Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 503 Huiyuan
Downstairs, the place was bustling with noise, and the crowd of people eagerly waiting surged like a tide. Officials began posting notices, but even faster were the professional messengers who made a living from this.

These clever young men had long since mastered the skills of squeezing into crowds and having a photographic memory. Once they saw the rankings, they would dash off like arrows to the teahouses and taverns they had already inquired about, vying to be the first to announce the good news and claim their reward.

Inside the private room, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, yet the atmosphere seemed to freeze.

Sheng Changquan sat upright at the table, his face calm and composed. His long, slender fingers rested lightly on the lukewarm teacup. He appeared unhurried, but only Liu Renyuan, who sat next to him, occasionally caught a glimpse of the unconscious, very light tapping of his fingertips on the table and a fleeting tension in the depths of his seemingly calm eyes. Only then did he glimpse a hint that his inner world was not as calm as it appeared.

After ten years of hard work, this is the moment to make a final push. Even though he is far more mature than his peers, he can't help but feel a surge of emotions at this moment.

Shen Li nervously glanced downstairs repeatedly, then looked back at Sheng Changquan, wanting to say something but holding back. Liu Renyuan, Niu Xingwen, and Lian Zhuo held their breath, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Suddenly, a commotion arose downstairs, followed by the booming voice characteristic of the messenger, who, in a drawn-out tone, began announcing the results starting from the last person in the top three:
"Congratulations to Master Zhang of Chuzhou, Huainan Circuit, for achieving the highest rank of Jinshi, ranking 203rd in the third class!"

"Congratulations to Mr. Liu from Qingzhou on Jingdong Road for achieving the 198th place in the top three of the high school entrance examination!"

……

Each time a name was announced, a chorus of sighs, some envious, some disappointed, rose from downstairs, and the air in the private room seemed to tighten.

The voices of those bringing good news rose and fell, and their rankings gradually improved:

"Ranked 152nd in the top three, Master Sun from Zhengzhou on Jingxi Road!"

"Ranked 120th in the top three, Master Zhou of Jiangning Prefecture, Jiangnan East Road!"

……

Liu Renyuan, Niu Xingwen, and Lian Zhuo unconsciously sat up straight, even their breathing became softer, and their eyes were fixed on the door, hoping that their names would be called next.

Although they themselves felt it was somewhat impossible, even Shen Li was worried for them.

When the messenger announced, "Ninety-sixth in the top three, Master Liu Renyuan of Kaifeng Prefecture!" Liu Renyuan was startled, blinked, as if he hadn't heard clearly. Only after the cheers from downstairs confirmed his name did his face suddenly erupt with immense, unbelievable joy. He jumped up abruptly, his voice trembling, "It's me! I won! Heavens, I actually won!"

He was so excited that he grabbed Niu Xingwen's arm and shook it violently, almost pulling Niu Xingwen off the chair.

Niu Xingwen was dizzy from being shaken, but he immediately smiled sincerely and congratulated him: "Congratulations, Brother Renyuan! That's wonderful!" Lian Zhuo also smiled and cupped his hands.

But after the congratulations, the anxiety in their eyes deepened—would they be next?

Overjoyed, Liu Renyuan quickly realized the situation of his two friends. His excitement subsided, and he looked at them with a hint of nervousness.

However, after the initial joy, the atmosphere became subtle again as the next names were announced.

After the rankings were announced all the way up to the second-class school, the names of Niu Xingwen and Lian Zhuo were still not heard. Niu Xingwen's fingers, which were stroking his beard, had stopped, his face gradually turned pale, and the forced smile on his lips disappeared completely. Lian Zhuo held the teacup for a long time without bringing it to his lips. His fingertips were slightly cold, and he finally put the teacup back on the table in silence.

The atmosphere that had just been joyful for Liu Renyuan gradually froze, replaced by an uneasy silence.

The excitement on Liu Renyuan's face completely faded, replaced by helplessness and regret for his friend. He opened his mouth, wanting to say a few words of comfort, but didn't know where to begin, and could only look to Sheng Changquan for help.

Shen Li had already put away his smile and looked worriedly at his two friends who had not yet passed the exam.

The number of spots for the second-tier A-level is getting smaller and smaller.

"Ranked forty-second in the second class, Master Zhao of Daming Prefecture, Hebei Road!"

"Ranked thirty-seventh in the second class, Master Li from Chang'an County, Jingzhao Prefecture!"

……

Finally, when the last person in the second-tier group finished singing and the list of first-tier group members began to be read, Niu Xingwen and Lian Zhuo exchanged a glance, both seeing deep disappointment and a hint of undisguised bitterness in each other's eyes.

Without a doubt, they failed the exam.

The noise downstairs was still deafening, with cries of celebration, regret, and shouts of good news mixed together, but inside the private room, a brief, suffocating silence fell.

Niu Xingwen took a deep breath first, forcing himself to let go. He gave a bitter laugh, his voice thick with resentment, and patted Lian Zhuo's shoulder heavily beside him, as if to comfort the other, or perhaps himself: "So be it! So be it! I'm just here to gain experience... Passing the imperial examination is already a stroke of luck, how can I expect to rise to the top in one step..."

Lian Zhuo sighed deeply, gently pushed away the cup of tea in his hand that had long since gone cold, and nodded, saying, "Brother Niu is right. This year's examination is full of experts, and there are even stronger ones among the strong. We are still lacking in experience."

