In the palace examination hall, the candidates remained calm and composed, answering questions carefully. These questions covered multiple fields such as politics, economics, and culture, aiming to assess the candidates' comprehensive qualities and problem-solving abilities.
Candidates need to answer questions within a specified time. Scores are tallied based on the answers to determine the top three rankings: first, second, and third place.
The imperial examination, presided over by the emperor, attracted worldwide attention. Due to its high sensitivity, the scoring criteria for the imperial examination were strict and fair.
The examiners will score the candidates based on their answers, and will also invite ministers from the court to participate in the scoring.
In this way, even if the examiner is biased, it can be compensated for by the ministers' scores.
In addition, to ensure the fairness of the scoring, the emperor would select some officials with no vested interests to participate in the scoring, in order to avoid bias in the scoring.
At that time, the imperial examination held a very important position. Becoming the top scholar meant achieving great success and having a bright future.
The top three candidates had the opportunity to enter the imperial court and assume important positions, contributing their strength to the country. Therefore, scholars all over the country regarded participating in the palace examination as a major goal in their lives.
Three days later, the results of the palace examination were to be announced. Early in the morning, the notice board was crowded with people. Although the results had not yet been posted, people were already impatient.
Most of the people here are students who have come to check their grades. Everyone is feeling similarly excited and nervous.
Ouyang Nan also arrived. He supported Mr. Fang and stood on the periphery of the crowd, appearing very calm.
Mr. Fang was a little nervous at this moment, but seeing Ouyang Nan so calm, he calmed down a bit.
"Ouyang Nan, you are certain to be ranked in the top class in this imperial examination. Based on your answers, you already have the ability to become the top scholar."
"Thank you, my mentor. I hope I can be on the list this time."
Just then, several officials arrived, and the crowd immediately erupted in excitement, swarming around them.
An official took a large brush and began to apply paste to the wall. After the paste was applied, two other officials unfolded a yellow notice, laid it flat on the wall, and then smoothed it out.
After the imperial edict was posted, several officials left, and people crowded around it, making the area in front of the notice board packed with people.
People checked the results of the palace examination and discussed them animatedly.
"Oh my gosh, who is this Ouyang Nan? He got first place in the imperial examination and became the top scholar!" someone exclaimed.
"What on earth happened? I failed the exam again! What am I going to do?!" a voice sighed.
As the saying goes, some are happy while others are sad. The candidates who passed the exam were overjoyed and congratulated each other.
Most of them were candidates who failed the exam; some left silently with tears in their eyes.
Ouyang Nan and Mr. Fang stood quietly to the side. They did not go to check the list, but listened to the conversations of the candidates and knew the results of the palace examination.
Gradually, most of the candidates who had come to see the list left, and there were only a few people left in front of the imperial list. Ouyang Nan and Fang Dongliu then came to the list and began to examine it carefully.
On the imperial edict, one line of text stood out prominently, reading:
The top scorer in the first class, the champion, is Ouyang Nan.
"Mr. Fang, I got first place in the top class!" Ouyang Nan said excitedly.
"Great, great, Ouyang Nan is the top scorer in high school, that's wonderful!" Mr. Fang was so excited that he couldn't speak coherently.
"Sir, let's go back first and send a message by carrier pigeon to report this good news."
“Yes, inform Marquis Zhengyang and Headmaster Ruan of this great news,” the landlord said.
Some time ago, Mr. Fang came to Beijing with several carrier pigeons. He can use the pigeons to send messages in a timely manner when important matters occur.
The two quickly returned to the Marquis's residence. Mr. Fang picked up his pen, wrote a letter, tied it to the leg of a carrier pigeon, and released it.
Not long after the carrier pigeons were released, some officials, accompanied by their entourage, arrived at the Marquis's residence with gongs and drums to announce the good news.
The landlord Liu and Ouyang Nan, accompanied by their servants, went out to greet them. The official who brought the good news presented Ouyang Nan with a certificate and offered his blessings.
Next, the newly appointed top scholar, Ouyang Nan, changed into the scholar's robes prepared by the imperial court, mounted a tall horse, and began to tour the city.
The newly appointed top scholar paraded through the main streets of the capital, immediately attracting a large crowd of onlookers. The crowd surrounded the procession as it slowly moved along the streets, accompanied by the beating of gongs and drums and the playing of festive music.
Along the way, people offered blessings and flowers to Ouyang Nan; the parade followed a fixed route.
The group arrived at the Temple of the First Teacher at the Imperial College. Ouyang Nan dismounted and paid his respects to the statue of the First Teacher. Afterwards, he paid his respects to his mentor, his landlord, to express his gratitude for Mr. Fang's guidance and cultivation.
Of course, during the horseback parade, Ouyang Nan also performed some symbolic acts, which were all prescribed movements.
Along the way, the parade passed by scenic spots and buildings with auspicious connotations, signifying that the new top scholar's talent and character, like the virtuous gentlemen of ancient times, possessed excellent qualities such as loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, love, propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame.
After touring the city, the group returned to the Marquis's residence. By then, the gates of the residence were adorned with celebratory notices and red banners, creating a festive atmosphere. Servants set off firecrackers at the gate, marking Ouyang Nan's moment of glory.
On this day, the capital was bustling with activity, while Zhao Xian and his companions, thousands of miles away, were quietly waiting for news from the capital in Shuixian Town.
After lunch, Zhao Xian did not go out. He stayed in the Marquis's mansion and instructed his servants to keep a close watch on the pigeon coop and to retrieve any letters that returned by carrier pigeons.
Zhao Xian knew that although it was more than 1,800 li from Jingchang to Shuixian Town, the straight-line distance was not that far. If the weather was fine, the carrier pigeon could fly back in just a few hours.
Considering the pigeons will take a short break along the way, they should be able to fly back before dark, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
When the sun was still high in the sky, Ruan Fang arrived at the Marquis's mansion. She was there to gather information, as the results of the imperial examination were being announced today, and she wanted to know how Ouyang Nan had performed.
Ruan Fang knew that Zhao Xian used carrier pigeons to send messages. The results of the palace examination were posted in the capital in the morning and could be sent back by carrier pigeon.
Upon seeing Ruan Fang arrive, Zhao Xian invited her into the reception room, brewed a pot of fine tea, and poured it for her.
"Scholar Ruan, please have some tea. I am waiting for the carrier pigeon to return. Since the pigeon needs to rest and forage along the way, it will take time. Don't worry, it will definitely fly back before dark."
"Okay, then let's wait patiently and believe that Ouyang Nan will definitely become the top scholar."
At this time, Master Lin's school also ended. He told Zhao Lingling and Ouyang Xiaoyu to go home first and report to him immediately if there was any news.
The two girls rushed back to the Marquis's mansion, arrived at the reception room, and upon seeing Ruan Fang, quickly bowed in greeting.
Zhao Lingling is nineteen years old this year and has already blossomed into a graceful young woman. Ouyang Xiaoyu is fourteen years old this year and has a pure and beautiful appearance, like a fairy.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
