Chapter 62 Good News
Ye Shijie was waiting for news with friends at Gazing Immortal Pavilion. Though trying hard to contain himself, a trace of anxiety showed on his face. Watching the noisy crowd outside, he could only wait for the throng to disperse and hear the results from the gossipers.
From the crowd gathered around the posted rankings, someone who had gotten the news first rushed out and was speaking with others—this must be the outcome. Those seated near the windows in Gazing Immortal Pavilion shouted, urging those who had gone to check the rankings to return quickly.
From the table next to Ye Shijie’s, one of the drinkers went ahead. Soon, he was seen running back in, so hurried that he nearly tripped. The moment he entered the tavern, he was surrounded. Everyone asked, “Who is it? Who came first in this examination?”
“The Imperial College’s top scorer is Ye Shijie,” the man said, catching his breath after steadying himself. “Second is the eldest son of the Right Prime Minister, Li Jing. Third is the Heir of Marquis Ningyuan, Zhou Yanbang!”
The crowd erupted in excitement.
“Who is Ye Shijie? I’ve never heard that name before. Is he a new student at the Imperial College?”
“The Right Prime Minister’s eldest son didn’t take the top spot this time—what a surprise.”
“I thought the Heir of Marquis Ningyuan would be second, but he ended up third.”
“Speaking of which, who exactly is Ye Shijie? Do any of you know him?”
Amid the surrounding chatter, Ye Shijie’s friend excitedly grabbed his shoulder. “Shijie, did you hear that? You came in first!”
“I heard,” Ye Shijie replied, maintaining a calm exterior though inwardly he was already exhilarated. As the people in the Yanjing City tavern had noted, his name was unfamiliar to both the city and the entire Imperial College. He had come to the Imperial College with the goal of bringing glory to the Ye family, and his efforts had finally paid off. The top rank at the Imperial College came with an official appointment. With an official position, the Ye family would no longer be commoners, no longer defenseless against bullying. The Ye family would only get better.
Yet, there was still one more matter on his mind.
Someone nearby asked, “We know the Imperial College results, but what about Mingyi Hall? Who came first there this time?”
The man in the center of the crowd froze and suddenly fell silent.
Such silence in the lively tavern was startling. The crowd gradually quieted, exchanging puzzled glances, unsure what was wrong. Someone couldn’t resist urging, “What’s the result? Hurry up and tell us!”
After hesitating for a moment, the man finally said, “For Mingyi Hall’s rankings, the Jiang family’s Fifth Miss, Jiang Yu’e, is third. The daughter of the Commissioner of Announcements, Meng Hongjin, is second.”
When he mentioned “Meng Hongjin is second,” the crowd gasped. Everyone knew about the bet between Jiang Li and Meng Hongjin. Since Meng Hongjin came in second, it was impossible for Jiang Li to make her kneel at the Imperial College gate and apologize with brambles. Now, it all depended on Second Miss Jiang. If she ended up at the bottom, she would lose everything.
Ye Shijie clenched his fists unconsciously, inexplicably worried about Jiang Li’s fate.
“The top scorer is…” The announcer paused briefly, then, under everyone’s gaze, finally spoke the last name.
“The daughter of the Grand Secretary, Second Miss Jiang—Jiang Li.”
Jiang Li!
Ye Shijie’s friend was so shocked he nearly knocked over his cup. Rubbing his ears, he exclaimed, “Did I hear that right, Shijie? He said the top scorer is Jiang Li?!”Ye Shijie also suspected that his ears were playing tricks on him, or that this was merely an unreal dream.
As soon as the man finished speaking, the crowd erupted in agitation, shouting, "Are your eyes blurred or are you blind? Can you even read? What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"
The man argued vehemently, his face flushed and neck bulging as he raised his voice in defense, "I'm not talking nonsense! The top scorer is Second Miss Jiang!"
"Pah!" A middle-aged man spat on the ground and declared loudly, "If Second Miss Jiang is the top scorer, I'll eat that pile of horse dung at the entrance!"
