On the stage, Wang Wenrui's expression became even weirder. In fact, he did suggest putting Cheng Cangjian in the first rank. Of course, it was not because of their teacher-student relationship, but because Cheng Cangjian did indeed have the ability to do so. However, when the Emperor was reading the papers, he asked to pick out Xu Xian's papers.
Wang Wenrui had already expected this. After all, Xu Xian's name was too famous. He presented Xu Xian's papers to the Emperor and praised him, "Your Majesty, this boy's poems are truly superb!"
He often walked around the palace and could be considered a close official, so his praise was not unexpected. Moreover, his own disciple was able to produce such a famous poem. As a teacher, he was also proud.
After reading, the Emperor revealed a smile. He stroked his beard and nodded, "Who says that the heart of an inch of grass is repaid by three springs?
Hmm, it is indeed rare. "
Wang Wenrui also said a few good words about Xu Xian without batting an eyelid. If he could leave a good impression on the current emperor, the career of a scholar would naturally be much smoother. This was also the benefit of having a teacher.
"Then put him in the first rank. What do you think, my dear minister?"
Wang Wenrui was shocked. If Xu Xian was placed in the first rank, wouldn't that mean that Cheng Cangjian would be demoted? He quickly advised, "Your Majesty, although Xu Xian's poems are good, his prose is a little lacking. In my opinion, although Cheng Cangjian's poems are not as good as Xu Xian's, his prose is a level higher."
The Emperor, however, looked interested. He smiled and said, "My dear minister, I heard that Cheng Cangjian and Xu Xian are both your disciples. Why are you favoring one and discriminating against the other?
The selection of talents in the imperial examination is not just about poetry. That is why I set up the two words' filial piety '. This is the foundation of one's conduct and also my consideration.
Cheng Cangjian's talent is also extraordinary. Let's set him as Chuan Lu. The rest will be passed on according to the rankings you have set! "
The Emperor lifted his brush and wrote down three names on the list. He then handed it to Wang Wenrui who was standing to the side.
Wang Wenrui respectfully received it. "This subject shall take his leave!"
Wang Wenrui had originally thought that the Emperor had suddenly seen such a good poem and had become excited, but he had not thought that the Emperor would be so insistent. Seeing that the Emperor had begun to speak, how could he say anything else? He could only agree.
Furthermore, the rankings in the court examinations had a lot to do with the preferences of the Emperor. In previous generations, there had been cases where the examiners rated the candidates as poor, but the Emperor liked them and chose them as the top scholars.
This was also fate. There was nothing more to say.
Wang Wenrui's mind was filled with thoughts. He felt sorry for Cheng Cangjian, but he was also happy for Xu Xian. He could not help but be a little lost in thought. The students below did not even dare to breathe loudly, not knowing if something had happened.
Wang Wenrui came back to his senses and took out a thin name list from his sleeve. He slowly opened it and said, "Xu Hanwen, third place. His Majesty has appointed him as the third flower of this year's examination."
His eyes couldn't help but search the crowd, and he easily found the abnormally tall Xu Xian in the corner at the back.
What interested Wang Wenrui was that this time, the Three Tripod Cauldrons happened to be kneeling together.
Xu Xian was so bored that he began to make bricks. Hearing this, he gave Pan Yu a bright smile. In the future, he would also be the Junior Xu Tanhua. He was considering if he should also learn some special skills of throwing knives and pass down the name "Little Xu Throwing Knives, Never Miss".
Wang Wenrui finished reading the name and continued without hesitation. "Pan Mingyu, second place. His Majesty has appointed him as the second flower of this year's examination."
Pan Yu smiled helplessly. In the end, she was still one step behind. She had to believe in the word "character" that Xu Xian always talked about. She had heard about merits from Xu Xian and had already begun to consider whether she should do more work in the future. However, she also knew that once she had such a thought, the merits she would receive would be sharply reduced. She couldn't help but sigh. Being a good person also required talent.
"Zhong Kui, first place. His Majesty has appointed him as the top scholar of this year's examination."
Zhong Kui felt a surge of hot blood in his chest. How many years of perseverance, how many times he had dreamt of it, had finally come true at this moment.
No matter how strong his willpower was, he couldn't control himself and clenched his fists tightly.
His initial worries had long been thrown to the back of his mind. His eyes widened to the size of copper bells, and his breathing quickened.
Xu Xian said softly, "Congratulations!"
Zhong Kui finally sobered up a little. After Xu Xian mastered the Thunderous Spell, his voice had a calming quality to it.
Zhong Kui saw that although Xu Xian was also full of joy, his expression was calm, as if he wasn't excited at all. Across from Xu Xian, Pan Yu's expression was even more indifferent. There wasn't much joy on her face and she was still as calm as ice jade. Sensing Zhong Kui's gaze, she returned a slight smile.
Zhong Kui couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. Although his essay was slightly better than theirs, his ability to maintain his composure was much worse than theirs. He was glad that he had covered his face.
Wang Wenrui said amiably, "Zhong Kui, come forward. His Majesty will ask you questions when he arrives." This was a special honor that only the top scholar could enjoy.
Zhong Kui hurriedly stood up and walked to the front of the hall.
The other newly promoted scholars looked up at Zhong Kui with eyes full of envy and jealousy.
