NCCnovel Chapter 157 High School Champion
Chapter 157 High School Champion
Gu Chang'an didn't publish many policy essays, but he had many at home and would teach her some. Shen Li was also guided by the best teacher, and with her already good writing skills, she was soon able to write decent policy essays.
Seeing Shen Li's growth, Gu Chang'an even felt that she could one day be placed in the cabinet.
He had only known that Ah Li was smart, but he hadn't expected her to be so experienced, with mature insights that were also practical.
National affairs are always easy to talk about but difficult to implement. This is not something a noble lady who has lived in seclusion for a long time could write. She doesn't seem to be that idealistic, and she also seems to understand the hardships of ordinary people.
His Ah Li is truly unfathomable to him.
"It's very well written. If the palace examination doesn't have any overly obscure questions, A-Li should have no problem ranking in the second class," he said earnestly.
"It's not certain whether I'll even have the chance to take the exam." Shen Li remained calm despite the praise.
"Tomorrow is the day the results are announced. I'll go with A-Li to see them." Gu Chang'an held her hand. "I've booked a private room by the window on the third floor of Mingyue Teahouse."
Shen Li remembered that she could see the imperial edict from the window there.
"Okay." Shen Li wasn't nervous at all. After all, it was her first time, and she didn't know the candidates' abilities. She could accept not passing the exam.
"Then let's not study today, let's get some sleep," Gu Chang'an advised.
"Alright." Shen Li has been incredibly disciplined lately, and she's also very sleepy now.
The next morning, the area outside the imperial city was packed with people, including scholars, onlookers, and some who were waiting to deliver the good news and earn money.
A particularly unique group of people were the elderly, all with thick hair and beards, dressed in clothes that suggested wealth and nobility, and speaking with considerable knowledge. Yet, none of them had sons who had taken the imperial examinations.
"Miss, those are the people who are 'choosing a husband' after the list of successful candidates,' right?" Yu Die asked, pointing to the old men.
Shen Li nodded: "Yes."
“That’s how unfaithful men are chosen; they turn around and abandon their wives and children.” Yu Die thought of a scene from a play.
Shen Li hadn't expected her to be concerned about this, and comforted her, saying, "To avoid being betrayed, I'll choose someone who has passed the imperial examinations to marry in the future."
As she spoke, she looked at Gu Chang'an across from her. This was perfect for her.
Gu Chang'an smiled knowingly at her gaze.
"I want to pass the exam myself. I want to be like Miss, and once I've mastered my studies, I'll take the imperial examination and become a landlord in the future." Yu Die raised her head, having already set a clear goal in her mind the moment Shen Li entered the examination hall.
Shen Li smiled with satisfaction; her efforts had not been in vain.
"The results are out! The results are out!" came excited shouts from below.
Looking through the window, Shen Li saw a group of soldiers clearing a path through the imperial city, followed by a group of people carrying the imperial edict out and hanging it high on the wall using ladders.
Gu Chang'an also turned around to look.
Although Shen Li didn't think she was nervous, she still took a deep breath and closed her eyes before looking.
"She's won! Miss has won the top prize, and she's one of the top five!" Lian Qiao exclaimed loudly.
Gu Chang'an breathed a sigh of relief, feeling both relieved and amazed; her Ah Li's knowledge was truly excellent.
The top scholar in the imperial examination was the first-place winner, the second of the so-called "three-time winners," while the top scholar in the five classics was the first-place winner. Each of these was extremely difficult.
Shen Li looked over and found that her name was easy to find, as it was at the top of the list.
Although she thought she had performed quite well, she was still somewhat incredulous when she saw the ranking. First place? From childhood to adulthood, she had never studied for fame or fortune, but she never expected it to pay off at this moment.
As long as one passes the imperial examination, one can enter officialdom. In this way, even if she ranks in the third class in the palace examination, she will still have an official position.
"Miss, you're amazing!" Lianqiao and Shaoyao were completely dumbfounded.
