Father, who is both a heir and a descendant, is still biased; the bound system has gone berserk.

The more Yin Zhaowen looked at Wu Zishan, the more pleasing he became.

"Zishan, these next few days you should wait patiently for the announcement of the list of successful candidates in the imperial examination. Once the results are out, I will request His Majesty to grant me a marriage as well."

Wu Zishan quickly stood up, his face beaming with joy. "Zishan thanks you, sir!"

Yin Zhaowen did not linger and left Tongfu Inn with a satisfied heart.

After Yin Zhaowen left, the scholars who had been eavesdropping behind the stairs exchanged glances, and one of them came over and pulled Wu Zishan upstairs.

As soon as he went upstairs, a group of scholars swarmed around him, completely surrounding Wu Zishan.

"Brother Wu, you're truly remarkable! You didn't say a word, yet you were chosen by an important person. That's quite something!"

One of them said sourly.

Wu Zishan responded modestly.

"I truly never expected to catch Lord Yin's eye."

"Is that Lord Yin, the third-ranked scholar from twenty years ago?"

"It is indeed Lord Yin," Wu Zishan said.

Even Sun Boyan felt a little uneasy.

He wondered if he had any connection with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. If the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion were to make a move, there would be plenty of people in the capital who would want to win him over.

However, no.

On the contrary, Wu Zishan suddenly emerged, and his longtime follower actually embarked on a path to success.

Was the ranking in the imperial examination important?

It's important, because the higher your ranking, the more likely you are to catch the eye of important people.

But sometimes rankings aren't that important; when you have a powerful backer, rankings don't matter.

The scholars who usually hung out together were all filled with emotion.

The grand ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations will be held on the 18th of the third month.

Emperor Cangxuan sat high above the main hall, with civil and military officials, all the newly appointed tribute scholars, and the Thousand Feather Guards and other ceremonial guards gathered in the Qiancheng Hall and the square, with the Danbi steps paved.

Three whips cracked, music rose and fell, and the announcer shouted: "By order! First place in the first class—Ying Zhuoxiu—"

"First Place in Class A—Ying Zhuoxiu!"

"First Place in Class A—Ying Zhuoxiu!"

The chanting was repeated three times, descending in tiers, until Ying Zhuoxiu stepped forward, past his fellow graduates, and knelt before the imperial road to express his gratitude.

In an instant, everyone's attention was focused on them.

Then the announcement continued from above: "It's decided! First place in the first class—Mei Songyao!"

"First Place, First Prize – Mei Songyao!"

"First Place, First Prize – Mei Songyao!"

In an instant, gasps of breath rang out one after another.

It's one thing to have two top scholars in the imperial examinations, but to have two top scholars in the imperial examinations is another!

Mei Songyao calmly walked out and knelt down on the imperial road alongside Ying Zhuoxiu.

"Second Place in First Class – Li Wenxiao!"

"Third place in the first division—Shangguan Hong!"

A young man of about thirty-five or thirty-six years old with a slender figure stepped out from the crowd; this man was none other than Li Wenxiao.

Shangguan Hong followed closely behind.

Then came a series of chants, bestowing the title of "Jinshi" (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) upon the scholars, who bowed four times in gratitude for the Emperor's grace.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites, carrying a yellow proclamation stamped with the imperial seal and escorted by a thousand-feathered army, left the palace and displayed it on the street for the people to see.

Emperor Cangxuan then announced that the Qionglin Banquet would be held tonight.

After the grand ceremony of announcing the winners of the imperial examinations concluded, Emperor Cangxuan bestowed upon them court robes, and the two top scholars, dressed in red robes, rode on two tall horses and paraded through the streets.

The third and second place winners followed behind, also dressed in large horses.

The other successful candidates followed behind on foot.

On the main street of the imperial city, the Ministry of Rites' ceremonial guards led the way, with flags waving and parasols like clouds.

Cheers erupted from the crowd on both sides, and flowers and sachets were thrown at the two top scholars walking side by side.

Meanwhile, at the Mu residence.

The messenger had arrived, and Shangguan Tang had someone reward him, but she herself became teary-eyed.

"Fu'er, your brother passed the imperial examination with top honors!"

Shangguan Tang looked at Ying Yufu, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

Ying Yufu nodded and said affirmatively, "Yes, Mother, my brother has become the top scholar in the imperial examination. From this day forward, he will soar to great heights."

Shangguan Tang blinked, and tears streamed down her face.

She thought her son had failed at that Mid-Autumn Festival banquet years ago, but now he has stood up again.

If it weren't for Fu'er obtaining the artifact and having that precognitive dream, her family might have already vanished into nothingness, just like in the dream.

Ying Yufu had thought countless times that if it weren't for Xiao Dian, she and her family would have repeated the tragic fate of their previous lives.

She also experienced countless moments of anxiety and uncertainty.

But now, she is resolute and confident. She has changed the fate in her precognitive dreams, and she can even control her future destiny.

Everything will unfold according to her wishes.

If you foresee the tragedy in your dream, it will never happen again.

"Mother, today is a good day, and all the days to come will be good days!" she said earnestly to Shangguan Tang.

When Shangguan Tang met her determined gaze, he couldn't help but calm himself down.

"Mother knows, Mother is just too happy."

Red silk and the character for "double happiness" had already been hung up at the Mu residence.

The red silk and the double happiness character were not because they knew in advance that Ying Zhuoxiu would become the top scholar in the imperial examination, but because tomorrow was Ying Zhuoxiu's wedding day.

Today, the top scholar is parading through the streets on horseback, and with the addition of red silk and the character for "double happiness," the joy is compounded.

After the parade, the Qionglin Banquet will take place.

Emperor Cangxuan did not attend the Qionglin Banquet; instead, the Ministry of Rites presided over a grand banquet.

Yuan Jingchen stood on the corridor outside the Ministry of Rites, staring at the scene inside the hall. Half of his face was hidden in the shadows, while the other half was illuminated by the lamplight, making him look as pale as a ghost.

His dark eyes stared at the scene inside the hall, appearing extremely sinister in the current situation.

The people around him subtly moved away from him.

Before we knew it, it was midnight.

After the banquet ended, all the sons of officials in the outer corridor left, but Yuan Jingchen remained standing there like a human shadow, motionless.

He heard them conferring official titles inside.

The two top scholars were appointed as compilers in the Hanlin Academy, a sixth-rank official position; the third and second-ranked scholars were appointed as editors.

In addition, there was also an imperial edict from Emperor Cangxuan.

The two top scholars were granted each a two-courtyard residence.

A thousand taels of silver.