Chapter 489: Waiting for the results [Thanks! Thanks again! 37k owed]

On the polo field,

the sound of hooves was thunderous,

people and horses ran back and forth chasing the ball, and the competition was very intense.

In the tents on the side of the field,

the audience focused on the field, cheering and shouting from time to time because of steals and goals, and the atmosphere was very lively.

Near the stables, which were some distance away and relatively deserted opposite the tents,

Zhang Shipan, who had just made repeated promises to Madam Wu, had long since lost any trace of annoyance or apology on his face.

Standing beside his mount, looking at the Chai family tent where the curtains had been pulled open again, a flash of jealousy and hatred crossed Zhang Shipan's eyes.

Turning his head to look at where Rong Xian was, a cold smile appeared on the corner of Zhang Shipan's mouth.

"Young Master."

The personal attendant following Zhang Shipan walked over and began to untie the silk ribbons tied to the horse's head and legs, and the saddle used specifically for polo was also removed and replaced with the one used for daily riding.

After placing the saddle on the rack dedicated to the polo field, the personal attendant even patted the saddle twice.

Soon someone walked over and moved the saddle elsewhere.

The sun sank in the west,

and the inside and outside of the polo field gradually fell into silence.

The city of Bianjing in the east still vaguely transmitted noise,

and from time to time, there were bells from the surrounding temples and Daoist monasteries.

In the innermost part of the wooden house where the polo field's saddles were stored,

a figure holding a candle dug under a certain saddle, and soon dug out a small bamboo tube.

After putting the bamboo tube close to his body,

the figure walked out.

Somewhere in the city of Bianjing,

the room had the smell of burning incense,

and if one listened carefully, there was also the sound of monks chanting scriptures for evening lessons not far away.

On the table under the candlelight,

the bamboo tube that appeared on the polo field had already been opened,

and a slightly rolled slip of paper was being ignited by the candle.

In the bright light of the burning paper,

one could vaguely see the words written in tiny script on the slip: "Zhendin... ten thousand newly recruited cavalry, send ten thousand sets of armor, swords and shields..."

August 9th,

the provincial examination had ended,

The first quarter of the Chen hour (around 8:00 AM).

The weather was fine,

in the Sheng Family School,

Scholar Zhuang sat on the Luo Han chair with his eyes closed, gently fanning himself with a folding fan.

Changbai, whose seat was closest to Scholar Zhuang, was standing behind his desk at this time, holding a few sheets of paper and saying: "Scholar, these are all the answers of the student after three rounds of examinations."

Scholar Zhuang opened his eyes and nodded: "Not bad! Changbai, you can have such insights, this provincial examination... hmm!"

As he spoke, Scholar Zhuang waved his folding fan to signal Changbai to sit down.

"Zaijing, tell me about yours!"

Xu Zaijing also stood up from his seat with the paper full of writing, bowed, and began his answer.

"..."

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking,

Scholar Zhuang's expression was relaxed, and he nodded with a smile on his lips, waving his folding fan: "Sit!"

Soon, it was Gu Tingye, Zaizhang, Qi Heng, and Changfeng's turn.

After the four of them finished speaking,

the expression on Scholar Zhuang's face was a bit solemn: "Young Duke, you and Changfeng still need to work hard!"

Qi Heng bowed with some nervousness on his face: "Scholar, is this student..."

Scholar Zhuang shook his head: "Whether you can pass or not is a toss-up. Just wait for the results to be posted in a few days."

"Yes, Scholar."

"Whether you pass this provincial examination or not, it's already in the past, so don't think too much about it! Come, let's continue the lecture."

After school in the afternoon,

Scholar Zhuang had already left the school,

Qi Heng sat behind his desk with some doubts, while Buwei was tidying up the desk on the side.

Changfeng, who was behind him, leaned toward Gu Tingye. Changfeng glanced at Xu Zaijing and said: "Pei Erge Gu, I heard that the Jin Kingdom's polo team also went to play polo yesterday?"

Gu Tingye nodded with great interest: "Yes!"

