Chapter 171: 115 Perfect Answers! (Two in One Update)_3

Eh…why does their young master look a bit fatter than before?

In fact, Lin Chengye didn’t get fat, it’s just the other examinees who became thinner, making the three of them look fatter by contrast.

Manager Zhou stride forward, anxiously and excitedly asked, “How was the exam, young master? You didn’t allow me to come for the previous two sessions, I was so suffocated! Can you pass? Was the exam difficult? Why do I feel everyone looks upset!”

Lin Chengye said, “We’ll talk later.”

Manager Zhou looked at the other examinees nearby and realized he was over-excited. Was this a place to talk freely?

He smiled at Xiao Liulang and Fen Lin and said, “Finally, the exams are over. It has been tough for both of you during this period. My master has arranged a feast at home. Please grace us with your presence.”

The Lin family was the richest in the provincial city. Fen Lin was quite interested in going and broaden his horizons. However, Xiao Liulang declined outright, “No, we need to go back to our county. We appreciate Mr. Lin’s kindness. We will surely meet in the future when the opportunity arises.”

“Ah…”

“Ah…”

Lin Chengye and Manager Zhou were both dumbfounded.

Especially Lin Chengye.

Although he had anticipated that Xiao Liulang would leave once the examination ended, he strangely felt a sense of reluctance when it actually happened.

The days of tutoring with Xiao Liulang was the most miserable torment in his life, but it was only when he entered the exam site that he understood it was his most valuable experience.

“You… leave…later. I…will see…you off.” Lin Chengye, anxious, revealed his stuttering problem.

His face changed, with a fleeting trace of panic in his eyes.

However, Xiao Liulang’s face was as usual, looking at him with the same calm and cool gaze, “No need. You have been away from home for so long, you should go back and check.”

Fen Lin was slightly surprised. This was the first time he heard Xiao Liulang uttering such cordial words after their reunion.

Upon further reflection, he has indeed changed a lot from a year ago.

Lin Chengye eventually failed to persuade Xiao Liulang to come to his house. He was actually quite aware that the teacher-student relationship between him and Xiao Liulang was not bad. Xiao Liulang was cool on the outside, but warm-hearted; he just didn’t understand why Xiao Liulang refused to go to his home.

Manager Zhou laughed, “Young master Liulang, young miss Lin is here. She heard about your hardships in the provincial examination and wanted to take you out for a few days.”

Lin Chengye hated his foolish cousin!

Xiao Liulang and Fen Lin returned to the inn.

When going upstairs, Fen Lin asked, “Should we wait until the results come out before we leave?”

The results would take half a month.

Xiao Liulang lightly said, “No need, the results would be reported to the county government office.”

“Agreed.” Fen Lin nodded. Although he really wanted to know his own and Xiao Liulang’s grades as soon as possible, Xiao Liulang obviously seemed eager to go home. Isn’t it clear? He missed his family.

Missed his sweetheart.

Hehehe, naughty boy.

While the two were heading to their guest room, they could hear the excited voices of the examinees from the grand hall.

“Hey, have you heard? The royal academy will reopen in the capital city!”

“Really? Who told you?”

“There’s no need to be told. The imperial decree has been posted! It’s right outside the government office, you can go and check it yourself! The scholars with excellent exam results will be recommended by the government office and will have a chance to enter the royal academy. If someone becomes the top scorer in the provincial examination, no recommendation is needed and they can move directly into the royal academy!”

Scholars refer to those who have passed the qualifying scholar exam, generally, the ones who have achieved “Little Sanyuan” will have a chance to be recommended. Even if they didn’t achieve “Little Sanyuan”, if they score highest in at least one subject, they would have a chance.

Fen Lin tugged Xiao Liulang’s sleeve, “Liulang, you scored highest in two subjects!”

Although Xiao Liulang missed the Little Sanyuan opportunity for some reason, he’s still an excellent student!

Fen Lin slapped his thighs and said, “Oh no, if I’d known earlier, you wouldn’t have accepted that thousand taels of silver and you should have retaken the exams! If you pass the Little Sanyuan, you could definitely go to the royal academy!”

The royal academy is the highest educational institution in the Zhan Country, and all students were proud to be able to enter it.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Xiao Liulang, however, remained calm.

He stood on the staircase, listening to the heated discussions amongst the examinees in the grand hall.

“But wasn’t the royal academy closed by the emperor himself? Because a young ritual officer was burned to death there. Why is it suddenly reopening?”

“It’s because Minister Zhuang led a number of arm-bone ministers to kneel outside Jinluan Hall for three days and three nights, finally managing to move the emperor.”

“Minister Zhuang is such a loyal minister! The emperor punished anyone who advised him against shutting down the royal academy back then.”

“Minister Zhuang wasn’t punished, was he?”

The examinees didn’t wish for such a good official, who worked for the country and the people, to get into trouble.

“How could he be? If he was punished, the royal academy wouldn’t be reopening.”