Chapter 651

The fifteenth year of Emperor Jia Zhao, the twenty-fourth day of the fifth month, Count's Mansion, Jia Cong's courtyard.

The horizon was faintly lit, and the main room was quiet and dark. On the side couch, Qingwen was in a red silk undershirt and red silk trousers, her body haphazardly wrapped in a thin diamond-patterned quilt, her delicate figure exquisite, her beauty fully revealed.

A pair of arms were exposed outside the quilt, her wrists and jade arms as clear as snow, set against the fiery red inner garment; even in the dim light, she still appeared heart-stirring.

A sliver of light penetrated through the glazed window lattice, casting a faint light and shadow over the dark room, causing Qingwen, who was in a deep sleep, to open her eyes.

She used to be a bit sleepy, but today was somewhat different; she just steadied her mind slightly and then sat up in one motion.

With a twist of her slender waist, she got off the bed. Before she even put on her sleeping shoes, she walked barefoot to Jia Cong's bed. She saw that the bed curtains were quiet, clearly showing that Jia Cong was still in his dreams.

She bit her lip and hesitated for a moment. Seeing the faint light on the glazed window, she suddenly lifted the bed curtains and crawled in with half her body.

She leaned into Jia Cong's ear and said, "Third Brother, get up. Today is the day the results are posted. You promised to take me to see the spectacle."

Jia Cong, in his confusion, smelled the intoxicating fragrance of powder and subconsciously turned over. When his body touched Qingwen, she lost her balance and cried out "Aiya!" as she fell onto the bed.

Jia Cong felt a warmth and softness on his body and subconsciously reached out to support Qingwen's slender waist.

Qingwen's pretty face turned red, and she hurriedly struggled to sit up, but her body felt a bit weak. Her voice was somewhat blurred: "Third Brother, get up."

Jia Cong laughed, "I don't usually see you calling me; why are you up so early today?"

Qingwen's pretty face was pink. Feeling Jia Cong's hand still wrapped around her waist, she felt a tingling sensation. Her heart was in a muddle—should she take Third Brother's hand away? This didn't seem quite right...

But what she said was something else: "Third Brother, today is the big day for the palace examination results. Naturally, I have to get up early. You said you would take me to see the results; you are not allowed to go back on your word."

Jia Cong laughed, "The sky isn't even fully bright yet; how could it be so early to see the results? Qingwen, you seem to have lost weight. Have you not been eating well lately?"

Qingwen was a bit dizzy, still thinking about the hand on her waist, and said unconvinced, "Third Brother is talking nonsense. I'm eating just fine; I haven't lost weight, nor have I gained any."

The two were chatting nonsense there when they heard someone knock on the door twice, and then push the door open and enter. Qingwen hurriedly crawled out of the bed curtains.

She saw the door open, and Zhen Ying Lady Lian was already fully dressed, full of joy, saying, "Young Master, the results are being posted today. You agreed to take me with you, and I've already packed everything."

"Eh, Qingwen, why are you blushing so early in the morning..."

Jia Cong laughed and lifted the bed curtains. Qingwen subconsciously touched her slender waist, gave a soft huff at his back, and then nimbly served Jia Cong by helping him dress and comb his hair.

Qingwen helped Jia Cong wash up in the morning, while Zhen Ying Lady Lian opened Jia Cong's black sandalwood shell-inlaid carved wardrobe, continuously selecting and comparing there, exceptionally serious and careful, picking out the robes and belts she felt were the most eye-catching.

Outside, the sky was still dim, but the courtyard was already like a breeze blowing across a calm lake, rippling with layers of waves.

The lights in the side rooms on both sides of the courtyard were lit, and graceful figures lightly passed through doorways, walking across the courtyard. Amidst the morning light, their clear and pleasant voices were filled with joy and happiness.

The lanterns under the eaves of the main room were still lit, and the soft yellow light shone on the veranda, casting enchanting shadows of those graceful figures coming and going.

Zhen Ying Lady Lian hadn't finished picking out clothes when Zhi Shao also entered with a smile. The two whispered and laughed, and by the time they had chosen the robes, Liu Wuer had just brought in hot water.

Outside, Lingguan's voice rang out, as she was leading two little maids in preparing breakfast, interspersed with Douguan's childlike and playful words.

