When emotions became momentum, resentment surged

These sounds, initially confined to a few places, spread far and wide as the crowd's emotions rapidly shifted.

"I've also heard that there Metropolitan Examination, and that the court has intervened. Why hasn't the truth come out yet?"

"What's the point of revealing the truth? The list has already been released, what's the use anymore?"

"It's unfair! It's unfair! Maybe I could have made the list, but that cheater pushed me off!"

"We don't know who this person is, but if we do, we should arrest him and take him to the authorities so they can give us justice!"

"Good! Catch the cheaters, then announce the other rankings. We can't keep quiet about this!"

With encouragement, many candidates who failed the exam changed their minds.

They studied diligently for years, exhausting their energy, and were considered top students in their respective hometowns. However, when they came to the Imperial City and competed for places with candidates from Great Rui, there was always someone better, and ultimately, most of them would fail.

However, anyone would be unwilling to accept failure and would inevitably harbor wishful thinking. If someone were to incite them, certain thoughts would surface in their minds.

Instantly, the People's Wishes and emotions surrounding the Imperial Academy surged forth, as if finding an outlet, rallying many candidates to a united front against the enemy!

These emotional shifts resonated with the People's Wishes and even stirred the Prosperity Capital Will. Within a radius of a hundred feet, they slowly converged into a powerful force, like a flood constantly accumulating on a dam. Once it erupts, it will be a force of nature.

Those who had been stirring up trouble were overjoyed and quickly shrank back, preparing to leave the crowd.

According to the plan, once People's Wishes in an uproar, the name of the person who committed the fraud will be announced. However, with so many people involved, such a confidential matter cannot be entrusted to too many people. Besides, the people stirring up trouble now are just scoundrels under Lai San's command. Spreading a few messages is fine, but if they know too much, some people will inevitably lose their tongues and cause trouble.

When the plan was finalized, Tian Youqing did not consider Qiu Yan to be of any importance, so these secrecy measures were not aimed at Qiu Yan, but were just in case.

Just as the crowd was filled with excitement, some candidates burst into tears of joy after seeing the list.

These are all people who made the list. Although their numbers are small, they stand out among the group of people who failed the exam with long faces. They often shout with joy, and then several people grab them and fight over them.

When merchant families vie for a son-in-law, they often first ask if he is already married. Once they receive the desired answer, they use a generous dowry to persuade the other party.

Leaving those aside, let's talk about Qiu Yan and the others. After the list was posted, they kept trying to squeeze into the crowd, but to no avail. There were just too many people along the way, and after squeezing for ages, they had barely covered a few meters when they were already sweating profusely and panting heavily.

With the list released, the results were finalized. Luo Jiayun and others were eager to know their scores, but they couldn't get in or see clearly. How could they remain calm?

Among them, Qiu Yan appeared the calmest, with a faint flicker of light and shadow in his eyes and a thoughtful expression on his face, seemingly lost in thought as he passively moved forward with the others around him.

However, no one else paid any attention to Qiu Yan's appearance. Even Luo Jiayun and Zhou Guan were completely absorbed by the list, their minds and emotions drawn by the collective People's Wishes of the people, making it difficult for them to break free.

However, some people manage to maintain their composure and calmness amidst this frenzied and chaotic emotional turmoil.

"Young Master, when you pass the imperial examination, our hometown in Three Jin will definitely hold a grand celebration." At the street corner pavilion, there were two people inside, while a surging crowd flowed forward beside the pavilion. From a distance, the entire pavilion looked like a rock in a torrent, unmoved by the crashing waves. The people inside the pavilion also gave people the feeling of remaining calm even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of them.

From their clothing and appearance, one could clearly tell their identities: one was a young man, dressed appropriately, giving him a handsome and dashing appearance, with curly hair; the other was a burly man, dressed in a single garment, looking like a servant.

Although he hadn't gone to see the list of successful candidates, this man was absolutely certain that his young master would pass it, and he kept talking non-stop. "... Both the great-grandfather and the master are Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). When you, young master, also pass the Jinshi examination, our Li Clan will have three Jinshi, bringing glory to our ancestors!"

Beside him, a handsome young man coughed and whispered, "There are always mountains beyond mountains, and people beyond people. How can we underestimate others? Putting aside others, the strange phenomena in the Examination Hall alone are enough to prove that there are still extraordinary individuals among this year's candidates!"

As he spoke, he looked up at the sky, his gaze fixed on the beam of light that shot into the heavens. The light had dimmed somewhat, but a halo of light was still emerging from the clouds above.

At the same time, some people were also staring at the beam of light and discussing it.

"The strange phenomenon at the Examination Hall is very likely not caused by the exam papers!" In a tavern, Wen Zhizhen poured himself a glass of wine, drank it all in one gulp, and then laughed.

"Oh? Young Master Wen has such insight?" Pang Qianru asked with a smile, her face radiant and full of vitality, as if she had made some progress.

Sitting next to Pang Qianru was Xu Ran, the granddaughter of the prime minister, whose face was full of displeasure and whose brows showed a hint of anxiety.

At the next table sat Song Qian, Ji Zheng, and Qi Jiulian.

