Chapter 79 Giving You a Chance
Early the next morning—
A carriage stopped at the entrance of Huangmi Temple, and four or five servants got off and went straight up the mountain gate.
Lin Changqing, who was reading in the meditation room, was eating a cold steamed bun when four or five people pushed the door open and came in. An older woman looked Lin Changqing up and down and then nodded and asked, "Are you Lin Changqing, the scholar?"
Lin Changqing glanced at the five or six burly servants at the door, his mind racing. He stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and asked, "Indeed, and who are you, sir?"
The old woman put on a smile and said, "I am from the Prefect's residence. I have something to ask Scholar Lin to come over."
Lin Changqing immediately understood; it was probably the incident caused by yesterday's poetry collection. He wasn't too flustered, nodded, and extended his hand: "Please lead the way, Granny."
The old nanny was even more pleased to see that the man was sensible. She waved her hand to dismiss the servants blocking the doorway and led the group ahead.
Upon arriving at the mountain gate, the old woman helped Lin Changqing into the carriage, then sat beside him, asking with a smile, "How old are you, Scholar Lin? Who else lives in your family?"
Lin Changqing replied calmly and without alarm: "I am twenty-one years old this year. My father passed away a few months ago. I also have a younger brother and a younger sister. However, my younger sister went missing in the prefecture a while ago, which is why I stayed at the temple to search for her."
The old woman nodded upon hearing this: "It is already rare for Scholar Lin to be a scholar at the age of twenty-one."
Lin Changqing shook his head: "To be honest, I'm ashamed to say that after studying hard for more than ten years, I've only just become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations). I don't deserve any praise."
Looking at the humble and handsome man, the old woman was even more satisfied.
In fact, it was only after coming out this time that Lin Changqing realized that there are always people more knowledgeable than him, and that there is always something beyond his reach. However, many students in Huangmi Temple were far superior to him in terms of knowledge, not to mention those students in the academy who entered at a young age.
Upon arriving at the Miao residence, the nanny led Lin Changqing through a side gate into the courtyard: "Master is waiting for the scholar in the main hall. This way, please."
Lin Changqing kept his eyes straight ahead, and his face remained calm despite the extravagance of the Miao residence, which made the old nanny admire his good character several times.
Upon arriving at the main hall, Lord Miao, dressed in casual clothes, was reading Lin Changqing's poetry collection. He glanced at Lin Changqing and nodded silently. Lin was tall and handsome; no wonder his daughter had been longing for him.
His black hair was tied with a blue ribbon, and although his blue scholar's robe was washed until it was faded, it was spotless, suggesting that he was a very clean person. Looking at his face, he was calm and composed, exuding a serene and composed demeanor.
Lord Miao looked at Lin Changqing, who was bowing, and asked in a condescending tone, "Do you know who I am?"
Lin Changqing bowed deeply and said in a calm and unhurried tone, "Of course, this student greets Lord Miao."
Lord Miao sat back in the main seat, took a few sips of tea, and neither asked Lin Changqing to get up nor spoke. After finishing his tea, he saw Lin Changqing still bowing and not getting up, but with a calm expression on his face, and he was inwardly impressed.
Calm and composed, unperturbed by praise or criticism, he's a promising talent.
After a long pause, Lord Miao finally said, "Get up."
Lin Changqing straightened up, lowered his eyes, and remained silent, waiting quietly for instructions from his superior. His sixth brother had already told him that one should not easily reveal one's ambitions if one does not have the strength to match them.
Lord Miao nodded and handed over the poetry collection: "Is this your work?"
Lin Changqing nodded frankly: "It is indeed a student's work, but it has already been given to Miss Miao. Don't worry, sir, what was given to Miss Miao is her work, and it has nothing to do with Changqing anymore."
Lord Miao chuckled, "I know what you want. I'm willing to give you a chance now. Let's see if you're up to the task. Are you willing to accept my offer?"
Lin Changqing knelt down without hesitation: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency. I am willing."
Lord Miao raised an eyebrow: "You agreed without even asking what it is?"
Lin Changqing chuckled, his gaze open and honest: "What people seek is power and wealth. What else could they want? I am just an ordinary person. If I don't seize the opportunity, I would be foolish and pedantic."