Everyone glanced toward the entrance, where a tall bay horse in the stable swished its tail. Noticing the crowd's gaze, the horse cast a puzzled look into the tavern and pawed the ground with its front hoof.
"If you don't believe me, go see for yourselves!" The man, who had kindly tried to explain the rankings, was infuriated by the insult. He stood on a stool and roared angrily.
"Fine, we'll go see!" A burly man carrying a blade retorted, "You illiterate fool."
Before he could finish, another patron rushed in through the door—likely one of the tavern-goers who had also gone to check the rankings. Unlike the previous man, he wasted no time building suspense and burst out as if announcing breaking news: "This is unbelievable! The top scorer in Mingyi Hall's exam is out—it's Second Miss Jiang, Jiang Li! Miss Meng will have to apologize and face public disgrace!"
At these words, the crowd fell into stunned silence.
The doubted man jumped off the stool, snorted coldly, and said, "Believe me now?" He straightened his clothes and stormed off in a huff, leaving behind a crowd of dumbfounded onlookers.
Ye Shijie watched the chaotic scene unfold. Though he ought to have frowned, for some reason, he couldn't help but laugh.
...Meanwhile, in the Jiang residence, the atmosphere was unusually quiet that day.
In Evening Phoenix Hall, Ji Shuran was chatting with Old Madam Jiang. Jiang Bingji sat nearby, nibbling on pastries, while Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yu'e sat together, and Jiang Yuyan kept her head down, embroidering a handkerchief.
"The messengers with the exam results should be back soon," Ji Shuran said, pressing a hand to her chest with a nervous smile. "I can't help feeling anxious."
"Sister-in-law, what do you have to worry about?" Lu Shi chimed in with a laugh. "Your Youyao has nothing to fear. Unlike our second branch—Jingyou is no scholar, and Jingrui... if he doesn't cause trouble, it's a blessing."
Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou had also taken the Imperial College exam, but their results were the same every year: Jiang Jingyou performed averagely, while Jiang Jingrui ranked at the bottom. Lu Shi had long given up hope.
Jiang Yu'e listened to their conversation, pursing her lips in a faint smile. She had accompanied Jiang Youyao to Evening Phoenix Hall precisely so that when the results were announced, she could receive Old Madam Jiang's praise. She wanted the entire Jiang family to witness her talent and intelligence.
"Why didn't Second Sister come along?" Jiang Yu'e asked. "When I came over earlier, I sent someone to invite her to join us."
"I heard Second Sister is brewing tea in her courtyard," Jiang Youyao replied magnanimously. "She said she isn't particularly interested in the results. Since she doesn't wish to come, we shouldn't force her."
Everyone who heard this was reminded of Jiang Li's bet with Meng Hongjin. With three of the Six Arts results already announced, half the outcome was settled. Jiang Li was expected to rank at the bottom. If she lost, she would pay a heavy price. Naturally, she wouldn't want to witness it firsthand."When the results come out, I'll go inform him." Ji Shuran smiled gently.
Old Madam Jiang remained silent.
Just then, Zhenzhu lifted the beaded curtain and announced, "Madam, the person sent to check the results has returned."
"Let them in."
It was a servant from the Jiang residence who had gone to check the results. He first paid respects to his masters before reporting, "Of the four young misses who took the examination, Third Miss ranked fourth, Fourth Miss ranked seventeenth, and Fifth Miss ranked third."
Jiang Youyao had initially felt quite pleased upon hearing she placed fourth, but when she learned Jiang Yu'e had taken third place, surpassing her by one rank, she became extremely displeased.
Suppressing her overwhelming joy, Jiang Yu'e looked at the servant and asked, "May I ask what rank my Second Sister achieved?"
The servant pulled a transcribed ranking list from his sleeve, presenting it to Old Madam Jiang while breaking into a broad grin as he spoke.
"Second Miss took first place—she is the top scorer in this examination! Congratulations, Madam!"
Middle-aged man: If Jiang Erxiaojie takes first place, I'll stream myself eating shit!
Horse: Please begin your performance.jpg
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel