Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 229: Top of the Charts
On this day, not only the entire Sheng family came out, but even ordinary people from neighboring homes who had no one to take the exam also came out and gathered together.

They gathered in groups of two or three, or four or five, all staring intently at the Donghua Gate, as if there were some flowers blooming there.

Every single one of them was incredibly serious!
In fact, Donghua Gate is part of the inner palace, and is the outer wall of the Crown Prince's bedroom. However, due to the special nature of the imperial examination results, it has always been the first choice for the court to post the results.

Of course, the results of the subsequent imperial examination were also posted on the wall of Donghua Gate.

……

Early that morning, the most bustling street in the entire city of Bianliang, Donghua Gate, was completely blocked by crowds, making it impenetrable.

The street vendors seemed to realize that things were different now, and they all chose to take a day off.

However, they haven't stopped working. On the contrary, because of today's special circumstances, their income may actually increase significantly.

At this moment, the streets were filled with colorful flags, and countless people flocked to the streets, creating a bustling and lively scene.

Countless people eagerly awaited the release of the examination results!
Among them, the small vendors were the most eager, even more so than the candidates taking the exams.

Because this is their new job.

The person who first sees the name on the list and then rushes to the person's location before the messenger arrives to inform them in advance and ask for a reward is called the messenger.

Because of the special nature of the job of the messenger, the income of the messenger is also very considerable. In one day, they can earn at least as much as they would earn in a year of hard work. If they are lucky, they can earn even more if they meet those candidates from well-off families, which is equivalent to half of their life savings.

This is precisely why so many small vendors are willing to give up their daily work and join the ranks of those bringing good news, regardless of the potential losses.

As early as the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), the Prefect of Bianliang had already dispatched a large number of yamen runners to the Donghua Gate to maintain order. If the yamen had not been prepared in advance, even the officials who were preparing to post notices would not have been able to squeeze in!
"when!"

The gong sounds.

A civil official in a red robe and wearing an official hat walked out of the Donghua Gate of the palace, carrying a tray in both hands.

Above it was a stack of lists, which contained the rankings of the results of this imperial examination.

"what?"

"I'm coming!"

Someone yelled!

"It's here? It's started! It's really started!"

Someone is yelling again!

"Don't anyone try to take this from me; I'll be the first to share the good news!"

"It's me! It's me..."

Countless people roared three times!
"..."

At this moment, not only were the anxious candidates nervous, but the procession of messengers were also wide-eyed, eager to hear their familiar names from the mouths of the officials announcing the good news.

These messengers are not official personnel, so whether they can receive the good news money depends on their own luck and ability.

Unlike the messengers in the government office who could clearly know the address of each candidate, they relied on their luck and memory, hoping to hear news of candidates they had previously remembered or encountered.

Then share the good news with them, and finally receive the lucky money!
"when!"

Another gong sounded.

The official in charge of announcing the list directed the yamen runners behind him to post it up. He then began to announce from back to front: "In the thirty-second year of Xuanjing, the person who passed the imperial examination, ranked Ding in the second class and Kui Chou position, is Chi Jiaming from Anhua, Qingzhou, Guanzhong Circuit!"

"boom!"

An explosion erupted in the crowd!
"Chi Jiaming, Chi Jiaming, I know, I know!"

Someone ran outside like a madman!

Judging from his appearance, he probably knew the examinee and was about to go and share the good news with him.

Second place.

"Jing Shizhe, a native of Longcheng, Qinzhou, Longyou Circuit, ranked Ding Deng Renyin."

"..."

The red-robed civil officials announced the names of the successful candidates from back to front, and loudly proclaimed them all.

The number of candidates for the imperial examination has always been fixed, as determined by Emperor Taizong of this dynasty.

The imperial examinations of this dynasty are divided into four lists: A, B, C, and D, regardless of their ranking.

Each list is further divided into four grades, namely A, B, C, and D. Grade A receives nine, Grade B receives twenty-one, Grade C receives thirty, and Grade D receives forty, with the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches used to represent them in a cyclical manner.

At this moment, the previously noisy sounds around them disappeared for the first time. Everyone fell silent as if by unspoken agreement, not daring to utter a single word, for fear that the sound from the other side would disappear because of their own recklessness.

