Chapter 82
When he reached the first row, Wen Shi took a breath and started looking at the list from the beginning. There were five lists in total. He knew that his name would most likely not appear on the first two lists. After looking at the third list, Wen Shi clenched his fist and started looking at the fourth list.
His eyes were focused, completely absorbed, seemingly oblivious to the noise and commotion behind him. After seeing the last name on the fourth page, he shifted his feet and began to look at the last page.
He had seen more than half of the fifth page and still hadn't found his name. He sighed, feeling a bit conflicted. Could it be that he was going to fail the exam this time?
He patiently continued reading, and when he saw the last name on the list, he felt a little dazed.
He looked at it again, somewhat incredulously, and confirmed that it was his name on the household registration.
He didn't want to delay others from seeing the list, and since he was ranked last this time, he felt both happy and worried. At least he had the qualification to enter the palace examination.
The good thing is that the palace examination does not eliminate candidates; they are simply ranked after another examination.
There are only three top scholars in the first rank: the top scholar, the second scholar, and the third scholar. These are personally selected by the emperor. Wen Shi thought that he must not have anything to do with the top scholars, as he was not that outstanding. Although the second and third ranks can all produce a Jinshi degree, there are still differences.
He originally thought that it would be best to pass the exam with a second-class ranking, so that he could become an official and wouldn't be assigned to a harsh and cold place to suffer at the beginning. A higher ranking would be an advantage, making it easier to move the capital later, and at least there would be no major flaws.
Although he was on the list this time, he was last. It was highly unlikely that he would get into the second tier. Of course, it was much better to be a Jinshi than a Juren, but what would happen to his family if he didn't get into the second tier?
If I really go to that harsh and cold place, what will happen to my wife and children?
“Brother Wen, you don’t need to be sad. Fate is determined by heaven. Not everyone is as smart as me and suited for studying. You are young and can pass the exam. Go back and continue to study hard for three years. You will have another chance next time.”
Hu Yong'an appeared out of nowhere, patted Pa Wenshi on the shoulder, and sounded somewhat regretful, but mostly proud.
Wen Shi glanced at him speechlessly.
"I passed the exam."
"ah?"
Hu Yong'an was taken aback. To be honest, when he saw Wen Shi's worried look, he thought he had failed the exam. But then he remembered something and added a couple more sentences.
"Congratulations, Brother Wen. But you're definitely not ranked as high as me. This palace examination is personally presided over by His Majesty."
"I know it's getting late, I'll take my leave now."
Wen Shi hurriedly returned to the inn and sat in the room to rest for a while. He suddenly remembered a conversation he had with his teacher at the academy, and what the teacher had said to him.
"I have served His Majesty for many years and know what he likes most. You still have a great advantage. If you have the opportunity to participate in the palace examination in the future and let His Majesty see your writing in person, it will be very beneficial to you."
Wen Shi's greatest advantage in studying was his beautiful handwriting. This was a comment the old master made when he was reviewing Wen Shi's writing six months after he took him on as a student.
Wen Shi always remembered that he had few sources of information and could only hear about things from others. He also had no friends or relatives in the capital.
The gentleman would occasionally talk to them about things in the capital and analyze the officialdom, but when there were many people around, he would never mention His Majesty.
Wen Shi recalled that during the two years he studied in Songshan Prefecture, his teacher only mentioned His Majesty twice in private, once after he passed the imperial examination and once this time.
Because he missed the best years for studying, he started several years later than others. He worked very hard and was willing to endure hardship to catch up, which gradually narrowed the gap with his classmates and brought them to the same level.
Wen Shi didn't know if any of his classmates who studied with him in the prefectural city had passed the exam. He didn't see any acquaintances in the capital, or perhaps he just didn't run into them.
He opened the window, sat by the window, and thought for a long time. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he stood up and paced back and forth in the room.
He suddenly realized that thinking about these things now was useless. The palace examination hadn't even started yet, so what was there to worry about? As long as he could remain calm during the palace examination, he might get a good result.
Thinking of this, Wen Shi's brows relaxed considerably, and he suddenly felt enlightened. He then opened his book box, sat upright in front of his chair, and began to practice calligraphy. He would not give up and was determined to answer the questions perfectly. As for the result, he would just wait and see. It was useless to think too much before things had even happened. Even if he came in last place this time, he would do his best to change the outcome in the palace examination.
At this moment, in the palace
Inside the magnificent imperial study, Emperor Jingyuan, dressed in a black dragon robe, sat upright on the dragon throne. In the distance, a golden cauldron burned with ambergris incense. The entire hall was unusually quiet. His expression was dignified. In his early years, he had served in the army on the border, and his imposing presence had always been significant. The palace servants around him were all very cautious.
Right now, he is reviewing memorials with a focused expression. He is over forty years old and has many sons, some of whom are outstanding.
However, he has not yet established a crown prince. Firstly, his legitimate son is still young, and his sons who have grown up are all illegitimate sons, and they are all equally matched. He feels that they still need to be trained.
