The Marquis' Wife
Xie Hsien

Shao Yunan and Miao Sheng also walked out of the examination room with pale faces. Miao Sheng hesitated over answer number one and did not answer question number three, he hopes that he includes participants who pass the test even though it ranks poorly with the accumulation of test sessions one to four.

Lu Xiang's group returned to the inn to clean themselves up before going to the hall to discuss the arithmetic answer they answered yesterday.

Chen Xirang heard the discussion with my eyes while Miao Sheng turned pale and tightly grasped the brush in his hand because answer number 2 was incomplete, Shao Yunan even cried and was calmed by Zhang Yunlei.

Of the 20 students who participated only 12 people who qualified for session four and waited for the exam stage with concern, some were relaxed, some were relaxed, daydreaming even cried like Shao Yunan for not answering well.

"Zhang Yunlei and Lu Xiang answered well in this session. There are some questions that you two answer differently but refer to the same result so the ranking is left to mayor Li who handles the exam".

The students stared in admiration at Lu Xiang and Zhang Yunlei.

"For those of you who feel that you will not pass do not give up and keep trying to take the exam next year".

"For those who pass the exam do not be arrogant and keep studying and try better to continue the previous exam. Now rest or do whatever you want, tomorrow the exam rankings will be in place in front of the mayor's gate".

"Good teacher Juren Zhao".

In the afternoon, Chen Xirang and the others invited Lu Xiang to go to Baimei's house to let go of the tiredness of the test and try to have fun but Lu Xiang refused to make his friend become upset.

"Come on, we're just having a drink there, I promise I won't hire a woman"

Brothels or so-called brothels have a level and quality. There are girls who only sell singing talent or playing music, there is a special one to serve the drinking of the men and the lowest level is to have sex.

The Piaoxiang House was the largest Baimei house in Qincheng city that was very famous by the head of the service girl named Liu Rishi who only sold the talent of playing Zheng's musical instruments very proficiently, and the, because of her beauty many men want to make up for it but none of them succeed.

Lu Xiang still shook his head in disapproval of making Chen Xirang and Shao Yunan become annoyed. He thought that although the place was a gathering place for literacy students, he already had a wife and wanted to commit to her. He did not want to make Adelia feel disappointed to hear that she was going to the brothel.

It does not matter if his friends think that he is a stiff and pedantic man because the most important thing for him is the opinion of his wife.

"Lu Xiang's. Just this time, you won't regret it because tonight Liu Rishi performed a special performance for the students who just took the exam. You know Liu Rishi, right? She's the most beautiful woman in Piaoxiang's house. I heard she's still a girl". Chen Xirang did not give up and still persuaded Lu Xiang but his friend remained stubborn.

"Alright stiff friends. I know you're a scared man wife, I'll tell you about Liu Rishi's great performance so you'll regret not coming".

Lu Xiang smiled obliquely full of pride. "My Adelia's a lot prettier".

The comment made his friends turn the eyeballs in a careless manner and go inside each other's rooms leaving Lu Xiang alone.

Lu Xiang read Adelia's reply and smiled gently. He will not regret not coming with his friend, quite the opposite. His wife's sincerity only deserves to be countered with sincerity anyway.

&&&

The next day was the day that the students were waiting for, the day on which one's fate was determined by a large paper taped to the mayor's gate.

The waiters were told to wait in front of the mayor's office to see the exam rankings quickly. Lu Xiang's group and the others sat in the teahouse waiting for a report from their maidservants.

They ordered cakes and tea and waited anxiously and expectantly not even intending to eat the ordered cakes as they continued to stare outside the teahouse waiting for their waiter.

"The exam rankings are out!! The exam rankings were already out" People shouted reporting the news.

The students stood up and leaned over to see if the servant they had sent had returned.

"Master!! Master you graduated".

"I graduate? I really graduated. Yeahh!!" The excited voices of the students who passed the test were heard from various corners of the teahouse.

"What about me?" Shao Yunan muttered resignedly.

"I graduated. I graduated Yunlei. Haha".

Zhang Yunlei smiled happily for his friend. Zhang Yunlei was ranked third and became a San Hsien scholar which means rank three in the Hsien-shih exam. Shao Yunan was ranked 23rd.

"Congratulations Zhang Yunlei, Shao Yunan" Chen Xirang and Lu Xiang congratulated.

"Hehe, thanks. With this I can take the fu shih exam".

"W-what about me?" Miao Sheng asked with a pale face, he left the exam number to Shao Yunan's servant.

"Oh sorry, I forgot. Young master Miao also graduated, you're ranked 21st".

Miao Sheng sat down and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Congratulations Miao Sheng. Your rank is higher than mine". Shao Yunan congratulated sincerely.

"I'm just lucky". Miao Sheng replied humbly yet inwardly he was extremely proud. He passed the exam after taking several exams.

"Congratulations Miao Sheng" Lu Xiang and Chen Xirang also congratulated.

"I don't know what rank Lu Xiang and Chen Xirang are. May you enter the top ten".

Lu Xiang smiled slightly and Chen Xirang guaranteed a few times.

"Chief champion number 203, head of rank 203!! Who has exam number 203?" The news anchor shouted the report he saw.

Lu Xiang was stunned and double-checked his test number.

Chen Xirang pulled Lu Xiang's exam number and was stunned. "You're the head champion. The head of champion Xie. Xie Hsien Lu Xiang!!"

Chen Xirang's shout made people turn their heads sharply and look at Lu Xiang who was still stunned in disbelief.

They came one by one and congratulated. "Good student. Whatis yourname?".

"Do you have a wife? I have a beautiful girl at home".

"My sister is prettier than your daughter. Where do you live, Xie Hsien?"

The various questions overwhelmed Lu Xiang in answering him and chose not to serve them after answering a few questions.

"Already, already. You guys made Xie Hsien feel claustrophobic. The question session will continue. My rank hasn't come out yet". Chen Xirang helped his friend expel those who were enthusiastic about Lu Xiang making the man breathe a sigh of relief.

"Young master Lu young master Lu. You're the head champ!! Rank one!!" Waiter Chen Xirang shouted hysterically forgetting who the real master was.

"We already know. What's my rank? I'm sure I passed the exam. Say quick!!".

"Oh, young master. You're 16th".

Chen Xirang cheered happily, he had not expected to obtain a top twenty rank.

Lu Xiang smiled happily and congratulated not realizing Miao Sheng's blackened face was clenching his hands tightly.

Xie Hsien!! Why should Lu Xiang get it?!

All the excitement of Miao Sheng passing the test vanished hearing the thrilling news.