Attending the Banquet, Bright Dawn Academy Students, and the Dispute over Xu Qingxiao [Bonus Chapter for the Most Innocent Alliance Leader]

Wuchang Year One.

The twenty-fifth day of the fourth month.

The results of the new dynasty's first Prefectural Examination were posted.

Xu Qingxiao stood at the top of the list, without the slightest controversy. Having written an unparalleled essay, he would have stirred a storm of controversy if he had not taken first place.

And at that very moment.

Inside the Li Residence.

Xu Qingxiao looked at the results Li Xin had brought him, saying nothing.

"Brother Xu, you ranked first in all of Great Wei in this Prefectural Examination. Wang Ru, Brother Chen, and I all passed as well. Thirty-five people from Southern Yu Prefecture passed this time, breaking the previous record. Everyone is saying it was the influence of your literary qi."

Li Xin was rather delighted.

Passing the Prefectural Examination on his first attempt was naturally a wonderful thing.

In previous years, even ten successful candidates in the Prefectural Examination had been considered a good result for Southern Yu Prefecture. This time, thirty-five had passed, and the entire prefecture was spreading word that Xu Qingxiao was the Star of Literary Brilliance descended to earth, influencing the literary qi of all the scholars.

Looking at the long list, Xu Qingxiao showed not the slightest trace of joy.

For the past four days, he had written to Wan Anguo every day, each letter expressing his apologies.

Xu Qingxiao was unwilling to give up on Yang Bao, Yang Hu, and the others. There was no other reason-this was simply how he conducted himself.

Xu Qingxiao did not consider himself some sanctimonious bleeding heart. There were far too many injustices and grievances in the world. If he encountered them, he might sigh in sympathy, but he would generally not step in to help.

But if those suffering were his own relatives