By the time Jia Cong had finished breakfast with Zhi Shao and the others, the sound of orioles and swallows came from the courtyard gate. Seeing Yingchun, Lin Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, Xue Baochai, and the other sisters had also come over early.

Seeing Yingchun looked at Jia Cong, her eyes full of smiles and pride, and laughed, "Today is a big day for Brother Cong. Ten years ago, you entered the Qingshan Academy to study, and all these years you have studied hard without stopping. Now, it has finally come to a perfect conclusion."

Lin Daiyu and the other sisters heard Seeing Yingchun's words and recalled many past events from these few years. From a humble son of the Jia family, Jia Cong had walked a difficult path to the present. Their thoughts were endless, and their eyes were all shining brightly.

Lin Daiyu laughed, "Today we are all sitting idly in Third Brother's courtyard, just waiting for Third Brother to bring back the good news..."

On this day, just as the sky brightened, the side gates of both the East and West mansions were opened. Today was the day Jia Cong would be awarded his Rank Jinshi degree, and it was an even greater joyous occasion for both the East and West mansions of the Jia family.

The stewards of both mansions had made arrangements yesterday, each selecting capable retainers and assigning them to the side gates and the main gate, either to guard the entrances or to welcome and send off guests.

The carriage sheds and stables on either side of the side gates had been cleaned anew, and the carriages and horses needed for today were all parked early on both sides of Ningrong Street.

In the corners under the eaves of the gates, firecrackers and fireworks were neatly placed, covered with red cloth and guarded by designated personnel.

Several agile retainers set up ladders to take down the old lanterns from all the mansion gates, side gates, and small gates, replacing them with brand-new red celebratory lanterns.

At the main gates of both the East and West mansions of the Jia family, the two black-lacquered, gold-lettered imperial-bestowed plaques were also wiped until they shone like new, seeming to pass through those solemn years and once again emit a profound and majestic aura.

As the sky grew brighter, the number of pedestrians on Ningrong Street increased, and they all noticed the Jia family's twin mansions standing side by side, which seemed to have taken on a new look overnight, showing the world that the Jia family's prominence still remained.

Today, besides the vitality of the East and West mansions, even the East Road courtyard had been cleaned inside and out. The two black-oiled grand gates were opened early, as if echoing the East and West mansions, overflowing with a joyous atmosphere.

However, the East Road courtyard had another joyous occasion, as today was the day the Jia family's second branch and the Guihua Xia family were to become engaged. By the time the auspicious hour arrived in the morning, the two families would exchange engagement papers, and Jia Baoyu and Xia Gu Niang would officially become engaged.

East Road courtyard, outer courtyard main hall, Jia Zheng sat in the main seat, and Jia Baoyu stood respectfully to one side.

Jia Baoyu was celebrating a joyous occasion today, so his attire was naturally magnificent. He wore a purple-gold crown inlaid with treasures, with fiery red velvet balls trembling, a gold headband with two dragons snatching a pearl, a bright red arrow-sleeve robe with a pattern of golden lotuses and butterflies, and a jade belt around his waist.

This bright red, magnificent outfit, paired with his delicate features, should have been quite a sight.

But as he grew older, perhaps due to an abundance of food and drink, a boring, leisurely, and lazy life, plus the time his father had cracked his head open, Lady Wang felt sorry for her son and kept him supplied with nourishing soups.

Jia Baoyu was now a bit plumper than before, his skin fair and white, his cheeks full, and his face increasingly like the mid-autumn moon.

The magnificent jade belt around his waist clearly needed to be loosened by several notches to be fastened, somewhat diminishing the beauty of his magnificent attire.

The youthful slenderness and spirit were hard to find traces of on him, but the sentimentality in his eyes was still as emotional as ever, as if he were ready at any moment to win the favor of others.

Today was his big day, and he should have been full of pride, but Jia Baoyu's heart was filled with sorrow, sadness, and heartache...

Because he was about to take a new bride, accepting the match-making he despised. He was about to become a married man, and there would be a woman who would turn from a pearl into a dead fish eye.

The ambition of being free and unburdened, and everything vulgar and dirty he despised, would embrace him one after another—how could this not make him wish he were dead?

