Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chen Xuan and Gao Jingming drank until dawn, not stopping. Years of hard work, and the countless things they had to do in the future, all depended on this day. How could Xiao Gao sleep? Instead, the more he drank, the more awake he became.

If it were an ordinary person, they would probably have to go to the clinic after drinking like this for a whole night. However, their cultivation levels were higher than each other, so they naturally didn't worry about hurting their bodies. They could drink for three days and three nights without any problem.

"Master, please continue. It's daybreak now. I'm going to go pee and exercise," Chen Xuan said as he stood up with a burp. His stomach was rumbling and he felt uncomfortable. Actually, he could have let the wine pass through his fingertips along his arm, but there was no need to. He and Xiao Gao were just going to drink happily.

Xiao Gao, who was drunk but clear-headed, waved his hand and said, "A Xuan, can you do it? How many times have you gone to the bathroom in one night? Hurry up and come back to continue."

It seems that he will not stop until the results come out. Chen Xuan curled his lips and said, "It is precisely because of his good health and fast metabolism... Forget it, you won't understand even if I tell you."

After draining the water, he went to the yard to practice calming and health-preserving exercises to exercise his body. He has never missed it over the years, even though it was useless.

Watching him practicing the calming and health-preserving exercises freely and effortlessly, Gao Jingming looked a little dazed, his thoughts going back to the time more than ten years ago when they first went to Yushan Academy.

They were both children at the time, and Chen Xuan had been practicing the Qigong for the first time since then, and he still does it today.

Thinking of this, Gao Jingming sincerely admired Chen Xuan, and it was impossible not to be convinced. He persisted in doing a trivial thing for more than ten years, regardless of wind and rain. How many people in the world could do that?

Sometimes Gao Jingming couldn't understand Chen Xuan. It seemed like he would never grow up. How could he put it? Chen Xuan had the same personality as when he was a child, and he still had the same personality now. It was ridiculous.

When Gao Jingming was still young, he thought Chen Xuan was very mature, sometimes as steady as his master. But now, looking back, he is still the same, sometimes even childish. Is it possible that no one can "grow up"? How did Chen Xuan maintain this?
"In the blink of an eye, we've all grown up. Ah Xuan's cultivation has reached the pinnacle that almost everyone dreams of. And I'm about to enter another stage of my life. If I fail this time, will my brother-in-law's side provide me with a platform to fulfill my dreams?"

After some activities, Chen Xuan came back and continued with him.

When the day breaks, everyone else in Xiaomingju has not been able to sleep all night, because today concerns the future of young master Gao Jingming.

"Young Master, I will go to guard the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall and report back as soon as there is any result," Wei Songtian said impatiently at dawn. He was also very nervous and had not slept all night. They all prosper together. Gao Jingming's future is related to his destiny.

Gao Jingming smiled and said, "What are you busy with? The results will be announced at noon."

"Actually, it doesn't matter whether you go or not. If you really make the list, the person who reports the good news will probably report it faster than you do," Chen Xuan interrupted. Many people are waiting for this day to make some money.

Wei Song insisted: "No matter what, I have to go and see it in person. It's a bit far. If I go too late, I'm worried that I won't be able to squeeze in at the front."

"Okay, whatever you want," Gao Jingming didn't care. He didn't plan to go there in person. Things like ups and downs should be handled behind closed doors.

Chen Xuan reminded him, "Let Uncle Geng and the others accompany you. It's too crowded to get to the front now, so let them help you clear the way. Oh, and change some coins in advance. Change them into 10,000 taels. We picked up so much money for free some time ago, so this is not a big deal. Now is not the time to be stingy. No matter who it is, come and say a good word and we'll all be happy together."

"Oh yes, thank you Mr. Chen for the reminder, I will prepare it right away," Wei Song reacted immediately and hurriedly made arrangements.

Gao Jingming turned around and hesitated, "Ah Xuan, putting aside whether or not you're on the list, isn't eighteen thousand taels too much? You usually eat like you can't wait to lick your plate clean, how can you be so generous?"

"Master, I'm not happy with what you said. I'm lavish with money, but that's different from not wasting money, okay?"

"On the contrary..."

Then the two continued to eat and drink while waiting for the result. The side dishes on the table had been changed several times throughout the night, and this was another round. Xiao Gao was nervous, and he had been drinking since dawn.

Wei Song never came back after he left, but Zhao Erhe and others brought back several baskets of copper coins and silver coins, as well as some red envelopes.

It was almost noon, and the results were about to be announced. Chen Xuan was so full from drinking that he stood up and said, "I'll go get some water."

"A Xuan, why do I feel like you are more nervous than me?" Gao Jingming said with a helpless smile.

