Finally, the day of the results announcement arrived. Officials posted the lists for A and B, and immediately a crowd gathered, scrambling to find their names on the lists.
Those who passed the exam were overjoyed, while those who failed were dejected. Some even shouted the names of the successful candidates, making noise all over the streets, and even ordinary passersby joined in the celebration.
Before long, people were talking about the imperial examinations in the streets and alleys, and the whole capital was immersed in an atmosphere of joy, laughter, comfort and encouragement.
In the inns of Beijing, the sounds of gongs, drums, and firecrackers could be heard from time to time. Examinees, celebrating their success in the imperial examinations, would generously reward others. The innkeepers seized this opportunity to loudly proclaim their auspicious location, hoping for good fortune and attracting even more scholars and examinees to stay there the following year.
Qin Mo stayed at the Laughing Inn, a slightly secluded place in the city. Its location wasn't ideal, so it wasn't very crowded. Seeing that Qin Mo wasn't in a hurry to look at the list, the innkeeper sent his servant to check the street.
The innkeeper, hunched over and stamping his feet, waited at the door. He heard the sounds of firecrackers elsewhere almost subsiding, but none of the students staying at his inn had brought back good news. He couldn't help but sigh; it seemed his business was doomed this year…
"Boss... Boss... It's out... The list is out..." The waiter jumped up and ran, shouting and waving. The boss's eyes widened, and he stopped the panting waiter, asking with surprise, "How is it? Did anyone make the list?"
Many people gathered around, and the servant, unable to catch his breath, pointed at the water glass on the table, babbling incoherently for a long time.
The shopkeeper quickly poured a cup of tea, which the waiter downed in one gulp, laughing as he said, "Young Master Qin, you've passed the exam..."
The news caused an uproar. The boss didn't even have time to ask whether it was the A list or the B list before he told his employees to bring out the firecrackers they had prepared and start celebrating.
Bright red "double happiness" characters were quickly put up, and more and more people were drawn to the lively atmosphere, coming forward to offer their congratulations. The owner beamed with joy, as if it were his own happy occasion...
The servant pushed through the crowd, ran upstairs, and urgently knocked on Qin Mo's door in the innermost room.
Qin Mo opened the door unhurriedly. The servant immediately noticed the writing brush and ink on the table and felt genuine admiration for the examinee. On a day like this, others would be eagerly awaiting their exam results, but he was leisurely writing in his room.
"Young Master Qin, you've passed the exam..." the servant said excitedly to Qin Mo.
Qin Mo seemed to have anticipated this, and didn't show much surprise, only letting out an "Oh." The servant was so shocked his jaw dropped, and he hugged Qin Mo, exclaiming loudly, "Top Scholar... Young Master Qin, you're the third-ranked scholar in the Top Scholar list..."
The servant's voice was so loud that everyone on the second floor could hear it, and everyone came out curiously to see who the third-ranked scholar was. Before Qin Mo could react, the room was already crowded with people.
"Congratulations, Young Master Qin..."
"Young Master Qin is about to rise to prominence, so don't forget about us fellow townsmen then..."
"Young Master Qin, do you have any exam techniques you could share? We could benefit from them..."
More and more people came to offer their congratulations, and the inn was packed with people curious about Qin Mo, the top scholar.
Congratulations poured in, leaving Qin Mo overwhelmed. He could only grin foolishly for a while before realizing the servant was staring intently at him. Only then did he realize he should reward him. However, Qin Mo didn't have any valuables, and after rummaging around for a while, he finally pulled out a few loose silver coins, which he handed to the servant. The servant accepted the reward and became even more enthusiastic and attentive to Qin Mo.
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