Chen Xu knocked on the door, and it opened.

The three people inside and outside the door looked at each other, Wu Zhengze and Feng Yuanbai both showing astonishment.

Wu Zhengze was even somewhat incredulous. He asked Chen Xu, "You, you said you personally made the dinner?"

Chen Xu replied, "The student has heard that the five flavors harmonize, and the Way lies within them. Therefore, I went to the kitchen to ask the head chef to teach me the way of food and drink.

Just listening is not enough; one must experience it personally to understand why the 'Ritual of Zhou' mentions the harmony of flavors in the pot, balancing the yin and yang."

This reason was impeccable.

Upon hearing it, Wu Zhengze even felt that his earlier surprise seemed overly mundane.

Moreover, Chen Xu also said that he personally made the dinner for him.

Once his mind caught up, he was filled with emotion and joy.

Wu Zhengze hurriedly invited Chen Xu into the room, closed the door, and then looked at Feng Yuanbai, laughing.

Feng Yuanbai's expression changed several times, and although he had a lot to say, he couldn't utter a single word.

It wasn't until the food was laid out on the table that Wu Zhengze ostentatiously said, "Feng Mingfu, you say that I sometimes care excessively about students, unwilling to let go.

I also know that some matters indeed require moderation.

But this student is so sincere and straightforward, you say... how can I possibly let go?"

Yet, he was stroking his short beard with a smile; how was this about "letting go"?

This was clearly blatant boasting!

Feng Yuanbai finally couldn't hold back and said, "Xu Zhi [Chen Xu], it's natural for you to show respect to the Master, but does that mean your foolish brother doesn't deserve to try your cooking?"

As soon as he said it, there was a hint of jealousy in the air.

Wu Zhengze laughed out loud.

He raised his hand and gestured, "Please sit, Feng Mingfu. Since you're here, how could we miss a pair of chopsticks for Mingfu?

Come, come, taste Xu Zhi's cooking."

Feng Yuanbai also laughed and sat down as instructed.

Despite the jealousy, some words were just in jest.

Feng Yuanbai wouldn't take it to heart intentionally.

The two first each served themselves a bowl of porridge, a bowl of porridge made with Pill Jade Spirit Rice mixed with regular rice.

As soon as the porridge entered the mouth, it was indescribably sweet and delicate, leaving an endless aftertaste.

Initially just joking, Feng Yuanbai now truly felt the jealousy.

He blurted out again, "This, how can this porridge be so delicious? Even though it's Pill Jade Spirit Rice, it far surpasses ordinary Pill Jade Spirit Rice!"

Though a dignified Advanced Scholar, usually full of scholarly knowledge, at this moment he could only say the simplest "delicious."

[You received true praise from an Advanced Scholar for your use of Spirit Rice, gaining +500 likes.]

Feng Yuanbai's simple statement of "delicious" directly added 500 likes to Chen Xu's count!

No wonder he's an Advanced Scholar; although there's also the bonus from the characteristics of Spiritual Food, Chen Xu thought.

Even without the characteristics of Spiritual Food, Feng Yuanbai's daily like limit was originally up to 300 points.

Feng County Magistrate should be the most powerful living person Chen Xu has befriended so far.

This time, Wu Zhengze didn't compete with Feng Yuanbai and blurted out, "Truly, the flavor is magnificent!

Chen Xu, you said you wanted to perceive the Way of the Mortal World through the five flavors in the pot. Have you now realized anything?"

[Likes +350]

Master Wu's strength was also formidable, clearly surpassing that of an ordinary Scholar.

Chen Xu sat down with a smile and simply spoke encouragingly, advising both Master Wu and Feng County Magistrate to eat more.

Besides the Pill Jade Spirit Rice Porridge, there was also the Fire Dates Stewed Meat Pot.

Additionally, there were a few simple side dishes, not Spiritual Food but extremely delicious.

In the evening, when Feng Yuanbai left, Chen Xu had received a total of 1275 likes from the two of them.

Even more than his current daily base from the 'Artificial Beast' story.

Feng Yuanbai might not come every day, but Master Wu seemed like a potential new daily base for Chen Xu.

It's truly embarrassing to refer to Master as a "base." It's quite inappropriate.

Henceforth, Chen Xu washed his hands and made soup every day, indeed serving his teacher each meal.

His filial piety moved everyone aware of it around him.

Even Yao Qing, who though less noticeable, often got to enjoy a few bites.

While Spiritual Food was not served daily, Spiritual Wine was always available for Master Wu.

For several days, Chen Xu consistently gained between 800-1000 likes daily.

His somewhat insufficient Fireworks Value suddenly became plentiful again.

Until April 21st, the announcement day arrived.

During this period, there was a small incident involving the classmate Fang Ji.

Every day Fang Ji would say to Chen Xu, "Brother Chen, exams are tiring, be sure to get good rest at night."

This behavior, once or twice, could be ignored, but three or four times inevitably raised suspicion.

Chen Xu even began discreetly using his Divine Thought Profound, almost employing the Tidal Viewing Method to check on Fang Ji.

However, after a thorough investigation, he found no real anomaly in Fang Ji.

It was indeed a strange phenomenon.

With no anomaly, it could only be daily vigilance.

Of course, Chen Xu was accustomed to maintaining a cautious attitude, so this went without saying.

During the days waiting for the announcement, Chen Xu received a letter from Cui Yunqi.

The letter was simple, mainly stating that the innkeeper and a steward from the Cui Family had a good relationship.

So Cui Yunqi instructed the innkeeper to keep an eye on the invitations flooding towards Chen Xu and carefully sort and intercept them.

Of course, such a measure might be unnecessary.

Whether to intercept or not, they should first seek Chen Xu's opinion.

Thus Cui Yunqi asked if this was acceptable to Chen Xu, and whether he could visit Chen Xu the day before the announcement.

Cui Yunqi, and even the entire Cui Family, showed an extremely straightforward friendliness.

Not being completely naive, Chen Xu would appropriately respond.

On April 21st, Cui Yunqi, along with Cui Jingxian, without any attendants, directly went to the Gaosheng Inn to visit Chen Xu.

That day, most of the scholars staying at the inn went out.

Most couldn't resist going to the Imperial Examination Hall gates to hear the firsthand news, except for a few scholars from Jichuan County who were restrained by Wu Zhengze and stayed in the inn.

Wu Zhengze said, "I've asked Uncle Guan to check the list for you, as the gates of the Imperial Examination Hall will surely be crowded today. To prevent a stampede, you shouldn't leave."

Early in the morning, Uncle Guan set out.

The scholars still at the inn mostly gathered in the first-floor hall—

Even without going out, waiting in the first-floor hall was better than fretting in their rooms.

Time passed gradually, and Chen Xu and Cui Yunqi, along with others, waited in the first-floor hall.

Only Wu Zhengze and Yao Qing didn't come down.

Wu Zhengze remarked, "The outcome is determined; waiting or not makes no difference. I'll stay in my room, waiting for your good news."

Compared to the calmness of the Masters, Xu Wenyuan and the others were clearly more anxious.

The hall was buzzing with chatter and discussions until the sun moved past midday.

Suddenly, the sound of gongs and drums was heard from the street, and a loud, echoing voice triumphantly announced:

"Congratulations to Chen Xu from Jichuan County for being the top scorer in the academy exams!"

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