Ever since he was a baby, the career of daughters he had been devoted to continuing was soon to come to an abrupt end.

His world would be limited to one wife and several concubines—how could he still show pity and love to other women? As the matchmaker brought the engagement papers to the door, Jia Baoyu wept in his heart for the daughters of the world...

Just as Jia Baoyu was brewing his emotions, feeling somewhat intoxicated, he saw Jia Zheng's confidant retainer enter and ask, "Master, what are your orders for me?"

Jia Zheng said, "You don't need to worry about anything else today. Go to the East Mansion and keep watch. When the news of Brother Cong's success in the examination comes, return immediately to report to me. To be awarded the Rank Jinshi degree and bring honor to one's ancestors—that is the grand event of our Jia family!"

Lady Wang, who was listening to these words from the side, couldn't help but feel angry in her heart. Today was Jia Baoyu's big day, yet the Master was still thinking about Brother Cong's examination results—he truly didn't know priorities. Could he really be senile?

The Master didn't even think carefully about which one, Brother Cong or Jia Baoyu, was his own biological son!

Jia Baoyu, standing beside Jia Zheng, was at this moment brewing a heart full of sentimental, romantic sorrow.

Suddenly hearing Jia Zheng speak of the Rank Jinshi degree and bringing honor to ancestors, he tried hard to suppress his nausea. His mood was ruined, just like romantic flowers turning into dog shit, and the moon shining only on the gutter...

At this moment, the auspicious hour was approaching. Because of the family etiquette, Aunt Zhao brought Jia Jia Huan, and Li Wan's maid brought Jia Lan to the main hall to observe the ceremony.

Jia Zheng sighed, "Today can be considered a coincidence. Jia Baoyu's engagement day happens to meet the time of Brother Cong's success in the examination. If it weren't for this situation, I would certainly take Jia Baoyu, Jia Huan'er, and Lan'er to see the results together."

"Let you see what the lifelong aspiration of a scholar should look like, so that you may be inspired and have a bright future."

Jia Baoyu, listening to these words from the side, felt as if it were adding frost to snow. His legs were already a bit weak, and he tried hard not to cry out loud.

He thought about his marriage today, and although Xia Gu Niang could be considered a beauty, he had to give up so much for it, and he was very unwilling.

Yet his own joyous day happened to collide with Jia Cong's damn success in the examination. Heaven was playing tricks on him, the bad luck was direct—what could he do? He wanted to look up to the sky and cry...

Count's Mansion, Jia Cong's courtyard.

Jia Cong was chatting and laughing with the sisters. Just after the Chen hour, Seeing Tan Chun went to the East Road courtyard, because today was her brother Jia Baoyu's engagement, and as a daughter of the second branch, Seeing Tan Chun naturally had to go to observe the ceremony.

When she left, she left behind her maid Shi Shu, telling her to have someone inform the East Road courtyard once the good news of Jia Cong's success arrived, and then she left with her maid Cuimo. By the time the Chen hour was half over, Jia Cong was about to leave the mansion with Qingwen and Zhen Ying Lady Lian to see the results when a woman from outside came in to pass on a message.

She said that the second grandson of Lady Cui from Mount Mount Luocang, Liu Qiong, had come to visit. Jia Cong felt it was strange and hurriedly went to the outer courtyard to meet him.

Liu Jingan's eldest grandson, Liu Bi, was a close friend of Jia Cong and was currently serving as a director in the Ministry of Revenue in the auxiliary capital of Jin Ling.

The second grandson, Liu Qiong, was the same age as Jia Cong and was currently studying by his grandfather's side. Although he was only fifteen, he was already a scholar, which could be considered an early achievement among ordinary people.

Jia Cong went to the outer courtyard main hall and saw Liu Qiong. Although he was the same age as Jia Cong, he respectfully called Jia Cong "Master Uncle" when he saw him.

Jia Cong asked and only then learned that the palace examination results were being posted today. His Master's wife, Lady Cui, treated him like her own, so she was naturally very concerned about his name being on the list.

Because Mount Mount Luocang was located in the outskirts of the Love Shenjing, news was not very convenient. Lady Cui had specifically sent her second grandson to the mansion to wait for the good news of Jia Cong's success, and once the news was obtained, he was to report back to the family immediately.

