Transmigrated as the Villainess, Troubled by the Cuteness!-Chapter 233 - 177: A Daughter Grown Up, Part 3

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Song Yan was unsurprisingly appointed as the top scholar.

Shen Jingxian also read Song Yan’s essay, and it was excellent, on par with those she had read from Wen Ranchen in the past.

Although she couldn’t write like that herself, she could still discern the quality of the writing.

Indeed, Song Yan was naturally suited to stand above the court.

In the original text, Song Yan’s ending seemed like a happy reunion, but it was just a choice made out of helplessness.

June 25th.

All civil and military officials were required to attend the ceremonial court assembly unless there were special circumstances.

Shen Jingxian also managed to secure a spot to observe the ceremony through her playful antics and acting shamelessly.

However, this time she couldn’t sit beside the Emperor; she had no official position and could only stand among the ministers.

Shen Jingxian instantly spotted Mr. Duan, who had enlightened her in the past, now a high-ranking official, and joyfully ran over.

Mr. Duan’s favorite and most cherished student was the Princess. Seeing her approach, he immediately gave up his spot and let the Princess stand in front of him.

Shen Jingxian moved behind him instead, saying, "I want to hide behind sir, that way they won’t see me."

Duan Shaoguang softened his gaze upon hearing the Princess call him as she did when she was little, and he replied with a smile, "Alright, sir will protect you."

At this moment, Song Yan and over three hundred newly advanced scholars waited outside Chengtian Gate, ranked as they were during the palace examination.

Yet after the names were called, advanced scholars were classified into first, second, and third tiers, and everything became different.

Song Yan remained calm.

She had already been nervous.

Now she even regretted letting the Princess first drink on that day.

By late morning, with all civil and military officials prepared, the new advanced scholars finally began to enter the palace.

In front of the hall, civil officials lined up, military officers formed another row, and advanced scholars divided into two lines behind the civil and military officials.

Ceremonial music played, and Duan Shaoguang, as the Prime Minister, placed the Yellow List on the ceremonial table.

Then he began to read the imperial decree:

"In the sixty-eighth year of Yunping, on June 25, the examination was held for contributing scholars across the land. The first tier was granted the status of advanced scholar, the second tier granted the status of graduated scholar, and the third tier granted the status of equal graduated scholar."

Subsequently, the Reading Officer unrolled the Yellow List and announced the name of the first-tier first place.

The new advanced scholars stood in the square, and the Reading Officer’s voice didn’t carry far enough, so after names were called, other officials with loud voices repeated the Reading Officer’s words, passing them to outside the hall, where they were repeated again.

This task required a loud voice.

The treatment of the top three scholars was the same; their names had to be announced three times before they could see the Emperor.

The rest of the second and third tiers could only express gratitude outside the hall.

Moreover, the top few names of the second and third tiers were called once; the others didn’t have the chance.

Shen Jingxian had previously only seen it in ceremonial books of Yunyi Country, but it was her first time witnessing the actual court assembly.

Suddenly, a voice beside her exclaimed, "First-tier first place, Song Yan!"

Then, this voice resounded like waves crashing in the sea, passing from one wave to another, reaching outside the hall.

The sound beside Shen Jingxian was the first wave, heard only by civil and military officials inside the hall.

"First-tier first place, Song Yan!"

This was the second wave; the sound had already reached outside the hall.

"First-tier first place, Song Yan!"

This was the third wave, solidly reaching Song Yan’s ears.

After the three name calls, Song Yan made her way to the imperial audience.

At that moment, the eyes of all civil and military officials focused on this slightly delicate-looking woman, who was relatively tall among women but still much slender compared to men. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Yet it was her who, standing above thousands, became the undisputed top scholar of the six-round examination.

Everyone harbored their own thoughts about how this female top scholar’s presence in court might change the country, what the Emperor thought; countless considerations crossed their minds in an instant.

Moreover, although Song Yan was young, faced with the intense scrutiny of all civil and military officials and the Emperor himself, she exhibited not the slightest fear.

Her mental fortitude was far superior to theirs in their youth.

Only Shen Jingxian had none of those chaotic thoughts, looking at Song Yan with loving eyes, suddenly struck with a feeling of seeing a daughter grow up.

She knew Song Yan was truly remarkable!

Since she got to know Song Yan, she thought such a woman should not be constrained by men, and now standing on the court, Song Yan proved herself!!

Although Song Yan hadn’t looked in detail, she could still distinguish among the gazes upon her, one belonged to the Princess.

The Princess had come to the court assembly for her...

Song Yan felt delighted in her heart, still answering the Emperor’s questions fluently.

The Emperor was very pleased, more and more certain she was the perfect candidate to assist his beloved daughter’s future ascension.

Shen Jingxian also suddenly remembered something; she seemed to have a Duke title of the Song family in her hand?

It should be given to Song Yan as a congratulatory gift.

Keeping it only felt awkward.