"Second Brother, how did your exam go today?"
Seeing Han Mo return, Chun Tao rushed forward.
"Let me think, I feel like I should have no problem getting second place on the honor roll..."
Han Mo said, stroking his chin and feigning seriousness.
"Second Brother, are you boasting?"
"How about this, let's make a bet?"
Seeing her flushed cheeks, Han Mo's interest was piqued.
"I won't bet with you, you're a bad person!"
Seeing the teasing expression on his face, Chun Tao suddenly felt shy for no reason, then turned and ran directly into Han Yan's room.
"Hahahaha!"
As soon as Han Mo left, he couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.
According to regulations, the results of the imperial examination would be posted three days later.
Following that would be the Qiong Lin Banquet and the classic event of 'capturing sons-in-law from the list.' However, wealthy families with daughters of marriageable age had already begun to make their moves.
After all, there were so many Jinshi every year, and the imperial examination never disqualified anyone. As long as one participated, at least the qualification of a Tong Jinshi was secured.
Let alone a superior candidate like Han Mo, who was handsome, talented, and from a prestigious family, even those old foxes who only managed to become Jinshi in their late forties or fifties were equally sought after.
From the Tang Dynasty, there was the saying "Fifty, a young Jinshi; thirty, an old Ming Jing." Moreover, in the current Song Dynasty, with its even more flourishing literary atmosphere.
In later generations, when reading novels, everyone laughed at Fan Jin's extreme madness after passing the imperial examination. However, no one knew that once one passed, their lives would be completely different. High officials, generous stipends, beautiful women, and fine carriages would be within reach.
"In books, there are beautiful women; in books, there are golden houses." In this era, this was truly not an empty saying. "Three years as a Qing prefect, ten thousand taels of silver." In the current Song Dynasty, such things were everywhere.
These three days were a good opportunity for Han Mo to rest well.
After all, he had finished all the exams. Thinking back on the past twenty-odd days, it was truly unbearable for a person.
Back in his room, after a simple wash, Han Mo immediately got into bed.
"Mo Ge'er, why are you sleeping so early?"
Hearing that Han Mo had fallen silent in his room, Chun Tao came in again.
"I need to get a good night's sleep for the next few days. Tell them not to disturb me no matter who comes!"
After speaking, Han Mo buried his head in the quilt.
Not long after, a faint snore came from under the quilt.
Chun Tao paused for a moment, then said nothing more. She carefully closed the window and then tiptoed out of the room.
After all, she had seen Han Mo's hard work during this period.
Since the exams were over, it was indeed time to catch up on sleep.
For a full three days, Han Mo spent almost all his time sleeping, except for meals.
The 18th day of March, the second year of Xuanhe.
Today was the day the imperial examination results were to be posted. Early in the morning, all the restaurants and inns outside Donghua Gate were packed.
Today was the day of the imperial examination results, and also a grand day for "capturing sons-in-law from the list."
In order to find a good husband for their daughters, wealthy families in Bianliang City with daughters of marriageable age had hired experienced hands at high prices to lead the way.
This had almost become a scenic line in Bianliang City. Almost everyone in Bianliang City looked forward to this day every year.
Not only the restaurant owners, but even ordinary citizens were excitedly waiting for the show to begin.
The Chinese people loved to watch lively events, and this had not changed over the millennia.
"Brother Han, you really have great influence. Look at the people below, they are all like wolves and tigers. They are all waiting to capture sons-in-law from the list!"
Zhong Yanchong and Han Mo sat in a private room on the third floor of the Fang family's old shop. They were not nervous about the results below at all.
"My engagement is already set, and I have a formidable wife at home. If I were to be captured, I might be stabbed to death in my sleep one night! As for you, Brother Zhong, you are quite handsome and talented. What are you doing sitting here with me? Aren't you going down to try your luck? If you happen to meet someone talented and beautiful, it would be a good marriage!"
This place was originally prepared for Han Mo by Li Shishi, but as soon as he entered, Zhong Yanchong had set his sights on him.
He stubbornly followed Han Mo, and all the way to the private room, he refused to go downstairs.
"Don't joke with me. Look at who is sitting below. Who dares to provoke these lords? I don't want to cause trouble for myself!"
Zhong Yanchong said while pointing at the future potential brothers-in-law in the nearby restaurants.
"Although they don't look very good, aren't they dressed quite well?"
Since the results hadn't been posted yet, Han Mo was happy to joke with him here.
"Do you really not know or are you pretending not to? Look at the one on the left, that's the third son of Minister Wang. My younger sister has seen his daughter. The skirt she wears, I estimate, could fit both of us with room to spare!"
"Minister Wang, which Minister Wang?"
Although Zhong Yanchong's words were a bit harsh, Han Mo was still enthusiastically joking with him.
"Who else could it be but Minister Wang? This young lady from their family has been captured for three years, and no one is willing yet! Brother Han, why don't you make a small sacrifice? You'll soon be the son-in-law of the Prime Minister!"
As Zhong Yanchong said this, he lowered his voice and whispered in Han Mo's ear.
"Brother Zhong, my father-in-law's family is also a military family. Aren't you afraid my father-in-law will come with his army?"
Han Mo rolled his eyes. This fellow really thought highly of him. Who would dare to marry Wang Fu's daughter?
Moreover, if he put it that way, she was also a fat woman...
Wang Fu's reputation was truly notorious among the literati these days. Anyone who dared to associate with him would be asking for trouble!
Even if these new Jinshi wanted to climb the social ladder, they would at least have some self-respect, right?
After all, in this era, those who could pass the Jinshi examination were basically from scholarly families.
Even if they were willing themselves, they would have to consider whether their elders at home would jump into a well!
"The list is posted, the list is posted!"