Everyone present was as surprised as Yang Cheng. Although the eldest son of the Lin family was quite talented, his writing and poetry were not outstanding. It could even be said that he was not outstanding. However, he won the first place in the spring examination.
If the Huiyuan is at the top of the list, even if he enters the palace examination, he will at least be among the second class. If he stays in the capital to be an official, even the prefect will have to give him three points.
Although they were surprised, it was not as great as the shock Yang Cheng felt, so they did not blurt out anything rudely.
After a moment of surprise, someone came over and saluted, saying, "Congratulations, Brother Lin, for winning the first place. This brings honor to our entire Qinghe Prefecture."
"There are already two people from Qinghe Prefecture on the list. They are truly young talents with a bright future!"
"That's right. Congratulations, Brother Zhiyuan. This person came from our Qinghe Prefecture."
“…”
Everyone present knew which way the wind was blowing. Amidst the congratulations, Lin Su didn't keep a sullen face. He smiled and said, "Brother Bowen, congratulations."
Yang Bowen suppressed his surprise and blockage, and said with a forced smile, "Brother Zhiyuan, let's encourage each other."
06 Summary: [The fortunes have turned, and this year it’s my turn. ]
Lin Su followed the servant and left. Although there were people surrounding him this time, no one dared to block his way.
Everyone watched him leave, and when he got on the carriage and left the alley, they were in an uproar.
"This person from the Lin family is truly amazing."
"Do you think he will win the first place in the imperial examination?"
"Then our Qinghe Prefecture has produced a top scholar, and even those dignitaries in the capital have to be suppressed."
Yang Cheng felt unhappy and reluctantly agreed. He got into the carriage with a smile on his face, but his expression darkened as he closed the door.
He didn't expect Lin Su to have such achievements. That person was not well-educated and was mostly mediocre in front of them, but he didn't expect that he was waiting for this opportunity.
No matter how famous or talented he is, once the imperial examination rankings are announced, everyone will think that Yang Cheng is the one seeking fame, while Lin Su is the one who is humble, respectful and serious about his studies.
In the same Spring Examination, Lin Zhiyuan won first place, so wouldn't Wen Jue have fallen behind? Could a man who studied so hard like him possibly accept such a disparity?
The capital was more lively than Qinghe Prefecture. The spring examination results were announced a few days earlier in the capital than in Qinghe Prefecture. Qi Qingyi was the most famous among the candidates. He had won the title of Jieyuan in the capital. The candidates thought that with Qi Qingyi's talent, the position of Huiyuan would be a piece of cake. They had prepared the gifts and were about to say congratulations, but they saw the person who was at the top of the list.
"Lin Su from Qinghe Prefecture? Who is this?"
"A champion has emerged from Qinghe Prefecture, and Master Qi seems to have fallen into second place."
“I don’t know how good that person’s article is.”
"Does anyone know who this person is?"
"I know that Brother Zhiyuan is the son of the Lin Tongpan family in Qinghe Prefecture."
"If the Lin family could produce a top scholar, they would be truly prosperous."
However, there was not much joy in the Shangshu Mansion. Qi Qingyi thought that he was sure to win the title of the top scorer, and he could stay at home and write peacefully even on the day of the announcement. But when he heard the news, the pen in his hand paused, and the piece of writing he was about to finish was ruined.
The servant lowered his head and dared not speak. The young master had a good temper in public, but he was not so friendly to servants like them.
Qi Qingyi wanted to write again, but he noticed the filth. He simply put the pen down and asked nonchalantly, "Who is Huiyuan?"
"It is said that he is Lin Su, the eldest son of Lin Tongpan of Qinghe Prefecture." The servant replied quickly.
"Qinghe Prefecture? Not anyone in the capital?" Qi Qingyi sat down and rolled up his sleeves. "All the famous teachers in the capital gathered together, but someone from Qinghe Prefecture took first place. This really embarrassed all the prominent people in the capital."
He has made so many enemies before even entering the capital. He doesn't seem to be a smart person.
"People all over the capital are saying that there might be cheating this time," the servant whispered.
"There's no need to bring this up in the palace. If there was cheating in the Spring Examination, it would be my father's fault. If he really wanted to cheat, shouldn't I be the first place?" Qi Qingyi said coldly, "The son of the Tongpan must be truly talented and knowledgeable."
"Yes, I will go and send those talkative people away right away." The servant hurried away.
Qi Qingyi sat quietly by the window and finally took a deep breath: "Lin Su..."
He had never seen or heard of such a person before, so he wanted to see in the next palace examination how that person was better than him.
The list of top scorers was announced, and as soon as Lin Su got home, he was greeted with kind inquiries from his family.
"Master Su, great joy."
"Congratulations, Young Master Su, for winning the first place in the exam."
They congratulated each other all the way in and then entered the main room. A man wearing the official uniform of the capital was sitting at the top seat, accompanied by Lin's father. He looked truly proud and had a smile on his face.
Lin Su entered and bowed to his father first: "Father, I am back."
Father Lin's face was filled with joy, not at all his usual seriousness. When he saw Lin Su coming in, he waved his hand and exempted him from formalities, saying, "This is a lord from the capital. Come over and greet him."
Lin Su stepped forward and saluted, neither servile nor arrogant: "Your Excellency, you have traveled all the way by boat and carriage, thank you for your hard work."
"It's okay, Lin Huiyuan is extremely filial." The adult also wanted to make friends, so he wouldn't make things difficult for him.
"Thank you for your compliment, sir. All my knowledge and talent were taught by my father. I have nothing of my own, so the only way to express my gratitude is to be filial to him." Lin Su was so sincere when he said this that even his father almost believed it.
Father Lin didn't want to ruin his own reputation in front of outsiders. He smiled and stroked his beard and said, "My son Su is usually very filial, haha..."
After these words were spoken, it was almost impossible to use unfilial behavior to make this kid compromise.
After sending off the people from the capital, Lin's father's stiff smile relaxed. He looked at Lin Su standing in front of him and said, "You are now promising, but when you enter the officialdom in the future, you must not act recklessly like before. In the officialdom, the entire Lin family will prosper and suffer together. Don't be too outstanding in normal times, and give in when it is time to give in..."
He kept rambling there. Although Lin Su said that since he had a stepmother, he would also have a stepfather, it was only because Lin's father did not pay enough attention to the original body. A real stepfather would not tell him anything about these tricks in officialdom.
Regardless of whether Lin Su understood or not, he looked like he was listening attentively. When his father finished his rambling, he bowed and said, "Thank you for your advice, father."
He wanted to be a responsible father, but unfortunately his real son was no longer around, and Lin Su would not really recognize him as his father.
After the results of the imperial examination were announced, Lin Su had to rush to the capital again. He harnessed the carriage and this time he was fully equipped with everything.
Lin Su bowed at the door and said, "Thank you, Dad and Mom, for taking care of everything for me. I am deeply grateful."
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