Chapter 149: High School Champion, Good News
"clang--"
The sound of the gong exploded like thunder, shaking the entire Jiangzhou city. When the announcement of Zhu Lan as the champion came out, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the sound of the gong was like the sound of nature, stirring up thousands of waves.
At this moment, six postmen rushed out of the provincial government on their fine horses, with each horse's chest decorated with gorgeous red silk flowers.
As the sound of the gong echoed, the first postman held up the report of victory, his voice as loud as a bell: "The champion of this year's provincial examination is Zhu Lan from Zhaoping County, Jiangzhou City!"
Before he finished speaking, the horse rushed straight to Zhu's house like an arrow, carrying the victory news.
This is a grand ceremony of the provincial examination. The honors of the top five "Jingkui" and the sixth "Bangyuan" will be announced by special people on horseback, with people shouting all the way, so that the good news will spread to every street and alley, and neighbors and fellow villagers will join in the celebration and take it as an example.
“Fourth place, Lu Zhizhao from Zening County, Jiangzhou!
Fifth place, He Zheng from Xuan County, Luozhou!
Sixth place, Zhu Qingyan from Zhaoping County, Jiangzhou!"
Each announcement was accompanied by the galloping of postmen on horseback, spreading the good news far and wide.
The official announcing the list closed the list solemnly and announced to the audience:
"I would like to congratulate the above scholars for standing out from thousands of talents. I hope you will achieve better results in the imperial examinations and palace examinations, and repay the country's kindness with your talents. Your diligence is the glory of our dynasty!"
"Lanlan, Lanlan is the top scorer! Oh my god!!!"
Qiao Youyou's surprised cry exploded on the second floor of the teahouse. For a moment, countless eyes were focused on Zhu Lan in front of her.
"So she is Zhu Lan!?"
"Is this the eldest granddaughter of Zhu Juren's family? I heard that she won the first place in the previous county and imperial examinations, and this time she even won the first place!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, he is so talented at such a young age. Could this boy be the god of literature?"
"Who knows if I can really pass the imperial examination in the future? Why don't we find an opportunity to go to Zhu's house and get to know him?"
When the sound of the gong exploded and the news that Zhu Lan had won the top prize reached Yang Xin's ears, he felt as if he had been hit by a heavy hammer and his heart sank suddenly.
At this moment, the discussions on both sides were getting louder and louder, and Yang Xin's brain was in a mess.
He had just arrived in Jiangzhou and naturally had never heard of Zhu Lan's name. Only then did he know that the female student in front of him had actually won the first place in both the county and college examinations. He was immediately shocked beyond words.
Qiao Youyou came up to Yang Xin with a proud look on his face and asked, "How about you bark like a guard dog or a wild dog?"
She returned Yang Xin's previous words exactly as they were spoken.
At this time, many people's eyes were focused on Yang Xin, as if waiting for him to fulfill the bet. Yang Xin was shocked and angry, his face turned the color of liver, and the muscles on his face twitched unconsciously.
"Hey, Mr. Yang, your words won't sound like you're farting, right?" Qiao Youyou deliberately said loudly.
Yang Xin raised his head and looked around, seeing the mocking eyes of the crowd, he felt terrified and angry.
These stupid people, how dare they do this to him? He is the son of a magistrate, how could he become a laughing stock at this moment?
If he really barked like a dog in front of so many people, wouldn't that bring shame to the entire Yang family!
"You, you——!" Yang Xin's voice trembled with anger. He wanted him to bark like a dog, even if he was beaten to death, it would be impossible!
Just then, a man who looked like an official came up to the second floor.
"Excuse me, who is Miss Zhu Lan?"
Zhu Lan took a step forward and said, "I am your student."
The officer walked up to her with a flattering look on his face.
"Miss Zhu Lan, County Magistrate Ji is hosting a banquet tonight. Please be sure to attend."
Qiao Youyou secretly asked Xiao Wan: "Is this the legendary Luming Banquet?"
Xiao Wan: "It shouldn't be. The Luming Banquet is for all new candidates to attend, and it won't be hosted by the county magistrate. I think Lanlan won the first place, which made Zhaoping County proud, so Lord Ji specially held a banquet for her."
Qiao Youyou let out a long "Oh", as expected of Lanlan, she is so impressive!
