Chapter 533 - 200: Top Scorer
Chapter 533: Chapter 200: Top Scorer
The results of the Provincial Examination were typically announced in the autumn when the sweet osmanthus was in full bloom, filling the city with its fragrance. For this reason, the results list was also known as the Autumn Roll or the Osmanthus Roll.
And because the rank of scholar was the first major achievement in the imperial examinations, the list was sometimes called the First Roll or the Second-Tier Roll.
This year, the autumn seemed exceptionally cold.
But the students awaiting the results couldn’t feel the slightest chill.
Despite wearing only thin, unlined robes, their faces were flushed. A closer look would reveal tiny beads of sweat on their foreheads and the tips of their noses. It was hard to tell if it was from the heat or from anxiety.
But these scholars, so concerned with saving face, would never admit to being nervous about their exam results.
They stubbornly insisted, "It’s really hot today, isn’t it?"
"Isn’t it though? I woke up from the heat this morning. I paced my room a few times in just my under-robe, and I still couldn’t stop sweating. If the inn weren’t so crowded, I’d have gone for a stroll outside in just a single layer."
"Same here! Goodness, are you still wearing lined robes? Not me. I’m only wearing one thin layer, my summer clothes, and even then I’m breaking out in a sweat all over."
At his words, everyone looked at each other, speechless.
Then, as if realizing something was amiss, they exchanged cupped-fist salutes and tactfully dispersed.
When Zhao Jing and De’an arrived on the street, it was so crowded there was barely room to stand.
Fortunately, Wang Jun had reserved a private room at the Wang’s Tea House ahead of time, so they headed for the second floor.
The Shopkeeper and the waiters at the Wang’s Tea House recognized Zhao Jing and De’an. Seeing them arrive, they eagerly pointed toward the second floor. "The young masters are here! The gentlemen from the Ding family, the Huang family, and the Chu family have also arrived. They’re just waiting for you two."
Zhao Jing and De’an gave the staff a quick salute and, needing no guide, headed straight up the stairs to the second floor.
The tea patrons on the first floor waited until they had turned the corner before starting to gossip loudly. "That young man in the blue robes, the exceptionally handsome one, that’s Zhao Jing—a favorite for top scorer in the provincial examination."
"Chen Yanhe is in this tea house too. I wonder if they’ll run into each other."
"They’re fierce rivals. If it weren’t for someone like Tao Yanxun muddying the waters, the title of top scorer would definitely go to one of them."
"Isn’t Tao Yanxun upstairs too? I heard he arrived very early."
"I don’t know him, wouldn’t recognize him. Thinking he can become the top scorer just because he has a powerful father? He’d better have the skills to back it up first."
"Shh! Keep your voice down! It wouldn’t be good if someone heard you. The man has a powerful father. Getting revenge on you would be as easy as crushing an ant."
"Look, everyone, look! Why are there people coming out of the government office carrying banners and the results list? Are they posting the results this early? It’s not the auspicious hour yet, is it?"
"You must be seeing things."
"How could I be mistaken about that?"
"He’s right, they’re posting the results! The constables are heading for the examination hall; they’re definitely going to post the list. Never mind why it’s so early. Let’s hurry over and see the results—better to know our fate sooner rather than later!"
With a great clamor, the crowd scattered, each person running at full speed toward the examination hall.
Zhao Jing and De’an had just sat down in their room and hadn’t even had a sip of tea when a result announcer arrived.
It was the same familiar announcer, wearing a red-tasseled hat, a red outfit, and a red flower pinned to his chest. An uninformed bystander might have mistaken him for a bridegroom on his wedding day.
This announcer had learned a few new tricks. After entering, he first began to recite a poem titled "Reporting Good News" in a scholarly drone.
"A great talent rises, his name on the roll of red, / I come to your door, good news to be spread. / I seek no other reward for the tidings I bring, / But three cups of wine for this humble one to drink."
Regardless of whether the poem was fitting for the occasion, it was a congratulatory gesture, so who would quibble over its quality?
There was no wine, but there was tea. Wang Xiao, acting as the host, personally poured the man three cups.
The announcer picked them up one by one and drank them down quickly before breaking into a wide, happy grin and beginning his announcement.
"Good news! Master Huang Chen of Qingshui County, Xinghuai Prefecture, has passed this year’s Provincial Examination, ranking tenth and earning the title of scholar!"
Hearing it was Huang Chen, some were pleased and others were concerned, but that didn’t stop everyone from quickly picking up their teacups and offering him sincere, smiling congratulations.
"Congratulations, Mr. Huang! Truly, congratulations. Hard work pays off. This is a joyous occasion for you!"
Huang Chen was so excited he didn’t know what to do.
’I actually passed! And in tenth place, no less.’ The rank was much higher than he had ever expected.
His ugly face instantly flushed red. The muscles in his cheeks twitched with excitement, making his expression seem all the more frightening.
But this was a newly minted scholar.
How could a scholar be ugly?
No, that wasn’t ugliness; it was a dignified and proper appearance. Anyone who thought him ugly was simply jealous, vilifying the man in their own heart.