After a male student transmigrated into the body of a widow,

Chapter 121 Jie Yuan

Immediately, the scholars waiting at the notice posting area flocked to the yamen runners who came to post the notices, just like honeybees smelling honey. Some who couldn't squeeze to the front stood on tiptoe and craned their necks, all eager to see their results as soon as possible.

When the yamen runners came over with the red notice, the restaurant lobby was quiet for a moment, and then it returned to its usual bustling state.

However, upon closer inspection, one would notice that the hall, which usually housed a diverse array of guests, was now filled with scholars in long robes, exuding an air of refinement.

Some sat with their relatives in small groups, some sat with their friends in twos and threes, and some, like Zheng Hao and his group, sat alone in a private room because they didn't like crowds.

Compared to the scholars who sat in the main hall and waited for the list to be released, the scholars in the private rooms appeared more composed, or rather, more calm and collected.

They remained calm and chatted and laughed with their friends as usual, as if they didn't care at all whether their names were on the honor roll.

However, if you observe carefully, you will find that the scholars in the private rooms are no different from those in the main hall. They all pick up their teacups from time to time to drink tea, or glance outside while talking to their friends.

This shows that they were all very anxious about their provincial examination results, otherwise they wouldn't have come to this restaurant near the list of results so early in the morning and been sitting there idly.

Unlike the three people sitting steadily behind him, Peng Zhizhi leaned against the wooden window, sticking his head out and looking over the crowded street. When he saw the yamen runners raising their hands to post the notices, he opened his mouth and shouted.

"The notice has been posted! The notice has been posted!"

Seeing his anxious and nervous expression, Zhen Yuan, unusually, put aside his sharp tongue and said, "I already sent people to guard the place where the list is posted. As soon as they see our names on the list, they will immediately run over to report. Just sit there and relax. Don't be so shocked and frightened that you faint before you even know the results."

After the disaster relief riots, Zhen Yuan still appeared to be the same as usual, behaving like a young master from a wealthy family. However, after the incident where Prefect Zhen almost lost his head, Zhen Yuan had changed a lot, inside and out.

He followed behind Prefect Zhen and witnessed firsthand the transformation of the refugees outside the city from harmless to killing powerful families within the city. After the riot that night, he, his elder brother, and Zheng Hao were all dispatched by their father to handle many matters related to the refugees.

Therefore, Zhen Yuan was no longer oblivious to human suffering and incapable of empathy. The wealthy and powerful families in the city who ignored the plight of the disaster victims were punished.

Setting down his teacup, Zheng Hao said to Peng Zhizhi, "Over the past year, Brother Peng has studied diligently and tirelessly, and his wishes will surely come true."

If it were anyone else, Peng Zhizhi would have thought they were just being polite, but the person who said this was Zheng Hao, who was aloof and didn't like to talk much.

Peng Zhizhi almost burst into tears when he thought about the hardships he had endured over the past year: "I have worked so hard for so long, and I dare not sleep for more than three hours a day. If I am not even on the second list, I will have no face to go back and see people."

Seeing the other person's teary-eyed appearance, Zhen Yuan, who had been keeping quiet and sarcastic, couldn't help but say, "A grown man crying like this, do you really want us to comfort you?"

"Go to hell!" Peng Zhizhi retorted rudely.

However, with Zheng Hao's comforting words and Zhen Yuan's distraction, Peng Zhizhi was indeed less nervous.

Suddenly, a joyful announcement came from the main hall.

"Great news! Great news! Master Xu Peng from Jiangxin County has passed the imperial examination and is ranked thirty-sixth on the list!"

Immediately, a commotion arose in the hall. The person announcing the good news walked to a table, where three men with similar appearances sat.

One of the men stood up. He was dressed in dark blue cotton and had a strong build. He said excitedly to the young man opposite him, "Young man, you've passed! You're a scholar now! Hahahaha!"

When everyone saw the young man, whom the burly man had called "little brother," stand up, his body trembled slightly, but he tried his best to remain calm and composed.

Xu Peng turned to the person who brought the good news and said, "I am Xu Peng from Jiangxin County."

Upon hearing this, the messenger's face immediately lit up with a smile, and he repeatedly said to Xu Peng, "I congratulate Master Xu on passing the imperial examination and ranking thirty-sixth on the list. A yamen runner will come to formally announce the good news shortly."

Every year after the results of the provincial examinations were announced, special yamen runners would go to the successful candidates to deliver the good news. However, the yamen runners took too long to deliver the good news, so some people saw a business opportunity and waited under the wall where the list was posted early in the morning. As soon as the yamen runners posted the red list, they would immediately earn money by delivering the good news to the people on the list.

However, it is not easy to determine whether it is true or false. In the past, there have been scholars who received the good news of passing the imperial examination just moments before, and after excitedly giving rewards, they found that they had been deceived by the person who brought them the good news.

Xu Peng looked at the person who brought the good news and hesitated.

