Chapter 259 Last Place
While everyone was still eating wontons, Tan Zhenlin arrived.
Smelling the delicious aroma filling the room, Tan Zhenlin, who had already eaten breakfast, immediately felt hungry. Without Sheng An having to ask, he went to the kitchen to get himself some food.
Afraid that he would scoop out all the wontons, Song Zhihang picked up the bowl and chased after him.
The two almost got into a fight in the kitchen over who got the last wonton.
"You're a scion of a noble family, you've been living a life of luxury since childhood, what good things haven't you tasted? Why would you need to fight me for a wonton?"
"The fine clothes are true, but the delicacies are another matter. Even the finest dishes from the imperial kitchen can't compare to this bowl of wontons. This young master is naturally going to snatch it."
"If you're going to fight for something, there should be a first-come, first-served rule. I was the one who came in first."
"You said you snatched it, so why are you talking about first come, first served?"
"You, you, you've completely wasted your time studying the classics!"
"Same to you!"
The two bickered like elementary school kids, their eyes fixed on each other warily, as if afraid the other would snatch the last wonton from the pot when they weren't looking.
Aunt Niu's head was buzzing from their noise. She slammed down her bowl and chopsticks, grabbed a spatula, and, under the puzzled gazes of Tan Zhenlin and Song Zhihang, cut the lone wonton in the pot in two.
"your."
Aunt Niu expressionlessly scooped half a wonton into Tan Zhenlin's bowl, then scooped the other half into Song Zhihang's bowl: "Yours."
After finishing all this, Aunt Niu put down the spatula and pointed to the kitchen door: "Go out."
Tan Zhenlin and Song Zhihang walked out of the kitchen in a daze, holding bowls. When they stood in the yard and were hit by a cold wind, their minds instantly cleared.
The two exchanged a glance, then quickly looked away, a blush creeping onto their faces.
Oh my god, what did they just do? They actually started arguing over a wonton!
Not only did they start arguing, but Aunt Niu caught them red-handed and, like coaxing a three-year-old, cut the wonton in half, one for each person.
Are they really that naive?
If this gets out, how will they ever be able to face anyone?
Thinking of this, the two glared at each other fiercely and said in unison, "Don't tell anyone!"
Tan Zhenlin: "..."
Song Zhihang: "..."
Okay, now you don't need to worry.
The two returned to the front hall as if nothing had happened, and Sheng An and the others did not notice anything unusual about them.
The sun gradually rose, casting its light across the ground.
The newly sprouted green plants in the corner of the wall, under the sunlight, reflect a satin-like luster on their tender green leaves, so fresh and full of vitality.
As they ate and talked, the time for the results to be announced arrived, and the atmosphere in the room gradually became heavy.
Tan Zhenlin, who usually seems carefree, couldn't help but show some anxiety at this moment, fidgeting as if his buttocks were nailed to the ground.
Seeing his expression, Song Zhihang couldn't help but mock him, "Whether you pass or fail is already a done deal, is it really worth getting so anxious?"
Perhaps because they had shared half a wonton, Tan Zhenlin was no longer as considerate of his status as before, and simply rolled his eyes at him: "Aren't you in a hurry? What are you doing here so early in the morning!"
Don't think he doesn't know; this kid is very competitive and has been eyeing the top spot, wanting to compete with Xu the Fox.
Not only in the provincial examination, but also in the palace examination, this kid will excel.
"Of course, it's for eating wontons!"
Song Zhihang spoke with absolute certainty, showing no sign of unease.
He would never admit his little scheme in public. Besides, the wontons were so delicious that even if he didn't get first place in the imperial examination today, the two bowls of wontons he ate this morning would be enough to soothe his wounded heart.
Tan Zhenlin, unaware of Song Zhihang's thoughts, secretly labeled him a hypocrite upon seeing such a high-sounding reason, and nudged Ye Yunhua with his elbow: "Are you confident you can make the list?"
Ye Yunhua shook his head, his expression relatively calm: "No."
This year's imperial examination only admitted 268 candidates, but more than 16,000 candidates participated.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they are one in a hundred.
Ye Yunhua was really not confident about making the list this time.
Tan Zhenlin's mood grew even heavier, and he asked Fang Qingzhou on the other side as if in self-torture, "And you?"
Fang Qingzhou also shook his head, his tone even calmer than Ye Yunhua's: "I am prepared to take the exam again in three years."
Tan Zhenlin, with a bitter face, wailed, "If none of you are confident, it seems I have no hope this time either."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a servant's joyful voice came from outside: "Young master, young master, you've won! You've won!"
He stood up abruptly, hardly believing his ears, his wide eyes staring unblinkingly at the servant who rushed in.
The other people's eyes also fell on the servant.
The attendant, panting, grinned and congratulated Tan Zhenlin: "Congratulations, young master, you've won!"
Tan Zhenlin was incredulous; he had no hope whatsoever, and then suddenly he was told he had won?
The next moment, an exaggerated, distorted laugh rang out: "Hahaha, I passed! After fifteen years of hard study, I've finally reaped the rewards!"
Seeing Tan Zhenlin jumping around the room with joy, everyone present was genuinely happy for him.
After a brief moment of elation, Tan Zhenlin immediately pressed on, "Where are my senior brothers? Have you seen their names?"
The servant scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said:
"Young master, I started looking from the last name and saw your name first. I rushed back to tell you the good news and didn't have time to look for the other three young masters."
Upon hearing this, Tan Zhenlin froze on the spot: "What did you say? What place am I?"
The servant was somewhat frightened, and shrank back, whispering, "Young Master, you are in last place."
Tan Zhenlin: "..."
Oh well, last place is last place. It's better than failing completely.
Tan Zhenlin quickly regained his composure and obediently sat back down in his chair.
Everyone congratulated him, and even Song Zhihang praised him.
Despite his pride, Song Zhihang knew very well that those who passed the imperial examination, even those who came last, were among the millions of scholars who had earned their place through their own merit; they were the best of the best.
He wasn't so arrogant as to look down on such people.
Ye Yunhua patted Tan Zhenlin on the shoulder, his face filled with undisguised envy: "You don't have to endure another three years."
As long as you pass the provincial examination, after the palace examination, you will at least be a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), and the Ministry of Personnel will grant you an official position. If you are lucky, it is not impossible to stay in the capital.
Tan Zhenlin had also thought of this, but he didn't want to appear too happy at this time: "I was also very surprised to be on the list."
That's the truth. He was genuinely surprised and had prepared himself for failure.
Xu Jinnian reminded him, "For the next few days, stay at home and prepare for the palace examination. It would be best to consult Lord Tan about the major events and policies that have occurred in the court recently."
This kid's ranking is too low, but fortunately he still has a chance to turn things around in the upcoming palace examination.
If one performs well in the palace examination, one may still be able to advance further.
Tan Zhenlin straightened his expression: "Yes, I won't go anywhere before the palace examination begins."
My father and teacher are both legitimate Jinshi graduates. If I don't give it my all and only manage to get a Tongjinshi degree, wouldn't I be disgracing my father and teacher?
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