The emperor's gaze fell on Meng Anci, and he spoke calmly, " Meng Anci, your policy essays on governance and border defense are not superficial; every sentence hits the nail on the head and is very much to my liking."
His voice was calm for a moment, then he said, "I have personally appointed you... as the top scholar of this imperial examination."
After speaking, he looked at Zhao Zhiyuan and said, " Zhao Zhiyuan, your essay is composed and measured, you are a pillar of the nation, I hereby award you the second-highest rank."
" Cheng Yuchuan, with his clear and upright thoughts and elegant writing style, is hereby awarded the title of Tan Hua (third-ranked scholar)."
The emperor had given him the title of third-ranked scholar reluctantly. In terms of appearance, he was inferior to Meng Anci; in terms of literary talent, he was not as good as Zhao Zhiyuan.
Unfortunately, among all the candidates, he was the only one who stood out, so this was the only outcome he could accept.
The emperor's gaze swept over the three men below the steps. "You are all my personally selected disciples. From this day forward, you should serve your country with your talents and serve the court with loyalty and integrity. Do not fail the name of this golden palace, and do not disappoint my expectations."
The three men kowtowed in unison, "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
The eunuch led three men to change into their official robes, adorn themselves with flowers, and parade through the streets. After they left, the emperor summoned Zhen Shiqing from the Hanlin Academy, saying, "My dear minister, I know that Qingzhou Prefecture is your hometown."
Meng Anci and Zhao Zhiyuan are both from Qingzhou Prefecture. They are still young and not suitable to be entrusted with heavy responsibilities so soon. Therefore, they will be placed by your side to handle daily affairs and temper your character. Do you have any objections?"
Zhen Shiqing's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed, his tone respectful and steady, "Your Sagacity is wise and insightful; how could I dare to have any objections?"
He thought for a moment and then added earnestly, "Your Majesty has entrusted these two talented young men to my side for training. I will certainly teach them diligently and supervise them wholeheartedly, so as not to fail Your Majesty's trust."
The emperor nodded in satisfaction. "Once they return from their leave, they can report to you."
"I obey the decree."
Zhen Shiqing bowed and withdrew. He was not familiar with Zhao Zhiyuan, but he knew Meng Anci... the young master of the Anzhi Hall. Even if His Majesty had not specifically instructed him, he would certainly take good care of him out of respect for Jin Shanyao.
After the results of the palace examination were announced, Jin Shanyao, holding Wen Jingshu tablet, and Meng Anzhi, holding her father's memorial tablet, found the best spot to sit down and gazed longingly towards the street.
A moment later, Meng Anzhi suddenly remembered, "Auntie... where is Grandmaster? I haven't seen him since the palace examination results were announced."
Jin Shanyao took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped her benefactor's memorial tablet, casually saying, "He went traveling..."
Upon hearing this, Meng Anzhi couldn't help but giggle, hugging Jin Shanyao's waist and saying softly, "You scared me to death... I thought you were going to go back with him."
Jin Shanyao picked up the memorial tablet and held it outwards to make sure it was unobstructed from all sides, then nodded in satisfaction. "My master has no fixed abode... I wanted to follow him, but he wouldn't take me."
"I'll take good care of you... We'll be together forever, never to be apart..."
Jin Shanyao smiled but didn't reply.
A series of drumbeats and gongs sounded as the procession moved through the streets. Meng Anzhi exclaimed excitedly, "They're here! They're here!" Before she could finish speaking, Jin Shanyao picked up the memorial tablet and held it up.
Meng Anzhi blinked twice, feeling somewhat unfilial, and hurriedly raised her father's memorial tablet as well, following the procession closer and closer.
The voices downstairs grew louder and louder, "My God... this year's top two scorers are so young!"
"I heard that the two of them grew up together and even had the same teacher..."
"To be the top scholar and runner-up at such a young age? They must have gotten in through connections!"
Meng Anci's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal.
