The workload of grading the three exams was considerable, and it took nearly seven days for the results of the prefectural exam to finally be released.
In other words, the Li family had money, and after the imperial examination, the Zhuangyuanlou restaurant lowered its room rates, which is why the Li family stayed there.
However, there are advantages to high prices. Sure enough, the news that the marking of the exams was completed came from the manager of Zhuangyuanlou Restaurant.
Furthermore, the innkeeper sent a message to all the students in the inn, saying that he would send someone to check the list and copy it back early the next morning, and then announce it in the building.
The students living in the building were very happy to be spared the hassle of going out to see the results and being jostled around.
The Li family didn't go out that day; they just waited for news in the lobby of the building.
"The top scorer this time should be Brother Chen. Brother Chen is the top scorer in the county examination of Lin'an County. As a member of the Chen family, I suppose no one can rival Brother Chen except for Lin Can."
"Brother, you flatter me."
The student addressed as Brother Chen looked completely at ease, clearly believing he had a chance to win the top spot.
"It's not an exaggeration, it's just the truth."
"What a joke! The Chen family of Lin'an is nothing special?"
"Does some nobody even deserve to compete with Lin Can for the top spot?"
"Hahaha, that's really funny. Who doesn't know that Lin Can is the frontrunner for the top spot in this prefectural examination? How dare he presumptuously compete with someone from my Changfeng County?"
Hahahaha.
The students from Changfeng County burst into laughter. They were immediately displeased by the flattery. What was the Chen family in Lin'an? Going back, how many top scholars in Ning'an Prefecture weren't from Changfeng County?
"you!"
"What? You won't let us tell the truth? As long as our young master Lin Can of Changfeng County is here, this top spot won't be yours, Chen Jian'an."
Hearing their commotion, the people around them began to gossip.
"Lin Can! Didn't Lin Can not stay at Zhuangyuan Tower? Why is he here today?"
"Lin Can is indeed very likely to be the top scholar. His elder brother and cousins have all been the top scholars in the prefectural examinations. He comes from a family with a strong academic tradition."
Chen Jian'an's face turned ugly when he heard Lin Can's name.
He did acknowledge Lin Can's scholarship, but while there's no absolute first place in literature, there's a clear winner in martial arts, and he felt he might have a chance to compete.
"Ha, you've got a big mouth, but you're just a bully pretending to be powerful. Even if I, Chen Jian'an, don't get the top score, I won't fail to get on the list. I hope you'll be on the list."
Are those who are mocking him mistaken? Even if Chen Jian'an doesn't get the top score, he will definitely be among the best. This is the confidence of the Chen family of Lin'an.
The Li Qingyao family witnessed the entire farce unfold.
"Brother Yao, Lin Can seems to be very popular. I've been hearing his name a lot lately."
"Yes, yes, have you heard of him?"
Li Qingyao nodded after hearing what the twins said.
Lin Can was a top contender for first place in this year's provincial examination. I heard that some places even had private betting pools, but too many people bet on Lin Can, causing the pools to collapse.
The Lin family of Changfeng County has only recently risen to prominence. Lin Can's eldest brother was the top scholar in the provincial examination five years ago and also passed the provincial examination, becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination). Last year's top scholar in the prefectural examination was also Lin Can's cousin.
Changfeng County is considered the place with the strongest academic atmosphere in the entire Ning'an Prefecture, even surpassing the prefectural city. Many of the top scholars in Ning'an Prefecture came from Changfeng County.
"Lin Can is only thirteen this year, younger than me, and he is the top scorer in the county examination in Changfeng County. His reputation is well-deserved."
Li Qingyao was full of admiration, saying, "What a prodigy! I must meet him if I have the chance."
Lin Can did not come to Zhuangyuanlou. The manager of Zhuangyuanlou had already invited him, but the Lin family bought a house in the prefectural city for Lin Can to take the imperial examination in order to ensure his success.
Although it was a pity, the shopkeeper felt it wasn't a big problem. The reputation of Zhuangyuanlou had already spread far and wide. It would be better if they could come, but it wouldn't matter if they didn't. There were still many top-ranking candidates from various counties living in the building, and there would be no shortage of people who would make the list.
After waiting for a while, someone came running towards the Zhuangyuan Tower from afar, shouting, "The list is here! The list is here!"
The students inside the building sat up straight, and some even craned their necks to look at the guy delivering the list.
The shopkeeper quickly welcomed the people in and then arranged for someone to hang up the list.
"Gentlemen, please wait a moment. The list has been hung up inside the building. Once it's up, a waiter will announce the rankings. I wish you all the best of luck in making the list!"
"Thank you, shopkeeper!"
"The shopkeeper is truly righteous!"
Soon, the copied list of candidates for the prefectural examination was posted by the waiter.
Everyone remained seated and motionless. Li Qingduan and Li Qingyi wanted to go forward to see, but Li Qingyao stopped them.
"They're right in front of us, there's no harm in waiting a little longer."
"All right."
"The case leader is Lin Can from Changfeng County!"
As the names were called out, a commotion erupted in the hall.
"As expected of Lin Can, he's truly remarkable, a prodigy among young people."
"This year's prefectural examination was more difficult than last year's. Lin Can is indeed a child prodigy, and he managed to get the top score."
"sharp."
Li Qingyao didn't hold back his praise, saying that Lin Can was indeed strong. It seemed that the Lin family had channels to obtain information about national affairs that ordinary people couldn't easily access, otherwise it wouldn't have been easy for Lin Can to get the top score.
"Second place in the prefectural examination, Yi Bo from Wanshui County"
Li Qingyao from Shao County ranked third in the prefectural examination…
"Ah! Yao-ge, you're third!"
"That's great! Yao-ge has become a scholar!"
The third name was Li Qingyao, but the twins were even more excited than Li Qingyao.
The two of them jumped up and hugged Li Qingyao.
Li Qingyao was also a little stunned. He thought he would do well on the exam and not fail. However, there are always people better than you, and there's always something beyond your reach. Lin Can was a prime example; he never expected to be in the top ten, let alone third.
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