During the roll call, on the viewing platform outside Chongzheng Hall, all the officials from Queen Cao on down were silent and held their breath like the scholars in the square.
Due to the presence of Sheng Changbai and Wei Chen, everyone in the Sheng family seemed particularly nervous, looking worriedly at the square.
"God bless me for six years, and I will be ranked first in the first class..."
The long-drawn shouts of the official were heard from the palace to the viewing platform. Empress Cao, as well as Mrs. Xue, the wife of Mr. Lu, who was sitting not far from Empress Cao, all unconsciously looked at everyone in the Sheng family.
At this time, Mrs. Sheng silently closed her eyes, Wang Ruofu clasped his hands and prayed, and Mo Lan had nothing to do with him and hung up.
Sisters Rulan and Minglan, with their hearts in their throats, held each other's hands tightly, cheering each other on.
"..., the first place in the first class, Youyang Weichen!"
"Yes..., yes...! Sister, listen!" Ru Lan excitedly took Minglan's hand. Although she never said the name, Minglan already understood it and was equally excited in her heart.
There was some surprise in Wang Ruofu's eyes, and Mrs. Sheng also breathed a sigh of relief. But when she turned around and saw the two granddaughters holding hands and looking happy, her mood couldn't help but be a little complicated.
At this time, Empress Cao, who was leaning on the phoenix throne, smiled and said: "I didn't expect that the number one scholar in this subject would be a young man. I heard that Wei Chen is fifteen years old. Have we ever had such an old man in Zhou Dynasty?" Number one scholar?"
Mrs. Chen of Han Zhang on the side said: "Reporting to the Queen, our officials in the Zhou dynasty are all people who love and cherish talents. We most like to choose the young man as the number one scholar, but he is not as powerful as the weak crown and the world leader. This Wei Chen is still the number one." one person."
"For Wei Chen, this is just the icing on the cake." Mrs. Xue, the wife of Mr. Lu, reminded: "Have you forgotten that this Wei Chen is the first person in thousands of years to win six yuan in a row!"
"That's right. Winning six yuan in a row at the age of fifteen can be said to shock the past and the present. What an honor! I'm afraid that even if another thousand years pass, there won't be another Wei Chen!"
After Mrs.
At this time, I saw an upright young man stepping out from the crowd and walking alone on the royal road.
Princess Yong couldn't help but her eyes lit up when she saw him, and she said with a smile: "You are so majestic, you are really a handsome gentleman."
Empress Cao frowned slightly when she heard this, but she still smiled and said: "The official family is not like us women who only know how to judge people by their appearance. Since I selected this person as the number one scholar, I think he must be outstanding."
Mrs. Xue, Mrs. Lu Laoshangshu, said: "The Empress is right, the imperial examination is a national ceremony for promoting talents. People who are not talented, academic and moral cannot come here."
"Mr. Xue's words are very true." Empress Cao turned her face sideways, smiled and nodded to Mr.
Princess Yong knew she had said the wrong thing, so she quickly closed her mouth, bowed, and retreated to the side in embarrassment.
Queen Cao glanced at Princess Yong and couldn't help but shake her head slightly. However, she quickly turned her attention to Wei Chen in front of Chongzheng Hall.
After staring for a long time, Empress Cao suddenly sighed softly and looked around: "Liu Yuanlang is so young, he doesn't know whether to get married or not?"
As soon as Queen Cao said this, Feng'er on the viewing platform seemed to freeze for a moment, and the officials on the left and right were silent, trying to figure out the intention of Queen Cao's words.
Seeing that the thoughts of all the ladies of the wealthy families were all aroused, Mrs. Sheng couldn't help but look solemnly, while Wang Ruofu's heart suddenly sank.
Could it be that the Empress wanted to personally tell Wei Chen whether the marriage was possible? If this is true, what about the marriage between Wei Chen and the Sheng family?
…
"..., Youyang Weichen!"
Wei Chen seemed to have his ears broken by the high-pitched shouts of the messenger, his head was buzzing, and he was stunned in place.
At this moment, Wei Chen felt that everyone's eyes were on him, with envy, jealousy, admiration, wonder, relief...
Sheng Changbai, who was behind him, quietly poked him and whispered: "Hurry up, Wei Liushou!"
Only then did Wei Chen come back to his senses and almost subconsciously moved from where he was before to the royal road.
Fortunately, the official of Honglu Temple who was in charge of guiding was already used to this kind of scene, so he smiled kindly and said: "Master Zhuangyuan, please follow me."