Suddenly, the burly man looked toward the entrance of the restaurant and called out loudly, "Little brother, your second brother is back!"

Xu Peng immediately turned to look at the tall man who had entered. The tall man excitedly said to Xu Peng, "Little brother, you passed! You're ranked thirty-sixth on the list! You're truly our family's star of literature!"

Upon hearing reliable news from his family, Xu Peng's tense expression relaxed, followed by a surge of joy that poured out of his chest.

He steadied his arm, took out a money bag from his sleeve, and gave the silver coins to the person who had just delivered the good news to them.

After receiving the copper coin, the man said with a beaming smile, "Having received this copper coin from the scholar, I can now also benefit from some of his scholarly aura!"

Upon witnessing the emergence of a successful candidate in the imperial examination at his restaurant, the manager quickly approached Xu Peng and congratulated him, saying, "Fulai Restaurant congratulates Master Xu on passing the imperial examination!"

Xu Peng said humbly, "Greetings, shopkeeper."

The waiter carried a tray out of the kitchen, and the manager said happily, "Master Xu learned of the good news of passing the imperial examination in the small building. Our Fulai Restaurant is fortunate to share in your joy. We have specially prepared eight dishes for Master Xu to wish him success in the imperial examination and a place on the list of successful candidates!"

Xu Peng originally wanted to refuse, but the shopkeeper was so eloquent that it would seem unreasonable for Xu Peng to refuse again. In the end, he cupped his hands and thanked him, saying, "Thank you, shopkeeper."

The innkeeper quickly returned the greeting, overjoyed that a scholar had appeared in his restaurant.

He even wished that a few more scholars would emerge, so that not only would the reputation of their Fulai Restaurant grow, but he could also take this opportunity to build good relationships with these scholars.

Inside the private room, Zhen Cheng, who had remained silent, turned his gaze to Xu Peng downstairs and said, "Xu Juren is a man of firm character."

Zheng Hao nodded in agreement. Compared to the others who were so excited upon hearing the good news that they were almost losing their minds, Xu Peng, as the person involved, remained as rational as an outsider.

Seeing that the two of them didn't care about their own rankings at all, but instead had the leisure to pay attention to others, Peng Zhizhi was completely convinced.

"Good news! Good news! Second Young Master, you've won!"

Zhen Yuan's servant ran back, his fair face flushed with excitement. Ignoring the enthusiastic gazes directed at him from the lobby, he ran from the first floor to the second-floor private room. Upon seeing his two young masters, he was so excited that he could barely speak.

"Second Young Master...you've won!"

Seeing that he was panting heavily and could not even speak clearly, Peng Zhizhi said, "Sit down first and then we'll talk."

The servant sat down only after seeing his young master nod. After a moment, once he had caught his breath, he said to Zhen Yuan, "Second Young Master, you have won sixth place in this provincial examination."

The servant looked overjoyed.

After learning his ranking from the other party, Zhen Yuanxiu loosened his grip slightly and asked, "What about the rankings of Brother Zheng and the others?"

The servant looked somewhat embarrassed: "My servant and the young master's servants got separated by the crowd. After seeing your ranking, I was pushed out by the people in front of me, so I had to come back to report!"

Upon hearing this, Peng Zhizhi looked regretful and annoyed.

Immediately afterward, another man ran into the Fulai Restaurant. As he hurried towards the private room on the second floor, he shouted, "Young master! Young master! You've passed! You're the top scorer in the provincial examination!"

Suddenly, the hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a loud commotion.

The scholars in long robes were all shocked, their eyes filled with excitement as they looked in the direction the man had run off to. Some even stood up, wanting to follow him to the private room.

Upon seeing this, the innkeeper quickly instructed the waiters to form a line to block the crowd. He then persuaded them with kind words to return to their seats.

However, he quickly turned around and went upstairs to the second floor. This year's top scholar had appeared in his restaurant, and he had to hurry to congratulate the top scholar.

Da Zhuo ran in excitedly, but when he saw his young master's calm expression, he gradually calmed down from his initial outburst of anger.

After taking a deep breath, Da Zhuo cupped his hands and said to Zheng Hao, who was sitting upright in his seat, "Congratulations, young master, on winning first place in the Yueming Prefecture provincial examination! You are the top scholar in this provincial examination!"

The entire private room fell silent. Peng Zhizhi, who was usually talkative and lively, was stunned. Even Zhen Yuan, who hadn't been surprised when he heard his ranking, was speechless. They all looked at Zheng Hao, and then at Zhen Cheng, their expressions filled with disbelief and indescribable emotions.

Then, a clear, cold voice came from inside the private room.

Zhen Cheng turned to Zheng Hao and congratulated him, saying, "Congratulations, Brother Zheng, on winning first place in the provincial examination."

Seeing that the other person was as friendly as ever, Zheng Hao knew that the other person was genuinely congratulating him.

He didn't say any pretentious platitudes, but simply said, "When Brother Zhen holds his banquet for the successful candidates in the imperial examinations, don't forget to send invitations to Brother Peng and me. I also hope you will grace me with your presence at my banquet for the successful candidates in the imperial examinations."

