The entrance to the examination hall was packed with people.

Lin Wanwan, her face red from crying, clung to Ye Lanyin.

Just now, the two of them went out without her. Luckily, she was quick-witted and used a little spiritual power to stop the carriage from moving, and then she happily climbed onto the carriage.

"Mother~"

"Alright, alright, I'll take you with me next time I go out, okay?" Ye Lanyin stroked Lin Wanwan's little head tenderly.

She repeated these words ten times.

"Mmm."

Lin Rui'an chuckled and pinched her cheek.

"It's just one less time out, it's not like we're here to eat."

"Hmm, brother, let me see where you are ranked." The little guy raised his head and looked at the list.

When Lin Rui'an saw that the officials had posted the list, he squeezed into the crowd and began to check his name.

The servant Jinbao followed closely behind.

Ye Lanyin looked at the densely packed names on the paper, her palms sweating slightly, and silently prayed in her heart.

'May the gods bless my son so that he may pass the imperial examination.'

On the other side...

Lin Shixuan, along with Zou Shuang'er and the other person, was also looking at the list of results.

Since Ye Lanyin divorced her husband, the Marquis's mansion fell into ruin, Lin Shixuan committed domestic violence, and he and Shen Lanxue publicly displayed their affection. The maids in the mansion were dismissed, and the Marquis of Zhenbei was demoted.

Nowadays, people look down on Lin Shixuan and no longer view him with the same kind of pristine beauty as before.

The gaunt Lin Shixuan and the expressionless Zou Shuang'er, dressed in coarse linen clothes, were looking at the rankings in the crowd.

"Mother, I am absolutely confident this time. This title of top scholar is definitely mine."

"Good, good, good." A smile finally appeared on Zou Shuang'er's pale face. "If we pass the imperial examination with top honors, our Marquis's mansion will be turned around."

"Yes, son, you must never be like your father and be humiliated."

"Good boy, you are indeed your mother's son." Zou Shuang'er said as she looked at the list, but her eyes couldn't help but dart around to see if Lin Rui'an's name was on it.

In the autumn examination, Shixuan came in last place because he was assigned a bad seat, while Lin Rui'an came in second to last.

So he grabbed Lin Shixuan and said, "Shixuan, while you're at it, check if Lin Rui'an's name is on the list."

"good."

The moment Lin Shixuan heard Lin Rui'an's name, his heart was filled with intense hatred.

If Lin Wanwan hadn't gone to the academy, how could I have been expelled?

The two of them then began to examine the names one by one.

They quickly moved from the back to the front.

When Zou Shuang'er saw that his name wasn't listed, she was overjoyed.

No matter how capable Ye Lanyin is, what good is it if her son fails the exam? As long as Shixuan becomes the top scholar, or even the second or third, she'll see what Ye Lanyin has to offer in the competition.

The adopted son he raised with his own hands ended up bringing honor to his mortal enemy.

A mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips.

"I've got it, I've got it, I've passed the exam!"

Someone shouted something, and the crowd stirred.

Many candidates who came to see the list were either happy or sad.

"I passed the exam too! I passed the exam!"

"Me too, me too."

"I took the exam ten times and finally passed. I thank my ancestors and my parents for raising me."

"Waaaaah, I didn't pass the exam, why? I tried so hard..."

Hearing these sounds, Lin Rui'an's heart jumped into his throat with tension.

Last time, he ranked second to last. He should have improved this time, but why isn't his name in the bottom ten?

He gradually became uneasy.

Just then, Jinbao's excited voice reached Lin Rui'an's ears.

"He passed the exam! He passed the exam! Young master, you passed the exam!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Rui'an immediately searched for Jinbao's figure in the crowd, and soon spotted him ahead.

“I’m here, Jinbao.” Lin Rui’an waved to him.

Jinbao squeezed next to Lin Rui'an and shouted excitedly, "Young Master, you passed the exam! You're in the front, second place!!"

Lin Rui'an's mind went blank.

Second place?

Third place in the imperial examination?

I think about it very much.

He excitedly pushed his way to the front of the crowd, but just as he was about to reach the front, someone bumped into him.

"Hey, isn't this my good second brother?"

"What? You didn't pass the exam?"

When Lin Shixuan saw his former younger brother, and saw his noble appearance, jealousy flashed in his eyes.

Damn it, my life has been getting better and better ever since I left the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion.

Ye Lanyin is truly shameless; she actually seduced the Regent to plot for her son!

Jinbao had long harbored resentment towards Lin Shixuan, and now, seeing him publicly humiliate his young master, he angrily retorted, "Who said our young master didn't pass the exam? Our..."

Lin Rui'an reached out his hand, stopping Jinbao from speaking, and glanced at Lin Shixuan indifferently.

"You're so amazing, what rank did you get?"

Lin Shixuan sneered, "I am the chosen one of heaven. I only lost to you last time because of the wrong position. This time... the top spot belongs to me!"

Lin Rui'an glanced at the list not far away, then smiled slightly.

"Last time, you came in last place, so you're already my defeated opponent."

"You—" Lin Shixuan gritted his teeth. He hated it most when someone mentioned the matter of being at the bottom of the autumn examination.

He had studied for more than ten years and had never done so poorly on a test. Every time, he was praised by others.

Unfortunately, Lin Rui'an had to bring up the very thing he didn't want to talk about!

"Oh, aren't you the famous Lin Shixuan?"

Just as Lin Rui'an and Lin Shixuan were arguing, a beggar dressed in tattered clothes and with filthy hair suddenly appeared beside them.

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