Today, at this time, the sky is slightly exposed, and the clouds gather on the horizon like a market, as if soaked in blood, showing a faint red color.
This scene seems to illuminate the way forward for these candidates from all over the world.
Today's candidates are all wearing red robes and red hats, standing at the palace gate and waiting.
Sun Junze, the eldest young master of Sun Mansion, who is now standing among the candidates, is confident about the palace examination but seems a little scared.
What she was afraid of was not that she failed in the palace examination, but that her young sister, whom she had grown up with, would marry someone she had never met and who was indifferent.
Sun Junze was seen with his head down, looking at the floor under his feet, feeling worried.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
Finally, several long and loud bells rang.
With the help of the guards in the palace, two red palace doors with royal power opened.
Revealing the magnificent palace, looking up, beams of golden light from the early morning sun shone in.
According to the rules of this dynasty, candidates participating in the palace examination will first undergo a series of ceremonies such as roll call, and then conduct the palace examination in the spacious venue in front of Ankang Hall.
Since the founding of the Mo Dynasty, the palace examination has been held in front of the Ankang Palace. If heavy rains and other factors affect the examination, it will be held in the Wenhua Palace.
Because the founding emperor of the Mo Dynasty loved the people very much, there was no difference between the royal family and the common people, except for their status, knowledge, and knowledge. This also reflects the founding emperor's concern and love for the people of the world.
"Your Majesty," an examiner said. Although he didn't ask the reason, his old eyes could see what it meant.
The emperor looked at it and immediately understood what he meant. He looked at the hundreds of candidates outside the Ankang Hall and announced: "The palace exam is about to begin!"
According to the rules of this dynasty, the imperial examination is conducted by the emperor, and two examiners are appointed to assist the emperor in issuing examination papers, collecting examination papers, and supervising the candidates' answers. At the same time, there are dozens of escort teams on both sides of the candidates, who are also responsible for supervising the candidates to prevent cheating.
After the examination papers were issued, Sun Junze, the eldest young master of the Sun Mansion, read them carefully, and sometimes moved his brush to write on the paper.
I saw that the handwriting was neat and sharp, neither fat nor thin, and had a bit of ambition.
Su Runchen, who was also a candidate for the palace examination, was completely opposite to Sun Junze.
Su Runchen sat like a prince and looked around every time he wrote a few words. Although he didn't see anything, this seemed to be Su Yunqi's favorite move.
In the examination room, the warm sunshine bathed every candidate, and the breeze blew from time to time, blowing away the hot sweat emitted by the candidates' nervousness.
Unconsciously, the sun has slipped to the west, and the afterglow shines on the candidates who are still answering questions.
Seeing that the time was almost up, the emperor yawned and spoke: "The time for the imperial examination has arrived!"
After the emperor finished speaking, the bell on the side rang.
I saw the two examiners walking out of Ankang Hall and putting away their answer sheets.
Seeing that the last trial of his life was over, Sun Junze let out a long sigh and walked out of the palace.
At this time, the streets and alleys were empty, and the streets had begun to become dark. Fortunately, there were red lanterns on both sides of the streets, making the road brighter.
"The young master is back!"
After seeing the figure of the eldest young master Sun Junze, the housekeeper Cen Sheng happily hurried to report the news to the master of the mansion.
After hearing this, Sun Junze's biological mother He hurriedly came out to greet her. The second lady Ma and Sun Yijin, as well as the second young master Sun Luolin, came out to greet her. Only Mr. Sun sat quietly on a wooden chair and ate a few pieces of vegetables.
"Junze, you're back." He walked over with a smile on his face.
With a smile on his face, Junze looked at his sister Yijin beside him and said confidently: "Don't worry, sister. I won't let you down."
Listening to Junze's words, the second lady Ma, who was standing next to Yijin, seemed to feel as if she had been saved and became happy at the same time.
"Junze, hurry up, wash your hands and have a meal." He said with a smile on his face.
"good."
While talking, Sun Junze hurriedly washed his hands, then sat at the dining table and started eating.
During the entire meal, Sun Junze did not mention anything about the imperial examination to his father, as if it never happened.
Even though the palace examination has not yet been announced, Mr. Sun seems to have made a decision in his mind. During the meal, not a word was spoken.
The next day...
The sky was gray, and it rained occasionally, but it didn't seem to affect Su Yunqi's progress.
With the beard on his face, you can see how majestic he is even sitting in the sedan chair.
"Eunuch Li, please inform the emperor that I have an important meeting." Su Yunqi said to the eunuch Li Zi in front of the Wind and Rain Pavilion.
"Okay, I will report this to the emperor." After saying that, the eunuch walked towards the Wind and Rain Pavilion.
"Your Majesty, Su Shangshu is outside the pavilion asking for an audience."
After hearing this, the emperor put down his imperial pen and looked at the eunuch Li Zi with a handsome face: "Xuan!"
