Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 518: Modified - 354 - Grading (1)

But don’t think that passing the Imperial Examination means everything is fine. Once Gu Chengyu enters the court, he will realize the cruelty of court politics. Events like those involving Wan Xue Nian can only be blamed on his own carelessness. Yu Zheng scoffed inwardly and shifted his gaze elsewhere.

By the time the sun had set, Gu Chengyu had finished transcribing his exam paper, and the Emperor had long since left Baohe Hall.

It was widely known among the later examinees that the Emperor lingered behind Gu Chengyu. They envied the attention Gu Chengyu received. After Xia Qing sought a conversation with Min Feng last time, he became much calmer.

Even though he knew the Emperor was satisfied with Gu Chengyu’s exam paper, he did not lose heart and remained focused on his paper.

Gu Chengyu estimated that there was still a bit less than an hour until 5 PM. At this time, no Imperial Examination candidates had submitted their papers. Gu Chengyu carefully reviewed his paper from top to bottom and found no typographical errors or omissions, deciding to submit his paper early.

Actually, it makes no difference whether he checks it or not. Even if he finds typos, he can’t amend them, but checking gives him peace of mind.

Just as Gu Chengyu stood up, an official from the Ministry of Rites came up to seal his exam paper. He folded the first page of the paper into a tube, sealed it, and affixed the official seal. He then applied the seal of the Ministry of Rites on the rest of the paper, its back, and the seam.

Gu Chengyu watched his paper being taken away, marking the end of his Imperial Examination and his academic pursuit. He wasn’t too concerned about the exam results; being the examination doesn’t guarantee a top placement, but he was sure he’d be among the top ranks.

Gu Chengyu followed the Ministry official out of the hall, then a eunuch guided him to the palace gate. Since the exam was finished and lingering inside the Imperial Palace wasn’t allowed, Gu Chengyu could only wait outside the gate for Ye Zhiqiu.

Tomorrow is the day of review, and once the examination results are announced, the Emperor will hold the Imperial Examination ceremony in Taihe Palace the day after the exam to declare the results.

Ming Mo sat anxiously on the cart shaft, watching the palace gate. His master had gone to the palace in the morning and still hadn’t come out; he didn’t know how the exam went. Even though he had confidence in his master, the imperial exam was nerve-racking for anyone.

By now, no examinees had come out of the palace gates, and the sun was about to set. Ming Mo glanced at the sky; the sunset already hung in the west, the surrounding dusk dyeing the western sky a rosy red.

Just as Ming Mo was worrying, Gu Chengyu walked slowly from the palace gate, and Ming Mo quickly hopped down from the cart to greet him.

"Master!" Ming Mo hurried forward to greet his master, about to inquire about the exam. Gu Chengyu waved his hand, signaling him to wait and talk after getting in the cart.

Ye Zhiqiu was riding in the same cart with Gu Chengyu, as Ye Zhiqiu hadn’t finished his exam. Gu Chengyu planned to wait for him in the cart. Once he climbed into the cart, Gu Chengyu began to calm down.

Though he consoled Ye Zhiqiu upon entering the palace gates that morning, how could he not feel nervous himself? He just didn’t show it! He hoped Ye Zhiqiu could perform as usual; getting in the First Class might be tough, but he had some chance with the Second Class.

After another half-hour passed and the sky became pink with the setting sun, examinees began to leave the palace gates. Ming Mo, sharp-eyed, noticed that Ye Zhiqiu was among them.

"Mr. Ye! Over here." There were still many carriages awaiting examinees at the palace gate. As Ye Zhiqiu stepped out, he looked around. Before his gaze found the Gu Mansion’s carriage, he heard Ming Mo’s call and quickly headed toward the carriage.

Upon climbing into the carriage and seeing Gu Cheng sitting inside, Ye Zhiqiu immediately asked about the Imperial Examination.

"Chengyu, the policy questions this time were quite challenging. Though I struggled with them, I managed to answer all. I just wonder whether I’ll get a good rank. Your policy answers have always been praised by the Doctors at the Imperial College; the questions likely didn’t trouble you much, did they?"

Gu Chengyu smiled, "Answering them wasn’t the problem, but whether they align with the preferences of the examiners and the Emperor is uncertain. Now that it’s over, there’s no point dwelling on it. You spend all day at home studying, and refuse to go take a walk. You should take a break tomorrow, right?"

Yet Ye Zhiqiu was still worried and afraid he wouldn’t secure top results from the exam.

"Results still haven’t come out, so how can I think of leisurely strolls? I must wait until the day after for the exam results to rest easy. I’m just afraid of the common scholar rank; that would truly be distressing."

Gu Chengyu sighed, as who wouldn’t care about the outcome? He only wished to invite Ye Zhiqiu out to relax and unwind. Ye Zhiqiu had been too tightly wound recently, waking at 3:30 AM and burning the midnight oil. Not even an iron physique could endure that.

Ye Zhiqiu’s complexion was very pale, with dark circles under his eyes. He had grown noticeably thinner, and Gu Chengyu worried he might collapse any moment.

"You must remember that studying needs a balance. Your health is already delicate, and if I hadn’t made you move around, you’d have been carried out during the exam. A bright future awaits you! You must take care of yourself."

Gu Chengyu advised once more, deciding that given the chance, he was determined to get Ye Zhiqiu to join him in morning exercise.

Speaking of Ye Zhiqiu’s frail health, Gu Chengyu thought of Wang Qikai and others in Jingyuan Prefecture, who failed to become Scholars three years ago; this year it’s uncertain if they’ll succeed.

Last time Wang Qikai wrote that his poisonous ailment had long been cured, yet his body hadn’t slimmed down. Gu Chengyu found it amusing; Wang Qikai’s eating habits had become routine and would probably be hard to change.

The next day, the Emperor appointed eight Cabinet Ministers to be this Imperial Examination’s reviewers, each with a table to review in rotation. With around four hundred examinees, such a volume of papers necessitated elimination methods.

Any paper with typos, incoherent sentences, or untidy presentation was set aside; these candidates would likely rank as common scholars.

As the Grand Secretary and head of the Cabinet, Xia Qing naturally had the final say in ranking. The other seven officials began reading the papers. For the Imperial Examination, it was adequate to conceal names without changing handwriting. Once a reviewer completed a paper, they’d stamp the back with their seal.

For well-written papers, reviewers marked them with circles, then triangles, dots, lines, and crosses, grouped into five grades. Papers with the most circles were undeniably first place.

Yet personal opinions vary, and disputes arise, requiring Xia Qing’s adjudication. Ultimately, the top ten papers are selected for the Emperor’s review, who then finalizes the top ten ranks.