Chapter 170: A Royal Proclamation

Once Fan Xian had left the Tongfu Tavern, the four scholars in the room looked at each other in dismay. It seemed they had not expected such fortune to fall from Heaven straight into their laps.

"This is good... right?" Yang Wanli sat on the bed, dumbfounded. Cheng Jialin and Shi Chanli congratulated him and laughed. "From now on, Brother Yang, you'll be rubbing shoulders with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Revenue. Perhaps your career will turn out just fine."

There was a certain look of dejection on Yang Wanli's honest face. "I have always greatly admired young Master Fan's talent. And I am thankful for his willingness to bend the rules in the exams. I presume that behind the scenes of the grading, young Master Fan expended considerable effort. But... I wish Master Fan had not come here today."

Cheng and Shi were both astounded and lost for words. They knew that Yang Wanli felt that Fan Xian seemed to be trying to win his favor.