After this Third Class Jinshi named Zhao Feichen entered the palace and headed towards the Taihe Dian, the other Jinshi, who initially thought they would have to wait a long time for their turn, all became frantic.
"Me! Me! What number will I be?!"
Since no one failed the Palace Exam, everyone had a chance. Now that even the last-ranked candidate had been called, they couldn't help but grow nervous about their own ranking.
No matter how nervous they were, the Heralds only announced each Third Class name once. As more and more names were called, and the number of new Jinshi outside the palace gates dwindled by more than half, Pei Wangshu and the others finally grew tense. "It's almost our turn, right?"
Zhang Bingwen nodded. "Mm."
Pei Wangshu was extremely nervous. He hadn't forgotten that he needed to ask the Emperor for the calming pills for his mother's heart condition. He had thought that with Xu Huaiqian and the others ahead of him, they could provide some cover. He never expected the announcements to be in reverse order this time.
His results weren't as good as Zhang Bingwen's and the others, so he would definitely be called before them.
"Don't be nervous," Xu Huaiqian comforted him. "If it really doesn't work out, don't ask the Emperor for the medicine. Anyway, we're acquainted with Ying Xinghai from the Imperial Hospital. Next time he comes to treat me, I'll ask him for you?"
"Oh, right!" Pei Wangshu slapped his forehead, reminded by Xu Huaiqian. "Why didn't I think of that? I've been worrying for nothing all this time!"
It wasn't that he hadn't thought of it; Xu Huaiqian and the others had intentionally not reminded him. Pei Wangshu's motivation for becoming a Jinshi was to get the medicine for his mother. If they had told him earlier that there was another way to obtain the medicine without the exam, his drive might have weakened.
Now that the Palace Exams were over and his ranking was imminent, it was the right time to tell him to ease his tension.
"Then I'll play it by ear later?" None of them had participated in the Grand Ceremony before and didn't know if there would be a chance to speak with the Emperor. If there was, Pei Wangshu still hoped to request the medicine personally.
Medicine obtained directly from the Emperor would hold a different significance for his mother.
Seeing his growth, Xu Huaiqian and the others nodded approvingly.
There were 320 Jinshi: 120 in the Third Class, 197 in the Second Class. The Heralds' pace quickened. When they reached the fiftieth name in the Second Class and Pei Wangshu still hadn't heard his name, he was so nervous he was almost sweating. "Why hasn't it been me yet?"
"This is a good thing!" Zhang Bingwen patted his shoulder, giving him confidence. At this point, the later one was called, the higher the rank. "It proves you did very well this time!"
Pei Wangshu knew that, but the delay felt like a slow, torturous knife, denying him a quick resolution.
Finally, when only ten names remained, the Herald called his name: "Second Class, tenth place, Pei Wangshu—"
"Is that me?" Pei Wangshu loosened his grip on his clothes, not daring to believe it. "I'm in the top ten of the Second Class?"
He remembered being the troublemaker the teachers at Qinglian Academy found most headaches. How could he possibly achieve a top-ten rank in the Second Class?!
"Second Class, tenth place, Pei Wangshu—"
"It's you! It's you!" The Herald announced again. Xu Huaiqian and the others pushed him towards the palace gate. "Go in quickly to kowtow and give thanks!"
As Pei Wangshu entered the palace gate in a daze, the Herald's voice came again: "Second Class, ninth place, Zhang Bingwen—"
Hearing his name, Zhang Bingwen breathed a sigh of relief, straightened his clothes, and without needing any urging from the others, strode confidently into the palace.
Hahahaha, a seventeen-year-old Second Class Jinshi! Today, it's my turn to shine!
When only eleven people remained, Duan Youyan scanned the crowd and saw Sheng Yuxuan was also still there. He wasn't discouraged.
The Sheng family's resources—if he got them, it was fortune; if not, it was fate. Duan Youyan believed that with genuine talent and learning, he could surely earn resources for A-Jin and his father-in-law.
Sheng Yuxuan was also looking at Duan Youyan. He deeply disliked this son-in-law who had married into the family midway. All of the Sheng family's resources should unconditionally favor him. Being forced to compete for them was a bitter pill to swallow.
From the Metropolitan Exams until now, he had desperately practiced current affairs questions at home. Fortunately, he had correctly guessed the exam would focus on exam reform. This allowed him to jump from eighteenth place in the Metropolitan Exams to... he was just thinking when the Herald's voice came:
"Second Class, eighth place, Sheng Yuxuan."
Sheng Yuxuan looked at Duan Youyan, who still hadn't left, and felt a surge of blood choke in his chest, unable to spit it out or swallow it.
Ahhhhhhhhh!
He had reached eighth place in the Second Class! Why still hadn't he surpassed Duan Youyan?!
What was even more infuriating was that as soon as Sheng Yuxuan stepped through the palace gate, the Herald's voice came again: "Second Class, seventh place, Duan Youyan—"
Pfft—
Sheng Yuxuan, walking on the path, nearly spat blood in anger. Just one place! One place! He lost by just one place!
Heaven is unjust! Heaven is unjust!
Since Duan exists, why was Sheng born?!
No matter how furious Sheng Yuxuan was, Duan Youyan, hearing his rank, breathed a sigh of relief. Remembering that his own father-in-law had only achieved thirtieth place in the Second Class, he had far surpassed his father-in-law and even beaten Sheng Yuxuan. He had lived up to A-Jin's hopes and his father-in-law's expectations. Even the most composed person couldn't help but feel happy at this moment. He nodded to Xu Huaiqian and the others. "I'll go in first?"