Under the guidance of officials from Honglu Temple, Wei Chen came to a place on the royal road and stood still.
Wei Chen noticed that the imperial stone under his feet was different from other places. This stone was carved with a giant turtle with a dragon head and a turtle body, and his feet happened to be on the turtle's head.
This is the so-called dominance.
Wei Chen took a deep breath, looked at the white marble steps leading up to Chongzheng Hall, then raised his hands above his head and bowed to Chongzheng Hall.
After straightening up, Wei Chen lifted his robe with his right hand, climbed up the steps, and boarded the platform. Chongzheng Hall was in front of him.
The central door of the magnificent Chongzheng Hall is wide open, and the musicians on both sides of the hall are playing the chimes, which is as sweet as the sound of Sanskrit singing.
Wei Chen stopped in front of the palace door, bowed his head towards the palace, then looked straight at the throne, cupped his hands and pushed them flatly in front of his chest, and walked into the palace.
In the hall, countless long-bright lamps and candles were hung on the pillars, and the hall was full of purple and purple floating in the light of the candles. People lined up on the left and right, either pinching their beards and smiling, or standing solemnly, all turning sideways to greet each other with eyes.
Behind him, the sun passed over the golden palace, and the clouds on the sky looked like the sea. At this moment, Wei Chen's agitated mood suddenly calmed down, and his steps to the palace became more and more leisurely.
Seeing this, many officials in the palace sincerely praised: "You are truly worthy of being a Liuyuan Lang. The more important events come, the more calm you become, just like strolling in the courtyard."
At this time, the roll call outside the hall continued.
"In the sixth year of God's blessing, Li Zuochang ranked second in the first grade of Jinshi!"
"In the sixth year of God's blessing, Cai Xuan ranks third in the first grade of Jinshi!"
"In the sixth year of God's blessing, Sheng Changbai ranks first in the second class of Jinshi!"
…
"In the sixth year of God's blessing, Wang Yaochen ranks ninth among the top two Jinshi!"
…
"In the sixth year of God's blessing, Weng Dingfan is ranked 18th among the top two Jinshi!"
…
"In the sixth year of God's blessing, Tao Dazhi is ranked 36th among the top two Jinshi!"
…
"In the sixth year of God's blessing, the 112th among the top two Jinshi, Tang Henian!"
…
"In the sixth year of God's blessing, Chen Jun ranks 16th among the top three Jinshi!"
…
The roll call of the three hundred new scholars was completed one after another, and only those in the top ten were eligible to enter the palace.
In the Chongzheng Hall, Wei Chen, the number one scholar, stood at the head, followed by Li Zuochang, Tanhua Cai Xuan, and then Sheng Changbai and seven others.
Although Sheng Changbai regretted not being in the top three, he was number one in the second top, also known as "Chuanlu", and he was equally glorious.
It's a pity that Wang Yaochen was only ninth among the top two in this palace examination, not among the top ten.
In the melodious sound of palace music, the new scholars, led by the number one scholar Wei Chen, paid homage to the throne together.
After everyone had finished the ceremony, a chamberlain beside the throne sang loudly: "Your Majesty has a decree to give the new scholar the robe and scepter!"
Immediately, Wei Chen was taken to the corridor by the chamberlain, and then a group of palace ladies came out, surrounded Wei Chen, and touched him from head to toe.
When the palace is measured to select robes, this is a preferential treatment only given by Sandingjia. The other new scholars can only wear what they want.
But for Wei Chen, the feeling of being touched here and there was too shameful, so he didn't want this kind of preferential treatment.
Not long after, a palace maid brought a pale yellow silk shirt and a brand new green Luo official uniform to change Wei Chen's clothes.
The new scholars put on green robes and took white slips to pay homage to the imperial hut. The atmosphere suddenly changed, and every face was beaming with joy.
Wei Chen and Sheng Changbai, who were all dressed up, looked at each other and couldn't help but smile at each other.
We have been close friends for many years. Today, we are not only on the same list, but also included in the top ten. The Golden Palace gave us the first place. What an honor it is.
"I've seen Wei Liu's song."
Sheng Changbai bowed to Wei Chen.
Wei Chen smiled and said, "Zecheng, when you and I first met in Youyang, did you ever think about today?"
Recalling the past, Sheng Changbai couldn't help but choke up. He didn't know what to say for a moment, so he punched Wei Chen lightly on the shoulder.
it is more than words.