Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Your Majesty has a reason to marry the princess to him!

The news of Xu Ming winning the top place swept through the entire imperial capital.

Compared to the last time Xu Pengda got first place, this time Xu Ming’s achievement was absolutely maxed out.

The number of participants in this year’s Child Examination set a new record for the Wu Kingdom. Some were already famous talents but couldn’t participate in the official exams.

Under such circumstances, Xu Ming still stood out and came in first, the difficulty of which was unimaginable.

The officials responsible for hosting this year’s Child Examination were worried about public criticism and requested that Xu Ming’s test papers be made public.

Emperor Wu naturally agreed, directly having Xu Ming’s test papers appear on the weekly gazette, rewarding him with golden writing tools.

It was also on this day, after Xu Ming passed the examination, that another string of words popped up in his mind—

But due to Xu Ming’s status as a secondary son in the past, the rewards were kept restrained.

However, it makes sense; the difficulties were not even on the same level.

Not really, can you at least pass the Jinshi exam first?

Emperor Wu waved his hand, “Since he wants to join the military, I must give him enough room to perform his best!”

Even Emperor Wu sent Eunuch Wei secretly to the Xu residence, asking if Xu Ming encountered any unpleasant matters.

It was only then that Xu Ming and Xu Pengda learned they had passed the examination, ranking first and second respectively.

The Xu family monopolized the top two places in the Village Examination, making people doubt if they were hallucinating.

Xu Ming became the youngest scholar in the Wu Kingdom’s 250-year history!

Xu Ming and Xu Pengda were playing Go in the courtyard when Chun Yan rushed over, saying someone from the palace had come to deliver an imperial decree.

During this time, Xu Ming vaguely sensed one of the effects of Righteous Aura—it made his writing divine-like, allowed faster learning of ancient classics, and even promoted lateral thinking.

A Top Scholar!

Perhaps even a consecutive top scholar!

But when the results of the Village Examination were announced, everyone standing before the notice board remained stunned for a long time.

At the very top of the list—

This is normal; after all, he is still young, without any factions, and perhaps in Emperor Wu’s view, without a formed worldview.

Eunuch Wei’s expression was complicated, unsure what to say, but could only return and report.

The literary circle of the Wu Kingdom might create new history with you!

If he participates in the Assembly Examination and Hall Examination next and wins both, achieving consecutive top scholar honors, it would be unimaginable.

Hearing Wei Xun’s reply, Emperor Wu felt regretful but liked it even more!

Everyone thought Xu Ming would participate.

[Top Scholar—Xu Ming]

This time Emperor Wu’s reward to Xu Ming did not exceed the specifications.

Joining the military?!

Despite the Wu Kingdom being established on martial principles, such a thing was unprecedented.

The following year after the Village Examination will be the Assembly Examination and Hall Examination.

Can you pass Tsinghua University first?

Everyone could see that even though Emperor Wu hadn’t met Xu Ming yet, the favor bestowed upon him was immense.

In the blink of an eye, Xu Ming had been in this world for ten years, participating in the Village Examination alongside Xu Pengda.

“Isn’t it lovable?” Emperor Wu satisfactorily put down the report, “But this is good too; a man should have spirit. Let him enter the Blood Floating Pagoda.”

Now the issue of being a secondary son is no longer a problem. This time, rewarding him with the golden writing brush was to make up for the past, so there wasn’t much talk.

However, just when the officials went to the Xu residence to record Xu Ming and Xu Pengda’s information for next year’s Assembly Examination, a message came:

Xu Ming postponed entering the records and wouldn’t participate in next year’s Assembly Examination.

The Golden Writing Brush was commonly used by the first student admitted to the White Deer Academy in the Wu Kingdom. Though it wasn’t a heavenly treasure, its significance outweighed some heavenly treasures.

Xu Ming gave a grandiose reason: “The Wu Kingdom was established on martial principles. Lord Xu fought tirelessly throughout his life, and I wish to take him as my role model.”

However, Xu Ming promised he would participate in the next Assembly Examination five years later.

And below Xu Ming’s name was another person from the Xu residence.

Third Master of the Xu Family—Xu Pengda.

We’ll handle it for you.

Subtly expressing “If you have any discomfort, tell us, and we’ll resolve it for you!” “We were indeed somewhat cold towards you before, but the past is the past, and now is now.” “You’re our treasure now, and we’ll fulfill all your needs!”

Unlike Fan Jin, Xu Ming believed that passing once would be enough.

Speak up if anything bothers you.

Although Xu Ming was talented and a prodigy,

Xu Ming had already become a Top Scholar.

How many people never pass their whole lives?

After all, one time is fine, but if you keep exceeding the standard rewards, it’s not a reward anymore, but a way to ruin by excessive praise.

Without any surprises, you will become the spokesperson for our Wu Kingdom’s literary circle.

This is the best time to lure him in, with the lowest cost and highest returns.

[Xu Ming Passed the Examination: When you enter office, the influence of worldly dynasty fortune on your lifespan decreases by fifty percent.]

But many still thought the possibility of Xu Ming becoming a scholar was small.

Another year passed, Xu Ming turned ten.

“I didn’t expect that one day I’d end up like Fan Jin, taking the scholar exams.”

The reason? Xu Ming wanted to join the military.

Upon hearing this news, the entire Wudu was shocked, doubting if they heard correctly.

“Your Majesty really likes Xu Ming.” Consort Xiao stood behind Emperor Wu, gently massaging his shoulders.

Consort Xiao hesitated, “Your Majesty, what if something happens to Xu Ming…”

Looking at the text in his mind, Xu Ming was surprised.

No reward for getting first place back then, but now as a Top Scholar, there was.

Xu Ming would become the third scholar in three hundred years of the Wu Kingdom to achieve consecutive top scholar honors and the youngest ever.

How did that extravagant Xu mansion, filled with pleasure-seeking offspring, suddenly produce so many geniuses?!

Regarding Emperor Wu’s rewards, Xu Ming saw more of an intention to lure him in.

[You broke through thousands to emerge victorious, becoming a Top Scholar. Righteous Aura +5000, Literary Aura +2000, Mountain and River Fortune Compatibility +50, Achievement Unlocked—Xu Ming Passed the Examination]

But Xu Ming still politely declined, expressing his determination to cultivate in the military and pursue both literary and martial arts.

The excitement over Xu Ming becoming a Top Scholar continued to ferment in Wudu.

The elder lady of the Xu family and Xu Zheng both urged Xu Ming to properly participate in the Assembly Examination.

Xu Ming joining the military?

The heat around Xu Ming becoming a Top Scholar continued to brew in Wudu.

But Emperor Wu rubbed his fingers together, saying nothing more, but his eyes focused intently on the name “Xu Ming” on the report.

Your Majesty has a reason to marry the princess to him!