After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

The weather was clear and crisp in autumn, and the literary gathering went very smoothly.

Dong Yunzhuo sat as the host, accompanied by Prefect Liu Pu, Magistrate of Jiangning Lou Jizuo, and Magistrate of Shangyuan Ye Huaimin.

The four sat in the front hall on the first floor, below which were dozens of bright-eyed, admiring students from the Modern Science Academy.

These dozens of students are all outstanding, while many more mediocre students have no chance to stand so close and can only be scattered on the first and second floors, with their hands at their sides, quietly listening to the teachings of the senior officials.

The officials engaged in lively conversation, reminiscing about interesting anecdotes from their own imperial examinations and discussing the importance His Majesty and the Crown Prince placed on the candidates this year. As they spoke, they couldn't help but express their gratitude for the late Emperor's benevolence, highlighting their status as veteran officials of two dynasties.

The students below would occasionally ask their elderly parents one or two questions, whether academic or political.

The men possessed an air of profound authority and held esteemed positions. Furthermore, their words were rich in allusions and references, and every time they spoke, they drew applause from the eager young audience below, who exclaimed, "Thank you for your clarification, sir!"

In addition to the four officials, Liu Pu, the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, also specially invited his nephew Wu Shangmei, a top scholar in the imperial examination, to a gathering, so that his proud nephew could set an example for the candidates in this year's examination.

Wu Tanhua had just passed the imperial examination last year and was riding high on his success. His appearance naturally drew cheers from everyone, and they couldn't help but feel a surge of pride, their eyes shining as they thought that next year they would be the ones standing on this stage.

Prefect Liu also asked Wu Tanhua to give a lecture on Mencius, a book about effective governance.

The third-ranked scholar was handsome and proud, with a deep and resonant voice, and his appearance was by no means ordinary.

When explaining Mencius to the audience, he demonstrated profound knowledge and a thorough understanding of the classics, aligning with the great principles of sages while also offering his own new interpretations, clearly showing a deep comprehension.

Not to mention the students present, even Dong Yunzhuo, Lou Jizuo and others couldn't help but nod repeatedly, saying "My dear nephew, you have a bright future ahead of you," and toasting him with a cup of wine. The young Wu Tan Hua thanked the seniors generously and drank it all in one gulp. Seeing this scene of someone achieving the highest rank and displaying literary talent, the students felt even more proud and envious. They felt that if they were the Tan Hua, or even if they only had a third of the Tan Hua's style, their lives would not have been in vain!

A young scholar asked, "May I ask, sir, what is your interpretation of the line, 'Shun was wise in all things and discerning in human relations; he acted out of benevolence and righteousness, not merely by practicing benevolence and righteousness'?"

Wu Tanhua smiled calmly. With his androgynous appearance, he instantly became elegant and graceful, making everyone even more envious. Their teeth ached, and they felt that creation was so unfair!

"This sentence comes from 'Li Lou II'. Mencius said this by using the words of Shun to examine the origin of the Way..."

The third-ranked scholar spoke with substance and a clear, rhythmic voice, and his handsome appearance captivated the audience.

At this moment, as if caught in a tug, Wu Tanhua's voice paused, and everyone was stunned. They all looked at the stage, their faces even more astonished.

Whether it was a misperception or not, everyone was surprised to find that the usually gentle and refined scholar's expression seemed to have darkened. Upon closer inspection, they noticed that the scholar's eyes seemed to be looking at something on the second floor.

Follow the gaze of the third-ranked scholar.

On the west side of the second floor, the candidates who had been listening to the third-ranked scholar's teachings from the railing were pale-faced, not knowing what had happened.

They had no idea why everyone on the first floor was looking at them, nor why the third-ranked scholar had suddenly stopped talking and was instead looking in their direction. Could it be that someone on the second floor had done something impolite and angered the third-ranked scholar?

Everyone felt a pang of guilt, fearing that they might have unintentionally done something impolite that might have caught the attention of the top scholar. If that were the case, their lives would be over!

Everyone broke out in a cold sweat, pretending to be nonchalant as they shook their heads left and right, trying to find where the top scholar was looking.

A commotion broke out in the room.

This commotion started.

Everyone actually saw where the third-ranked scholar was looking.

