It was nearly Noon, and dazzling golden light spilled across the red announcement list, making the black, gold-trimmed characters upon it shine all the more brilliantly.

Without waiting for the constables to announce the results, the crowd of students and common folk surged forward all at once.

They practically pressed their faces against the list, searching one by one to see if their own names were on it.

If they found their name, they would let out a boisterous, ecstatic laugh. "I passed! I passed the county exam!"

If, after searching twice, they still couldn’t find their name, they would be crestfallen, muttering, "How can this be?" or "My eyes must be playing tricks on me."

These were the students who had personally taken the exam, so naturally, they cared immensely about the results.

As for those who hadn’t taken the exam and were just there for the spectacle, they were much more relaxed.

They stared at the first name on the list, whispering to the person next to them, "Zhao Jing from the Zhao Village? Who’s this nobody? I was sure the top spot would go to Mr. Wang!"

"He’s no nobody. His father was once the top Scholar in Qingshui County, his knowledge far surpassing everyone else’s. But he was ill-fated and passed away early. This son inherited his father’s talent, so much so that even Mr. Zheng is a bit afraid of him..."

The person then went on at length, recounting all of Mr. Zheng’s misdeeds.

While this person was chattering away excitedly, back in the teahouse, the group still waiting for the official announcement grew more and more anxious.

Chen De’an suddenly spoke up. "Jing, why do I hear people saying your name?"

Li Cun said, "You must be hearing things."

Chu Xun said, "It’s not just you. I heard it too."

The two young masters from the Wang Family said in unison, "Congratulations, Mr. Zhao. You must have taken the top spot."

But Zhao Jing remained composed. "They haven’t announced the list yet..."

He shook his head and said no more.

But it was precisely this unique composure of his that made the two young masters from the Wang Family think even more highly of him.

’Passing the county exam is just the first step,’ they couldn’t help but think. ’To become a Scholar, one still has to go to the Prefecture for the prefectural and college exams.’

’Zhao Jing is a man of great potential with a bright future. Befriending him would bring us nothing but benefits.’

’So, when the time comes for the prefectural and college exams, we should invite him to stay at our home to further strengthen our relationship.’

As the two were pondering these things, the announcement of the list finally began in the distance.

A constable’s deep voice cut through all the noise and chaos, ringing out high and clear from nearby.

"In the county examination of the thirtieth year of the Longsheng era, those who have passed are: Zhao Jing of the Zhao Village in Qingshui County..."

Other constables relayed the good news, their voices echoing one after another. There were also dedicated messengers who beat gongs and drums as they went to find the successful scholars, hoping to receive a tip.

Someone must have pointed the way, for a messenger headed straight for Zhao Jing. "Congratulations, Mr. Zhao! Felicitations, Mr. Zhao! You have placed first in this county examination, making you this session’s Top Scorer. This humble one congratulates you on this joyous occasion!"

The surrounding scene seemed to blur, and everything became ethereal.

A continuous stream of congratulations washed over him—some laced with jealousy, some with indignation, and some, of course, that were entirely sincere.

De’an tugged on the corner of Zhao Jing’s sleeve. ’Say something! What are you waiting for? How can you still be in a daze at a time like this?’

Zhao Jing snapped out of it and immediately stood up. He bowed to the well-wishers around him and said, "The joy is mutual. I wish that all of you may also achieve your desires."

Then, he started to untie the pouch at his waist.

Before he could get it open, De’an snatched it from him.

De’an felt it was beneath the Top Scorer’s station to personally give a tip to the messenger. ’If he had an attendant,’ he thought, ’this would be their job.’

’But how could an ordinary family like theirs afford a servant?’

It fell to him to act as the attendant for once and hand out the tips.

The messenger who received the tip immediately beamed and offered a basketful of auspicious words in return.

Seeing this, the onlookers, though envious, also offered more congratulations. They spouted phrases like, "Ten years you sharpened your sword in cold study; today you seize the laurel and bring glory to your name. The scent of ink perfumes your scholarly robes; your literary brilliance ascends to the highest heavens."

They were laying the flattery on thick, as if Zhao Jing had become some peerless genius, the only one of his kind in heaven or on earth.

Had it been someone with a less steady temperament, they would probably be floating on cloud nine by now.

Fortunately, Zhao Jing remained composed from beginning to end. He bowed and nodded to the crowd once more, then gracefully moved past the matter.

Just then, more messengers arrived one after another with good news.

Second place in the county exam went to Ding Shutian, who had been known for his talent since childhood and had truly endured ten years of arduous study. Third place was Huang Chen, who had been lying low for a long time. Fourth place went to Mr. Wang, Wang Jun, whose ancestral home was in Qingshui County. And fifth place was none other than Li Cun.

As it happened, their table had, by sheer coincidence, swept the top five spots.