"Who won and who lost?"

Changfeng asked.

Gu Tingye smacked his lips and said: "The polo match wasn't finished, so it's hard to say who won and who lost."

"Why is that?"

Changfeng continued, and Qi Heng was also attracted, looking at Gu Tingye with curiosity.

Before and after the provincial examination, Princess Pingning wouldn't let these miscellaneous things affect Qi Heng's state.

Gu Tingye said: "The two teams played a bit intensely, and they started fighting while playing..."

Qi Heng leaned toward Gu Tingye and said: "Second Uncle, then... who won the fight?"

"Northern Liao suffered a slight loss; one more person was injured."

Listening to Gu Tingye's words, Changfeng sighed with some sorrow: "Alas, we are pressed by these studies and can't go to the liveliest place in all of Bianjing."

Gu Tingye nodded in agreement, then looked back at Xu Zaijing and said: "Jing-ge'er, on the day the results are posted, how about we go to the polo field after seeing the results?"

Before Xu Zaijing could answer, Gu Tingye continued: "I went to the Xu family to find you yesterday, but you weren't there. What were you doing?"

Xu Zaijing handed the book box to Qingcao, stood up, and said in a very good mood: "That day... let's see the situation! As for what I was doing... it's a secret."

Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing, who was walking out, and shouted: "Hey, Jing-ge'er, what secret?"

Quyuan Street,

Marquis Yongyi's Mansion,

When Xu Zaijing and Zaizhang arrived at the main gate,

they happened to see several carriages parked there.

Riding on his horse,

Xu Zaijing looked at his gatekeeper and said: "What is this for?"

Zaizhang also looked at the carriages curiously.

The Xu family gatekeeper bowed: "Replying to Fifth Young Master, several pool gardens around our Bianjing presented fresh lotus roots to the palace, and His Majesty rewarded them to the Marquis. They were just delivered."

Xu Zaijing nodded and smiled at Zaizhang: "Brother, then we'll have a treat these two days."

Zaizhang nodded with a smile, and everyone entered the gate together.

After dinner,

Xu Zaijing didn't return to his own courtyard, but brought Qingyun, Alan, and Xunshu to the personal guards' quarters beside their own racecourse.

The personal guards who followed Marquis Xu back to the capital were mostly brave soldiers who had made meritorious service on the Bai Gao battlefield.

"Fifth Young Master!"

"Fifth Young Master!"

Seeing Xu Zaijing, the Marquis's personal guards living in the quarters bowed and greeted him one after another.

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile, looked at the crowd and said: "How did it feel to go to the West Army camp for joint training yesterday?"

"Hehehehe..."

The Marquis's personal guards in the quarters laughed.

"Fifth Young Master, it really felt different!"

"The war drums were beaten authentically!"

"We didn't feel anything when we sang by ourselves, but with so many people, I felt a bit excited!"

"Fifth Young Master, what did the officials of the Ministry of Rites say? Are we going to sing at His Majesty's birthday celebration?"

"Yes! Fifth Young Master!"

Xu Zaijing asked suspiciously: "Didn't Father tell you?"

A personal guard said: "Fifth Young Master, we asked the Marquis, but the Marquis said this idea was yours and told you to tell us yourself!"

Someone else said with a smile: "This little one thinks it must be possible, otherwise the Marquis wouldn't have let us go for training and competition early."

Hearing this, the personal guards in the quarters nodded one after another.

Xu Zaijing pointed at the person who spoke last with a smile and said: "You said it well! In a few days, you will go to sing in front of His Majesty with me."

As soon as these words were spoken, the laughter in the quarters became even louder.

"By the way, Fifth Young Master, I heard from Commander Di that you often get up early to practice martial arts. Why haven't we heard any movement these two days?"

A personal guard asked suspiciously.

Before Xu Zaijing could answer,

the person who asked was patted on the head: "Are you stupid? Fifth Young Master has to be busy with the imperial examination these two days!"