Perhaps for Lady Cui, she had long regarded Jia Cong as her own grandchild and did not want to wait on the mountain for news.

Jia Cong felt the Master's wife's concern, so he kept Liu Qiong in the outer courtyard and asked the steward to entertain him well, while he himself took people out of the mansion to the South Court of the Ministry of Rites.

Mount Mount Luocang, Liu Residence.

!

Liu Jingan was pacing quietly in the study, looking from time to time at the lush green forest outside the window.

Time passed, and compared to two years ago, he had grown increasingly old, his hair and beard were all white, and his waist and back were slightly hunched, but his eyes were increasingly restrained, indifferent, calm, and unfathomable.

Lady Cui walked into the study and saw her husband's demeanor. Having been husband and wife for decades, how could she not know his mood at this moment?

She laughed, "Master, you said beforehand that Jia Yuzhang would be awarded the Rank Jinshi degree regardless, and as for what place he would be on the list, you didn't care. With this expression of yours, where does it look like you don't care at all?"

Liu Jingan laughed at himself, "Now that I am old, I have become a bit obsessed."

Lady Cui laughed, "Among the disciples the Master has taught, Jia Yuzhang has the most outstanding talent. The Liu family has produced eight Rank Jinshi, but has never produced a Huiyuan."

"Only Jia Yuzhang has won such glory. This is a matter of pride for the Master in his later years. It is human nature for you to care about what place he is on the list."

"I heard that the examination fraud case some time ago was quite serious, involving many candidates and tribute students, and even the third place in the metropolitan examination, who was expected to win, was implicated."

"With the changing situation and turmoil, it is actually quite favorable for Jia Yuzhang. This disciple of the Master not only has outstanding talent but also has quite strange luck."

"In my opinion, he is originally a Huiyuan, and will surely enter the first rank, and most likely will be the top scholar of the world. This is the glory of the Liu sect. The two of you, master and disciple, being top scholars—I fear it will be remembered for all time."

Liu Jingan smiled slightly and said, "Master and disciple being top scholars—the Lady also knows that this will be remembered for all time, but I think this is not easy."

"From the moment Jia Yuzhang was born, he was destined to be a son of the military nobility. What the Emperor values is not his literary talent, but his ability in firearms and his talent for investigation."

"Yet he is also self-taught and proficient in battle formations, no different from a born famous general. The mark of military strategy on him is even above his literary brilliance."

"If he were to become the top scholar of the world, how grand would his reputation in the scholarly community be?"

"Although the Emperor values him, he does not want someone like him to become the leader of the civil officials, leading to both civil and military advantages. This does not conform to the way of a ruler."

Lady Cui was a master of the zither and also a person of great insight, so she could naturally understand the meaning of her husband's words and couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.

Liu Jingan laughed at himself and said, "What's more, Jia Yuzhang is my disciple. When Bi'er was in the top of the second rank, he couldn't even pass the Hanlin examination—isn't that ridiculous?"

"It is nothing more than the Liu family having eight Rank Jinshi. If everyone could be a Hanlin, I would already have the name of a literary master—could it be that my Liu sect also wants to enter the ranks of sages!"

"Lady, don't forget, once Jia Yuzhang is awarded his degree, my Liu family will have nine Rank Jinshi. This glory cannot be said to be light."

"Therefore, I didn't say a word when Bi'er went to Jiangnan to be an official. The same applies to whether Jia Yuzhang can become the top scholar of the world."

Although Lady Cui felt that her husband was right, she treated Jia Cong like her own and seemed unable to let go of her private desire to see him glorious and prominent.

She said, "A few days ago, Minister Chen came to visit. When I was serving tea, I heard a sentence: he recommended Jia Yuzhang as the top scholar."

"He is the chief examiner of the spring examination, and his words carry weight. Although the Master thinks well, things in the world are unpredictable."

Liu Bi felt his gaze tighten slightly when he heard his wife mention Chen Mo.

He said, "Chen Mo is a person who looks smooth but is actually deep in schemes; otherwise, he wouldn't have lived until now. His words can only be believed halfway..."

Liu Jingan continued, "When I first took Jia Yuzhang as a disciple, although I valued his character and talent, I also didn't want him to be too humble in the Jia family and wanted him to have a foothold."

