Chapter 13 The Top Scholar Who Murdered His Wife and Daughter (Thirteen): The Farmer's Son's Counterattack...
The two packed their things, eager to return home. It took Song Ce half a month to send off the students from various places. Once his popularity had subsided a bit, Song Ce and Yu Lou returned to Qingzhou County as quickly as possible.
A teacher for a day is a father for life. Therefore, Song Ce did not return to Chenjia Village first, but went to the county school first to pay his respects to Xue Ziyi, the head of the county school, and the teachers of various subjects.
Xue Ziyi was overjoyed, repeatedly exclaiming that the younger generation was truly formidable. The teachers of the county school also looked proud. The reason was simple: most of these teachers held the title of Xiucai (a lower-level scholar), with only a few older teachers holding the title of Juren (a higher-level scholar). Xue Ziyi, the senior teacher, had originally been the youngest Juren in the county school, passing the exam at the age of twenty-eight. His ambition wasn't to become an official, but only to be a teacher, his lifelong wish being to have students all over the world. However, now the title of the youngest Juren would belong to Song Ce.
Now that Song Ce has passed the imperial examination, they can finally call him their mentor.
Xue Ziyi immediately sent a letter to the county magistrate, Du Zhiyuan, saying, "There are fifty-eight candidates from Qingzhou who participated in the selection, and only three have been selected. Song Ce is the top candidate in the provincial examination. The entire county school is benefiting from this. None of the thirty-two candidates from the neighboring county of Juchuan have been selected. This boy has a bright future. Brother Zeyi, you should make plans for him soon."
Upon receiving the letter, Du Zhiyuan immediately arranged for his men to prepare the Deer Cry Banquet, to be held the next day. In Qingzhou, a small county, the emergence of a Jie (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) was undoubtedly a major event that would cause a sensation throughout the county.
Most importantly, Song Ce's ranking was actually Jieyuan (top scholar) instead of Jingkui (top scholar in the imperial examinations), which finally put Du Zhiyuan's mind at ease.
One night passed.
On the day of the Deer Cry Banquet, the entire Qingzhou County government office was brightly decorated and bustling with activity. Officials, dignitaries, and scholars from all over Qingzhou County flocked to the banquet, eager to catch a glimpse of the top scholar.
Song Ce couldn't resist his senior's insistence today, so he was given a thorough makeover and entered the banquet hall surrounded by his classmates.
When everyone at the banquet saw that Yuanlang had arrived, they all stood up, bowed, and offered their congratulations, showering him with compliments.
"Truly worthy of being the top scholar! I've really seen something new today. You can't find many people like him in the entire Qingzhou County!"
"Of course! Song Jieyuan is also a handsome and talented man. I wonder which family's daughter is so fortunate to have such a good fortune?"
"Song Jieyuan is much younger than us. We have studied hard for eight years, yet we still have no official rank. We are ashamed, ashamed!"
Hearing these words of praise, Song Ce thanked them one by one. Chen Haoren sat to the side, his expression somber.
Zhao Wei stepped forward and offered a few sincere congratulatory words. Turning around, he saw Chen Haoren sitting there looking lost and dejected. He quickly went over and said, "Brother Chen, what's wrong? Get up and have a drink. Now that you're a scholar, you should take good care of us classmates in the future."
"Hmph! So what if he's a scholar? His limelight was stolen by that guy surnamed Song, didn't it? In that case, Uncle Du will definitely not betroth Miss Du to me." Chen Haoren said resentfully.
Song Ce noticed the incident and poured himself a glass of wine before stepping forward: "Brother Chen, Brother Zhao."
Chen Haoren and Zhao Wei exchanged a glance and raised their wine cups. Zhao Wei was the first to congratulate him, saying, "Brother Song, you are truly talented! Your achievement of winning first place in the provincial examination has brought great honor to the students of Qingzhou! I offer this cup of wine to wish you all the best in next year's spring examination!"
"Thank you, Brother Zhao, please."
Seeing this, Chen Haoren also said, "Brother Song, congratulations this time."
"Brother Chen, please."
After Song Ce left, Chen Haoren's expression was still not good. He stared at the backs of Song Ce and Du Zhiyuan talking for a long time. Zhao Wei hesitated and said, "Brother Chen, now that Brother Song has won the top scholar title, we still need to..."
"What more do you want? I, Chen Haoren, am not that kind of sore loser, pretentious scholar! Enough, enough! We'll deal with him another time! If he dares to treat Miss Du badly, I'll deal with him then!" Chen Haoren interrupted Zhao Wei, tilted his head back, and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.
Du Zhiyuan led Song Ce forward, followed by Chen Haoren and a thin scholar. Du Zhiyuan waved his hand and said, "Today's glory for Qingzhou is brought by Song Ce, the top scholar! Not only Song Ce, but also Sun Zhicai and Chen Haoren, both successful candidates in the provincial examinations! It is truly our county's fortune to have such outstanding talents." Upon hearing this, the three bowed and humbly replied, "Your Excellency is too kind. Our achievements today are entirely due to the teachings and guidance of Your Excellency, the headmaster of the county school, and all the teachers."
After the pleasantries, the Deer Cry Banquet began.
Du Zhiyuan rose first, raised his wine cup, and addressed the assembled guests: "Today's Deer Cry Banquet is to celebrate the passing of the imperial examinations by Song Jieyuan, Sun Juren, and Chen Juren. Song Jieyuan is exceptionally talented, and Sun Juren and Chen Juren are also outstanding in their studies. They will surely become pillars of our dynasty in the future. May they go further on their path of imperial examinations, bring glory to our county, and serve the court!" After speaking, he drank his wine in one gulp, and everyone else followed suit.
