On horseback in high spirits, I'll view all flowers in Chang'an in a day.
Before and after the release of the imperial examination results, the capital was as bustling as during the Chinese New Year. Good news spread through the streets and alleys to every household. For those candidates from far - away places, the news reached the inns where they stayed.
In every family with a successful candidate, regardless of their financial situation, they would distribute small red envelopes filled with copper coins or even some silver pieces at the door. This made both children and beggars happily spout a string of auspicious words like firecrackers.
Ye Xi also received the news. It was said that Yun Qi ranked first on the list and was personally appointed as the martial champion by the emperor. As soon as he stepped onto the long street after the palace examination, he was almost snatched away by a merchant who had set his eyes on him for a son - in - law.
No matter how skilled he was in martial arts, he couldn't casually lay hands on common people. Yun Qi was really frightened.
Yun Qianying almost shouted her throat hoarse and clung tightly to Yun Qi, not daring to let go.
It was Qiao Yan who came to join the fun and casually “rescued” Yun Qi, sparing him from getting involved in a romantic mess.
Sai Xing described the scene vividly, giggling all the time, which made Ye Xi laugh heartily.
After laughing, Ye Xi led Sai Xing and Ling Yan to pick out gifts for Yun Qi to congratulate him on his success.
The mistress and her maids got into the carriage. To avoid traffic jams, they chose the small alleys and finally arrived at the Curiosity Hall after many turns.
The last time Ye Xi came to the Curiosity Hall was when she disguised herself as Man Ping. At that time, she was extremely poor and couldn't even go up to the second floor.
This time was different. As soon as a small gold ingot was placed, the three of them went straight to the top floor.
As soon as they pushed open the door, they heard the sound of string and woodwind instruments, and a delicate and elegant fragrance wafted towards them. The hall was resplendent, with jade - inlaid buildings and carved pillars. The vermilion - carved columns held up the high ceiling, and the floor was covered with thick and exquisitely patterned carpets. Graceful and charming maids walked with tinkling jade pendants, their every move measured and silent.
They respectfully led Ye Xi and the others to a private room.
“Esteemed guests, please take a look,” the maid waiting in the private room presented a small brochure with both hands.
“This contains all the treasures on the third floor. The appearance, size, and detailed descriptions of the rare items are all written here.”
“If the esteemed guests have something they like, when the items are presented in the middle for inspection, the guests can ring this clear bell to bid. The highest bidder will get the item. May the esteemed guests obtain their desired treasures without competition.”
Ye Xi nodded, motioned for Sai Xing to give a red envelope, and then flipped through the brochure of rare items.
Sure enough, there were various rare treasures vividly depicted inside. There were jade that would emit a pleasant sound when exposed to the wind, crystal chopsticks that would turn blood - red when they came into contact with poison, and so on...
The mistress and her maids looked around with great interest. Ye Xi saw a detachable long spear forged from meteorite iron. It was extremely sharp and easy to carry, as if it was tailor - made for Yun Qi. She immediately decided to buy this item.
Soon, the tinkling bell rang outside the private room. A beautiful woman in a red dress introduced the treasures one by one. Before long, it was the turn of the long spear that Ye Xi had set her eyes on.
Several bells rang at the same time. The red - dressed woman smiled without surprise, said a few polite words, and signaled the bidders to start competing.
Yun Qi had saved Ye Xi's life, and he had also sent her many precious tonics later. Ye Xi was determined to get this spear. She now had some wealth, and there weren't many people in the world who were good at using the spear. There were probably few people as determined as she was.
So Ye Xi didn't hesitate to raise the price.
Soon, there was only one other bidder left who was still arguing with Ye Xi.
The other side didn't seem to expect Ye Xi to be so determined. They signaled the red - dressed woman to take a break, and then directly came to Ye Xi's private room with their people, trying to negotiate.
When the door opened, both sides were a bit stunned.
“How could it be you?”