Secondly, the Empress was his beloved woman. If their son was eligible, he would be the legitimate heir and the crown prince, which would be perfectly legitimate.
He knew what the courtiers were thinking. He had already secured his throne as a young man, and the emperor's thoughts were not so easy to guess.
On the one hand, he employed his sons who had come of age and entered the court, those who were capable; on the other hand, he also hired famous teachers to instruct his eldest son.
"I recall the palace examination is approaching soon, isn't it?"
As soon as Emperor Jingyuan said this, the palace servants beside him nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Your Majesty, there are not many days left. The results of the imperial examination will be released today, and the students are all waiting at the gate of the examination hall to see the results."
Emperor Jingyuan was in excellent health. He had a full head of black hair, a robust build, and was neither fat nor thin. As he spoke, he put down the brush in his hand.
"Tell the Empress that I will be having dinner there tonight, and tell her to prepare accordingly."
"yes."
He turned the jade thumb ring in his hand, then, as if remembering something, he said, "A few days ago, someone presented me with a pair of pure gold peony necklaces. Send them to the Empress as well."
"yes."
After watching the palace attendants leave, Emperor Jingyuan picked up a cup of warm tea and drank most of it in one gulp. Afterward, he continued to review the memorials.
There are many rumors about the emperor in the capital, mostly discussed in private. These days, Wen Shi sometimes goes to crowded teahouses.
The information here is sometimes quite accurate, but it mostly consists of discussions about high-ranking officials and dignitaries. The information is a mix of truth and falsehood, and he has difficulty distinguishing between them.
The day of the palace examination
Wen Shi had prepared in advance, and before dawn, he had already arrived at the palace gate, though he was not the first to arrive.
The soldiers responsible for guarding the palace gates were all imperial guards, the emperor's confidants. They were all tall and imposing, wearing black armor. When they stood at the palace gates, the occasional passersby would give way and quicken their pace.
Several officials from the Ministry of Rites arrived early and informed them of some rules to be aware of. Once everyone had arrived, these officials began to give them instructions.
For example, you must never look directly at His Majesty; you must bow your head to show respect, or the emperor will be angry, and then you're finished.
Secondly, during the exam, there will be many inspectors. The emperor sits at the head of the table, but what if he suddenly decides to come down and take a look at your writing? You'd better stay calm.
Many people have fainted because of this before and had to be carried out. That would be bad for your future; at the very least, you would fail the imperial examination.
Wen Shi stood slightly to the back, glancing at the student beside him out of the corner of his eye. He noticed that the student was trembling and his face was pale. Remembering what the teacher had said earlier, Wen Shi felt even more confident. Some people may have ten points of ability, but when the emperor is supervising the exam, it would be quite good if he could perform at five points.
Hu Yong'an stood in front, his expression visibly tense.
Wen Shi was worried that he would need to use the restroom during the day, so after getting up, he only drank half a cup of warm water to soothe his stomach and dared not eat anything. He figured it was only half a day, and he wouldn't starve to death. He had to be in the best possible condition and stay calm.
After the palace gates opened, the group followed several officials from the Ministry of Rites through the towering, thick palace walls and slowly walked inside. The red walls and green tiles, the grand and magnificent palaces, all exuded imperial majesty.
The actual palace was quite different from the one described in the book. Wen Shi remained calm, observing his surroundings out of the corner of his eye. He occasionally encountered palace servants moving orderly along the palace paths, each with their heads down and backs hunched.
The floors in the palace were not paved with gold bricks and gleaming as the local people had imagined. They were made of ordinary flooring, but they were exceptionally flat and sturdy.
As we walked towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony, tables and chairs had already been prepared inside.
Next, everyone took their seats according to their names. Wen Shi, needless to say, was in the last seat of the last row. Of course, there was an advantage to this position: it was not conspicuous.
From afar, he saw a middle-aged man dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and wearing a crown walking steadily towards him, surrounded by a retinue, looking quite impressive.
These days, only the emperor can wear a dragon robe.
The officials immediately knelt down to pay their respects, and Wen Shi and others quickly followed suit.
Many people may never see the emperor in their lifetime. For example, local officials may spend their whole lives going around in circles without ever being able to go to the capital, and can only occasionally receive memorials that the emperor reviews.
The emperor possessed an extraordinary bearing and immense power. He walked steadily towards them, and the students in the front row could see him more clearly, many of them becoming increasingly nervous.
The emperor walked to the dragon throne, glanced around, and then said, "No need for formalities, please rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Everyone then slowly got up.
"Please sit down."
The emperor sat calmly on the dragon throne, his sharp eyes sweeping over the students in the front row, some young and some old.
Wen Shi glanced at the person next to him. This person seemed to have barely settled down. He was also trying his best to remain calm. They had already reached the final step, and he had to persevere. With the emperor personally overseeing the situation, no one dared to whisper. The entire Hall of Supreme Harmony was very quiet.
When the time came, the examiners began to distribute the exam papers.
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