The wives of the concubines are empresses

Shangguan Wanjun took the initiative to serve two bowls of soup and placed them in front of the two of them.

"Have a bowl of red date and wolfberry chicken soup or perilla water to quench your thirst."

Concubine Wu - Xuanchuan Feng picked up the drink glass and looked at the exquisite rabbit glass cup, and smiled lightly.

"Your Highness, please try the perilla water first. It should be better for quenching your thirst."

Shangguan Wanjun smiled softly and nodded: "Okay."

Seeing how harmoniously the empress and the concubines got along with each other, the scholars marveled at the emperor's personal charm.

On the second day, the top three candidates in the imperial examination had all come out. The eunuchs who announced the imperial edicts and the officials from the Ministry of Rites took out the palace with three bright yellow imperial edicts. The imperial edicts for other Jinshi candidates were also taken out of the palace by the eunuchs and officials from the Ministry of Rites to announce the edicts.

Sun Yufei had just washed and changed his clothes, opened the door and was about to go downstairs when a eunuch dressed as a servant came up from the first floor, followed by officials in official uniforms and guards in uniform and majestic manner.

"Where is Sun Yufei?"

The shopkeeper was stunned. Could it be that one of the students in their shop passed the exam?

Sun Yufei was not surprised at all when he heard his name, and his face remained calm and composed.

"That's right."

The eunuch who announced the decree looked at the person who was speaking and nodded slightly at the scholarly look on his face.

"Sun Yufei, please accept the order."

Sun Yufei thought about the requirements of the imperial edict and that he should set up an incense table, but the eunuch did not mention it at all. Could there be some mystery?

"The emperor said that there is no need to set up an incense table today. Just listen to his orders." The eunuch who announced the decree raised his head proudly.

"Yes." Sun Yufei lifted his robe and knelt down.

"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Candidate Sun Yufei is erudite and talented, having achieved the highest score on the imperial examination. This decree is hereby issued to the entire nation for celebration. He is specially appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, with the rank of Sixth. This is my decree!"

The result was as expected, and Sun Yufei himself was very calm.

The eunuch announcing the decree said cheerfully, "Top Scholar, please accept the decree."

As the first number one scholar in the empress's reign, the eunuch who announced the imperial decree still respected him very much.

Sun Yufei said respectfully: "Your servant Sun Yufei thanks the Lord for His grace!"

He presented it with both hands, and the eunuch who announced the imperial edict put it on the table, and began to speak pleasant words.

"Congratulations to the number one scholar, congratulations to the number one scholar, and I wish you continued success."

Sun Yufei stood up and thanked him politely: "Thank you, eunuch."

He knew a little about how to deal with people, so he took out some of his own change and handed it directly to the eunuch who announced the imperial decree.

"Thank you for making this trip, father-in-law. I'll share in the good fortune."

The eunuch announcing the imperial decree took it cheerfully and said, "Thank you, number one scholar! Please pack your things quickly and come with me to the palace to see the emperor. The emperor is waiting."

Sun Yufei nodded slightly: "Okay, please wait a moment, Sun will be back soon."

It would be better for him to keep a low profile since he has not officially taken office yet.

Shangguan Wanjun in the palace is wearing a bright yellow dragon and phoenix robe today, with dragon and phoenix hairpins on her head, and a bright yellow peony flower in the middle of her hair. Only the female emperor Shangguan Wanjun can wear such a combination.

Before her, there had never been a dragon hairpin step-shake, nor had anyone worn both a dragon hairpin step-shake and a phoenix hairpin step-shake at the same time, nor had there been the noble peony, the king of flowers.

On her slender wrist was a round green jade bracelet, on her right thumb was a round green jade ring, and on her left ring finger was a butterfly that looked lifelike.

Led by the eunuchs, the newly crowned top three scholars walked into the imperial study. Seeing the empress who was dressed in a majestic, noble, gentle and dignified manner, the three of them bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty, I, Sun Yufei, greet you. May your Majesty be well!"