Yun Qianying's face instantly turned ugly. She contemptuously scanned Ye Xi up and down and sneered,
“I was wondering why you were raising the price as if you were giving away money. It turns out you're not spending your own silver. You don't feel any pain, do you?”
“Well,” Ye Xi gave her a cold look and forced a smile,
“Is Miss Yun jealous because no one gives you silver to spend?”
Just now, Ye Xi was thinking that Yun Qianying must also be buying the spear to give to Yun Qi, and she even considered giving it up without competing. But when Yun Qianying said such a thing, Ye Xi immediately gave up that idea and retorted.
“You...”
Yun Qianying's face turned red and then pale. She glared at Ye Xi hatefully and said,
“I'm not as shameless as you. You haven't even married into the prince's mansion yet, but you're already using their silver. What if you don't get married in the end? Where will you put your face!”
Ye Xi was too lazy to argue with her. She came here to buy things, not to quarrel. She glanced at Ling Yan and said impatiently,
“If you're jealous, you can go find Shen Zhou and see if he'll come to spend money on you today. I've decided to get that spear. If you have enough pocket money or can freely withdraw silver from your family, I don't mind competing with you.”
“Ling Yan, show the guest out.”
“What do you want to do?”
Yun Qianying was furious. Seeing Ling Yan coming over with a cold face and intending to take action, she instinctively shrank back.
“I'm telling you! I'm the legitimate daughter of the Yun family...”
Before she could finish her sentence, Ling Yan grabbed her arm and threw her out.
“Bitch! A despicable thing that no one wants! You'll always be a worm that has to lick my shoes...”
Yun Qianying was so angry that she cursed loudly, but she didn't dare to raise her voice too much.
Those who could enter the third floor of the Curiosity Hall were either rich or noble, not ordinary people. It wouldn't be good if others saw her being impolite.
But despite her cursing, what Ye Xi said hit her sore spot. She had no property of her own before marriage and relied entirely on the monthly allowance from her family. She really couldn't compete with Ye Xi for that long spear.
The venom in her eyes grew stronger. Yun Qianying lowered her voice hatefully and said,
“Liuyun, will all the royal relatives attend the Forest of Gems Banquet?”
“Yes, miss.” Liuyun replied quickly.
“Miss, do you mean...”
Yun Qianying grabbed Liuyun's arm and gave a sinister smile.
“It would be too conspicuous to take action at the Forest of Gems Banquet, but if something happens, it can't be undone. Go find something for me first...”
Ye Xi didn't know Yun Qianying's vicious thoughts for the time being.
After getting the long spear, Ye Xi played with it carefully for a while, and then asked the people in the Curiosity Hall to wrap it up nicely.
She remembered that both Cao Ceming and the older brother of Liu Mengxian, who were siblings, had also passed the imperial examination. After admiring the rare treasures on the third floor and feasting her eyes, Ye Xi went to the first floor and chose a set of excellent calligraphy and painting for each of them. She had them wrapped up and sent to their respective homes.
After all, although she disliked Cao Sheng and Cao Wei very much, the friendship between her and Grand Tutor Cao was still there. Since Cao Ceming had passed the imperial examination, it was only appropriate for her to send a small gift.
“Esteemed guest, please wait a moment.”
Just as Ye Xi was about to leave after choosing the items, she heard a soft call from behind.
The maid from the private room where she had been before chased after her with a gentle smile and presented a simple and elegant jade pendant on a ribbon.
“Recently, the results of the imperial examination have been released. Our boss likes to participate in such grand events. So, guests who have bought things in the Curiosity Hall in the past few days will be given a small item as a token of celebration.”
“This is for you, esteemed guest. Please accept it.”
Ye Xi smiled and took the jade pendant. It was indeed an ordinary jade pendant, but it was exquisitely designed and beautiful.
Ye Xi thanked the maid and led Sai Xing and Ling Yan back home to prepare for the Forest of Gems Banquet in the evening.