Chapter 617: Reaching the Peak

Rongguo Mansion, Lixiang Courtyard.

Early this morning, Xue Yima packed up and took the maid Tong Xi out. Passing by her daughter Baochai's room, she saw the maid Jin Chuan dressing her daughter.

Xue Yima felt strange in her heart and asked: "Bao girl, why did you get up late today? Did you not sleep well last night?"

Today is the day Brother Cong opens the metropolitan examination list. Everyone says he is bound to pass as a Jinshi. At this moment, both the East and West Mansions have started to become lively.

Your sisters must all be waiting for news in the East Mansion. Why don't I see you go over early to join the fun?"

Baochai said: "Second Sister and Seeing Tan Chun sister are managing things on the East Mansion side. It doesn't matter if I go over later.

Calculating by the time, Brother Cong hasn't been out for long. I have inquired about the matter of the metropolitan examination list. The government's procedures have many requirements, and there won't be news yet."

Xue Yima heard that her daughter was a bit listless and couldn't help but feel a bit strange. In the past, her daughter always kept Brother Cong's affairs in her heart.

Every time Brother Cong took the imperial examination in the past few years, her daughter would go to see him off early in the morning. Her heart was very hot. Now that Brother Cong was about to achieve success, why had she cooled down instead?

Jin Chuan said: "Madam, the young lady didn't sleep very peacefully last night and didn't fall asleep until the fourth watch, so she got up late."

Xue Yima was startled and asked: "Bao girl, it is late spring now. Is your illness acting up again?"

Baochai smiled: "Mom, don't worry blindly. Last time, Brother Cong invited that divine physician Zhang Youshi to diagnose, and he changed the prescription for the Cold Fragrance Pill. I haven't had an attack for a long time. Eight out of ten, the root cause is broken.

It's just that the weather is turning warm, the air is dry and hot, and I haven't slept peacefully. It's nothing major."

Xue Yima breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: "Since you are not going to the East Mansion, come with me to Rongqing Hall.

In the past, the Old Lady had words, saying that the descendants of the Rongguo Jia family need to guard the title and ancestral business, and don't need to rely on reading and imperial examinations to change the family status.

Now that Brother Cong is a Jinshi, the Old Lady won't have such a big tone again. I'm afraid she is also waiting for her grandson's good news. I am just about to go over and move around."

Baochai said: "Today is the major event of Brother Cong's passing the examination. I'm afraid the Aunt's husband will also surely come?"

Xue Yima smiled: "That goes without saying. Your Aunt's husband cares most about reading and imperial examinations in his life. He appreciates Brother Cong the most, treating him like his own son.

Brother Cong is opening the metropolitan examination list, so he naturally wants to come over early."

Baochai said: "Aunt's husband is coming. According to his nature, he will surely bring Aunt and Baoyu over. There are many people in Rongqing Hall, and it must be noisy."

"Mom, you just go first. I'll go to the East Mansion and be with my sisters."

Xue Yima also knew the reason why her daughter was willing to go to Rongqing Hall. It was nothing more than the last time her daughter and Brother Cong supported each other in the rain, and she was slandered by her own sister as having improper behavior.

Her own daughter couldn't help but be angry at such words that damaged her reputation. Although she blocked her sister's mouth in time,

but ever since then, her daughter and her own sister had a rift, and they avoided each other whenever they could, which was also understandable.

Xue Yima didn't take this matter to heart, but just felt that her daughter was preoccupied today, which was a bit strange. She shook her head and went out first.

Jin Chuan also felt that Baochai was a bit taciturn today. She inserted a peony pearl-inlaid gold hairpin into Baochai's hair bun, and the beautiful face in the mirror became even more beautiful.

She asked curiously: "Young lady, what is wrong today? Brother Cong can pass as a Jinshi; the young lady should be happy."

Baochai smiled: "I am happy; naturally, I am very happy in my heart. When we first moved into the Jia Mansion, Brother Cong still lived in the Qingzhi Study next door.

At that time, he read books behind closed doors every day. He was so outstanding, so smart, and yet so self-encouraging and diligent.

He can pass as a Jinshi, be proud in the examination field, and be glorious in front of people. These are all what he deserves, and what he earned by himself."

