Firefly Journey

Chapter 181 Hopscotch (4)

Great Chu, Danyang.

In preparation for the academy competition, the State of Chu put in a lot of effort, holding an exam two or three months in advance. Those who stood out from the crowd would travel to Yicheng with the delegation.

The Black and White Academy is the premier academy of the Great Chu Dynasty; it also has another name: the Imperial Academy.

Unlike Western academies that value extraordinary talent, the institutions of learning in the Great Chu Dynasty place greater emphasis on Chinese language education.

Simply put, to enter the Black and White Academy, one must not only be an extraordinary individual with exceptional strength and courage, but also excel in writing, poetry, and painting, demonstrating proficiency in both literary and martial arts.

In some ways, its admissions rules are even stricter than those of St. Louis.

The martial arts test was over. Inside the vast Tianqi Hall, civil and military officials were lined up in rows, with a group of young people with youthful faces in the middle.

Most of these people came from the Black and White Academy and were among its elites. The fact that they were standing here meant that they had passed both the civil and military examinations and were about to participate in the academy's grand competition.

There's an old saying in the State of Chu: "In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second." The martial arts competition is very simple: one-on-one duels, and the last one standing is the top spot on the list.

The written exam is different. Given the same essay, everyone has their own unique perspective. Different people have different opinions, and it's impossible to reach a consensus.

However, there is no need for the public to agree.

The list of successful candidates in the civil service examination was selected by the emperor in the palace.

Emperor Zhuang sat high on the dragon throne, his eyes blazing as he looked down at the crowd below.

These ministers were alright; they attended court every day and were already familiar with the emperor's appearance.

The newly selected candidates for the civil and military examinations are like young women getting married, meeting the emperor for the first time. It's impossible for them not to be nervous. They are all quite young, and it's a testament to their composure that they didn't go weak in the knees.

The list of successful candidates in the civil service examination was personally announced by His Majesty the Emperor and then posted by palace servants, which was an immense honor.

Civil and military officials lined up on both sides, with the left and right prime ministers leading the way. Since ancient times, the left side of the Great Chu has been considered the most honorable. Zhao Zheng, with his full head of white hair, was second only to one person in this palace.

"The outstanding students from all over the country have assembled. Your Majesty, please announce the results."

The official who spoke was only about forty years old. Normally, he wouldn't be able to get a word in edgewise during court assemblies.

Today is different. As the youngest Chancellor in the history of the Imperial Academy, he is qualified.

Both sides can only temporarily avoid the enemy's sharp edge.

"Ah."

Emperor Zhuang glanced around with a serious expression, seemingly unable to make a decision.

In reality, the determination of the written examination results was the result of discussions among several important ministers of the court; Emperor Zhuang was merely responsible for giving the order.

Those who could enter the palace to meet the emperor were all outstanding young talents of the Chu Kingdom, one in ten thousand. Any one of them would be a renowned genius in their region.

Now they have gathered together, determined to determine who will be the leader of the younger generation in the Great Chu.

In a solemn atmosphere, Emperor Zhuang read out the first name.

The young man whose name was called immediately looked as if he had lost his parents.

The most impressive thing should naturally be mentioned last.

Being the first one to be called out proves that he's the shortest among a group of tall people, a disgrace that will make him too ashamed to ever show his face again.

Students who knew him glanced over furtively, their eyes filled with disdain.

Emperor Zhuang slowly opened his mouth and read out one name after another.

Soon, it came to an end.

Emperor Zhuang narrowed his eyes slightly, "The third-ranked scholar is Du Guangting."

Among the students, a young man in black stood with a blank expression and a furrowed brow.

Perhaps for others, being ranked third in the imperial examinations would be a satisfactory achievement, but he felt it wasn't enough. Because his goal was only to be number one.

Du Guangting glanced at the person at the very front of the line on the right, his expression one of shame.

His father, Du Fufeng, the current Right Chancellor, remained as steady as an old pine tree, his face expressionless.

Immediately afterwards, Emperor Zhuang said, "The second-place scholar is Ding Sheng."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their attention to the white-robed young man at the front.

Ding Sheng, who has always preferred white clothes and is a clean freak, frowned upon hearing this.

