Chapter 159: Fame Rising (Great Chapter)

In the spring of the sixth year of Jingwu, the palace examination: the top scholar of the first class, Zhang Jian of Fengxi County, Fengyang?

Ying Yingxin's face showed disappointment.

He felt that everything was going against him.

As for the other two successful candidates from Fengyang Prefecture, Ying Yingxin no longer had the heart to look at their names.

"Lord of the Prefecture, what is this...?"

The commander of the guards who came to deliver the good news could not fully understand Ying Yingxin's complex and helpless feelings at this moment; he was merely a little surprised. He heard from the staff that the appearance of a top scholar in the prefectural city was an achievement of the prefect.

This is due to the flourishing of local education and culture, which can give birth to the current top scholar.

That is the Star of Literary Excellence.

Although the Great Qian dynasty claims to be at the peak of literary education, how many top scholars can there really be!

This is also a merit for our prefect, no matter how you look at it.

Ying Yingxin could roughly guess what the guard commander was thinking; he had already grown too weary to be angry.

Although he is the prefect of Fengyang Prefecture, alas, he has only just arrived; even with a thick skin, he dare not say that the appearance of a top scholar within Fengyang Prefecture is due to his own educational efforts.

Any merit belongs to that dead previous prefect!

"Go, you go summon the prefectural secretary, and have him deliver the decree to the Zhang household!"

He directly waved away the guard commander before him like shooing away a fly.

Upon hearing this, the guard commander nodded, then immediately rolled up the six-hundred-li urgent imperial document in his hand and took his leave.

"The Lord of the Prefecture has ordered the secretary to go?"

At the prefectural secretary's residence, the newly appointed secretary Lu Zhao wore a displeased expression at this moment.

He is about fifty years old, with a dark complexion and faint whiskers; at this moment he was drinking tea in the rear courtyard of his residence while listening to a small melody.

Yet, upon seeing the imperial document before him, he had no choice but to pinch his nose and accept it.

By rights, since our prefecture has produced a rare youthful top scholar unseen in ancient or modern times, the prefect should personally appear and notify the heads of all departments and offices within the prefecture to join together, beating drums and gongs all the way to the Zhang household.

Promoting the literary education of an entire prefecture is also a good way to make one's presence felt in the eyes of the emperor and the top scholar.

However, not long ago the prefect had a falling out with the patriarch of the Zhang clan, and the tension remains unresolved; Lu Zhao also understands this.

But Lu Zhao knows that although the prefect does not wish to go, he himself cannot avoid it.

The prefect cares about face.

He can only set aside his pride, make up his mind, and at once order the heads of all offices in the prefectural city to gather quickly before the secretary's residence, then together beat drums and gongs as they proceed to the Zhang grand residence, reporting along the way!

Such a great commotion has stirred the entire Fengyang Prefecture into liveliness.

At the Gu household, the household head Gu Chengye was at this moment leaning on a desk writing a letter, the recipient being those old acquaintances and friends in the Ministry of Revenue within Haojing.

Since the last tribute ship was lost, although the true culprits who hijacked the tribute ship have been found, the loss of the tribute goods remains, and the officials of the Ministry of Revenue have recorded a demerit against them; this situation has already shaken the foundation of the Gu family.

As the new head of the Gu family, Gu Chengye must find ways to make up for these rifts and reestablish relations with the Ministry of Revenue.

In fact, the best direction would be to establish contact with the officials of the Lesser Treasury Directorate, which is directly subordinate to it.

Gu Chengye is also racking his brains to achieve this goal, yet he ultimately lacks the methods of Gu Chengyan, and feels powerless in whatever he does.

At this moment, hearing the thunderous drum and gong noise from outside the Gu household walls, Gu Chengye felt somewhat vexed and restless.

"Who is making a racket outside?"

He slammed his palm on the table and shouted: "Who let them make noise outside!"