After he left, it was Xu Huaiqian and Meng Fangxun's turn to be nervous.
Meng Fangxun estimated he would be first in the Second Class. As for the First Class, although he desired it, he knew the capital was full of hidden talents. He feared someone might perform exceptionally well in the Palace Exams and surpass him, the third-place Metropolitan Graduate.
Looking at Pei Wangshu and the others, they had performed exceptionally, their Palace Exam ranks higher than their Metropolitan Exam ranks.
But Meng Fangxun's worry proved unnecessary because the top Second Class rank, the 'Chuanlu' position, was ultimately taken by someone named Zuo Qingqiu.
Those remaining were himself, Xu Huaiqian, and Shen Wennian.
It went without saying; the three of them were undoubtedly the final First Class!
But as for the rankings!
Meng Fangxun looked at the stunningly handsome Xu Huaiqian, then at the elegant and poised Shen Wennian. His heart sank, and with full self-awareness, he took a step back. "The Bangyan position is definitely mine. As for you two..." It was truly hard to predict.
Xu Huaiqian's grasp of current affairs was truly excellent, but his face was even better. Shen Wennian, while slightly inferior to Xu Huaiqian in both looks and current affairs, was more well-rounded.
Appearance, knowledge, bearing, family background—there wasn't a single area where he was lacking.
With these two powerhouses competing, it was hard to say who would get the Zhuangyuan title.
Just as Meng Fangxun fell silent, Xu Huaiqian, seeing Shen Wennian's tightly pressed lips and obvious nervousness, took the initiative to speak: "Don't worry, I only want to be the Tanhua. I didn't give my all during the Palace Exams; my answers were quite superficial. The Zhuangyuan title is definitely yours. Don't be nervous."
"You didn't give your all?" Hearing this, Shen Wennian was completely astonished.
"Mm." Xu Huaiqian pointed at his own face. "I want to be the Tanhua. I want to be the best-looking man in the whole world. I think I have what it takes!"
"Indeed!" Shen Wennian nodded, looking at Xu Huaiqian's face, which would stun anyone who saw it. Even if Xu Huaiqian qualified for Zhuangyuan, he might still be appointed Tanhua due to his looks. Equally confident, Shen Wennian said, "Even if you don't concede, I'm very confident I can become Zhuangyuan. I feel my Palace Exam answers were perfect, not inferior to your original standard!"
"Really?!" Hearing his confident tone, Xu Huaiqian felt even more relieved. He liked this kind of confident and hardworking top student.
Having someone like him as Zhuangyuan would set the benchmark for their group.
Xu Huaiqian considered himself half-crippled and utterly unsuited for such a spotlight. Having Shen Wennian shield him from the wind and rain was perfect.
Both were satisfied with the other's reaction. As they relaxed and waited patiently for the announcements, the Herald's voice came, defying their expectations.
"First Class, third place, Shen Wennian!"
This statement hit Xu Huaiqian and Shen Wennian like a thunderclap, leaving them utterly stunned.
Shen Wennian: "How could I be the Tanhua?!" Didn't he say he didn't try his best?
Xu Huaiqian: "How could he be the Tanhua?!" Didn't he say he could definitely surpass me?
Xu Huaiqian and Shen Wennian looked at each other and spoke in unison: "There must be some mistake!" Both felt deceived!
But only the three of them remained on site. No matter how much they cried out to the heavens, no one could answer their confusion.
"Whether it's Zhuangyuan or Tanhua," Meng Fangxun, now 100% certain he was the Bangyan, forgot to be happy for himself. Watching them—one in disbelief at not being Zhuangyuan, the other in disbelief at not being Tanhua—he found it both funny and exasperating. "Aren't they both in the First Class?"
Why fuss over a ranking? Perhaps the Emperor just picked casually, not caring who performed better or worse, or who was better looking.
After all, once you're in the First Class, it's all the same. What's there to fight about?!
The names of the First Class trio were to be announced three times. Soon, Shen Wennian's name was called again.
"First Class, third place, Shen Wennian!"
However unbelievable it was, Shen Wennian had to slowly walk towards the palace gate under the Herald's call. Looking at the majestic palace halls inside, he gradually settled his mind.
Right. Even if he was only the Tanhua, he was still within the First Class, not losing to anyone else!
Although this Tanhua wasn't what he wanted, life isn't perfect. Since it was reality, he had to learn to accept it.
Feeling slightly defeated, Shen Wennian suddenly thought: Xu Huaiqian, who wanted to be Tanhua based on looks, didn't get it, while he, slightly less handsome, became the Tanhua.
After all, Xu Huaiqian didn't care about the Zhuangyuan title. Even if he got it, it wouldn't feel like a real victory. But the Tanhua was different—it was earned fairly through the exam. Not only did he pass, but he was appointed Tanhua in front of the stunningly beautiful Xu Huaiqian. Did this mean the Emperor also thought he was better looking than Xu Huaiqian?
Shen Wennian touched his own handsome face and suddenly smiled. He might not have surpassed Xu Huaiqian in knowledge, but at least he won in looks, right?
He wasn't discouraged about not getting Zhuangyuan. Probably, Xu Huaiqian, who missed the Tanhua, was even more frustrated than him!
Thinking this, Shen Wennian, now content with being the Tanhua, let go of his obsession with the Zhuangyuan title and strode spiritedly into the palace gate.