Chapter 146 You debt collector! If you eat this, you'll be dead.
It was true that Yuan Song had always possessed the arrogance of a young master from a wealthy family. However, the undisguised sense of superiority he displayed at this moment, stemming from his top ranking, caused Xi Xiyue to frown slightly.
He remembered that when his junior brother had been temporarily deferred from the exam, he had sincerely recommended him to Yuan Song, hoping that Elder Yuan would help him and allow Du Heng to return to the exam hall. But now, Yuan Song's hostility towards Du Heng was beyond his expectations. He knew his junior brother Du well, so could there be a misunderstanding between them that had not been resolved?
Just as he was pondering how to reconcile, Du Heng spoke first: "Yandang Academy has produced many talented people. I have personally witnessed this."
"Brother Yuan has truly deserved the top spot this time. If such good news reaches Yueqing, she will surely be delighted. The palace examination is approaching, and I hope Brother Yuan will bring you more good news."
When these words were spoken, although the words were neither humble nor arrogant and the tone was steady, there was a hint of affection that was difficult for others to discern.
Xi Xiyue was puzzled upon hearing this. As far as he knew, his junior brother had never left the capital. How could he have had the opportunity to personally experience the people of Yandang Academy, a place he had only heard of but rarely had the chance to meet? However, seeing his junior brother's clear expression and a gentle look between his eyebrows, he didn't seem to harbor any resentment.
He immediately felt relieved and said with a smile, "Since that's the case, why don't you come to my house today to chat. First, I want to congratulate Brother Yuan for taking first place, and second, we can discuss the direction of the palace examination essay. What do you think?"
"Thank you for your invitation, Brother Xi. However,"
Yuan Song and Du Heng spoke almost at the same time, and unexpectedly, they both declined in unison.
This scene caught Xi Xiyue's eye, and it made it clear that all the speculations in his mind just now might have been just his own thoughts after all.
He was startled for a moment, then laughed to himself and bowed, "Indeed, the palace examination is coming up soon, and it's my fault for being so rude. We can meet again after the results are announced and everything is settled."
After he finished speaking, he didn't show any embarrassment at all, and he had dealt with the situation properly in a moment.
......
Seeing Master Xi and Yuan Song, who had always annoyed his master, leave, Qingquan finally couldn't hold back any longer. His feet involuntarily turned towards the Imperial Examination Hall, his face full of anxiety, and he pleaded, "Master, can I go take a look first?"
Du Heng sighed, waved his hand, and motioned him to go first.
He had long known he would be on the list. Although he felt a little disappointed that he didn't get the first place, thinking about how he had almost missed the Spring Examination before the exam, this ranking was no longer a big deal to him. So he slowed down his pace and walked slowly.
After getting permission, Qingquan immediately appeared like the Monkey King, running and jumping, dodging left and right, weaving through the crowd of people who were looking at the list, and heading straight for the homepage of the Xingbang.
Sure enough, the young master's name was prominently displayed on the first piece of red paper, only surpassed by one other person's name and ranked second.
"Mr. Yuan is too arrogant! This is just the Spring Examination. The Palace Examination is still to come!"
After seeing the rankings, Qingquan immediately turned back, his face filled with discontent. Young Master Yuan's words had just made even the tough-skinned him shudder. If he hadn't known, he'd have thought his son had failed the imperial examination! But now, out of 315 Jinshi candidates, he'd been ranked second. What an honor! How could that person have said he was worthless?
When Du Heng heard Qingquan happily bring back the ranking, his expression remained calm, because this result once again confirmed what he had thought.
At that time, Xu Chongnian had said that the examiner, Zou Xuezheng, was known for his balanced approach to current affairs and the Confucian classics, particularly his fondness for juxtaposing legal regulations with Confucian classics. He knew then that Zou favored a sharp, edgy style of writing, favoring works that were sharp and powerful.
His writing style has always been consistent with his personality: he doesn't like to attract attention or make shocking statements. His articles are based on facts and written in a steady manner. Therefore, his failure to take the top spot was expected.
To be cautious, even though he had already learned the ranking from Qingquan, he still went to the Xingbang in person and confirmed it before returning.
Although Qingquan didn't show it on his face, his resting hands and feet betrayed his eagerness to return home and announce the good news. This morning, when Du Heng had greeted his mother and grandmother, he knew the elders were equally anxious, so he allowed Qingquan to return home first and he would arrive later.
It’s not that Du Heng is not anxious, but everything is within his expectations.
But if there was anything that was worrying him, it must be that he was worried about Ying'er who was far away in Yueqing.
He had been holding back Yuan Song's proposal that day, unwilling to let it influence him in the slightest. He certainly trusted his second aunt, but after all, the journey was long and difficult, and now, apart from a letter confirming their safe arrival in Yueqing, he had nothing else.
He wondered if she was all right, and if Second Aunt had already sent a matchmaker to propose marriage. Perhaps in a few days, he would receive a second letter from her.
At the same time, in Yueqing Su Mansion.
Su Yingcai sealed the handwritten letter and planned to deliver it to the post station when she went to the academy the next day.
Taoxi had already laid out the dinner, and the aroma was rich. But before the young lady could be invited to the table, Lin arrived uninvited, bringing with her the twins, a boy and a girl, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.
"Come, kowtow to your biological sister!"
Lin placed her two hands, one on the left and one on the right, on the heads of the twins Yuanbao and Fubao, smiling flatteringly while pressing down hard.
"Mother, you broke the new silk flower on my head!"
The person who spoke was Fubao. Somehow, this child was only a little girl, but he was dressed more elegantly than Su Ying, who had just reached the age of marriage. At such a young age, he already wore a flower hairpin and embroidered shoes. At first glance, he looked like a young lady waiting to be married, only a little shorter.
Seeing that her daughter was only concerned about the silk flower on her head, Lin sighed and whispered, "If it breaks, I'll buy you another one. If you ask me to kowtow, then kowtow!"
When he heard that he wanted to buy new ones, Fubao happily called out to Su Ying, "Elder Sister," and then tugged at the hem of Lin's skirt and said, "Mother, I want to buy the latest style in the capital."
Lin was unwilling to pay attention and just nudged her with her elbow to silence her, then pushed her slightly stupid son forward.
Perhaps Lin felt that her precious son was too fat and could not be pushed if he was too light. Unexpectedly, the force was too great, causing Yuanbao to stagger forward a few steps and rush to Su Ying's dining table.
"Eldest sister, can I eat something from you?"
Due to the sweltering summer heat, the table only had a few light dishes and a bowl of porridge. But Yuanbao's eyes were glued to the dishes, his throat churning several times, as if he couldn't even swallow his saliva.
Before Su Ying could respond, she saw him raise his chubby hands, pick up the bowl and chopsticks, and start eating without any hesitation.
Logically, the children were innocent, and Su Ying shouldn't have felt any dislike for the half-twins. But looking at them, one had only eyes for clothes and jewelry, rubbing her braids with her hands, looking coy and seductive. The other had no scruples, revealing a greedy look. Ultimately, Su Ying found it hard to feel close to them.
"What is this? It's so delicious! My mother never lets anyone cook this for me!"
Lin was still trying to put on a smile, thinking of exchanging a few pleasantries before getting down to business. But one glimpse of the bamboo shoots and edamame in the bowl made her body tremble violently, her soul instantly escaping her body as she screamed, "Oh my god, you debt collector! If you eat this, you'll be dead!"
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