The official announcing the names seemed unsatisfied with just one proclamation, so he repeated it twice more.
Three times in total.
For a moment, everyone present fell silent, their eyes darting around as they tried to locate Guo Feng in the crowd.
Yet no one could find him.
In an instant, the crowd erupted with murmurs and exclamations.
"A man who was poisoned and fell ill—how could he still top the metropolitan exam?"
"Don’t forget, this is the same man who... once placed first in the provincial exam despite being seated near the foul-smelling latrine."
"The magpies circling above the Confucian Temple that day must have been an omen—a sign that the Great Qi Dynasty has been blessed with a chosen scholar like Master Guo."
Zheng Fang and his companions stood frozen in shock until Feng Kuizhi snapped out of it first. "Brother Guo must still be in the teahouse’s private room. We... we must hurry to deliver the good news!"
His words spread through the crowd, and in no time, people surged toward the teahouse alongside Zheng Fang and the others, all eager to catch a glimpse of the new top scholar.
Meanwhile, at the Shen residence...
Seeing Shen Mingwen return with a weary expression, Shen Qingping rushed to meet him, eyes brimming with anticipation.
Shen Mingwen smiled and nodded.
Instantly, Shen Qingping took an involuntary step back, exhaling in profound relief.
He had passed!
"Nian’an, go to the Prince’s residence at once and inform the princess of the joyous news," Shen Qingping said, his voice unusually animated. "Tell her... His Highness has placed first in the provincial exam."
"At once, my lord!"
Nian’an nearly leapt for joy. Secured—the Shen family’s prosperity for at least three generations was now secured.
And his own pockets? About to overflow with silver.
Elsewhere...
Messengers bearing good news raced toward the teahouse, while another group hurried straight to the Guo residence.
Inside the teahouse...
Song Yu’s restless heart gradually settled as he gazed out the window at the street below, wondering whether Zheng Fang and the others had passed.
Just as he idly turned a piece of warm jade in his hand, the street suddenly swarmed with people—all heading straight for the teahouse.
Song Yu instinctively shut the window.
The crowd looked downright intimidating.
"Congratulations to Master Guo for placing first in the metropolitan exam!"
The messenger’s booming voice echoed through the teahouse, igniting a wave of excitement.
The door to the private room burst open, and Zheng Fang bounded in, shaking Song Yu by the shoulders. "Brother Guo! You’re the top scholar—first in the metropolitan exam!"
In other words, by now, the Emperor had likely already memorized the name "Guo Feng."
As long as he didn’t throw punches during the palace exam or have a face only a mother could love, he was guaranteed an impressive final rank.
The future was blindingly bright.
Song Yu’s mind blanked for a moment before he swiftly composed himself, adopting the most nonchalant tone of his life.
"Of course."
The onlookers erupted again—Master Guo had been so confident all along!
"Congratulations to Master Guo for placing first in the provincial exam!" The messengers arrived at the private room, beaming with joy. Song Yu smoothly retrieved silver from his sleeve. "My thanks to you all."
Hearing this, the messengers practically bowed as they accepted the reward. "We dare not accept your gratitude—it is our honor to share in your triumph."
What a sight!
From being someone anyone could slight to now having everyone fawn over him—Song Yu couldn’t help but revel in the satisfaction.
Another commotion arose, and when Song Yu glanced outside the private room, he nearly staggered.
All the successful candidates had come.
"Congratulations, Master Guo, for earning the title of ‘Literary Star’—we are in awe."
The top scholar of the metropolitan exam had always been revered as the embodiment of scholarly brilliance.
"Guo Feng likewise congratulates all my fellow scholars."
That day, thanks to Song Yu, the teahouse remained packed without a single empty seat. Waves of visitors kept coming, and Song Yu himself could hardly find a moment’s respite.
In the Purple Palace Hall, Emperor Yuanyou and Song Shihuan were growing impatient.
"Wu Qi, shouldn’t the teahouse be closing by now?" the Emperor grumbled. He had been waiting to celebrate with his son, craning his neck for what felt like miles, yet still no sign of him.
"Your Majesty, the..." Wu Qi wiped sweat from his brow. "The teahouse owner declared they would stay open all night due to the overwhelming enthusiasm."
"All night?"
The Emperor stomped his foot in frustration. "Is a top scholar really that popular? More popular than this Emperor?"
"Grandfather, everyone just wants to bask in Father’s good fortune," Song Shihuan said cheerfully, having already heard Wu Qi’s description of the teahouse’s lively scene. "Let him enjoy his moment of glory."
By the time Song Yu finally managed to leave the teahouse, it was well past dusk.
All of Emperor Yuanyou’s irritation melted away the moment he saw his son, leaving only pride.
"Well done."
"I didn’t disgrace you, Father," Song Yu said, standing tall. "Nor Yong’an County."
"And certainly not Ah Huan!"
"I can hardly wait for the palace exam tomorrow," the Emperor said, practically itching with impatience. "I want the whole world to know—such an extraordinary talent is my son."
"Soon, Father."
The next day, the exam papers of the successful candidates were publicly displayed. Song Yu’s essay was swiftly copied and circulated far and wide.
Every reader who saw it conceded—this man was the undisputed top scholar.
Remarkably, even officials from the northern factions raised no objections, while their southern counterparts celebrated as if it were New Year’s.
Song Yu, however, remained unaware of all this. Today, he was to pay respects to the chief examiner.
At the Ministry of Rites...
When Qiu Ri arrived, Song Yu had yet to appear, but Shen Mingwen and Ye Shijie were already seated with impeccable posture.
Qiu Ri’s heart skipped a beat—was he late? But the new top scholar hadn’t arrived either.
Upon closer inspection, he was baffled. Why were Grand Tutor Shen and Lord Ye wearing official robes today? Weren’t they supposed to dress casually?
He suddenly felt out of place.
"Grand Tutor Shen, Lord Ye... should I go back and change?"
"No need. Your attire is perfectly fine," Shen Mingwen said with a smile, though he shot Ye Shijie a sidelong glare.
This Ye Shijie was truly cunning!
He had secretly worn his official robes too—but so what? Shen Mingwen outranked him!
Meanwhile, Ye Shijie was silently cursing Shen Mingwen. That old fox was clearly trying to steal his student.
Crackle—
An invisible tension crackled in the air.
Qiu Ri sat as if on pins and needles.
Finally, an official announced, "My lords, Master Guo has arrived."
"Bring him in at once!" Qiu Ri blurted, desperate for rescue.
Song Yu entered, clad in an elegant blue robe that exuded nobility. He approached with measured steps, then bowed.
"This humble student pays his respects to Grand Tutor Shen, Lord Ye, and Lord Qiu."
Qiu Ri instinctively leapt to his feet.
Only when three pairs of eyes fixed on him did he awkwardly chuckle. "I... I just wanted to help Master Guo up."
Truthfully, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d met this "Guo Feng" before.
