He would occasionally peek out the car window.

Han Zixuan rested her head on Shen Qingxi's shoulder.

Just as dawn was breaking, her father knocked on her door!

They urged her to get up quickly, and she kowtowed to her mother, offered incense, and prayed to the heavens.

Then they rushed someone to catch a carriage to see the results!

After all that commotion, Han Zixuan felt like she hadn't had enough sleep.

He could only lean on Shen Qingxi's shoulder to catch up on some sleep!

Outside, crowds had already gathered as the first rays of sunlight shone down on the earth.

Four yamen runners strode in from the examination hall.

Paste two red papers covered with names onto the notice board.

The crowd surged forward instantly. Some looked tense, their eyes fixed on the list, anxiously searching for their names.

Some looked anxious, with fine beads of sweat on their foreheads, and kept muttering to themselves.

"It has to go well!"

"My name! My name!" He searched intently back and forth on the list.

"Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, may the God of Literature appear and grant us your blessings."

Please bless me so I can pass the exam!

"..."

"Xuan'er is here! Quick, let's go see her!"

Han Zixuan then opened her sleepy eyes and looked outside, where the place was already packed with people.

The three of them got off the carriage together, and Han Zixuan turned to the two of them and said.

"There are too many people here, so please don't try to squeeze in."

Don't get pushed and fall!

Mr. Han hesitated, his eyes filled with anxiety, "But..."

“I know Father is anxious, but the list is already out, there’s no going back! Even if we had read it earlier, it wouldn’t have changed anything.”

Han Zixuan's explanation finally interrupted Han's father's thoughts.

He strode forward, where many people were looking at the list, some happy and some sad.

"I...I...have my name, ranked thirty-second! Mother...Mother...your child passed the exam!"

"Oh my god, my daughter passed the exam too! She passed! Thank God!"

"Oh no, why isn't my name on the list! Why didn't I pass again? I've taken the exam three times already!"

How am I supposed to explain this to myself when I get home... Waaah!

"Haha! Haha, my son has passed! He's a top scholar, and he'll become a bride!"

Han Zixuan squeezed to the back, looked at the list, and screened through them one by one from bottom to top.

Soon I saw a familiar name!

Ji Xiao, ranked 130th! Haha, this guy passed the exam! Even though his name isn't very high.

There are a total of 136 names on the list. Although he is at the very bottom, he is still a genuine student who has passed the preliminary examination!

As I continued scrolling up, I gradually came across several familiar names.

They were students from their Mingjing Hall. Han Zixuan kept looking up until she reached the third place, Liu Jingyao.

Startled, Liu Jingyao came in third place?

Looking further up, Zhuang Xinyan is second, and Han Zixuan is first!

Han Zixuan memorized the list and left the crowd, a smile involuntarily playing on her lips!

Heading in the direction of Han's father and Shen Qingxi!

Han's father and Shen Qingxi both dismounted and stood by the carriage.

With a face full of anxiety, she asked in a trembling voice, "Xuan...er...did you see it?"

"My lady... how is it? Is your name on the list?"

Han Zixuan said calmly, "You passed, top scorer in the county!"

Overjoyed, Han's father wept, grabbing Han Zixuan's sleeve. "Top scholar? Xuan'er is the top scholar!"

Han Zixuan nodded again in affirmation, and her father shouted, "Haha! My son is the top scholar! The top scholar!"

This shout immediately attracted the attention of a large group of people!

Several middle-aged men hurriedly walked towards them!

A kind-looking middle-aged man approached Han with a smile and started talking to her.

"Hey buddy, which school does your daughter attend?"

My daughter is also of school age. Since your daughter has achieved the highest score in the imperial examination, she must be exceptionally talented in literature.

Let's also absorb some of that literary air!

Before Han's father could answer, a tall, thin man approached from the side.

"It must be Zhiyuan Academy. They won the top spot in the previous few exams."

This year will definitely be the same, haha, our family secured a spot at Zhiyuan Academy a long time ago!

It cost nearly fifty taels of silver, but it was worth it. Who knows, our daughter might become a top scholar in the future!

He became more and more proud as he spoke, which made the people around him envious.

Mr. Han shook his head blankly. "My daughter studied at Mingjing Hall, not Zhiyuan Academy!"

And this fee only costs twelve taels, but you spent fifty taels...hehe."

They're probably just rich and foolish, and got scammed!

The tall, thin man froze for a moment upon hearing this, then exclaimed angrily, "Ah? Oh, so it's a shady academy!"

"No, I'm going to go find them and get my money back!" With that, he stormed off!

The remaining uncles surrounded Han's father to discuss parenting experiences.

"Hey buddy, what do you feed your kids every day? We'll learn how to make it for our own kids!"

Han's father responded with a smile, "If you didn't eat anything else, just eat more meat and drink more water."

Han Zixuan “…”

"Haha, yes, brother, this kid is really promising. You'll be enjoying a good life from now on!"

"Yes, yes, she's enjoying life now!"

"Hey, by the way, has your daughter gotten married yet? I have a son, he just turned eighteen this year!"

"Yes, yes, my son is also single! He's gentle, kind, and handsome."

"I'd be happy to be your second or third husband, even if it's not as your lord!"

"I have a son in my family who I can offer to your family as a husband!"

One by one, the middle-aged men started promoting their sons!

Han's father was instantly stunned and quickly cast a pleading look at Han Zixuan!

Han Zixuan quickly reached out and pulled her father back, then walked towards the carriage!

"Hey...hey, don't go! Could that be the top scholar?"

"Don't go, don't go! Let my daughter absorb some of the literary brilliance of the top scholar!"

While running, she grabbed the hand of a six or seven-year-old girl with a runny nose and lunged at Han Zixuan!

Han Zixuan quickly stepped back and led Shen Qingxi and Han's father into the carriage!

The uncle's actions caused a sensation among the crowd, who headed towards the carriage where Han Zixuan and the others were riding!

Han Zixuan frowned, "Liu Hua, hurry up and catch the carriage!"

Good grief, this is like the ancient Chinese story of catching a bride after passing the imperial examination!

The carriage sped away, finally shaking off the group of middle-aged men who were chasing it.

Han Zixuan turned around and saw Shen Qingxi's head hanging down!

Both hands were still stirring the ears of grain in their hands!

He thought to himself, "Qingxi must have heard what they were saying!"

He reached out and covered Shen Qingxi's fiddling fingers. Shen Qingxi turned around and their eyes met. Han Zixuan gave him a series of comforting looks!

Shen Qingxi slowly came to her senses, and just as she was about to speak, the carriage suddenly stopped!

Liu Hua's voice came through, "Mistress, there are your classmates outside!"

Han Zixuan frowned and pulled back the curtain, only to see the Ji family's carriage parked outside.

Han Zixuan jumped off the carriage, and Ji Xiao, looking uneasy, slowly got off the carriage!

Han Zixuan glanced in the direction Ji Xiao was heading and guessed that he must have gone to check the rankings!

But the man's expression was rather strange, and Ji Xiao asked expectantly.

"Zi...Xuan...did you pass the exam?"

Han Zixuan smiled and nodded. "You got it!"

"Haha, congratulations! I knew you'd win! Tell me your...what place you got!"

She looked at Han Zixuan with some anticipation; she was genuinely happy for her sister!

Han Zixuan raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Aren't you going to check the rankings too? Why don't you go and see for yourself!"

This guy is acting strangely today!

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