Chapter 88

Chapter 88: That Year on the Golden List Platform (4500 words, two chapters combined)

“Big Brother Li is back~”

“Big Brother Li, Big Brother Li~~~”

“Big Brother Li, what delicious things have you brought us~”

As Han Li returned to the courtyard, a group of little boys and girls rushed towards him.

“Hehehe, don’t fight, everyone gets a share, everyone gets a share. Little Flower, distribute these things among the children; there’s food and clothes.” Han Li said cheerfully.

“Yeah, we get new clothes to wear~ Thank you, Big Brother Li~” A little girl happily jumped up, clapping her hands.

“How difficult is it to achieve Consecutive Top Scholar? The Hall Examination selection is decided by Your Majesty, along with the six ministers, the Chancellor, and the Chief Secretary.”

“When Xu Ming’s fame filled the Wu Kingdom and ranked 50th on the Azurecloud List, you were still embroidering in the Xiao Chun Courtyard as usual, not competing or quarreling, surpassing countless women in the world.”

“Well, let’s not talk about this annoying thing anymore,” Phoenix Wang changed the subject. “The rankings should be announced soon; let’s go check them out.”

“It’s good to come back every time, no need to buy so many things.”

Suyan Chen smiled and shook her head.

In front of Pengda Xu, Zheng Xu shouted at his son.

Phoenix Wang smiled: “What nonsense are you talking? Regardless of his appearance, he is your child. No matter how long it has been, how could a child not recognize their mother? Besides, back then, you supported Xu Ming doing what he wanted, which was the greatest support for him.”

Xu Ming? Champion?!

For all these years, you’ve been trading military merits for money. Look at yourself; the clothes you’re wearing have been patched up with several pieces of cloth.”

Just as Xu Ming stepped out of the Imperial Examination Hall, outside it was already packed with people, completely surrounding the hall. How could Xu Ming find Pengda Xu?

“Don’t talk anymore, the Golden List is starting to be posted.”

“I’m number eighty-three, hahaha.”

Yeye Ye shook her head:

“Wait, does that mean Xu Ming has already achieved two top ranks?!” someone said, “If Xu Ming becomes the champion, isn’t it…”

After Guang Yin and Hutao cleaned the courtyard, this became their home.

“You… really underestimate yourself too much. What’s hardest for a person is knowing what they should and shouldn’t do.”

An official holding the Golden List walked toward the announcement board, escorted by ten Blood Floating Pagoda members.

Otherwise, among these four hundred people, quite a few would have been carried away tied up.

“Hai Zhi, why did you come back today?”

That day, Guang Yin got up very early, pacing back and forth in the courtyard, constantly checking the time.

Eventually, the Xu Guo Mansion will bring fire upon itself.”

Just as Suyan Chen and Phoenix Wang stepped out of the courtyard, Chun Yan ran over panting:

“First Lady, Fifth Lady, someone from the Imperial Palace has arrived!”

“Someone coming is just someone coming. What’s so surprising? Are all the gentlemen of the Xu Mansion dead? Can’t receive the imperial decree?” Phoenix Wang said coldly.

Xu Ming and Pengda Xu hadn’t walked far.

This official first posted the first list, the top three – those who passed the examination, totaling two hundred and two people.

“I want to join the army too.”

There must definitely be some things that require you to exchange for military merit.

“Big Brother Li, when I grow up, I also want to join the army and enter the Blood Floating Pagoda like Big Brother Li, earning lots and lots of money.” A little boy ran forward, looking at Han Li expectantly.

“No problem, kids are happy.” Han Li smiled.

“Huiyuan – Xu Ming.”

Compared to four years ago, this big white goose was even taller now, with a longer neck, snow-white feathers, and very human-like eyes.

As for the family, it’s really no issue. There are already quite a few children in the courtyard who have grown up and can work outside.

It’s just that the big white goose keeps flapping around in the courtyard, which doesn’t quite match its elegant appearance.

Everyone ignored the three hundred ninety-nine others and looked at the first name.

There were quite a few managers of officials or wealthy merchants who approached people to schmooze, asking for their names and promoting how good their daughters were.

“Fifth Brother, I didn’t take the Assembly Examination either. I want to wait for you to take it together.”

“I’m second in the second rank! Hahaha! I’m second in the second rank!” A man excitedly shouted.

Outside the crowd, a little fat boy looked at the Xu Ming after the champion’s name.

A courtyard in Wudu.

“That year, I haven’t seen Ming’er for four years. These four years are precisely when children grow fastest. I don’t even know what Ming’er looks like, or if he still recognizes me as his mother. As a mother, I have no special abilities. Ming’er is so excellent, I’m really afraid of holding him back.”