Lord Miao chuckled: "You are quite frank. Someone, bring a table, and prepare writing materials."
Several servants quickly brought in a desk from outside, and then brought in a cushion to place under the desk. The writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were also placed on the desk.
Lord Miao took a piece of paper from his pocket and placed it on the desk: "Don't just stand there, write it down..."
Lin Changqing cupped his hands in greeting: "Yes, sir."
After saying that, he sat down and carefully read the question. After reading it, his eyebrows twitched and he knew what opportunity Master Miao was talking about. Without changing his expression, he began to answer.
Lord Miao sat in the main seat, leisurely sipping his tea. When he looked up, he saw his daughter peeking out from the doorway, secretly watching Lin Changqing. He was furious. He pointed at his daughter and waved his hand, signaling her to leave quickly.
He was receiving guests in the main hall, and his daughter sneaked over—how outrageous!
Miao Sangsang glanced furtively at Lin Changqing again, pointing towards the inner courtyard, and silently mouthed: Mother is coming!!!
After saying that, he slipped away. Lord Miao sighed deeply, feeling that raising a child was not easy. Looking at Lin Changqing, he seemed unmoved by external things and answered quietly. Lord Miao couldn't help but gain more points in his impression of him.
"Husband? Have any guests arrived?"
Xie Shangjun's voice came from outside. Lord Miao hurriedly put down his teacup and stood up to greet his wife: "Oh, Madam, what brings you here?"
Xie Shangjun carried a food box: "I thought it was already autumn, so I found some ginseng and made some soup for my husband to nourish his body. He must be exhausted from working so hard lately."
As she spoke, she casually pulled out a food box and then asked in surprise, "Husband, who is this scholar?"
Lord Miao inwardly pursed his lips, thinking to himself, "Isn't this just asking a question I already know the answer to?" But on the surface, he said warmly, "This is Scholar Lin. The collection of poems in the child's room was written by him. I saw that he has some talent, so I invited him over as a guest, and also to test his studies."
Lin Changqing put the pen back on the pen holder, stood up, and bowed respectfully: "Madam, may you be well."
Xie Shangjun looked at Lin Changqing, who calmly put down his brush, stood up, and bowed to her, and returned the bow: "Young master, there's no need to be so polite. Just continue answering."
After speaking, she sat down next to Lord Miao, carefully examining Lin Changqing's appearance and demeanor. Then she looked at her husband and raised an eyebrow. Lord Miao nodded slightly and raised his chin, indicating that they would look at the examination papers later.
Xie Shangjun nodded: "Husband, we've had enough to drink, so I'll take my leave now."
Lord Miao looked at the ginseng soup he hadn't even taken a sip of and said speechlessly, "Thank you for your hard work, Madam. Please take care."
Then they waited quietly for Lin Changqing to answer.
Xie Shangjun went out and returned to the inner courtyard. As soon as she entered, she saw her daughter looking at her expectantly and helplessly pulled her back into the courtyard: "You're so promising."
Miao Sangsang asked her mother with a grin, "Mom, how did it go? What did Father say?"
Xie Shangjun brought out a box of ginseng soup and handed it to her daughter: "Drink it. What can your father say? He's still working on the exam. Let's see the results. He seems to have a good appearance and demeanor."
Miao Sangsang blushed slightly: "I was talking about Father saying that Lin Langjun should enroll in school. Who mentioned appearance?"
Xie Shangjun rolled her eyes: "Do you think I don't know you? Your father will test his knowledge when it comes to school admission. Judging from his appearance alone, he's not bad. But think it over. Granny Sun asked him, and he said his family isn't well-off. He comes from a farming family and doesn't have much money. If you really like him, that's fine, but he has a lame brother and sister. Needless to say, his family can't afford to be wealthy. You'll suffer if you marry him."
Miao Sangsang held her head in her hands, her beautiful eyes wide with surprise: "Mother, what are you saying? I'm going to stay with you for a very, very long time. I'm not getting married!"
Xie Shangjun knew that her daughter was avoiding the main point and changing the subject: "That's true. You're only sixteen. You can stay for another three years. Let's see how far he can go in three years. If he's promising and has such good looks, then it won't be a waste of your time."
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