Chapter 2208 Meng Yunzheng, the top scholar!
Everyone was stunned, but before they could react, the emperor spoke directly, "Jin Lin, a native of Shuntian Prefecture, is hereby granted the title of Jinshi and ranked third in the first class."
Jin Lin, who was standing at the front, was a little surprised. As a son of an official in the capital, he had heard a lot about Meng Yunzheng and naturally shared the same thoughts as many others.
He also felt that with only three people left, Meng Yunzheng would be the one to become the third-ranked scholar based on his looks. As for himself, he should at least be in the top two.
Unexpectedly...
That's what he thought, but Jin Lin still reacted quickly and stepped forward to kneel and thank the emperor for his grace.
The emperor nodded, said a few words, and then continued, "Chu Qiuping, a native of Luozhou, is granted the title of Jinshi and ranks second in the first class."
Chu Qiuping was over forty years old and had a very refined appearance.
Unlike Jin Lin, who had many guesses in his mind, he remained calm upon learning that he had come in second place and stepped forward to express his gratitude.
Finally, only Meng Yunzheng remained in the main hall.
Everyone present found it hard to believe. Didn't the emperor dislike him? They must have understood what he said last time correctly; he was just giving Meng Yunzheng a warning.
I never expected him to be the top scholar! Oh right! He had been number one in all his previous exams, which means he achieved six consecutive top honors!
The emperor was also talking about this, "Meng Yunzheng, you won first place in the county examination, the prefectural examination, the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and the palace examination in a row, achieving the highest honors in six examinations, all at such a young age. This is unprecedented in history. Do you have anything to say?"
"Your Majesty's grace is boundless."
The Emperor, "..." That's it?
"If you are grateful for the Emperor's boundless grace, then shouldn't you have agreed to what I told you earlier?"
Everyone was speechless. Wait, what did they say? Besides the conversation during the palace examination, what else did the Emperor and Meng Yunzheng exchange?
They had carefully considered and analyzed the conversation during the imperial examination that day, and it was indeed an expression of the emperor's dissatisfaction.
At the time, there was no indication that they should agree to anything.
The civil and military officials in the main hall were all shocked by Meng Yunzheng. Was something happening that they did not know about?
Meng Yunzheng never expected the emperor to bring this up at this time. Sure enough, the emperor was still up to his old tricks, relentlessly trying to make him give up his grand ambition of becoming the dean.
"Your Majesty, a ruler's word is law."
The emperor clicked his tongue inwardly, somewhat regretting that he had made him the top scholar.
But he was really tempted by the title of "sixth-ranked scholar" because Meng Yunzheng was too good at it and did too well in the previous exams.
The emperor was somewhat disappointed, but ultimately said nothing. He simply coughed lightly, finally remembering to continue calling out the names.
“Meng Yunzheng, a native of Changjin Prefecture, was granted the title of Jinshi and became the top scholar in the first class.”
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After the names were called, the rankings of all the successful candidates in the imperial examinations were announced.
Three men, adorned with flowers and red ribbons, were escorted by drums and ceremonial guards as they exited Zhengyang Gate, preparing to parade through the streets on horseback.
The second and third class soldiers exited the palace through the East Hua Gate and the West Hua Gate.
At this moment, the most bustling streets in the capital were already teeming with people, a scene of unprecedented grandeur.
Shu Yu sat in a private room on the second floor of her shop. Also on the second floor were Shu You, Madam Yao, Madam Kang, Madam Hou, and Xiao Ruojun, among others.
Zhao Xida, Niu Yuangui, and the others were in another private room.
Madam Yao sat by the window on the second floor with a wide view and said happily, "I didn't expect you to buy this shop at such a good time. It's the perfect place for us to watch the excitement."
(End of this chapter)
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