My name is Chang An, your name is Gu Li

Minister Chen was stunned for a moment, then said, "Of course."

"Marquis Dingkang's test paper is excellent. I just took a look at it. Whether it is the scripture or the composition, it is excellent and impeccable. And the current affairs policy essay is also impeccable, just like..."

"It's as if he came up with the idea himself."

Li Longji smiled and said, "Minister Chen, you don't know that these five essays on current affairs are all decisions made last year or the year before. And without exception, they are all solutions proposed by Marquis Dingkang."

Minister Chen finally understood. After all, he didn't know much about the previous events. But he still echoed Li Longji's words and said, "No wonder I felt so good after reading it. It turned out that it was all the plan of Marquis Dingkang."

"What do you think about the matter of deciding the top scholar, Minister Chen?"

"Since Your Majesty has spoken, I will do as you say." After Minister Chen finished speaking, he immediately understood what was going on.

The examination papers were generally set by the Ministry of Rites, and outsiders also believed that the Ministry of Rites was responsible for setting the examination papers. However, the current affairs questions were personally selected by Li Longji. The five current affairs questions this time were all about things that Chang An had solved, which meant:

This year's top scholar, no matter if it is Chang'an or not, he must be Chang'an!

Li Longji nodded and said, "When will you be able to grade all these papers?"

"Your Majesty, no later than noon tomorrow."

"In that case, there is no need to submit these test papers to me for review. After confirmation on February 2, the results can be announced publicly." After Li Longji finished speaking, he stood up and left.

After Li Longji left, the officials from the Ministry of Rites gathered around him. One of them said, "Does this year's exam paper count as favoritism on the part of Your Majesty?"

But when Minister Chen heard this, he patted him on the shoulder and said, "Don't mention this again."

Then, he picked up Chang'an's test paper and placed it in front of the stupid official, saying, "Even if you don't want to listen to what Your Majesty says, just take a look at this test paper and see if it's worthy of the top prize."

The official took the test paper, read it, and then shut up.

Minister Chen took the test paper back and said, "The test paper must be graded by noon tomorrow. Don't delay here."

......

On February 2nd, Chang An and Gu Li both knew that it was the day when the results would be announced, but Chang An, the person involved, seemed a little indifferent and changed Gu Li's clothes as usual.

Gu Li saw that Chang An was unusually quiet today, and thought that he was too nervous, so he reached out and pulled him, asking, "Is Chang Lang nervous?"

"Nervous?" Chang An raised his head and asked, "I'm not nervous."

"Today is the day when the results are announced. If Chang Lang doesn't get the top spot, it won't matter. At least he's on the list, and he's passed this spring's imperial examination." Gu Li thought Chang An was pretending to be calm, so he continued.

"Other families worry about whether they can make the exam, but why is it that Mrs. Gu is worried about whether she can become the top scorer?" Chang An found it a little funny after hearing what Gu Li said.

Gu Li was stunned for a moment, but soon came to his senses and realized that Chang An was making fun of him. He immediately pushed him lightly in shame and anger and said, "I... I don't want to care about Chang Lang yet."

"Okay, okay, even if the results are announced, what can I do? I still have to stay at home with Mother Gu, right?" Chang An put on Gu Li's shoes, then helped her get up and wash.

"Isn't Chang Lang going to see the list?" Gu Li was a little confused.

"No, let Sister Qi or Sister Qi go. They have good eyesight and can see from a distance." Chang An said.

"alright."

According to the announcement from the Ministry of Rites a few days ago, the results will be announced at 7:00 pm. So after washing up and feeding Gu Li medicine, Chang An ordered Chang Qi and Chang Qi to go out and check the results. But they didn't go far before they turned back. Chang An was a little confused:

"Didn't you just go out?"

Chang Qi then made room at the door and said, "Sir, Mr. Wang and Mr. Gao are here, and they want to take you to see the list."

Chang An raised his eyebrows, then looked over and found that Wang Wei and Gao Shi were indeed standing at the door.

"Brother Yonghe."

"Brother Mojie, Brother Gao."

"It's already this late, why don't you go and take a good seat and wait for the results to be announced, Brother Yonghe?" Wang Wei said with a smile.

Chang An shook his head and explained, "I'm at home taking care of Gu Niang, so I won't go in person. Anyway, if I win, I'll send the good news over. It doesn't matter whether I go or not."

"no the same!"

"Why is it different?!"

"This year, His Majesty has started the palace examination! All those who pass the exam must go to the emperor to take the palace examination and accept His Majesty's questions." Wang Wei said, "In other words, this year there will only be a palace examination, and no closed examination. If you, Brother Yonghe, are in the top three on the list, you will have to take part in the palace examination."

