CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: SOMEONE’S THERE!

The imperial civil service examination for the literary department had ended seven days ago. The examiners had been working tirelessly, finally grading all the papers.

However, there was still a batch of exam papers that required collective review by the examiners.

These were the top three papers in the examination.

"Good, good, excellent! I’ve never seen such a brilliant work. First place, this person deserves to be the first in this exam! Whoever objects, I will fight them to the end!"

The speaker was a chief examiner with a goatee, speaking with a robust voice. Given his longstanding reputation as the chief examiner in the region, no one dared to question him.

"Pass it around; let everyone have a look!"

This chief examiner was efficient and magnanimous, instructing others to circulate the paper. Several examiners below took a glance and were full of praise.

"Mr. Li’s discerning eye is truly admirable."

"Indeed, it’s a rare article, so well-written that even a higher-level examination would be no problem!"

This comment was a very high evaluation, and since it came from another chief examiner, there was no doubt that this paper was determined to be first.

Then there were the other two rankings, among which some disputes arose, but in the end, all was settled.

"Reveal the names!"

...

In the government office of Ling’an City, a special guest arrived in the office of an official on duty. Respectfully greeting the guest, he smiled and welcomed him, "Mr. Qian, please!"

"The noble person instructed me to find you here. Do you know their directions?"

Qian Yi held his hands behind his back, feeling as if he stood atop the world. At such great heights, it was lonesome; even a government official had to bow to him?

This was beyond imagination. When had he ever been so prestigious before?

Thanks to that noble person! Qian Yi swore, from now on, he would be the noble person’s loyal follower, willing to serve diligently...

Qian Yi smugly thought, the other party merely smiled at him: "Of course, everything is arranged to cooperate with Mr. Qian. I’ve already positioned the people; we’re just waiting for the results on that side..."

"Announcement — Mr. Zhang, the results are out!"

"Oh, the list is out? Bring it here for me to see."

Being in the bureaucracy, some conveniences were to be given, like the list of those who passed the exams, which was one of them.

Mr. Zhang casually glanced at the list. Not seeing Li Qingmu’s name, he chuckled: "This person is merely a..."

He meant to say "a worm in the dung pit, unworthy of the stage," but before he finished, a glimpse of the top names struck him like a bolt of lightning.

"This... this person actually ranked?"

Qian Yi saw his panicked expression and thought this official was rather mediocre. Passing as a Scholar, was it worth being so shocked?

He snorted disdainfully and asked, "Ranked what? Don’t tell me it’s the last place; that would be laughable, hahaha uh..."

"He ranked first! Top scorer!"

Mr. Zhang handed the list to Qian Yi, who then fell silent, blushing slightly.

Just a moment ago, he was underestimating the person, mocking them for possibly being last, but in a twist of fate, they soared to first place. Do you... have to be so inconsiderate?

Ranked second would have sufficed!

Qian Yi was so frustrated he almost coughed up blood, but thinking his good days were numbered, he smugly thought ahead: "Hmph, so what about being top scorer? He still has to go home, right? On the way home, ha ha!"

He sneered maliciously, his expression sinister.

"To think he’s first... I need to arrange manpower now. I’m afraid things might change, just hoping Mr. Chen, who cherishes talent, doesn’t foolishly escort him; that would be troublesome."

"Hmph, even if he does escort him, he can’t possibly send him all the way home, can he? As soon as he’s alone, then... slice!"

Qian Yi motioned a throat-slashing gesture, and both men exchanged knowing smiles.

"Well then, Mr. Qian, I must go arrange my men now, excuse me!"

Having said that, Mr. Zhang got up and left.

...

"The list is out, the list is out; hurry and see!"

"I passed, hahaha, I passed, I succeeded; I can finally return home in glory, hahaha..."

"Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations Brother Zhou..."

Outside the gates of Ling’an City, the scene was bustling. Countless scholars jostled together, craning their necks to see the high-posted red list, searching for their names.

"Mr. Li, you’ve made it, top scorer! First place!"

The inn where Li Qingmu was staying housed many scholars. Today, with the announcement, most went to see the results, only a few who felt they had failed stayed back, unwilling to face the outcome.

Li Qingmu, having become quite familiar with a few candidates staying next door, spent the recent days drinking with two of them who felt they hadn’t done well and were downcast.

At this moment, a young man in a blue robe dashed in from outside, shouting at Li Qingmu, wanting everyone in the inn to hear.

"Brother Li, truly, congratulations, first place! Shouldn’t you treat us to a drink?"

The newcomer was cheerful, immediately asking for a treat. Li Qingmu knew he would pass but hadn’t expected first place, hesitating briefly before feeling delighted.

Great, finally proud to go home to his wife!

"Sure, I’ll treat everyone today!"

When away from home, socializing is inevitable, especially on such a joyful occasion.

The surrounding candidates eyed him enviously. If he wasn’t planning to treat them, he wouldn’t survive in the bureaucracy.

Soon, cheers erupted from the inn, celebrating throughout the night!

...

Lingjiang Imperial Mansion.

"Father, I’ve finished my homework and want to go play!"

Qi Jingyu looked up with innocence, pleading sweetly with his father to let him go out and play.

"It’s late; what do you still want to play?"

Qi Junlian put down the documents he was working on, showing a trace of fatigue, slightly annoyed at his son’s desire to play.

"Catch crickets, and then I can have them fight... Ah, spare me, Father, I won’t go..."

Upon hearing his son’s intention to catch crickets and have them fight, Qi Junlian felt like punishing him, grabbing his documents to throw at him. The little one ducked and dodged, causing a ruckus in the study.

But in the end, Prince Qi, in his doting manner, still allowed him to go out and play.

"Haha, catch crickets! I’ll find the fiercest one to challenge the snotty bug from Marquis Feng’s household!"

Given his freedom, Qi Jingyu skipped to the rear garden of the Prince Mansion. Accompanied by his loyal follower, he squatted under a tree, carefully selecting a good cricket.

"Chirp!"

A cricket chirped energetically. Qi Jingyu was about to catch it when it jumped a foot high, dodging his grasp.

Qi Jingyu exclaimed happily, "Catch it; it’ll be my Great General, and I’ll have it conquer everywhere!"

He eagerly pounced on it.

"Chirp!"

The cricket chirped as it jumped, hopping all the way to the base of a wall, disappearing into a dog hole.

"Hey, Young Prince, that’s a dog hole..."

The guard saw the Young Prince trying to crawl out through the wall hole, unable to resist holding his head and stopping him, only for Qi Jingyu to signal him to be quiet and pointed inside.

"Someone’s there!"

He whispered.