The day one's name is listed on the imperial examination is a day to bring glory to one's ancestors.
Last year's imperial examination cheating scandal drew the attention of the entire Fengjing to Xu Mo and Fang Yuan, while this year's underground gambling dens have pushed the top spot to the forefront of everyone's expectations.
Wealthy families sent out servants and maids, while poor commoners waited in the streets themselves, and the entire entrance to the examination hall was packed with people.
As dawn broke, the red-cloth-covered list rippled in the breeze, revealing the golden names that appeared and disappeared.
The yamen runners, who had prepared gongs, drums, and red silk in advance, were waiting for their chance to act.
As the sun hung low in the sky, the chief examiner personally pulled down the red silk, causing everyone to stare wide-eyed in astonishment.
The first to bear the brunt is the top-ranked team.
The top three scholars were Xu Mo, Sun Xiaosheng, and Fang Yuan.
Everyone who placed a bet was in an uproar, and a few of the bolder ones couldn't help but shout, "How could there be a tie? There was cheating last year, and now there's a tie this year? Is this imperial examination a joke?"
"If the imperial examination is unfair, what's the point of trying?"
"How could they be ranked equally? How could that be!"
“How could it be impossible!” someone stepped forward, speaking with great passion. “Young Master Fang proposed collecting taxes and bravely donated 100,000 taels of silver, enough for every soldier on the frontier to have a cotton-padded coat. Such a great achievement, does he not deserve the third-ranking scholar position?”
Ancient order.
Those who possess both talent and good looks are the top scholars.
The one with sufficient talent but slightly less attractive appearance is the second-place candidate.
Those who lack talent but possess outstanding appearance are called the third-ranked scholar.
Although the young master of the Fang family is of average talent and appearance, he has made great contributions, so giving him the third-highest rank in the imperial examination is not unfair.
"The Fang family really sacrificed a lot for a first-class honor." The common people sneered, only to find that no one from the Fang family had come.
That's right. Having suffered a loss in silence, the third-place finisher's glory has turned into a stain, and who would dare to show their face?
Fortunately, there were still the top two scholars, and the people were excited again, discussing the two chosen ones.
Friends and relatives who knew them were overjoyed and searched for the two in the vast crowd.
"Brother Xu, where is Brother Xu? Brother Xu has become the top scholar! Brother Xu has really become the top scholar! Waaah!" Zhao Yuan cried loudly, tears streaming down his face.
Not just the top scholar, but a triple champion.
Compared to the complicated friendships of others, Zhao Yuan was simply and stubbornly convinced that his gentle and kind classmate, like a green bamboo, would stand tall on the mountain and overlook the beautiful scenery.
Finally, he did it.
"Where is Brother Xu? Where is Brother Xu?" Qi Huai and An Jun, who had achieved the second-class honors, rushed over, their faces beaming with joy. "We can't find him anywhere."
Familiar elders, graceful young women, excited friends.
Everyone is looking for Xu Mo.
He was sitting in his car, holding a basket of golden pastries, looking both amused and exasperated.
"Big brother, take our golden cakes with you when you go out later. Give a couple to everyone you meet and say they're sharing in the good fortune." Jiang Sheng, with big dark circles under her eyes, carefully instructed, "If anyone asks, just say it's a pastry from Jiuzhenfang, understand?"
"Understood," Xu Mo replied.
Jiang Sheng nodded in satisfaction, feeling that all the sleep deprivation she had endured to come up with the new pastry was worthwhile.
Zheng Ruqian lifted the carriage curtain at the door, and the siblings got out of the carriage one by one. As soon as they stood still, they were spotted by their relatives and friends who were as fierce as wolves.
"Look, the top scholar is over there!" Zhao Yuan exclaimed, his eyes sharp.
Countless heads lined up in a row: jubilant friends, loving elders, hopeful passersby, and even yamen runners beating drums and gongs.
Xu Mo was stunned.
Bright red flowers and celebratory sounds are not uncommon, but the key is the red and gold lettering that is exclusive to the top scholar.
"Congratulations, Scholar Xu! Congratulations, Scholar Xu!" The yamen runners said ingratiatingly, and relatives and friends gathered around with beaming smiles.