"Why should I be nervous? Master, it would be great if you failed the exam. With your brain and my martial arts, we can find a place to occupy the mountain and become a bandit. Wouldn't it be cool to become big and strong?" Chen Xuan said with his chin raised.

Hearing this, Gao Jingming's eyes widened and he sobered up. He almost broke out in a cold sweat and said, "A Xuan, it's not that serious. It's really not that serious. It's just that you failed the exam. There's no need for us to rebel."

"What are you thinking about? Although we are invincible in the world, one is good at literature and the other is good at martial arts, and we really have the opportunity to rule the world, but that will be too tiring. What I mean is to simply be a bandit and live freely. I won't say more, just let him go," Chen Xuan said with a helpless smile.

These words were just jokes between Xiao Gao and me in private, but I kept saying that it was at least a crime punishable by beheading.

Chen Xuan used the excuse of going to the restroom to go directly to the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall, waiting for Wei Song or someone to come with the good news. He might as well go and take a look in person. If Xiao Gao failed, he would have to think of how to comfort him.

He soon arrived outside the Imperial Examination Hall, where a huge crowd of people were already waiting eagerly, and the entrance was tightly guarded by soldiers.

"Oh, there really is a show to catch a son-in-law! Let me see, there are so many people ready with sacks and clubs, and there are even women coming in their wedding dresses. I wonder if they are planning to snatch her away on the spot and take her into the bridal chamber tonight?" Chen Xuan's scalp tingled as he glanced around.

If you are a candidate and your place on the list is taken away by someone else, should you accept it or not?

Chen Xuan arrived almost on time. As he looked around, the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall slowly opened with the sound of a gong. The huge crowd around him suddenly became quiet, and you could hear a pin drop.

"...The Emperor's grace is immense. This year's examination is filled with talented individuals. Ten years of hard work have culminated in a single day of striving. I wish all the examinees success in the imperial examinations, and may they soar to new heights. The results are now announced~!"

As a deep voice resounded in all directions, bells and drums rang out, and a huge golden list wrapped in red silk was opened on the screen wall outside the Imperial Examination Hall. In an instant, the originally quiet situation suddenly boiled over, and countless people rushed forward to catch a glimpse, like a tide, and the officers and soldiers were almost washed away like rocks.

"Look who's on the list?"

"Did my young master win? Why didn't I see his name?"

"Ahaha, I won, I won, Dad, Mom, did you see it, I won, woo woo woo"

"Hurry, catch him, don't let him get away. Tonight, I'll make this a done deal with my young lady." "Why not me? Why? Why? Twenty years, seven times in total. What's wrong with me..."

As the list was announced, people went crazy. Some laughed heartily, some burst into tears, and some were at a loss. There were all kinds of people in different situations, and it was really sad to see them at that moment.

People who are not important just watch for fun, but only those who are in the situation know the feeling of ups and downs.

Chen Xuan locked onto the list at a glance, and took in the hundreds of names on it in almost a second. The names and addresses of all the candidates on it were sorted out in his mind in the blink of an eye. Although his IQ was not very good, his brain could process information better than others.

"Tsk, he's a junior high school student. The content of his exam paper is really good? And he's ranked very high, fifth. Although the top three are not confirmed on this list, according to convention, the top three are all from the top ten. In other words, he is a well-deserved candidate for the top spot. It all depends on his performance in the palace examination."

Looking at the names on the list from afar, Chen Xuan muttered in his heart. He was definitely happy for Xiao Gao, but he also felt strangely disappointed. It was not that he didn't hope for the best for Xiao Gao, but he had been wondering what Xiao Gao would do if he failed to make the list. After all, whether he made the list or not was related to his future.

Now, the list has been finalized, and he is on it. The rest of his life will be spent struggling in the court.

"I'm so disappointed to see his other life. I was hoping he'd become something like Huang Chao. Congratulations! Your long-cherished wish has finally come true."

Some are happy, some are sad. Looking at the surging crowd, Chen Xuan, who got the result, quietly left and returned to Xiao Mingju. It had nothing to do with him, so he could not empathize with him.

"Comfortable, come on, young master, let's continue drinking," he said as he walked out of the toilet in a pretentious manner.

Gao Jingming didn't know that he had already gone to see the results, so he joked, "Xuan, you're so fast, and you still say you're in good health? Don't you know how to make pills? Why don't you take care of yourself?"

"I'm in good health, young master, don't talk nonsense, or I'll sue you for defamation," Chen Xuan said with a glare.

Gao Jingming smiled and said, "Look, you're anxious, aren't you?"

Then he put away his smile, looked off into the distance, and said thoughtfully, "Ah Xuan, the results are almost out by now, right?"

