Seeing their expressions, Zhao Xian knew they wanted to know about Ouyang Nan's performance in the imperial examination.
"You two rushed here in such a hurry, do you want to know how Ouyang Nan did on the exam?"
"Yes, the results of the imperial examination were announced today, and we want to know if Ouyang Nan has become the top scholar."
Master Lin has been thinking about this matter a lot lately. He told us to inform him immediately as soon as there is news that Ouyang Nan has passed the imperial examination.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian laughed and said:
"It seems that all the teachers are paying attention to Ouyang Nan's performance in the imperial examination. Over the years, Master Lin has devoted himself to education and has aged considerably."
Master Lin's greatest wish was that women in the Northern Dynasty could participate in the imperial examinations and be selected by the court.
“Yes, Master Lin has sacrificed so much for women’s education. I hope he is doing well,” Ruan Fang said.
"Master Lin's wish may soon be fulfilled. Li Guang has put in a lot of effort so that women all over the world can participate in the imperial examinations as soon as possible."
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the woman is likely to participate in the scientific expedition this autumn.
This women's examination was a pilot program. According to Li Guang, the imperial court might allow talented women from all over the country to directly participate in the provincial examination without having to go through the county and prefectural examinations.
Once a woman passed the provincial examination, she would become a "Juren" (a successful candidate in the provincial examinations). With this status, she could become an official or pursue further studies and participate in higher-level examinations.
Upon hearing this, the group immediately became overjoyed, as it was their dream to have a woman participate in the imperial examinations.
"Brother, are you telling the truth?" Zhao Lingling and Ouyang Xiaoyu asked almost simultaneously.
"What do you think? A few years ago, if you said that women could enter the court as officials, probably not many people would have believed it. But what is the truth?"
"Scholar Ruan is a scholar of the Hongwen Hall in the county's Confucian Academy. She's a genuine female official. Your brother Li Guang is the future emperor; there's nothing he can't accomplish if he sets his mind to it."
"That's great!" The two girls clapped their hands happily.
"If nothing unexpected happens, you two will be able to take the provincial examination in six months. From now on, you two must seize the time, prepare well for the examination, and strive to be on the list of successful candidates."
"Okay, bro, we got it," the two said excitedly.
Zhao Xian smiled and said:
"That's settled then. Go check the entrance. If the carrier pigeons fly back, you'll be able to see them."
The two nodded, left the reception room, and went to the entrance of the Marquis's mansion, hoping that the carrier pigeon would fly back as soon as possible.
The sun is about to set, and we still haven't seen any carrier pigeons. Are they lost because of the distance?
I don't think so. As I've said before, these carrier pigeons are very strong fliers and won't get lost. They can accurately identify their way even over a distance of 3,000 miles.
And so, the two of them stared longingly at the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of pigeons flying by.
As the sun sets, the scenery is incredibly beautiful. Golden sunlight spills across the earth, making everything around seem as if it's draped in a golden cloak.
Suddenly, a golden figure streaked across the sky and swept over the walls of the Marquis's mansion.
"The pigeons are carrier pigeons, returning from the direction of the capital."
The two were overjoyed and ran towards the place where the marquis's mansion kept the pigeon coop.
When they arrived at the pigeon coop, a soldier carrying pigeons walked over excitedly.
"Were they carrier pigeons that flew in from the capital?" Zhao Lingling asked.
"Judging from the number, this is a carrier pigeon that Mr. Fang brought to the capital. It brought back a letter. Please help to retrieve the letter and deliver it to Marquis Zhengyang."
The two were pleasantly surprised and quickly went forward to check; a letter was tied to the carrier pigeon's leg.
The letter was quickly taken down, and the two men rushed to the reception room without saying a word.
"Brother, a letter has arrived."
The person hadn't even arrived yet, but the sound had already started, and the door to the reception room was immediately kicked open.
Holding the letter in her hand, Zhao Lingling quickly walked up to Zhao Xian and handed it to him.
"Brother, see what Mr. Fang's letter says."
Zhao Xian took the letter and, amidst everyone's anticipation, opened it.
The letter was very short, consisting of only two sentences.
Ouyang Nan achieved first place in the imperial examination, becoming the top scholar. The inscription was signed by Fang Dongliu.
"Ouyang Nan has won first place in the imperial examination and has become the top scholar!" Zhao Xian said excitedly.
"That's wonderful! Ouyang Nan has become the top scholar in the imperial examination! Xiaoyu, let's go find Master Lin and tell him this good news."
"Brother has become the top scholar!" Ouyang Xiaoyu cried tears of joy and ran out with Zhao Lingling.
At this moment, Ruan Fang, her face beaming with joy, stood up, cupped her hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhao Xian, and said:
"Congratulations, Marquis Zhengyang! Ouyang Nan has achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination. This is great news! I will return to the academy first to tell the teachers about this joyous occasion."
After Ruan Fang finished speaking, she left the Marquis's mansion and walked quickly toward the Wu Fang Academy.
Zhao Xian came out of the house and immediately called to his family to announce this great news.
"Bring out all the firecrackers and fireworks, set them off immediately, and have a good celebration."
Soon, a flurry of firecrackers rang out in front of the Marquis's mansion, and fireworks shot into the sky, blooming high above, so that all the people in the city could see the spectacular fireworks display.
Soon, the news of Ouyang Nan becoming the top scorer in the high school spread throughout the streets and alleys of the new county town.
Of course, Zhao Xian wanted to celebrate such great news. The next morning, he sent out invitations to his guests.
Zhao Xian invited a great many guests this time, including all the teachers from the academy and school, officials from various levels of the county government, and some famous figures from the village.
Zhao Xian instructed the guards who delivered the invitations that the wedding banquet would be held at noon, and that no gifts should be accepted. Guests were not allowed to bring any gifts, otherwise they would not be received.
Those who received the invitations were overjoyed. The Marquis of Zhengyang was a wealthy and powerful family, and this was purely for celebration. He did not want anyone to spend money and refused to accept monetary gifts.
Around noon, guests arrived one after another. Although Ouyang Nan, the main guest, was not present, it did not affect the lively atmosphere of the banquet.
In the capital, two days after the results of the palace examination were announced, the emperor would summon the successful candidates to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The top three candidates, namely the Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua, would receive the most attention.
That morning, the emperor sat on the throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony and held the imperial examination. The newly appointed scholars, dressed in brand-new court robes and wearing nine-leaf crowns, stood in two rows on the left and right behind the civil and military officials, full of vigor.
Amidst the melodious sounds of drums and music, the courtiers knelt on the ground, performed three kowtows and nine bows, and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
After the ceremony, officials from the Ministry of Rites presented the officially designated list of successful candidates, which was then unfurled. The announcer then read out the names, rankings, and hometowns of those who had passed the imperial examination.
As the announcer called out each name, several people would take turns, and the sound would carry outside the palace. The top three in the first rank would be called out three times in a row, to show that the top scholar, the second-ranked scholar, and the third-ranked scholar were different from others.
Upon hearing the announcement, the newly appointed scholars stepped forward, knelt before the emperor, and expressed their gratitude for his great favor.
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