A small number of classmates in Nian Jiaojiao's Class 3 of the Heaven Tier were within the B-list, while many candidates from ordinary classes were tearfully delighted upon hearing their names, with surrounding cheers and blessings.
The students of Class 3 of the Heaven Tier stared silently as the yamen runner continued to "announce the list."
Before long, the B-list was announced, and a quarter of the students from Class 3 of the Heaven Tier were on it.
Unlike the joy of the ordinary students, the Tongshou in the Heaven Tier Class 3 who made it onto the B-list wore grim expressions.
Three of Li Jing's close classmates were on the B-list.
Li Jing patted one of them on the shoulder and consoled the three, saying:
"It's better to be on the list than not."
Although it didn't offer much "comfort," the three of them managed to force a smile and pretend to be relaxed.
"Don't worry, Sister Jing, I didn't study seriously. Even without serious effort, I still passed!"
"That's right, and so what if someone in our family didn't make the A-list? Getting recommendations from three Juren is a piece of cake!"
[Only Xiu Cai on the A-list, or Xiu Cai on the B-list recommended by three Juren, can continue to participate in the imperial examinations.]
Indeed, what the latter person said brought hope to the sisters from the noble faction.
Yes!
They couldn't do it themselves!
But their mothers could!
When the time comes, they could ask their mothers to find three Juren to recommend them, and they would still participate in the imperial examinations alongside those who made the A-list.
With this thought, the students from the noble faction felt their confidence surge, puffing out their rather impressive chests.
Meanwhile, the students from the humble faction, who overheard their conversation not far away, wore complex expressions.
Some were dejected, some were jealous, and some were indignant…
The yamen runner who was "announcing the list" took a sip of tea and continued, saying:
"Next, here is the list of Xiu Cai on the A-list, excluding the top three scholars! Ranks are announced from first to last!"
"Chen Liangyu!"
"Lin Qi!"
"Zhang Jiao!"
…
Although Chen Liangyu's name was called first, she still stumbled back a few steps in disbelief, as if she had suffered a devastating blow.
Li Xiqin steadied Chen Liangyu's arm and comforted her, saying:
"Liangyu, you this…"
Before Li Xiqin could finish her sentence, Chen Liangyu left in a daze without waiting for the full results.
After the yamen runner "announced" this part of the list, as expected, almost all 35 Xiu Cai on the A-list were from Class 3 of the Heaven Tier.
Chen Liangyu's departure did not attract the attention of others, as the "main event" was about to begin.
At this moment, the yamen runner held an exquisite yellow scroll, which she gently unfurled with a smile.
"This time, the top three scholars from Baichuan Academy are one."
As soon as these words were spoken, the scene erupted in an uproar.
It was known that there were three strong academies in Qingzhou, but in recent years, Baichuan Academy had always been far ahead, with at least two of the top three positions.
At this moment, the yamen runner continued:
"This scholar is the top scorer."
The yamen runner's words silenced the crowd.
Fortunately, fortunately, the top scorer was still from their own academy.
At this point, no one cared about classes or the noble and humble factions. Everyone implicitly hoped that Baichuan Academy would triumph over other academies.
"Top Scholar for Xiu Cai: Nian Jiaojiao!"
Although Nian Jiaojiao joined the academy later than others, she had gained some fame in the academy due to the previous debate competition.
Coupled with her outstanding and unforgettable appearance.
Soon, everyone's gaze was focused on Nian Jiaojiao's face.
Nian Jiaojiao smiled and accepted the top scorer's token handed to her by the yamen runner. During the exchange, she discreetly passed ten taels of silver.
The yamen runner was startled at first, but her smile became even more genuine.
Scholars had always been proud, but she didn't expect the top scorer this time to be someone so considerate of worldly affairs.
"Jiaojiao, you're amazing!"
Li Jing playfully punched Nian Jiaojiao's shoulder with her small fist, then took the top scorer's token from Nian Jiaojiao's hand for a closer look.
"Tsk tsk tsk, I can't believe my friend Li Jing produced a top scorer!"
Among the younger generation of the Li family, her elder cousin had the best academic performance, and although she was also in the top three, she wasn't the top scorer.
Therefore, this was also her first time seeing a top scorer's token.
Nian Jiaojiao saw the excited expressions of her classmates from the noble faction, who looked eager, and she had a guess in her mind.
As expected, someone immediately said:
"Sister Jing, someone lost the bet, shouldn't we go collect the winnings?"
Upon hearing "winnings," Li Jing lost interest in the top scorer's token and immediately threw it back to Nian Jiaojiao, shouting:
"Let's go! Time to collect our debts!"