"After I return, I will shut myself away from visitors and devote myself to my studies. I will fight again in three years."

He tried his best to keep his tone calm, but the slight tremor in his voice betrayed the immense regret in his heart.

"My two elder brothers..." Liu Renyuan couldn't help but speak, his expression apologetic.

Niu Xingwen waved his hand to interrupt him, forcing a smile and saying, "Brother Renyuan, what are you doing? Your winning is a great joy, and we are truly happy for you! Don't act like a little girl!"

Just then, the noise downstairs suddenly rose to a new peak!
The messenger's voice was exceptionally sharp with excitement, piercing through all the noise!
"Fifth place in the first class! Master Yuan Shen from Ruyang Prefecture, Henan Province!" As the name was announced, Yuan Shen paused slightly in his hand holding the fan. A calm smile, as expected, appeared on his lips. He nodded slightly to the crowd looking at him with composure, his posture still elegant, as if everything was under his control.

Immediately following:

"Third place in the first class! Master Wang Youchen from Taiyuan Prefecture, Hedong Road!"

"Second place in the first class! Chen Jingshen, Master Chen of Yangzhou Prefecture, Huainan Circuit!"

After a brief, breathtaking pause, the messenger roared with all his might:
"First place in the first-class examination! The top scholar! In Bianjing City, Master Sheng Changquan!"

"boom!"

The area downstairs was in complete chaos!

"Grand Gathering!"

"It's the young master of the Sheng family!"

"The Little Three Scholars are truly remarkable! They've won four in a row!"

Exclamations and discussions erupted like a tsunami.

Almost at the same instant this earth-shattering announcement was made, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open with a loud bang!

A figure rushed in like a gust of wind; it was Xu Changqing, Sheng Changquan's trusted follower.

He had clearly run there with all his might; his hair was soaked, his chest heaving, and he was panting heavily, but his eyes shone with an alarming light, and his face was filled with uncontrollable ecstasy and excitement.

Before he could even catch his breath, he abruptly cupped his hands in Sheng Changquan's direction, his voice hoarse and trembling with extreme excitement, yet shouting with unparalleled clarity and loudness: "Young Master! It's a hit!"

"He's number one!"

"The imperial edict has been posted! You are the top scholar! The number one scholar! I saw it with my own eyes! Congratulations, young master! Congratulations, young master!"

He looked up at Sheng Changquan, his gaze burning with pride and joy that deeply moved everyone present.

Sheng Changquan's tense nerves finally relaxed at this moment, and a huge warm current flowed through his body. However, he quickly suppressed his turbulent emotions, and only a very quick glint flashed in the depths of his eyes.

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to this series of jubilant reactions, and they all put aside their disappointment and sincerely flocked to congratulate Sheng Changquan.

Liu Renyuan, so excited he forgot his own ranking, slapped Sheng Changquan hard on the back, and shouted, "Good lad! You really got it done!"

"First place! You've brought honor to us brothers! Let's see who dares to look down on us now!"

Niu Xingwen and Lian Zhuo quickly composed themselves, temporarily suppressing their disappointment at failing the exam. They cupped their hands and smiled sincerely, saying, "Congratulations, Brother Changquan! You've achieved the highest honor! This is truly a joyous occasion!"

Shen Li was overjoyed, as if he himself had won, and was so excited that he was almost incoherent: "Great! Great! Changquan! This is... this is truly a great joy! I knew it! I knew you could do it!"

The first thought that flashed through his mind was—this "brother-in-law" might... be promising...

Yuan Shen also elegantly snapped his folding fan shut with a "whoosh," a gentle smile playing on his lips. He cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Brother Changquan, on winning the championship and ascending to the throne of the Grand Master."

"Brother Sheng is exceptionally talented and learned. From today onwards, he will surely become famous throughout the capital. I admire him greatly."

His tone was sincere, and his smile was appropriate, as if he were genuinely happy for Sheng Changquan.

However, a fleeting, elusive calculation and assessment flashed across the depths of those deep eyes.

This is his responsibility and obligation as the eldest son of the Yuan family. As a scion of a noble family, unless he is a spoiled brat, his every word and action must be for the sake of the family, not himself. This is especially true for someone like Yuan Shanjian, who is the heir of a noble family.

At this moment, Sheng Changquan's heart was also filled with turbulent emotions, which were difficult to calm down.

"bass!"

He stood up, bowed deeply to his friends and Yuan Shen, and said in a steady and clear voice: "Changquan thanks all my brothers for their kindness and good words! I am fortunate to have passed the exam. It is truly a blessing from heaven and the guidance of my teacher. I also owe it to the hard work and encouragement you all have given me. I am deeply grateful and will always remember you."

Then, he turned to Niu Xingwen and Lian Zhuo, speaking earnestly and sincerely: "Brother Niu, Brother Lian, you two are both learned men with profound knowledge. This was just a temporary mistake."

"It's inevitable that some talents will be overlooked in life. In the imperial examinations, even with ability, luck is still necessary," Sheng Changquan comforted him. "My two brothers will surely succeed next time and have a bright future!"

“Chang Quan is right!” Liu Renyuan nodded in agreement.

Niu and Lian shook their heads and smiled wryly at this, but they felt much better.