Zhong Su said with melancholy, “The thing we feared most has still come.”
Steward Li nodded silently.
The others did not understand, but the two of them knew in their hearts that whether the ranking was a bit higher or lower was not that important. What they feared was that the emperor still remembered the events from back then, which might affect Ah Shiheng’s future prospects.
Zhong Ruochen, who was listening in, was no fool. She roughly understood what was going on and realised that her fiance’s top scorer title had been lost because of the grudges from the previous generation. She could not help but look again in the direction of the east courtyard. Worry began to rise in her heart. She wondered if her fiance would be able to bear this blow once he learned the truth.
Before long the court officials bringing news of the results also arrived.
The new son-in-law had passed as third in the first class. The servants of the Zhong family were overjoyed and jumped about in celebration. They guessed that the Zhong family would hand out more reward money again. Yet the head of the family smiled rather forcedly.
If they had not held such high hopes at the beginning, qualifying for the first class would still have been something to celebrate.
“Third in the first class?”
Yu Qing said in surprise. After receiving the announcement he opened it specially to check. It was correct, so he himself felt somewhat unexpected. He had thought he would get the top score again, yet this time he had ended up with third place instead.
He was not unhappy about it. He simply felt that Mister Ming’s performance had been somewhat off. One moment he could score full marks on four questions in a row, and the next he could only manage third place.
He very much hoped this third place had come in the metropolitan examination instead. With less influence it would be easier for him to slip away.
The official bringing the news said, “Congratulations, Tanhua Lang. Please follow the time stated on the announcement and enter the palace to see His Majesty tomorrow.”
He still had to enter the palace. Yu Qing felt quite helpless inside. He waved his hand and said, “All right, I know.”
The officials bringing the news then took their leave. Zhong Su waved to indicate, and Steward Li immediately stepped forward to give the officials their reward money.
Once there were no outsiders left, Zhong Su sighed and told Yu Qing the truth. “This ranking on the golden list has put you at a disadvantage.”
“Disadvantage?” Yu Qing said in confusion. He looked at the ranking on the announcement again and pointed at it. “Have I read too few books? Is qualifying for the first class not the best result?”
Everyone in the hall was left speechless and stunned. They did not know why he would say such a thing. Of all those present, who would dare claim he had read too few books?
Zhong Su shook his head. “Actually we received the news last night. You were originally set to be the top scorer in the first class, personally designated by His Majesty. Later His Majesty changed his mind. In other words you should have been the top scorer. It was probably because of your father’s influence.”
Steward Li, Wen Jianhui and Du Fei all wore expressions of regret.
Only then did Yu Qing understand. So that was how it was. He finally realised he had misunderstood Mister Ming. Mister Ming’s performance had actually been quite steady. He quickly waved his hand and said, “No disadvantage, no disadvantage at all. Third place is quite good, really quite good. Do you not think the title of Tanhua sounds better than Zhuangyuan or Bangyan?”
He feared adding flowers to brocade or cooking oil on a blazing fire. It was truly good to have things cooled down a bit.
Not only did he not feel disadvantaged, he actually felt rather pleased. Since the emperor found him displeasing, resigning and leaving would now go smoothly.
When the others saw that he truly did not care and did not mind the gain or loss at all, they felt admiration. They realised he was indeed the son trained by the old master.
After a brief conversation Yu Qing, whose mood had improved slightly, returned to the east courtyard.
As soon as he arrived, Chong’er handed him a letter. It was not for him but one sent to Chong’er.
The letter contained only two words: bell.
Yu Qing knew at once whose letter it was. He told Chong’er to brew some tea, returned to the study himself, and took out the small bell to ring it.
Soon the voice of his little martial uncle came to his ear. “Send Chong’er out. There is a carriage waiting at the main street junction. Have her leave with me first.”
Yu Qing paused for a moment, then quickly asked into the air, “Are you leaving right now?”
His little martial uncle’s voice replied, “I was supposed to leave the day before yesterday, but I delayed because of your matter. Now that the palace examination rankings are out, it no longer matters whether I stay for the appointment to office or the resignation. News of you becoming the top in the metropolitan examination will soon reach Liang Tao. How will Ah Shiheng, who is hiding in Linglong Temple, react when he hears it? And what about your three senior martial brothers when they realise Ah Shiheng has been right beside them all along? You cannot get away for the time being, so I must go back first to handle things properly and avoid any complications.
As for you, after you resign do not return to Linglong Temple for now. Wander outside for a while first to create the impression of drifting through the world. In future it will seem normal for Ah Shiheng to no longer appear in Jiupo Village. It will be more convenient for you to travel alone after resigning. Bringing Chong’er would be a burden, so I will take her first and help her establish a solid foundation for entering cultivation.”
Yu Qing said, “Martial uncle, are you really going to transmit power and teach her the methods?”
His little martial uncle’s voice answered, “You will naturally understand some things later. Do not tell her anything. Just have her come to the main street junction.”
Yu Qing said, “All right.”
After the two ended the communication Yu Qing followed the instructions, found Chong’er, and told him to go to the main street junction to find a carriage and collect something.
Chong’er asked who to find and what thing to collect.
Yu Qing said nothing about it, only that he would know once he got there.
Chong’er agreed readily and trotted off.
After leaving the Zhong family gate he remained cheerful all the way, running to the main street junction in a light and happy mood. Sure enough a carriage was stopped there.
Just as he hesitated about approaching, a paper fan parted the curtain to reveal a familiar face. Zhou Xinyuan waved to him from inside.
Chong’er paused, then quickly climbed into the carriage, slipped inside, and said timidly, “Master.”