"Although his literary talent is outstanding and his wisdom is extraordinary, I don't want him to roll in the officialdom, but rather hope he can become a great scholar who can govern the world."

"Has the Lady heard that the Xinchun Firm that Jia Yuzhang runs makes a fortune every day and is very popular?"

"With his abilities, wealth and honor are within reach, and a stable life with long life and blessings would be even better."

Lady Cui laughed, "The Master is worried that the officialdom is deep and dangerous and that Jia Yuzhang will suffer because of it. In my opinion, there is no need to worry."

"Although Jia Yuzhang is young, he is three times as shrewd as your sons. He is a born official; asking him to be a great scholar may not suit his temperament."

Liu Jingan smiled slightly and suddenly said, "Shrewdness cannot fade away all difficulties. Sometimes fate is tortuous, and human effort is difficult..."

Lady Cui didn't care that her husband had said a vague sentence.

In her mind, although her husband was thoughtful, it was the Emperor and the chief examiner who decided the ranking. Thinking of this, she smiled slightly and turned to leave the study.

It was just that after Lady Cui left the study, she didn't hear Liu Jingan muttering to himself: "I hope the speculations of these years are all wrong..."

Love Shenjing, Ministry of Rites South Court.

When Jia Cong's carriage arrived, the east wall where the palace examination list was posted had already gathered many people waiting to see the list, but the number of people was far from comparable to the posting of the metropolitan examination results.

When the metropolitan examination results were posted, all three thousand candidates had a chance to be on the list, so naturally, everyone came to see it, plus the relatives and close friends who came with them, there were at least four or five thousand people.

But the posting of the palace examination list was very different. There were only a mere three hundred candidates on the palace examination list.

Those candidates who failed, even if they were curious, would not come to admire the glory of others being on the list, so as to avoid meeting familiar fellow villagers and old friends, which would be too embarrassing for their faces.

Therefore, although the crowd gathered under the east wall was not small, compared to the sea of people watching the metropolitan examination results, it was completely incomparable.

Most of the people watching the list were candidates for this year's examination. Except for a few who thought too highly of themselves and aimed for the first rank, or had deep ambitions to win the Hanlin qualification, most of the candidates were relaxed and free, talking and laughing without restraint, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

For most scholars, being able to enter the spring examination and finally get on the palace examination list was already the highest glory in a scholar's life, and they had long since had no other requests.

Because Jia Cong brought Zhen Ying Lady Lian and Qingwen out together, he parked the carriage on the side of the road opposite the east wall, and the accompanying steward and retainers squeezed into the crowd under the east wall early, waiting for the Ministry of Rites to post the list.

In the carriage, Zhen Ying Lady Lian and Qingwen were whispering to each other while lifting the carriage curtain to look at the crowded crowd watching the list, each of them looking excited and jumpy.

For the convenience of travel, Jia Cong had them change into retainer clothes in advance, which made them look even more pretty, clever, and cute.

It was just that although Zhen Ying Lady Lian wore a retainer's six-piece hat, the beauty mark between her eyebrows was exposed, and her daughter's aura was charming; she didn't look like a retainer at all, so Jia Cong laughed and pulled the brim of her hat down.

At this time, the rumbling sound of drums rang out from outside—the Ministry of Rites' examination drum had been struck, and it was finally time to post the list.

Qingwen and Zhen Ying Lady Lian were both squeezing at the carriage window, staring excitedly at the bustling east wall of the South Court, and Jia Cong also came out of the carriage and stood on the carriage shaft to look into the distance.

A team of bright-armored imperial guards quickly entered under the east wall, driving the crowd watching the list back, leaving a space under the east wall.

Three officials from the Ministry of Rites led six yamen runners from the Ministry of Rites, set up ladders, and began to post the palace examination list high on the east wall.

The list of three hundred palace examination candidates was divided into only two sheets. First, the third-rank list with the largest number of people was posted, and finally, the list of the top of the first and second ranks was posted.

In the fifth month, the sky was high and the clouds were light, and the sun was bright. When the third-rank list was posted on the east wall, the bright yellow list shone brilliantly in the sun, dazzling people's eyes.

The crowd watching the list was like waves rising on a calm lake, instantly setting off a burst of noise and ripples...

(End of chapter)