Chapter 62 Top of the list
For Jiang Li, books, mathematics, and etiquette are easy things to master.

The school in Tongxiang was not as magnificent as Mingyi Hall, but it was not shabby either. On the contrary, Jiang Li believed that when it came to learning, the wealthy had their own noble ways of learning, and the common people also had their own ways of learning. Although there was no teacher from the palace to teach her personally, Jiang Li thought that under Xue Huaiyuan's careful teaching, she was not bad. In fact, Xue Huaiyuan never hesitated to let her see a wider sky and freedom, which made her vision even longer-term than men.

Otherwise, when she first came to Yanjing City, besides being the most beautiful woman, she would not also be known as the most talented woman.

Thinking, writing, and writing, all seemed to be done in one go. After starting over again, she was freed from the shackles of being the "top scholar's wife". Perhaps because she had died once and was more open-minded, Jiang Li wrote more easily. The supervisor was patrolling the room and was surprised to see her writing without pause.

Time passed quickly, and after the three exams were over, the supervisor put away the best paper, reminded the students of some important matters, and left. All that was left was to wait until the results were announced in five days to find out what the results would be.

As soon as Jiang Li walked out of the courtyard of Mingyi Hall, Jiang Youyao caught up with her and asked from a distance, "Second sister, are you feeling okay?"

"Not bad." Jiang Li replied with a smile.

"Don't force yourself, second sister." Jiang Yu'e took the opportunity to mock Jiang Li, "Today is the school exam, second sister must have racked her brains and must be extremely tired. Rest well in the mansion these few days. When the results are announced, the sisters will help you to look at them together."

"Thank you very much." Jiang Li nodded.

Seeing that Jiang Li was neither angry nor panicked, Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yu'e were a little unhappy. But after thinking about it for a moment, they felt that Jiang Li was just forcing herself to smile, so they became happy again.

Meng Hongjin stood at the door. She felt that she had done well in the school exam. She just looked at Jiang Li and smiled provocatively, "Second Miss Jiang, don't forget our bet. On the day when the results are announced, we must all come to the gate of Mingyi Hall. Don't make excuses and refuse to come. If you do, it will be considered as breaking your promise and you will be ridiculed."

"Same here." Jiang Li remained calm.

Meng Hongjin snorted coldly and turned away. Liu Xu looked at Jiang Li worriedly and asked her, "Just now... did you feel it was difficult?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I said it wasn't difficult." Jiang Li patted her hands, "Don't worry, just take a rest for the next few days. See you in five days."

She smiled and walked away with Tong'er and Baixue.

When getting on the carriage, Jiang Li even saw Ye Shijie standing at the gate of the Imperial College from a distance. Ye Shijie was talking to someone around him. He looked relaxed, so he must have performed well. Bai Xue asked, "Miss, do you want to go up and say hello to Master Ye?"

"No need." Jiang Li smiled slightly, "There are so many people around, we will meet on the day the results are announced."

When Jiang Li returned to Jiang's house, Jiang Jingrui came to Fangfei Garden to make trouble again, pestering and asking Jiang Li about the results of the battle today. After finally getting rid of him, Ji Shuran sent someone to deliver some fruits, saying that they were to help Jiang Li relieve her fatigue.

In the next few days, the Jiang Mansion was peaceful. Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbo did not ask about Jiang Li's school entrance examination, probably deliberately avoiding the topic. Jiang Jingrui was always worried that Jiang Li would lose face in front of Mingyi Hall, but Jiang Li herself was not worried, and lived a leisurely life, seemingly not worried at all about the bet with Meng Hongjin.

One day, two days, three days, four days, five days. On the morning of the fifth day, the gambling houses of all sizes in the streets and alleys actually opened their doors to welcome customers early in the morning. Gamblers also came in an endless stream, surrounding the entrance of the gambling houses. Tea houses and restaurants were also very lively today, with guests full. Even the shabby taverns that usually had few customers were packed with diners.

What people are talking about most is the announcement of the results today.

"The Imperial College announced the results today. I wonder how many young talents will appear in Yanjing this year."

"Mingyi Hall is also announcing the results at this moment. Most of the young ladies from the noble houses are both talented and beautiful. Who will live up to the reputation this year?" The two names that were talked about the most were "Meng Hongjin" and "Jiang Li".

"If you ask me, the most interesting thing today is the list of Mingyi Hall. Don't forget, everyone, before the school exam, the young lady of the Chengxuanshi Mansion and the daughter of the Prime Minister made a bet. Whoever loses will kneel in front of the gate of Mingyi Hall to apologize. The talented men of the Imperial College and the talented women of Mingyi Hall are not as spirited as this bet. Don't you agree?"

Everyone raised their glasses to echo the words, and someone shook his head and said, "What a pity for the Prime Minister. Such a noble family with the most outstanding civil officials will be reduced to a laughing stock because of this vicious daughter."

"How sad." Someone else sighed.

"Doesn't the Prime Minister's family have a third young lady? That third young lady is a real lady from a noble family. Lord Jiang is not completely shameless."

"If you ask me, this is the difference. Miss Jiang San's biological mother is the daughter of the Deputy Imperial Envoy Ji's family, who is well-educated and well-mannered. Miss Jiang Er's biological mother is a merchant. So, it is said that you should marry a virtuous wife. You see, the daughters born by the women from merchant families are not presentable..."

At this moment, Ye Shijie was sitting among the guests downstairs of Wangxianlou, the largest restaurant in Yanjing City, and his ears were filled with personal discussions about this matter. Hearing "a mere merchant", Ye Shijie clenched his fists.

A friend asked, "It's about time for the results to be announced, why haven't you done anything yet?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the crowd near the window suddenly became noisy, and someone said, "Here they come!"

The person who posted the red list is here.

The people waiting outside rushed over in a flash. The guards held the crowd back and posted the red list on the conspicuous stone walls in various places. After the people who posted the list left, the impatient crowd rushed over in a flash.

Some people who couldn't squeeze in were jumping around anxiously outside, hoping to get a glimpse or two, and would ask people inside from time to time: "Did you see who's on the top of the list?"

The people inside were also having a hard time. A smaller person, with his flexible body, quickly squeezed in and got to the front in one breath. He shouted, "Ye Shijie, the top of the Imperial College list."

There was an uproar outside. The name Ye Shijie was too unfamiliar, and it seemed that he did not belong to any official family in Beijing.

"Where is Ming Yi Tang?" In the chaos, some people were more concerned about other things and asked, "Who is the top of Ming Yi Tang?"

The short man seemed to have become a messenger. He dragged out his voice and said, "The top of Mingyi Hall is, is--" His voice suddenly stopped, and was replaced by a long gasp.

The people around were extremely anxious, and were even more itchy. They urged and scolded: "Hurry up, why are you keeping us in suspense? Who is it?"

The little guy was pushed a few times, came to his senses, turned around in annoyance, and uttered a name.

"Jiang Li!"

Ginger pear?!
The crowd exploded.

　The top scorer in the college entrance examination, Ali╮（╯▽╰）╭
　　
　
(End of this chapter)