By the time the officials emerged from the examination hall, the crowd at the entrance had not yet fully dispersed, but the scholars were no longer staging a sit-in protest.
They stood in the sunlight, gathered in small groups, discussing the news spread by the constables and debating how much of it was true. All the while, they kept stealing glances at the examination hall, hoping for the latest information.
When the officials in their robes emerged, the entire crowd of scholars fell silent.
Once they recovered, they hurriedly bowed in greeting, their expressions respectful and their voices earnest as they paid their respects to the officials.
Mr. Zhou was advanced in years and had a fondness for such spirited young men. He smiled, said, "Good, good," several times, and then gestured for them all to rise.
One of the bolder scholars, seeing Mr. Zhou's affable nature, ventured to ask, "Sir, have the rankings been decided?"