“Good…” Yeye Ye chuckled softly, reaching out to tuck her hair behind her ear.

Inside the Xu Mansion, two young beautiful women sat together.

That year on the Golden List platform.

Just as Han Li was about to introduce one of his brothers to Sister Yeye, a child ran in and said.

“But I heard His Majesty likes Xu Ming very much.” Another person said.

“Brother Guang, the rankings are out.”

Guang Yin and Hutao, who had taken a few days off, temporarily left the Blood Floating Pagoda military fort.

Lunch wasn’t particularly extravagant, but it certainly wasn’t frugal either, with meat, vegetables, and an egg drop soup.

“Eh?”

But soon, this thought was dismissed by everyone.

Suyan Chen smiled and nodded: “Thank you for comforting me, Sister Wang.”

…

“Bind him!”

The official responsible for posting the list also smiled and shook his head, waiting until the bride-hunting under the list was almost done before picking up the last Golden List.

Being a soldier provides free meals and accommodation, and you can send money home. Isn’t that a great thing?

However, after receiving their new clothes, they quickly became happy again.

“But in my heart, Brother Yu is the strongest!” The little girl pouted.

The official began posting the Golden List.

Han Li still wanted to say something, but Yeye had already changed the topic: “By the way, it’s neither a holiday nor a festival today. Why did you come back?”

Among the crowd, a braided little girl happily jumped up upon seeing Brother Yu’s name, but the man gently covered her mouth before she could finish speaking.

Man: “Me!”

Before the man could react, four or five shouts rang out, and the man was bound with red ribbons and carried away like a crab.

“Bind him! Bind him!”

“It’s fine, Sister Yeye. In the Blood Floating Pagoda, I don’t have to pay for food and drink. Moreover, the body-tempering herbs provided by the Blood Floating Pagoda are sufficient. As for clothes, we wear military uniforms in the Blood Floating Pagoda and rarely wear casual clothes outside.”

Yeye and Han Li sat in the courtyard. Yeye glanced at Han Li:

“In the future, you really don’t need to buy so many things. It’s not easy for soldiers to earn military merits, especially for you as a Martial Artist. I’ve heard that various body-tempering herbs and weapons and armor are very expensive.

Runner-up – Xu Pengda.

“Because the runner-up and champion are better than Brother Yu.” Ping’an Yu smiled.

Suyan Chen: “…”

…

Yeye wanted to say something more but just shook her head: “The rice is almost ready. Let’s eat first.”

“The people in the military camp took the Assembly Examination, and he passed the provincial examination?” Yeye asked in surprise.

When the second-rank list was posted, quite a few people had already started hunting for sons-in-law.

“What’s wrong?” Phoenix Wang looked at Suyan Chen. “Xu Ming is coming back today. Why do you look so nervous, sister? Aren’t you happy?”

Phoenix Wang sighed.

In the afternoon, the children gradually returned to their beds for a nap, and the courtyard suddenly became quiet, making it feel a bit strange.

“Master, what you’re saying, Hai Zhi came back because he missed us, right? Wanting to visit us is very normal, isn’t it?” Mrs. Xiong smiled and said.

“Hmph!” Xiong Wentian coldly snorted, “The military law of the Blood Floating Pagoda is strict, and the number of times one can leave in a year can be counted on one hand. If it’s not for something important, leaving casually would treat it as a game, wouldn’t it?”

“Who is the Weyuan?”

“I am, of course, happy to see Ming’er…”

Han Li looked at the bracelet on Yeye’s left wrist and smiled even more brightly.

“Not only did he pass the provincial examination… my friend…”

The little fat boy smiled happily, patted his belly, and squeezed out of the crowd.

“Ohhh…”

Even this big white goose grew eyelashes. Upon closer inspection, it had a refined and handsome appearance.

“Brother Guang, Brother Guang…”

“Hehehe…” Han Li scratched his head, somewhat proudly, “One of my friends took the Assembly Examination. Today is the day the rankings are released, so a few of us from the military camp decided to come out together.”

Champion – Xu Ming.

Minister of War’s residence, Xiong Wentian looked at his son.

“More than just passing the provincial examination… my friend…”

The happy little fat boy rubbed his belly and squeezed out of the crowd.

“Ohhhh…”

Even this big white goose grew eyelashes. Upon closer inspection, it had a refined and handsome appearance.

“Who called me?”

When Xu Ming walked out of the palace, he still didn’t see Xu Pengda.

And the test papers of the four hundred candidates will be made public, allowing everyone to judge their quality.

