"Though we've seen plenty of Newly Elevated Gentlemen, a top-ranked Provincial Graduate is something fresh indeed."
"Not at all, not at all."
One of the older men said, "The good news is delivered starting from the bottom of the rankings and working up to first place. Since Brother Hong took first, naturally the news reached him last. I wonder whether Brother Hong has time to make a trip to the countryside with us? I've learned that several of our fellow graduates from poor families live there, and they should have received their good news by now as well. Let's go congratulate them, make a gesture of support, and then bring them along to pay respects to our academic mentor." The maids nearby all knew this was the prelude to Lady Zhao flying into a towering rage. Not one of them dared breathe too loudly, all of them holding themselves stiffly at the side. Although they were merely Provincial Graduates now and could not yet be considered officials, forming associations, building factions, and cultivating connections had to begin early. What Hong Yi was considering was how to word things to Hong Xuanji. Now that he had status, moving out was only a matter of time. Yet whenever he recalled Hong Xuanji's words, with their veiled killing intent, an inexplicable chill crept into his heart. Just then, several sedan chairs suddenly turned out from the corner of the street and stopped in the distance. A group of young men stepped down. Hong Yi did not recognize them, but they behaved as though they had known him for years, each brimming with enthusiasm as they clasped their hands from afar in congratulations. "Since we're going to the countryside to see our impoverished fellow graduates, I should prepare a gift as well," Hong Yi