He was going to answer the emperor's questions on behalf of hundreds of scholars. How could they not be envious of such an honor?
Although there was a saying that went, "Ten years without anyone asking, one will become famous overnight", this was the only person who could truly be known by the world. Zhong Kui walked to the front of the crowd, just like the student representative in Xu Xian's previous life. "Kui Xing Duels Champion" was not a lie.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
From somewhere came a melodious singing. At first it was very soft, but then it was carried by different eunuchs, one by one, as if a beacon had been lit, layer upon layer. Before the eunuchs arrived, this dignified air had already been transmitted to all the scholars. They could not help but bow down and shout, "Long live our Emperor, long live ten thousand years."
Xu Xian opened his mouth insincerely and focused on fixing the cracks in the bricks. Beside him, Pan Yu was helpless. She couldn't help but transmit her voice to him, "Be more serious."
Xu Xian gave Pan Yu an aggrieved look. "I'm just bored!"
In the past, sitting and listening to the school leaders' meetings was boring. Now that he was kneeling, of course, it was even more boring.
However, he didn't feel humiliated. If Xu Xian was just an ordinary person, he would naturally feel uncomfortable or even humiliated when he knelt to others. However, as his cultivation deepened, his temperament gradually changed. In his eyes, kneeling was no more than a formality. In fact, it was even an interesting game to witness ancient history. He had some awareness of Daoism and abandoned honor and disgrace.
Pan Yu was slightly stunned. At this moment, the setting sun was like blood, slanting into the hall. A ray of red light fell on Xu Xian's face. His smile was as warm as the sun, but his eyes were as deep and peaceful as the midsummer night sky, as if there were endless stars shining in them.
His appearance was still not handsome and could only be regarded as valiant at most. However, the charm he exuded at this moment made Pan Yu's heartbeat slow down by half a beat. A blush rose on her face and blended into the sunset.
"I don't know when he became so good-looking."
Pan Yu only remembered that when she first met Xu Xian, he was just an ordinary poor scholar. Comparing him in the past and now, the difference was like a fish and a dragon.
"The new Jinshi have finished drinking. All new Jinshi kneel and listen to the Emperor's edict."
"Long live."
Somehow, the old man in the golden dragon robe was already sitting on the dragon throne. The hall became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
The Emperor said in an unhurried voice, "You are all talents selected from all over the world. You are all scholars who have read the books of the sages.
The Sage said, 'Study well and you will become an official.'
You can be said to be excellent in study since you can be here. However, you have to consider the word 'official' yourself … "As usual, he admonished.
Xu Xian was surprised to hear that the Emperor's voice was old but full of energy.
People aged very quickly in this era. In this era, the Emperor's age was definitely in the generation of Xu Xian's grandfather. It was unusual for him to be in such good health. However, this was a good thing. As long as the Emperor did not suddenly pass away, the world would naturally not be in chaos.
However, the content of the admonition was as boring as the admonitions of all the leaders in the world. Fortunately, it was not as long as it was in the future.
After a few words, the Emperor ended the admonition and said, "Remember my kindness well!"
The hall was silent. Zhong Kui suddenly remembered Wang Wenrui's instructions and said loudly, "We will not let you down, Your Majesty. We will do our best until the day we die!" However, his hoarse voice was very ear-piercing.
The Emperor frowned slightly and said to Zhong Kui gently, "You must be the scholar, Zhong Kui!
Your essay is very well written! "
Zhong Kui hurriedly responded and lowered his head even more, feeling uneasy.
It was not that Zhong Kui was cowardly, but it was because of the reverence for imperial power that flowed in the blood of every mortal in this era. Even cultivators were not completely immune. In the original story, after Bai Suzhen was rescued by Xu Shilin from Leifeng Pagoda, there was a scene where the Emperor summoned Bai Suzhen. Bai Suzhen, who dared to go to the Heavenly Court and break into the Underworld, felt a little uneasy when faced with an ordinary old man.
After Xu Shilin put on the scholar's robe, Hu Meiniang, who was already considered a demon, could not come within ten feet of him.
The Heavenly Tribulation, which cultivators feared the most, could only be resolved by accumulating merits.
The relationship between immortals and mortals could never be explained clearly in a sentence.
The Emperor smiled and said, "Raise your head and let me see how you look."
He was also a little curious about this genius who could hand in his paper in such a short time and was far better than the other scholars.
Zhong Kui dared not disobey and straightened his body, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
However, the Emperor frowned. Zhong Kui's face was tightly covered, revealing only his facial features. It was funny yet strange, and the Emperor was a little displeased, but he still asked in a pleasant tone, "What's wrong with you?"
Zhong Kui forced himself to say, "I have been born with an ugly face since I was young. I was afraid that I would alarm Your Majesty, so I covered my face."
The Emperor said, "I am not a child, why would I be afraid of your face? Are you going to do the same when you parade the streets tomorrow?
You are born from heaven and earth, raised by your parents, what is there to be ashamed of?
You are this year's top scholar, so you should be even more proud. Stand up, and let your fellow examinees see your true colors. "
Zhong Kui's chest warmed up, and he said, "Yes, Your Majesty!" He straightened his body and turned to face the hundreds of scholars, slowly removing the cloth from his head.