Zhu Lan bowed and said, "Thank you, sir. Please report to Lord Ji that Zhu Lan will attend the banquet on time."
The other party nodded and said, "To congratulate Zhu Jieyuan on being the first on the list, the Lord has ordered the county government to fund the construction of a square gate in front of your house. The craftsmen have already set out. There is also a reward of fifty taels of silver, which has now been sent to your house.
Zhu Jieyuan, please go home and have a look."
"Thank you very much, sir." Zhu Lan smiled and stuffed a few pieces of silver into the other party's hand as a prize.
"Hey, where's Yang Xin? Why did he run away? " Qiao Youyou suddenly looked around and shouted.
It turned out that Yang Xin and his attendants had secretly slipped away while the county official was talking.
"What a cunning bastard. It's really an insult to the dog to make him bark like a dog."
Qiao Youyou said "Pooh" and cursed.
Zhu Lan and the other two went downstairs and saw Liang Zhou and Zhou Da. Both of them looked like they were on the list.
Liang Zhou was beaming with joy. "Doesn't my title of 'Palace Ranking' sound more impressive than the second-to-last place?"
"Palace List" is the last place on the Dragon and Tiger List.
He passed the imperial examination, but came last.
Zhou Da teased, "Now you have to prepare for the exam, so you won't have time to play anymore, right?"
Liang Zhou: Watch me show you how to make your smile disappear.
"Miss Zhu, oh no, Zhu Jieyuan!" A figure hurriedly ran towards Zhu Lan. Zhu Lan took a quick look and remembered that it was Duan Wenqing whom she met at the paper rolling factory that day.
Duan Wenqing was out of breath, and when he saw Zhu Lan again, his face was full of admiration and worship.
"I didn't expect that the Miss Zhu whom I met by chance that day would turn out to be the top scorer in this competition! I am so, so honored!" Duan Wenqing was so happy that he didn't know where to put his hands.
Zhu Lan said a few humble words, and seeing that the other party looked good, he smiled and asked, "How are Brother Duan's grades? Did you make the list?"
"I am not talented, I am ranked 130th." After saying that, Duan Wenqing bowed deeply to Zhu Lan, "I also want to thank Zhu Jieyuan for lending me the silver that day!"
"Brother Duan, are you planning to return home today?" Zhu Lan asked.
Duan Wenqing smiled when he heard this, "Alas, I don't have much money on me, so I plan to stay in Zhaoping County temporarily, and then go home after the Luming Banquet and the government's gift of silver."
"That's fine." Zhu Lan nodded, "Then I'll see you at the Luming Banquet, Brother Duan."
After Zhu Lan finished talking with Duan Wenqing and others, a long time had passed since the announcement of the results. I guess the good news must have been passed back to Zhu's house by now.
She was naturally delighted to have won the championship this time, and she couldn't help but quicken her pace towards home.
…
There was still a solemn atmosphere in Zhu's residence.
Zhu Yuanou stared at the door with his eyes wide open. Why did Ah Cai, this stupid guy, take so long to look at the list?
Or did you search the entire list but couldn't find Lan'er's name?
Zhu Yuanou's heart sank a little.
Pei Yue saw through his thoughts and comforted him softly, "Dad, you passed the imperial examination when you were in your forties, and Lan'er is still young. What's there to worry about?"
Zhu Yuanou nodded, but his heart was still hanging in the air. Finally, he couldn't help but stood up and walked towards the door, with Pei Yue following behind him.
As soon as Zhu Yuanou arrived at the gate of Zhu's house, he saw a tall horse with a red silk flower tied on it coming towards him in a cloud of dust.
"This year's provincial examination champion is Zhu Lan from Zhaoping County, Jiangzhou City—"
The long tail sound echoed in the streets, attracting countless people to come and watch and congratulate.
Pei Yue covered her mouth in astonishment until the good news came into her hands, with the words "Jieyuan" clearly written on it, and then she woke up from her dream.
"Dad, did you hear that? Lan'er...is the top scorer!"
Even someone as calm as Pei Yue was trembling with excitement. She pointed the words on the victory report to Grandpa Zhu, but found that the people around her did not move.
"Dad, Dad?" Pei Yue thought he was frightened by the news, so she gently pulled on Grandpa Zhu's sleeve.
The next moment, Zhu Yuanou's old body suddenly shook violently.
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