Chapter 24 The Grandmaster (Third Update)
Finally, the day before the list was to be posted, the final rankings were presented to the emperor for his review.
The Emperor eagerly opened the book, and the first thing he saw was Ye Jianshan's name. Overjoyed, he immediately shouted three "good!" words: "Good! Good! Good! Shan'er is indeed outstanding! He is worthy of being my grandson."
The Empress couldn't suppress her smile upon seeing this; the Emperor's reaction clearly indicated good news.
"Is he really the top scholar?"
“Zhen’er, come and see for yourself.”
Zhen is the Empress's given name. Recently, the couple's relationship has warmed up again because of Ye Jianshan, and the Emperor has even started calling the Empress Zhen'er.
The Empress blushed slightly, but she didn't have time to dwell on it. She took the document and glanced at it. When she saw Ye Jianshan's name, she reacted the same way the Emperor did: "This is wonderful! I knew our Jianshan would live up to expectations."
"They're so amazing! This is a treasure that God has given us."
The Emperor has been worrying about having a crown prince for so many years, and now a golden grandson has suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He can laugh himself awake in his sleep.
"Your Majesty, I will go to see the Empress Dowager and tell her the good news."
The Empress was eager to hold a grand banquet to announce to the world that Ye Jianshan was the top scholar.
The Crown Prince felt the same way as the Emperor and Empress; the moment the examiner revealed the name, he could hardly breathe.
When I saw Ye Jianshan in Yejia Village, Qinghe County, Qingyang Prefecture, a huge weight was finally lifted from my heart.
He carefully read Ye Jianshan's article again.
His writing is outstanding and very mature, which is quite inconsistent with his age of only a teenager.
"I think it's fine. Such a good article deserves first place."
The second place went to Choi Gyeong-byeong. His articles were also very well written, after all, he had a Grand Secretary grandfather who guided him, but they were too exaggerated.
It's simply incomparable to Ye Jianshan's.
"I didn't expect this to be Ye Jieyuan's. He's only sixteen years old. You can't tell at all. The practical content in this article is very detailed and interesting. If you didn't know, you would think he had experienced it all."
The proctors all praised it.
Those present breathed a sigh of relief. There were many outstanding articles, but Ye Jianshan's was considered top-notch.
They were initially worried that this belonged to Cui Jianbing, but they never expected it to be the future grandson of the emperor.
No one objected, so the person copying the document wrote their name on the yellow paper and waited to post it the next day.
On the day the list was posted, Ye Jianshan got up early as usual, but he changed into a festive outfit, which his mother had prepared for him when he came, to welcome the good news.
Ye Lei also changed his clothes; this is a family tradition.
This has happened several times before.
The eunuchs who delivered the morning meal all had smiles on their faces, unable to hide them: "Congratulations, Scholar Ye! Her Majesty has specially prepared Scholar's Porridge today."
Ye Jianshan was both amused and exasperated: "This isn't the top scholar yet, but thank you for your congratulations anyway."
"You're too kind, Ye Jieyuan."
The eunuchs stood to one side, looking spirited and somewhat excited.
Ye Lei glanced at it and felt a little more at ease. Since the eunuch had said so, he must have done well on the exam.
Now that's the case, he can eat without worry.
Ye Jianshan had a better idea of what was going on. He calmly finished his breakfast and then heard the noise at the door gradually getting louder.
After the list is posted, the names will be called out in order, from bottom to top.
Yan Shengchu had booked a table at a teahouse next to the examination hall with Feng Xing early in the morning; it was a reservation he had made beforehand.
I'm incredibly nervous right now: "I feel like my chances of passing the exam are slim. My father is counting on me to go to the palace with Ye Jianshan to take the imperial examination, and he's forcing me to get on good terms with him. Is that something I can decide?"
Feng Xing has been staying at home obediently for more than half a month. Minister Feng no longer forces him to go out, fearing that he might cause trouble again and make Ye Jianshan unhappy and settle scores later.