Jin Chuan heard her young lady speak with emotion, and there was a kind of light in her eyes, and she couldn't help but purse her lips and smile.

Baochai continued: "Although I am really happy that he passed as a Jinshi, some things are different..."

Jin Chuan's eyes were confused. What kind of riddle was the young lady playing, and what was different?

Baochai smiled slightly, beautiful and brilliant, dazzling to the eyes, and said: "Don't guess blindly. Let's go to the East Mansion to see the movement.

Our Xue family is a family of imperial merchants. In the past, those who came and went were all merchant families. Even the late Master Jing of the East Mansion, I had never met him.

In this life, I have really never seen a Jinshi. Today, I can see this rarity. Maybe in the future, I can see a Zhuangyuan Lang...

I don't know if the news of Brother Cong's list opening has arrived, and what ranking he can get this time?"

Love Shenjing, Ministry of Rites, South Courtyard East Wall.

Jia Cong was truly a bit dumbfounded because of Cai Xiaoyu's prank.

He hoped that Fatty Cai would not be stupid enough to tell those candidates who Yuzhang was.

Otherwise, in an instant, he would become the public enemy of thousands of failed candidates.

Fortunately, Cai Xiaoyu was not as confused as Jia Cong imagined. At this moment, he had also calmed down from the ecstasy of making the list, his face full of smiles, as if he had the wisdom in his grasp, turning a deaf ear to the questioning of the surrounding candidates.

At this moment, not far from Cai Xiaoyu, in the crowded crowd, a candidate with a similar figure and a slightly fat face was also cheering loudly.

"Brother Yichun, I made it, I made it to the fifth place on the second list, Brother Brother Bao Kun, I made the second list, haha!"

Lin Zhaohe to the side was full of smiles and said: "Congratulations to Xiwen for passing the examination. Ten years of hard study have blossomed and borne fruit. A great fortune for a scholar!"

After the second list was posted, the three looked carefully for a long time. Except for Wu Liang making the list, Lin Zhaohe and Zhou Yan were still not on the list.

However, Lin Zhaohe's expression was calm and did not show tension or embarrassment, his eyes containing a hint of certainty.

Zhou Yan was far from Lin Zhaohe's confidence. After the Ministry of Rites posted the tail list, he found that his name was not on it, and he still held a glimmer of extravagant hope in his heart.

But when the second list was posted, he was still not on the list, and he was already desperate in his heart.

After all, Zhou Yan's self-feeling about taking the examination this time was very bad. After entering the examination hall, he suddenly found that the chief examiner had changed from Huang Hongcang to Xu Liangxiong, which had a great impact on his examination psychology.

Originally, he was slightly inferior to Wu Liang in talent, and even more incomparable to Lin Zhaohe. Under the imbalance of his mind, his examination performance was increasingly discounted.

The first two sessions were barely dealt with, and the third session's policy essay response was quite unsuccessful. He knew his own affairs. To say that in such a state, he could still be on the top list would be no different from a pipe dream.

Finally, under the attention of all, the scroll of the head list of the fifteenth year of Emperor Jia Zhao's metropolitan examination was held high by the Ministry of Rites officials, displayed to the crowd watching the list, and then passed to the yamen runner who climbed the high ladder.

Two yamen runners carefully unfolded the head list scroll, crossed the tail list and the second list already posted on the wall, and posted it high on the east wall.

The head list of the metropolitan examination looked almost the same as the second list and the tail list at first glance.

But the bright yellow background of the head list of the metropolitan examination appeared exceptionally dazzling and solemn, and the neat black font of the official script was as striking as if carved by a blade, seeming to be able to burn the eyes of the candidates who were craving it.

Although the tail list and the second list of the metropolitan examination had been posted, there were only a mere two hundred names on the list. Compared to the more than three thousand people watching the list, they were just a few lucky ones.

The vast majority of candidates watching the list at the scene were still not on the list, so the enthusiasm for watching the list did not subside because two lists had been posted, but instead became increasingly hot and high!

The three thousand candidates watching the list had all experienced the heavy selection and tempering of the imperial examination before they could enter the competition of the spring examination. Almost everyone was confident in their talent and learning, certain that they were the chosen ones to win the blue clouds.

Not being on the tail list and the second list of the metropolitan examination, people like Zhou Yan who were discouraged were just a minority.

