After a master of metaphysics severed ties with his family, the whole family was filled with regret!

Chapter 67 Jinshi (Passing the Imperial Examination)
Luo Wanping nodded in satisfaction. He never expected that his unremarkable son could enter the palace examination; it was truly an unexpected joy.

Lady Luo Jiang's eyes were practically spitting out hatred!
A mere illegitimate son actually dared to show his face in front of the master!

Hmph, if it weren't for her difficulty in having children, she would never have kept this illegitimate son! She would have found a way to abort him without anyone knowing when he was pregnant!

But outwardly, she still needs to show him more concern:

"Our Chen Tian is truly remarkable. So many people participate in the imperial examination, but only a few can enter the palace examination, and Chen Tian is one of them. Mother is very pleased. When you return from the palace examination, Mother will definitely hold a celebration banquet for you."

"Thank you, Mother. I dare not take credit. I am only able to be who I am today because of the guidance of Father and Mother. Father and Mother have worked the hardest."

Luo Chentian had long since learned to read people's expressions and how to survive in the Luo family. Even though his entry into the palace examination had nothing to do with the two people in front of him, he still had to say such polite words.

Luo Wanping and Luo Jiangshi nodded with great satisfaction upon hearing Luo Chentian's words.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they let the person go.

Seeing that Luo Wanping was still so happy after everyone left, Luo Jiangshi felt very resentful, but she didn't know what to say.

"Is the master pleased that Chen Tian has passed the palace examination?"

"Of course, the Luo family hasn't had such a joyous occasion in a long time. We should celebrate properly. After the palace examination is over and the rankings are determined, we will hold a grand celebration banquet for Chen Tian so that everyone in the capital knows that our Luo family has produced a top-three scholar!"

He had endured a lot of cold shoulders during this period, but thanks to Luo Chentian's entry into the palace examination, he could finally hold his head high again.

"Don't worry, sir, I will definitely handle this banquet well."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanping grasped Luo Jiangshi's hand and smiled with satisfaction:
"Mrs. I'm here."

"It's all what I should do, sir, you don't need to be so polite."

The couple exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.

After returning to his courtyard, Luo Chentian rested and prepared wholeheartedly for tomorrow's palace examination.

The next morning, Luo Chentian rode in Luo Wanping's carriage for the first time and entered the palace with him.

Luo Wanping went in first, signaling Luo Chentian to wait outside until His Majesty summoned him. Shen Zangfeng and others also waited with him.

The moment Shen Zangfeng saw Luo Chentian, he felt that he looked remarkably like someone, so he thought he would greet this colleague later and ask about his situation.

The group stood outside the court hall for a while before hearing His Majesty's summons. They then entered in an orderly fashion.

"This humble subject greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live a thousand years!"

A group of people knelt down in unison to pay their respects to Xiao Jinglin.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Jinglin smiled and told them all to get up.

"You are all talented individuals selected through rigorous examinations, which greatly pleases me. Today, I will present the questions for the palace examination, and you will answer them now. The ranking will be determined by your answers within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

"Yes, Your Majesty—"

Then, people carried in tables and chairs, and the top three scholars took their seats, distributed paper and pens, and waited for Xiao Jinglin to give them the questions.

"Let us all write articles on how to increase the national treasury's revenue. The writing period of an incense stick will officially begin."

After Xiao Jinglin finished speaking, someone immediately lit an incense stick, and the examinees began answering the questions as quickly as possible. The incense stick's time was up, and Xiao Jinglin ordered the answer sheets to be presented, which he then reviewed one by one.

After seeing the answers to the imperial examination, Xiao Jinglin had already decided who would be the second and third place winner.

Shen Zangfeng undoubtedly takes first place. His suggestions for increasing national treasury revenue are all constructive and highly feasible.

As for the runner-up, it was Zuo Mengtang, a student from a poor family who possessed both talent and ability.

As for the third-place scholar—

Luo Chentian is the most outstanding. His biggest flaw is his age. He is too young and has too little experience, which limits his writing. However, even though he is not old, Xiao Jinglin has already seen that he is a promising talent and must be retained!
When Luo Wanping heard that Luo Chentian had been named the third-ranked scholar by His Majesty, he was extremely excited!
How did he become the third-ranked scholar?! He originally thought that just being able to enter the palace examination and get any official position would be a great achievement!

These are the top three in the first-class ranking! Back then, Luo Wanping himself was only in the second class, truly bringing glory to his family!

Luo Chentian himself was quite surprised. He thought he would at most be in the second tier, but this was a pleasant surprise.

The top three in the first-class examination were to parade through the streets together. Xiao Jinglin did not waste their time and ordered people to put big red flowers on their chests. Then they began to parade through the streets from the palace gate to show off the most outstanding people in this imperial examination!

Shen Zangfeng finally found a chance to speak with Luo Chentian alone. As the top scholar, Shen Zangfeng was in the middle, Zuo Mengtang, the second-place scholar, was on the left, and Luo Chentian, the third-place scholar, was on the right.

"I just heard your name is Luo Chentian. Do you have any sisters named Luo Chujiu?"

Shen Zangfeng took the initiative to strike up a conversation, but instead asked about Luo Chujiu, which surprised and puzzled Luo Chentian.

But it's not good not to reply.

"To be honest, Brother Shen, she was originally the eldest sister in the family, but due to some events, she left the Luo family. I am not in a position to bring this up so rashly, and I hope Brother Shen will understand."

When Luo Chentian learned that he had an older sister, he was very happy, but before he could get close to her, she left home, which made Luo Chentian very regretful.

Compared to his dignified and elegant second sister, Luo Chentian preferred his eldest sister, who was free-spirited and decisive. He wondered if he would ever have the chance to meet her again.

Shen Zangfeng was very surprised to hear Luo Chentian's words, but since it involved the other party's family privacy, Shen Zangfeng could not continue to ask.

"I apologize for my intrusion. When I saw you today, you looked very familiar, like an old friend. That's why I asked. I hope you won't take offense."

Shen Zangfeng bowed slightly, hoping that Luo Chentian wouldn't take it to heart.

"Brother Shen, do you know my elder sister, Miss Luo?"

“I am a disciple of Master Kong Xianling, and Miss Luo is my master’s junior sister. According to seniority, I should call her Aunt.”

Shen Zangfeng suddenly remembered Luo Chujiu, who was lively, energetic, and very clever that day, and he couldn't hide the smile on his lips.

Upon hearing the reason, Luo Chentian suddenly understood, realizing that's how it was.

Zuo Mengtang, who was standing to the side, did not interrupt, but listened quietly to their conversation and gained a general understanding of the relationship between them.

In fact, Zuo Mengtang had heard about the Luo family when she first arrived in the capital, but she never expected that this third-ranked scholar was from the Luo family. It was quite a surprise.

As the three of them walked the streets, young women threw them bouquets of flowers, which they happily accepted, as it was customary and they could not refuse.

(End of this chapter)