Chapter 42 The Top Scholar
Just like last time, there was already a large crowd at the palace gate before dawn.
"Ye Huiyuan's side."
As soon as Ye Jianshan arrived, someone greeted him.
Ye Jianshan walked over and stood still, and immediately saw the spirited Cui Jianbing. He was somewhat surprised: "Brother Cui, you're feeling much better?"
Cui Jianbing smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Ye Huiyuan. I'm feeling much better now."
Ye Jianshan was just being polite, and nodded upon hearing this: "That's good."
Ye Jianshan arrived and soon after, palace servants invited him in.
Upon arriving at the palace, everyone stood in their designated places. Even Ye Jianshan, who had been to the palace before, was awestruck by the dragon throne placed on the high steps in front of him.
It's so grand! It feels like the floor tiles under my feet are made of gold, glittering and shining as if they're glowing.
This palace is different from the one Ye Jianshan visited before; this one better highlights the supreme status of the throne.
The ministers had all taken their places, each staring intently at Ye Jianshan in front of them.
The Emperor has already made some subtle moves; it remains to be seen whether he will make an official announcement today.
Ye Yun was also informed in advance, but he didn't tell Ye Jianshan.
If Ye Jianshan could say he wanted to be emperor last time, then he should have nothing to fear about being named the crown prince.
The Crown Prince intended to wait until the official announcement of the decree before informing Ye Jianshan.
This can be considered a gift for the child who passed the imperial examination with a score of six.
That's right, Ye Yun found out the results yesterday; her son was the top scorer.
She raised a son who became a top scholar in the imperial examinations, so her life was not in vain.
Ye Yun became even more carefree; her son was not only the top scholar in the imperial examination but also the crown prince.
But despite his carefree attitude, he still felt somewhat uneasy.
She felt uneasy after returning to the capital. Yesterday, she talked to the Crown Prince, who said he would handle it. But she didn't say what it was, yet the Crown Prince already knew.
The remnants of the Great Wei dynasty have never been completely eradicated and continue to cause trouble among the people.
I'm afraid there might be one in the capital too. If that happens and the mountains are harmed, it will be too late.
The Emperor has been very busy lately and has had fewer opportunities to visit the Ye residence.
Hopefully, this matter can be handled well.
After Ye Jianshan entered the palace, he saw many familiar faces among the ministers.
Ye Yu was also there. Although Ye Jianshan didn't recognize him, he was thick-skinned and stood up straight, quietly boasting to the people around him: "The one standing at the front is my nephew, this year's top scholar. If he can also become the top scholar this time, he will be a six-time winner."
People around him turned around curiously when they heard the noise, and for a moment they couldn't figure out what relationship Ye Jianshan had with Ye Yu.
But then I suddenly realized that the Crown Princess's family was Ye Yu's family.
However, it is common knowledge that the Crown Princess has a bad relationship with her family.
I don't know how Ye Yu could have the nerve to say that, but last time Ye Yu went to the Ye residence next to the Crown Prince's residence, he stayed there for most of the day, and when he came out his face was expressionless, but it definitely wasn't good news. If it were good news, he would have come out smiling.
But they were related by blood after all, and no matter what, they were more familiar with Ye Jianshan than these people were, so everyone still offered their congratulations, saying, "Congratulations, Lord Ye."
"I never expected that Lord Ye's luck would turn around."
Those around almost burst out laughing when they heard this. How could they say that? The Ye family's luck was definitely not going to improve. The Crown Prince couldn't stand it, and the next emperor would be the Crown Prince.
Ye Yu might have a chance to rise to prominence when the Crown Prince ascends the throne.
But who knows how long that will take?
The six ministers also looked at the tribute students today. Ye Jianshan, who was in the front row, was very imposing and led the entire tribute student group with high spirits.
"Minister Feng, this census has quite a connection with your second son."
Everyone now knows that Minister Feng sent Feng Xing to the temple because he regarded Ye Jianshan as the Crown Prince and was afraid of offending the Crown Prince, so he took the initiative to strike first.
Unexpectedly, Ye Jianshan was a grandson of the emperor, and Feng Xing was even able to exchange a few words with him.
Minister Feng gave a wry smile: "Don't tease me. Ye Huiyuan really wants to be friends with your third young master."