Of course, after the civil official announces his name, there will be a tacit pause to give everyone time to react.

This is a tacit understanding between the two sides; after all, this civil official went through the same process back then.

……

On the other side of the street, there was a particularly strange area where no one was standing, but there were only cars parked there.

However, that was where the carriages of high-ranking officials and nobles stopped.

The Sheng family and the Qi family also stopped there.

However, the two carriages did not stop together, but rather at a considerable distance. This was because the placement of the carriages was also carefully considered, and their order of placement was determined by the strength of their respective families.

Those from distinguished families, such as wealthy and noble clans, are closer to the list, while those from less prominent families are further away.

Therefore, the Sheng family, a minor official of the fifth rank, was naturally far removed from the Qi State Duke's mansion, which was of the highest rank!

"Hmm? How is it?"

"Is my daughter Bai'er's name on it?"

When she saw people starting to post notices in the distance, Madam Wang became quite anxious!

She not only dismissed all the servants she had brought, but she also grabbed the servants from other households who came back with good news and questioned them anxiously.

"what?"

The servant who had been pulled back was initially startled by Madam Wang's posture, but then he realized what was going on and didn't take it seriously.

Because at this time of day, he has met all kinds of people.

The servant said that he was worldly and experienced!
"Madam, I haven't seen your young master's name yet!"

"I suppose we'll have to wait until the top-ranked students come out before your son's name is mentioned!"

The servant boy smiled and kept her company, completely forgetting that he didn't know Wang Da Niangzi's identity at all, let alone Sheng Changfeng's name.

"Ha ha!"

"Okay! Well said!"

Although she knew perfectly well that what the other person was saying was just flattery, Madam Wang still couldn't help but feel a little relieved.

"Guards, bestow the reward!"

With a wave of her hand, Madam Wang signaled to those around her to give the other person a reward.

"Thank you, ma'am!"

"Thank you, ma'am!"

The man was overjoyed to accept the reward. Looking at the gold ingot in his hand, his already small eyes immediately lit up with a smile just like Li Ronghao's.

……

"Hehe, look, Xiao Liu!"

Inside the carriage behind, Rulan, seeing her mother's actions, couldn't help but ask, "Hmm? What's wrong?"

Minglan was still a little confused, not understanding what Rulan wanted to say.

"whispering sound!"

Rulan poked Minglan's head with exasperation, lowered her voice and muttered, "My mother always says I'm stupid. Little Six, look at her now, isn't she the real idiot?"

A defiant smile appeared on Rulan's face, with even a hint of the pleasure of revenge!

"puff……"

Minglan couldn't help but chuckle as soon as she heard Rulan's complaint!
"These two are truly worthy of being blood relatives!"

Thinking of the funny things that happened between Rulan and Wang Ruofu, Minglan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Huh? Xiao Liu, what are you laughing at?"

Seeing Minglan laughing so happily, Rulan immediately realized something was wrong; at the very least, Minglan's smile seemed a little strange.

"No...nothing..."

Minglan suppressed a laugh and stammered as she changed the subject, "Fifth Sister, how...how could you...say such a thing about Madam?"

"This...this...Madam was just worried about Second Brother's grades, how could it be as you said...that..."

"...Are you stupid?"

Minglan lowered her voice and quietly repeated what Rulan had just said.

"Well?"

Rulan stared at Minglan suspiciously for a long time, and only when she couldn't find anything wrong did she slowly put aside her doubts.

For some reason, Minglan's smile just now gave her a bad feeling!

It seems there's something wrong here.

"Huh, what's this?"

Rulan shrugged defiantly and said nonchalantly, "Does that mean I'm the only one who can talk about her? I'm not allowed to talk about her?"

Rulan was clearly spoiled and pampered by Madam Wang!
"Fifth Sister, how could you say that?"

At this moment, Minglan truly began to care about Rulan's personality:
"If these words get out, your reputation will be ruined!"

"Slandering the stepmother, and not just any mother, Fifth Sister, you..."

"Oh dear, Xiao Liu, you...you must stop talking!"

At this moment, Rulan blushed a little at Minglan's words. She quickly waved her hand to interrupt her admonition and forcefully defended herself, saying, "I was just saying it to you. How could it possibly be spread around?"

Clearly, Rulan herself realized her mistake and understood that what she said was inappropriate.