Chang An was stunned, and then Gao Shi also explained: "If you are the top scorer, you will go on a tour after the palace examination and receive congratulations from the people."

It seems like I have to go to this list today?

Chang An looked at Gu Li with concern at this time, and Gu Li smiled and said, "It's okay, Chang Lang, I will wait for Chang Lang at the door then."

So, with Gu Li's half-pushing and half-shoving, Chang An followed Wang Wei and Gao Shi and left. Gu Li felt empty in her heart. At this time, she saw Chang Qi and Chang Qi again, and said, "You should go with them, and take a look at the list. When you come back, tell your family about it."

"Yes, Sanniang."

......

Chang An, Wang Wei and Gao Shi came to the Imperial Examination Hall of the Ministry of Rites and gathered in front of the south wall like other candidates who arrived earlier. The yellow list was covered with a large piece of yellow cloth just like last year.

Li Weihao, who had been waiting here for a long time, saw Chang An and came over to greet him, "Marquis Dingkang."

Chang An nodded slightly at him, then asked, "How long will it take until the results are announced?"

"Let me see..." Li Weihao looked at the big incense sticks standing next to the list and said, "The incense is almost burned out, so the list will be announced soon, too. It will only take a cup of tea at most."

Chang An nodded, and then said: "I heard that we will take part in the palace examination after the results are announced."

"Yes, this year, everyone on the list will participate." Li Weihao nodded. "How does Marquis Dingkang think of this year's Spring Examination?"

"well enough."

Chang An showed an awkward but polite smile on his face. He couldn't tell the reason directly. Otherwise, he would be dragged out and beheaded in a few minutes.

Wang Wei said at this time: "I personally think that this year's champion must be Brother Yonghe."

"Brother Mojie, you think so too!"

At this time, Du Chengming's voice came over, saying, "This year's champion must be Brother Yonghe. During the Spring Examination, I was closest to the invigilator, and Brother Yonghe was always the first to hand in his paper every day."

Chang An smiled and nodded at Du Chengming, saying, "It seems that Brother Xingmei didn't take the exam seriously. He even knew that I handed in the paper early."

Du Chengming smiled and said, "It just so happens that I ran out of ink and was just grinding it when I saw it. What a coincidence, isn't it?"

After chatting for a while, they heard the sound of a bell, followed by the heavy sound of a yellow cloth falling to the ground.

"Open the list!"

All of a sudden, all the students' eyes turned to the yellow list. Chang Qi, who had been following Chang An silently, saw the first name on the list and immediately shouted excitedly:

"Son!"

"Young Master has won!"

"Young Master is the top scholar!"

Chang An was a little surprised at this time - I didn't see it myself, but you saw it?! At this time, Chang Qi also nodded and whispered: "Young Master is the top scholar..."

At this moment, Chang Qi suddenly thought of something and said, "Sister, go home first and inform the lady. I will protect the young master here."

Chang An was even more surprised at this time, so he pulled Chang Qi and asked, "No, why are you protecting me?"

"Catch the son-in-law!"

Chang Qi simply explained three words and then stood by Chang An's side. The person being protected was speechless at this time, but soon, several fat men with big bellies dressed in gorgeous clothes came over, with their hands and necks full of decorations.

"Zhuangyuanlang, I am..."

"I am..."

Chang An's eyes now turned into fear again, and he looked at Chang Qi. The latter's eyes were a little cold at this time, but those wealthy businessmen did not look at her.

"Sorry, my son is already married. Sorry."

Chang An looked around. Wang Wei and Gao Shishi had left, but he didn't know where they went. Li Weihao was also surrounded at this time, but there were no secret guards around him, so he was naturally entangled.

"What place does Mr. Li rank in?" Chang An asked curiously at this time.

"I wonder which Mr. Li you are talking about?" Chang Qi asked, watching the increasing number of wealthy businessmen around him who wanted to "catch a son-in-law from the list" with great vigilance.

"Li Weihao, it's just..."

"Second place." Chang Qi said, and then pulled Chang An back slightly.

Perhaps Li Weihao heard his own name, so he looked over and found that Chang An was the same as him - he was worthy of being the top scholar.

Gu Li was sitting in the room at this time, very nervous and expectant, looking at the open door from time to time. Soon, Chang Qi entered from the top of the door - yes, from the top.

"What's going on? Is Chang Lang on the list?" Gu Li didn't care about her rudeness at this time and asked directly.

“Top of the list.”

"Ranking..." Gu Li was stunned for a moment, and then carefully confirmed: "Top of the list? The real top of the list?"

Gu Li's expectant eyes were now cast on Chang Qi, who nodded in confirmation. Gu Li's eyes immediately changed from expectation to excitement, and he excitedly held Zhen'er's hand and said:

"Chang Lang is the top scholar!"