However, the crowds of people looking at the list made it impossible for him to see the contents of the imperial edict.
Qiu Xu stepped out of the crowd, first bowing respectfully to Li Zheng.
“Master, you should have told me in advance so that I could have come to pick you up.”
It had only been half a year since Qiu Xu last saw his master, but it felt like many years had passed.
He looked at his master and felt that he was not a good disciple.
"Ah Xu, there's no need for such trouble. Master is quite familiar with Shangjin." Li Zheng, weary from his journey, had new wrinkles appearing on his weathered face, and his temples were streaked with gray.
“Master, Xiao Ran dreamed about you last night.” He Jinran leaned closer to Li Zheng, smiling brightly. “Let’s go to Father’s residence.”
"Wait a minute..." Li Zheng hadn't seen who this year's top scorer was yet.
Qiu Xu smiled faintly, glancing at the crowded throng.
"It's just empty fame. Master, you must be tired from your journey. Let your disciple accompany you home to rest."
Qiu Yan had been searching for A Xu since she first arrived, but there were too many people and she couldn't find him.
Even after squeezing into the crowd, she still couldn't see her younger brother.
With Feng Hua and Liu Sha by her side, she squeezed into the top three of the imperial examination list and finally managed to make out the first few characters.
On the long imperial edict, the first characters read "By the Mandate of Heaven"...
She continued reading.
Jinshi (进士)
First place, first place
Qiu Xu!
Qiu Yan rubbed her eyes and looked again.
It's Qiu Xu, no doubt about it.
"The newly crowned top scorer, Qiu Xu! Who is Qiu Xu?"
A sudden commotion erupted in the crowd.
Upon hearing this, Qiu Dazhi and Du Changjun were almost petrified.
Yes, they couldn't believe their ears.
"That's great!" Feng Hua exclaimed happily.
"Young master has achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination, madam! We must celebrate this day!" Liu Sha said with a smile.
"Definitely." Qiu Yan was in high spirits when she heard about the happy occasion.
As she laughed, her eyes reddened.
She was proud.
My brother's efforts over the years have finally paid off.
Meanwhile, in the crowded throng, people were still searching for Qiu Xu.
Qiu Yan then checked,
The second place in the first division was Xie Yunzhi.
When she first saw it, the name seemed somewhat familiar.
Suddenly, she thought of her trip to Qin County.
Is this Xie Yunzhi the same person she saved?
She looked around, but there were just too many people, so she gave up on trying to confirm.
Then look at the third place in the first-class ranking, the third-ranked scholar... Qi Yan?
Another familiar name.
Moreover, this name immediately reminded Qiu Yan of some unpleasant things.
The third-place scholar was a fitting description of his appearance, but how could he survive after shooting himself in the head?
Qiu Yan looked around again but didn't see anyone coming.
However, I noticed Qiu Dazhi and Du Changjun beside me.
Second-class degree, Jinshi graduate
First place: Qiu Dazhi
...
...
Fifth place: Du Changjun
...
...
...
Third-class graduate, a Jinshi degree holder
First place...
...
...
10th place: He Jinran
...
120th place...
Xiao Ran? When Qiu Yan saw He Jinran's name on the list...
That was quite surprising.
Turning around, Qiu Yan squeezed out of the crowd.
Qiu Dazhi and Du Changjun followed closely behind.
Leaving the noisy crowd, Qiu Yan smiled as she looked at Qiu Dazhi and Du Changjun.
"Congratulations."
"Congratulations, Xiaoyan, Axu is the pride of our Qiu family." Qiu Dazhi felt inferior.
Well, this ranking represents his best effort.
On the other hand, Du Changjun was clearly not satisfied with his ranking.
However, the Jinshi degree is the pinnacle of academic achievement, and even if one is dissatisfied with the ranking, one cannot retake the exam.
Well, he just felt that he could have done much better on the test.
Unable to find Ah Xu and Xiao Ran, Qiu Yan returned to the General's Mansion with her two maids.
Qiu Dazhi and Du Changjun, having passed the imperial examination with the rank of second-class Jinshi, were required to enter the palace to express their gratitude, and thus took their leave at the same time.
Qiu Yan was excited and planned to tell A Xu and Xiao Ran the good news as soon as she got back.
Little did she know, the imperial edict arrived before she did.
General's Mansion
The chief eunuch had already moved into the general's mansion.
At this moment, Qiu Xu and He Jinran, who had just arrived home, were still completely confused.
The chief eunuch was holding a tray with both hands, on which was a bright red, auspicious scholar's robe.
Immediately, the chief eunuch announced in a loud voice,
"The newly appointed top scholar, Qiu Xu, enters the palace to receive the imperial decree and be granted imperial favor!"
He personally notified the first-ranked soldiers, while the second and third-ranked soldiers went there on their own.
Upon hearing this, Qiu Xu suddenly froze.
The moment the eunuch saw He Jinran, he immediately bowed in respect.
He Jinran stopped him by waving his hand.
"That's great!" He Jinran was so excited that he almost spun Qiu Xu around in the middle of the room.
He seemed even more excited than Qiu Xu.
Even though he had little hope for himself, it didn't stop him from being overjoyed that Qiu Xu had become the top scholar in the imperial examination.
Li Zheng, standing to the side, was also stunned.
A faint smile appeared on his long-strained face.
Qiu Xu looked at his master with deep satisfaction.
It's wonderful to be able to share this joy with my Master.
"...Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"
He felt as if he were in a dream, and could hardly believe his ears.
Although he believed in his own abilities, he never expected that he would stand out in this imperial examination.
Qiu Xu bowed to the eunuch, accepted the scholar's robe with both hands, and put it on at the eunuch's signal.
He bid farewell to his master, asking him to wait for him inside the manor.
He then followed the eunuch and went with He Jinran towards the palace.
Not only Qiu Xu, but all those on the list today were given clothing and sent to the palace to pay homage to His Majesty.
When Qiu Yan was admitted to the hospital, she collided with Qiu Xu.
At this moment, the younger brother, wearing the red robe of a top scholar, exudes an even more refined aura.
The two nodded to each other.
"Sister, I'm going to the palace first."
"Yes, go ahead, I'm so happy for you."
Imperial Palace Hall
Led by Qiu Xu, a group of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) strode confidently to the outside of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, ready to receive a personal audience with His Majesty.
General's Mansion
Qiu Yan and Li Zheng met and exchanged pleasantries. Qiu Yan first asked about her master's wife and her junior brother at home.
Li Zheng replied that everything would remain the same.
He was worried about Xiao Ran and came to visit her. After all, Xiao Ran's status was quite different.
Furthermore, he hadn't seen Ah Xu for a long time, and knowing that he was taking the imperial examination this year, he had been thinking about him.
After learning about He Jinran and Qiu Xu's current situation from Qiu Yan, Li Zheng felt relieved.
but,
When he learned that his eldest disciple, Gu Qian, had gone to war in the Northern Desert, he suddenly fell silent.
Qiu Yan arranged the best guest room for her master and asked him to stay there first.
“Master, please stay for a while since you’re here.”
Li Zheng shook his head slightly.
Qiu Yan realized that her master had traveled a long way just to see He Jinran and her two disciples.
Now that Gu Qian is gone, she has mixed feelings.
Qiu Yan had always known that her master was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
After entertaining her master, Qiu Yan busied herself in instructing the servants to slaughter chickens and sheep to prepare today's meal.
Today, she will personally cook a delicious meal.
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