The Zhuang family disregarded public opinion, insisting on sending all their sons to the exam site.
Prince An did not disappoint and emerged as the top scholar in the provincial examination held in the Capital City.
As is well known, the competition in the Capital City is the most intense, making the title of top scholar there the most coveted. If not, the Guozijian wouldn't have broken their rule to grant him direct entry into Shuaixin Hall.
The grading speed of the Guozijian was as impressive as rumoured, with results out two mornings after the last day of exams on the twenty-seventh.
This year's freshmen generally performed well, while those who had lagged behind due to years of confinement in the academy seemed lacklustre. Reading is akin to rowing against the current - if you don't progress, you retreat.
However, not all older examinees were like this. The teaching quality of the Guozijian is beyond doubt. Those who paid attention would not fare too badly.