These candidates who were still not on the list had studied hard for ten years and half a lifetime. Their heat for passing the imperial examination would not allow them to easily accept failure.

Even if they were not on the tail list and the second list, there was still the head list waiting to be revealed. Too many candidates who had not made the list believed that they could turn the tide, pluck the laurel in the moon palace, and laugh until the end.

As soon as the two yamen runners posted the head list of the metropolitan examination, thousands of candidates watching the list instantly made a clamor. The huge sound wave scared the birds passing by in the sky, causing them to scatter and flee.

The surging crowd watching the list instantly stirred up dark currents, crazily surging forward.

Hundreds of yamen runners holding water and fire sticks and well-trained elite imperial guards were nervous, fully prepared, and tried their best to block the surging crowd.

As cheers broke out again in the crowd, the surging crowd finally stopped its momentum. The four Ministry of Rites officials responsible for posting the list hurriedly retreated to the Ministry of Rites office.

The one hundred candidates who made the head list of the metropolitan examination were the top performers in this metropolitan examination, representing the highest glory of the fifteenth year of Emperor Jia Zhao's metropolitan examination.

Most of them would step into the ranks of the first and second tiers of the palace examination, and many of them could make the Hanlin Academy, or even become leaders in the imperial court.

Among the crowd, Wu Liang was full of smiles. He was already satisfied that he could make the second list. The excitement in his heart had not subsided to this day, which made him not pay much attention to the content of the head list.

Zhou Yan to the side had a pale face, and his legs were trembling slightly. He also gave up hope in his heart.

But the heat for his official career and merit was burning even more crazily in his heart. His bloodshot, red eyes were still carefully patrolling every name on the head list, attempting to fulfill his last extravagant hope!

Even Lin Zhaohe, who was beside Wu Liang, lost his original calmness at this moment, his eyes staring fixedly at the head list, his hands tightly clenched in his sleeves.

Because of his confidence in his own talent and learning, he did not look for it from the end of the list, but started looking from the top of the list. In just a moment, his eyes widened, and a red tide rose on his face...

... Jia Cong's carriage stopped on the outskirts of the crowd. Although he couldn't see the list clearly, after the tail list was posted, the steward who followed had long since sent a few servants to squeeze to the front of the crowd to watch the list.

Yingchun had heard beforehand that watching the metropolitan examination list was noisy and fierce, and she was afraid that her brother would be squeezed.

Yesterday, she specifically instructed the steward to select servants who were nimble and flexible in handling affairs, and let them memorize Jia Cong's name and native place well, in case of need when watching the list.

At this time, several East Mansion servants had already squeezed to the front of the crowd, each taking out a slip of paper from their bosoms, searching from the end of each list book forward.

This method of watching the list was said to have been taught by the eldest young lady of the mansion to the steward old woman, and then taught to them. When watching the list, they couldn't make a mistake at all.

When the head list was posted, one of the clever servants skipped the second list that hadn't been finished reading and went directly to look at the head list posted the highest.

Following the cheers that occasionally broke out in the crowd, the servant was sweating profusely, checking the names on the head list from back to front.

Not long after, he finally saw the name on the list that he had already memorized by heart.

He couldn't help but cheer: "Our Count also made it!" As soon as the words fell, he squeezed out of the crowd with all his might to report the good news...

It was just that in the surging crowd and the noisy voices around, no one would care about the shouting of a servant.

!

Following the posting of the head list, time continued silently, and the entire crowd watching the list fell into the final madness.

The cheers and leaps of a few people were accompanied by the heart-like ashes of the majority, and even chest-beating and howling.

Every session of the metropolitan examination list opening could not avoid these joys, sorrows, and joys...

In the crowd, Liu Xiaoping was extremely nervous. His name was not on the tail list and the second list. Cai Xiaoyu had already made the second list, and his ranking was in the upper-middle, which put even more pressure on him.

He pinned his last hope on the head list. After the head list was posted, he flew to browse from the end of the list, expecting to discover his name.

Compared to Liu Xiaoping's tension and embarrassment, Cai Xiaoyu's mood was very comfortable. He made the middle-upper of the second list. As long as there was no big mistake in the palace examination, it was probably okay to make the second tier.

He thought that after passing this time, he would never have to read poetry and books again, and he wouldn't have to look at his old father's face when sneaking out of the study.