Minister Jiang fell silent, his smile vanishing, not for Jiang Xiuyuan, but for Jiang Song.
At this moment, Ye Jianshan saw that Minister Jiang and the others also nodded to the six ministers, and then he even nodded to Minister Jiang.
Minister Jiang was filled with mixed feelings. Had this little grandson really fallen for their Jiang Song? With Jiang Song's temper, he was worried that he would follow in Ye Yu's footsteps and become the second Crown Princess who would betray her own family for the greater good.
This isn't just idle worry; there's precedent to learn from. The Crown Princess was ruthless, and Jiang Song is no less so.
Minister Jiang twitched his lips and nodded back at Ye Jianshan.
This little action naturally caught everyone's attention; everyone knew that Jiang Song had gone to the Ye residence a couple of days ago.
It's no wonder they know everything; Ye Jianshan is the center of discussion in the entire capital, and every move he makes is discussed by everyone.
Jiang Song's visit was no exception; they had been discussing it privately for two days.
I've already found out that Jiang Song and the Crown Princess's grandson knew each other back in Qingyang.
Minister Jiang really got incredibly lucky. They didn't believe it was something Minister Jiang had arranged on purpose; it was definitely a coincidence.
After all, Jiang Song has already been abandoned by the Jiang family.
I heard that this trip back to Beijing was also for the wedding. I didn't expect Jiang Song to have found a powerful backer in Qingyang.
Didn't you see that Minister Jiang has stopped laughing?
You must be terrified.
Some people had blank expressions, while others were secretly gloating.
Of all people to mess with, you had to mess with Ye Jianshan. He's not one to play by the rules.
Standing next to Ye Jianshan, Cui Jianbing felt extremely uncomfortable, as if the gazes of those around him were piercing his back.
His grandfather was also there, but he was resting with his eyes closed and didn't pay attention to the commotion and petty actions happening here.
He resigned himself to his fate; he couldn't even match Ye Jianshan's aura.
Ye Jianshan was completely at ease, while Cui Jianbing and the others were already trembling.
This is the imperial palace.
They stood there, too afraid to move, let alone glance at the surrounding ministers to greet or nod to them.
Ye Jianshan is incredibly bold.
When the Crown Prince and the Emperor arrived, the first thing they saw was Ye Jianshan, followed by a group of eunuchs carrying the imperial edict.
The above are the results of this imperial examination.
But the ministers knew that today was not the end; the Emperor had something even more important to announce.
Today, the Emperor and the Crown Prince are wearing dragon robes and python robes, respectively.
It's not unusual for the emperor to wear a dragon robe, but it's rather rare for the crown prince to wear a python robe.
It's worth noting that the Crown Prince didn't want the position before.
He'd never been seen wearing a python robe before; he dressed casually, and many people were seeing the Crown Prince dressed so formally for the first time, so they were a little unaccustomed to it.
But what's even more amusing are the faces of the Crown Prince and Ye Jianshan. Everyone looks up at the top, then turns to look at Ye Jianshan, who is standing obediently.
Then he started to sigh, "They look so alike!"
How can they look so alike?
Even father and son shouldn't look this alike. Just who is Ye Jianshan?
Not only is he incredibly good-looking, but he's also incredibly knowledgeable.
No, I can't think about it anymore. The more I think about it, the more jealous I become.
Ye Jianshan knew he was the target of everyone's attention and the focus of everyone's attention. It would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous, but he was fearless.
He quickly adjusted his mindset and nodded to the ministers he had met as a greeting.
Moreover, he felt that this occasion was not just for announcing their rankings; it seemed a bit too formal.
Ye Jianshan didn't know what the previous imperial examinations were like, but he always felt that theirs was a bit strange.
Not to mention Luo Shaohui and the others, this palace was much bigger than the one they took the last time.
And why are so many ministers here?
Ye Jianshan felt more and more uneasy.
But he soon had no time to think about it anymore.
The roster has been called.
"In the fifteenth year of the Jinyuan era... the imperial examination was announced... Ye Jianshan, the top scholar in the first class..."
Only these few keywords flashed through Ye Jianshan's mind; he couldn't hear anything else. He didn't even hear who the second-place scholar was or who the conversation was; his mind was filled with nothing but Ye Jianshan, the top scholar in the first rank...
