The eave over the announcement wall was barely half a meter wide, just enough to shield the rain from flying into his eyes. Liu Ji opened his eyes wide and looked from left to right, patting the shoulders beneath him as he directed, "Right, move right, a little more to the right."

Ah Wang couldn’t hold back and grumbled softly, "Why doesn’t the old master start from the last name then?"

The person on his shoulders did not respond, either pretending not to hear or being too engrossed.

Amidst the mutterings of the crowd, the two moved from the left to the right.

Ah Wang had already given up hope, aware of his master’s true abilities.

His foundation was poor, even if he had some natural talent, luck couldn’t always be on his side.

But just as Ah Wang was thinking this...

The next second, he heard a sharp intake of breath from above.

Ah Wang’s heart tightened, suddenly feeling some anticipation as he looked up and asked, "Master, what are the results?"

"Twentieth rank in Jia Class, Qi Xian." Liu Ji read out his senior brother’s rank with mixed emotions.

The list was posted in horizontal rows, Jia Class at the top, Yi and Bing Classes lower down, with the ranks further back to the right.

Ah Wang thought: Indeed, expectations for the old master shouldn’t be too high!

This ranking style explained why Shi Tou and Ah Gu had been searching for their young master’s name at the front for so long without success.

Steadying himself, Liu Ji’s gaze moved downwards.

Afraid of looking too quickly and missing it, yet eager to finish reading the last few lines to find his own name.

Ah Wang felt the sweat from the hand resting on his head seep into his scalp.

The heavy rain had eased into a mist; Liu Ji wiped his face and signaled Ah Wang to let him down.

Only the last three lines remained now.

Ah Wang tilted his shoulder, lowering his master, and glanced up inadvertently, freezing in place with eyes slowly widening.

"Liu Ji... Liu Ji!" Ah Wang stammered clumsily, wanting to tell his master to look at the list, but could only utter these two words.

Liu Ji turned his gaze sharply at his name on the list, pointing excitedly at the words, looking at Ah Wang.

Ah Wang nodded vigorously, pointing to the registered birthplace, silently asking if he got it wrong.

"Yes, it’s indeed me, your handsome and dashing master!" Liu Ji laughed heartily three times, finally at ease.

Now he could give his reply to the vicious woman back home!

The master and servant exchanged smiles, carefully examining the list three times, confirming Bing Class Rank 29.

Out of thirty available spots, Liu Ji was second to last.

But even being second to last, he had made the list!

Liu Ji’s joy was indescribable, as he spun around in water puddles reciting:

"I’ve made it, I’ve made it, I’ve succeeded in the examination..."

He spun past the crowd, drawing glances of envy and jealousy, unaware and unconcerned until he bumped into the side of a carriage, bringing him to a stop.

Liu Ji gathered himself, lifted the carriage curtain, and stuck his head in, formally addressing his startled teacher and senior brother:

"Teacher, senior brother, I passed!"

After withdrawing his head, he took out the yellow talisman he had obtained from the Daoist Temple the day before leaving home, kissing it fiercely twice.

The temple was indeed magical. Once he ascended to high office, he must donate silver to refurbish the temple.

Perhaps even erect a monument, inscribing his life achievements there at the temple gate for future generations to admire.

Thinking of such delightful prospects, Liu Ji couldn’t help but grin widely again.

Qi Xian climbed out of the carriage, intending to speak but halted as he recalled a story from some book.

It was about a poor scholar who worked half his life without success, and finally succeeded but went mad from the excitement.

Thus, Qi Xian held back his words, signaled Ah Wang to help Liu Ji onto the carriage, and the party returned to their rented villa.

Liu Ji’s excited heart finally calmed, and he confidently instructed Ah Wang: "Tonight I want fish."

Ah Wang acknowledged, picked up the vegetable basket from the kitchen, and headed out to buy fish.

After all, today indeed warranted a celebration.

Gongliang Liao and Qi Xian looked forward to dinner.

Since Liu Ji came aboard with Ah Wang, Gongliang Liao refused to eat the maid-prepared meals.

As a teacher, dining with his student for three meals a day was justified.

As for Qi Xian, though initially hesitant to trouble Ah Wang, after dining alone for two days and on tight invitation from Liu Ji, he couldn’t resist and continued thereafter.

Ah Wang didn’t mind cooking two extra servings; he was quite idle and enjoyed experimenting with food.

Under Ah Wang’s care, Gongliang Liao gained a belly, and Qi Xian noticeably grew taller.

Liu Ji hadn’t gained much weight, explaining: "My wife prefers slender men, so I must eat less." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Qi Xian responded with a vague understanding, considering it a marital quirk?

Reflecting on his unexpected place on the list, Qi Xian had anticipated it.

To remain modest, he restrained his capabilities just to secure the last spot in Jia Class.

Had he aimed for the top, he was confident of achieving it.

Yet Liu Ji even managed to claim a spot, stunning Qi Xian.

Were they not inseparable these two months, he might have suspected his junior brother underwent a mysterious brain switch today.

This curiosity lingered in Qi Xian’s mind until Ah Wang served dinner, prompting him to finally inquire.

Concerned about offending his junior brother, he asked very delicately:

"Junior brother, what was your subject in the courtyard exam?"

Gongliang Liao ate calmly, uninterested in the matter, showing a mild reaction to Liu Ji’s achievement.

Only now did Qi Xian notice his teacher’s indifference, sensing something more.

The courtyard exam allowed candidates to freely elaborate a subject.

Such topics were more challenging than predefined ones, testing the candidates’ individual experiences and family background.

Rather than a free elaboration, it was a screening of candidates’ outlook and identity.

For someone like Liu Ji from ordinary origins, succeeding in such an exam wasn’t purely luck.

Facing his senior brother’s curiosity, Liu Ji finished the fish head in his bowl, placed a piece of fish belly in his teacher’s bowl, cleared his throat, and seriously said:

"I wrote about ’My Daily Life with the Scholar Teacher and Noble Family Prodigy Senior Brother’."