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S T E L L A R C L O U D
[Azurixa] [Celeste S.] [Christine G.-L.]
O R A N G E S T A R
[J Jean] [K.Rom] [Manon] [Smurfinbatik] [Tori D.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
[Fav Akira] [Leticia P.] [Maria P.] [Mel Melz] [Nicole] [Passerby]
G O L D S T A R
[Cindy] [Lily J.] [Nanashi D. Y.] [Reece P.]
R A I N B O W S T A R
[Amanda] [Book W.] [Britnae M] [Caroline] [Christigale M.] [DetectiveGeek421] [Haruka N.]
[Hong] [Kiiayame] [kuroneko_chan] [Liznel M.] [Michelle K.] [onepiece]
[Quae] [Ray] [Victoria]
Marquis Xuanping said, "Hurry and have him treated ah. Do you want him to become a cripple? Tsk tsk tsk, how can you call yourself a grandfather? You don't even care about your grandson at all."
Grand Preceptor Zhuang almost exploded on the spot. Just how did my grandson get hurt? You perfectly know that, and yet you still have the nerve to say such a thing?
He was so infuriated! This guy really wanted to anger him to death!
"Humph, do you really believe he will definitely win the first place?" Grand Preceptor Zhuang had read Xiao Liulang's exam paper, and to be honest, his article was really well written.
Unfortunately, An Junwang had already discussed this policy question with the monarch of the State of Chen as early as when he stayed there as a hostage prince. At that time, An Junwang didn't know that there would be a similar topic in the imperial examination this time, and just listened to State of Chen’s monarch talk about the ways to run the country into peace and prosperity.
Xiao Liulang was indeed a man of real talent and learning. He writes brilliantly, his words were very convincing and eloquent, and he quoted from scriptures well. However, he wasn’t a real politician after all, and he wasn’t as experienced as a country’s ruler in governing the country.
Therefore, what the Senior Official of State Ceremonial Bureau initially said was true. The exam papers of both were equally excellent. Furthermore, the articles of Ning Zhiyuan, a talented scholar from the south, and Yuan Yu, the grandson of Grand Secretary Yuan, were also outstanding.
Granted that His Majesty would not show great regard to the Zhuang Family, but would it be the same for Grand Secretary Yuan? Grand Secretary Yuan was a veteran of three dynasties.
Grand Preceptor Zhuang snorted coldly, "Don't be too happy yet, the Zhuangyuan may not be that boy in the end!"
Marquis Xuanping looked calm as he uttered, ”Not listening, not listening, it’s just a bastard chanting sutras."
Grand Preceptor Zhuang:“…!!”
You’re the bastard!
Seriously, what kind of person was this guy!
Grand Preceptor Zhuang couldn’t stand to be here any longer. If he remained here even for just one more second, his life would really be cut short.
Grand Preceptor Zhuang walked away in a huff!
Marquis Xuanping tilted his head and hooked up his lips, "Walk slowly, see yourself out.”
At this time, in the imperial study, the Emperor was really hesitant about how to rank the top three. Grand Preceptor Zhuang had served the Emperor for many years and still had some understanding of the Emperor—— in terms of depth of the essay, An Junwang's exam paper was the most thought-provoking, but in terms of literary talent and sense of scope, Xiao Liulang's exam paper was more to the Emperor's liking; then there were also Ning Zhiyuan's and Yuan Yu's exam papers which were not bad either.
Among the four people, the youngest was Xiao Liulang, who was eighteen this year, then An Junwang who was nineteen, Yuan Yu who was twenty-five, and Ning Zhiyuan who was thirty and the oldest.
As for their backgrounds, Ning Zhiyuan and Xiao Liulang were from poor families, while An Junwang and Yuan Yu were from great families.
Oh, by the way, Xiao Liulang was that little cripple, wasn't he?
The Emperor frowned at the thought of the crutch he saw.
……
All the examinees and their families in the capital had started a long and anxious day of waiting for the exam results. Although everyone would basically become a Jinshi— a Tong Jinshi at worst, no one was really willing to become a Tong Jinshi.
The incense burning in Puji Temple was booming once again. It was said that all the examinees come to visit the temple.
In Bishui Alley, the whole family behaved as though nothing of importance was happening, but in fact none of them could sit still.
The elderly lady didn’t eat candied fruits, nor did she play leaf cards. Every day, she instructed Old Chief to buy skewers on the street, which, in fact, was to ask for information.
Yao shi didn’t make snacks these days. She walked around the neighborhood at dawn, waiting for news.
As for Little Jing Kong, he had been studying very hard recently. He was worried that his bad brother-in-law wouldn’t pass the exam. In that case, his family could only depend on him.
