Shen Qinghe pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "Now that I have already obtained the title of Xiucai, I do not plan to participate in the subsequent prefectural and provincial examinations."
The county examination is in February, the prefectural examination in April, the provincial examination in June, and the provincial examination, also known as the spring examination, is held every three years, which happens to be in August this year.
If one can achieve the top score in both the prefectural and provincial examinations, one can obtain the title of "Minor Triple Crown". However, both examinations require traveling to the provincial capital, which is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also potentially leads to unexpected events on the way that could delay the imperial examinations in August, which would be a great loss.
He didn't want to miss out on more important opportunities because of temporary fame.
Meng Zhao also agreed with Shen Qinghe's decision, saying, "This is good, as my second brother will have more time to prepare for the upcoming provincial examination."
After the results were announced, the Shen family's doorstep was practically worn down by people coming to deliver the good news. In less than half an hour, several people came to deliver the good news, shouting as they entered the courtyard, "Congratulations, Young Master Shen, on passing the county examination with top honors! We congratulate you on your meteoric rise to high positions!"
At first, Gu was not quite clear about the situation. She was so happy that she grabbed a handful of copper coins and handed them to the messenger. Later, as more and more people came to announce the good news, she realized that she no longer gave so many coins and only gave two or three copper coins each time.
If someone said something auspicious, she would grab a handful of dried fruit or candy and hand it over.
Those who brought the good news were all happy, since they didn't even know where the Shen family was originally. They were just doing it out of boredom, going through the list from top to bottom. If they met someone from a wealthy family, they would say a few nice words and ask for some money. If they met someone from a poor family, they would just join in the fun.
Neighbors around the courtyard naturally came to visit the Shen family. Aunt Qian and Uncle Zhou, who lived nearby, came over with their family of three after hearing the news.
Zhou Xiucai cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Brother Chen, you have finally achieved your wish!" His tone was sincere, and his eyes were filled with envy and admiration.
Shen Qinghe returned the greeting with a cupped hand, "Brother Zhou, you're too kind. Thank you for sharing your exam experience with me. Otherwise, this trip wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
"You're too kind. I'm happy for you that you passed the exam, Brother Shen. We can take the exam together in August."
Aunt Qian chimed in, "That's right, the two of you going to the capital together will be able to look after each other."
Zhou Xiucai continued, "The results of the county examination have been announced. I imagine the county magistrate will soon host a banquet to meet with the successful candidates. Brother Shen, you'd better start preparing early."
Shen Qinghe nodded. The county magistrate, as the chief examiner, had designated him as the top scorer. If he had the opportunity to become an official in the court in the future, the two of them could be considered to have a teacher-student relationship.
In official circles, the proper etiquette and social dynamics must still be observed.
Shen Qinghe usually wears whatever is convenient at home, including some of his old clothes that belonged to Shen Qing'an. But now that he is a scholar, Gu Shi felt that he was not dressed properly enough, so she hurriedly bought him two new outfits.
On the day the magistrate hosted the banquet, Shen Qinghe wore a new outfit, which, while not luxurious, exuded elegance.
At the banquet, Wang Xian sat in the main seat, his gaze occasionally falling on Shen Qinghe. Wang Xian had read Shen Qinghe's exam papers many times. The whole paper was written in a smooth and flowing style, with every sentence containing substance. It must have been written after many years of hard study and reflection.
Later, on a whim, Wang Xian suggested testing the students present. Shen Qinghe sat calmly at the table, answering each question with ease. He neither deliberately showed off nor was overly humble; his tone was calm, yet he always got to the heart of the matter.
As Wang Xian listened, a look of approval gradually appeared in his eyes, but he couldn't help feeling sorry for him.
If he had participated in the county examination three years ago, with his talent, he could have become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination) at the age of thirteen, and might even have won the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination). How dazzling that would have been!
But now, although the sixteen-year-old county top scorer is quite brilliant, he has ultimately missed the best opportunity.
What a pity, what a real pity.
But then I thought, if Shen Qing had taken the county exam three years ago, I probably wouldn't have met him. Wouldn't it be even more of a pity that such a talented person couldn't have passed through my hands?
As the banquet drew to a close, Wang Xian approached Shen Qinghe and said solemnly, "Shen Qinghe, allowing you to enter the county school was absolutely the right decision. You are quick-witted and knowledgeable, and you will certainly not stop here. I believe you will achieve excellent results in the imperial examination in August."
Shen Qinghe quickly stood up and respectfully replied, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I will do my best to live up to your expectations."
To celebrate his passing the imperial examination and becoming a scholar, Madam Gu said she would hold a banquet in Shenjia Village. After leaving the county magistrate's banquet, Shen Qinghe rushed back to Shenjia Village. As soon as he entered the village, he heard someone shout loudly, "The scholar has returned to the village."
In no time, a large group of people swarmed around them.
"Qinghe, our Shenjia Village is truly blessed! To have produced such a remarkable person as you, not only passing the imperial examination to become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations), but also bringing home the top prize!"
"That's right! Qinghe is just like his father. Back when I went out to work with his father, he was quick-witted and much more talkative than we are."
"Qinghe, now that you've passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, you should come back to the village more often so that the children there can also benefit from your success and eventually pass the imperial examinations."
Surrounded by the crowd, Shen Qinghe walked all the way to their old courtyard. At this time, the courtyard was filled with tables, not just a few tables for a banquet, but a continuous feast, inviting the whole village.
In the past, the village head was the most educated person in the village, having been a student of the lowest level of education. Now that a scholar had emerged from the village, the village head was overjoyed. When he saw him coming, he quickly grabbed him and praised him in front of everyone.
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