The Ace Bigshot Becomes A Farmgirl

Still in Zicheng Hall, all the new Advanced Scholars had changed into their official robes and anxiously waited outside the hall for notification.

After the civil and military officials inside the hall paid their respects, an official from the Honglu Temple quickly came out to lead all the scholars inside, where they knelt to listen to the announcement.

After the imperial examination, the scholars are divided into three ranks.

The first rank is awarded ’Advanced Scholar of First Class,’ with three people: the top scorer, the Second Place, and the third place.

The second rank is awarded ’Origin of Advanced Scholar,’ with many recipients, the first being the Attributing Scholar.

The third rank is awarded ’Similar to Advanced Scholar Origin,’ with many recipients.

Originally, after their bowing, the Emperor would personally announce the names of the first three people.

However, for unknown reasons, the Emperor decided to first have the Ministry of Rites officials start reading names from the third rank.

Of course, the Ministry of Rites would not defy the Emperor’s decree, and thus immediately began announcing names from the Similar to Advanced Scholar level.

All the examinees present hoped not to hear their names. Although Similar to Advanced Scholar is also an Advanced Scholar, the position is extremely awkward. Essentially, it’s just a consolation for the failing Attributing Scholars, nominally Advanced Scholars, yet not entirely.

So, no one wished to become a Similar to Advanced Scholar like a ’Madam.’

However, the third rank had the most names. As soon as the Ministry of Rites official called the first name, many people began to show expressions of disappointment and pain.

Suddenly, the hall was left with only the voice of the Ministry of Rites official calling names.

There were a total of 292 names in the three ranks; after all names were called, those confirmed as Similar to Advanced Scholars stepped out to kneel and give thanks.

The Emperor’s gaze fell upon them, offering a few words of encouragement, then allowed them to stand aside and wait.

The remaining scholars who hadn’t heard their names hung their heads low but quietly breathed a sigh of relief, their expressions gradually improved, and anticipation grew.

Besides the three from the first rank, all others belonged to the second rank of Advanced Scholars.

This time, when the Ministry of Rites announced names, the reactions of the crowd were entirely different.

Standing amidst the crowd, Meng Yunzheng kept his head bowed, showing no reaction until the Ministry of Rites declared, ”Second rank Attributing Scholar, Xie Bo.”

Meng Yunzheng finally lifted his head slightly, looked at the unexpectedly delighted Xie Bo not far away, and smiled.

The Advanced Scholars of the second rank came forward to kneel and give thanks, then withdrew to the side.

At this moment, only three people remained in the center of the hall.

Many eyes fell upon Meng Yunzheng, with gaze somewhat complex.

Earlier, incidents in the examination hall led many to believe he earned the Emperor’s dislike, and even if his exam results were outstanding, the Emperor ultimately decided the ranks. He would at least be among the middle ranks of the second rank.

Nobody expected him to be in the first rank, let alone... which position?

Among the three present, Meng Yunzheng seemed to be the most handsome. Among all the Advanced Scholars, Meng Yunzheng’s appearance was top-notch.

If not, the eldest daughter of the Marquis Mansion would not have disregarded his background and future, wishing to marry him just because of his looks.

Everyone’s hearts were sour; someone with such appearance was likely a third place winner.

On the other side, Grand Tutor Qi, Yao Tianqin, and others nodded in satisfaction; being in the top three was fitting for the Wen’an County Lord.

The Emperor knew nothing of their thoughts. He stood up, looking down at the three people inside the hall.

Then he received the list from the Ministry of Rites, glanced through it for a moment, then closed it again.