Mr Ming did not look down on Ah Shiheng. It was because he had asked clearly before. In the provincial examination he had only ranked one hundred and six.
It was already difficult to make the list at one hundred and six. How much more so to become the top candidate in the metropolitan examination?
Slap! Mr Ming suddenly slapped his own forehead hard. He wanted to make himself sober up. He was afraid he was still dreaming in the village by the lake.
He also pinched himself hard.
It hurt! The squeezing around him and the clear noise told him this was not a dream. It was real.
The lad he had taught had really made the tribute list. Moreover he had taken the top spot as the metropolitan examination top candidate!
It was not a dream but he still stared with wide eyes. He still found it hard to believe.
Yes. What does that line of words with four picks below mean? This old man has never seen it in previous years when viewing the list.
The examination tests policy essays, classics and history, fu essays and poetry. It should be the scores given after marking.
Stop talking nonsense. Do you think I have never read books? It cannot be that all four subjects scored full marks!
Yes. Even full marks in one subject is rare. How much more so for four subjects.
Then what do you say the numbers marked after those four subjects mean? Apart from indicating scores I cannot think what else they could be.
Those debating with him had nothing to say.
Their words also woke Mr Ming from his shock. His attention turned to the small words below marked with the four subjects.
Could it be that he topped the list as the metropolitan top candidate with full marks in all four subjects?
No way? Can such a thing that happens once in a hundred years appear?
Mr Ming felt a bit agitated. He turned around in all directions. He wanted to squeeze out to see Yu Qings examination paper. He wanted to see exactly what kind of questions could let someone like Yu Qing score as the top candidate. He also wanted to confirm whether it was really full marks in all four subjects to top the list as the metropolitan top candidate!
To show fairness the examination compound would post all the successful tribute scholars examination papers outside the surrounding walls.
However he was in a sea of people with everyone squeezing each other. With his body hollowed out by wine and women how could he squeeze out? Even with his face red and neck thick he could hardly move an inch. He was also pushed and shoved twice and scolded. Being weak and alone he had no choice but to give up. He could only wait until the crowd thinned out.
In fact many people had already realised the same problem. Could there really be a metropolitan top candidate with full marks in all four subjects? They all headed towards the place where the papers were about to be made public. They even ignored looking at other names on the list.
There were two hundred and seventeen people on the archway announcement board. It represented the number of tribute scholars admitted in this metropolitan examination. The last five were all provincial graduates from listed prefectures.
After the four chief examiners under the archway gradually withdrew their gazes from the scene they looked at each other and smiled. They all understood clearly. Once this list came out today it would probably not only shake the Kingdom of Jin but cause a sensation throughout the entire world!
Luo Yewen stroked his beard and said. I also want to watch this excitement. However the unprecedented sensation about to appear does not belong to us. Three lords matters here are concluded. We should also go to the cabinet to report. This metropolitan top candidate with full marks in all four subjects will probably require us to give a good explanation to His Majesty and the various elders in the cabinet.
The four chief examiners turned and left just like that leaving behind a boiling uproar.
Ah my young master has passed! My young master has passed! Thirty ninth place. Thirty ninth place is my young master!
Little brother congratulations congratulations!
Passed passed! Twenty seventh place is my young master.
One hundred and sixty third place. Passed! My young master has passed. Please make way everyone. Allow me to go back to report the good news.
From time to time loud shouts of passed rang out in the crowd. People responded with cheers and applause.
The heated atmosphere rose wave after wave. It left Mr Ming in the crowd feeling somewhat at a loss. It gave him a feeling that was both familiar and hard to blend into. He could not go with the flow.
The poetry topic is very simple. I heard it is just the two words achievement and fame. Let one compose on these two words.
It seemed someone was whispering. Mr Ming gave a start. Like waking from a dream he looked around urgently. He wanted to know where the voice just now came from.
He could not find it anywhere but he still turned in circles looking around. His face was somewhat pale. Sweat broke out on his forehead. He was short of breath.
He accidentally stepped on the foot of a strong man beside him. It was the strong man who had pushed him earlier. The man grabbed his collar pushed and shoved him and raised a fist to threaten. It is you again you blind old thing. Do you believe Grandpa will split your head open with one punch?
Mr Ming who could not resist glared at him. Suddenly he shouted hysterically at him. The top candidate! My young master has become the metropolitan top candidate!
As soon as these words came out everyone around him turned back sharply to look.
The strong man who was holding him with fist raised to teach him a lesson was dumbfounded. He looked around carefully and found the people beside him were all staring at him.
Mr Ming pushed him away forcefully. He squeezed hard towards the outside of the crowd and shouted loudly. My young master has become the metropolitan top candidate. Please make way. My young master has become the metropolitan top candidate. Please make way.
In the boiling noise that could almost drown out everything he advanced with difficulty. He shouted hysterically all the way as if he had gone mad.
However this was the most effective way for him to get out. People who heard the shouts all showed respect. They consciously moved to both sides and tried hard to make way for him. Some even repeatedly offered congratulations.
When he finally came out from the tide of people his clothes were already loose and dishevelled. Even his thin chest was exposed. His hair and beard were also messy. The bundle on his back had been pulled open by someone taking advantage and things taken. Some clothes hung halfway out swaying as he moved shakily forward.
Not far after breaking out he despaired again. The despair made his beard and hair tremble. His eyes showed endless difficulty.
He had broken out of one tide of people only to see another tide. It was the crowd gathered in front of the posted examination papers.