After a burst of laughter,

Xu Zaijing instructed: "You must protect the newly issued armor well. If there is any mistake and it gets dirty, and you can't go on the field, it will be a big loss."

"Fifth Young Master, don't worry!"

Everyone echoed one after another.

Before long,

Xu Zaijing walked out of the quarters and brought Qingyun, Alan, and the other three into Yin Bo's room.

Yin Bo's room and Alan's were connected. Alan and Xunshu went to tidy up their own armor.

Xu Zaijing sat beside Yin Bo, who was peeling lotus roots, and smiled: "Master, have you felt anything after listening to your disciple and the personal guards practicing singing these days?"

Yin Bo didn't answer the question, but said with a smile in his single eye: "Why, you're going to perform at the birthday celebration of the current Emperor."

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile.

Yin Bo raised his head to look at Qingyun, who was smiling like Xu Zaijing, and said in a relaxed tone: "I've never been in the army, what could I hear?"

Xu Zaijing looked at Qingyun helplessly.

"But listening to a group of rough men singing in unison, it sounds majestic and stirring."

"That's right!"

Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

Yin Bo put the peeled tender lotus roots into a winnowing basket, washed his dagger, and said: "Actually, the West Army's recovery of the old land of Bai Gao is the best birthday gift for His Majesty."

Xu Zaijing nodded in agreement.

Afterwards, Yin Bo pushed the winnowing basket toward Qingyun and said: "Take it back and make soup for your wife."

The bright moon hung high,

and the moonlight shone through the window gauze onto the floor of the bedroom.

The bed curtains were not let down.

Sun Shi and Xu Minghua were lying on the pillows.

"Official, is that music Jing'er made really as good as you said?"

"Hmm! Old General Cao also thought it was not bad!"

Sun Shi said with some joy in her tone: "You say Jing'er is not very old, how does he understand these musical tunes?"

Xu Minghua glanced at Sun Shi sideways: "What does Jing'er understand! It's the musicians in the teaching workshop who understand. Jing'er just picked from their melodies."

Sun Shi said "Hmm."

"You say, can Zhang'er and Jing'er pass the provincial examination this time?"

Xu Minghua asked hesitantly.

Sun Shi said: "Jing'er is easy to say. I asked Qingcao beside him, and as soon as Scholar Zhuang heard Jing'er's answer, a smile appeared on his face! Zhang'er... it's said to be a toss-up."

"Hmm! Now that His Majesty is determined to reorganize the army, it will be a good time to achieve merit in the future! If Zhang'er fails the imperial examination, it would be fine to follow me and enter the army with a hereditary title."

Sun Shi was silent for a long time.

Xu Minghua looked at his wife sideways: "Hmm? Ten Niang?"

Sun Shi sighed: "That's fine! The title is Duan'er's, and the hereditary title is given to Zhang'er. Does Jing'er have to rely on himself in the future? He has been so obedient since he was a child..."

As she spoke, Sun Shi already had a nasal tone.

Xu Minghua, who was not panicked even when facing the 100,000-strong Bai Gao army on the battlefield, turned over hurriedly: "Hey! You... why are you crying."

"Who was it that told me a few days ago, 'Official, there are several noble ladies from high-ranking families in the capital inquiring about our Jing'er...'"

Listening to Xu Minghua imitating her tone, Sun Shi punched Xu Minghua's chest vigorously.

"Speaking of which, I was able to command the Tianwu Army before, all because of Jing'er."

"Duan'er has a title, Zhang'er has a hereditary title, but this youngest son of ours, he... his path is wider than his father's."

Sun Shi didn't speak, taking advantage of the moonlight, she seemed to be nodding.

After a while, Xu Minghua looked at his wife: "What are you thinking about?"

"Thinking about the eldest granddaughter of Auntie's family..."

Before Sun Shi could finish, Xu Minghua said: "This family status is quite uneven, and they are merchants..."

"Official, what are you talking about! What uneven status? I'm asking you, Official, if there are any young talents in the army who can discuss marriage with the Sheng family's eldest branch."

