The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

Chapter 1751 Autumn Examination

Hong Jiutong sighed, "What more could I ask for? I just want to avoid being disliked by the Crown Prince."

Qiao Rong couldn't dissuade Cheng Youning, so Cheng Youning disguised herself and took the autumn imperial examination under the pseudonym Cheng Youyou.

After three autumn examinations, Cheng Youning became increasingly confident, convinced that he would write brilliantly and achieve the highest honors. In order to share his joy with everyone, he even sent his messenger bird to the Prince's mansion to deliver a message.

Big Eyes carried a messenger bird into the hall. "Your Highness, Your Highness, a letter has arrived from the Crown Prince's residence."

Cheng Feng laughed after reading the letter.

"What are you laughing at? Your son isn't up to any trouble again, is he?" It wasn't that Shang Xi was overthinking; Cheng Youning had been unusually quiet this month, and she hadn't seen him for half a month.

Cheng Feng was overjoyed. "The letter said the results of the autumn imperial examinations will be released tomorrow, and You Ning told us to go and see the announcement."

Shang Xi was puzzled. "No one in our family is taking the autumn examination, so the results have nothing to do with us! Who are they asking us to go see?" Shang Xi never watched such things because her family had no examinees and would never take the exam in the future. She was destined to miss the results of the imperial examination.

Cheng Feng laughed and said, "Who said it has nothing to do with us? Your son secretly participated in this autumn examination, otherwise would we be allowed to see the results tomorrow!"

"You Ning is participating in the autumn imperial examination?" This was unexpected for Shang Xi.

"He's not just participating. Judging by this, our son must have done well on the exam. I reckon he'll pass and become a Juren."

"If that's the case, we'll go first thing tomorrow morning to see our son's true ability."

The next morning, the entrance to the examination hall was crowded with people.

Cheng Feng and Shang Xi were at the back. Shang Xi looked at the crowd in front of her and said with a smile, "I thought we were early enough, but it turns out there are people who arrived even earlier than us!"

Cheng Feng tugged at Shang Xi, "Look who that person is?"

Shang Xi was astonished. "Cheng Youning is really capable. She even managed to get the Emperor here."

Cheng Feng pulled her towards Wan Lianxing's side, "Uncle, you're here too!"

"I saw you all a long time ago. Stay away from me and don't let anyone discover me."

"You've disguised yourself like this, who would recognize you!"

"You two came out here for me. I don't know how that brat did on the exam, but you forced me to come here to see the results." Wan Lianxing had been dragged here by Cheng Youning after court; he had no choice but to come.

Cheng Feng looked around but didn't find Cheng Youning, so he asked, "Where is he?"

"Unable to resist the temptation of two ounces of duck meat, he even boasted that he would take the top spot!" What Wan Lianxing really wanted to say was that their Fengqi was full of talented people, and the major examination halls across the country could cultivate a large number of talents for him every year.

Cheng Feng was different from others; he still held great hopes for Cheng Youning. Upon hearing that he was ranked first, Cheng Feng immediately became excited, "If I get first place, I will definitely hold a three-day banquet at the Prince's Mansion to celebrate!"

Shang Xi perked up upon hearing this. With such a grand display, even the Emperor was brought out to review the list, the child must have a sure thing. However, she said, "It's not necessary to throw a huge banquet. A meal at home to make it lively is enough."

Wan Lianxing suppressed a laugh as he looked at the young couple in front of him, not uttering a single discouraging word, since the results would be announced soon anyway.

Before anyone knew it, Song Ruhong had moved closer to Wan Lianxing. She lifted her robe and was about to kneel down before him when Wan Lianxing quickly said, "Get up. Why are you all crowding around me?"

"Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

Wan Lianxing countered, "And why is Lord Song here?"

Although Song Ruhong was old, she was in good spirits and had a ruddy complexion. "Your Majesty, my grandson participated in this autumn imperial examination. I've come to see if he has passed!"

Wan Lianxing said with a half-smile, "What a coincidence, I'm here to see the results of my grandson's autumn examination."

Song Ruhong was somewhat shocked, "The Crown Prince is also participating in this autumn imperial examination?"

"Yes."

While Song Ruhong was thinking nonsense, she flattered him, saying, "Then the top spot this time is definitely going to belong to the Crown Prince!"

Wan Lianxing's lips twitched. "It's already a favor that he didn't fail the exam. Top of the list? Hmph! I wouldn't dare dream of that!"

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind, "Uncle, you're all here! What on earth is You Ning doing?!"

Looking back, he saw that the people who had come were Wan Baiqian and Boss Qian. Wan Lianxing shook his head, "They've given us quite a thorough notification! I'll see what kind of terrible test they gave me later!"

In the blink of an eye, two yamen runners came out of the examination hall and posted the list of candidates for this year's autumn examinations.

Song Ruhong was the first to rush out, and soon she rushed back, her laughter booming like a bell, "Your Majesty, my grandson has passed the imperial examination."

Wan Lianxing acted as if he was used to it. "Even if you don't tell me, I know your grandson will pass! Tell me, how did your grandson rank?"

Song Ruhong's face lit up with joy, "Top of the list! My grandson is the top of the list!"

"Oh, congratulations, Lord Song."

"Congratulations to you too!" Song Ruhong was so happy that she forgot that the Emperor was also there to wait for his grandson to announce the results.

Cheng Feng and Shang Xi moved forward and looked down, checking both the main and secondary lists, but they couldn't find Cheng Youning's name. They exchanged a glance.

Wan Lianxing, who was waiting impatiently behind, asked, "Did you see it or not?"

Cheng Feng said, "Uncle, your grandson might have failed the exam!"

"Impossible!" At this moment, Cheng Youning appeared out of nowhere. He stood on tiptoe and looked at the top of the list. "Hey, what's going on? How come Song Qianyuan is at the top of the list!"

Qiao Rong whispered from the side, "Your Highness, I told you it would be like this, but you didn't believe me. Well, look what happened, you got thirty-fifth place!"

“Thirty-five.” Cheng Feng found the corresponding position for thirty-five. It turned out that Cheng Youning was using a fake name. Then he laughed, “I see, I see, my son is thirty-five.”

Shang Xi, being short, stood on tiptoe and asked, "Where is it?"

Cheng Feng pointed it out to her, "It's right there. That Cheng Youyou is our son, a Juren (successful candidate in the imperial examination), ranked thirty-fifth."

Shang Xi smiled too, her joy no less than Cheng Feng's, "Our son really did pass the imperial examination and become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination)."

Boss Qian was the best talker. "I told you the prince was good at studying. Look at him, he just put his hands up and became a scholar. That's amazing!"

Cheng Youning's face darkened. He came here aiming for the top spot, but he was too far from it, with more than thirty people in between.

Qiao Rong whispered to her, "Your Highness, one exam doesn't prove anything."

Cheng Youning nodded vigorously, "That makes sense. I will meet with them."

That's not what Qiao Rong meant! He quickly said, "Your Highness, let's skip the provincial examination!"

Wan Lianxing also said, "Just study diligently at the Imperial Academy and don't participate in the provincial examination."