Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 10

Amidst the anticipation and speculation within the Hall of Literary Glory, the ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations proceeded as scheduled.

Half an hour later, the third round had reached number 204:
"The 204th in the third class, a tribute student from Shaoxing Prefecture, Zhejiang Province, is Gu Zhongxiu."

"Gu Zhongxiu is here!"

"The above twelve people, please leave the class."

Twelve more people, guided by the officials, went to kneel before the Emperor to express their gratitude.
"Your Majesty, I kneel and thank you for your divine grace!"

Yan Maoqing, however, was secretly wondering which unlucky person would end up in the 205th place of the third class.

It's not hard to tell that when the official singing the numbers "two hundred and five," he wouldn't just sing it as "two hundred and five," but would follow the ancient custom and omit the "zero," singing it as "two hundred and five," just like the "two hundred and four" that was just recited.

Although "205" doesn't have the same insulting connotation now, in Yan Maoqing's mind, this 205th person is still incredibly unlucky.

In addition, Yan Maoqing was still calculating that the naming ceremony should be nearing its end.

As far as I can remember, there were only about three hundred tribute students in this year's examination. There were three in the first rank, nearly one hundred in the second rank, and naturally about two hundred in the third rank.

at the same time.

Xia Yan, Yan Song, Wang Tingxiang, and other examiners, along with a few court officials who knew some of the inside story beforehand, also quietly perked up.

I've only heard of him, but I don't know who he is.

The answer will be revealed soon: is it true that one's appearance reflects one's inner state?
Some of them had already experienced the announcement ceremony many times and knew the ranking of the top scholars in advance. They had long found the ceremony boring and uninteresting, and this was the first time they had ever looked forward to it like this.

Who isn't a fun-loving person?
at last.

As the previous group of twelve people withdrew, amidst the anticipation of the court officials and Yan Maoqing's rambling thoughts,

"The 205th in the third class, a tribute student from Nanchang Prefecture, Jiangxi Province, Yan Maoqing."

I'm the unlucky one?!
Yan Maoqing was taken aback, but had no choice but to loudly reply:
"Yan Maoqing is here!"

"Leave the class."

Eh?
What's going on here? Why didn't they continue calling out names and just ordered everyone to leave the class?

Yan Maoqing was momentarily stunned, unable to process what was happening.

When he saw the steward come up to guide him, he finally understood that there were only 205 people in the third class of this examination.

As the last-place finisher, he was left behind and thus received the same special treatment as the top three scholars—the first, second, and third place winners—to receive a separate audience.

Yan Maoqing's mind immediately became active.

It's like someone brings you a pillow when you're sleepy—isn't that perfect timing?
It is fate that my wish has come true!

As Yan Maoqing pondered these thoughts, he also felt the intense gazes directed at him from all directions.

These gazes were clearly not of envy; they were almost entirely filled with sarcasm, ridicule, contempt, and cold stares. Some came from court officials, while others came from the newly appointed scholars.

After all, for any normal person, this special treatment is incomparable to that of the top three scholars in the imperial examination; it is more like a public execution of the person who ranked last in the palace examination.

Especially for those newly appointed scholars, just thinking about it makes their faces burn.

As Yan Maoqing walked out of the crowd under the guidance of the steward.

The court officials finally got a clear look at Yan Maoqing's appearance, and were immediately somewhat disappointed. The saying "appearance reflects the heart" did not seem to apply to Yan Maoqing.

He was tall and straight, with a round face and fair skin. He had dignified features and was not the kind of handsome man that would make a lasting impression at first glance. However, he was definitely not ugly or unattractive. In fact, upon closer inspection, he even had a touch of heroic spirit.

This is a rather deceptive face.

If that answer sheet hadn't revealed his true nature, even they might have been misled and misjudged him!
Just as I was thinking this.

"Ah!"

Upon arriving before the Emperor, Yan Maoqing inexplicably lost his composure and sneezed, covering his nose.

"?!"

The commotion was quite jarring in the otherwise silent Huagai Hall, startling many people and instantly drawing even more attention.

Good job!
Xia Yan, Yan Song, Wang Tingxiang, and other court officials, who were feeling disappointed, suddenly felt a surge of joy.

This time, Yan Maoqing's official career has come to an end, completely and utterly!
No one understands the current emperor's temperament better than these senior officials and close advisors.

The current emperor has three inviolable taboos: imperial power, faith, and etiquette!
The imperial power goes without saying. The current emperor is exceptionally sensitive to power. Unless he encounters an insurmountable obstacle, he will fill every inch of the Ming Dynasty with his power, not allowing anyone to overstep it.

This taboo is so severe that touching it will result in certain death and will also bring disaster to your family!
Faith is synonymous with metaphysical practice, which has become an obsession for the current emperor. The fact that Yang Zui, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, was beaten to death last year for advising against metaphysical practices is still fresh in everyone's mind.

Touching this taboo will result in either death or serious injury!

Etiquette is a matter of dignity, and the current emperor is extremely suspicious, so he also regards this matter as an important standard for measuring the loyalty of his subjects.

A court official was once penalized with a six-month salary deduction because the emperor considered it improper to turn around too quickly when leaving court.
A vice minister was once criticized for being negligent and demoted one rank because he was old and frail and could not walk slowly due to difficulty in walking.
An imperial censor was demoted to a local county magistrate because his memorial was written in illegible handwriting, which the emperor considered a great disrespect.

A minister was dismissed from his post for the same crime of disrespect, even though he was delayed on his journey and sent his congratulatory letter a day late.
Sneezing in front of the emperor is a breach of etiquette that the current emperor is quite concerned about.

In the eighteenth year of the Jiajing reign, which is two years ago, Jiang Yao, the Minister of Works, couldn't help but sneeze while presenting his report due to illness. The Emperor was furious and dismissed him from his post on the spot.

It is said that this behavior was not only improper, but also because the emperor believed that sneezing or coughing in front of him was "unlucky" and might harm his health.

In any case, Yan Maoqing's official career has definitely come to an end before it even began.

The only thing he can be thankful for now is that this taboo is not as fatal as imperial power and faith; at least it's not a matter of death or serious injury.

really.

"?"

Behind the gauze curtain, Emperor Jiajing, Zhu Houcong, frowned slightly.

Huang Jin, who was watching from the side, held his breath and began to think about whether he should still do what his master had told him last night, and whether he should pass it on to Yan Song after the ceremony.

Or should I be so bold as to confirm with my master one more time?
It's better to be annoyed by this master than to be blamed for doing something wrong...

As they spoke, Yan Maoqing had already reached the Emperor's presence. With a "plop," he slid to his knees, kowtowed deeply, and shouted loudly:
"Your subject, Yan Maoqing, is deeply grateful for the Emperor's grace and has been promoted to a high position. I am but a humble and ignorant subject, and I am not worthy of such an honor. I can only do my utmost to repay this great favor. I am filled with utmost respect and admiration for Your Majesty!"

Yo huh?!
The court officials and newly appointed scholars were greatly surprised, and their expressions changed slightly.

What does "拔置甲第" mean?
Isn't this a phrase only a newly crowned top scorer could use?
You, who ranked last among the top three, are only qualified to say the seven words "Your subject kneels to thank the Emperor for His grace." What virtue or ability do you have to dare to overstep your bounds like this?

Did they really save you for last so you could come up and give your acceptance speech?
(End of this chapter)