The next day, before the sky had truly brightened.
An unusual atmosphere already hung over the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate, inside and out.
Inside his room.
Jiang Xiaobai slowly opened his eyes. After staring at the canopy above his bed for a moment, he rolled over and sat up.
It was not that anyone had come to wake him. Rather, he had kept today's business on his mind before going to sleep last night, so when this hour came, he naturally woke up.
"Tsk..."
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Jiang Xiaobai rubbed his brow at the thought of meeting His Majesty today. "Ah, you know, this really does feel a little like checking my grades at school."
Of course, no one here would have understood what he meant.
After taking a moment to clear his head, Jiang Xiaobai did not linger in bed. He rose, changed his clothes, washed up briefly, and went to his usual breakfast spot.
The maid had already prepared hot porridge and pastries. But Jiang Xiaobai had barely sat down and taken two mouthfuls when hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside.
Jiang Xiaobai looked up. A moment later, Zhang Xinnian came rushing in at a jog.
"Young heir!"
"Young heir!"
"It's barely morning. Is your backside on fire?"
Holding his bowl, Jiang Xiaobai regarded the anxious Zhang Xinnian with a somewhat helpless expression.
"No, young heir! There's news!"
"News? What news?"
"Two pieces!"
Zhang Xinnian caught his breath and said, "One good, one bad!"
"Oh? Give me the good news first, then."
Jiang Xiaobai leisurely took a sip of hot porridge.
"The good news is... the Imperial Civil Service Examination results are out!"
Zhang Xinnian's eyes shone as he spoke, his voice rising slightly. "Young heir, your illustrious name is right at the top of