Ye Jianshan was almost in tears. It really was him. He really did become the top scholar.
He grew up in Yejiacun and actually became the top scholar.
He still achieved the highest score in the imperial examination.
Ye Jianshan recalled his years of studying.
What seemed like a smooth journey to others was actually quite difficult for Ye Jianshan.
He endured a lot of hardship in order to pursue his studies.
Although he jokingly claims to have a photographic memory, he knows for sure whether it's genuine or just a facade.
Even the best memory can't last forever.
His notebooks could fill an entire room.
I really didn't expect him to be the top scorer in the palace examination.
He was so excited he was almost in tears.
He passed the imperial examination with the highest score of six; he really did pass with the highest score of six.
He cared more about this than the status of being the youngest prince, because it represented his own achievement.
"Please come up and receive the imperial decree, Top Scholar."
The eunuch's shrill voice interrupted his thoughts, and Ye Jianshan quickly stepped forward.
The surrounding ministers also had mixed feelings. Although they had expected this outcome, they still felt a little envious and a little jealous when they saw Ye Jianshan actually get it.
The Great Jin Dynasty is truly remarkable; it is about to produce a legendary figure whose name will be etched in history.
Ye Jianshan's life experiences could fill a novel.
No wonder storytellers love to use his life experiences to make up books; it's really satisfying.
He was the top scholar in the provincial examination, he was the top scholar in the metropolitan examination, and he was the top scholar in the imperial examination.
Cui Jianbing didn't even get the third-place finish, only the first-place finish. Both Cui Jianbing and the chief minister Cui turned deathly pale.
She lost all color in an instant.
Cui Jianbing was completely devastated. Although passing the imperial examination was a good result, he had boasted that he would achieve the highest score in the imperial examination. It was not a big deal that Ye Jianshan had destroyed his dream, after all, he was a big shot. But now he had only come in fourth place.
Not even a top-tier player.
He has completely disgraced the Cui family.
Choi Gyeong-byung really didn't know how to face the gazes of those around him.
Chief Minister Cui didn't even glance at Cui Jianbing; he was ruthless.
After everyone was shocked by the young prince's sixth-place ranking in the imperial examination, they began to look at Cui Jianbing and Chief Minister Cui.
They would rather see Chief Minister Cui lose face; Ye Jianshan was there to bring down the Cui family.
Before Ye Jianshan came to Beijing, the Cui family was incredibly arrogant. But ever since Ye Jianshan came to the capital, the Cui family has only become famous for embarrassing themselves.
The most beloved grandson of Chief Minister Cui, the child raised by the top leader, didn't even get the third-place ranking.
It's really hard to know what to say.
The Emperor, sitting high above Ye Jianshan in the center, was also filled with excitement. After the rankings were announced, the Emperor said, "The top scholar, come forward so I can have a good look at you."
Ye Jianshan couldn't help but laugh. He looked just like the Crown Prince, which made it even more amusing for him to step forward.
The person standing below looks almost exactly like the one standing next to the emperor.
And their dimples are all the same when they smile. Wait, what is the top scholar smiling about?
Ye Jianshan didn't know what he was laughing at; he probably just found it amusing that his grandfather was pretending to be serious and calling him that.
Even the Emperor was rendered speechless by Ye Jianshan's smiling eyes. This child is putting on an act; don't let him down.
To maintain his dignity, the Emperor coughed, raised his sleeve, and then descended from above with a stern face, with the Crown Prince naturally following behind.
Then everyone's attention involuntarily turned to Ye Jianshan and the Crown Prince.
Looking in the mirror.
Ye Jianshan was still young, a little shorter than the Crown Prince, but that didn't stop the Crown Prince from looking at Ye Jianshan with loving eyes.
The ministers were at a loss. These three were just showing off, and even the onlookers could tell how close they were.
Stop showing off.
The prince drew closer and closer, his eyes growing increasingly red. How wonderful.
He also has a son, who was the top scholar in the imperial examination.
The Emperor had always remarked that Ye Jianshan was his lucky star.
Now he spoke directly in front of everyone, saying, "The Great Jin Dynasty has never had a person who achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations. Scholar Ye is the first person to do so. He is truly a lucky star for the Great Jin Dynasty."
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