"Oh, oh! Didn't you say before that the Sheng family's eldest branch has always wanted to find a civil official seedling? If you find a military man for them, will they be willing?"

Sun Shi glared at Xu Minghua in the dark: "Wait another three years? How old is that girl Shulan? Is Changwu still not going to marry a wife? The Sheng family's eldest branch hasn't given our family less dividends all these years."

"Oh, oh! Then I'll find an opportunity to let Jing'er take a few young and promising captains who don't have wives to the restaurant for a drink..."

"How can an unmarried girl go to a restaurant! How about coming to the outer courtyard of the Marquis's mansion?"

"Madam has the final say, I'll listen to your command."

Sun Shi said "Hmm," and then sighed heavily again.

"What's wrong now? Why did you sigh such a big sigh?" Xu Minghua asked.

"You wouldn't understand even if I told you! Sleep!"

The next day,

on the Xu family racecourse,

the figure that had disappeared for three or four days appeared again.

After Xu Zaijing finished exercising,

and had breakfast, preparing to leave his mother's courtyard,

"Jing'er!"

"Mother? What's wrong?"

Sun Shi beckoned, and Zhu Mama walked over holding a letter.

"When you go to the Sheng family, give the letter to your great-aunt."

"Understood!"

Xu Zaijing bowed.

Sun Shi waved her hand with a smile.

Before leaving, Xu Zaijing went to the stables for a turn,

looked at the two pregnant horses with full love, and then left the Marquis's mansion.

At this time, it was still early,

and there were very few people on the road,

but when the soldiers in the patrol shops along the road heard Xu Zaijing coming and cupped their hands to greet him, they were all wearing new clothes.

This was also one of the benefits of the current Emperor's birthday.

Waiting for the day the results are announced is a time of anxiety and discomfort, even for Xu Zaijing, Changbai, and Gu Tingye.

They would often be distracted and dazed,

especially Qi Heng.

Scholar Zhuang's evaluation of his examination,

which Princess Pingning had inquired about from Buwei and understood clearly, inevitably led to a long-winded talk with Qi Heng.

Scholar Zhuang looked at the appearance of everyone in the school and shook his head secretly, but having had this experience, Scholar Zhuang didn't say much, just said loudly: "Come, let's look at the next sentence, the Master said..."

After lecturing for a while,

the scholar looked outside and said: "Let's end the morning class here."

It was also at this time,

in the backyard of the Sheng family,

Shou'an Hall,

the Old Madam of the Sheng family's eldest branch, with a slight frown, leaned on her cane and walked in with Madam Li, who had a worried look, as well as Shulan and Pinlan.

After exchanging greetings and paying respects, they took their seats.

The Old Madam looked at the eldest Madam and said slowly: "Old sister-in-law, I won't beat around the bush with you! I want to ask you, how about finding a promising military captain for this girl Shulan?"

Hearing this,

the people of the Sheng family's eldest branch all showed surprise.

Madam Li wanted to speak, but the days of looking for a match for Shulan in Bianjing made her unable to say it.

The Sheng family could be considered a wealthy family in Youyang,

but entering this Bianjing, it wasn't quite enough.

Madam Li took a fancy to someone, but the other party didn't look down on the Sheng family.

"Old sister, why did you think of asking this? Is there something..." The eldest Madam asked softly.

The Old Madam nodded with a smile and told Sun Shi's plan.

"Speaking of which, if you don't succeed in reading, you can only be a small official."

"But the future of these young captains who follow my nephew is quite good. If you think it's okay, I'll have my nephew start preparing."

"Aunt, swords and arrows have no eyes on the battlefield..."

Madam Li said hesitantly.

The eldest Madam waved her hand, interrupting Madam Li's words, looked at the Old Madam with a smile and said: "Old sister, you have stayed in Bianjing for a long time, I will listen to you on this matter."

The Old Madam nodded with a smile.

Pinlan looked at the shy Shulan happily and whispered: "Sister, if it's really a captain, maybe Pei Erge will be very happy!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 490 =====