It turned out he had achieved something even higher than the metropolitan top candidate by one grade.
Was there even such a thing? Wen Jianhui was no longer just shocked. She was completely bewildered. This had already exceeded her understanding. She had never expected that her own family would produce a person rarely seen in a hundred years. And it was actually her own son in law!
Wen Ruwei who was hiding behind clutching her sisters arm and eavesdropping kept clicking her tongue in wonder. She shook her sisters arm from time to time. The meaning was asking if her sister had heard it.
Zhong Ruochen already had spring in her brows and eyes. She could hardly contain her joy. A hundred emotions swirled in her heart turning into sweet feelings. It was the first time she had heard a group of men chatter on and on praising a man like this.
Although she had not yet seen that mans face she already felt that heaven had treated her well. It had given her such a good husband.
Only then did Zhong Su and the others realise that they had only now figured out the situation. They discovered that this family apart from being able to earn some money was indeed a bit shallow.
A figure flashed outside the door. Yu Qing had arrived.
After the servant leading the way brought Yu Qing in he could not help glancing a few more times at the departing back when he withdrew. He felt a bit puzzled and also a bit curious.
The metropolitan top candidate! The head of the tribute list! What a great happy event this was! When he ran to the east courtyard to pass the message he had specially offered congratulations. Who knew this person sitting on the platform holding a sword listened coldly and calmly from beginning to end. After listening he stood up expressionlessly and just came with him like that.
He had become the metropolitan top candidate. Hearing such great good news as the person involved he actually showed not a single reaction from start to finish. He had to admire that.
Yu Qing who entered the hall tilted his head and coldly eyed the group of people from the guild hall. When he reached Zhong Su and the others he first cupped his hands in greeting. I have seen Uncle and Aunt.
Everyone in the hall felt somewhat puzzled. Their gazes could hardly leave his ponytail. They did not know why he had come out so casually.
Wen Jianhui repeatedly raised her hands to indicate no need for formality. She was all smiles trying her best to show her amiability and kindness.
Zhong Su also had a face full of red glow. He smiled so widely that his mouth could hardly close. But after all he was someone who had long moved in social circles. His performance was still somewhat restrained. He nodded in approval and said. You did well in the examination. You made the list. These are people sent by the Listed Prefecture Guild Hall to report the good news to you. They have matters to explain to you. He pointed at the group of minor officials.
On the scene apart from Yu Qing almost everyone had faces piled with smiles. It was extremely festive.
The group of minor officials were also looking Yu Qing up and down. They also wanted to see what the person who could achieve this rarely seen result in a hundred years looked like. They wondered if he had the blessed appearance of an extraordinary person.
As soon as Yu Qing approached these people soon could no longer smile.
First Yu Qing himself had no smiling face. He said expressionlessly. Let the one in charge come out to speak.
It is me. It is me. The lean man in the lead immediately stepped forward. He nodded and bowed. Cheng Gui has seen the young master. Congratulations to the young master for achieving the top tribute scholar with full marks in all four subjects.
Yu Qing did not respond to this at all. He asked calmly. You are from the Listed Prefecture Guild Hall?
The lean man continued nodding and bowing. Yes. We are here on the order of the guild head to report the good news to you. In addition…
Yu Qing interrupted. I have also stayed in the Listed Prefecture Guild Hall before. How come I have never seen you?
Someone in the group of minor officials immediately said. We have met. Young master we have met. When the young master entered and left the guild hall he often covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief. Perhaps there was some smell in the guild hall that was not very pleasant…
Yu Qing swept a glance at him again. He felt he looked a bit familiar. He interrupted again. You say you are here to report the good news. Proof!
These few words of his came out rather cooling. The group of minor officials discovered they did not seem like they were here to report good news. Instead they seemed like they were here to turn themselves in. This was the first time they had encountered such a calm young master. In previous years those receiving the good news were all beaming with joy. Some were even excited to the point of dancing with joy. It made them think they had found the wrong person.
It was not only this group of minor officials. This atmosphere made even the Zhong family unable to smile anymore.
Yes yes yes. The lean man quickly handed over the official document. This is the document sent by the Ministry of Rites to the guild hall. It contains the formal announcement letter and also the great seal of the Ministry of Rites. Please examine it young master.
Yu Qing took it in hand and looked through it carefully. He saw written on it the examination ranking of Ah Shiheng. It formally informed him that he had entered the tribute ranks. He was to enter the palace in five days to participate in the palace examination. There was indeed a great seal stamped on it. Whether it was real or not he did not know.
Seeing his calm way of handling it the watching Zhong Su actually felt his old face redden. Only then did he realise he had been rather out of sorts earlier. He was actually not as composed as a young man.
Wen Jianhui also looked at Yu Qings unhurried manner and the more she looked the more satisfied she became. She secretly praised in her heart. Sure enough he is someone who is going to take the top scholar. Compared with other ordinary people he is just different.
Sister did you see? That is the man who will be with you day and night from now on. I did not say wrong right? Brother in law looks quite good right?
In the back hall the two sisters lay on the small carved air holes of the separating hall and peeked at the movements outside. Wen Ruwei whispered in her sisters ear.