"Su Shangshu, the emperor invites you."
After hearing this, Su Yunqi walked into the Wind and Rain Pavilion with heavy steps.
"Give Su Aiqing a seat!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Su Aiqing came to see me this time, why is it so important?" the emperor asked.
"Your Majesty, I do have something to do." After saying this, Su Yunqi stopped and stopped talking.
The emperor immediately understood Su Yunqi's intention, looked at the servants in the pavilion, and ordered: "Everyone, please go down."
"yes."
After these people left, Su Yun stood up, walked to the emperor's side, and whispered without fear.
I saw that the aloof emperor did not rebuke Su Yunqi's words and deeds, but instead paid no attention to him and listened to Su Yunqi's words attentively.
But what exactly was said, no one knows.
"I understand. It's getting late. My dear, please go back." The emperor smiled slightly and said,
"Yes. I take my leave." After saying that, Su Yunqi made a farewell ceremony and left in a hurry.
The emperor looked at the memorial in front of him and stopped writing for a moment. He thought quietly for a long time before continuing to review the memorial.
Finally, on May 12th, the rankings were finally opened. . .
"Cen Duan is the top pick this time, Ren Huairen is the second pick, and Su Runchen is the top pick." After reading out the top three, the examiner who was previously in charge of the palace examination continued to read out the list of the middle palace examination.
Listen, just when Sun Junze of the Sun Mansion thought he was on the list, an accident happened. Not only was he not on the list, but Sun Runchen of the Su Mansion, who was worse than him, got the top spot. This made Sun Junze feel very sad. It's dissatisfaction.
Seeing the top three people happily walking up to the Ankang Hall to accept the official title awarding ceremony, Sun Junze hated himself very much.
"This time, Cen Duan, the number one winner, serves as the editor of the Hanlin Academy, while Ren Huairen, the second best candidate, and Su Runchen, the top pick, serve as editors of the Hanlin Academy."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" said several of them.
After the announcement, there was a bustling scene in the streets and alleys, everyone was celebrating, but Sun Junze had no interest in seeing them.
Walking on the street, head lowered, walking in an unknown direction without saying a word.
Suddenly, Sun Junze accidentally bumped into a passerby.
I saw passers-by even scolding me: "Why are you walking without looking at people?"
After seeing him, Sun Junze came back to his senses and apologized quickly: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Fortunately, this passerby was reasonable and did not continue to have anything to do with Junze.
Junze went all the way and unknowingly came to a stone arch bridge in Yanyang City.
This stone arch bridge is at least hundreds of years old, but it has not lost its original temperament. Although the bridge is small, it is also an important traffic thoroughfare for people passing by. For the people living in Yanyang City, this stone arch bridge already has feelings for them.
At this time, a breeze blew over, blowing past Sun Junze's white lower skirt with green bamboo paintings, and blew past the willow tree with green branches nearby.
Sun Junze seemed to have felt despair on his face and eyes. As he was thinking about it, Junze's hand suddenly hit the pillar beside him.
When the people passing by saw him, they all hid far away.
"Come on, come on, this man is crazy." A woman hurriedly protected her child after seeing him.
Among the people coming and going, no one came forward to comfort him, and even treated Sun Junze as a lunatic.
While Sun Junze was still puzzled and searching for the reason, it was getting dark.
At this time, he wanted to go home but was afraid of going home. He was at a loss for a long time.
"Young Master!"
"Young Master!"
A familiar voice rang in Sun Junze's ears.
"Master, why are you here?" asked Xiaolian, the maid of Sun Mansion's eldest lady.
"Who asked you to come to me?" Junze seemed to vent his anger on the maid Xiaolian.
"Master and Madam, it seems that it is getting dark, and the young master has not returned home yet. No, the madam just ordered the slaves to come out to find you, the young master." Xiao Lian said.
After hearing this, Junze's tears welled up in his eyes, and he smashed his white and tender hands towards the stone pillars!
Xiao Lian was so frightened that she hurriedly persuaded the young master: "Master, it's okay, it's okay! Master and madam don't blame the young master! Don't hurt yourself, the young master's hands are all bloody."
After Xiaolian persuaded him, Junze's hand stopped, and the tears in his eyes couldn't stop flowing down.
"Tell me, we have been studying hard for decades in Hanchuang. Why do others get to the top of the list easily, but I turn a blind eye to all my years of hard work? Where did it go?!" Junze complained and shed tears.
"Master, if you don't make it, you can come again next time. You don't have to do this!" Xiao Lian said.
"No, you don't understand. The imperial examination can come again, but Yijin's life cannot come again! I'm so useless!" After saying that, Junze smashed his hand against the stone pillar again.
"Master, please don't be sad. If you are sad, this servant will be sad too." Xiao Lian sympathized.
After saying that, Junze sat on the stone ridge and burst into tears.
