Chapter 701 Zhao Sidan Becomes the Top Scholar
The Zhao family originally planned to wait until Zhao Sidan's provincial examination results came out before leaving, but after inquiring, they learned that it would take at least ten more days.
The family shop was closed for three or four days, and the losses were quite significant, so after some discussion, we decided to head home on the fifth day.
“Mother, I won’t go back. I’ll go to the capital with you.” Zhao Ergou said. “I’ve handed over the family business to Dawang. He can handle it perfectly well. I’ll go to the capital to see if we can open our Dahe Banquet restaurant there.”
Cheng Wanwan looked at him seriously: "You know about Si Dan being tricked in the exam, right?"
Zhao Ergou nodded. He could guess who was behind it all, but his power was too insignificant to fight back.
He's good at business, good at making money, so he'll make lots and lots of money and become a strong support for his mother...
“With me protecting Si Dan here, it will be difficult for the other side to make a move. I’m afraid they will use your older brother as a breakthrough point.” Cheng Wanwan carefully analyzed for him, “Although the village has established a well-organized patrol team, it is difficult for outsiders to sneak in. However, Da Shan always has to go out and will always encounter this kind of people or that kind of things. Da Shan is kind-hearted and doesn’t think too much when things happen, so he is easily schemed against. You have to stay by Da Shan’s side and remind him of things.”
Zhao Ergou's expression turned serious.
Previously, He Ling, the eldest son of the He family, broke into Dahe Village and caused trouble. If his mother hadn't taken sufficient precautions, Dahe Village would definitely have suffered.
This time, when Mother goes to the capital, He Ling might very well resort to the same old tricks.
“Take this.” Cheng Wanwan took out a dusty ring from her sleeve and handed it to me. “This is a gift your father brought me when he came home for the last time more than ten years ago. This thing is probably spiritual. Every time I am in danger, I take this out, silently say your father’s name, and then gently twist it, and your father will appear to protect me…”
This ring was a miniature remote control she had carefully selected; it could control the electrical wiring in the house in Dahe Town.
If an outsider breaks in and turns the switch, the person who gets electrocuted will fall to the ground.
"Your father was just a centurion when he died. His abilities were limited; he could only protect our family," Cheng Wanwan continued, trying to deceive me. "Your father appeared to me in a dream and said that he hadn't drunk any water in the days before he died, so he especially loved water. When you silently recite your father's name, you can pour more water on the ground. Remember, your own people can't stand within the water..."
Zhao Ergou held the thumb ring, becoming more and more shocked as he listened.
He was a genuine ancient person, so of course he believed in ghosts and gods. Moreover, the villagers always said that his father would appear to protect his mother, so he gradually came to believe that his father was a spirit in heaven.
However, believing is one thing, letting him summon the spirit himself is another.
He vaguely felt that this matter had nothing to do with his father and should be his mother's secret. But no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't figure out why his mother could make fifty men in black from the He family fall to the ground in an instant. Even martial arts masters couldn't be that powerful... So, he could only attribute it to his father.
He carefully put the ring away and solemnly said, "Mother, I've remembered it all. I will definitely protect my family and protect Dahe Town!"
Cheng Wanwan felt very reassured about Zhao Ergou.
The Zhao family spent a few days in the provincial capital, buying many novelties, and returned home very satisfied.
Cheng Wanwan's pace of life slowed down. She spent her days reading, going out for walks, and occasionally attending gatherings of wealthy women from the provincial capital.
Time flies, and the last day of October is the day the results of the provincial examination will be announced.
In late autumn and early winter, a chill hung in the air, and many people waited at the city gate.
Lu Yingxue was an impatient person, so she dragged Cheng Wanwan along to join in the fun. They squeezed into the crowd and finally gained a good position.
Seventeen students followed behind them. The scholars were rather reserved, so they stood at a distance and did not try to squeeze in.
When the auspicious time arrived, four constables came out and quickly applied paste to the wall, then pasted four or five yellow notices on the wall.
A crowd surged forward.
Some scholars were timid and couldn't handle the stimulation, so they covered their eyes and said, "Father, Mother, quickly look for my name!"
Some scholars couldn't wait any longer, their eyes quickly scanning the list: "My God, I passed! I passed on my first try! That's wonderful!"
Some scholars, before even seeing the list, turned pale and swayed, exclaiming, "How could I not be on it? How could I have failed again? How could this happen..."
Lu Yingxue started reading from the first name and immediately exploded with excitement: "Sister Wanwan, it's incredible! Si Dan is in first place! He's the top scholar in this year's provincial examination! Oh my god, my Xiao Zhan is on the list too! Second place! Second place! This is amazing! Our ancestors have blessed us!"
She excitedly hugged Cheng Wanwan and jumped onto her.
Cheng Wanwan had to catch her with both hands, then immediately threw her aside and rushed over to check the list.
First place: Zhao Jingsi.
Her son, Si Dan, was indeed the top scholar in the provincial examination.
Anyone who wants to be low-key will find it hard to remain so after their son becomes successful.
She couldn't hide the smile on her face.
But she also knew that if Yu Zhan hadn't been in the toilet, Si Dan definitely wouldn't have gotten first place. This top scholar title required not only strength but also luck.
The people around her looked at her with envy, and some of the people who failed the exam even had jealousy and resentment in their eyes.
Cheng Wanwan forced down her upturned lips, while also telling Lu Yingxue to tone it down and not cause trouble for the children.
Countless people are listed below the list, some laughing, some crying, some regretting, some rejoicing... The myriad aspects of life are vividly portrayed here.
This time, eighteen students from Dahe Academy participated in the provincial examination. One student dropped out midway, and of the remaining seventeen, four passed.
Four people may sound like a small number, but for a village-level school, this ratio is quite high, even comparable to that of Nanfu Academy.
The dozen or so students from Dahe Academy who failed the exam seemed to have been mentally prepared for it. They looked disappointed, but they did not break down.
After spending so many days in the provincial capital and getting the results, they packed their bags and went back home, and the mansion instantly became quiet.
On the evening of the day the results were announced, the provincial officials would arrange a banquet for the newly successful candidates, including a boat trip on the lake, enjoying the flowers and drinking wine, as a way to celebrate their achievement.
This banquet was of a high standard. In addition to all the officials of the Imperial Academy, the governor, the military commander, and so on were also invited, which was quite a show of respect for the candidates.
To Cheng Wanwan's surprise, she also received an invitation.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. She was both a court lady and a high-ranking official, so she was indeed qualified to attend such a banquet.
She changed into a formal outfit and, together with Zhao Sidan, Yu Zhan, and two other students who had made the list, traveled by car to the lakeside banquet.
The lake cruise banquet, held every three years, is arranged at a manor on the outskirts of the provincial capital. The manor has mountains and water, and is a great place to enjoy the lake cruise and flower viewing.
Before the appointed time, the gate of the manor was already full of carriages, and many scholars, dressed in their finest clothes, lined up to enter with their visiting cards.
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