"It's here, it's here, the results are about to be posted."

"It's Elder Chen, Elder Chen himself is coming to post the results."

Before the examination hall, a commotion broke out among the crowd, with many trying to push forward.

Chen Cultivator came before everyone, slightly cupped his hands, and said, "I wish you all the best and may you achieve great success."

After speaking, he waved his hand, and the eight clerks behind him each carried a scroll. One went to the right, while the remaining seven went to the left. After opening the scrolls, they posted them on the left and right walls in front of the examination hall.

In an instant, everyone gathered around, searching for their names, their faces showing a mix of tension and anticipation, even breathing a bit more rapidly.

Someone, after seeing their name on the list, stiffened for a moment, double-checked several times to confirm, and then jumped up excitedly: "I made it, I made it, I made it..."

Three consecutive "I made it" was enough to express the excitement in this person's heart.

"Wang Shizhi, it's me, it's me, I made it too..." Another excited cheer rang out. Then two people who had made it on the list, but didn't know each other, hugged each other happily and jumped up and down.

"Why isn't my name on there? It's unfair, this examination is unfair."

Where there is joy, there is also sorrow. Some people, not seeing their names, immediately felt crushed and started shouting that the examination was unfair, unable to accept this reality.

At first, when he shouted a couple of times, no one paid attention, but when he continued to cause a scene, the Armored Warriors maintaining order in front of the examination hall immediately came forward and carried the person away.

And this little episode did not affect the other candidates in front of the examination hall.

They continued to look at the list with nervous anticipation.

The limited number of spots meant that naturally, there were more who didn't make it than those who did. Those with a better mindset shook their heads and sighed with a look of desolation, while those with a poor mindset broke down crying, cursing the heavens for being unfair.

"I made it, finally made it, I became a Scholar at fifteen, then went through the provincial exams, winter came and summer went for over thirty years, never succeeding, and now, having passed sixty, I've finally achieved my wish, thank you, Duke An." A gray-haired elder, upon seeing his name on the list, was overcome with joy and tears.

"Yang, why aren't our names there?" Sun City's friend carefully checked all the names on the left wall but did not find their names or Sun City's, their faces turning a few shades paler, feeling a significant blow to their confidence.

At this moment, someone said, "What does the first class on the right wall list mean, with only twenty names?"

You must know that each list on the left side had over fifty names.

"First class, that means excellent, above are the twenty names from this provincial exam in Xiangyang, the top twenty, who can receive an audience with Duke An in advance," said a clerk.

With these words, all eyes instantly focused on the list on the right.

All were scholars, obviously eager to see who the top twenty were.

"Sun City, from Jiangdong, first place," someone exclaimed in surprise.

"Sun City, where is it?" Sun City's friend, upon hearing Sun City's name, quickly went to check, and at a glance saw Sun City's name on the right list; being first, the name was quite prominent.

"Brother Sun, it's really you, you're the top scorer," Sun City's friend laughed.

Sun City, upon seeing himself as the top scorer, was also quite surprised. Although he was confident he could make the list and his ranking wouldn't be low, he never expected to be the top scorer. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Jiang Quyang, look, it's your name." Sun City glanced over and also spotted his friend's name.

"From Jiangdong, it's really me, not a namesake, I'm also in the first class, nineteenth place." Jiang Quyang shouted with joy.

"Congratulations Brother Sun, Brother Jiang." Instantly, many came to ingratiate themselves with Sun City and Jiang Quyang.

You must know that previously Duke An had said that as long as one made the list, they could become an official.

And since both were in the first class, they were also likely to make the list in the upcoming imperial exam, with limitless prospects, naturally deserving friendships and connections.

"Congratulations, Young Master Sun, I am the steward of the Li Family in Xiangyang, does Young Master Sun have any marriage plans?"

A well-dressed middle-aged man stepped forward to offer congratulations.

Present were not only scholars but also some small noble clans, wealthy merchants, and powerful figures hoping to form matrimonial ties with these future lords.

...

Meanwhile.

In Huai State, Huai Zhou City, it was also the day of posting results.

Although the war had reached Huai State, it hadn't entered the city and didn't affect the posting of the results.

The candidates registering in Huai State exceeded those of Linzhou, with a quota of 500 people.

But the first class also only had twenty people.

"Didn't expect us to come so early and still be late, with so many people gathered." Ma Fu looked at the sea of people before the examination hall, eyes wide, with cheers of "I made it" occasionally ringing in his ears.

"Let's go, see if our names are there." Guo Ning, who came together, laughed.

On the contrary, the unregistered Ma Fu appeared more proactive, forcefully squeezing in, checking carefully, his eyes lit up, squeezed out, grabbed Lin Zhong's arm, and said excitedly:

"You made it, you did, I told you would, heaven has eyes, heaven has eyes. If your parents knew, they would definitely be so happy they'd stay up sleepless for days."

Since learning his parents had moved to Yi County, Lin Zhong no longer worried about their safety, and upon hearing his cousin's words, couldn't hide his delight, then hurriedly asked, "Cousin, did you see Brother Guo's name?"

Ma Fu's expression froze; he'd focused solely on spotting Lin Zhong's name and completely forgot about Guo Ning.