Day and night together? Zhong Ruochen peeked at Yu Qing in the hall. She imagined that scene for a moment. Instantly her face flushed with shyness. Even the roots of her ears turned red. She pinched the flesh at her sisters waist and twisted it. She softly spat out. Calling you to talk nonsense!
She felt shy but she had indeed seen what the man she was going to marry looked like. It was indeed as her sister said. He was quite handsome. That straight and upright figure seemed to carry an invisible strength. It was something she had never seen on those oily headed and powdered young masters she had met when following her parents out before.
And the other partys way of dressing also made her secretly breathe a sigh of relief. She had really been afraid he was that kind of arrogant man who relied on his talent. Just looking at that ponytail she knew he was a rather casual person. He should not be too hard to get close to.
Wen Ruwei kept muttering. Sister did you see? People who can become the metropolitan top candidate are just different. That is called calm and composed. Such a great happy event and he can remain unmoved. In the whole scene he was the calmest and most composed. Even father and Uncle Du are not as good as him.
Zhong Ruochen was full of longing. In her heart she murmured. This is the man who will grow old with me…
Yu Qing repeatedly and carefully examined the document in his hand several times. He did not see any loopholes. He closed the document and pondered without speaking.
The lean man saw he had finished looking and said again. The guild head and Lord Fu have instructed that before you enter the palace for the palace examination you should first find time to return to the guild hall once. First they want to see you. Second the palace has its own rules. Some matters need to be explained and arranged. Some palace entry etiquette inevitably also needs to be learned a little.
Yu Qing just listened. He neither agreed nor disagreed. The document in his hand was casually returned to the other party. This left everyone stunned.
The lean man subconsciously caught it. After catching it he realised something was wrong. He quickly presented it back with both hands. No young master. I cannot take this back. This is for you. You still need to rely on this to enter the palace for the palace examination.
Who knew after Yu Qing handed it out he had no intention of taking it back at all. He directly said to Steward Li. Uncle Li prepare a horse for me.
Steward Li asked doubtfully. For what?
Yu Qing suddenly turned his head to look at the carved air holes in the separating hall. He vaguely saw peeping gazes. He had long noticed someone behind.
In the back hall Zhong Ruochen who was lying in front of the air hole felt her gaze instantly meet Yu Qings gaze directly. She got a fright. She hurriedly retreated from the carved air hole. She covered her heart with her hand. Her mind was in chaos. She worried that Yu Qing would recognise her. She worried she would be mistaken for a woman with bad habits who liked to peep. Her face turned pale with fright. She regretted it endlessly. She regretted coming to peek.
Wen Ruwei patted her shoulder with one hand. She pouted towards the air hole. She waved her fingers in a very arrogant manner. With an experienced look she indicated that outside could not see inside.
Yu Qing only turned back to look once. He mistakenly thought it was a servant of the Zhong family. He did not think about other people. He turned back and said to Steward Li again. I am going to the examination compound. Having said that he left.
Uh… The lean man holding the document was stunned. He immediately hurried to catch up. Young master please first receive this document before anything else.
Yu Qing said. You take it back first.
Ah? This… How can this be taken back? No young master. This document is no ordinary thing. It involves the palace examination personally presided over by His Majesty. It is an order from the cabinet that it must be delivered before the you hour today. It absolutely cannot be overdue. Even if I as a small person have heaven defying courage I would not dare to go against the court cabinet. If you do not receive it and give a signature I will not be able to交代 when I return! We have no past grudge or recent enmity. If you do this my rice bowl will not be preserved. My whole family old and young rely on me. Young master young master…
The lean man panicked. He chased and pleaded. He did not dare to force this currently popular full marks metropolitan top candidate. If he lay down on the ground his life would be over.
The group of minor officials in the hall also panicked. They had never encountered such a thing. It completely exceeded their imagination. Things should not be like this. Everyone was here to make fortune together not to carry the blame together. They immediately became chaotic and all chased out together shouting young master please stay.
Zhong Su and Wen Jianhui who followed out from the hall were also somewhat dumbfounded. They did not know what the situation was.
Seeing the group of people suddenly run off in a noisy swarm like that Zhong Su suddenly came to his senses. He said to Du Fei beside him. You personally go and watch. Do not let him have any accident at all costs.
Now he truly did not dare let Yu Qing have any accident.
Du Fei nodded and quickly left.
The Zhong residence servants who ran into the group of minor officials all stopped to watch. They were all curious about what was going on.
The group of minor officials surrounded Yu Qing all the way talking and persuading. However Yu Qing refused to accept the document no matter what. Not to mention making him sign.
Yet the one they encountered was not some weak scholar. A group of people blocking the road could not stop him. It was like seeing a ghost!
When they reached the screen wall in front of the Zhong residence main gate the impatient Yu Qing suddenly flashed and soared into the air.
Where is he? The group of minor officials were choked speechless. They all looked up. The figure whooshed up soared high and disappeared?
They went around behind the screen wall to look. They did not see anyone. Then they heard the sound of horse hooves outside the gate.
The group ran out the gate to look. Good grief he really ran.
Yu Qing could not wait for Steward Li to arrange a mount. Seeing a group of horses stopped at the gate he did not care whose they were. He directly untied one rode it and ran off.
Ah? Young master that is my horse! A minor official cried out urgently.
The lean man then shouted loudly. Young master you cannot gallop wildly in the capital!
The group then untied their mounts and chased urgently.