If I hadn’t ranked high, would it have been better? Four years later, could I have ranked second in the second rank?

Now that I’ve ranked high, I can’t take the exam again.

Third place – Yu Ping’an.

“You fools, what’s good about joining the army? It’s dangerous and exhausting.”

Top rank, granted Jinshi status, three people.

“Yes.”

However, before posting the Golden List, the scores of four hundred candidates were posted first.

Suyan Chen was startled: “Sister, you can’t say that…”

After Xu Ming finished the interview, he was taken to the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall.

No way.

Upon entering the palace, the four hundred candidates were divided into five batches to enter sequentially. In Xu Ming’s batch, Xu Pengda was nowhere to be seen.

All eyes moved from bottom to top –

Older children carried out the rice buckets and dishes, serving food to the other children.

In front of the two young beauties was a big white goose.

“Who’s calling me?”

When Xu Ming walked out of the palace, he still didn’t see Xu Pengda.

Regardless of success, bind him first.

“You don’t have to deceive me. Although I don’t know much about military affairs, how can an army, even the Blood Floating Pagoda, possibly have everything sufficient? Especially as your realm increases, the required celestial treasures and earthly elixirs will only increase.

“If my brother passes the imperial examination and achieves high ranks, the titles you gain, I believe, will weigh heavier in Mother’s heart than ‘Duke of Xu Country.'”

“Sister Yeye, let’s hurry and take a look…” Han Li stood up hastily, looking anxious.

Yeye, wearing an apron, looked like a virtuous young woman.

Can you achieve greater accomplishments? It’s time for you to think about yourself.”

“I want to join the army too.”

“Weyuan, our master’s daughter is sixteen years old, beautiful and well-educated. Please meet her.”

With the commotion of a little boy, many others in the courtyard joined in the shouting.

The court cannot take the Assembly Examination lightly or treat the people as fools.

After the exam papers’ names are sealed, only after the four subjects’ scores are completed will the names be revealed.

Seeing their names in the third rank, many people sighed quietly, and some even regretted.

A voice drew everyone’s attention back.

“Dad, Mom.” Xiong Haizhi interrupted his mother’s words. “This time, I indeed have something to do. My friend is taking the imperial examination, and today is the day the rankings are announced. After looking at the rankings, I’ll return.”

Yu Ping’an smiled gently and patted the braided little girl’s head: “Let’s go.”

The Golden List consists of three parts.

After lunch, younger children in the courtyard helped wash the dishes, while older ones went outside to work or apprentice.

Her single ponytail draped over her shoulder gave off a dangerous vibe.

They bought a two-entry courtyard, not cheap but not overly expensive either.

Little did they know, after Xu Ming was favored by the emperor and entered the palace, how proud the Xu family became.

In the kitchen, a woman named Ye Ye walked out.

Guang Yin had never felt time pass so slowly.

“You can achieve greater accomplishments, it’s time for you to think about yourself.”

“I want to join the army too.”

“Weyuan, our master’s daughter is sixteen years old, beautiful and well-educated. Please meet her.”

As Han Li shooed the children away, they left unhappily.

The image of what the little fat boy said to his fifth brother that year popped into his mind.

“What use is it for the emperor to like someone?” A scholar smiled, “In the Hall Examination, candidates must take the silent pill, making all voices sound the same, and answer questions behind a screen. Candidates are only numbered, not named. Who can recognize anyone? Even if the emperor wants to favor Xu Ming, it’s impossible.”

“Pengda!”

Just as Guang Yin became increasingly anxious, Hutao rushed into the courtyard.

“Hmm.” Yu Ping’an nodded and pinched the little girl’s nose. “If you think so, then Brother Yu is stronger than the champion.”

Meanwhile, nearly all bulletin boards in Wudu fell silent.

Suyan Chen, Chunyan: “…”

“Sister Yeye, Brother Li Han, it’s so lively outside. The rankings are out! The champion sir has appeared…”

The second part, second rank – Jinshi degree holders, a total of one hundred ninety-four people.

“Shh”

With the shouts from the crowd, many people made way.

The exam papers’ names are sealed and only revealed after the four subjects’ scores are finalized.

Is it true that fourteen-year-old Xu Ming has consecutively topped the charts three times?!

“Onii-chan, your name…”

Han Li laughed and patted his head.

“Blood Floating Pagoda! Blood Floating Pagoda is here!”

Taking advantage of everyone’s shock, Yu Ping’an glanced at the champion’s name, quietly slipped out of the crowd, limping forward.

“Hmm.” Suyan Chen stood up.

Two teenage figures.

Could they resemble each other in features?

They turned around and looked back together.