Even his younger siblings were overjoyed.
Only he, gazing towards the direction of the imperial city, felt a pang of sorrow that made him want to choke up.
Xiao Wu...
The past events were pieced together. The thin and frail handsome young man was willing to go anywhere, but resisted getting close to the capital. He knew the Fengjing aristocratic families inside and out, and even dared to cheat the Prince Gong's son. He regarded gold and silver as dirt.
He probably didn't like that place, but he went back anyway, at such a crucial moment as the imperial examination.
Everyone says that having connections in the court makes things easier, but Xu Mo just hopes that he doesn't.
"Hey, Brother Xu must be overjoyed," Qi Huai teased from the side. "A sixteen-year-old who achieved the highest honors in all three categories is definitely going to be recorded in history."
"I wonder if we, as friends of Brother Xu, could also add a few words?" An Jun teased.
Amidst the uproarious laughter of the crowd, Jiang Sheng took out some silver and rewarded the yamen runner who had brought the good news.
Whether they were classmates or ordinary people, acquaintances or strangers, everyone came to offer their congratulations.
Xu Mo could only compose himself, nod and smile, and not forget to give his sister the golden cake she had asked for.
One of the candidates preparing for the imperial examination was overjoyed and asked, "Did the top scholar become so outstanding after eating this pastry?"
Xu Mo was speechless and could not answer.
Fortunately, Jiang Sheng hadn't gone far. She rolled her big eyes and said in a crisp voice, "Yes, yes, yes, she ate our Jiuzhenfang pastries."
"What's this pastry called?" another student asked, turning around.
Jiang Sheng blurted out "golden cake", but after glancing at Xu Mo, she changed her mind and said, "Call it Zhuangyuan cake".
"What a wonderful Scholar Cake! Eating it will make you the top scholar in the imperial examination!" The students left in high spirits.
From then on, Jiuzhenfang became famous, and Zhuangyuan cake became an essential item for students before exams.
After an unknown amount of time, the crowds who had gathered to watch the spectacle gradually dispersed, and the elders who had been standing in the distance finally had a chance to appear.
"Good lad, I was right about you. You are truly a fine prospect." Dou Weiming, stroking his beard, slowly paced around. "It was worth it for me to pay special attention to you during the imperial examination and give you the best result."
Xu Mo was extremely grateful and bowed respectfully, saying, "I will never forget your kindness, sir, and will always remember it in my heart."
“There’s no need for that,” Dou Weiming said, his tone softening. “I know of your talent; there are few like you in the entire Fengjing. I have a daughter who has just come of age. I wonder if the top scholar would be willing to teach her a thing or two?”
It was euphemistically called teaching, but the customs of the Dayu Dynasty were not so open that men and women could be alone together. This was clearly a recruitment of a son-in-law.
Xu Mo was stunned when he caught a glimpse of another elder out of the corner of his eye.
Qi Zhentong rushed over with the girl in black robes, his beard bristling and eyes wide, "You, Dou Weiming, I was wondering why you suddenly left in such a hurry. Turns out you came to curry favor with the top scholar."
Before anyone could speak, she added, "What a coincidence! The Qi family also has a daughter who has a past relationship with the top scholar. I hope the top scholar can offer her some guidance when he has time."
The female servant disguised as a man behind Dou Weiming and the girl in black robes behind Qi Gongzhen were both hiding behind their fathers, shyly glancing at them out of the corner of their eyes.
Just then, another familiar figure appeared, accompanied by a tall and slender woman. "Haha, everyone has good taste. Last year I thought this kid had great potential, and this year it's just as I predicted. I just don't know if the Yao family's daughter is worthy of the top scholar."
Once, at the gates of the imperial city, three high-ranking officials jokingly discussed arranging a marriage for Xu Mo. This year, at the gates of the examination hall, they actually staged a matchmaking event for their daughter.
The fair-skinned and gentle Dou family girl, the lively and clever Qi family girl, and the noble and composed Yao family girl.
Another student would have been overjoyed and carefully selected their choices.
Xu Mo was completely bewildered and astonished; what on earth was going on?
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