I trade in both worlds

Before we knew it, it was the twelfth year of Jingyuan.

The autumn breeze brings a refreshing coolness, and the Youzhou city in August is bustling with activity. Today is the day when the results of the scholar examination are announced, and the entire city seems to be immersed in an atmosphere of tension and expectation.

People were coming and going on the streets, talking about today's results.

Xu Jin and Xu Zhun, who were already fifteen years old, got up early, washed, changed into clean clothes, and gently knocked on the door of the next room.

Living next door are Li Wenyuan’s son Li Mufeng, Chen Zeyun’s second son Chen Xingrui, and Xu Qinglin’s second son Xu Weihao.

Xu Weihao and his brother Xu Weize, who was two years older than him, used to study together in a private school in the county. Later, the Xu family built a clan school, and Xu Weihao returned to the Xu clan school to study.

However, Xu Weize had no talent for studying and didn't like studying very much. Later, his uncle Xu Qingyuan introduced him to a job as an accountant in the provincial school.

At that time, Xu Qingyuan had already passed the imperial examination and was studying at the provincial school. He was noticed by his teacher and chosen to be his son-in-law. He also passed the imperial examination in the previous autumn and became a juren.

The group had a quick breakfast at the inn and were discussing when to go to see the list when Xu Qingyuan came hurriedly over. It was obvious that he had taken time out of his schedule to pick them up to go see the list.

Unfortunately, Xu Weize was unable to go with them because he was busy with the affairs of the provincial school and could not take leave at will.

"Uncle, you're here." Xu Weihao was the first to greet him, with a hint of excitement in his tone.

Xu Jin and Xu Zhun followed closely behind, calling out respectfully, "Brother Qingyuan."

Chen Xingrui and Li Mufeng smiled and called out in unison, "Uncle Qingyuan."

Xu Qingyuan smiled and nodded, his eyes swept across everyone's faces, praying in his heart that they could all achieve good results: "Let's go, let's go and check the list."

The group of people walked towards the place where the notice was posted, each with their own thoughts in their minds.

Although Xu Jin and Xu Zhun appeared calm on the surface, their hearts were in turmoil, filled with anticipation and nervousness.

Chen Xingrui looked eager to try, and he wanted to fly to the list immediately to see what was going on.

Li Mufeng seemed relatively indifferent, but the occasional flash of light in his eyes also revealed his inner fluctuations.

When I got to the list, I saw a huge crowd of people, so crowded that I couldn't get through. All kinds of discussions, cheers, and sighs intertwined together, forming a noisy ocean.

Chen Xingrui was impatient and tried to force his way in, but was stopped by Xu Jin.

"Brother Rui, don't push, let's go to the teahouse next door and sit for a while. Come back when there are fewer people around." Xu Jin suggested.

Perhaps because they have been exposed to more modern information, Xu Jin and Xu Zhun are always extra careful in crowded places, for fear that something unexpected might happen.

Even though he was anxious to know the result, nothing was more important than his own safety.

Chen Xingrui was somewhat reluctant, but was still stopped by Li Mufeng.

"Brother Rui, Xiao Jin is right. We don't need to rush." Li Mufeng's voice is always so calm and reassuring.

Li Mufeng didn't want to be squeezed into a mess.

Seeing this, Xu Qingyuan also smiled and said, "Let's go to the teahouse next door, have a cup of tea, and calm down. The list won't disappear, and we have plenty of time to read it."

So, the group turned around and walked into the teahouse next door. The environment inside the teahouse was elegant, and the fragrance of tea was everywhere, forming a sharp contrast with the hustle and bustle outside.

They found a seat by the window, ordered a pot of tea, and sipped it quietly.

Xu Jin picked up the teacup and took a sip, but his eyes involuntarily drifted to the window.

"Brother, what are you thinking about?" Xu Zhun gently touched his arm, breaking the silence.

Xu Jin came back to his senses, sighed softly, and said, "It's nothing, I'm just a little nervous."

Upon hearing this, Li Mufeng gently patted Xu Jin's shoulder and comforted her, "Xiao Jin, you don't have to be too nervous. With your talent, you will definitely be on the list."

Chen Xingrui also came over and said with a smile: "That's right, Xiaojin, you and Mufeng are the best in our clan school, how can you not be confident? I have full confidence in you."

Xu Weihao looked at them with envy and whispered, "I wish I could be like you. I'm lucky enough to pass the exam this time."

His grades were among the best in the clan school, but all the candidates taking the exam were top students, and his knowledge might not be good enough among this group of people.

Hearing this, Xu Qingyuan smiled and shook his head, saying, "Weihao, you don't have to belittle yourself. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. You just need to do your best and have a clear conscience."

Everyone nodded in agreement when they heard this. The atmosphere in the teahouse gradually became relaxed, and they began to talk about other topics.

After an unknown amount of time, the noise outside gradually died down.

Xu Jin stood up, glanced out the window, and said, "It's almost time, let's go check out the list."

Upon hearing this, everyone stood up and followed Xu Jin out of the teahouse.

When they came to the list again, they saw that most of the crowd had dispersed, with only a few people left checking the list. They squeezed to the front of the list, and their eyes were involuntarily fixed on the top of the list.

Xu Jin couldn't help but exclaimed: "Mu Feng, you are at the top of the list."

He turned to look at Li Mufeng, his eyes full of admiration.

Xu Zhun, who was standing by, could no longer contain himself and jumped up excitedly, holding Li Mufeng's arm tightly with both hands: "Ahhhhhh, Mufeng, you are at the top of the list again, you are the third place."

Chen Xingrui also came over. He pressed Li Mufeng's head hard. Although his action seemed rough, his eyes were full of joy and pride: "Mufeng, how come you are so awesome?"

Li Mufeng was surrounded by the crowd, with a shy smile on his face.

He didn't know how to respond to everyone's enthusiasm and congratulations, so he could only keep repeating: "Thank you, everyone. Thank you, everyone."

His gaze lingered on the top of the list for a moment, and an indescribable joy surged in his heart.

He has been firmly at the top of the list from the county examination, prefectural examination to the current academy examination. Only he himself knows the hardships and difficulties involved in this honor and effort.

Xu Weihao stood aside. Although he was not as excited as Xu Zhun, there was also a gleam in his eyes.

He patted Li Mufeng on the back: "Mufeng, congratulations."

Xu Qingyuan watched silently from the side, his eyes deep and complex.

Although he did not congratulate directly, his recognition and appreciation for Li Mufeng were clearly revealed in his tightly pursed lips and slightly upturned eyes.

"I won too." Xu Jin's excited voice suddenly rang out, breaking the brief silence.

Everyone turned their eyes to the list, and saw Xu Jin's name appeared in the eighth position.

His face was filled with unconcealable joy and pride, as if at this moment, all his efforts and hard work had been rewarded in the best possible way.