Even if he was idle all day, his family would no longer restrain him. He thought of these happy things, and couldn't help but bloom in his heart, feeling that this life was enough. Maybe he could go to the sixteenth floor a few more times...

Therefore, after the head list was posted, because it had nothing to do with him, Cai Xiaoyu didn't look from the end of the list like Liu Xiaoping, but went to look at the top of the list quite leisurely.

As a newly born Gongshi of this session, he was still quite interested in those of the same year who were at the top of the list.

When he saw the few names at the top of the list clearly, his eyes immediately widened, his mouth slightly opened, and his slightly fat face was full of shock.

Liu Xiaoping to the side suddenly cheered loudly, calling: "Xiaoyu, I made the ninety-sixth place on the head list, I also made it, and I made the head list, glorifying the ancestors, glorifying the ancestors!"

Liu Xiaoping was ecstatic. The embarrassment and tension of not being on the two lists just now were swept away, and he was even incoherent when speaking.

It was just that he called twice and found that the classmate beside him seemed to have no reaction, which made him a bit strange.

Turning his head to look, he saw Cai Xiaoyu staring dead at the top of the list, his behavior dull, his eyes shocked, as if he hadn't heard his words at all.

He said indignantly: "Zhongwen, look at the top of the list. Yuzhang actually made the top of the list, the Huiyuan! He has already made the Anshou and the Jieyuan. He is going to defy the heavens!

That day when drinking, he also said that he took the examination barely, how cunning. This time when we go back, we must let him treat us to a banquet at Chunhua Tower for ten days. No, he must treat us for a month!"

Jia Cong stood on the carriage shaft. Since the head list and the second list were posted, none of the few servants who squeezed into the crowd to watch the list had returned.

This probably meant that he hadn't made the tail list and the second list, so he could only pin his hopes on the head list. Even though Jia Cong was quite confident about making the list, he also began to feel nervous in his heart.

He saw the head list posted from afar. Following the cheers that occasionally broke out in the crowd, someone suddenly shouted: "The top of the list is Jia Cong, a person from Zhen'an Mansion in the Love Shenjing!"

The top of the head list of the metropolitan examination had always been the focus of attention. The exclamation of that person soon spread, and countless people began to whisper.

"Jia Cong, a name that sounds very familiar."

"Jia Cong of the Love Shenjing, who else could it be? It is Jia Cong of the Rongguo Mansion, titled Count Lord Weiyuan."

"This person once took the Anshou and Jieyuan of Yongzhou, his reputation for literary chapters shook the world, and his military power pacified the Jurchens. Now he has won the top of the metropolitan examination list. Truly a proud son of heaven."

"To be able to pass the examination in the same session as Count Lord Weiyuan is the fortune of our generation!"

"A dignified noble of the imperial court, a proper official of the imperial court, actually competes with us white-bodied scholars for the opportunity to reach the blue clouds. Is there no justice..."

"The spring metropolitan examination, the grand ceremony of the imperial court to select talents, the only way for poor scholars in the world to serve the country. The top of the list is a noble of the imperial court. Is it official-protecting-official? I think there is something tricky..."

"Brother Zhou, be careful with your words. This has the suspicion of framing the chief examiner and criticizing the imperial court. Be careful of causing trouble..."

As more and more candidates saw the name at the top of the list clearly, various discussions arose one after another, and the noise started.

For those who made the list, they were all in luck and joy, so they mostly held goodwill towards the Huiyuan who also made the list.

However, the thousands of candidates who failed the list at the scene had their moods depressed to the extreme. Naturally, they would not treat the Huiyuan who took away the highest glory kindly.

In addition, Jia Cong's identity was special. Under the excitement of these failed candidates, there were many disrespectful words, and even slanderous words.

At this time, even though the few servants who watched the list hadn't returned, Jia Cong knew that he had won the top spot in this year's metropolitan examination, and naturally he was overjoyed.

But hearing the various words rising in the crowd, especially those unkind words, his face also turned slightly cold.

At this time, several servants who watched the list squeezed out of the crowd one after another, reporting the good news to Jia Cong one after another. Their words and actions attracted the attention of some candidates watching the list.