He was still not very familiar, and there was a sense of distance from the unfamiliarity.
Zhou Xinyuan pointed at the seat with his folded fan to indicate he should sit, then tapped the carriage wall with the fan a couple of times.
The carriage immediately started moving.
The uneasy Chong’er waited for a while. He did not know where they were going to collect the thing and did not dare say much.
He waited a long time until they reached the city gate for inspection. Only after they had left the city did Chong’er finally ask, “Master, where are we going?”
Zhou Xinyuan smiled with deep meaning and said, “To the place you want to go.”
…
“Why has this Zhan Muchun become the top scorer?”
“Looking at his rhapsody and discourse, his standard seems slightly inferior to Ah Shiheng’s!”
“Yes, a full-score top in the metropolitan examination, a rare genius once in a century. His rhapsody and discourse in this palace examination was of no low standard and truly had the bearing to surpass everyone. How could it only be third in the first class?”
“You all do not know? I heard that Ah Shiheng’s father was the former head of the Ministry of Works, Ah Jiezhan.”
“What does failing to get the top scorer have to do with who his father is?”
“Do you understand what a criminal official is? Ah Jiezhan was dismissed from office and driven out of the capital by His Majesty back then.”
“What does a criminal official background have to do with it? Zhan Muchun’s standard is not low either. He was the top in the Liezhou provincial examination and originally scored better than Ah Shiheng.”
“Originally better than Ah Shiheng? The four questions in the metropolitan examination are clear for all to see. Make Zhan Muchun do them again and see if he can produce even one full-score answer!”
Beside the palace examination public notice, a large crowd gathered to look on and chattered noisily.
By the lakeside meadow the Censorate Vice Censor Pei Qingcheng was led into a pavilion to rest for a while.
Servants served tea. Pei Qingcheng looked around and asked, “Where is the Xuan Guogong?”
The servant pointed towards the direction of the grassy slope. Before he could speak, a giant wolf with purple-tinged fur leaped out from behind the slope. A bare-chested old man rode on the wolf’s body, which was as large as a strong ox. He gripped the wolf’s fur and sat firmly no matter how the giant wolf twisted or jumped.
This old man was none other than the Xuan Guogong, Ying Xiaotang. His name sounded somewhat humble and even a little feminine, yet he was originally the top figure in the Jin Kingdom’s military. Although he no longer held military power, his influence remained.
Perhaps upon seeing that a guest had arrived, the giant wolf suddenly turned and raced towards them. Just as it seemed about to crash into the pavilion, a figure jumped down and the giant wolf leaped over the pavilion with a whoosh.
Ying Xiaotang landed steadily. His full beard and hair had a reddish tint as if dyed. He strode into the pavilion.
A Xuan-level grand archer stood solemnly to one side with an expressionless face and an unsightly scar on each cheek. He presented a robe. Ying Xiaotang casually grabbed it, shook it open, draped it over himself, slipped his arms into the sleeves, and tied the belt.
“This humble official pays respects to the Guogong,” Pei Qingcheng said respectfully as he saluted.
Ying Xiaotang did not sit. He reached for the tea, gulped down two large mouthfuls, then waved his hand to indicate there was no need for more courtesy. He then asked, “I hear that Ah Shiheng is going to serve under you?”
Pei Qingcheng said, “Yes. That is the arrangement for now. It is unknown whether any changes will occur later. After all even the designated top scorer could be altered.”
Ying Xiaotang said, “I heard a dark wind has arisen in the capital and is spreading quickly. It claims the top scorer is unworthy of the title and has even exposed Ah Shiheng’s background to plead injustice for him. Is that true?”
Pei Qingcheng nodded. “I have heard it too.”
The giant wolf outside poked its large head into the pavilion and licked Ying Xiaotang with its bright red tongue behind its fangs. Ying Xiaotang casually grabbed a lamb leg from the table, swung his arm, and threw it to draw the wolf away. He continued, “It is not pleading injustice for Ah Shiheng at all. It is clearly accusing His Majesty of unfair selection of officials and clearly trying to make His Majesty dislike him. A young lad has only just arrived in the capital, yet someone is already targeting him with such momentum and such ruthless methods, wanting to trap him in a difficult situation with no way out. I do not know where this evil wind has come from, but it is so impatient.”
Pei Qingcheng said, “The situation does seem a little off. I hope His Majesty can see clearly.”
Ying Xiaotang said, “I do not care whether he sees clearly or not. Since the lad has come under your command, you must protect him well. If this youngster falls as soon as he enters the capital, let alone failing his old man, with this precedent no one will dare speak uprightly in future!”
Pei Qingcheng bowed slightly. “This humble official understands. Guogong, rest assured. If the Guogong has no other instructions, this humble official will take his leave first.”
Ying Xiaotang said, “Will you not stay for a meal?”
Pei Qingcheng smiled bitterly. “Better not. This humble official takes his leave.” With that he departed.
Once the guest had gone Ying Xiaotang sat down and slowly drank his tea. “Ah Jiezhan has trained a fine son indeed, a top in the metropolitan examination with full marks in four subjects. It would be a pity if he were ruined by petty people. Send a few good hands to act as hidden guards just in case. If anyone truly acts with ill intent, kill first and report later!”
The Xuan-level grand archer standing solemnly kept an expressionless face and asked with his back to the pavilion, “What if it is people from the Sinan Mansion who act?”
Ying Xiaotang blew on the tea leaves in his cup and said, “Kill without mercy! If that woman has any objections she will come to me to argue. There is no need for you to worry.”