After Xiao Fubao's life was stolen, he became the favorite of everyone in the capital

Chapter 294 Number One Scholar
There were more than 300 papers in the palace examination, so Li Yong naturally would not read them all.

The entire marking team consists of more than a dozen people.

The biggest role of these dozen people is to select more than 200 people to be granted the same status as Jinshi.

The papers of the top ten candidates were placed on the top, with only a rough ranking. They were now placed in front of Li Yong, waiting for him to review.

The top one was Gu Mingda’s answer sheet.

During the previous palace examination, the only answer sheet Li Yong looked at was Gu Mingda's. With so many eyes watching that day, no one dared to pluck the hair from the tiger's head.

"Your Majesty, the elders all like this answer sheet very much and think that this person can be the top scorer."

Listening to the eunuch's words, Li Yong took Gu Mingda's paper and read it carefully.

Gu Mingda's policy paper was indeed very well written, but Li Yong did not just read this one. Instead, he read all the ten papers they had selected.

The names on the palace examination papers were not covered.

Li Yong named Gu Mingda the top scorer, and then picked up Qin Jing's paper.

“In terms of talent, this should be ranked second, but Qin Jing is so talented that we should select him as the third place,” Li Yong said.

There were 300 people taking the palace examination that day. At first glance, Qin Jing and Gu Mingda stood out from the crowd. Everyone loves beauty, and Li Yong is no exception.

However, the chief eunuch standing by was slightly surprised.

Earlier in Baiyun Temple, seeing the emperor’s intention, the chief eunuch thought that Gu Mingda would not be the number one scholar. Unexpectedly, after all the twists and turns, it was still Gu Mingda.

The chief eunuch smiled and said, "Jun Tanhua, this is the rule of every imperial examination. It's a coincidence that this time, there is not only Jun Tanhua, but also the elegant and handsome No. 1 Scholar. What's more coincidental is that our No. 1 Scholar is also a top three scholar!"

"Sanyuan Jidi" means getting the first place in the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination and the palace examination. Being able to achieve one of them can be considered a great spectacle in the literary world.

Li Yong had not known about this before, and said with a smile: "In this way, it is really due to him to be the number one scholar."

The chief eunuch smiled and flattered him a few times, but he couldn't help thinking in his heart that this Gu Mingda must have caught the emperor's eye, and if he met him in the future, he would do him a favor.

The rankings for the palace examination have already been arranged, so it’s better to announce the results in advance.

The harem received the news half a beat slower than the previous dynasty.

"What did you say about the top three in the imperial examination? Who was the top three in the imperial examination?" Concubine Li had a dark face and questioned the palace maid who was combing her hair.

The palace maid did not expect that Concubine Li would change her expression so quickly. The emperor stayed in Concubine Li's palace last night. When she woke up in the morning, Concubine Li was still smiling, obviously in a very good mood. But when she heard about what happened outside, her expression suddenly changed.

The palace maid was so frightened that she knelt on the ground. "It is said that his name is Gu Mingda, and he won the top three places in the imperial examination. He is extremely honored. I heard from them that during the palace examination, I saw him from a distance. He is eight feet tall and handsome. If he were not old, I am afraid he would have won the third place. I don't know if he is the prince of Xian Guogong..."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Li stared a hole through the palace maid with her beautiful eyes.

"Your Majesty, this girl has only heard half of what happened in the previous dynasty. Why do you have to be angry about it?" The senior palace maid beside her whispered softly to persuade her.

Imperial Concubine Li glanced at her and said, "Tell the Six Palaces that they don't have to come to pay respects today. Where is Nanny Zhang? Where is she? Ask her to come to see me immediately!"

The head maid didn't understand, but she still bowed and retreated. Concubine Li looked at the maid kneeling on the ground and said, "Go down, and slap her face thirty times."

The palace maid who was combing her hair didn't even know that she had done anything wrong. She was just telling one or two funny stories while combing her hair as usual.

Thirty slaps on the face were not considered a severe punishment. The real severe punishment was that she lost her job.

It was Concubine Li’s habit that she would never allow a palace maid to serve her closely after she had punished her.

The palace maid who was combing her hair wanted to beg for mercy and admit her mistake, but someone had already covered her mouth and dragged her out.

Nanny Zhang came very quickly.

Imperial Concubine Li dismissed her attendants, grabbed Nanny Zhang's hand, and asked, "Go and ask Gu Mingda if he is the man from Guang'an County, Guanglin Prefecture? Find out everything about the Gu family!"

Without waiting for Aunt Zhang to reply, she continued, "No, it must be him! It can't be such a coincidence!"

It was rare for Nanny Zhang to see her so panicked. Even when Concubine Li was being tormented by the Empress Dowager in the early years, she was not so flustered.

"Don't worry, your majesty. No, it's definitely not that person. I'll take the sign and leave the palace right away. Let my son go and make detailed inquiries..." Nanny Zhang tried to calm her master.

Concubine Li calmed down a little at this time and said, "You are right, it can't be him."

After Nanny Zhang left, Concubine Li sat in the empty palace, looking at the gorgeous and exquisite furnishings around her, her face gradually becoming more sinister.

At this time, the Gu family had just sent away the official who came to announce the good news.

When Gu Mingda passed the imperial examination and won the top spot, the Gu family was already very happy. Now that he has won the top spot, it means that Gu Mingda has finally got a final result after studying for the imperial examination for so many years.

"No. 1 Scholar! A No. 1 Scholar only appears once every three years!" Old Mrs. Gu showed off happily to the old ladies in the neighborhood.

The old ladies didn't know much about the imperial examination, but one tactless old lady couldn't help but ask, "Is it once every three years? Why do I remember watching the number one scholar parade last year?"

When Old Lady Gu heard this, she didn't feel embarrassed. Instead, she said in a teaching tone, "Normally, it's held every three years. This year is the birthday of the Empress Dowager in the palace, so the Emperor specially showed mercy and held the imperial examination again. This is called the Enke. Do you understand?"

The old lady didn't have time to reply.

The other old ladies were already flattering, "Madam Gu, you really know more! You are worthy of being the wife of the top scholar!"

"No wonder you were able to raise a son who was the top scholar. It turns out he got his smartness from you!"

Old Lady Gu held her head high and said proudly, "I have three sons, and this second son is the smartest and he is the most like me!"

"Madam Gu, what kind of official position will the number one scholar hold? What rank?" someone asked.

Old Lady Gu didn't know so much, and she didn't want to show her weakness, so she said, "He will be whatever official the Emperor wants him to be! He will obey the Emperor's orders!"

Someone else said, "That's right. Your son's backer is the princess. She will definitely help him become a high-ranking official! Was your son able to become the top scholar this time also because of the princess's support? I heard that this ranking was determined long ago. Whoever has a powerful backer will become the top scholar."

Old Mrs. Gu had no idea that this man was setting a trap for her. She had originally wanted to take the opportunity to brag about the close relationship between her family and the Princess's Mansion, hoping that the other old ladies would envy her.

Just as Mrs. Gu was about to agree, Niuniu said with an unhappy look on her face, "My father got the top spot in the imperial examination based on his real ability!"