Nearby, some people were leaving in a hurry, mostly candidates, but others were also there. They all cared a lot about the results of the Metropolitan Examination, which made Wen Zhizhen's two tables seem particularly calm.

"Miss Pang, there's no need for this," Wen Zhizhen said with a faint smile after hearing Pang Qianru's words. "It's not that I'm jealous of others, but rather that I'm speaking from the heart. This year Metropolitan Examination questions are quite different from those of the past. It's not easy for ordinary candidates to answer them, let alone think them through. Even I, who had some guesses before the exam and studied the New Law for several months in advance, only have some insights."

Pang Qianru seized the opportunity to laugh and said, "Does Young Master Wen think that if your exam paper can't even cause any unusual phenomena, then others certainly can?"

"I, Wen, would never dare to be so arrogant, but..." Wen Zhizhen shook his head, "To generate extraordinary phenomena, the writing must be in harmony with Human Path, even Qi Manifestation. This requires not only a sufficient understanding of Human Path and mastery of classical texts, but more importantly, it must be grounded in the theme of the Metropolitan Examination and demonstrate originality. This means that the person answering the question must not only understand the New Law, but also have their own thoughts and propose suggestions for improvement..."

He shook his head slightly. "We scholars, no matter how well we write in the examination hall, can never compare to the officials in the imperial court. This is not a matter of knowledge or experience, but rather a matter of perspective. Only by standing high can one see far. The officials formulate laws and regulations, and their thoughts and considerations are beyond the reach of ordinary people. How can we candidates standing at the foot of the mountain know the scenery on the mountain? Under such circumstances, to cause an extraordinary phenomenon is as difficult as climbing to heaven!"

Although he did not answer Pang Qianru's question, his words revealed a strong sense of confidence, which captivated Xu Ran.

"Hmph, what arrogance!" Qi Jiulian complained from the next table.

At this moment, Ji Zheng suddenly asked, "In your opinion, young master, what is the cause of the strange celestial phenomena?"

"That's a good question, Miss Ji!"

Upon hearing Ji Zheng's question, Wen Zhizhen's eyes flashed with a sharp light, as if he valued her highly. He immediately replied, "In my opinion, there is only one person in the Examination Hall who could cause such an anomaly! It is the chief examiner, Wang Xiang! I have heard that Wang Xiang is preparing to thoroughly understand the New Law, write books, and establish a New Learning. His appointment as chief examiner must also be related to this. If he had some insights while grading the papers and integrated them into a new school of thought, it would not be surprising at all if it caused such an anomaly."

"Prime Minister Wang..." Ji Zheng narrowed her eyes, revealing a meaningful expression.

Pang Qianru turned to look at her, then looked out the window. After looking away, she smiled at Wen Zhizhen and said, "The list has been released. Doesn't Young Master Wen care at all? Yet you still sit here and discuss it with us."

"I have done what I should have done. If I gain it, I am fortunate; if I lose it, it is my fate," Wen Zhizhen smiled faintly, calm and composed. "Even if I were to rush to see it now, I could not change anything. It would be better to enjoy tea and discuss philosophy with you all."

His appearance made Qi Jiulian feel uneasy. He knew that he had made a promise to Wen Zhizhen Qiu Yan, and it was still not clear. If Wen Zhizhen won, he would offend Qiu Yan.

"Oh? Young Master Wen has the air of an ancient sage," Pang Qianru's eyes flickered slightly, her gaze falling on Wen Zhizhen's other hand on the table. This hand was clenched into a fist, and a slight tremor could be seen.

Pang Qianru didn't expose him, but continued, "Although the young master doesn't care, we young ladies still care about the grand imperial Metropolitan Examination, so we've already sent people over to check the results. They should be back soon."

"Hmm?" Wen Zhizhen was taken aback upon hearing this, and then State of Mind. Just as she was about to speak again, she heard footsteps and saw a servant in green robes come to Pang Qianru's side. This man was strong and robust, and it was clear that he was skilled in martial arts.

"Pang An, how is it? Have you seen the list?" Pang Qianru turned her head and asked.

The man respectfully replied, "Reporting to Miss, I have seen the list. However, although I can use my strength to deflect force, I am still outnumbered and therefore cannot remember much, only the top three."

Pang Qianru raised an eyebrow. "Top three? I asked you to check Young Master Wen's ranking. Just remember that, that's enough. You said you remembered the top three, so Young Master Wen should be among them, right?"

Across from them, Wen Zhizhen could no longer remain calm, her gaze fixed on the man's face, holding her breath. Xu Ran, Qi Jiulian, and the others were in the same boat.

The man stared intently at Pang Qianru and nodded, saying, "That's right, Young Master Wen is indeed third!"

Third place? Impossible!

As soon as he finished speaking, Wen Zhizhen jumped up from her seat like a cat whose tail had been stepped on!

A strange light flashed in Pang Qianru's eyes. Without looking at Wen Zhizhen, she continued to ask, "Then who are the second and first place winners?"

The man didn't waste any time and said, "The second place is Ye Yun, and the first place is Qiu Yan, whom Miss asked me to keep an eye on!"

P. S.: Thanks to "camillus" and "stonechong" for the monthly votes!

Thank you to "Mo Rang", "Wan Xia Xia La", and "Kunlun Nine Heavens" for the generous donations!