I had arranged this with Yan Shengchu beforehand.
Feng Xing was even more worried: "Don't say anything more. You can't expect to study. My father wants to use his connections to send me to the Imperial Guard."
That was really tough; he felt like he was going to be skinned alive.
Yan Shengchu immediately fell silent. It was better to study than to be sent to the Imperial Guard.
Moreover, he was already a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, and with some maneuvering, he could become a minor official of the ninth rank.
"They're here! They're here!"
Not long after the two sat down, the list of successful candidates was about to be posted at the entrance of the examination hall.
"There are just too many people."
Yan Shengchu clicked his tongue in amazement. They couldn't get out anytime soon; there were just too many people.
"It's all to see who the top scholar is."
The two exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat nervous.
If it really is Ye Jianshan, then he is truly unprecedented and unparalleled.
This is the first time in history that a grandson of the emperor has achieved the highest rank in five consecutive examinations. If he wins this title and performs normally in the palace examination, the emperor will definitely give Ye Jianshan the title of the top scholar, thus fulfilling his reputation of achieving the highest rank in six consecutive examinations.
Three hundred students were admitted this time, and Yan Shengchu had no hope left.
Sure enough, his name wasn't read out when they read it from back to front.
Seeing that he was a little down, Feng Xing comforted him, saying, "It's okay, you're already much better than us."
Although it was an expected outcome, it would be a lie to say I wasn't upset.
"I'm still young, I'll give it my all for another three years."
Yan Shengchu said with a wry smile.
He was only twenty years old, and passing the imperial examination was already an unexpected joy.
Not everyone is a child prodigy like Ye Jianshan and Cui Jianbing.
"Cui Jianbing, second place in the provincial examination, from Cuizhang Village, Shanghe County, Minnan Prefecture—"
Half an hour had passed when they finally sang the name of second-place Choi Gyun-byeong, and the atmosphere immediately heated up.
It wasn't because of Cui Jianbing, but because the top scholar was undoubtedly that young imperial grandson, Ye Jianshan.
"I never thought that I would witness the young prince achieving the top score in the provincial examination. This is the fifth time he has achieved this. When he achieves the top score in the imperial examination, our Great Jin will have a sixth-place winner."
"The chief examiner is the Crown Prince. Could there be something fishy going on here?"
Be careful what you say!
"The papers of the top three candidates in this imperial examination have been posted next to the imperial edict for a three-day exhibition."
The man in the yellow vest deftly lifted the cloth beside him, revealing Ye Jianshan and Cui Jianbing's article.
No one expected this part.
It's likely that this was set up this way to convince everyone.
"Don't push, don't push, let me see you."
"Is there anyone who can read this? I can't read, can someone read it for me?"
Immediately, someone read it aloud from the side. He was a storyteller, and his voice was loud and clear. The audience fell silent for a moment.
The messenger has already set off, and the announcement of names has ended, but the crowd is growing larger and larger, all eager to see the article written by the top scholar.
"They're here."
Ye Jianshan could hear the commotion coming from the alley from a great distance.
Needless to say, they came for him.
After delivering breakfast, Eunuch Wang stayed behind to help take care of things.
At the same time, Ye Yun and his carriage drove into Fourteenth Street.
Now, you can easily find out where the top scholar from Qingyang lives by asking around.
Ye Yun was getting anxious: "How did you know all this?"
“Da Shan has already participated in the imperial examination, so he must have met the Crown Prince. I heard from the county magistrate that the chief examiner this time is the Crown Prince.”
Ye Yandao.
Ye Yun had completely forgotten about this: "I was so busy I forgot. I don't even know how Dashan is doing?"
"Don't worry, he's very shrewd."
Although Old Man Ye was also worried about his grandson, he understood the mountains. He was rather childlike in front of them, but when he was out and about, he was very methodical in his dealings with others, and he had his own way of thinking and dealing with the world.
"Today is also the day the results are posted. What a coincidence! It's so lively."
