The Marquis' Wife
Xie Jinshi's

The last way that officials who control some of the power in the capital can go is to find and attract undergraduate candidates who pass the third wave exam to get into their group and then figure out how to manipulate the results of the examination so that the scholars they support can occupy the upper medal and get the attention of the Emperor.

But they did not know that they were a few steps late from the Emperor and Murong Xianming, the perpetrators of the test-clad conspiracy. How could the Emperor and the crown prince allow such a thing to happen.

Shu Taifu had already selected the examination examiner thanks to the help of the Emperor and the crown prince, although the other factions also slipped their people into the exam examiner, it would not have a significant effect because they did not make careful preparations because they were careless by the test questions they did not know before.

The officials did not know that they had lost before the chess pieces were placed on the chessboard. 

The final result of the examination would be announced two days later and it was used by Lu Xiang and his friends to recognize the face of the capital, the capital, they went around the capital in horse carriages and looked at the situation of the capital as well as gathering useful information for them, whether it was about the princes, officials or nobles so that they could avoid conflict with them.

Lu Xiang eventually rewinded the schedule to meet with Shu Taifu due to official petitions and conspiracies committed by scholars who were relatives of noble families. 

The tense situation felt by the participants due to the traps committed by the failed participants made him aware that before the exam results were announced, he was aware of, it would be very bad if he met Shu Taifu because it could be used by participants who did not like the results of his exams to attack him.

In the morning, Lu Xiang received a letter from Adelia informing her, Baobao and her two sisters-in-law and asking about her husband.

The indescribable sincere and gentle smile on Lu Xiang's face after he reached the capital was finally back on the man's face, he read the letter many times and smiled widely before taking the paper and brush to reply to the letter but did not immediately send it for waiting for the results of the exam to tell his wife if he should move to the capital or didn't.

Ranking the top of the examination provided a great opportunity for Lu Xiang to stay in the capital because the examinee who would take the palace examination would have a position in the government in the capital.

"You don't have to pick me up Lu Xiang, I can go to the capital together with Baobao, Lu Cheng and Lu Shan, I will be accompanied and protected by the servants, he said, the guard and also the yamen officer I hired".

Lu Xiang initially disagreed. "I'm going to worry about not protecting you directly, what if something happens and I don't know?".

Adelia held both of her husband's cheeks and stared inside. "Don't be pessimistic, nothing will happen. Besides, I think that political opponents who don't like you will know better and easily prepare a trap if you pick me up".

Lu Xiang was stunned.

"Just think about it, they must have been watching your movements and when you went to pick me up and our son and Lu Cheng and Lu Shan, wouldn't they tell them straight that you were going to pick up your family?".

Looking at Lu Xiang who was still silent. Adelia continued "They would of course underestimate me and think that you're the same scholar as any other scholar who leaves a village wife who doesn't give any profit in the capital so won't send anyone to monitor the movementsmy gig at Fucheng. We can ask Prefect Zhong for help to send in yamen officers who have high martial arts".

The plausible explanation made Lu Xiang a little relieved and pleased. "You're so smart, baby, you can even think of that in a minute".

Adelia only laughed proudly, she was able to think about it because reading a novel that had more or less the same events as her was added to the understanding of men who looked down on women, she said, he concluded that their thinking was as he analyzed it.

That was what they discussed before Lu Xiang left for the capital, they could run the idea if he had great potential of working and building a career in the capital.

"The test results have come out!! the results of the Hui-shih exam have come out!!!" The information gatherer shouted announcing the news that came to the attention of many people.

Scholars, waiters and information gatherers flocked to where the exam results were announced and saw how impatient they, their masters, passed the test.

Lu Xiang sent Lu Cai to look at the results of the test as usual but had advised earlier that the man should not shout to announce the results of his exam, which was his, he did not want to accept many more applications that came every exam result was announced, he did not want to make other families offended when rejecting the application.

"Great master, great master!!!" Lu Cai who had seen the results of the test ran excitedly and enthusiastically reported the good news to his master but he was aware of Lu Xiang's orders when he saw the eyes full of warning of the young man.

"Come, let's go home, let's talk about this at home".

Three of Lu Xiang's friends understood the man's intentions, and they left the teahouse without looking flashy.

"Great master!! You rank first, you get first rank!!". Arriving at home, Lu Cai was unable to stem his enthusiasm and announced in a loud voice.

Lu Xiang breathed a sigh of relief. "What about the others?"

Wang Tianjin and Zhang Yunlei looked up at Lu Cai. 

"Young master Wang is second rank!! congratulations young master Wang" Lu Cai said as he looked at Wang Jiayou.

"I lost to you, congratulations Lu Xiang".

"You don't lose Jiayou, maybe the taste of the examination examiner is more in my favor". Entertain Lu Xiang.

Wang Jiayou only laughed knowing that what Lu Xiang said was true and admitted that his friend was luckier than him.

"What about me?" Wang Tianjin asked impatiently.

"Young master Wang is ranked 42 while young master Zhang is ranked 48". Lu Cai reported happily, he had no idea that the lower ranks would definitely fail the selection exam.

Wang Tianjin and Zhang Yunlei breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that it was the end of their hard work but both were not so disappointed that Jinshi was better than Juren, they can occupy positions as Prefects or magistrates or can even build a private academy so not passing the selection examination is not a sad thing.

Perhaps this incident tells both of them that they are not suitable to build a career in the capital.

"Don't be sad, you still have plenty of chances to pass the next exam".

"Yes. Perhaps it is our destiny to help your career in the capital after you pass the next exam" Joked Wang Jiayou.

Lu Xiang and his two friends laughed.

"I am not sad or disappointed to know that I am not fit to build a career in the capital".

"Yes, maybe I'll build an academy and become richer than you guys".

"You're right, the post in the capital doesn't look like gold in our eyes".

Lu Xiang and Wang Jiayou felt relieved because their two friends were really not saddened and disappointed by the ranking of the Hui-shih exam.