Chapter 939 Results
On the day when the results of the last major examination were announced, the palace gate was extremely bustling with activity. Whether ordinary people or wealthy families, their eyes were all fixed on the list posted in front of the palace gate.
The list was not too long, with a total of fifty names written on it. Those who found their names on it were ecstatic, while those who couldn't find their names were depressed and decadent. The top three people on the list were even more eye-catching, and within half a day they became celebrities in Beijing.
At Rongsheng Academy, as soon as the people who came to deliver the good news with drums and gongs left, the sound of firecrackers in front of the door continued for a long time.
Mr. Tong's old face was full of wrinkles from smiling. Even the most serious gentleman in the academy in the past was grinning from ear to ear with joy.
Upon hearing that someone was coming from the palace outside, the teachers and students in the courtyard hurried out.
"Eunuch Pan, why are you here?" Xue Ru asked with a smile as she followed Mr. Tong.
Pan Xi stopped immediately when he saw Xue Ru. He knew how much the Queen valued the young girl in front of him, so he did not dare to be arrogant towards Xue Ru. He bowed slightly with a smile on his face.
"Madam Ru is here too. I'm here on the orders of the Empress to congratulate the students who have made it to the top of the list. The Empress also said that Master Tong and all the other teachers have made great contributions to the success of so many students at the academy this time."
"Someone, bring it up."
The palace servants following Pan Xi came forward carrying two boxes, and next to them was someone holding a carved yellow wooden tray covered with red silk to hide the contents.
"Are all the twenty-one students on the list here?" Pan Xi asked loudly.
Mr. Tong quickly said, "They are all here."
The twenty-one people walked forward under the envious gazes of the other students.
Pan Xi pointed to the two boxes and said with a smile, "This box contains the finest four treasures of the study. The Empress had them specially found. Each item bears the imperial seal. The Empress gives them to you. May you rise to great heights in the future."
The eyes of the twenty-one students all lit up. The four treasures of the study looked no more valuable than gold, silver, and jewelry, but they were bestowed by the Empress herself.
Nowadays, everyone in the Great Wei Dynasty knows that the Queen's status is comparable to that of His Majesty. To receive such a set of rewards, even if you don't worship it directly, you can treat it as a family heirloom. Even if you put it in the ancestral hall, it will be the honor of the whole family.
"Students thank the Queen." Twenty-one people knelt in unison.
Pan Xi smiled and said, "Mr. Tong, this box is a gift from the Empress to you and the other gentlemen. It contains the rare copy that Lord Feng brought back when he went to negotiate peace with Southern Qi. The Empress thought these things would be more appreciated by you than gold, silver, or other valuables."
Mr. Tong smiled widely, and led a group of equally smiling gentlemen to kneel on the ground: "Thank you, Queen."
"Is Li Chi here?"
A tall, thin young man stepped out of the crowd and respectfully approached Pan Xi: "Student is here."
Pan Xi quickly glanced at the man in front of him who had won the first place in the exam. He saw that although his expression was a little distant, he was still very handsome. Moreover, because he had always won the first place in the previous exams, he had now caught the attention of the Empress and many powerful officials in the court. His future was bound to be limitless.
Pan Xi's smile became more genuine, and he took the tray beside him and handed it to Li Chi:
"Mr. Li, you took first place in this exam. This is a special gift from the Empress to you."
Li Chi was stunned for a moment, obviously not expecting the Queen to prepare a gift just for him. He glanced at the red silk covering the tray. Although he didn't know what was inside, he still bowed respectfully: "Li Chi thanks the Queen for the gift."
Pan Xi smiled and said, "The Empress is very optimistic about you. I also wish Mr. Li all the best in the palace examination and hope he will continue to win first place."
There was a hint of smile in Li Chi's eyes: "Thank you, Eunuch Pan."
The palace servants who followed behind distributed all the rewards. Those who received the rewards were beaming, and the other students around them looked at these twenty-one people with envy in their eyes. Most of these twenty-one people came from poor families, and some were even poorer than ordinary people.
But now they are in glory and are sure to enter officialdom. If they can get good results in the palace examination and win the favor of the Empress, they will surely be valued by the court.
No matter what their past was or what their family background was, they could make it big and enjoy great success from then on.
Pan Xi smiled and said, "The items have been delivered. I still have to return to the palace to report, so I'll be leaving now."
Mr. Tong said goodbye: "Goodbye, Eunuch Pan."
…
People in the palace came and left quickly. After Pan Xi and his group left, the academy instantly became lively.
Many people came forward, wanting to take a look at the four treasures of the study sent from the palace, and Li Chi was surrounded by a crowd of people, all of whom were looking at the yellow pear wood tray covered with red silk in his hand.
"Brother Li, what did the Empress give you? Can you show us?"
"Yes, yes, since the Queen thinks so highly of you, she must have given you something good to broaden our horizons."
Li Chi was annoyed by the noise and opened the tray casually, and saw a white jade pen on the tray.
At first glance, the pen looked very ordinary. There was no pattern on the pen body, only a lotus flower carved into the top. Everyone was surprised that the Queen would give such an ordinary thing.
"Why is it a jade pen?"
"Yeah, it doesn't look that impressive."
Xue Ru, who had been standing behind the group, suddenly said, "This brush is made of warm spirit jade."
"What is Warm Spirit Jade?" Others looked over.
Xue Ru explained, "Warm Spirit Jade is an extremely rare jade core. It's snow-white and glows like a firefly. I heard that even an entire jade mountain might not yield a single piece."
"Wearing this jade not only nourishes the bones and muscles, but also clears the mind. It can also enlighten children. Although I don't know if the last one is true or not, it's priceless among the rich and powerful. I never thought the Empress would actually order this jade to be made into a pen and given to Senior Brother Li."
The students around were instantly in an uproar.
It's worth a fortune.
It’s so precious?!
Mr. Tong had just returned from seeing Pan Xi off. He smiled and said, "The Empress values talented people the most and is never stingy with rewards for capable people. Our academy will also reward those brothers who made the list."
"According to the previous regulations of the academy, except for Li Chi and Huang Hong, who were in the top ten, each of the successful candidates in this exam will receive 300 taels of silver. Li Chi and Huang Hong will each receive 800 taels. I hope that other students will follow their example, study hard, improve themselves, and strive to stand out in the next exam."
There was an uproar all around.
Xue Ru felt the sudden fiery gazes of those students, and saw the envy and budding ambition in their eyes. It was a desire for a bright future, an expectation of changing their status and becoming a superior person, and now there was such wealth before them.
Letting them see with their own eyes the glory of those who passed the imperial examination and the benefits they can obtain is far more motivating than any words. No wonder my sister specifically ordered a grand "reward".
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