The First Marquis of Leisure

A while later, the people from the Hanlin Academy rushed over and retrieved the sealed exam papers!

Without further ado, Li Chentian personally posted it next to the list of successful candidates, allowing everyone to read it!

Soon, the crowd gathered around and began to read it carefully.

Before long, people at the scene exclaimed in amazement one after another!

"Wonderful! Such exquisite writing is unparalleled in the world!"

"We are utterly convinced of our defeat; Young Master Bai is truly a genius!"

"Wonderful! If I could have even a tenth of his talent, I would be blessed by my ancestors."

Many talented people from various countries exclaimed in admiration, all of them completely impressed.

Yuan Benchu ​​couldn't resist his curiosity and began to read it.

Just a moment later, his entire face froze.

Despite his reluctance to admit it, the fact is that Bai Xinghe's talent far surpasses his.

The same goes for the Seventh Prince. He originally came aiming for the top spot, but after getting second place, he was still not convinced that someone else was so talented.

It's astonishing that Qiu Qingtian and Li Chentian would personally come to announce the results, causing them to lose their composure.

Now that I see it, I'm completely convinced!

"Young Master Bai's talent is truly admirable!"

Seeing that so many talented people were full of praise, he immediately admired them.

Li Chentian's expression suddenly turned cold. He stared at Yuan Yao and rebuked him, "Yuan Yao, do you have anything else to say?"

Yuan Yao stood there, stunned and extremely embarrassed.

"I will pursue this matter to the end. If the elders of the Yuan family do not come in person to give an explanation, I will not let this go!"

Just as everyone was admiring Bai Xinghe's talent, Bai Xinghe finally began to take action.

He walked step by step toward Yuan Benchu ​​in front of the crowd. Yuan Benchu's face grew increasingly grim, and he knew in his heart what was about to happen.

The others had already heard about the bet between the two, and seeing this, they all voluntarily made way for them.

"Yuan Benchu!"

Bai Xinghe's loud shout made Yuan Benchu's face even uglier.

"A man of his word is a man of his word. You know what to do next, right?"

Yuan Benchu's face turned liver-colored, his fists clenched, and his teeth clenched.

As the eldest son of the prestigious Yuan family and the leader of the prominent families in the capital, he enjoys immense prestige and has a promising future.

If he were to actually kneel down to Bai Xinghe in public today, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The entire Yuan family will be utterly disgraced!

"Brother Bai, our argument was just a momentary outburst. Your talent makes you a worthy top scholar, and I, Yuan, would like to host a banquet for you today."

"Hehe." Bai Xinghe laughed after hearing Yuan Benchu's words.

"Who is your brother? You Yuan brothers have repeatedly tried to harm me. Many students witnessed the bet we made that day; do you intend to go back on your word?"

As soon as Bai Xinghe finished speaking, the candidates who had witnessed the event in the examination room stood up one after another.

"That's right, I was right there!"

A gentleman's word is his bond; a loss is a loss!

Faced with the raging crowd, Yuan Benchu ​​began to break out in a cold sweat.

He absolutely could not kneel down, but he had no other choice but to kneel down.

So he had no choice but to look to the seventh prince for help, hoping that the seventh prince could step forward and say a word.

However, the Seventh Prince had already been impressed by Bai Xinghe's talent, and he had also mediated the situation at the first banquet at the Prince's Mansion.

Afterwards, Yuan Benchu ​​and his brothers went back on their word, and now it's impossible for him to mediate again.

"Lord Qiu, Dr. Li, my Yuan family cannot afford to lose face like this! Please put in a good word for us!"

Yuan Benchu ​​was really anxious and began to ask Li Chentian and Qiu Qingtian for help.

One was a leader of scholars, and the other was the prime minister of the court.

They had long been dissatisfied with the Yuan family's deep-rooted influence, so why would they lend a helping hand when they had such a good opportunity to strike?

