It was also a stroke of luck that Gao Chuan passed the exam, ranking last on the official list – a mere nobody!

Gao Chuan only just saw the rankings and realized he almost made it onto the second-ranked list, nearly breaking out in a cold sweat.

For an ambitious young man like him, the secondary ranking is like a chicken rib—useless to eat, but a pity to throw away.

Sun Shan is Sun Shan. Even if he comes in last place, he can still participate in the imperial examination. After a few more years of training, he can become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) and return home in glory!

Gao Chuan was still processing the excitement of passing the imperial examination. He felt dizzy and his heart was burning with excitement.

I wish I could go back immediately, grab my bags, and rush home.

There were also members of the Gao family in the main hall, who all came up to offer their congratulations.

Although Gao Chuan was born out of wedlock, he passed the imperial examination at a young age and became a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations), which clearly indicates that he has a bright future!

Li Qingyao also offered his congratulations frankly.

A voice inside me was saying, "It's safe, it's safe!"

He was more knowledgeable than Gao Chuan, and since Gao Chuan made the list, he always felt that he would never fall behind.

But it would be a lie to say I'm not nervous; I'm still on edge.

The further along the list goes, the fewer rankings there are. In the main hall, apart from the beaming, newly-minted successful candidates, the rest are the dejected scholars.

The rankings have already reached the top twenty, and seven or eight out of ten people in the lobby have already left. Those who are aware of their own abilities have already quietly left, preferring to stay out of sight and avoid getting annoyed; the commotion of others seems noisy to them.

Some people, still hoping, waited silently in the lobby, including Li Qingyao. These people had become "waiting-for-husband stones".

Right now, it's better to just take the lowest grade; at least that would put my mind at ease.

Besides, apart from "Jieyuan", all other rankings are the same, since all of them can participate in the provincial examination.

Just as Li Qingyao was pondering this, another messenger rushed in with good news.

"Good news! Congratulations to Lord Li Qingyao of Ning'an Prefecture for ranking thirteenth on the list of successful candidates!"

Li Qingyao jumped three feet high, finally able to understand the feeling of being overjoyed and going crazy when others passed the imperial examination.

I won! I really won, hahaha!

Li Qingyao had a silly grin on his face, no longer displaying his usual calm and composure.

Gao Chuan also found it amusing. He had just been laughed at by Li Qingyao, and now he could see it back. Hahaha, Big Brother doesn't talk about Second Brother.

From this day forward, he is a scholar who has passed the imperial examination!

Gao Chuan took out his celebratory money first, and he also prepared two sets of celebratory money. Over the past few days, Gao Chuan had already gained an understanding of Li Qingyao's scholarship, and if he could pass the exam, Li Qingyao would definitely be on the list as well.

"Qingyao, time to collect the lucky money!"

Gao Chuan patted Li Qingyao on the shoulder, calling him back.

Li Qingyao quickly reached into his pocket twice and handed the congratulatory money to the messenger.

The messenger, used to such scenes, showed no sign of surprise, accepting the money with a broad smile and offering a word of praise.

"This scholar is truly a promising young man!"

"Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate your help."

The gazes of the others still waiting were so intense they seemed to burn holes in their clothes. Envy, jealousy, and anxiety were all on their faces.

They could no longer maintain their expressions, and their congratulations were weak and feeble. In just a few minutes, their hearts broke countless times, and they endured immense suffering.

Li Qingyao didn't care about the results of others; he just wanted to pack his things and rush home.

Surely, his people will be very happy. He is fulfilling the promise he made to them when he first arrived in Shaoguan County, step by step!

Gao Chuan was also eager to return home, wishing he could appear before his wife in a flash, express his longing, see his eldest son, and share the joy of passing the imperial examination with his wife and son.

The two bid farewell to their fellow villagers and hurriedly returned to their courtyard.

Soon after, the top scholar also revealed his true colors, bringing joy to some and sorrow to others.

Many people's eyes, which were full of hope at dawn, gradually lost their light, until they were completely silent, and they sat like statues.

No one could bear to disturb them, so they just sat there silently.

Once most of the people had dispersed, a group of them rushed out like lightning. They were unwilling to give up; they were worried they might have missed something, and sure enough, they did!

I have to see it for myself before I'll be satisfied and give up.

Li Qingyao and Gao Chuan went to check the list on the second day. There were still quite a few people under the list, densely packed. In addition to the candidates, there were also many onlookers, crowding in front of the list.

It took the two of them a lot of effort to squeeze in, and after seeing the list with their own eyes, they looked at each other and smiled.

The provincial examination is over; the next one is the metropolitan examination!

The results of the provincial examinations have been announced, and the next event is the Deer Cry Banquet. The two returned to their courtyard and received an invitation to the banquet.

The owner of the courtyard even sent a congratulatory gift. Two people from his courtyard had passed the imperial examinations, so he would never have to worry about renting out the property again. It would be a good thing to be able to establish a relationship with these scholars.

The two naturally accepted the gifts; it was common for local gentry and wealthy merchants to send congratulatory gifts after a scholar passed the imperial examination.

The phrase "鹿鸣" refers to the poem "呦呦鹿鸣，食野之苹。我有宾客，鼓瑟吹笙".

As the banquet began, the governor addressed the assembly, giving a speech on loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. He concluded by wishing everyone success in the imperial examinations and that they would serve the country.

No one dared to slack off; they listened respectfully, knowing they might become officials in the same court in the future, and naturally hoped to leave a good impression on the official.

After listening, everyone bowed and thanked the governor for his guidance. Next came the moment for the scholars to demonstrate their abilities; each had to compose a poem on the spot, praising the imperial court.

Although it's said to be made on-site, it's actually mostly prepared at home beforehand; now it's just read aloud.

The first to appear was the top scholar in the provincial examination. This scholar was not very old, and he was quite handsome. Li Qingyao had heard a lot of gossip about this man in the past two days, and he had a preconceived dislike for him.

I heard that this top scholar's family was quite wealthy, and he had a beautiful wife. On the very day he passed the imperial examination, someone tried to force him to marry the woman listed below the results. This person who kidnapped him was not some local gentry, but the family of a sixth-rank prefectural judge in Suyang Prefecture, who wanted him to marry the judge's illegitimate daughter.

The latest news is that the top scholar is preparing to go home, divorce his wife, and marry a noblewoman.

One by one, it was Li Qingyao's turn. He didn't intend to show off; he had already composed a standard poem at home and recited it aloud.

Takakawa was in the same boat, but it would be a while before it was his turn.

Li Qingyao hadn't even considered the good deed of appearing before the governor; such occasions were usually reserved for only the top ten. So he quietly ate and drank in a corner.

However, despite the grand description of the Deer Cry Feast, the dishes were quite ordinary, and they were all cold, so there were few edible items, and in the end, no one was even full.

Of course, the two would also try to build relationships with people from the same hometown, since they came from the same prefecture. The more familiar they became with each other, the more connections they would have in the future.

After the Deer Cry Banquet, the two of them booked a carriage and headed home.

When I arrived, the road was full of scholars, all full of vigor and self-satisfaction. Now, on my return journey, the road is nearly deserted; the scholars who failed the exams have long since departed.