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

I didn't dare say that.

The phrase "cheating in the provincial examinations" was not used lightly.

If they were to utter those four words, it wouldn't just implicate the Marquis of Jingbei, but also the chief examiner, co-examiners, and invigilators of this imperial examination.

These people belonged to a complex faction, including officials from the Qin chief minister's faction and members of the Qingliu faction from the Bailu Academy.

If anyone spreads a rumor about "cheating," Qin Yun, who is present, would probably slap them across the face.

So these people were saying, "We've come to learn from the top scholar."

There were ambitious new graduates who had passed the imperial examinations, as well as some resentful scholars who had failed the exams this year... Old Scholar Tong was one of the most resentful among them.

After discussing the matter with Manager Heming, Ningnan told everyone that anyone who wanted to challenge him through a "literary contest" today would need to sign a "life-or-death agreement."

Today's events will be published in the Nancheng Daily and will spread throughout the city starting tomorrow.

Once the "life-or-death" agreement is signed, the outcome is public and no one can fake it! Nor can they deny it afterward!

He originally scared some people away by relying on his "reputation," which is most valued by scholars.

But unexpectedly...

When these people heard that today's events would be published in the Nancheng Daily, they went completely mad!

They didn't think it would damage their reputation; on the contrary, they saw it as a tremendous opportunity to make a name for themselves... Of course, this was also related to their belief that the man was nothing more than a worthless provincial examination candidate who ranked last in the county exam... Everyone's blood boiled, and they shouted, "To vindicate Lou Qingtian!", "I'll go first!", "Let's learn from the provincial examination candidate's knowledge of classical texts!"...

Ning Nan then set out with his carriage and horses, and began a true "verbal battle" with them.

It wasn't until the three scholars failed in the recitation contest, one of whom was Li You, the runner-up, that the crowd calmed down a bit.

Seeing the three distraught scholars staring blankly, he dared not sign the "life-or-death contract" that could ruin their reputations.

Lu Jing, who came up next, was fifth in the provincial examination. The two had met at the North-South Poetry Gathering.

Lu Jing chose to start with a "literary contest".

The judges were students from Bailu Academy, as well as some scholars who had been recommended by the public.

After defeating Lu Jing, Lu Jing turned pale and retreated dejectedly.

Then came a few more scholars who had passed the imperial examinations and those who had passed the county-level examinations, and finally, there was this old scholar in front of us, who was known as a "bookworm".

I heard that the old scholar Tong was not in the building before. After failing the exam again, he sat by the Qinhuai River and cried.

Someone remembered this old "bookworm" and rushed out of the restaurant to search for him. It took them a lot of effort to finally find him.

Upon hearing this, the other party's resentment naturally welled up, and he roared with his beard and hair bristling, "I'll go and settle accounts with these privileged sons of noble families right now!"

of course……

Before long, Tong Shudai also lost completely...

……

Ning Nan extended his hand, smiling gently: "Mr. Tong, please take back your visiting card."

Tong Xiaocheng sighed with a complex expression, shook his head, and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Ning Nan, saying:

"There's no need to take back the visiting card. Since Mr. Tong has already signed and sealed it, there's no reason for him to deny it. Just publish it in the *Nancheng Daily* tomorrow. I, Mr. Tong, am truly convinced of my defeat to Ning Jieyuan this time!"

Tong Xiaocheng spoke with a sigh, but his eyes held a hint of helplessness. He thought to himself that he had never been famous in his life, but to have his name spread throughout the capital overnight... even though it was a self-inflicted reputation as a "petty person"... it was still not bad.

As soon as Tong Xiucai said this.

Everyone, both inside and outside the door, was somewhat taken aback.

This stubborn, bookish boy, who was as headstrong as an ox, actually came to admire this top scholar?

The crowd glanced at the young scholar in the middle, and a sense of resentment welled up in their hearts.

If no one tries to deflate this man's arrogance tonight, his reputation for sweeping away all rivals will likely spread throughout the city again tomorrow!

But when everyone glanced at the hunched-over Tong Shudai, who had walked to the side on his own, their faces turned pale.