He looked up at the second floor of the Anzhi Hall and saw his aunt and sister holding memorial tablets, smiling brightly at him. The mockery and doubts around him instantly became insignificant.
On horseback, Meng Anci straightened his back, raised his head high, and stared straight ahead, determined to show his aunt and sister just how majestic he was...
He was the top scholar in the imperial examination.
The sound of horses' hooves grew louder, and various silk handkerchiefs were thrown at the procession. On the second floor, Meng Anzhi shouted excitedly, " Anci... Anci... I'm here!"
Meng Anci and Zhao Zhiyuan looked up at them, waving triumphantly. Everyone who looked over gasped in shock...
Who would have thought that someone would hold up a memorial tablet and shout loudly during the procession of the top scholar? Isn't that ridiculous?!
However, when Meng Anci saw his parents' memorial tablets, his eyes instantly reddened. He shouted loudly at the tablets, "Father, Mother... your son has become the top scholar in the imperial examination!"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked again at the two memorial tablets in mid-air and were shocked to realize that... this year's top scholar was actually an orphan.
The crowd fell silent for a moment, then sighed in admiration that the top scholar was a filial son.
In the shop opposite Anzhi Hall, four or five noble ladies were sitting, including Cai Wenyan, the daughter of the Prime Minister.
Her father had told her during the imperial examination that there were two candidates of similar age who would pass the provincial examination this year, and if one of them achieved the highest rank, she could choose one of them as her husband.
Cai Wenyan didn't take it to heart at first, thinking that no matter how smart a young child could be, how smart could they be? She never expected that the two of them would both pass the high school entrance exam.
Her gaze shifted slightly between Meng Anci and Zhao Zhiyuan, finally settling on Zhao Zhiyuan.
Cai Wenyan smiled and said to the noblewoman, "It's getting late, I'll head back now..."
"Hey, don't go... It's only a once-every-three-years parade, and you're already leaving just as the procession is starting... Don't wait any longer."
Cai Wenyan smiled and said, "No... you can take your time looking around. I'll cover the tea and snacks today." She walked downstairs and glanced back at the direction of the parade.
Zhao Zhiyuan was smiling and waving upstairs... She withdrew her gaze, and before getting into the carriage, she said to her maid, "Go and find out... who the girl upstairs at the Anzhi Hall is, and what her relationship is with Zhao Zhiyuan."
The maidservant responded softly.
Zhao Zhiyuan was completely unaware that he was being watched, and waved to Meng Anzhi with a smile on his face... wondering why Sister Anzhi wasn't carrying any silk flowers or handkerchiefs.
If she throws it... he'll definitely catch it.
However, Meng Anzhi's eyes and heart were filled with Meng Anci. Only after the procession had gone far away did she carry her parents' memorial tablets back to the mourning hall, rearrange them, and light three incense sticks.
"Father, Mother... Anci. You can rest in peace now."
When Meng Anci returned to the Anzhi Hall, it was already 7:45 PM.
He wore a big red flower on his chest, his mouth stretched almost to his ears, and he stood there dumbfounded in front of Jin Shanyao and Meng Anzhi.
"Auntie, sister... I've passed the imperial examination with top honors!"
"Yes, my little darling is wonderful."
Jin Shanyao out and took the big red flower off his chest, replacing it with the ginkgo leaf necklace. Meng Anci glanced down at it and casually tucked the leaf into his collar.
Meng Anzhi looked at him with a mixture of envy and jealousy. Only they knew how much willpower it took to read books day after day, year after year.
Now that Meng Anci has escaped her suffering, she still has stacks of medical books to read!
No, I can't think about it anymore... My brother's success is my failure. She quickly pulled herself out of her thoughts, turned around and went to find Qing He, asking her to book three tables at the restaurant, and also asked Shopkeeper Qin to close the shop.
Everyone at the Anzhi Hall is celebrating together today.
Congratulations to Meng Anci on achieving the highest rank in the imperial examination.