"The results are out! The results are out!"
Amidst Ning Hong's complex emotions, the crowd suddenly shouted, the yamen gates opened, and several yamen runners rushed out, banging gongs.
A list a meter long was posted on the wall outside the government office. Every now and then, people would shout in surprise, some would weep bitterly, and others would be overjoyed.
"I won! I won!"
An elderly man with white hair and beard shouted loudly, then squatted down on the floor and wept bitterly.
Back in school, I learned about Fan Jin's success in the imperial examination, and at the time I thought it was a bit exaggerated. Now, seeing the people below so frenzied, I suddenly have some insights.
The influence of official titles and honors in ancient times was truly terrifying.
Who is the top scholar in this imperial examination?
"Let me see."
"Han Tianbao? What a ridiculous name?"
Who is Han Tianbao?
Some out-of-town test takers did not recognize the name Han Tianbao. After all, judging from the name, he seemed more like a spoiled brat than a scholar.
It was the local students in Beijing who introduced Han Tianbao to the students from other places.
Han Tianbao naturally heard the shouts below and immediately stood up excitedly, "I, I am the top scholar."
As he spoke, he secretly glanced at Ning Nuonuo. "Miss Ning, I am the top scholar in the imperial examination."
"Wow, you're really amazing."
Ning Nuonuo nodded. Her brother said that those who could pass the imperial examination with top honors were all extremely talented.
It is especially rare to find a top scholar of such a young age.
"I wonder how you are doing, brother?" Ning Nuonuo glanced worriedly at the list below when Ning Hongze's grades were mentioned.
"Let nature take its course," Ning Hong said with a faint smile.
This kid is actually a top scholar in the provincial examination.
You can't tell at all.
Although he had heard of Han Tianbao's reputation before, after looking at Han Tianbao's chubby cheeks, he shook his head slightly, still finding him rather unlike the character. This kid seemed more like a pampered young nobleman.
Especially when he stares at his daughter Nuonuo like this, he doesn't seem like a womanizer at all.
"Young master, young master, you're the top scholar!" Han Tianbao's servant rushed up excitedly. "You're the top scholar!" Now, the master should be satisfied with the young master's achievement.
"Yes, I already know." Han Tianbao nodded reservedly. "Did you see Young Master Ning's name?"
"Young Master, this servant saw it." This servant was named Tian Ding, Han Tianbao's personal servant. The two had grown up together since childhood and understood Han Tianbao's thoughts best. Seeing that Han Tianbao's gaze kept lingering on Ning Nuonuo, he naturally understood what Han Tianbao was thinking.
Young master has taken a liking to that girl.
However, this girl is much more pleasing to the eye than that Miss Liang.
"Young Master Ning also passed, ranking eleventh."
"Oh? My brother won."
Ning Nuonuo's smile widened. If there weren't outsiders present, she probably would have jumped up and down with her brother in her arms.
Ning Hong finally felt relieved.
Eleventh place was much better than he had expected.
He thought he would be hanging on Sun Shan.
Even if he comes in last place, as long as he can pass the imperial examination and become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination), he will be one step closer to his goal.
Amidst the cries of congratulations on the birth of the son, the yamen runners who had come to deliver the good news also arrived.
Ning Nuonuo immediately untied her purse, took out all the silver coins inside, and gave them to the congratulatory constables.
The constables were overjoyed at the sight of the generous reward, showering Ning Nuonuo with compliments, which made her even happier.
Looking at Ning Nuonuo's beaming face, Yang Lian felt a surge of envy. As she watched Ning Nuonuo being pampered, an idea suddenly came to her mind.
He finally passed the imperial examination and became a scholar.
He was now of the same status as the person who had forced them to flee Yangcheng.
However, that person has been operating in Yangcheng for many years, so he cannot go back yet.
Moreover, he is still considering whether to participate in this year's imperial examination.
I ranked eleventh in the provincial examination; it seems worth a try.
When the news of Ning Hong's passing the imperial examination reached the village where he had settled, the entire village was in an uproar.
Unexpectedly, Ning Hongze actually passed the imperial examination and became a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations).
When he passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, the villagers were shocked, but because it was near the capital and there were many other scholars in the surrounding villages, they agreed to let them live in the village, but didn't offer them much special treatment.
Looking back now, I feel a deep sense of regret.
If I had known, I should have taken better care of these two children.
The status of a Juren (举人) is completely incomparable to that of a Xiucai (秀才).
In addition, there was another piece of news in the village.
That means Yang Lian sold herself.
Having enjoyed the treatment the Ning family provided, Yang Lian had absolutely no desire to return to the Yang family.
Her family doesn't care about her at all. Even if she goes back, they'll just find her a family with a high dowry and marry her off to them. As for the character of her fiancé, they probably won't care.
It would be better to sell myself to the Ning family.
Following Ning Nuonuo, she would never mistreat herself.
Of course, it was impossible to get the same treatment as her, since she was a servant.
"Have you thought this through? This servant has no freedom." Ning Hong raised an eyebrow at Yang Lian. "Besides, what I need is a loyal servant. You can be disloyal to Nuonuo, of course, but you absolutely cannot betray Nuonuo."
"I'm sure I can do that."
Yang Lian did not hesitate.
What are you still thinking about?
Her family is still around. What good is it if she's rich? Sooner or later, all that money will end up in the hands of her brothers.
Yang Lian already had this idea, and going home only strengthened her resolve to sell herself.
Because the gold hairpin she had hidden was found by her mother, who then made her sell it and use the money to help her second brother get married.
In particular, her family members not only did not feel guilty for stealing her things, but also blamed her for hiding the gold hairpin.
Her father even raised his fist as if to hit her.
As for her mother, she was groping around on her body, trying to see if there was anything else hidden there.
“Let me tell you, the most important thing for a woman is to have a family. If you help your brothers now, they will definitely support you in the future.”
Hehe, Yang Lian twitched the corner of her mouth upon hearing this.
Expecting their help?
It would be better to try to please Ning Nuonuo more.
She immediately brought up the idea of selling herself into slavery.
"You're quite good-looking. If you were willing to be Master Wang's ninth concubine..."
Brother Yang looked Yang Lian up and down.
Yang Lian's heart was completely broken.
"I won't be a concubine. If you dare make me a concubine, I'll die, and you'll lose everything." A concubine of Master Wang? Master Wang is older than her father; he could be her grandfather. What use is a brother like that?
"you???????"
"Selling me to the Ning family will at least bring in some money."
With just these two sentences, the Yang family immediately agreed.
Twenty taels of silver, and from then on, he would never inquire about Yang Lian's life or death.
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