Chapter 366 What Face Do You Have to Live In?
Three more days passed, and the provincial examination finally came to an end.
Cheng Wanwan stood at the entrance of the examination hall to greet Cheng Zhao and Shen Zheng. Three days of hard work had left both of them looking rather pale, but their eyes still shone brightly.
Cheng Wanwan didn't ask Cheng Zhao, but looked at Shen Zheng: "So, are you confident?"
Shen Zheng chuckled: "I've solved the last three arithmetic problems. As long as there aren't any major problems with the essays and policy discussions, I should, maybe, possibly, perhaps make the list..."
As he spoke, he became increasingly insecure.
Cheng Wanwan laughed: "Let's not think about this for now. Let's go back to the inn to wash up. I've prepared a big meal."
Afu helped carry the things onto the carriage, which slowly headed towards Yuelai Inn.
At this moment, on the second floor of the inn, by the window, stood a mistress and her maid. The young lady's face was veiled, and the maid stood respectfully behind her.
"Miss, Young Master Cheng is back."
Miss Leng's gaze fell indifferently on the carriage, where Cheng Zhao was helping Cheng Wanwan down.
She said calmly, "Find an opportunity to bring him up."
The results will be posted in two days. If Young Master Cheng really becomes a scholar, her parents will definitely stop at nothing to achieve their goals...
She had to inform Young Master Cheng of her parents' plan before posting the notice, so that he could be on guard.
The maid turned and went downstairs. As soon as she went down, she saw many scholars in the inn lobby gathering in Cheng Zhao's direction.
"Brother Ziyu, I've ordered some fine wine and food. Why don't we sit down and have a drink together?"
"Brother Ziyu, the topic of this policy essay is quite interesting. Why don't we have a chat?"
"Brother Ziyu, are you going to the prefect's banquet tomorrow? Why don't we go together?"
Many people in the inn gathered around to flatter him.
Their eyes were full of flattery when they looked at Cheng Zhao. They all knew very well that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Cheng Zhao would be the top scorer in this imperial examination.
Those who rank first in the provincial examination will directly enter the official school, receive the highest rice and grain benefits, and the imperial court will even provide a monthly tuition fee.
Cheng Zhao cupped his hands and said, "My family has prepared wine and dishes. We will drink and chat with you all again next time."
He finished speaking calmly, walked through the crowd, and headed towards the room on the third floor.
The maid was standing on the stairs. She quickly stepped aside to make way for Cheng Zhao, and after Cheng Zhao passed by, her gaze lingered on Cheng Zhao's back.
This young master Cheng is truly refined and elegant, with unparalleled charm. If Miss were to marry him, she, as his dowry maid, could become his concubine…
Thinking of this, the maid's face suddenly turned red.
"What are you staring at my brother for?" Shen Zheng walked up to her and said irritably, "Stop having those filthy thoughts."
The maid was filled with shame and indignation. She stomped her feet and ran to the private room on the second floor, slamming the door shut behind her.
Miss Leng turned her head, her brows furrowing: "Where is Young Master Cheng?"
The maid took a deep breath, suppressing her panic, and sighed with her head down, "Young Master Cheng performed exceptionally well in this exam. All the scholars downstairs say he's sure to be the top scorer, and everyone is praising him. I really can't find a chance to get close to him... Miss, Young Master Cheng is truly outstanding. Even if he's not the top scorer, he'll be second or third, and he might even become a successful candidate in the imperial examinations soon. What a glory that would bring to the Leng family! Why don't we follow Master and Madam's wishes and marry Young Master Cheng as soon as possible..."
"Shut up." Miss Leng said coldly, "If my parents had forced us to get married on the day the embroidered ball was thrown, I would have accepted it. But they changed their minds and forced us to get married because the other party might become a scholar. How can I live with myself like this? Cough cough cough. Since we can't find an opportunity today, we'll try again tomorrow."
