Chapter 80 Climbing the Social Ladder
Lord Miao took the completed test paper from Lin Changqing, looked at the beautiful handwriting, and nodded: "Not bad, you must have been practicing calligraphy since you were a child."
Lin Changqing bowed his head and clasped his hands: "Yes, I have not slacked off for a single day since I was sent to the Shushu when I was six years old."
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Lord Miao's eyes: "You haven't slacked off since your father's accident? Will you still not slacken off even if you can't take the imperial examinations?"
Lin Changqing smiled wryly: "Even if I can no longer take the imperial examinations, once I've picked up the books, I won't put them down. Even if I go back to my hometown to teach young children, these things will still be useful."
Lord Miao took another close look at Lin Changqing. Although the young man in front of him had a bitter expression, his ambition and longing for learning were undisguised and revealed to him.
After investigating, Lord Miao gestured for Lin Changqing to sit down: "Sit down, let me see how you answered."
Lin Changqing cupped his hands in greeting again, took a step back, and sat down properly.
Lord Miao nodded repeatedly as he reviewed the exam papers. Lin Changqing's knowledge was indeed solid, and even his poetry was excellent. If he could continue studying at the academy for two years, he might be able to achieve a good ranking in the future.
Lord Miao gently placed the exam paper back on the table and said, "Not bad. With this exam paper, you can enter the academy. Lin Changqing, do you know why I called you here?"
Lin Changqing rose and knelt down: "Please forgive me, Your Excellency..."
Lord Miao, seated in his high position, was extremely pleased with Lin Changqing's tact: "Tell me, what crime do you want me to forgive?"
Lin Changqing said frankly, "The poems I gave to Miss Miao, when put together, form the first character of each poem, which represents my desire to become her disciple. My motives for giving these poems were impure; I used Miss Miao to express my loyalty. I naturally ask Lord Miao to forgive me."
Miao Zhichen: ......
After silently picking up the poetry collection and flipping through it, Lord Miao felt somewhat helpless. He couldn't very well tell him that his good-for-nothing daughter hadn't even realized they were acrostic poems. Concerned only about his daughter's marriage, he hadn't really thought much about the poems. Turning the page, he found it was indeed a poem about becoming a disciple...
Lord Miao coughed lightly twice: "These are all minor matters. I heard you have some connection with my daughter?"
Before Lin Changqing could even relax, his eyelids twitched: "Your daughter has helped me many times, and I am deeply grateful."
Lord Miao asked in a deep voice, "Just gratitude?"
Lin Changqing smiled wryly: "Changqing knows his status is lowly..."
Miao Sangsang suddenly burst into the outer room and knelt down in front of her father with a thud. Her beautiful face held a defiant look as she looked at him: "Father, please accept him as your disciple!"
Lord Miao's eyes widened suddenly as he stared at his daughter, who had appeared out of nowhere. After the initial surprise came anger: "Miao! Sang! Sang! Have your mother and I spoiled you too much? I'm receiving guests! How dare you, a young lady from a humble family, barge in like this?!"
Miao Sangsang retorted, "I beg Father to take Lin Langjun as my disciple. If Father doesn't agree, I'll go beg Grandfather."
Lin Changqing was stunned for a moment before realizing what was happening. Looking at the girl in front of him, he hurriedly said, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Miao, but..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by an enraged Lord Miao: "Guards! Drag Miao Sangsang back to the backyard and tell Madam that Miao Sangsang has trespassed into the main hall. She is to be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane!!!"
Lin Changqing was startled by Lord Miao, cold sweat pouring down his forehead as he slammed his fist on the floor: "My lord! Please forgive Miss Miao. This matter originated from Changqing and has nothing to do with Miss Miao. Please do not blame Miss Miao, my lord!"
Lord Miao sneered, "I didn't know this girl was raised by you. No need to go to the inner courtyard, just beat her here!! Someone, bring the hand-held paddle! I'll beat her myself!!"