Jia Cong saw that the news of his making the list had been confirmed, and he didn't want to stay at the scene to cause extra trouble, so he instructed the steward to turn the carriage back to the mansion.

Some candidates who got the wind just happened to surround him. There were those who admired him, and those who were angry in their hearts, but they couldn't see Jia Cong, except for the rolling smoke raised by the carriage wheels...

After Jia Cong's carriage left the Ministry of Rites South Courtyard, a long time had passed since the head list was posted, and the candidates watching the list gradually dispersed.

As the saying goes, a few families are happy and a few are sad, but the metropolitan examination list opening is settled, and in the end, the sadness is for hundreds and thousands of families.

Lin Zhaohe, Wu Liang, and Zhou Yan also left the Ministry of Rites South Courtyard east wall with the crowd.

Lin Zhaohe and Wu Liang were full of smiles, only Zhou Yan had a gray face and was listless.

After the head list of the metropolitan examination was posted, Lin Zhaohe finally found his name on the list, ranking third on the head list of the metropolitan examination, which even exceeded his expectations.

At this moment, he sighed: "Count Lord Weiyuan Jia Cong, truly lives up to his reputation, actually able to win the glory of Huiyuan.

After we arrived in the Love Shenjing, we heard a lot about his reputation. At that time, I was half-believing and half-doubting. Now it seems that this person is truly extraordinary. I heard that he studied under the literary master Jing'an Gong. It is not a loss that a famous teacher produces a high disciple.

It is a pity that we visited, but had no fate to get to know him. It is a pity."

Wu Liang laughed: "Now he and we are of the same session and same year, and we have to enter the palace examination together next month. Yichun, don't regret it. There are plenty of opportunities to get to know him.

Yichun ranked third this time, following Jia Cong, winning glory for Hangzhou Prefecture. Maybe you and Jia Cong will get to know each other and hit it off at first sight."

Both of them were a bit proud at this moment. Wu Liang saw Zhou Yan's expression to the side and hurriedly stopped his words.

He said: "Brother Brother Bao Kun, don't be discouraged. Failing the metropolitan examination this year, at worst, we will make a comeback in three years. With Brother Brother Bao Kun's talent and learning, you will surely be able to pluck the laurel in the moon palace."

Lin Zhaohe also persuaded: "Xiwen is right. Victory or defeat in the examination field is a common matter. Although Brother Brother Bao Kun has suffered a slight setback, those who succeed all accumulate and develop. Brother Brother Bao Kun's learning heart is resilient, and you will surely get what you want!"

Zhou Yan sighed: "I am not like the two virtuous brothers, young and vigorous, in the prime of youth. I am wasting time, not knowing when I can succeed.

We come from ordinary families, with no luck or family power to rely on. If we want to take the path of blue clouds, we can only study poetry and books hard.

I didn't expect that I have studied hard for many years, not a day without diligence, not a moment daring to slacken, but I am just unlucky.

Instead, noble descendants like Jia Cong, with fine clothes and food, official titles, and unique advantages, are already in such a prosperous situation, yet they can add flowers to the brocade and win the glory of Huiyuan. Heaven is unfair."

Wu Liang sighed slightly when he heard Zhou Yan's complaints. He knew that Zhou Yan was nearly forty, and he was increasingly anxious about the imperial examination. Failing this metropolitan examination, it was human nature to have resentment in his heart.

However, when Lin Zhaohe heard Zhou Yan's words, his brows couldn't help but wrinkle slightly. His friendship with Zhou Yan was not as close as Wu Liang's, so he didn't say much.

Zhou Yan cupped his hands and said: "First, congratulations to the two virtuous brothers for making the list. I have to go back to the clan villa to pack up, and I will return to my hometown in a few days.

Making a comeback next year, maybe we can meet again with the two virtuous brothers in the Love Shenjing."

Wu Liang said: "Brother Brother Bao Kun, you are not in good spirits today. Why don't I and Yichun send you back?"

Zhou Yan's face changed slightly, and he said: "I dare not trouble the two virtuous brothers. Today you two made the list, I am afraid there are many people of the same year to celebrate. I appreciate your kindness."

Saying this, he waved to the two and left alone.

Wu Liang couldn't help but sigh a little. Lin Zhaohe looked at Zhou Yan's departing back, lost in thought, and didn't say a word... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 618 =====