He was the most outstanding student of the Black and White Academy and the personal disciple of Pei Jijiu, yet he only came in second place, which was somewhat hard to accept.

Before the results were announced, some students were already discussing that the top scholar would simply be chosen from Ding and Du.

As a result, both of them failed to be selected. So who took the top spot?

In the end, Emperor Zhuang deliberately prolonged the tone to increase everyone's anticipation.

"The top scholar is Duan Feibai."

……

……

After leaving the restaurant, Lin Yuanran boarded the bus with the wind chimes in her hand.

The Xu family has its own beast-drawn carriage, so Fengling naturally doesn't need to take public transportation when she goes out on weekdays.

But since she had come out alone today, and if she were to travel a long distance, it would be impossible for her to return to the Xu family. So, thinking that it was better than walking, the experience was not bad.

The two arrived at the "Neon" headquarters. Lin Yuanran went directly to find the chairman, while Feng Ling sat in the VIP section, lost in thought.

Lin Yuanran came out shortly after.

"So fast?" Fengling said in surprise. He had only been inside for less than five minutes, right?

Lin Yuanran said, "I was just afraid you'd have to wait too long. Alright, everything that needed to be reported has been reported. Could you be more specific about your family's crystal mine?"

Fengling said, "There's no rush, there's nothing to say. I'll let you know when we set off."

More than that, I'm interested in what fun places there are in Yicheng.

Lin Yuanran gave her a deep look and said, "Are you asking me a question?"

Please, you're a native of Yicheng, why are you asking outsiders such a question?

Feng Ling said, "I guess so, so you know?"

Lin Yuanran thought for a moment and said, "That depends on your definition of fun."

"Anything is fine, just whatever you find interesting."

"Then... come with me."

Lin Yuanran paid for both meals, and the two of them wandered around before finally arriving at the Paifeiti district.

Looking at the building in front of her, Fengling frowned and asked, "Isn't this the place you used to live in? What's so interesting about it?"

As Lin Yuanran walked, he said, "Let's go in and take a look."

Stepping into the courtyard of the ghost hotel, you are immediately greeted by a musty smell, but thankfully it is late winter, so it doesn't smell as bad as in summer.

Upon entering the courtyard enclosed by the apartment building, Lin Yuanran stopped, his gaze fixed on the little girl washing clothes.

He said to himself, "I don't know the little girl's name, but I know she's trying her best to live."

"What, you feel sorry for her?" Wind Chime asked.

Lin Yuanran shook his head: "No, what I find interesting is that no matter what kind of adversity a person is in, they can easily adapt. Once they adapt, the adversity is no longer an adversity."

The wind chime said, "You're not her, how do you know if she's happy or not? Maybe she just doesn't want to adapt."

“I gave her candy, and she accepted it. And didn’t you hear? She was humming a nursery rhyme.” Lin Yuanran’s answer was somewhat irrelevant.

The wind chime suddenly revealed a half-smile, and said:

"Why do I feel like you're reminiscing about someone you see?"

"What do you mean?" Lin Yuanran asked blankly.

Wind Chime said, "Before Wendy went to Chernobyl, she also washed clothes on the banks of the River Lodz."

Lin Yuanran quickly said, "You're overthinking it. How can you say that? She is her, and Wendy is Wendy. They're not the same."

"Oh, I see." Wind Chime nodded cheerfully. "So what do you think of Wendy?"

"pretty good."

"Like it?"

"Xi... what are you talking about!" Lin Yuanran felt like she had almost been tricked.

Wind Chime smiled slyly: "Really?"

"Really, we grew up together and are practically family. But familial love and friendship are completely different from romantic love. I'm pretty sure I don't like her."

Lin Yuanran was completely unaware of why he had to explain so much. He felt that Fengling had misunderstood, and he didn't want her to misunderstand.

The wind chimes laughed for no reason, their sound as crisp as bells, stirring the boy's heart.

Lin Yuanran lowered his head slightly, deciding not to look at her for the time being. He was a little scared, afraid that he might change his mind.

He hasn't forgotten that his primary goal is to go home.

Everything else has to come second, even what I like.