"Yuan Benchu, as the eldest son of the Yuan family and the future patriarch of the Yuan clan, how can you break your promise?"

Qiu Qingtian showed no mercy, not only refusing to plead for them but also immediately criticizing them.

This left Yuan Benchu ​​speechless for a moment. He looked around at the densely packed crowd.

Many were waiting to see themselves make a fool of themselves, waiting for the Yuan family to embarrass themselves.

"Yuan Benchu, will you kneel or not!"

Bai Xinghe also began to exert pressure; he never showed mercy to his enemies.

The Yuan brothers had tried to kill him time and again, so he would never back down this time.

Even if he is in the right and wants to be lenient, he should let Yuan Benchu ​​off the hook today.

Given the nature of the Yuan brothers, they would never repent or restrain themselves; they would certainly seek revenge in secret.

"Brother Bai, my brother can't kneel, so how about I kneel down and apologize to you?"

"I swear to God, I will never bother you again from now on."

Yuan Yao panicked. Although he was usually arrogant and domineering, he wasn't stupid. His cousin represented the entire Yuan clan, and he couldn't kneel down.

"Heh, if you're willing to kneel down, I, Bai, will naturally not object," Bai Xinghe sneered.

"You!" Realizing he had been tricked, Yuan Yao revealed his true colors.

"Bai Zhen, don't think that just because you've become the top scholar in the imperial examination, you can look down on the Yuan family!"

"I simply don't take your Yuan family seriously, so what?" Bai Xinghe sneered.

"Kneel down!"

"Yuan Benchu, if you don't kneel down immediately, I guarantee this matter will spread throughout the world. At that time, everyone will know that your Yuan family is untrustworthy and has committed despicable acts."

Qian Yuan also began to exert strong pressure on Yuan Benchu.

"Young Master Yuan, the Yuan family has produced three high-ranking officials for four generations, with numerous disciples and former officials. You are also a leading figure among the scions of this prestigious family. You must not break your promise!"

"Indeed, Young Master Yuan, and you are the third-place winner in this competition. If you break your promise, wouldn't it make us, the entire Yan Kingdom, look like people who don't keep their word?"

Some talented men in the crowd who had long disliked the Yuan family also took this opportunity to make sarcastic remarks.

Yuan Benchu ​​was covered in sweat and looked ashen-faced.

He clenched his fists tightly, feeling deeply humiliated, but if he didn't kneel today, the consequences would be even more severe if word got out!

"Yuan Benchu, what are you still hesitating about?"

Bai Xinghe pressed closer, coldly snorting.

Yuan Benchu ​​took a deep breath, his face burning with pain.

Then, with extreme reluctance, he actually knelt down with a thud.

"Baizhen, I, Yuan Benchu, am willing to accept defeat!"

Seeing this, Bai Xinghe's expression was indifferent, which could be seen from the other party's eyes.

He was certain that he had a blood feud with the Yuan family, but he was not afraid.

"Ha, even the dignified eldest son of the Yuan family has met his end!"

"Yuan Benchu, I told you long ago that my brother would be the top scholar in the imperial examination, and look what happened! Hahaha!"

Qian Yuan led the charge in making blatant sarcasm!

Yuan Benchu ​​stood up from the ground expressionlessly, then walked through the crowd without looking back.

"Alright!" Li Chentian gave the order.

"Gentlemen, as is customary, please have the top scholar mount his horse and parade through the streets, ascend the Golden Terrace, and soon enter the palace to meet His Majesty!"

The crowd cheered and followed suit.

A scholar from the Hanlin Academy led over a white horse and helped Bai Xinghe mount it.

With the honor guard leading the way, beating drums and gongs, the scene was exceptionally lively.

As Bai Xinghe rode his horse, looking at the envious crowd, he was filled with mixed emotions.

Becoming the top scholar is only the first step in completing the grand plan of revenge.

But even greater dangers will likely follow soon. He has come to Yan alive and become the top scholar. It will probably not be long before the news reaches Zhao!