

Her two own sons were still struggling to pass the provincial exams, and they didn’t even pass this year.

Lu Kuan had already passed the imperial exams with honors.

Passing the metropolitan exam meant that at the very least, he would be a third-rank Jinshi, and as the top scholar of the metropolitan examination, his ability was at least on par with his father, who was a second-rank Jinshi.

If he had more luck, there might truly be hope for him to achieve the triple crown!

Lu Kuan was set to become the hope of the Lu family!

Lady Liu's expression was extremely complex.

After hearing this, Lu Lingyun and Cheng Suying were both delighted.

Cheng Suying shouted excitedly, "Uncle, you're amazing! You've become the top scholar!"

Lu Kuan lifted Cheng Suying up. "Help Uncle take another look."

Being held high up, Cheng Suying immediately saw the large red honor roll up ahead. The first prominent name on it was Lu Kuan.

"Really! It's really the first place!" Cheng Suying exclaimed excitedly, "Uncle, you're so awesome! You were first in the provincial exam, and now first in the metropolitan exam—you've already secured two top ranks!"

As she finished speaking, people around began to look over.

"So you are Mr. Lu Kuan!"

"Mr. Lu, you are truly a young and promising talent!"

"To achieve first place in the metropolitan exam at such a young age, your future is limitless, for sure!"

"Mr. Lu, are you married? Have you betrothed?"

"Mr. Lu, our young miss is sixteen years young, waiting to be married—she's drop-dead gorgeous..."

Everyone clamored for Mr. Lu’s attention...

More and more people swarmed towards Lu Kuan, all coming to hand out invitations, request visits, and a large number vying for marriage alliances.

Realizing what was happening, Lu Kuan hoisted Cheng Suying onto his shoulder, grabbed Lu Lingyun, and hurriedly retreated.

Madam Liu watched enviously, feeling a pang of jealousy.

As Lu Lingyun predicted, once Lu Kuan’s promising future became public knowledge, suitors would line up at his door.

His future wife would be from a distinguished lineage, a well-bred lady, and his father-in-law's family status would definitely not be low!

Unfortunately, Lu Kuan isn’t her biological son!

How she wished this good fortune belonged to her own son!