It had been a long time since Qingzhou County had held a Deer Cry Banquet. After several rounds of drinks, the literati and scholars stepped forward to inscribe words and paint pictures, and Song Ce was no exception. Although he could paint, he was only good at figure painting, and since his senior Xue Ziyi had already painted one, he thought for a moment and then inscribed two lines of poetry.
"Ten years of diligent study, a single success brings unexpected fame. Passing the imperial examination is not the greatest honor, but celebrating with one's parents is the true glory." (Bai Juyi)
Everyone crowded around to look, and they all smiled knowingly. Xue Ziyi laughed and said, "Song Jieyuan's calligraphy has plenty of spirit, but lacks strength. He needs to practice more in the future!"
Song Ce bowed and said, "I will always remember your teachings, senior."
Du Zhiyuan smiled and then said, "Song Jieyuan, Sun Juren, and Chen Juren, the three of you have all passed the imperial examinations and your future is limitless. But remember, do not be arrogant or complacent. Our Qingzhou County has high hopes for the three of you. If you encounter any difficulties, please feel free to ask the county for help."
The three bowed in gratitude once more.
As night fell and the banquet ended, in the Xue family's hall, Song Ce's classmate Xue Ziyi performed a grand salute.
Xue Ziyi quickly helped Song Ce up and asked, "What are you doing?"
Song Ce said sincerely, "You have always taken good care of your students and taught them carefully in their studies. Before the provincial examination, you generously lent them money so that they could be free from all worldly affairs and focus on the exam. You deserve this favor."
Xue Ziyi patted Song Ce on the shoulder and said with a smile, "You are only nineteen years old and have a bright future ahead of you. Your achievements today are due to your outstanding talent and quick learning."
Song Ce hesitated for a moment, then lifted his robe and bowed again, saying, "Senior, I know that the magistrate has a beloved daughter, who is intelligent, virtuous, and dignified. I fell in love with her at first sight in the study last time. Now that she has passed the imperial examination and passed the exam, I have already written home and prepared the gifts. Now that everything is ready, I have come to humbly ask you to help me make a marriage proposal. I originally planned to wait until after the palace examination next year, when I would have a minor official position, before I would come to propose marriage. However, I am worried that something unexpected might happen. If the magistrate arranges a marriage for Miss Du before then, I will truly regret it. Therefore, I think it would be better to settle down first and then establish a career."
"..." Xue Ziyi paused, holding his teacup. Looking at the shy, flustered face of the young man before him, his mind raced. Previously, Brother Zeyi had shown great interest in Song Ce, and now Song Ce, at such a young age, had already achieved the highest rank in the provincial examinations; his future was undoubtedly bright. Although he had once had some inappropriate dreams, as the ancients said, one should not speak of strange phenomena, supernatural forces, or the supernatural. Now that Song Ce had taken the initiative to propose, it was indeed an excellent choice for Wan'er.
Thinking of this, Xue Ziyi said "Oh" and smiled, "Since you are so interested in proposing marriage, then stay at my residence for the night! Tomorrow morning, I will go with you."
Song Ce bowed again with a sincere expression to express his gratitude.
Soon, Xue Ziyi wrote a letter and sent it to Du Zhiyuan through a trusted confidant who was quick on foot.
Du Zhiyuan had just finished writing a line when someone outside came to report that Senior Xue had sent a letter. He didn't have time to think about it, quickly opened the letter, stroked his beard and smiled, then threw the letter with the line written on it into the brazier.
Song Ce's success in the provincial examination and his initiative to propose marriage were completely different from the scene in his dream a few days ago... Du Zhiyuan looked at the obvious hint at the end of the letter: someone has already set their sights on Song Ce, and he must make plans as soon as possible.
The next morning, Song Ce got up early. Now that he and Xue Ziyi had broken the ice, and given Xue Ziyi's long-standing friendship with Du Zhiyuan, it wasn't considered presumptuous for him to propose marriage. After all, Xue Ziyi was his mentor and a highly respected figure, making him the most suitable person to act as a mediator.
Du Mansion.
The servants waiting at the gate welcomed the two into the mansion, while Du Zhiyuan was already sitting in the flower hall waiting.
Upon meeting, Song Ce immediately bowed. Xue Ziyi laughed heartily and said, "Brother Zeyi, I won't beat around the bush. You've met this young man before; his name is Song Ce, nineteen years old. He's very studious at the county school and has already passed the imperial examination, becoming the top scholar. Yesterday, he came to see me, saying he had the honor of meeting such a virtuous and intelligent woman as Miss Du. Today, as his teacher, I'll shamelessly ask for your daughter's hand in marriage on his behalf."
Although Du Zhiyuan had come to terms with it last night, he still harbored some resentment. He showed no emotion on his face, only smiling faintly, "It's kind of you, Song Jieyuan, to have Ziyi come to propose marriage. You're at the perfect age now; if you were to enter the court as an official, your future would be bright. People strive for higher positions, and with more experience comes more to consider." Then his tone changed, becoming serious, "I only have this one daughter, whom I cherish more than a treasure. My only wish in this life is that she marries a man who will love her wholeheartedly and live a peaceful life. Song Jieyuan, do you understand?"
Song Ce could easily understand Du Zhiyuan's implied meaning, and he immediately said, "If I can marry your beloved daughter, I will cherish her dearly. Please rest assured, my love for your daughter is genuine, and I will never let her suffer the slightest grievance."
Du Zhiyuan nodded and gave a soft "hmm," saying, "Don't forget what you said today. But as a father, I should always ask Wan'er what she thinks. As long as she's willing, I have no objection."
With Du Zhiyuan's approval, Xue Ziyi knew that the matter was almost settled. He took a breath and smiled, "That's how it should be, that's how it should be."
A note from the author:
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I'm proposing to you! [Sprinkling flowers] Thank you for your support!
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