The morning sun had barely risen over the capital when the streets near the Ministry of Rites began filling with people.
Young scholars in elegant robes gathered in large numbers. Some held fans nervously, some whispered prayers, while others stood silently staring at the large notice board where the results of the Imperial Examination would soon be posted.
For scholars across the empire, this day could change their entire lives.
Among the crowd stood six tall young men wearing dark robes embroidered with the crest of the Yue family.
They were the remaining six Yue brothers who had taken the examination that year.
Fifth brother Yue Tao (26) stood with his arms folded calmly.
Beside him was sixth brother Yue Jun (25), who looked far more relaxed than the others.
The younger brothers stood together nearby:
Seventh brother Yue An (23)
Eighth brother Yue Rui (22)
Ninth brother Yue Han (20)
Tenth brother Yue Bo (18)
The youngest, Yue Bo, kept stretching his neck trying to see the notice board.
"Why are there so many people?" he complained.
"Because everyone here is waiting for their future," Yue Jun replied lazily.
Yue Bo groaned.
"That doesn't help my nerves."
Yue Han chuckled.
"You were the one bragging last night that you would easily pass."
"I said I might pass," Yue Bo protested quickly.
Yue Rui laughed.
"You said you would rank within the top ten."
"That was confidence!"
"That was arrogance," Yue An corrected calmly.
The brothers laughed together, though the tension in their eyes was clear.
Yue Tao looked at them with quiet amusement.
"Enough arguing."
He glanced toward the Ministry gate.
"The results will be posted soon."
---
The Results Arrive
Soon several officials appeared from the Ministry building.
A long scroll was carried carefully by two attendants.
The crowd instantly became silent.
An official announced loudly,
"The results of this year's Imperial Examination will now be posted!"
Servants quickly moved forward and placed the large paper list onto the wooden board.
For a brief moment there was silence.
Then chaos erupted.
Scholars rushed forward.
"Move aside!"
"Let me see!"
"Where is my name?!"
The Yue brothers exchanged glances.
Yue Jun sighed.
"Well… shall we see our fate?"
Yue Tao nodded.
"Let's go."
They slowly approached the board.
The rankings began from the very top.
Yue Tao scanned the list carefully.
Suddenly Yue Rui gasped.
"Fifth brother!"
Yue Tao turned.
"What?"
Yue Rui pointed at the board.
"There!"
The name was written clearly.
Third Rank — Yue Tao
Yue Tao stared for a moment.
Then Yue Jun burst out laughing.
"Third place?!"
"You hid your ability well!"
Yue Tao smiled faintly.
"I only studied seriously."
Yue Jun clapped his shoulder.
"You studied like a madman."
Nearby scholars began whispering.
"Yue family again…"
"They really produced a top scholar."
---
Yue Jun stepped closer to the board.
"Let's see where I ended up."
He scanned the names.
Then suddenly he froze.
"Oh."
The others immediately turned.
"What?"
Yue Jun rubbed the back of his neck.
"I suppose I did better than expected."
Yue Rui leaned forward to look.
Then he shouted loudly.
"Second Rank?!"
Everyone stared.
Second Rank — Yue Jun
Yue Tao laughed softly.
"You always pretended not to care."
Yue Jun shrugged.
"I didn't want to scare the others."
Yue Han groaned.
"You're unbearable."
---
Now Yue An stepped forward quietly.
He carefully examined the list.
After a moment he spoke calmly.
"I passed."
"Where?" Yue Rui asked.
Yue An pointed.
Sixth Rank — Yue An
Yue Tao nodded approvingly.
"Excellent."
Yue Jun grinned.
"The Yue family is dominating this exam."
---
Yue Rui eagerly pushed forward.
"My turn!"
He scanned the list rapidly.
Then his eyes lit up.
"I found it!"
"Where?" Yue Bo asked anxiously.
"Fourteenth!"
Fourteenth Rank — Yue Rui
Yue Rui raised his arms happily.
"I knew I would pass!"
Yue Jun smirked.
"You nearly shouted loud enough for the emperor to hear."
---
Now only Yue Han and Yue Bo remained.
Yue Han stepped forward nervously.
He searched the board carefully.
The moment he saw his name he let out a long breath.
"Thank heaven."
"Where?" Yue Tao asked.
Yue Han pointed quietly.
Twenty-First Rank — Yue Han
Yue Rui laughed.
"That's still excellent!"
Yue Han nodded.
"I'm satisfied."
---
The Youngest Brother
Now everyone turned toward Yue Bo.
The youngest brother looked terrified.
"What if I fail?"
Yue Jun crossed his arms.
"Then you study again next year."
Yue Bo groaned dramatically.
"I will die of embarrassment."
"Stop talking and look," Yue Tao said calmly.
Yue Bo slowly stepped forward.
He searched the list.
Once.
Twice.
Then suddenly he shouted.
"I PASSED!"
The brothers rushed forward.
"Where?"
Yue Bo pointed proudly.
Thirty-Second Rank — Yue Bo
Yue Rui laughed loudly.
"The youngest passed too!"
Yue Jun placed an arm around Yue Bo's shoulders.
"Not bad for an eighteen-year-old."
Yue Bo looked proud.
"I told you I would pass!"
"You said top ten," Yue Han reminded him.
Yue Bo coughed awkwardly.
"Well… thirty-two is still good."
---
By now many scholars around them had noticed.
One man whispered,
"Six Yue brothers…"
"All of them passed."
Another scholar looked stunned.
"And several ranked within the top ranks."
"The Yue family is terrifying."
Word began spreading quickly through the crowd.
"The Yue family produced six successful scholars in one year!"
"They already have great generals!"
"Now they have scholars too!"
"I think you guys have forgotten about the first, second and fourth brothers of yue family who also excel in exam and now is officials"
---
When the brothers returned home, the Yue residence was already celebrating.
Servants ran excitedly through the courtyard.
Grandfather Yue Shun sat proudly in the main hall.
"Well?" he asked.
"How did you perform?"
Yue Jun stepped forward.
"Second rank."
Yue Tao added calmly,
"Third rank."
The old man's eyes widened.
"Second and third?!"
Then the younger brothers reported their ranks.
By the time Yue Bo proudly announced his result, the entire hall was filled with laughter.
Their father Yue Chen shook his head in amazement.
"Our family truly raised extraordinary sons."
Their mother Zhao Lan smiled warmly.
"I knew all of you would succeed."
Yue Ning clapped happily.
"My brothers are amazing."
Yue Rui grinned.
"Now the capital will know the Yue family is not only strong in battle."
Yue Jun nodded proudly.
"We can fight wars…"
Yue Tao finished calmly.
"And govern the empire."
The Yue family burst into laughter again.
Outside the residence, news of their success had already begun spreading across the capital.
And with every retelling of the story…
The reputation of the Yue family only continued to rise.