(The second watch, there's still one watch ahead, don't miss it.)
Yu Shu's ears were quiet for a while. She looked up at the sun and saw that it was about time. Then, she heard a bell ring from the top of the building. The two martial artists on the stage who had yet to decide a victor were asked to leave and the arena was cleared.
A moment later, two imperial censors wearing black veils walked out from the bottom of the building. Behind them, they carried out a four chi tall notice board and placed it horizontally on the stage.
Yu Shu knew that the names on the notice board were the names that the princes had sent up. Now that it was revealed, when the Minister of Imperial Studies released the results, someone would make a copy of the list and compare it. Then the results would be clear.
Someone at the side of the stage beat a gong and the surroundings quietened. An imperial censor came forward to remove the seal on the notice board and started to read Ning Wang's name list.
Yu Shu perked up her ears to listen. There were three people in total. When the last one read "Ji Xingxuan of the Imperial Historian's Library", she was not surprised at all.
Fourth Miss Ji of the Yixue Aristocratic Family was most skilled in astrology and physiognomy. Yu Shu had heard of this before. Ji Xingxuan was truly talented. Otherwise, she would not have been able to coax Ning Wang into publicly bringing her to the Shuang Yang Gathering after her family fell.
A few days ago, Yu Shu had received the name list from Liu Tan. Originally, she had found it strange that Ji Xingxuan's name was not among the candidates for the subject of physiognomy. After thinking about it, she understood. Ji Xingxuan was clearly Ning Wang's person. If Liu Tan chose her again, regardless of whether she passed or not, it would be putting gold on Ning Wang's face. Therefore, she decided not to consider it.
Following that, the imperial censor announced the names of Liu Du, Liu Tan, Liu Yi, and an unremarkable Twelfth Prince Liu Chan. Among the names, there were two or three that repeated each other, but they were not the same.
For example, the Yi Ke that Yu Shu had chosen with the surname Zou was not chosen by anyone else. Ning Wang Liu Hao's name list, there was a name that overlapped with Liu Yi's. It was not known if they had discussed it privately.
After the list was announced. The Imperial Censor wrote it down on the notice board. Another hour passed. Yu Shu stretched her neck and waited anxiously. Suddenly, she heard a series of drumbeats from the shore. Thump, thump, thump, thump. He raised his head and saw someone riding a fast horse rushing over from the riverbank.
"We're here." Liu Tan said softly. Yu Shu looked around and saw that many people upstairs had left their seats and stood up, approaching the railing.
The official in charge of copying the results stopped at the edge of the arena and nimbly dismounted. He held a roll of names in his hands and jumped onto the stage, handing it over to the Imperial Censor.
Yu Shu watched as the Imperial Censor unfurled the name list. She cleared her throat and reported in a clear voice: "Year Zhaoqing, Year Fourteen of the Great Yan Examination's Second Month Spring Roll, Section Four: Physiognomy. A total of forty-six people have ascended the roll. Rank forty-six, Shanxi's Taiyuan examinee Qiu Yuping, rank forty-five, Jin Province's Huai County examinee Zhou Yan. Forty-fourth place … "
The Imperial Censor started reading from the last name. Occasionally, there would be a commotion from upstairs and downstairs. When it came to the thirty-seventh name, Liu Yi suddenly laughed loudly and shouted: "Got it, got it!". He ran over to Liu Hao's side and congratulated him. Yu Shu thought for a moment. The thirty-seventh name seemed to be the person that Liu Yi and Liu Hao had chosen.
When it came to the twenty-second name, Liu Yi shouted: "Got it again!". He congratulated Liu Hao and did not mention himself.
Yu Shu looked on coldly. She glanced back at Liu Tan and saw that his expression was calm. It was as if he was not displeased that Liu Hao had chosen two people in a row.
