Lin Shixuan sneered.
"You? This young master has studied the classics for over ten years to achieve what he has today."
"You look so shabby, you probably can't even afford books, right? Taking the imperial examinations? People will laugh themselves to death if word gets out."
The beggar stretched out one leg and shook it. "Yes, I really can't afford books. Such vulgar things as silver are beneath my notice. But does not being able to afford books mean I can't participate in the imperial examinations?"
"He hasn't even read a book, yet he dares to participate in the imperial examination... What a fool's dream..." Lin Shixuan's tone couldn't hide his contempt.
"Shixuan, Shixuan, why don't I see your name?"
Suddenly, Zou Shuang'er walked over from a distance in a hurried tone, her face frighteningly pale, and even her hands were trembling involuntarily.
Upon hearing this, Lin Shixuan gasped in shock, as if someone had grabbed his throat.
"What did you say? Are you sure you looked carefully?"
"Shixuan, I've looked at it several times. Why don't you come with me to take a look?" Zou Shuang'er's voice trembled, and her trembling hands grabbed Lin Shixuan.
Lin Shixuan glanced at the beggar, then quickly pushed through the crowd and walked forward.
The beggar chuckled and patted Lin Rui'an's hand. "Don't worry, young master, he's not destined to be the top scholar. As for you?"
"Looks decent enough, much more pleasing than that piece of junk."
Lin Rui'an twitched the corner of his mouth, not wanting to discourage him.
"Thank you for your praise, young hero."
Seeing that Lin Shixuan had left, Jinbao reminded him, "Young Master, shall we go ahead and take a look? You came in second place. If Madam finds out, she will be overjoyed."
Lin Rui'an couldn't hide his joy at this moment. He greeted the beggar and then walked forward with Jinbao.
The beggar was taken aback.
Second place?
He then followed behind Lin Rui'an, limping along.
"Wow, whose young master is this Shi Zai Ren?"
"My goodness, I've never heard of this top scholar before. Has anyone heard of the Shi family?"
"Never heard of him. He seems to be from an ordinary family. If a family's daughter can marry him, their hard times will finally be over."
"Yes, I'll go back and ask my older brother's daughter right now. If we can get married, I'll be considered a matchmaker."
"Me too! Me too!"
"Lin Rui'an actually came in second place?"
"In just six months, he went from second to last to second place. It's unbelievable."
"It seems that Ye Lanyin is good at educating children. Although the child's biological father is unknown, Lin Ruian is upright and a rare man."
"Yes, I heard he's still unmarried, and I think he's a good match for me."
I think so too.
Lin Rui'an walked to the front and looked up at the three names in the front row.
First place: Shi Zairen; second place: Lin Rui'an; third place: Zhu Qingfeng.
Jinbao hurriedly squeezed out of the crowd and ran towards Ye Lanyin.
"Madam, the young master has passed."
Hua Mei excitedly ran over from the crowd, grabbed Hua Xin's hand, and said excitedly:
"He's won! Our young master has won!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Lanyin's eyes reddened.
She hugged Lin Wanwan tightly and asked, "How many? Last time it was 138, is there a hundred this time?"
"No, no, no, Lin Rui'an has been working very hard lately, he should be able to improve a little more..."
Ye Lanyin muttered to herself.
Jinbao and Huamei exclaimed in unison, "Second place!!!"
Ye Lanyin suddenly raised her head, afraid that she had misheard, so she asked again.
What did you say?
Hua Xin exclaimed excitedly, "Madam, the young master came in second place and passed the imperial examination. He is now the second-place scholar!"
At this moment, Ye Lanyin could no longer hide her excitement, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Second place? Second place is good, second place is good."
"Quickly, Jinbao, go to the Ye family and tell your parents this news."
"Yes, Madam." Jinbao cheered and ran off.
Lin Shixuan stood in front of the list and looked for a long time but did not see his name. A bad feeling slowly rose in his heart. Then his eyes moved to the top three.
But when I saw Lin Rui'an's name appear openly on it...
His eyes widened in shock, then despair filled them, and his face turned ashen.
"How could this happen?" He shook his head in frustration.
Back then, I accepted Ye Lanyin as my mother for the sake of my future and to receive her education. Why did I fail the exam after studying hard for ten years and being praised by everyone as a talented person?
On the contrary, even Lin Rui'an, that bastard, got into the exam?
No, that's impossible.
He couldn't accept this cruel reality; it felt like a bolt from the blue.
Then, suppressing his inner panic, he kept his eyes fixed on the first place winner.
When he saw that he wasn't in first place, the last barrier in his heart shattered, and he retreated in fear, as if falling into an abyss.
No, there isn't.
He wasn't number one.
He wasn't the second-place winner.
He wasn't even in third place.
"Shixuan, how is it? Is it alright?" Zou Shuang'er, unwilling to give up, grabbed Lin Shixuan, seeking the last glimmer of hope.
Lin Shixuan's eyes blazed with fury at the sight of her disheveled appearance.
"Smack!"
A crisp, loud slap rang out all around. Before Zou Shuang'er could react, Lin Shixuan slapped her hard across the face.
She collapsed to the ground, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
Zou Shuang'er covered her stinging face, her voice trembling as she said, "Shixuan, I'm your mother, how could you hit me?"
Lin Shixuan was filled with anger and had nowhere to vent it, so he blamed all his anger on the person in front of him.
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