Because this was the palace examination, all candidates received uniform attire before the exam.
After Lu Xiuyuan took the clothes back, Pei Zhi washed them, ironed them with a kettle, and was waiting to wear them for the palace examination.
Lu Xiuyuan breathed a sigh of relief after realizing that His Highness the Crown Prince had left.
With the Crown Prince as the examiner standing beside Lu Xiuyuan, Lu Xiuyuan felt quite pressured when answering the questions.
After the exam, everyone gathered together to wait for the results of the grading.
Unlike other examinations, the results of the palace examination were not released after a few days.
Xiao Chengci watched as several officials reviewed the documents together inside the hall.
The most important papers are those of the top three students.
Several officials held a few exam papers, hesitating and discussing heatedly until their faces turned red.
Xiao Chengci put down his teacup and walked over.
"Your Highness, look, these are the top five we selected. I think this paper can be eliminated for now."
Xiao Chengci took it and glanced at it; although the names were all covered up.
However, Xiao Chengci had just seen the handwriting of all the candidates in the hall and knew that this candidate's name was Lu Xiuyuan.
"Your Highness, I believe this candidate's paper is worthy of the top spot. His answers to the policy questions were excellent, but his knowledge of classics and history is somewhat lacking."
"In my opinion, this student can at most be granted the title of Jinshi, but he will not be able to be ranked first."
"Yes, apart from the strategy question, the rest are all a bit lacking."
Xiao Chengci looked at the ministers who were speaking with a half-smile.
In fact, there were only this many people in the palace examination round.
The ministers could tell who was who just by looking at the handwriting.
The reason for agreeing to appoint Lu Xiuyuan as the top official was that he too had risen through the ranks from the bottom.
Naturally, she had a good impression of Lu Xiuyuan, who shared the same background.
Xiao Chengci hesitated for a moment, then suddenly remembered the student and the fragrance on him that was similar to that of Pei Zhi.
"I believe he deserves to be at the top of the list."
Xiao Chengci thought that it was time for a top scholar to come from a poor background.
In this way, students from impoverished backgrounds can be encouraged to study even harder.
Since Xiao Chengci had spoken, the other ministers naturally had nothing more to say.
The imperial examination system was originally designed to select officials for the imperial court.
Since this student has won the favor of His Highness the Crown Prince, there is no need for them to hold him back.
Pei Zhi sat down with Lu's mother at a tea stall on the street today, just to wait for the results of the imperial examination.
Lu's mother kept repeating, "God bless my son, bless him to become the top scholar in the imperial examination!"
Pei Zhi poured a cup of tea for Lu's mother, afraid that she might get thirsty from talking about it.
Will Lu Xiuyuan become the top scholar in the imperial examination? Pei Zhi thinks the chances are slim.
Lu Xiuyuan has a good foundation, but his other skills are somewhat lacking.
"Aya, look! Isn't that Xiuyuan?"
Lu's mother had poor eyesight, but when she looked at the person riding a big horse in front of her, who was also wearing red flowers, she thought, "Why does he look so much like my son?"
Pei Zhi narrowed her eyes and murmured, "It's him."
Did Lu Xiuyuan really become the top scholar in the imperial examination?
Is she just really that unlucky?
Pei Zhizhen couldn't understand it at all; she had seen Lu Xiuyuan's scholarship.
Lu Xiuyuan's scholarship has a very good foundation, but lacks depth.
How could someone like him become the top scholar? Did Lu Xiuyuan get in through connections?
Regardless, Lu Xiuyuan has now become the top scholar in the imperial examination.
Lu Xiuyuan looked around and saw Pei Zhi and his mother, and quickly waved to them.
Pei Zhi smiled and waved in greeting.
Not knowing how much longer Lu Xiuyuan would be paraded through the streets, Pei Zhi took Lu's slightly tired mother home first.
On the way back, Lu's mother kept wiping away her tears with a handkerchief, muttering to herself incessantly.
Pei Zhi was deep in thought, wondering what to do next.
Lu Xiuyuan became the top scholar in the imperial examination and will definitely enter the Hanlin Academy.
However, she was just a minor official, so she shouldn't run into Xiao Chengci and the others.
But Pei Zhi couldn't gamble on that chance. If Xiao Chengci found out she wasn't dead, she would definitely suffer a terrible fate.
Lu Xiuyuan has entered the Hanlin Academy, and he should spend two years there to gain experience before being transferred to another post.
Pei Zhi was pondering whether she should endure it for two more years, or settle things with Lu Xiuyuan now.
It would be a shame to give up now after finally finding someone like Lu Xiuyuan.
Moreover, even if Lu Xiuyuan becomes the top scholar, she, a woman in the inner courtyard, would never have the chance to meet someone of such high status as the Crown Prince.
After Lu Xiuyuan's parade through the streets, there was a banquet that evening, specially held for these people.
Lu Xiuyuan was the top scholar in the imperial examination, so of course he had to go.
Although Lu Xiuyuan was eager to go back to see his family, he didn't dare to offend anyone before he even became an official.
Although Lu Xiuyuan was the top scholar in the imperial examination, he was extremely embarrassed at this banquet.
The students were clinking glasses and chatting, leaving Lu Xiuyuan sitting alone, everyone subconsciously ignoring him.
Lu Xiuyuan realized that everyone was dissatisfied with him becoming the top scholar.
"Senior Brother Wang, I thought you were the clear favorite to be the top scholar this year."
"Yes, my senior brother always comes in first place, but I never expected him to come in second this time."
The group was talking so loudly that Lu Xiuyuan couldn't pretend he couldn't hear them.
Lu Xiuyuan was not a good talker to begin with, so he could only lower his head and pretend he didn't exist.
A palace attendant announced, "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
A group of people stood up in unison and stood inside the hall.
When Xiao Chengci approached, everyone knelt down to pay their respects.
"Get up," Xiao Chengci said, offering words of encouragement after everyone had risen.
It's nothing more than the saying, "Ten years of hard study have led to today's success. I hope you will serve the court and remember the path you came from when you encounter difficulties in the future."
A group of students readily agreed.
Is Scholar Lu here?
When Lu Xiuyuan heard His Highness the Crown Prince call his name, he quickly stood in front and knelt down to pay his respects.
"Your humble servant is here."
"You have passed the imperial examination with top honors today. I hope you will not forget your original aspirations in the future. I have high expectations for you."
Although Lu Xiuyuan was somewhat puzzled, he still respectfully replied, "Your Highness, I will certainly not forget your instructions."
"Okay, get up."
A group of people looked at each other, none of them understanding.
How did Lu Xiuyuan suddenly gain the favor of His Highness the Crown Prince?
Isn't Lu Xiuyuan from a poor family? How could he possibly get in touch with His Highness the Crown Prince?
As Xiao Chengci walked past Lu Xiuyuan, he caught that faint scent again.
However, the smell was fainter than the one I had smelled in the palace today.
Xiao Chengci patted Lu Xiuyuan on the shoulder and then left.
As soon as Xiao Chengci left, Lu Xiuyuan was immediately surrounded by people.
With so many people in the hall, His Highness the Crown Prince only spoke to Lu Xiuyuan.
It is clear that Lu Xiuyuan has a bright future ahead of him.
Everyone naturally wanted to build a good relationship with Lu Xiuyuan.
No matter how powerful your backing is, it's not as useful as gaining the favor of His Highness the Crown Prince.
Lu Xiuyuan was also somewhat puzzled. He had also noticed that His Highness the Crown Prince treated him in a way that was unusual.
But why?
He should have had absolutely no connection with His Highness the Crown Prince before.
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