Following that, the Imperial Censor read out a long list of names. Upstairs was silent. Soon, the top ten names were announced. Yu Shu still had not heard the name of the examinee with the surname Zou. This made her a little anxious. She was afraid that her hopes would be dashed and she would be happy for nothing. She could not help but stand up and walk to the railing to look down, wanting to listen more carefully.
Ninth place – No.
Eighth place – No.
Seventh place, sixth place … No, none of them!
Just as Yu Shu was feeling vexed and disappointed as she returned to her seat, a melodious announcement came from downstairs. "Third place, Hu Zhou's Lin An County, Zou Zhiming …"
Yu Shu stood there dumbfounded for a moment before she reacted. She could not contain the joy in her heart. She clenched her fist and shook it lightly. She said in a low voice, "Got it!"
When Liu Tan heard Yu Shu's shout, he was stunned for a moment. However, before they could rejoice, they heard a commotion from the other end of Qiongyu Tower. The commotion almost drowned out the Imperial Censor's announcement downstairs.
"Second place, Taishi Library, Ji Xingxuan."
The smile that had not appeared on Liu Tan's face froze in an instant. He turned to look at Liu Hao who was surrounded by a group of people. His left hand, which was hanging in his sleeve, slowly clenched into a fist.
"Alas, this Ji Xingxuan is only a few years old this year. She has already become a Great Yi Master. At this age, she is also a woman. I'm afraid she has never done it before. She is the second. Hidewon, Hidewon. No wonder Seventh Brother …" Liu Du shook his head and sighed at Liu Tan with jealousy.
The top three in the Dayan Exam were similar to those in the imperial examinations. The first was the Champion, the second was the Hidewon, and the third was the Xianglang.
Looking around, most of the top three were seniors in their thirties to fifties. Ji Xingxuan was seventeen this year. It was already amazing that a woman could become a Hidewon, not to mention a new Great Yi Master.
As Yu Shu listened to Liu Gu's rambling, she was bewildered. Only a person who passed two subjects in the same year would have the title of Great Master of Change. How did Ji Xingxuan pass one subject before this?!
Yu Shu looked towards Lou Dong and saw that Ji Xingxuan and Liu Hao were both surrounded by people. She was dressed in an elegant blue gown and had a charming appearance. She had taken off the veil that had never left her body at some point. She walked through the crowd and met Yu Shu's eyes. When their eyes met, her lips curled into a faint smile. There was not a trace of warmth in her smile, it was as cold as a cicada in winter.
Yu Shu could read too many meanings from her smile. There was hatred, disdain, and even determination.
How could Yu Shu feel comfortable seeing Ji Xingxuan so proud and elated? This meant that Ji Xingxuan had climbed back up after experiencing that disaster. This was something that she didn't want to see.
Yu Shu should have been overjoyed that the rules of the Time of Calamity had come true. However, Ji Xingxuan's high score had diluted her happiness. She silently sat back down and was about to pour a cup of tea to calm herself down when she heard someone say, "Miss Yu is indeed a knowledgeable person. Since you helped me invite a Xianglang, I will naturally reward you according to your contributions. There are still two more exams in the Dayan Exam, as well as the Spring Liturgical Examinations. I will have to trouble you to take care of them. "
This was the first time that Yu Shu had heard Liu Tan praise her in the past few days. She hurriedly stood up and bowed to him humbly, "I don't deserve such praise. Don't worry, Your Imperial Highness. I will do my best."
Liu Tan smiled and waved his hand for her to sit back down. He stood up and straightened his robe. He changed his expression and went over to congratulate Liu Hao.
It was rare for him to be able to keep his composure. Originally, a Xianglang had already overshadowed the other imperial princes. Who knew that a Hideous Master of Great Change would appear and firmly suppress him. It went without saying how sullen he was.
Yu Shu leaned back in her chair and flipped an empty teacup in her hand. She listened to the people upstairs calling her Miss Ji again and again. She sneered and flipped the teacup upside down on the table.
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