When he grew up, he would pass the exam as a Zhuangyuan for JiaoJiao!
The publication date of the list of successful examinees was on the 27th of the fourth month. Because the Jinshi list were written on yellow paper, it was also called the golden list
Gongshi couldn’t wait for the notice at home, but must enter the palace to receive their titles. After they were conferred their respective titles, the list would then be published in the major government offices and the examination compound in the capital.
Five days later, Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang got up early and had a simple breakfast. Gu Jiao accompanied Xiao Liulang to Liu Quan's carriage.
"It's still too early for the announcement of the list, you should not wait." Xiao Liulang told Gu Jiao.
"I see, okay." Gu Jiao nodded.
Xiao Liulang put down the carriage curtain, but he suddenly thought of something and pulled it up again.
Gu Jiao looked at him, "What's wrong?"
Xiao Liulang wanted to say something but hesitated, "Nothing, since it's still early, you should go back to sleep."
Gu Jiao smiled, "Okay."
Xiao Liulang glanced at her again, but ultimately didn't say anything. He put down the curtain and arrived at the palace in a carriage.
Most of the Gongshis had arrived. Feng Lin, Lin Chengye and Du Ruohan were also there.
Feng Lin didn't know whether he was too nervous and stressed during the palace exam, he actually fell ill upon returning home. It was really lucky that there were Lin Chengye and Steward Zhou to take care of him, and he survived the illness.
He heard before that the road of imperial examination was not very easy, some people fell ill and some even lost their lives.
Feng Lin’s face was still rather pale after recovering from a serious illness.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, there was a sudden commotion at the back of the crowd, and then they saw An Junwang coming over with the help of a few servants.
"Huh?" Du Ruohan's eyes widened in wonder, "Why is his leg lame too?"
Xiao Liulang was also quite surprised. He looked at the other party, and it so happened that An Junwang was looking at him as well. Their pairs of eyes met, and Xiao Liulang obviously detected a trace of coldness from An Junwang's eyes.
Xiao Liulang had no idea why and also didn't take it to heart.
An insignificant person in his life. What did it matter whether he liked him or hated him?
Just like before, a group of people entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the order of their exam numbers. The desks and the mats present during the palace exam had been removed, and the hall became spacious and simple. The atmosphere, due to the presence of the Emperor and cabinet officials such as Grand Preceptor Zhuang, Grand Secretary Yuan, and others, was especially solemn.
Under the guidance of the master of ceremonies, the crowd kowtowed to the Emperor, and then Eunuch Wei presented the scrolls to the Emperor.
The distance between the examinees and the Emperor was about ten feet, which was actually quite far. Some of them had the courage to look at the face of the Emperor, but before they could look up, they were overwhelmed by the prestige of the Emperor.
The Emperor did not like to make things more complicated than necessary and directly began to read out the top three names.
"Ning Zhiyuan, examinee from Yao City in Gong Prefecture, third placer among the first-class Jinshi during the fourth month in the year of Gengwu, is awarded the title of Jinshi Jidi."
Ning Zhiyuan was stunned, as well as the rest of the examinees. This, this, this, he was the Tanhua?
"Cough!" An eunuch on one side hinted at the dumbfounded Ning Zhiyuan with his eyes.
Ning Zhiyuan quickly came back to his senses. He stepped out the queue sideways, walked towards the front of the Emperor, and stopped at the appointed spot. Lifting the hem of his clothes, he performed the salute of three kowtows and nine salute of obeisances, and said chokingly, "Subject Ning Zhiyuan kowtows in gratitude to the emperor for his grace!! Long live the Emperor!"
The Emperor told him to rise, and then continued to announce, "Second placer among the first-class Jinshi during the fourth month in the year of Gengwu, Zhuang Yuheng is awarded the title Jinshi Jidi."
The crowd whipped their heads to look at An Junwang.
An Junwang was… the Bangyan?
This was a bit unexpected.
A trace of disappointment flashed within An Junwang's heart. Under the envious and surprised gaze of everyone, he dragged his injured leg to the front of the Emperor. He knelt down and bowed three times and saluted nine times, saying, "Subject Zhuang Yuheng kowtows in gratitude to the Emperor for his grace!! Long live… Long live the Emperor!"
The Emperor glanced at An Junwang and said nothing.
Finally, there was the Zhuangyuan.
The Emperor's eyes rested on Yuan Yu, the grandson of Grand Secretary Yuan, and then he opened the scroll and declared in a clear voice, "The top scorer among the first-class Jinshi during the fourth month in the year of Gengwu, Xiao Liulang!”
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