"Of course, of course!"

Seeing that his elder brother didn't mind Zheng Hao winning first place at all, Zhen Yuan was also very happy.

Peng Zhizhi chimed in, "I would appreciate it if the three of you could not hold banquets on the same day. Otherwise, I would have to go to one in the morning and then rush to the next one before I've even sobered up."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuan laughed out loud: "What are you afraid of? If you faint at either of our two houses, we'll have someone move you to the next one. Anyway, you have to attend both banquets."

Upon hearing this, Peng Zhizhi couldn't help but smile, but then a hint of worry appeared between his brows.

Brother Zheng's title of Jieyuan is well-deserved, Brother Zhen Yuan's sixth place is also due to his strength, and although Brother Zhen Cheng's ranking has not yet been announced, he will definitely be on the list, as for him...

His academic achievements were mediocre, and he wasn't even sure if his name would appear on the supplementary list.

"bang bang bang"

Everyone turned their attention to the scene, and saw the official yamen runner, who was there to announce the good news, enter the Fulai Restaurant while striking a gong.

The three consecutive shouts attracted the attention of everyone in the restaurant. Even the manager, who had just gone up to the second floor and had not yet entered Zheng Hao's private room, came downstairs to greet them.

This time, the yamen runner, who had previously appeared fierce, came to deliver the good news and announced with a smile, "Congratulations to Master Zhao Yue of Sishui Town for achieving ninety-sixth place in the provincial examination!"

Congratulations to Mr. Peng Zhizhi of Fucheng for achieving the 67th place in the provincial examination!

Congratulations to Mr. Xu Peng of Jiangxin County for ranking thirty-sixth in the provincial examination!

"Congratulations to Master Zhen Yuan of the prefectural city for achieving sixth place in the provincial examination!"

Congratulations to Master Zhen Cheng of the prefectural city for winning second place in the provincial examination!

"bang bang bang"

"Congratulations to Master Zheng Hao of Fenggu County for winning first place in the provincial examination, becoming the top scholar in this provincial examination!"

Six successful candidates in the imperial examinations appeared at Fu Lai Restaurant, five of whom had achieved high rankings, and one of whom was a top scholar in the provincial examinations. The restaurant owner was overjoyed.

After announcing the good news, the yamen runner stopped talking.

The shopkeeper quickly realized what was happening and immediately stepped forward to say to the yamen runner, "Master Xu and Master Zhao are in the main hall, and the other four scholars are in the private rooms upstairs. I'll take you to meet them."

Seeing that the other party was so cooperative, the constable smiled and said, "That's perfect."

The innkeeper led several yamen runners to see Zhao and Xu, the scholars, and then led them to a private room on the second floor.

After knocking on the door and receiving permission from the people inside, they entered the private room. When the innkeeper saw the four handsome young men in front of him, he was stunned.

He couldn't believe that the four of them, so young, had already become successful candidates in the imperial examinations; they were truly prodigies.

The shopkeeper became increasingly respectful towards Zheng Hao and his companions.

"Fulai Restaurant extends its congratulations to Master Zheng, the two Master Zhens, and Master Peng. Congratulations to all four gentlemen on your success in the imperial examination!"

Immediately afterwards, the head constable stepped forward to offer his congratulations and said, "We have come to congratulate the four gentlemen, and another group has already gone to your homes to offer their congratulations!"

Zheng Hao and the other three were not pedantic people. They all gestured to their servants, "The yamen runners have come to deliver the message with great difficulty. Please have some tea and rest in the building."

Da Zhuo and Zhen Yuan's servants stepped forward and handed the reward money to several yamen runners.

Upon seeing the gleaming silver, the yamen runners immediately smiled and said, "We still have other places to go to deliver good news, so we won't disturb the four esteemed scholars any longer!"

After saying that, they wisely left the private room.

After the constables left, the innkeeper also offered some words of congratulations. However, the innkeeper was well aware of the principle of knowing when to stop, and did not stay in the private room to be an eyesore. After becoming familiar with the group, he left.

Turning around and walking out of the private room, the innkeeper instructed the waiter to bring the best tea and food to the room later, giving the waiter instructions as he walked.

Suddenly, he stopped and said, "I feel like I've seen that Scholar Zheng somewhere before. His face seems strangely familiar."

The waiter joked, "The shopkeeper is an open-minded person who makes many friends. It wouldn't be surprising if he's seen Zheng Jieyuan somewhere before."

The shopkeeper stroked his beard, nodded thoughtfully, and agreed with what the waiter had said.

Suddenly, he froze, an expression of disbelief on his face.

Unexpectedly, the shopkeeper suddenly stopped, and the waiter bumped into him. Just as he was about to apologize, the shopkeeper in front said, "I remember now!"

The shopkeeper turned to the waiter and said, "That Scholar Zheng is the nephew of Boss Gu of Good Fortune Restaurant!"