His gaze shifted, and he looked again at the wooden table, the frail tent behind it, and the stack of "life and death contracts" on top of it. His mouth went dry.

Now, even when that newly crowned top scholar is shouting something like, "Are there any more successful candidates?",

Even though everyone knew that this person would become famous again tomorrow, they dared not agree for the time being.

Especially some successful candidates in the imperial examinations, whether they were veterans or newly appointed, dared not take a single step inside.

These scholars looked at the defeated newcomers with schadenfreude, secretly sneering... Why give up being a proper gentleman and insist on going against the top scholar? Don't they know their own limitations? When the "South City Daily" publishes tomorrow, their reputations will be completely ruined...

Hongfeng, standing to the right of the private room, had a gloomy expression.

Although he ranked second to last, he was still a successful candidate in the imperial examinations.

However, he naturally wouldn't personally participate, but instead glanced at Lu Jing out of the corner of his eye.

Lu Jing trembled all over!

Prince Bei was second to last in the exam, but he ranked fifth!

He would never forget the chilling look in the prince's eyes when his name was called out...

Hong Feng said, "Lu Jing, you..."

He was planning to arrange for Lu Jing to compete with Ning Baixuan in other areas, such as the debate on Mencius, which Lu Jing was most skilled at.

A few soft coughs came from behind.

A clear, melodious female voice said, "Feng-ge'er, that lackey Lu Jing has already lost a round, why send him to embarrass us again?"

Hongfeng turned around and glanced at the figure in the bright yellow mandarin jacket. His heart skipped a beat, and he lowered his voice and said, "Yes, Young Master Zhu." Lu Jing felt as if he had been granted a pardon.

Hongfeng sighed inwardly, his temples throbbing, his anger almost overflowing.

He had originally hoped to achieve the highest honors in all six examinations, but now... the Northern Dynasty prince's eyes darkened... he was afraid that he might even fail the metropolitan examination!

At this moment, as if he had thought of something, his eyes narrowed.

A pair of sharp eyes looked directly at Lu Jing, who had placed fifth in the provincial examination...

Qin Yun, who passed the imperial examination early last year, glanced at the several melon-shaped hats, his face calm and composed, but his heart was in turmoil.

He knew it all along.

The letter from the ruler of the Northern Dynasty has arrived, and the land "south of the Huai River" has indeed been included as one of the conditions for negotiation.

The negotiations between the imperial court and the Northern Dynasty were also coming to an end. Qin Yun glanced at the prince on his left. His grandfather said that the negotiations should be settled next month.

Qin Yun narrowed his eyes. This Tartar had arrogantly said that he would "pass the imperial examinations six times in a row and then propose marriage in the Golden Palace." His father said that this was the Northern Emperor's strategy of delaying and appeasement.

On the one hand, they used the time of the imperial examination to negotiate the marriage alliance.

On the other hand, it also served to appease the Jiangnan region, proving that the Northern Dynasties had a broad mind and great ambition, and that what they learned and used was the way of the sages. Even their high-ranking princes greatly respected the way of the sages and even went so far as to participate in the imperial examinations...

Qin Yun frowned. It seemed the Tartars had no hope of even passing the provincial examination, let alone achieving the sixth rank. He wondered if they would finally break off all pretense of civil service...

The Crane Cry Tower was noisy and bustling.

But the closer you get to that private room, the quieter it becomes.

After a moment, Ning Jieyuan, who was inside the room, glanced at everyone, and smiled.

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

He stepped straight out the door.

As the heavy footsteps began, Crane Cry Tower gradually fell silent.

Ning Nan ignored Qin Yun and the others, including the group of people wearing melon-shaped hats, who were standing on the right.

I walked to the door.

"Swish swish swish swish!"

Upon seeing his arrival, the students who had previously come to block the door in righteous indignation suddenly changed their expressions, and a great uproar broke out as they retreated in a thud.

As he took a step forward, everyone involuntarily took a step back.

The Heming Building was packed with students.

As the top scholar of this year's imperial examination strolled leisurely out of the way, the crowd made way for him.

No one dared to stop them anymore.