Outside the palace, two thousand students from impoverished families gathered, eagerly awaiting the announcement of their exam results.

Soon, escorted by a team of elite guards, several eunuchs arrived outside the South Palace carrying several lists of candidates for the assessment.

After the list was posted, students crowded around it, all hoping to see their names on it.

Even Cheng Yu and Jia Xu were no exception. Although their answers were simple and hasty, they felt that the emperor should be able to understand their intentions.

Unfortunately, despite searching carefully for a long time, the two could not find their names on the list, which made them feel disappointed.

Upon seeing Tian Feng's name at the top of the list, Ju Shou couldn't help but laugh and say, "Yuan Hao, you're actually number one! Congratulations!"

Tian Feng smiled and nodded, "You did well too, third place."

"Yes, in the future, we will both serve as ministers in the same court. We should do our best to assist the emperor and repay his kindness in recognizing our talent."

When Xi Zhicai saw Xu Zhong's name, who came in second place, he smiled with satisfaction.

Some were happy while others were sad, and those students who did not make the list could not hide their disappointment. However, they did not complain, because they were simply not as good as others.

Before long, Hu Guang reappeared before the students. Seeing the disappointed looks of those who had failed the exam, Hu Guang sighed helplessly. He really liked these resilient and self-reliant students from poor families, but some things were beyond his control.

"Fellow students, may I have one more thing to say?"

"We will respectfully obey your instructions, Elder." The students bowed respectfully to Hu Guang.

"The Emperor knows that it is not easy for you all to come here, but the number of places is limited, and the Emperor is also helpless. Therefore, the Emperor has decided to hold another assessment next spring. He hopes that you will study diligently."

"real?"

The students, who were initially feeling disappointed, suddenly became excited and looked at Hu Guang in disbelief.

"certainly!"

"Long live the Emperor!"

Thinking that there would be another opportunity next year, these students could no longer help but shout out.

Inside the Deyang Hall, Liu Hong summoned the top ten students from this assessment, and each of them answered Liu Hong's questions with great excitement.

Looking at Xi Zhicai, who was using the alias Xu Zhong, Liu Hong only offered some encouragement and did not give him any special treatment.

After watching everyone leave, Liu Hong thought of Cheng Yu and Jia Xu, and then looked at Zhao Zhong beside him.

"Zhao Zhong, send someone to fetch those two."

"promise!"

Outside the South Palace, at a place where students were being settled, Zhao Zhong's men, after making some inquiries, finally found Cheng Yu and Jia Xu.

"You're Cheng Zhongde?"

"That is indeed me!"

The young eunuch sized Cheng Yu up and down, then smiled and said, "A distinguished person wishes to see you. Please come with me."

"good."

Cheng Yu didn't ask any questions, but followed the little eunuch towards the palace. On the way, he encountered Jia Xu, who was also entering the palace at the same time.

The two looked at each other but said nothing.