Hearing the commotion outside, Grandma Ye became a little nervous: "Should we go and take a look?"
"No need, the roll call has already ended, and the messengers have all set off. Let's go find Dashan first."
Ye Yun didn't expect that they would run into each other so coincidentally.
The carriage entered Fourteenth Street, which was already completely surrounded.
"Make way, make way, Ye Jieyuan's family is coming, please make way."
The driver called out as he walked.
Everyone was waiting to see what the top scholar looked like, whether he resembled the rumored crown prince, and also to share in the good fortune so that their own children could benefit from his scholarly aura and achieve good results in the future.
Unexpectedly, there were guards standing by when we arrived, and there was also a carriage behind us that was said to be Ye Jieyuan's family.
The guards stopped the carriage, but Ye Yun did not step forward. Instead, she flashed her jade pendant and said, "I am Ye Jieyuan's biological mother."
Upon seeing the dragon pattern on the jade pendant, everyone immediately bowed their heads and knelt down, saying, "Greetings, Crown Princess."
"No, can you please move aside?"
"……please."
When Ye Yun said this, the guards didn't know what to say.
But he still went to the palace to report the news as soon as possible.
The Crown Princess has returned to the capital.
I wonder what the Crown Prince will think when he hears the news.
"Dashan, your maternal grandparents have arrived."
Grandma Ye was so excited that as soon as she got off the carriage, she called out to Ye Jianshan as if she were at home.
Ye Jianshan was stunned when he heard the familiar voice. He was waiting for news from the messenger, but he didn't expect to hear his grandmother's voice.
Ye Lei stood up abruptly: "It's Mother's voice, your maternal grandmother is here."
Ye Lei rushed out and, upon seeing the four familiar faces, was so excited he almost cried: "Father, Mother, Big Brother, Xiaoyun, why didn't you send a message beforehand that you were coming?"
"Grandfather and grandmother, mother, eldest uncle!"
Ye Jianshan rushed over and threw himself into the arms of Old Lady Ye and Old Man Ye.
The two elderly people were overjoyed: "Why are you still acting like a child? There are people watching over you."
"Dashan looks really smart today."
"Luckily you made it in time. Your grandmother was worried that she would miss the day when you announced your results."
Grandma Ye wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Ye Jianshan was almost in tears; everyone had lost weight.
Ye Yan also hugged Ye Jianshan: "You've lost weight."
Ye Jianshan was a little embarrassed. These days, the Empress had been sending him imperial meals every day, and he and his third uncle had both gained weight.
"No, I've gained weight."
"Lei Zi, you've worked hard."
Ye Yan patted Ye Lei on the shoulder.
Only when they arrived did Ye Lei's pressure truly disappear.
These days he's been dealing with people from the palace, afraid of making a mistake and being plotted against.
Finally, Ye Jianshan came to his mother and said somewhat awkwardly, "Mother, you've come."
His mother should be okay now.
Ye Yun raised his hand, and Ye Jianshan instinctively dodged.
Ye Yun: ...
"Why are you dodging? I've never hit you."
Ye Yun was both amused and exasperated by his reaction.
"Yes, we fought."
Ye Jianshan retorted in a low voice.
Ye Yun pinched his cheek: "Why have you gained weight? I'm relieved that the clothes are made just right. You look smart and cheerful in them."
Ye Yun had him walk around twice, just like trying on clothes at home, and gave him a very satisfactory evaluation.
Seeing that his mother had returned to normal, Ye Jianshan dared to put his arm around her shoulder: "Mother, you're finally here. The Emperor and Empress insisted that I was their grandson, and that the Crown Prince looks a lot like me..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ye Yun covered his mouth and led him inside: "Let's talk inside."
Those outside couldn't hear what they were saying from a distance, but they still managed to see Ye Jianshan's face.
It looks just like it, so much like it.
He is the Crown Prince's biological son.
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Author's Note: Third update is here! Double update tomorrow! [Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers]
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