Miao Sangsang was startled by the imposing Lord Miao. She pouted and was about to cry, but she held back her tears and looked at Lord Miao with teary eyes, her voice softening: "Then, then after Father finishes beating you, can you take Lin Langjun as your disciple?"
Lord Miao was almost laughing in exasperation at his foolish daughter. He was about to give her a beating, but she was still thinking about others.
"Bamboo clappers and me!"
Lin Changqing knelt on the ground and said loudly, "The fault lies entirely with me. I took advantage of Miss Miao's kindness. I beg Lord Miao to punish me. This matter has nothing to do with Miss Miao."
Lord Miao, seemingly oblivious, picked up the bamboo cane brought by the servant, watched as his daughter, kneeling below and trembling with outstretched hands, reached out and swung the cane down.
Hearing the girl's soft sobs and the sound of bamboo clappers, Lin Changqing disregarded everything else, scrambled to his feet, pushed aside Lord Miao, and spread his arms to shield Miao Sangsang.
Lord Miao was pushed back two steps: "This is outrageous! I'm disciplining my own daughter, it's none of your business to interfere."
After saying that, he swung the bamboo clappers again.
"Slap, slap, slap!"
None of the three bamboo slats landed on Miao Sangsang. Lin Changqing, with his head tilted to the side, stood straight in front of her and said firmly, "Whatever the mistake, it is this humble citizen's mistake, and has nothing to do with Miss Miao. Please, Your Excellency, see the truth!"
"Father!! Young Master Lin, are you in pain?"
Lord Miao sneered three times: "Then I'll give you a chance. One hundred strokes of the cane will be replaced with one hundred lashes. Are you willing to take it for her?"
Lin Changqing knelt on the ground, a deep sorrow welling up in his heart, and said in a hoarse voice, "This humble subject is willing."
After saying that, he prostrated himself on the ground and did not get up, nor did he say a word. Miao Sangsang burst into tears, gasping for breath: "Father, it's my fault. I broke into the main hall. Please punish me, punish me! A hundred lashes will kill a person, Father!"
Lord Miao waved his hand, and several servants instantly lifted Lin Changqing, whose face was somewhat ashen, and led him outside.
Lin Changqing waved his hand away from the servants, knelt outside the door and kowtowed, saying, "Lord Miao, I don't have many clothes. This outer garment was made by my mother, Changqing. Please, Miss Miao, step aside. I will remove my outer garment before carrying out the punishment."
"Father! I beg you, I'm willing to take the beating, please!"
Lord Miao waved his hand and pulled Miao Sangsang away: "Guards, take Miss away."
No sooner had she finished speaking than several servants dragged Miao Sangsang away. Before she even left the outer courtyard, Madam Xie, who had rushed from the inner courtyard, took her back.
Lin Changqing took off his shirt, and the autumn wind made him shiver: "Sir, proceed with the execution."
Lord Miao snorted: "You do have some sense of responsibility. Well then, get dressed and get up. If you go out with all these injuries, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain myself."
Lin Changqing didn't understand what he meant, but he still got dressed and returned to the main hall.
Lord Miao snorted: "I don't need any more disciples, but there's something I want to ask you."
Lin Changqing cupped his hands in greeting, but his arm, which had been struck by the bamboo stick, trembled slightly: "Please speak, sir."
Lord Miao sat back in the main seat and asked, "What are your feelings for Sang Sang?"
Lin Changqing seemed somewhat surprised, but still answered truthfully: "Miss Miao is a very kind person."
"That's all?"
"This humble subject would not dare to tarnish Miss's reputation."
Lin Changqing could naturally see that Miao Sangsang had feelings for him, but he was facing a prefect, and a rather powerful one at that. If he wasn't careful, he might not be able to leave this house today.
Therefore, it is absolutely forbidden to tarnish the woman's reputation in any way.
Lord Miao stroked his mustache. He was clever, talented, and responsible. He didn't seem to have any ill feelings for his daughter. He hadn't damaged her reputation in the slightest and had taken full responsibility. He was someone who could be entrusted with something.
"Alright, you've been frightened today. Stay here and rest until the academy opens in a week, then you can go with them..."
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