Upon hearing this, a servant outside immediately entered, hesitated slightly, and spoke respectfully.

"Patriarch, the good news from the palace examination has arrived!"

Gu Chengye adjusted his clothing, his expression coldly snorting: "Even if someone passed the palace examination and became a presented scholar, it would not warrant such a great commotion, such loud drum and gong sounds, nor the sound of horse hooves—has everyone gone mad?"

As he stepped out of the room, he lifted his gaze, only to see on the distant ladies' tower that Gu Xiu'er was, accompanied by her maidservant, gazing out at the long procession beyond the courtyard.

At this sight, he immediately went up to the upper floor, looked out from beneath the flying eaves, and saw that the streets were filled with people like a long dragon, everywhere banners fluttering, many officials in festive red and yellow uniforms waving flags as they headed toward the eastern gate.

On the banners were also the two large characters for "top scholar."

Seeing this, Gu Chengye's expression tightened slightly, and he immediately guessed the truth.

He could not help but ask: "Xiu'er, did you hear clearly which candidate became the top scholar?"

Gu Chengye's expression also showed surprise; Fengyang Prefecture has not produced a top scholar for a very long time!

On Gu Xiu'er's beautiful jade-like countenance appeared a complex expression; she had already heard the announcement of the names from the front.

She then softly said: "It is Zhang Jian, the eldest son of the Zhang family!"

"The Zhang family?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Chengye's expression changed, then he glanced at Gu Xiu'er, his expression somewhat hesitant to speak.

Gu Xiu'er then softly said: "The sixteen-year-old top scholar, his father indeed had far-sighted vision; it is only that I have always hesitated, and thus I have failed to live up to my father's painstaking plans!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Chengye glanced at this niece, then fell into silent contemplation.

Gu Chengyan, during his lifetime, had also mentioned to him the matter of Gu Xiu'er's marriage; he had once intended to marry Gu Xiu'er off, but later the Qi family had acted first and taken her.

Now it seems, they have missed a fine match!

……

East City Zhang Household

The Zhang household of Fengxi has gradually established a foothold in Fengyang Prefecture; Zhang Yi then moved the remaining concubines and children he had left in Fengxi into this manor.

The magnificent manor covers a hundred mu, its roof ridges connected in a continuous line; Zhang Min was studying in a room.

These past few months he has felt his ears much quieter, as Zhou the concubine no longer sends people to whisper near him.

Zhang Min is delighted to be at ease.

Since childhood, he has been instructed by Zhang Jian with the idea that all pursuits are inferior except scholarship, so from childhood he has likewise been extremely fond of reading widely, especially as he has witnessed Zhang Jian repeatedly pass through trials and triumphs—county examination, prefectural examination, academy examination, provincial examination—time and again personally seeing Zhang Jian's reputation as a child prodigy spread throughout Fengyang, earning praise from the elder relatives in the household, which has only strengthened his belief, and he holds an even deeper affection for this elder brother Zhang Jian.

At this moment he has already passed the county examination and successfully obtained the status of a student; now is precisely the time to apply himself to study!

As long as he passes the prefectural and provincial examinations, he can further obtain the status of a xiucai.

Zhang Jian once said that if he could obtain the status of a xiucai, he would personally guide him in the skills for taking the county examination, which he had kept in mind.

"Big brother mentioned that the next generation of the Zhang family needs more talents to support it; relying solely on big brother alone is indeed too burdensome!"

But in an instant, Zhang Min put down the book in his hands, startled by the noisy sounds from outside the manor, as if the inside and outside of the Zhang manor had suddenly turned into a sea of clamor.

He couldn't even manage to read quietly!

Zhang Min helplessly walked out of the courtyard, looked around, and saw that the servants of the Zhang household were already bustling about, each face wearing a strange joy.

Zhang Min couldn't help but look puzzled, and then he stopped an eager old servant in the garden.

His expression showed some displeasure. "What happened in the manor that it's so noisy?"

