It turns out that while several people were making a commotion, a large crowd had gathered around them without anyone noticing when it had happened.
Seeing everyone pointing and whispering about him, Li Wen Li’s complexion grew even uglier.
His heart also began to pound, but due to pride, he stubbornly refused to apologize, "So what? Whose fault is it that he was blocking my way? I was coming down the stairs and nearly bumped into him. If it’s not his fault, whose fault is it?"
Those words made Xue Qian’s face darken once again.
Unable to hold back, he balled his fists and was about to pounce...
"Young master, you passed! Young master, you made it through High School! You ranked fourth, young master!——"
Su Ke opened his mouth to continue persuading, but just then, the cheer from Little Shitou at his side erupted.
Everyone turned their heads in unison and saw Little Shitou, who had finally squeezed through the crowd after nurous difficulties, running up to his side, panting heavily!
His high-pitched voice stretched long, his face animated with excitent, "Young master, you made it through High School! You ranked first in the second class, young master. You’re Renzhong! The bulletin also said that His Majesty has ordered you to personally call the roll at tomorrow’s academic award ceremony..."
Renzhong!
The whole crowd’s eyes widened; this person before them had actually achieved first place in second class, Renzhong! He was just one step away from the first rank.
Everyone looked at Su Ke with complicated gazes, unable to pinpoint their feelings.
Duan Yan next to them was startled, then overjoyed! He stepped forward, ceaselessly offering congratulations, "Young master, you made it through High School! You’ve truly co into your own. Duan Yan offers you his congratulations!"
Su Ke was also stunned.
He had considered many, many things before; with his sensitive identity, among the ten-plus nas withdrawn at the last minute before Zhang Bang, the most likely ones could be him and Xue Qian, those of sensitive status.
Thus, he had been prepared in his heart for the possibility of not passing.
But still, there was a bit of wishful thinking in his heart.
What if, what if he had actually made it... made it...
He hadn’t expected that this ’what if’ could be real.
"Did I truly make Renzhong?" Su Ke murmured.
His gaze, however, fell upon Little Shitou.
"You did! Young master, you really made Renzhong. I repeatedly checked the bulletin several tis before I was sure, and then ca to inform you with the good news!"
Little Shitou was almost dancing with excitent, jubilantly saying, "Young master, the old master, the master, and the madam are all waiting at ho for your good news. Shall we hurry back now, young master?"
So this was all really true!
Joy slowly spread across Su Ke’s face, a substance called excitent fernting in his heart. Ecstasy finally engulfed him entirely.
He lifted his head to look at the sky, as if clearing the clouds to see the moon, emotion filling his heart.
"Congratulations, Brother Su, congratulations on achieving Renzhong in High School! Haha..."
Amidst the silence, a loud burst of laughter suddenly ca from Xue Qian.
No longer concerned with Li Wen Li, he stepped forward and patted Su Ke’s back firmly, "Haha! Now we both made it through High School; we’re truly classmates now! I’m sure our ntor is very happy!"
His words seed to break so sort of spell, and suddenly countless people sward around them, all congratulating Su Ke and Xue Qian.
Li Wen Li, who had been standing opposite the two, was pushed further and further away by the crowding masses until he was finally squeezed out of the crowd completely.
"Let go!"
With a forceful shake of his hand, the cousins who had been holding onto him finally let go, and after shaking the sleeves of his robes, he glared at Su Ke and Xue Qian, who were surrounded by the crowd, with a grim look and cursed under his breath. Then, he turned and strode away; a few of Li Family’s cousins exchanged glances and hurriedly followed.
anwhile, Su Ke and the others were completely encircled by well-wishers. It couldn’t be helped but to once again generously distribute money from his fabric pouch, completely oblivious to Li Wen Li’s departure.
By the ti the two of them finally managed to get away from the crowd and hurried ho, Su Ke began to inquire about the results of those who placed first.
"The Li Family’s candidate placed seventh in the second class; Feng Jiu obtained third place in the first class; Young Master Wang Gui was second, and Young Master Lu Da clinched top scholar. That these three made it was really beyond everyone’s expectations!" Little Shitou said while shaking his head.
This made Su Ke feel particularly emotional; he understood where Li Wen Li’s anger had co from.
Presumably, dropping from an expected place as a Top three scholar to the last in the palace examination must have left him no less enraged than he had shown.
This world is just so: so families revel in joy while others steep in sorrow.
So delight while, naturally, others grieve.
Su Ke and Xue Qian went their separate ways, each heading towards their respective residences.
Halfway there, the streets were buoyant with jubilation, the sound of firecrackers, opera singing, and clanging gongs and drums, rising and falling in turns.
At this very mont, Lei Yu also learned of the palace examination results.
"Su Ke placed first in the second class, Xue Qian was second... Haha! Although Yingtian Academy’s performance fell short of Bailuyuan Academy, who produced a top-scholar talent, with these two ranks in hand, Yingtian Academy can still stand tall!"
Seeing Su Ke and Xue Qian, who had done well in the examination, Lei Yu burst into laughter, in an extrely jovial mood.
"Hahaha... This Su Ke, who was only eighth in the Retest, has achieved such an impressive result in the palace examination, climbing straight to fourth place and topping the second class! What a pleasant surprise! This young man is surely destined for greatness!"
He laughed several tis in a row, his gaze repeatedly turning towards his seated daughter.
Yet, Miss Lei wore not a hint of a smile on her face, showing no sign of happiness.
"Young lady... With such wonderful news, why the long face? Do you really not understand your father’s intentions?"
Lei Yu couldn’t help but scold her, "I see Su Ke as a capable young man, and you’re not getting any younger. To match with him would be more than suitable, and in the future, he could greatly aid your father and benefit Yingtian Academy imnsely! If this marriage can happen, it would truly be icing on the cake!"
"Dad, are you only seeing the imdiate benefits and planning to sell off or what?"
Lei Yu puckered her lips, her face showing no concern: "Even though he did well, aren’t there still the top scholar, second place, and third place above him? He’s just a re first place outside the first class scholars, what does that count for? Besides, even Young Master Xue... didn’t he also secure the second rank in the second class?"
"Foolish girl, you are being foolish!"
When this topic arose, Lei Yu could not help but berate her, "All these years, I’ve held you in the palm of my hand, cherished you. Whenever you wanted sothing, have I ever refused you? But do you understand what kind of family the Xue Family is, compared to the Su Family? Do you think that if you really fancied that lad Xue Qian and married into the Xue Family’s Mansion, you would be happy?"
"I..."
Being scolded by her father for her inner thoughts, Lei Yu’s face turned beet red in an instant, and she appeared exceptionally embarrassed.
In truth, her feelings for Xue Qian were far from a necessity, yet given the choice between Su Ke and Xue Qian, she would prefer Xue Qian.
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