In front of the posted papers there was a circle of barricades with soldiers guarding. People were only allowed to look from a distance. They were not permitted to approach and touch. The characters on the examination papers were already small. People not close could not see clearly. How much less so for Mr Ming standing at the back of the crowd.
This time he could not shout the same words again to make people make way. He could only gasp for breath in the constant flow of people coming and going. From time to time passersby pointed at him and mocked his bedraggled appearance.
Zhong Residence East Courtyard.
Yu Qing who was neatly dressed had restored his original hairstyle. He had restored the casually tied ponytail.
The hair he had coiled up earlier needed to be perfectly neat to look good. If it was slightly messy it would give an unkempt feeling. He did not like that.
This was much better. Relaxed and convenient.
Coming out from the bedroom he threw the packed bundle onto the desk. He hung the metal canister containing the fire cricket back on his belt again. He picked up the佩 sword drew out half of it and looked. There were still notches from chopping. This time he needed to find someone to sharpen it.
He sheathed the sword sat holding it on the low platform in the main hall and looked towards the small courtyard gate outside. He saw servants passing by occasionally.
He was waiting. Waiting for Zhong Su the external official to come.
He knew today was the day the results were released. Based on his understanding of External Official Zhong these past days after learning the results External Official Zhong should come alone to see him and talk. As for that Madam Zhong apart from seeing her a few times when he first entered the residence she had not appeared again.
She probably did not want to see him. He could sense Madam Zhongs thoughts. She was not happy about this marriage.
Actually he also felt he was not worthy. He felt that Ah Shihengs current family situation indeed did not match this wealthy family.
He did not know how the Zhong family would react after learning the truth. After knowing Ah Shiheng was injured and disabled the situation would probably be even worse. However that was not something he worried about. Ah Shiheng himself had long been mentally prepared. He had already explained clearly to him. As long as it did not delay this metropolitan examination it was fine. As for the Zhong familys attitude towards the marriage there was no need to force it!
Now the metropolitan examination had ended smoothly. He was not afraid the Zhong family would cause more trouble. They probably would not dare either.
The task Ah Shiheng had assigned him he had already completed smoothly. The hardships involved need not be mentioned. It was time to leave!
Mr Ming knowing about the examination questions also did not need to worry anymore. As long as nothing went wrong up to today it would be fine.
The reason was simple. The results were released and the papers were published. Even if Mr Ming made a complaint now there would be no evidence. Unless he wanted to court death it would be about the same. If he really dared to make a fuss it would probably not need him to act.
The big stone in his heart was lifted. So he wanted to tell Zhong Su the truth.
The Listed Prefecture Guild Hall should also start the return journey plan. He needed Zhong Su to help him handle the stay in the capital procedures. If Zhong Su was unwilling then he could only find Du Fei and Steward Li. It should not be difficult to persuade the two to come forward. They should still consider Ah Jiezhang face a little.
He sat quietly waiting pondering how to respond to Zhong Sus various reactions after learning the truth. He would endure what he could endure. Everyone should try to part on good terms.
In the main hall of the inner residence Wen Jianhui sat guarding a table. Her two daughters stood quietly behind her.
Seeing her husband always pacing back and forth in the hall with hands behind his back Wen Jianhui could not help complaining. Oh you stop walking around. You are making my head hurt.
Zhong Su stopped pacing. He walked to the door stood under the eaves looked up at the sun and said to Du Fei waiting outside. It is almost noon. Why has there still been no news about the results? Old Li does not even ask. Why is there no sign of him either?
Du Fei waved his hand and called a guard over. He told him to go find Steward Li.
Not long after that guard hurried back. He also brought the gatekeeper to testify. External Official he said Steward Li personally ran to see the list.
Zhong Su said doubtfully. Did we not already send someone to see it? Why did he run there himself again?
The gatekeeper could not help scratching behind his ear. Steward Li had been waiting for news at the main gate earlier. The person who went to see the list Qi San came back and said… said that our residences Ah Young Master has become the metropolitan top candidate.
He became the metropolitan top candidate?
As soon as these words came out they startled everyone present. Wen Jianhui who was sitting in the hall sipping tea nearly dropped her teacup. She floated out like a gust of wind and抢 spoke bluntly. Are you sure you heard he became the metropolitan top candidate?
Inside Zhong Ruochen had both hands tightly clenched at her chest. Her knuckles were pinched white. She was extremely nervous.
Wen Ruwei then ran out with wide eyes. She wished she could抢 her mothers words.
The gatekeeper said. I do not know. Qi San said Ah Young Master topped the list as the metropolitan top candidate with full marks in all four subjects.
Several people froze at the same time.
Zhong Su then frowned and scolded. What nonsense is Qi San spouting? It is simply ridiculous. Where is he?
If it was said he made the tribute list this side could still believe it. Saying he became the metropolitan top candidate was already somewhat doubtful. What was even more excessive was the claim that he scored full marks in all four subjects. It was simply exaggerating to the highest degree. Who here could believe it?
The gatekeeper said. Steward Li did not believe it either. He also said he was talking nonsense. Qi San stamped his foot and swore. Steward Li still did not believe so he personally ran to see the list. Qi San also followed. At this time they should be back soon right?
As soon as these words fell urgent footsteps came from outside. Everyone looked over. It was no one else but Steward Li running hurriedly.
However Steward Lis appearance was a bit frightening. Like he was in mourning. He came running crying and wailing.
He passed! He passed! Master the elders in heaven have spirits. The young master has passed! The young master has really made the list!
Steward Li who stumbled towards this side wailed loudly to report the good news as if reporting a death.