My husband is pure and has few desires, but I gave birth to three children in a row

After leaving the Baohe Hall, although everyone still didn't dare to make loud noises, they all whispered to each other.

Several candidates who were sitting next to Fu Zhiyi patted him on the shoulder and said, "Brother Fu, you are really patient."

Fu Zhiyi smiled wryly, "You all may think I look calm, but the truth is, my clothes on my back are all soaked."

This remark resonated with everyone: "Exactly, my legs are still shaking right now!"

Some also said: "My heart is still beating fast."

Everyone looked at each other, feeling a sense of sympathy.

But after all, they were still in the palace, so they just whispered a few words and then stopped talking, not daring to speak again.

After following the officials from the Ministry of Rites in silence and leaving the palace, everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Finally it’s figured out.

Everyone finally relaxed. After all, the palace examination was over and all that was left was to wait.

Many people make appointments to go to teahouses or restaurants to have a drink together and keep in touch with each other.

After all, if nothing unexpected happens, we will all be brothers studying in the same subject under the same teacher in the future.

In official circles, this kind of relationship is the most powerful and reliable alliance besides family.

Someone also invited Fu Zhiyi to an appointment, but Fu Zhiyi found an excuse to turn it down. However, he also sincerely said that he would treat everyone to a gathering after the results were announced.

Everyone just smiled, made an agreement, and went their separate ways.

At this moment, in the hall.

The emperor was flipping through the test papers of the candidates, which were marked on the spot by the grading ministers and then presented to the emperor.

Those who can reach the palace examination are basically not that bad.

Of course, there are also some that are exceptionally outstanding.

The examiner picked out several papers with neat and clean pages, good handwriting and remarkable essays, and presented them to the emperor separately.

These are the top few test takers they picked out.

If nothing unexpected happens, the top three candidates will be selected from these test papers.

After the emperor looked through them carefully, he picked out four test papers but did not decide on the rankings.

Instead, he first asked the ministers: "My dear ministers, please tell me your opinions first."

The minister who was reviewing the papers looked at the emperor cautiously before saying, "In our opinion, Yang Zhaohe of Gusu, Nie Xiyuan of Cangzhou, Fu Zhiyi of the capital, and Zhang Qiming of Rongzhou are all rare talents. Regarding policy essays, Fu Zhiyi of the capital is superior, while Yang Zhaohe and Nie Xiyuan are better at classics and history."

"I dare not make any rash comments. I beg your majesty to make your own decision!"

The emperor knocked on the table with a half-smile: "Old sly fellow——"

Then he called out the name: "Lan Qing, you go."

Minister Lan had been hiding in the back, but now that the emperor had called his name, he had no choice but to step forward. He bowed before slowly saying, "The four men we have selected are all quite talented and on par with each other. Whatever your majesty decides, it will be their blessing."

Refuse to stand out.

The emperor laughed. "Really? Is there your nephew and son-in-law here? Wouldn't you say a few good words for him? Let him become the top scholar?"

Minister Lan's eyelids twitched, but his face remained righteous and dignified. "From your perspective, the imperial examinations are meant to select talents for the court and your majesty. They concern the country and its people, and can only be chosen by your majesty. No one else can interfere! And there's no reason to show favoritism just because you're related to an official."

"Personally, he is my nephew and son-in-law, and I know a thing or two about his talent and learning. Since he has caught Your Majesty's eye, he must have two redeeming qualities. Regardless of where Your Majesty chooses him, he is fortunate to be able to serve Your Majesty."

When these words were spoken, several ministers who were examining the papers nearby could not help but look sideways.

Minister Lan is an old fox, and he is good at talking. After what he said, can the emperor really put his nephew at the back?

He also helped his nephew to show his presence in front of the emperor and express his loyalty.

Isn't this just registering in front of the emperor?

Cunning, really very cunning!

The emperor laughed. "Lan Qing, you and the Princess of Le'an are indeed father and daughter! You speak exactly the same way!"

Upon hearing this, before Minister Lan could say anything, the ministers who were examining the papers next to him exchanged glances.

I almost forgot, Minister Lan's adopted daughter is now the Princess of Le'an County! Just one word from her made Princess Deqing give up all her power. She is also a powerful figure!

Even for the sake of the Princess of Le'an County, Fu Zhiyi's ranking would probably not be low.

Sure enough, the emperor pondered for a moment and selected Zhang Qiming of Rongzhou as the top scorer, Nie Xiyuan of Cangzhou as the second place, Fu Zhiyi as the third place, and Yang Zhaohe of Suzhou as the third place.

He smiled and said, "Fu Zhiyi's essay is quite good. Logically, he should be named the top scholar. However, I see that he has an elegant demeanor and an extraordinary appearance. No one in this subject can surpass him, so I will select him as the third place!"

No one had any objection to what the emperor said.

After all, anyone can see that among the selected few, Fu Zhiyi has the best appearance and is also one of the best among the Jinshi in this subject.

Being selected as the third place is well deserved.

After all, the top scholar is over thirty years old and is big and strong. He doesn't look like a scholar, but more like a martial arts champion.

The runner-up is not young anymore, and his facial features can barely be considered regular.

Even the ministers who were at odds with Minister Lan and the Ningping Marquisate could not utter a word to refute.

The emperor only selected these four, and the rest were ranked according to the quality of their test papers by the ministers who graded the papers.

After the list is finalized, it will be recorded on a list by the Ministry of Rites and hung at the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall two days later to announce it to the world.

During these two days, everyone was worried until the day of the results announcement.

Early in the morning, the marquis's mansion sent people to guard the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall to check the list.

Most of the students were crowding at the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall, waiting for the results to be announced.

When the time came, a yellow list almost as big as a wall was posted.

Everyone was very excited and crowded forward to see if they were on the list.

The one who came to the Marquis' Mansion to look at the list was Daman. He was extremely confident in his own Fourth Master, and did not look at the list from the last place like others.

Instead, start from the top and the third one is his fourth master, Fu Zhiyi.

Suddenly ecstatic.

He squeezed out of the crowd, mounted his horse and rushed home to report the good news.

He galloped all the way to the gate of the marquis's mansion, jumped off his horse, threw the whip in his hand to the doorman, and ran inside.

While running, he shouted: "Fourth Master won! Fourth Master won the third place--"

It is true that the voice arrives before the person arrives.

Everyone was waiting for news in Ruixuan Hall early in the morning.

Hearing the noise from afar, everyone couldn't help but stand up from their chairs and look towards the yard door.

Daman ran, sweating profusely, and stumbled to the door. "Old Marquis, Old Madam, our Fourth Master has won! He's the third place winner!"