Tang Dynasty: Consort Wu? Your Majesty, please address her as the Crown Prince's Consort.

A few days later, at the entrance of the examination hall.

The sun had just risen, but the entrance to the examination hall was already crowded with people.

Some even arrived last night just to secure a good spot.

It's all because today is the day the results of the imperial examinations are released.

Among the crowd, Ma Zhou looked left and right and finally spotted a familiar figure.

"Brother Ziping! Brother Ziping!"

Upon hearing the sound, Zhang Heng immediately turned around and saw Ma Zhou waving and squeezing towards him from a distance.

"Brother Binwang, it's been a long time!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Zhou looked at the dejected Zhang Heng with a puzzled expression and couldn't help but ask:

"Brother Ziping, what's wrong? Why do you look so tired...?"

However, halfway through his sentence, a sudden thought flashed through his mind, and he looked at him with a lewd expression.

"Ahem! Brother Ziping! It's understandable to relax after the imperial examinations, but you need to be moderate. Although we're still young, we can't be so wasteful, can we?!"

Seeing Ma Zhou's earnest and persuasive expression, Zhang Heng's face turned green.

I really want to relax, but those damn capitalists won't allow it. Who knows what I've been through this month? Ten years of hard study haven't been as tiring as this month!

While inwardly screaming, Zhang Heng calmly coughed and said:

"Ahem! Brother Binwang, you've misunderstood. I was just too excited and didn't sleep well!"

"Oh, I see! I understand! Young people are bound to get excited! I get it!"

Seeing Ma Zhou's increasingly lewd expression, Zhang Heng was speechless. Fortunately, at that moment, the sound of a gong broke the noise of the scene.

"Look! The results are about to be released!!!"

Amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, several Imperial Guards appeared in their field of vision, carrying three enormous scrolls.

Seeing this, Ma Zhou excitedly tugged at Zhang Heng, who was standing to the side.

"Brother Ziping, look! The results are about to be released. I wonder if I'll pass with flying colors this time. Even if I'm just at the bottom of the top three, I'll die happy!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Heng, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Is that all you're capable of? You need to be in the top three of the class, right? Getting into the top three is a piece of cake!"

"Heh! You're overthinking it. This imperial examination is ultimately the domain of aristocratic families. We poor folks are lucky if we can even snag one or two spots. How could we, from humble backgrounds, possibly possibly get a chance to be among the top three!"

Seeing Ma Zhou's helpless expression, Zhang Heng just smiled and didn't say anything more!

Just then, the first list was slowly unfolded by the Imperial Guards.

Immediately, everyone tensed up and began scanning the list, hoping to see their names on it.

"Hahahaha! I see it! I see it! This young master is indeed a reincarnation of the God of Literature; passing the imperial examination is a piece of cake for me!"

"Hahahaha! I saw it too. Enough said, let's head to Zuixianlou! Today's entire bill is on me, Young Master Zheng!!"

"Oh no! How could there be no one? I've studied hard for ten years! How am I supposed to explain this to myself when I go back?"

"Forget it! I'm not taking the exam anymore. I'll just go back to the village and become a schoolteacher. There's no more money at home to support my studies!"

"Huh? How is that possible? Didn't Father say everything was arranged? How come my name isn't on it?"

……

The crowd had various expressions, while Ma Zhou was nervously searching for his name on the list.

"No! There really isn't one! Sigh!"

He had already scanned the list twice, but still couldn't find his or Zhang Heng's names.

"Brother Ziping, don't worry. If we don't succeed this time, we can try again next time. We're still young!"

Seeing Ma Zhou looking dejected yet still trying to comfort himself, Zhang Heng couldn't help but chuckle.

"It's alright! There are two more lists to come, Brother Bin, please don't underestimate yourself!"

Seeing Zhang Heng's calm demeanor, Ma Zhou assumed that he was suppressing his grief to comfort him, and he was deeply moved.

"You bastard!"

Unsurprisingly, the top three spots were mostly filled with children from prominent families, while only a handful of students from humble backgrounds made the list, and they were all at the bottom of the top three.

Just then, the second list slowly unfolded.

This list has far fewer names than the previous one, so it's faster to look at.

I quickly scanned the screen twice more, but still couldn't find my name.

Many people shook their heads helplessly and prepared to leave after seeing the list.

As for that last list, well, they do have some self-awareness.

Ma Zhou looked dejectedly at Zhang Heng beside him and said:

"Brother Ziping! Let's go find a place to have a drink!"

"Wait! There's one last list!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Zhou was slightly taken aback, but when he saw Zhang Heng's calm and composed expression, he couldn't help but nod.

Alright! Let's see which top players are in the top three of this competition.

Just then, the gates of the examination hall slowly opened, and Wei Zheng led a group of officials out.

At the same time, the last list slowly opened.

"Top three in the first division."

Lin'an, Zhang Heng!

Qinghe, Mazhou!

Qinghe, Cui Yan!

Those who are listed on the three lists today shall go to the palace to participate in the palace examination in half a month. Those who are late will not be waited for!

Wei Zheng wishes you all a prosperous official career! He also hopes that in the future, as local officials, you will treat the people well!

Upon hearing this, everyone present immediately bowed and greeted Wei Zheng.

"We will humbly follow Master Wei's teachings!"

Once Wei Zheng and the others left, the scene erupted in chaos.

"I know Cui Yan; he's the son of the head of the Qinghe Cui clan. But who are Ma Zhou and Zhang Heng? I've never heard of any aristocratic family having these two talented men."

"I do know Ma Zhou. He is from Qinghe. His father died early and his family is poor."

"What? A poor family? How is that possible?!"

Upon hearing that Ma Zhou came from a poor family, the people present immediately erupted in uproar.

In their view, it was already a great fortune for someone from a humble background to make it into the top three, as the top three list had always been the domain of scions of aristocratic families.

Ma Zhou actually managed to snatch a piece of meat from the mouths of these aristocratic families.

At that moment, someone couldn't help but speak up:

"I've never heard of Zhang Heng before. Could he also be from a poor family?"

"Impossible! There are many prominent families in Jiangnan around Lin'an; this must be from a major Jiangnan clan!"

"That's true. It's already incredibly lucky that someone from a poor family could produce a Ma Zhou. How could two of the top three in the finals be from humble backgrounds!"

Just as everyone was discussing it, a member of the Imperial Guard posted several examination papers on the notice board at the entrance of the examination hall.

This is an old tradition of the Spring Examinations: the papers of the top three candidates in the first-class examination will be posted at the entrance of the Examination Hall for all the people to admire.

This will also let them know the value of being in the top three, and shut up those who question the fairness of the imperial court!