The examination papers were personally reviewed and examined by the emperor.
But I don't look at all the exam papers.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy were responsible for reading the examination papers.
The examiners selected the ten best exam papers and presented them to the Emperor for review.
The ten exam papers were arranged in order according to their evaluation criteria.
The one on top is the one they consider the best.
The final decision on the palace examination rested with the emperor.
The way the emperor determined the rankings was more subjective.
Sometimes it's about literary talent, sometimes calligraphy, sometimes appearance, and sometimes it's all about metaphysics.
Once upon a time, an emperor dreamt of thunder the night before and took it as a divine revelation. So he chose a man named Qin Minglei as the top scholar in the imperial examination.
Zhao Changheng sat on the dragon throne, looking at the exam papers one by one.
The first paper selected by the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy was written in a mature style, with a balanced argument, citing classical texts, and was very composed.
I looked at the second one, and it was also very good.
Seeing the third one, huh?
While this paper's use of classical allusions may not be as sophisticated as the previous two, its writing is still excellent, especially the examples and data it cites, which make the arguments more substantial.
They even offered some unique personal insights.
When he was the crown prince, he had seen some of the top three examination papers selected by the late emperor. He had seen many who spoke of benevolence and morality, but he had never seen anyone so pragmatic.
"Unroll the scroll."
Zhao Changheng gave the order.
The exam papers were sealed with anonymous names by the examiners to prevent cheating.
However, the emperor had the power to open the scrolls.
Immediately, people on both sides stepped forward and removed the blindfold from the exam paper.
The candidate's name is displayed on the exam paper.
Han Wenzheng.
Zhao Changheng recalled that when he met the young man at the restaurant, his mother had said that her son's name was "Wenzheng".
Having witnessed it firsthand, I know that this kid is not just all talk; he's genuinely capable.
He analyzes problems with great clarity and insight, meticulously unraveling complexities; he is exceptionally intelligent.
She's good-looking too.
What a promising young man, a true prodigy.
The officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy standing nearby were all bewildered to see the emperor grinning as he stared at a scroll.
The announcement of the results was held four days after the palace examination.
This refers to the ceremony for announcing the results of the imperial examination.
The candidates who had participated in the palace examination entered the palace again and gathered under the main hall to hear the official announce their rankings.
Ahri knelt at the foot of the royal steps and heard her own name called.
"Han Wenzheng of Jizhou, the top scholar in the imperial examination, was granted the title of Jinshi..."
It was as if I couldn't hear anything at all.
Ah Li couldn't believe it, and didn't dare to look up. She just stared wide-eyed at the stone bricks under her feet.
Like a puppet, he followed the crowd to complete the remaining rituals.
It wasn't until the very end, when he was draped in red ribbons and paraded through the streets, that he realized he had truly become the top scholar in the imperial examination.
He rode on his horse, which carried him forward.
The surrounding area was filled with a cacophony of voices, with cheers rising and falling incessantly.
Various silk flowers and sachets were thrown at him and then fell down.
A look of joy appeared on his face.
I won...
I've finally done right by my mother and by all my hard work.
"Ah Li!"
He suddenly heard his mother calling him and hurriedly looked in the direction of the sound.
He saw He Youyou standing on the shaft of a magnificent carriage, waving at him.
He happily raised his hand and waved to her.
He Youyou jumped up and down excitedly: "He saw me! Ah Li saw me!"
Standing beside the carriage, Zhao Changqing quickly reached out to support her waist.
"Don't jump, or you'll startle the horse."
"Oh, I forgot, sorry."
Zhao Changqing laughed and said, "Why are you apologizing to me... I'm not blaming you, I'm just worried about your safety. Ali will go to the imperial residence after his parade, and we'll go there to pick him up."
As he spoke, he pulled her into the carriage and told the driver to head towards the inn.
This entire scene below was witnessed by the people on the second floor who were enjoying the view.
The elderly servant wiped away his tears with his sleeve: "If Master knew this in the afterlife, he would be happy. The young master... he... is very well, very well..."
“Renbo, he is now a member of the Han family. From now on, he must not mention the words ‘young master’ again. Go and prepare a generous gift and send it to the He family.”
"yes."
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