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Chapter 400

Wealthy families sent their servants and maids while penniless commoners crowded around themselves. The entire front of the Examination Hall was filled with people.

At first light, the list covered in red cloth fluttered in the wind, the golden names barely visible.

Officials with drums and red banners were ready to move at any moment.

When the sun started to set, the chief examiner personally removed the red cloth and all eyes widened involuntarily.

At the very top was the First Class.

Zhuangyuan Xu Mo, Bangyan Sun Xiaosheng, Tanhua Fang Yuan.

Everyone who had placed bets cried out in surprise, some boldly shouting, "How is this possible, to be tied when one cheated last year? Has the imperial examination become a joke?"

"If the examination is unfair, what meaning is there in striving?"

"How can they be tied? How can they be tied!"

"And why can\'t they be tied!" Someone stood up and spoke passionately, "Master Fang proposed tax reforms and bravely contributed 100,000 silver taels. Enough to provide a cotton coat for every soldier on the border. With such great achievements, how could he not deserve the Tanhua title?"

It was tradition.

Those with both talent and looks become Zhuangyuan.

Those with talent, but less looks become Bangyan.

Those with insufficient talent, but great looks become Tanhua.

Although Fang Yuan\'s talent and looks were ordinary, his contributions were significant. Giving him Tanhua was fair.

"The Fang family has sacrificed much for the top three," the commoners sneered. But no one from the Fang family appeared.

Of course, with such a humiliating loss, the glory of Tanhua had become a stain. Who would dare show their face?

Fortunately the Zhuangyuan and Bangyan remained. The crowds grew lively again, discussing the two talented prodigies.

Close friends and family ecstatically searched for them amongst the sea of people.

"Brother Xu, Brother Xu, where are you? You got Zhuangyuan, you really became Zhuangyuan, wuwuwu." Zhao Yuan\'s face was covered in tears as he wailed loudly.

Not only Zhuangyuan, but also all three top spots.

Unlike the complex relationships of others, Zhao Yuan had stubbornly believed his gentle and refined friend, straight as a bamboo, would stand atop the mountains surveying all below.

And now he had.

"Where is Brother Xu, where is he?" Qi Huai and An Jun, who had placed in the second class, also rushed over, their faces overflowing with joy. "How come we can\'t find him?"

Familiar seniors, charming girls, excited friends.

Everyone was looking for Xu Mo.

Yet at this moment, he sat in a carriage, holding a basket of golden pastries, both crying and laughing.

"Big brother, later you take our golden pastries outside and give two to whoever you meet. Just say it\'s to share in the joy." Jiang Sheng had two dark eye circles as she carefully instructed, "If anyone asks, say it\'s sweets from Jiuzhen Store, got it?"

"Got it." Xu Mo acknowledged.

Only then was Jiang Sheng satisfied, nodding her head. Her sleepless nights were worth it to invent this new sweet.

At the door, Zheng Ruqian lifted the carriage curtain as the siblings got off one by one. Just as they found their footing, they were spotted by the ravenous friends.

"Look, the Zhuangyuan is there!" Zhao Yuan\'s eyes were sharp.

Innumerable gazes neatly turned their direction, joyful friends, loving seniors, yearning passersby, drumming officials.

Xu Mo was shocked motionless.

The grand red flowers and congratulations were nothing new, but the special red and gold plaque only for the Zhuangyuan was key.

"Congratulations Zhuangyuan Xu, joyous news Zhuangyuan Xu!" The officials recited auspicious words and friends encircled them happily.

Even his younger siblings blossomed with joy.

Only he gazed longingly in the direction of the imperial palace, his heart aching to sob.

Xiao Wu...

The past was pieced together. The slender and delicate pretty youth was willing to go anywhere but resisted approaching the imperial palace. He knew all the top families of Fengjing and even dared trick the Heir Prince. He treated gold and silver as dirt.

He should dislike that place, yet he went back at the critical moment of the palace exam.

Everyone said the palace had people good at handling affairs, but Xu Mo only hoped he wasn\'t one.

"Brother Xu looks dumbstruck with joy." Qi Huai teased at the side, "A sixteen year old Zhuangyuan for the record books! We\'re sure to get a line as your friends."

"If not a line, at least a few words." An Jun also joked along.

Amidst the roaring laughter, Jiang Sheng took out coins to tip the officials bringing congratulations.

Whether classmates or commoners, familiar or unfamiliar, all came to celebrate.

Xu Mo could only tidy his emotions and nod with a smile, not forgetting to hand out the golden pastries his sister had instructed.

The scholar candidates were extremely happy, taking the initiative to ask, "Did the Zhuangyuan eat these sweets to become extraordinary?"

Xu Mo was tongue tied, unable to respond.

Fortunately Jiang Sheng hadn\'t gone far. With wide blinking eyes she responded in her crisp voice, "That\'s right, it was from eating our Jiuzhen Store sweets."

"What are these sweets called?" Another scholar turned back to ask.

Jiang Sheng blurted out, "Golden pastries." Seeing Xu Mo\'s expression she changed it to, "Called Zhuangyuan pastries."

"What a name, Zhuangyuan pastries. Eat them to become Zhuangyuan!" The scholars left in high spirits.

From then on, Jiuzhen Store became famous. Zhuangyuan pastries especially became a must-have for scholars before exams.

After an unknown amount of time, the crowds of commoners gradually dispersed, finally allowing the distant seniors a chance to appear.

"Good lad, I saw your potential." Stroking his beard, Dou Weiming slowly walked over. "It was worth noticing you during the palace exam and giving you the best score."

Xu Mo was endlessly grateful. Bowing as a junior he said, "Sir, your grace, this student will never forget and keep engraved on my heart."

"No need to be like that." Dou Weiming gentled. "I know your talent, unmatched in all Fengjing. My family has a daughter just entering womanhood. Would the Zhuangyuan be willing to teach her?"

Though he phrased it as teaching, with the closed morals of Dayu Dynasty men and women couldn\'t be alone. This was clearly matchmaking.

Just as Xu Mo was stunned, from the corner of his eye he glimpsed another senior hurriedly approaching, bringing a girl in black robes.

"Hahaha, you old fox Dou Weiming." Qi Gongzhen shook his beard and glared. "I knew you suddenly rushing off was up to something. So you were cozying up to the Zhuangyuan!"

Not waiting for a response he continued, "What a coincidence, the Qi family also has a daughter. She\'s even acquainted with the Zhuangyuan, and we hope he can instruct her when free."

Behind Dou Weiming was a girl dressed as a servant boy, behind Qi Gongzhen the girl in black robes, both peeking out shyly from behind their fathers.

Just then, another familiar figure appeared, also leading a tall slender beauty. "Hahaha, you all have good eyes. Last year I already saw this lad\'s potential, and this year it\'s just as I expected. I wonder if the Yao family\'s girl can match the Zhuangyuan?"

Last year at the imperial city gates the three top officials had laughed about matchmaking for Xu Mo. Today at the Examination Hall gates they had really brought their daughters to catch a son-in-law.

The gentle and refined Dou girl, lively and clever Qi girl, tall and elegant Yao girl.

Any other scholar would have been overjoyed making their pick.

But Xu Mo was only filled with confusion and shock. What was happening?