Not far away, there was an ordinary-looking table.

Several people were sitting around the square table.

A slender scholar-like figure stood up, bending over... seemingly... pouring tea for someone?

The crowd's eyes darkened, and they couldn't help but feel annoyed. So that's how it is. This esteemed scholar is explaining the profound meaning of the sage's teachings to us, while you, a mere commoner, are just making tea for him as if no one else is around, unlike us, who are standing quietly with our hands at our sides, listening attentively to the scholar's teachings.

"Oh!"

Everyone's faces turned angry.

"This is absolutely outrageous!"

……

……

"Master, please have some tea."

Gongsun Heng gently put down the sandalwood teapot, took a step back, and stood quietly behind Ning Nan with a serene expression, bowing respectfully.

Ning Nan glanced at the steaming teacup, turned his head, and said to the other person with a bitter expression, "Miss Gongsun, there's no need for that. I really don't accept disciples..."

The other people at the table.

Chu Feixiong, Zhao Jing, Zou Tianju, and the others stared at the scene in disbelief.

Brother Bai Xuan... you've taken on a disciple? And a female disciple at that?

Everyone was taken aback when they saw the scholar's robes and white crown the other person was wearing. Chu the Fat leaned towards them and said in a low voice, "From Bailu Academy..."

Zuo Yong nodded repeatedly, his voice still tinged with excitement, "Women..."

Tang Lianbin frowned; this woman dressed as a scholar seemed to be no ordinary person.

He glanced over and saw a group of students from Bailu Academy secretly watching them with some resentment on their faces. Tang Lianbin's brows furrowed even more. This woman's background was probably not simple, so he asked Ning Nan what was going on.

Ning Nan sighed and gave a brief explanation.

Everyone was immediately astonished.

He kept looking his classmate up and down.

They knew that Brother Bai Xuan was skilled in poetry, and they also knew that he was good at Chinese chess... but they never expected that Brother Bai Xuan... was also good at Go?!

Chu the Fatty glanced at the beautiful woman who was eager to become his disciple, then at the obnoxious Ning Baixuan, and couldn't help but groan, "Heaven is unjust!"

It was only after he started yelling that everyone realized that all eyes in the room seemed to be on their table.

Chu Pangzi quickly covered his mouth to shut up. Looking around, he saw sharp gazes and immediately shrank back. The others also covered their faces with their fans. Zuo Yong didn't have a fan, so he could only clumsily use his teacup to cover his face.

This incident is no small matter.

Fortunately, it only lasted a moment.

Wu Tanhua's clear voice rang out again, drawing everyone's attention back. Zhao Jing and the others breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the cold sweat from their foreheads while glaring resentfully at Chu Pangzi, thinking, "Serves you right for being so quick-tongued!"

It was late afternoon, around 3 PM.

The four adults began to tour the various tables in the building, getting to know the talented people from all walks of life.

Lou Jizuo originally planned to arrange for each of the talented scholars to come forward and pay their respects to Dong Xuezheng in turn.

Dong Xuezheng laughed and said there was no need for that. His Majesty treated us with respect and courtesy back then, and now it is our turn to recommend talents for the country. So we will not put on airs as academic officials, but will learn from you three local officials who care about the people's feelings and go out to visit them in person.

He spoke shrewdly, adding the words "academic administrator" before "arrogant" and then adding "learn from you three local officials" to avoid offending Lou Jizuo. Lou Jizuo was naturally grateful and, along with the others, repeatedly agreed.

Several people, along with Wu Tanhua and some of their nephews or students, encouraged the students of Yingtian Prefecture who were taking the imperial examination this year at each table. The students were moved to tears, and were so grateful that they even wanted to kowtow to the officials.

Not long after.

The group then arrived at Ning Nan's table, and Ning Nan and the others quickly stood up.

Wu Tanhua smiled and said, "Lord Dong, this gentleman—" He pointed to Ning Nan and introduced him with utmost sincerity, "is none other than the currently hotshot in the capital—Ning Nan, Ning Baixuan."

"Oh,"

Wu Tanhua smiled slightly, glancing at Dong Xuezheng, who had always despised poetry to the core, and said...

"Ning Baixuan is exceptionally talented, and his poetry can be described as unparalleled."