However, Rulan is strong-willed. Even if she is wrong, she will stubbornly refuse to admit it and refuse to change her mind!
If it weren't for that, why would she often provoke Sheng Hong to anger?
Among Sheng Hong's daughters, Ru Lan was the one he disciplined the most and punished the most severely!
"and!"

As she spoke, Rulan's expression began to turn dangerous!

"If this matter has been leaked, it must have been you who told it!"

Rulan exaggeratedly grabbed Minglan's neck, threatening her with a dangerous look, "Sixth Brother, don't say things like that!"

"Otherwise, I'll turn the tables and say that you were the one who said those things!"

Rulan naturally knew her younger sister's personality and understood that she wouldn't spread the word. However, her playful antics weren't meant to shut her up, but rather to cover up the awkwardness that had just occurred.

"Cough cough...I...I understand..."

"Fifth sister, you... let go!"

Caught off guard by Rulan's sneak attack, Minglan nearly choked. She quickly waved her hands, signaling Rulan to let go!

"Ah? Ah..."

"I'm so sorry, Minglan!"

Upon seeing Minglan's reaction, Rulan immediately released her hands in alarm, her face full of apology.

"Cough...cough..."

Minglan swallowed hard, then waved her hand weakly to indicate that she was alright.

She really had no desire to joke around with Rulan now, because she realized that things seemed to be going badly!

……

In front of Donghua Gate, as the lists were continuously posted, one name after another came out of the civil official's mouth, but so far, only the last two lists have not been released!
These two lists are clearly the A-list and B-list rankings.

"Whoo~"

The civil official who was announcing the names was also exceptionally gifted; he single-handedly and loudly proclaimed the names of nearly four hundred people.

He took a deep breath, rallied his spirits, and looked at the last two lists.

"In the thirty-second year of the Xuanjing reign, among those who passed the imperial examination, the first-ranked candidate was ranked second in the Gui Si year. Xiang Shiqi was from Haimen, Tongzhou, Huainan Circuit."

"..."

One after another, but none of the two names from the Sheng family were ever found.

"Oh no, did my second and third brothers both fail?"

Seeing this, not only Madam Wang and Lin Qinshuang, but even the selfish Mo Lan couldn't help but feel anxious.

Although she secretly hoped that her own brother would pass the exam, the current situation was beyond her expectations!

For her own future, Mo Lan would rather Sheng Changbai win the lottery, than have her whole family get nothing.

After all, if such a situation were to occur, wouldn't it damage her reputation?
what?
Do you think that whether the men of the Sheng family are successful or not will not affect Mo Lan's reputation?

Just think, what is Mo Lan's greatest reputation? It's nothing more than her poetic talent and the title of a talented woman!

If her two older brothers fail this time, then needless to say, her image as a talented woman in the eyes of outsiders will be greatly diminished!

After all, we're family; we share both prosperity and adversity.

"Humph!"

"Why hasn't anyone come to announce the good news yet? Could it be..."

Just as Mo Lan was twisting her handkerchief, her face filled with anger and fear, she suddenly heard a loud bang!
"Haha! I won!"

"Young Master has won!"

Suddenly, a servant of the Sheng family rushed out from the crowd in front.

"what?"

"bingo?"

The entire Sheng family was shocked!
At this moment, Sheng Hong stopped tugging at his beloved beard, and Madam Wang stopped pacing anxiously. Even Lin Qinshuang, who was doing the same thing as her daughter, twisting her handkerchief, suddenly stopped and looked nervously at the figure in the distance.

"Speak! Speak now!"

"Who in my family won the lottery?!"

Sheng Hong abandoned his usual gentlemanly demeanor and questioned the servant in front of him with a seemingly "terrifying" expression.

"My lord, it's Young Master Bai who has been diagnosed!"

"Ranked in the second class of the Class A list, Yi Hai position!"

Many thanks to the generous donations from the following authors: Walking Wheel, Do You Dare to Answer Me When I Call You i, Book Friend 20190719103844341, Qidian Reading iOS, Home Trouble, Yanxiao233, Colorblind Driver, and Xuning! This humble author is overwhelmed with gratitude… (In other words, I shouldn't be too harsh on these esteemed authors, otherwise I would definitely repay them with my body!)
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(End of this chapter)