Since returning from the palace that day, Xiang Yu has become extremely silent and has been practicing martial arts in the training grounds for the past two days.
Wang Li saw that he looked so depressed and miserable, and he felt secretly happy. You have been bullying me every day, and now you are getting your retribution, right?
Perhaps he had suffered too much in the past, and now that he had an outlet, he couldn't wait to stand in front of Xiang Yu and ridicule him unscrupulously.
"Hey, isn't this our arrogant Master Ji? What's wrong? Has he been listless these past few days?"
"Could it be that he has been disliked by His Majesty?"
"Wang, Li, if you want to fight, just say so."
Hearing the mockery from his mortal enemy, Xiang Yu's face became even gloomier, and each word he uttered, filled with coldness, seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Han Xin hurried forward to smooth things over and tried to ease the tense atmosphere.
"Brother Ji, Brother Wang, we are all classmates, so please talk nicely, talk nicely."
"Besides, tomorrow is the grand ceremony of announcing the imperial examinations. Don't let the relationship get damaged at this critical moment."
Han Xin's dissuasion was obviously very effective. Wang Li curled his lips unwillingly and gave up his position. Xiang Yu snorted coldly and left.
When it comes to matters concerning their future, few people dare to slack off. If their bad deeds get out, it will inevitably make His Majesty unhappy, and their ranking as Jinshi will be lowered.
The next day, a solemn and grand ceremony of announcing the imperial examinations was held in Zhangtai Palace.
In the spacious square, guards wearing armor and holding weapons stood solemnly on both sides. Fengchang and Taiyue were responsible for etiquette and music.
After everything was ready, the royal family members stood on both sides of the platform, and the civil and military officials stood in an orderly manner in the square.
Under the guidance of the usher, the candidates put on new official uniforms, suppressed their excitement, looked solemn, and stood on the left and right behind the officials.
After a while, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the emperor and empress, both dressed in black and gold robes, came side by side.
"Your Majesty has arrived! The Empress has arrived!"
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
“…”
Accompanied by the loud and solemn sound of drums and music, everyone shouted in unison and paid their respects.
Ying Zheng and Chu Yuening sat on the dragon and phoenix chairs respectively, their expressions equally majestic and dignified.
Afterwards, Fengchang brought out the imperially approved golden list and unfolded it, and the announcing officials sang it out in order, with music played every time it was called out.
"On the tenth day of the seventh month in the fifth year of the First Emperor's reign, the emperor held a meeting to select candidates from all over the country."
"The first class was awarded the title of Jinshi Jidi, the second class was awarded the title of Jinshi Chuanchuan, and the third class was awarded the title of Tong Jinshi Chuanchuan."
There was no noise in the huge venue, only the solemn and dignified sound of the reading echoed throughout the Zhangtai Palace.
Everyone stood in silence and listened attentively, and even though the candidates tried their best to suppress their inner anxiety, some fluctuations could still be seen on their solemn faces.
Their hearts seemed to be in their throats, and everyone's eyes were focused on Feng Chang in front of them, anxiously and expectantly waiting for the final judgment.
"The first place in the first class of the literary examination is Xiao He!"
"The second place in the first class of the literary examination is Cao Shen!"
"The third place in the first class of the literary examination is Zhang Liang!"
Each name is read out three times to show the uniqueness of the top three places and to demonstrate the grace of Your Majesty.
Xiao He and the other two were suddenly overjoyed, but they still maintained their composure. They walked out of the line, stood on the imperial road, kowtowed to the emperor and expressed their gratitude, becoming the emperor's disciples in the true sense.
An hour later, the roll call for the civil examination was over, and the roll call for the military examination began next. It was still the familiar process and the familiar voice.
"First place in the martial arts exam, Ji Yu!"
"The second place in the first class of the martial arts exam is Wang Li!"
"Third place in the first class of the martial arts exam, Han Xin!"
When Xiang Yu heard his own name, his mind went blank. It was not until he sang it three times that he suddenly reacted.
He kowtowed and expressed his gratitude like a walking corpse, his heart in a mess, with surprise, confusion, trance, melancholy...all kinds of emotions intertwined.
Xiang Yu never thought that Qin Shihuang had such a broad mind that he could tolerate a remnant of an enemy country and even forget about his past crime of treason and grant him such an honor.
He looked up at the emperor standing high above him with a complicated expression. After seeing that face that was majestic without even being angry, a feeling of powerlessness gradually welled up in his heart.
When Xiang Yu was young and frivolous, he was proud of his supernatural powers and martial arts and was arrogant and conceited. After hearing about the reputation of the First Emperor, he did not feel awe but was unwilling to accept it.
He believed that if he became king, he would certainly do no worse than Qin Shi Huang.
But now, the gap between them is like a chasm. Not only is his martial arts strength inferior to hers, but even her broad mind is beyond his reach.
Under the gaze of those majestic and sharp phoenix eyes, Xiang Yu willingly lowered his proud head.
At this moment, the unruly pride completely surrendered.
After the names were announced, the top scholar led the other successful candidates in expressing gratitude for the emperor's grace, and then, surrounded by a grand guard of honor, watched the posting of the gold list and the horseback parade.
The streets of Xianyang were filled with people who came to join in the fun, all with envy and admiration on their faces.
I saw the number one scholar riding a tall horse, wearing a bright red robe, surrounded by people in front and behind, with drums and gongs beating, he looked really majestic.
"Wow! Father, the older brothers are riding big horses, so majestic!"
"Hahaha, little Shitou, then you should study hard and learn to read, so that you can be as majestic as this in the future!"
"Really? Then I will definitely do my homework well."
Little Shitou rode on his father's neck, looking at the honor guard with envy, and a seed was quietly planted in his heart.
Xiao He rode his horse in parade with a cheerful face. His jade-like face had a blush against the backdrop of his red robe, making him look elegant and charming.
Xiang Yu, who was standing aside, was enjoying the feeling of being the center of attention. All the depression in his heart disappeared, his eyes were bright, and the corners of his lips gradually rose.
At this moment, two extremely familiar voices came from a distance.
"Yu'er!"
"Brother Yu! Look here, look here!"
Xiang Liang stood quietly in the crowd, looking at his nephew who had passed the imperial examination with satisfaction, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.
Xiang An beside him was jumping and waving, extremely excited, as if he had been the top scorer in the imperial examination.
Xiang Yu's eyes widened in surprise, he waved excitedly in response, and the smile on his lips became more sincere.
Glancing at this heartwarming scene, Cao Shen's joyful smile faded, and a hint of loss flashed across his eyes.
"Shen'er!"
"Shen'er!"
Two loving calls came into his ears. Cao Shen hurriedly looked in the direction of the sound and indeed found two old figures.
He waved in response, then immediately held his head high and chest out, showing his parents his most dazzling and glorious moment, with a bit of childish show-off on his calm and composed face.
Han Xin rode a majestic black horse, wearing a red robe. He had a body as straight as a pine tree, sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. He was so handsome that he attracted the attention of many girls.
But his eyes fell on the picture of family reunion, and a look of nostalgia emerged between his handsome brows. He couldn't help but recite in his heart.
Father and mother, your spirits in heaven must be very pleased.
Now that my son has passed the imperial examination and ranked third in the imperial examination, he has made great achievements and brought honor to the family.
You two would be proud of me, right?
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