This is the true immortal of the Taoist sect.

The palace examination was the highest stage in the hearts of scholars in the Great Zhao Dynasty.

Even if you don't achieve great results, once you reach this level, you've still surpassed the vast majority of people and are considered to be among the elite.

This year, quite a few candidates qualified for the palace examination, totaling 140 to 150 people.

This also represents a phenomenon, indicating that the current emperor still values ​​scholars, or that there are many vacancies in the Zhao state's officialdom that need to be filled by these people.

On the tenth day of the fourth lunar month, more than one hundred candidates gathered at the foot of the steps of the Qianqing Palace, where examination tables were already neatly arranged in the square.

The scholars found their respective places according to the roster and stood quietly waiting.

Although the palace examination only lasts one day, many people already feel immense pressure and are in a daze even before it begins.

After all, this was an examination personally presided over by the emperor. Looking up, the majestic and solemn Qianqing Palace seemed to stand on the clouds, looking down on them, these mortals who were crawling upwards.

No one can remain completely calm at this time.

Only Wang Yangming was famous.

He silently closed his eyes. Although he did not enter a meditative state, his internal energy circulated, his blood and qi calmed down, and his mind naturally became as calm as still water.

Not long after, a sharp voice, tinged with authority, rang out.

"Your Majesty ascends to the throne..."

With three cracks of the whip, officials paid homage, and scholars knelt and kowtowed, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

The Minister of Rites held the scriptures in his hands and respectfully asked the Emperor to draw a test question.

The emperor randomly selected exam questions and opened them in front of everyone.

The start of the exam was then announced.

Teams of eunuchs carried out the prepared exam papers, distributing them in complete silence.

Wang Yangming spread out the exam paper and asked two policy questions.

Firstly: To rectify the root and innovate, what dynasty and emperor should we emulate?

Secondly: How can we uphold the fundamental principles when establishing a nation and inheriting a family?

Question: I have heard that governing the country and managing its affairs should be based on astronomical principles; establishing officials and assigning duties should focus on human affairs. The correspondence between name and reality has always been considered difficult...

Question: I have heard that the principles of governance and discipline must be followed in accordance with the natural order; the founding of a nation and the continuation of a family must be based on upholding the fundamental principles...

Wang Yangming looked at the two questions and pondered them carefully. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he had a draft in mind.

I took out some scrap paper, picked up a pen, and began to write:

Your servant has heard that the sages and worthies wrote the "Essentials of Ancient Times," which followed the essentials of the Five Beginnings, corrected the beginnings of the Kingly Way, subtly revealed the profound, and illuminated the great undertaking...

As the sun sets and music begins, I put down my pen, sit upright, and wait to finish my work.

After all the scholars finished their rites, they left the palace via the same route. As soon as they stepped out of the tall palace gate, some people couldn't contain themselves.

"Ah...it's finally over..."

"After thirty years of studying diligently, I have finally achieved success in the imperial examinations, and my life has not been in vain..."

Everyone was filled with mixed emotions.

Once you enter the palace examination, there is no possibility of failing.

The top three in the first class, the second class were all successful candidates in the imperial examinations, and the third class were all successful candidates in the imperial examinations. At least they could be listed on the list.

For the vast majority of test takers, this moment is the most glorious moment of their lives.

The years or even decades of hard study have finally paid off.

This is not just an individual's ascension, but also a leap forward for a family and even the cultural heritage of a region.

It's easy to imagine how complicated these feelings must be.

Wang Yangming shrugged, politely declined the others' invitations, and walked back alone.

As soon as I reached the outer gate of the imperial city, I saw a familiar figure.

Today, Jiang Ping'an changed her usual style of dress and actually wore a wide-sleeved dress like a young lady in her boudoir.

She has lost some of her dashing spirit and gained more of a gentle and graceful demeanor.

"Why are you here?"

Wang Yangming asked calmly.

Jiang Ping'an immediately explained.

"Don't worry, my second brother didn't send me today..."

Wang Yangming nodded.

"What's up?"

Jiang Ping'an lowered her eyes slightly and said shyly:

"You've been taking exams all day, you must be hungry. I've prepared some food and drinks..."

As he spoke, Jiang Ping'an's voice grew softer and softer.

Looking at her like this, Wang Yangming couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

The original Princess Ping'an was not like this, so delicate and girlish. She was of noble birth and had the martial arts skills of a third-level martial artist. She always acted decisively and was full of arrogance.

But ever since she met him, Princess Ping'an has completely changed.

Wang Yangming couldn't bear to refuse, and tried to speak gently:

"Okay, let's go..."

Jiang Ping'an looked up in surprise, a smile slowly spreading across her face.

"Let's go to my Xianping Prince's Mansion. It's quiet there, with only servants and me..."

"Okay, whatever you say..."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

On April 15th, a group of palace guards carrying ceremonial regalia filed out of the south gate of the imperial city and went straight to the Lijiang Guild Hall.

The guild hall manager was overjoyed to see this and handed over the reward money he had prepared in advance, asking who had won.

As expected, it was Wang Yangming from Anyi County.

The shopkeeper personally came to the backyard to greet them.

At this moment, Wang Yangming was sitting in the courtyard meditating, his internal energy surging, so much so that it emanated from his body, creating some unusual phenomena.

The shopkeeper was greatly shocked by this scene and exclaimed in horror:

"He truly is a top scholar sent from heaven, no ordinary person..."

Wang Yangming sensed someone approaching and stopped his cultivation.

Upon seeing that it was the guild hall manager, he quickly stood up and said:

"Manager Wu, is there something you need?"

The shopkeeper, regaining his senses, said with a delighted expression:

"Oh my, my young master, only you can sit still..."

"Someone from the palace has arrived. You've passed the imperial examination with flying colors, ranking first in the first class, the top scholar..."

Wang Yangming was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but feel a little happy.

With the title of top scholar, he has achieved the highest goal for a scholar in the imperial examination.

The fact that the emperor achieved the highest rank in all three imperial examinations was unprecedented in the more than two hundred years since the founding of the Great Zhao Dynasty.

For this reason alone, Wang Yangming is enough to be remembered for all time.

However, the series of procedures that followed gave Wang Yangming a real headache.

He changed into the official robes of the top scholar sent by the palace, mounted a tall horse, and led a group of scholars through the bustling streets. Under the admiration of the people of the capital, they entered the palace to participate in the grand ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations.

After their names were called, they would enter the palace to meet the emperor.

"Wang Yangming... the top scholar, I remember you, your writing is quite good..."

Wang Yangming quickly replied:

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty..."

Facing this top scholar who created a legendary tale in the imperial examinations of the Great Zhao Dynasty, the emperor today seems to be significantly closer to him than last time.

Their attitude towards Wang Yangming was also noticeably more friendly.

"Achieving the highest honors in all three imperial examinations, the first in the history of the Great Zhao Dynasty, not bad. Besides an official position, what else do you desire? Tell me, and I will grant your wish..."

This day has finally come.

Wang Yangming lowered his head, slowly closed his eyes, and hid the bitterness deep in his eyes.

The image of the bright moon appeared in my mind, then began to blur and become distant.

Like a kite with a broken string, it drifts into the sky and can never be caught again.

After a long time, Wang Yangming finally convinced himself.

He slowly kowtowed, his tone completely unwavering, calm to the point of being almost indifferent, and said:

"Your Majesty, I have long admired Princess Ping'an for her unparalleled beauty and virtue..."

"Your Majesty, I dare to ask for a marriage proposal..."