So spirited!
He would wait and see then!
Two days later!
The results of the imperial examination were out!
That day, everyone crowded at the Imperial Decree posted on the west side of the city to check!
The scene was a sea of people, too many wanting to squeeze in to see!
Men, women, old, and young were all particularly excited, hoping their families would produce a top scholar, second-place scholar, or third-place scholar!
The servants and maids from various prefectures rushed to check!
Xiao Ju squeezed through the crowd!
Looking up from the bottom!
She looked for a long time but couldn't find Qin Yun's name!
Frowning slightly, she was a little disappointed!
Just as she was about to despair, a servant's voice suddenly reached her ears!
"The Qin family's good-for-nothing is the top scholar? Is this a mistake?"
The Qin family?
Top scholar?
Xiao Ju skipped over all the scholars' names and looked directly at the name at the very top!
First Place: Qin Yun!
Although she couldn't read many characters, she could still recognize her own name and her young master's name!
Her young master was the top scholar?
Xiao Ju feared she was seeing things, so she rubbed her eyes and looked again. The name was still Qin Yun!
Xiao Ju was incredibly excited!
That was wonderful, if only Madam were still alive, for her young master to have succeeded in one attempt, it was truly heaven's grace!
Xiao Ju frantically pushed through the crowd and then rushed towards the Qin Manor!
When Xiao Ju returned to the manor, the Emperor's imperial decree had also arrived!
Fang Jing and his party arrived at the front hall of the Qin Manor, where the imperial decree was being read! Xiao Ju also knelt obediently to the side!
"By the grace of Heaven, We hereby decree that in the special imperial examination of Our Great Zhou Dynasty, the talented scholar Qin Yun of the Qin Manor has achieved the top rank as the狀元 and received the imperial title. We hereby announce this to the world for all to celebrate. Respect this edict!"
After Fang Jing finished reading the imperial decree, everyone below, except for Qin Yun and Xiao Ju, was stunned!
Qin Yuanzhang had never imagined Qin Yun would be the top scholar. He was ecstatic at this moment, frozen in place, and completely bewildered as he knelt! Besides his face filled with shock and joy, he had no idea what to do next!
Min Shi and Qin Yu heard this news and were filled with deep sadness!
Qin Yu, kneeling on the ground, propped herself up with her hands, her fingertips digging in so hard that her fingernails broke off halfway. This pain meant nothing to her!
It was only that her heart was filled with indignation!
Why, why was it Qin Yun, this good-for-nothing, who had become the top scholar?
Anyone else would have been fine, but it had to be Qin Yun, the good-for-nothing!
Qin Yu was extremely unwilling, her eyes red, her eyeballs protruding, wishing she could tear up that imperial decree!
Min Shi was no better off!
She had guarded against everything and calculated everything, but she never imagined Qin Yun would pass the imperial examination!
In her eyes, Qin Yun going to participate in the imperial examination was at most to make up the numbers, just going through the motions!
She never expected this brat to actually pass! And to become the top scholar on his first attempt!
If Qin Yun passed the imperial examination and entered the court, he would surely be granted an official post!
The position of a top scholar was no minor official. If he performed well, his promotion would be swift, perhaps even higher than that old man Qin Yuanzhang's position!
If Qin Yun gained power, their second branch would surely lose influence!
It seemed she could not just sit and wait!
Zhang Shi, in the corner!
At this moment, she was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred towards Qin Yun!
Her heart couldn't stop sighing... If only this brat Qin Yun were her son!
Alas! Her womb had still shown no signs of life!
Zhang Shi stroked her belly, her eyes filled with a hint of disappointment!
"Top scholar, quickly accept the decree!" Fang Jing said with a smile!
He also liked this Master Qin, possessing both virtue and talent, and handsome in appearance, most importantly... he was also deeply favored by the Emperor!
He naturally loved those whom his master loved, extending that affection!
"This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace!" Qin Yun accepted the imperial decree, a smile of determination flashing in his eyes!
"Congratulations, Scholar Qin!"
Qin Yun smiled humbly. "Thank you, Eunuch Fang. When I enter the palace in the future, I will have to rely on you."
Fang Jing said happily, "Scholar Qin, look at what you're saying... Perhaps in the future, you will be the Emperor's right-hand man, and I will have to rely on you!"
At this moment, Qin Yuanzhang on the ground also slowly recovered.
He quickly stood up and expressed his thanks. "Thank you, Eunuch Fang, for making this trip. You must be tired from your journey. This humble token of appreciation is but a small gesture; please accept it!" Qin Yuanzhang took out a bag of silver from his sleeve and happily handed it to Fang Jing!
"Lord Qin is truly generous. I will accept this silver as a congratulatory gift!" Fang Jing was even happier upon receiving the silver!
"Eunuch Fang, would you like to stay for a simple meal?" Qin Yuanzhang said with a smile, finding everything pleasant at the moment!
"That won't be necessary. I still need to deliver the good news to the second-place scholar, third-place scholar, and the fourth-place scholar!"
"Very well, very well, then I shall not detain you!"
Fang Jing nodded with a smile, then led a group of young eunuchs away!
Qin Yuanzhang approached Qin Yun and patted him on the shoulder, saying with emotion, "Yun'er, you have truly brought glory to our Qin family! When your father took the imperial examination, he was only a Jinshi. Our Qin family ancestors were all ordinary people. It was only in my generation that we entered the court, were granted a residence, and became minor officials!"
"I never expected that from you, to become the top scholar in one attempt. Your father is extremely pleased! Our Qin family can finally be considered to have honored our ancestors!"
Qin Yuanzhang stroked his white beard, filled with both emotion and satisfaction!
Perhaps it was due to being overjoyed, Qin Yuanzhang's happiness brought tears to his eyes!
"Father, what is that expression? Are you crying or laughing?" Qin Yun also sighed inwardly, she had only gotten the top scholar, and he was already moved to tears?
Casting a glance at Min Shi and Qin Yu, who stood expressionless not far away,
Qin Yun suddenly felt a surge of interest. "Father, look?"
Qin Yun pointed at Qin Yu and Min Shi, whose faces were ashen. "Why do Second Aunt and Third Sister have such looks on their faces? Could it be they didn't want me to pass? Father...?"
Seeing Min Shi's indifferent expression and Qin Yu's lack of emotion, Qin Yuanzhang immediately frowned.
Then he looked at Zhang Shi, who was not far away.
Zhang Shi was currently looking at Qin Yun with envy. Qin Yuanzhang saw that Zhang Shi was not scowling at him, so his attitude towards her improved.
Turning his gaze,
He said to Min Shi and her daughter, "Don't put on such long faces, you look worse than dung. If you two are in a bad mood, then return to your courtyards. You are not welcome at tonight's banquet."
Min Shi also realized that her expression was not right at the moment, and quickly said with a smile, "Master, your concubine is just too happy. I didn't expect Yun'er to succeed in one go, and I was momentarily stunned."
"Second Aunt, is that a smile? With that sour face, how is it not worse than crying?" Qin Yun saw through her immediately!
"Yun'er, I..." Min Shi wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Qin Yu.
"Mother, since Father and Elder Brother do not welcome us mother and daughter, we shall return to our courtyard!"
Qin Yu's mood was extremely foul right now, she didn't even want to pretend anymore!
Since she and Qin Yun had already revealed their true colors, there was nothing left to be wary of!
"You... you truly are an unfilial daughter!" Qin Yuanzhang was almost angered to death. He looked back at Qin Yun and comforted him, "Yun'er, don't mind them. You are your father's pride!"