Miss Leng took a sip of water to suppress her cough, put on her straw hat, and walked away.
On the third floor, Cheng Wanwan prepared a sumptuous dinner, serving up all the delicious dishes from the restaurant, especially to celebrate the children's success.
After washing and dressing, Cheng Zhao, Shen Zheng, and Yu Zhan sat down at the table.
Yu Zhan picked up his teacup, stood up, and said respectfully, "Auntie, I'd like to offer you a cup of tea instead of wine. If it weren't for you, I would have been in grave danger this time..."
In the second exam, he was still assigned to the toilet cubicle, but that was already good enough. He had no complaints. As long as he could take the exam, he would fight for his future.
He tilted his head back and drank the tea in his cup.
Cheng Wanwan patted his shoulder: "This is the first hurdle on the road to the imperial examination. In the future, when you participate in the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and so on, many, many more things like this may happen. You have to be mentally prepared."
After all, she can't possibly be there every time.
Furthermore, she can't possibly be in a position to step in and resolve the issue every time.
Some things you have to do yourself.
Yu Zhan nodded. This path is treacherous. To go higher and further, one must accumulate knowledge and experience before making a stunning debut.
He needs to continue his studies and constantly enrich himself...
"I won't talk about what will happen in the future." Shen Zheng raised his glass. "Come on, let's drink. The exams are finally over. Let's indulge ourselves."
Cheng Zhao, who never drinks alcohol, drank half a glass and immediately felt dizzy.
Cheng Wanwan didn't stop her. After years of hard study, she had finally finished a major exam and deserved to relax.
That evening, the children drank and ate, chatting about studies, life, and the future until very late.
The next day, just as dawn broke, officials came downstairs to deliver invitations. These invitations were from the prefect to all the scholars who had participated in the second round of the imperial examinations, inviting them to a garden tour. This was a custom in Huzhou City. Every year after the major examinations, the prefect would host a banquet for scholars from all over the country to tour the garden and compose poems together, essentially holding a large-scale poetry gathering.
"I won't go." Cheng Zhao wasn't interested in this kind of activity. "I'll just stay in my room and read a book."
Cheng Wanwan shook her head disapprovingly: "Zhao'er, the Prefect is personally hosting this banquet. As a student from Huzhou, you must attend. Firstly, to give the Prefect face, and secondly, you'll most likely become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations). A Xiucai is someone with an official title, meaning you'll have one foot in the officialdom. In officialdom, being a loner makes you an easy target. I'm asking you to attend the garden party not to be hypocritical in making friends, but to treat people sincerely and make genuine friends. But at the same time, remember, you can only know a person's face, not their heart. Always be wary of others."
“Auntie is right. From now on, those people will be Brother Cheng’s colleagues,” Shen Zheng said casually. “Hurry up and get ready.”
Qian Hui poked his head in through the doorway: "Hey, can I come too?"
Shen Zheng said disdainfully, "You failed the first round, you don't deserve to go, stay at home."
“Brother Shen, you’re wrong. You have Afu as your page, serving you by your side. Wouldn’t it be beneath Brother Cheng’s dignity to be the top-ranked candidate in the academy examination if he were all alone?” Qian Hui walked behind Cheng Zhao and massaged his shoulders. “From now on, I will be your page. Wherever you go, I will go.”
Cheng Zhao was both amused and exasperated.
However, he and Qian Hui had already reconciled, so there was nothing wrong with him taking Qian Hui with him to the prefect's banquet.
The three of them dressed up and then took a carriage to the garden.
Cheng Wanwan stood by the window and watched as groups of scholars, in small groups, talked loudly and laughingly, watched as enemy ships were reduced to ashes...
The scholarly spirit and youthful vigor they exude are truly enviable.
She suddenly felt a pang of nostalgia for her school days. Those youthful years are gone forever. She hoped Zhao'er and Xiao Zheng would cherish those carefree, exuberant years...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