Not only the two of them, but the scholars looking at the list below were also shocked to see Shen Li's name at the top of both lists.
These men ultimately lost to a woman? It was so embarrassing that they could no longer utter a word about the woman's ignorance.
Of course, some people questioned whether it was cheating, since Shen Li's father was the chief examiner, and Shen Li was the most likely person to have access to the exam questions.
However, this argument is untenable among the people, because Shen Li and Lin Wan'er have been known as the two beauties for many years, and their scholarship has always been recognized.
Her calligraphy and painting were especially outstanding. Her title as the first talented woman was not only because she was the best among women, but also because no man could compare to her.
Even Gu Chang'an, who achieved the highest honors in all three categories, wouldn't be as well-rounded as Shen Li.
However, not questioning it doesn't mean they are willing to be suppressed. So some people said that Shen Li was exceptionally granted the title of Juzi, which was taking someone else's spot and was very unfair.
"That's not right. In previous years, it was always a round number. Why is there a single person on the list this year?" A student noticed something and pointed to the list, saying, "Everyone, look! There are 201 people on the list this year."
Shen Li also realized this and understood that her father was afraid that she would be criticized for using her special power to participate in the imperial examination, so he selected an extra person so that she would not take anyone's place.
"My father-in-law's thoughts are truly thoughtful and his efforts are commendable," Gu Chang'an couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the list.
My father-in-law really cares about his daughter.
The candidates below were also silenced.
However, some of those who failed the exam were still unwilling to accept it. Having nowhere to vent their anger, they said that Shen Li must have cheated, otherwise how could she have become the top scholar so easily!
"The emperor will definitely not cooperate with her cheating. We'll see the outcome in the palace examination," the people said indignantly.
"I'm waiting for the palace examination, while you'll have to wait three years," Shen Li said with a smile, jokingly responding to the loud commotion below.
"Miss, they dare to slander you. I'll go down and reason with them." As she spoke, Peony turned to turn around, her hand already reaching for the whip at her waist.
"Wait a minute," Shen Li called out to her, amused. "What kind of reasoning are you going to use?"
“My whip is the law, I’ll let them talk their fill,” Peony snorted.
"Forget it, forget it, you can't stop people from talking." Shen Li stopped her for a moment before saying, "Didn't they say the results would be in the palace examination? Then there will be a conclusion in three days."
Peony was still somewhat indignant. The young lady had suffered so much since childhood, even risking her life on the battlefield, to finally get the opportunity that this man had from birth.
Such a difficult path was dismissed by their few flippant words about cheating? She was absolutely furious.
She looked at Gu Chang'an, hoping that her son-in-law could persuade the young lady.
"Madam is a gentleman," Gu Chang'an praised.
Peony sighed helplessly. Everyone said that Lord Gu was a living devil, so why was his temper so good when he was with Miss?
"Men, there are only a few of them, handcuff them."
"And then there are them, spouting nonsense and maliciously making false accusations."
"Take them all away, take them all away."
During the pause in the conversation above, a man dressed in plain clothes but with a strong voice appeared in front of the imperial edict below. Judging from the flying fish lace trim on the hem of his clothes, he was a member of the Flying Fish Guard.
Those who were arrested were the ones who were talking nonsense in the crowd. Some of them were talking about other things, but Shen Li noticed that none of them who were talking about her got away.
Even newly successful candidates in the imperial examinations were arrested.
"You dare touch me? I'm a newly appointed scholar!"
"I am a scholar who has passed the imperial examination!"
The leader of the Flying Fish Guards was impatient upon hearing this: "Since the founding of the dynasty, thirty cabinet ministers have died in the imperial prison. Do I need to be wary of your meager achievements? Get out of here!"
Shen Li swallowed and looked at Gu Chang'an.
“Madam is a gentleman, but I am not.” Gu Chang’an poured tea and handed it to Shen Li: “If I can’t stand it, I’ll arrest her.”