At this moment, the room where exam papers were being graded was so quiet that only the sound of flipping pages could be heard. The reason was simple—the auras of Shen Mingwen and Ye Shijie were simply too overpowering.
"Any outstanding papers among the ones you’ve reviewed so far?" Shen Mingwen’s voice broke the silence.
The officials exchanged glances before shaking their heads in unison.
The candidates from Guanzhang Prefecture were never particularly outstanding to begin with, and this year’s exam questions were exceptionally difficult. After an entire day of grading, they still hadn’t come across any remarkable papers.
"No matter. Keep reviewing calmly. If you find any exceptional ones, bring them to me."
Shen Mingwen inwardly sighed at the state of Guanzhang Prefecture. The number of successful candidates in the imperial examinations directly reflected the local officials’ administrative achievements.
At this thought, he glanced at Ye Shijie. Given the quality of this year’s provincial graduates from Ji'an Prefecture, it was certain that many would pass the metropolitan exams next year.
That old man Ye would likely be recalled to the capital soon.
For a moment, Shen Mingwen couldn’t help but envy Ye Shijie’s good fortune.
The officials resumed their grading, while the chirping of birds outside the window continued without pause.
Suddenly, Shen Mingwen’s weary expression froze, his eyes lighting up as he came across an exceptional paper.
Though... it still fell slightly short compared to the prince’s.
But compared to the others, it was already outstanding.
Carefully, Shen Mingwen set the paper aside, his mood lifting considerably.
"Official Shen must have found an outstanding paper."
"Indeed. Later, I’d like Lord Ye to take a look as well."
The two old men exchanged glances and smiled in unison.
Outstanding candidates were always welcome—more talent for the empire.
......
This year’s provincial exam saw far fewer gamblers than the last.
"Boss, why is business so slow? Isn’t the results announcement coming soon?" Nian'an stood awkwardly at the entrance of the gambling den, a money pouch in hand.
Third Master had sent him to place a bet on Feng Kuizhi’s success.
"Ah." The gambling den owner sighed heavily. "After the Lu family incident last time, no one dares to gamble on the exams anymore."
"I knew something was off when those stingy Lus suddenly bet so heavily—they must have colluded to cheat!" The owner spat in frustration. "I’ve been waiting here for days, and not a single person has come to place a bet."
"I’ll bet."
Nian'an shook the money pouch. "I’m betting on Feng Kuizhi."
Instantly, countless eyes turned toward Nian'an. The onlookers itched to join, but without someone taking the lead, no one dared—afraid of displeasing the princess.
"Young man, Young Master Feng was assigned to the foul-smelling cell..." the owner kindly reminded him.
"Boss, I heard the gambling den owner in Ji'an Prefecture once bet a gold ingot on Young Master Guo Feng and made a fortune." Nian'an winked. "The foul cell has produced a top scorer before."
With that, he tossed the money pouch to the owner.
The moment Nian'an left, a steady stream of people began entering the gambling den.
......
The day before the results were announced.
"It’s not like I’m the one announcing the results, so why am I so nervous?"
Song Yu muttered under his breath. He felt like he’d developed a reflex to the words "results announcement."
"Feng Kuizhi was assigned to the foul cell. I wonder if another top scorer will emerge from there."
Song Shihuan’s heart fluttered slightly—she had a feeling Feng Kuizhi would be this year’s top scorer.
......
On the day of the announcement, Feng Kuizhi, now fully recovered from his illness, ignored his family’s protests and personally waited outside the examination hall.
"Young Master, let this servant wait for you. You’ve just recovered—what if something happens..."
Before the servant could finish, Feng Kuizhi silenced him with a look.
"I have a feeling—just like Young Master Guo, I’ll make it. I have to see it for myself, or I won’t be able to sit still."
This uncharacteristic boldness left the servant stunned.
When the officials arrived with the results, the crowd collectively held their breath.
What followed was the most surreal quarter-hour of Feng Kuizhi’s life.
As soon as the list was posted, he pushed to the front and immediately looked at the top of the rankings—there, unmistakably, was his name.
Top scorer: Feng Kuizhi!
"Young Master, you’re the top scorer! You really are!"
"Yes... the top scorer."
Feng Kuizhi staggered back a few steps, overwhelmed. The surrounding crowd quickly swarmed him with congratulations, but he broke free and sprinted to an empty spot.
Tilting his head back, he let out a triumphant roar.
He’d done it.
"Those candidates stood up for me, saying my talent shouldn’t have gone unrecognized. I had to succeed—for their sake."
Now that he had, the weight he’d carried finally lifted.
A few breaths later, realization dawned on him. He turned to his servant.
"The chief examiner was Grand Tutor Shen... does that mean I can now call myself his student?"
What an incredible honor.
......
"Feng Kuizhi really is the top scorer! I predicted it!"
Song Yu was just as thrilled. The foul cell had produced another top scorer—now he wasn’t alone.
"At this rate, people will start fighting over the foul-smelling cells."
Song Shihuan found the idea absurd, but then again, her father had set the precedent.
"Shen San, what does your father think of Feng Kuizhi?"
"My father thinks he’s promising. He plans to meet him personally tomorrow." Shen Qingping chuckled at the memory of his father’s excitement.
"A twist of fate, but it’s worked in Feng Kuizhi’s favor."
Song Shihuan smiled too. Though he’d been unfairly failed the first time, catching Grand Tutor Shen’s eye in the second exam was a blessing in disguise.
"I have to congratulate Feng Kuizhi in person!"
Song Yu sprang to his feet and strode out, leaving Song Shihuan and Shen Qingping to exchange glances.
"Maybe... it’s a bond between foul-cell survivors?" Shen Qingping ventured uncertainly.
The next second, Song Shihuan burst into laughter.
......
Half an hour later, Song Yu arrived at the Feng residence, where the family was still receiving well-wishers after the official announcement.
"Young Master Guo is here! Kuizhi, come quickly!"
Master Feng spotted Song Yu first and called excitedly for his son.
Feng Kuizhi came running, stopping before Song Yu with uncontainable excitement, looking at him as though he were a benefactor.
"I owe this to you, Brother Guo."
"Hm?" Song Yu didn’t quite follow.
"The moment I was assigned to the foul cell, I told myself—if a top scorer could come from there once, it could happen again. That thought kept me going."
And now, history had repeated itself.
The foul cell had produced another top scorer!
