Chapter 2191: Xie Bo, Captured by a Lower-Ranked Scholar (Patreon)

Chapter 2191: Xie Bo, Captured by a Lower-Ranked Scholar


Meng Yunzheng had already learned the name of the candidate beside him, Xie Bo. Not only did he know his name, but he also learned some of Xie Bo's background from the hushed whispers of others earlier.

For example, Xie Bo was the protagonist of the recent gossip. He was the 12th-ranked candidate in the imperial examination, who had been captured as a prospective son-in-law.

No wonder other candidates were casting strange looks at him. Meng Yunzheng remembered the gleam of gossip in Shu Yu's eyes when she mentioned this matter. With that in mind, he casually walked alongside Xie Bo and asked, "How are you holding up after the imperial examination results were announced?"

Xie Bo was taken aback by the directness of the question. Nevertheless, he appreciated Meng Yunzheng's straightforward manner. Compared to those who whispered and speculated behind his back, Meng Yunzheng's approach was more open.

He smiled and replied, "I have a fiancée back home, and her family was quite understanding. They realized it was a mistake and let me return."

Well, he had told them that he was already engaged, and his charming demeanor had made the ladies of that household blush. They were so furious that they drove him away.

There was no way to fight back or escape from that situation. They had even prepared the wedding hall, clearly having set their sights on him.

Meng Yunzheng raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure they were understanding?"

Despite having a fiancée at home, he could have easily annulled the engagement if he had wanted to. Such actions were not uncommon, and even those who were already married sometimes abandoned their wives and children with a simple divorce decree.

Meng Yunzheng decided not to pry further and instead brought up the topics related to the palace examination.

As they chatted, they walked out of the palace, where several carriages were parked. Xie Bo's family had average means, and he had hired a carriage for the occasion. Since their homes were in different directions, they parted ways near the carriages.

Shu Yu was sitting inside the carriage and watched them part ways before asking in a hushed voice, "Who was that?"

Meng Yunzheng took a sip of water from the cup she handed him and smiled. "That's Xie Bo, the candidate you mentioned earlier, the one who was captured as a prospective son-in-law."

Shu Yu widened her eyes, lifted the carriage curtain, and peered outside.

Xie Bo had just boarded a nearby carriage, and his profile was visible. Although he couldn't compare to her beloved Ah Yun, he was still a talented young man. He had achieved a good ranking in the imperial examination, which was why he was so attractive to those who captured him.

Shu Yu put down the carriage curtain and asked, "So, what was the outcome? You seem to be conversing so amiably with him. I assume it didn't work out?"

Meng Yunzheng leaned back lazily against the cushion. "Do you want to know?"

Shu Yu nodded eagerly.

Meng Yunzheng asked a different question, "Are you excited right now?"

Shu Yu nodded again. "Yes, why?"

Meng Yunzheng, with a smirk, said, "When you get excited, don't you usually display some unusual behaviors?"