"Well, young master, to be honest, I have just checked it out," Chen Xuan said frankly, putting away his smile. There was no need to beat around the bush with Xiao Gao.

Xiao Gao's heart sank. He naturally believed it. He pretended to be indifferent and asked, "What's the result?"

Shaking his head, Chen Xuan sighed and said, "Hey... Young Master, get ready."

Gao Jingming suddenly smiled, stretched himself and said cheerfully: "All these years of hard work have finally paid off. I drank all night and felt very uncomfortable. Now I can finally sleep peacefully."

"No, this couldn't fool you?" Chen Xuan was dumbfounded.

Gao Jingming stood up and said, "We grew up together, so who doesn't know each other? If I really failed the exam, wouldn't you, Xuan, be sighing and groaning? You might have already gone to His Majesty to fill in my name temporarily, right?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan rolled his eyes and said, "Young Master, you are such a boring person. You have no sense of humor at all. Well, now you should prepare well for the entire championship. Your name is ranked fifth, so your chances are very high."

"I knew this was the preparation you wanted me to make." Gao Jingming's brows were full of high spirits, and there seemed to be a fire burning in his eyes. That fire was not because he was happy about being on the list, but because after he was on the list, he would be able to show his talents in the court in the future. Who knows how many people will be burned to death by that fire in his heart!

"From now on, you will be able to demonstrate what you have learned and start to achieve your small goals. I have been with you for so many years, and now you have to walk your own path in the future."

Thinking about this, Chen Xuan stretched out his hand and a white fan fell into his hand. He threw it to Gao Jingming and said, "Here, young master, congratulations. This is a gift for you. I have been preparing it for half a year. I originally planned to give you a gift when you won the first place in the scholar examination, but your momentum was too strong. I simply added up several times. I should have given it to you after your palace examination. I think you need it now."

He raised his hand and grabbed the heavy fan. He gently spun it around in his hand like a butterfly. Gao Jingming turned around and said with a smile, "Ah Xuan, I've come this far, and you're going to send me away with a fan?"

"Then what do you want, young master? You know I'm a poor guy. I made this fan bit by bit with my own hands. It's full of my love. Don't return it to me. I don't want to give it to you." Chen Xuan made a gesture to take it back.

Hearing this, Gao Jingming grabbed the fan tightly, fearing that he would be snatched back. He asked curiously, "So, what's so special about this fan you gave me, Xuan?"

He didn't believe that the great grandmaster Chen Xuan would really throw a broken fan to him.

"It's for your life. I'm worried that one day you might be killed by someone by accident. You can use it normally at ordinary times. At the critical moment, close it and use your internal force to kill the enemy from the front and protect yourself from the back. If this can't help you get through the difficulties, then open it and use your internal force to take you away. All three functions are one-time. After use, it will just be an ordinary fan. The material is too poor, and I can't make a better one now." Chen Xuan explained casually.

Gao Jingming felt warm in his heart when he heard this. He knew how dangerous what he was going to do in the future was, and Chen Xuan had already considered it for him.

But he said casually: "That's it? I thought there was something special about it. It's okay, right?"

"Go to sleep. You're just like someone fished out of the wine, you're all stinky." Chen Xuan didn't bother with him.

Gao Jingming turned around with a smug look on his face and quickly opened his fan. Just as he was about to say something, his eyes glared and he hastily closed it. He turned back to look at Chen Xuan with an embarrassed look and said, "Ah Xuan, aren't you going a bit too far? How can I show off such a frivolous fan in the future?"

The woman on the fan is vivid, her clothes are half-undone, her breasts are half-exposed, her long legs are vaguely visible, and she is wearing strange skin-tight stockings, which are a bit tight. Just one look at her makes people blush and their hearts beat fast. The kind of vague temptation is far better than the pornographic pictures of this era.

"Haha, that's your business. Young Master might even have a reputation as a playboy in the future. This fan will look so impressive and eye-catching when you show it out," Chen Xuan said happily, as if he was doing it on purpose.

At this moment, a loud commotion was heard outside, and someone shouted at the top of his voice: "Good news, good news! Congratulations to your young master Gao Jingming for passing the imperial examination and becoming a Jinshi this year. From now on, he will rise to a high position..."

The title of Jinshi is determined by the success of the imperial examination. The first-class success after the palace examination is used to describe the top three scholars. The first-class success usually only has the three highest-achieving scholars. The second-class success, one or two hundred people are the Jinshi of the current year, and the third-class success is the Tong Jinshi.

The good news came, and the atmosphere in Xiao Mingju, which had been depressed for a few days, suddenly relaxed, followed by cheers.

Gao Jingming, who had already received the result from Chen Xuan, looked calm and composed, and just pretended... (End of this chapter)