The old servant, stopped by Zhang Min, was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly said: "Young master, I heard that the eldest son of the family, Jian'er, has won the top rank as zhuangyuan, and the clan head and mistress are distributing reward money in the main hall, and everyone gets a share!"

Zhang Min's eyes lit up: "Big brother became zhuangyuan? Is this true?"

The old servant said: "Young master, I truly heard it; I heard that the officials in the government office are now coming this way!"

Zhang Min's face merely froze slightly, then instantly filled with great joy, and he couldn't help but murmur:

"Passed, my big brother passed the zhuangyuan! How impressive!"

His handsome face flushed red, and he didn't know where to put his hands.

The old servant, however, couldn't care less; after apologizing, he hurriedly rushed to the main hall, afraid that if he went late, he would miss the reward money.

Meanwhile, on the distant pavilion corridor, several concubines were chatting and laughing, their faces showing undisguisable smiles.

What they mentioned was also about the palace examination, and their news was naturally much more timely than that of the servants in the courtyard.

Half an hour earlier, they had already received the news, and now they were preparing to go congratulate Zhang Yi together.

Seeing Zhang Min dancing with joy in the courtyard at this moment, these few concubines suddenly felt somewhat strange, and Zhou furui even clenched her handkerchief tightly.

"This foolish boy……?"

At this moment, the hatred on Zhou furui's enchanting jade-like face had faded, leaving only a sense of helplessness.

Though it was her own son, her heart leaned toward someone else's child, and she felt her strength had nowhere to go.

The other few concubines at this moment also had varied expressions, but no matter what, they were genuinely happy that Zhang Jian could achieve the top rank as zhuangyuan.

They had watched Zhang Jian grow up since childhood.

Zhang Jian had stood out since childhood, always favored by the family head and early on established as the heir; moreover, the Zhang Qi clan's natal family was not comparable to theirs, so they had even fewer distracting thoughts.

The few concubines also rarely refrained from teasing, and only smiled.

"Shizhou'er is a sincere and good child; if the sons of the Zhang family all had such unity, the Zhang family would naturally develop and grow strong!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou furui's face looked much better, and at this moment a hint of smile appeared on her face.

"Shizhou'er has been close to his elder brother since childhood, of course he wholeheartedly follows his elder brother!"

"Our Shizhou'er is naturally studious, and being so close to his elder brother, he will surely become a little Wenqu star in the future!"

Saying this, Zhou furui also couldn't help but show a proud expression.

The other few concubines, seeing her attitude change so quickly, though they had mocked her, now had no intention of teasing.

……

Zhang Yi and his wife were now so busy they couldn't cope; on one side they had to receive the prefect and his entourage, and on the other side they had to receive the endless stream of guests coming to congratulate, so they could only call out many of the Zhang family's elders to help maintain appearances.

At this moment, with Lu Zhuo's grand announcement, the entire Fengyang Prefecture was abuzz with discussion.

Especially the Qi family.

At this moment, after the servants brought back the news they had gathered, the old lady's face broke into a blooming smile.

"A Yu is truly a Wenqu star descended to earth, and San Tou is blessed; now it's suffering ended and sweetness arrived!"

At this moment, in the bright hall of the Guangming Tang, many female members of the Qi family were chatting with the old lady, also discussing the palace examination results!

Qi Wan Shi stood aside, smiling charmingly.

"The ancestors said that A Yu could stand out among thousands of candidates in the imperial examination, and perhaps in the future he could even earn a noble title for Ru Ying's younger sister, bringing glory to the ancestors!"

Qi Wan Shi's smile had never ceased since she heard the news.

Beside her, another beautifully dressed and noble lady smiled: "In my view, Yu Hua's niece is the most blessed; her future husband will be a zhuangyuan, talented and handsome—truly a perfect match!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Yu Hua, sitting beside Qi Wan Shi, pressed her lips, her fair face slightly flushed, but her eyes showed joy.

