Chapter 240: The Day of the Results

The results are out!

In this world, the first-ever Imperial Examination is finally releasing its results!

This day.

Early in the morning, Cui Gong took out the only piece of brocade clothing he carried with him, looking smug.

Someone was attending to him nearby.

"Master, your servant offers you congratulations in advance!"

"The position of Sima is definitely yours, Master!"

"Congratulations, Cui Lao!"

Others nearby were also filled with envy.

Cui Gong's reputation in the Longyan Dynasty was more than enough to qualify for a Sima position. This was someone else's ability, and one could not help but envy it.

Cui Gong had long prepared some copper coins as red envelopes, and he chuckled, "Everyone, once I, Cui Gong, take office, I will certainly not forget those of you here!"

The crowd was overjoyed.

Cui Gong was still very confident in himself. In the three subjects of the Literary Examination, he had written with ease, his entire essay exquisite and peerless, completed in one breath. If the Prefectural Governor Liu and Magistrate Liu of the Protectorate were not blind, they should know where his talent lay.

Hmm.

Just as he stepped out, he felt that he was still missing a sedan chair.

Once he became Sima, he would definitely need an eight-bearer sedan chair!

In high spirits, Cui Gong brought his servants to the place where the results were posted. By this time, many people had already gathered here, three layers deep inside and out, everyone craning their necks in anticipation, with half an hour left until the results were released.

From afar, Cui Gong saw Ling Chen standing in the crowd, looking slightly shabby, and could not help but laugh loudly: "Whether it is the Imperial Examination or the recommendation of filial and incorrupt candidates, they are all much the same. A lowly commoner from a humble background, still dreaming of getting ahead? Isn't that thinking too much?"

Ling Chen knew he was talking about him, so he lowered his head and said nothing.

In reality.

He clenched his fists tightly so that others would not see.

He was actually very nervous.

His breathing had almost stopped.

He listened to the people around him flattering Cui Gong, and from time to time he looked up, but the people posting the results had not yet appeared.

Was it really going to be like this again?

In this world, no matter where one went, was it still the world of these Powerful Clans?

"Young Miss, shall we strike today?"

A sharp murderous intent flashed in Xiao Tao's eyes as she touched the small knife she had hidden.

Xie Chan nodded coldly: "I am certain that this Magistrate Liu, even with the Imperial Examination, is just fooling everyone. The day the results are posted, one will know the truth! If those corrupt people still hold high positions, this thief must be killed, or heaven and earth will not tolerate it!"

"Yes!"

Xiao Tao nodded.

She felt that the Princess was absolutely right!

Given the Princess's abilities, even being a general would be more than enough. Let's see how this Magistrate Liu releases the results and how he treats her Princess!

If he dismisses it and turns a deaf ear...

Such a hypocritical person must be killed today! Then Yanqi will fall into chaos, and when they return to Dayuan, she will be a great hero! She nodded secretly toward the Night Walkers in the crowd of onlookers.

"They're here, they're here!"

Right at the third quarter of the Chen hour.

The people posting the results finally arrived.

Everyone craned their necks in anticipation.

This Magistrate Liu, with all his talk of fairness, equality, and a pure land, would it really exist?

Or was that dream just a way for him to fool these people?

The day of the results.

Is the time when it will be revealed.

For a moment.

At the three places where the results for the Literary Examination, Martial Examination, and Industrial Examination were posted, everyone's eyes lit up.

"The Western Regions Protectorate, first Imperial Examination, results released!"

Several Executives of the Protectorate beat gongs and drums, then took out a very large piece of red paper, on which names were written one by one, and then posted it on the city wall.

The densely packed names numbered in the thousands.

It was too far away, and one really couldn't see, plus there were so many people who came today...

"Don't push!"

"Let me see!"

"Let me look!"

"Is it your turn?"

"Don't block my Master's way! My Master is the top choice for Sima!"

People squeezed against people, people pushed people.

Ling Chen was so nervous at this moment he could barely think.

He looked up...

He habitually started from the very bottom of that red paper... Anyone who passed would see their own name. He felt that as a mere "lowly commoner," a White-clothed, if he could really get the very last place and manage to get a small job in the Protectorate, he would be satisfied.

However...

The more he looked, the more his heart sank.

He had not seen his own name the entire time.

There were only three lines left above...

Cold sweat had already begun to stream down him.

Suddenly.

He saw that the first line, the place with only one name, was shockingly inscribed with the two characters "Ling Chen"!

Boom!

He felt as if struck by five bolts of lightning, unable to believe it, staring blankly at all of this.

And at this moment.

The crowd had also become chaotic.

"I passed, ah ah ah ah I passed!"

"I passed too! Congratulations, same to you!"

"Sigh, I actually didn't pass..."

"My ranking is two hundred and three?"

"My ranking is nine hundred and eighty, hahaha never mind, it counts as passing anyway!"

"Who is that top-ranked person?"

Very quickly, whether they were joyful or regretful, everyone simultaneously thought of one question, and then, looked over accordingly.

"Ling Chen?"

"Who on earth is this Ling Chen?"

"Never heard of him."

"It's actually not Cui Gong?"

Cui Gong, in the crowd, was in disarray at this moment; the top spot was actually not his? He raged: "Look closely for me, see where I am!"

"Yes, Master!"

Not only was it not the top spot, it wasn't even second place, nor was it third place!

He had already seen Ling Chen's name, and his gaze immediately turned toward Ling Chen like a blade.

How could it be this guy?

Why was it him!

This shouldn't be!

It was even more impossible!

He was nothing but a lowly commoner, a commoner he could humiliate and trample at will; how could he have taken the top spot? Wouldn't that mean this brat had gone straight from being a commoner to holding an official position? And, very likely, a high-ranking official!

"Master, Master, we couldn't find your name..."

"This..."

"Does this mean... I failed the examination?"

"Pfft..."

Cui Gong spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted on the spot.

Ling Chen.

Remained as if in a dream, unable to react for a moment.

"Ling Chen, you passed, hurry, hurry, hurry, the official is calling for you!"

"Ling Chen!"

"What are you dazed for!"

Ling Chen was pushed by a group of people and walked over; at this time, his face was still blank, and his mind was completely empty.

And on the side of the Martial Examination.

It was the same scene.

Xiong Ao, that guy over two meters tall, saw his own name at a glance and laughed heartily: "I passed, I passed, I can lead troops into battle again! Eh? That's not right, I'm only eighth?"

Feng Zhen also saw his own name.

Ranked fifth.

Those who passed the Martial Examination also looked one after another toward the top of the list.

The top spot.

Was the "Martial Scholar" that Prefect Liu had spoken of!

On that line for the Martial Scholar.

Only two characters were written.

Xie Chan.

Boom!

The entire scene exploded into an uproar.

What the hell is this?

It's a woman?

A female Martial Scholar?

And a female Martial Scholar at that?

Something big has happened!

Xie Chan also stared blankly at the ranking list.

Xiao Tao took a deep breath behind her: "Miss, why don't we... attempt the assassination tomorrow?"