"Your Majesty, I, Zhang Zhengyang, greet you. May your Majesty be well!"

"Your Majesty, I, Liu Qingshu, greet you. May your Majesty be well!"

Shangguan Wanjun raised her jade hand slightly and looked at the three people calmly and calmly.

"No courtesy, please sit down!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the seat!"

"Sun Zhuangyuan, Liu Bangyan, and Zhang Tanhua are all the first newly promoted talents of this dynasty. They should serve their officials well in the future. Although compiling and editing books is not the most important task for the country, it is indispensable and still very important. I hope everyone will treat them well. I will check on them from time to time."

The three of them nodded slightly: "Yes, Your Majesty, we obey your command."

At Shangguan Wanjun's signal, Minglan walked towards the three people. Liu Cheng helped her stand up and walked in front of the three people.

"There is no precedent in our dynasty for giving flowers to the top three candidates in the imperial examination. I will be the first to do so."

The three of them had already stood up when she came over. After hearing the empress's words, they were shocked and deeply moved. This showed that the empress had high hopes for and valued them.

Shangguan Wanjun took an orchid from the tray and put it in Sun Yufei's hair.

"The orchid symbolizes talent and learning, and it also reflects my recognition of you, my beloved. Known as the most noble of flowers and the most fragrant in the world, it symbolizes noble and elegant character. I think it suits you very well."

There were no orchids in early summer, but two of them happened to bloom in her dragon bedroom.

Sun Yufei bowed and said, "I thank Your Majesty for the flowers. I will live up to Your Majesty's expectations and trust."

The second runner-up, Liu Qingxue, had a light pink peony flower pinned in his hair by Shangguan Wanjun.

"The peony is the king of all flowers, beloved by scholars and ladies alike. I have specially had one of its best blossoms found for you to wear as your hairpin, wishing you continued success."

Liu Qingxue bowed and said, "I thank the emperor for the flowers and for his kind words of blessing."

When it was Zhang Zhengyang's turn, he was also a little nervous.

Shangguan Wanjun personally pinned a gardenia on his hair: "This gardenia blooms in summer, symbolizing the strength and perseverance required to face the hardships of life. It also symbolizes enduring love and a promise of eternal hope. I hope you will fulfill your duties as a subject, love your country and your people, and share the worries of the emperor and the people."

Zhang Zhengyang bowed and said, "I will obey your order and fulfill the agreement between you and the emperor."

Shangguan Wanjun turned and walked towards her dragon throne, stroked her dress and sat down.

"Go, the first No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 scholars of this dynasty! Parade through the Imperial Street and let all the students in the world see your high-spirited and graceful demeanor."

The three men bowed and took their leave, changed into custom-made red robes and hats with palace flowers, rode tall and fine horses, and walked through the Imperial Street of the Imperial City to accept congratulations from the people. Because they were carrying out the emperor's imperial edict, no matter who the official was, upon learning that they were being praised, they had to kneel down to greet him, kowtow to the imperial edict, and shout "Long live the emperor."

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

People from all over gathered to watch, and both sides of the street were filled with enthusiastic and excited people watching the fun.

"Look at this year's top three scholars, all of them are handsome men."

"This year's top three candidates are all quite handsome."

"you do not say."

The surroundings were filled with the sounds of people discussing and talking.

The second and third floors of many restaurants have been booked long ago, and many beautiful ladies and talented men are standing by the windows. Some bold ladies even throw down their purses and handkerchiefs, hoping that someone will accept them.

Some people even threw peanuts, corn kernels, wolfberries and red dates to share in the joy.

A soybean was thrown directly into Sun Yufei's mouth. In fact, he was talking to Zhang Zhengyang next to him, but he got hit.

"Brother Sun, what's wrong with you?"

Sun Yufei waved his hands helplessly: "A soybean went into my mouth."

Hearing this, Zhang Zhengyang and Liu Qingxue laughed heartily, their laughter as bright as the sun in the sky.