The third room's Qi Qin Shi, seeing this, said again: "Look, Yu Hua's niece is blushing!"

The old lady, seeing this, blocked Qi Qin Shi's teasing with a smile: "Qi Qin Shi, you really have a sharp tongue!"

At this moment, most of the Qi family's attention was still on the second branch, and they obviously envied their good fortune.

Qi Yu Xian was still in plain clothes at this moment, standing beside the old lady without speaking, merely giving a slightly complex glance with her water-colored eyes at the quiet and serene Qi Yu Hua.

At this moment, Qi Yu Hua seemed to have become the object of envy for many sisters in the Qi family!

But she soon regained her composure.

……

While Fengyang Prefecture was bustling due to the emergence of a zhuangyuan, in the Shuijing Longgong, Bai Li Ying also received the news and specially returned to the Bai Shui Longgong.

"Daughter, I never expected you to marry a zhuangyuan?!"

Bai Shui Longjun Bai Nu also wore a joyful expression.

Bai Li Ying, however, remained composed: "Zhang Lang is learned as five carts of books, exceptionally talented, inherently possessing the ability of a zhuangyuan; it's only a pity that as his wife, I cannot help him in many ways!"

Bai Nu, hearing this, comforted: "Good daughter, don't worry; as your son-in-law once said, if love endures long, what does it matter whether we meet morning or evening?

Now you should focus on your cultivation, help him bear an heir, and that will be your greatest help to him!"

Bai Li Ying's eyes shimmered with a bright radiance, and she gently nodded.

Deep in her eyes lingered a trace of complex emotion; she had once thought that after bearing children for Zhang Jian to repay his multiple rescues of the Bai Shui Longgong, she would decisively withdraw from the world to cultivate.

For this, she did not hesitate to use the Dragon Palace's secret arts, tormenting Zhang Jian for half a month, just to fulfill her long-held wish as soon as possible.

It's just that now, she realizes some things aren't as simple as she imagined.

Especially after becoming emotionally involved, it's not something easily controlled.

Just like her now, upon hearing news of Zhang Jian, she wished she could grow wings and fly into his embrace.

……

And just as the people inside and outside Fengyang Prefecture were bustling with excitement over the birth of a zhuangyuan in the prefecture.

The Red Flower Lady Temple in the suburbs.

No, at this moment it has already been changed to the Kitchen God Lady Temple, and at this moment a special divine light descended from heaven and fell into the divine office within the Kitchen God Lady Temple.

At this moment, the true form of the Red Flower Lady deity presiding in the divine office involuntarily gazed toward the void above, only to see a golden light descend, and within the depths of that golden light lay another dignified, mighty voice that echoed forth.

"Fengyang Prefecture hereby has a virtuous woman, Du Honghua, loyal and brave, protecting the local populace, holding the incense of an entire prefecture to condense the proper office of the Fire God, reaching up to the gods of soil and grain……Today I specially bestow upon you the office of Kitchen God Lady, to oversee the hearths of the common people, to bring peace, to possess the power to ward off evil and eliminate disaster, to welcome auspiciousness and accept blessings—may you uphold the righteous path, cultivate diligently, and soon attain fruition!"

This mighty divine sound fell, and the golden divine sigil in the void instantly flew into the depths of Red Flower Lady's brow, merging into her fire god mark there.

Red Flower Lady's face lit up with great joy at this moment.

She lifted her gaze, and wherever her eyes reached, it seemed she could see faint illusions of stove fires emerging from the depths of the void, her divine form appearing able to shift at any moment, entering those divine realms.

She could also see vast expanses of untouched, blank areas of divine power.

The potential of this Kitchen God office is immense.

"Attaining the Dao is within reach!"

Red Flower Lady felt at this moment her divine power continuously growing, beginning to merge into her divine form, within the divine office.

The Kitchen God sigil deep in her brow was constantly evolving.