Chapter 176 Resentment Devours to the Bone
Master Ding was the richest man in Qingzhou City. The engagement of his only grandson and heir was a great joy for him, and the wedding invitations he sent out filled several boxes.
The girl who married Ding Tianci was an illegitimate daughter of the second most powerful family in Jinling. Even so, for Ding Tianci, being an illegitimate daughter was a step up.
This marriage was personally requested by Master Ding, not only to add a new member to the sparsely populated Ding family, but also to change their social standing and not want to remain a merchant forever.
In the evening, Sheng An returned to the small building with the wedding invitation and asked Xu Jinnian if she had time on the 20th of next month.
Unfortunately, in the middle of next month, Master Jiang will be taking four of his students to Jinling to discuss scholarship with peers of the Jiang clan for five days, which coincides with Ding Tianci's engagement banquet.
Sheng An was very interested in discussing academic matters, and sitting next to Xu Jinnian, he asked, "Could this be considered an internal competition?"
Xu Jinnian nodded: "That's fine. We hadn't yet obtained any official titles, so we weren't qualified to participate in the Jiang clan's competition."
The Jiang family of Jinling was a large family, with not only many members but also hundreds of students who studied under them, bringing the total number of members to over a thousand.
The biennial academic competition included not only scholars who passed the county-level imperial examinations but also those who passed the provincial-level examinations.
Of course, there are comparisons between scholars who have passed the county-level imperial examinations and between scholars who have passed the provincial-level imperial examinations.
The two groups competed separately, with the scholars competing first, and after they finished, they could watch the candidates competing for the higher-level degree.
There are also age restrictions for participants: those who have achieved the title of Xiucai (秀才) must not be older than 28 years old, and those who have achieved the title of Juren (举人) must not be older than 40 years old.
Sheng An hadn't expected there to be restrictions on participating in a clan competition, but he was more amazed by the number of students in the Jiang clan: "With so many scholars, no wonder the Jiang clan has been able to stand strong."
What she really wanted to say was, isn't Jiang afraid of arousing the jealousy of those in power by doing this?
Xu Jinnian saw through Sheng An's thoughts, patted her head, and said only one sentence: "Ironclad families, ever-changing dynasties."
Sheng An scratched his head, realizing that his thoughts were too superficial.
Jiang dared to do this because she wasn't afraid; she's not stupid.
She wasn't interested in aristocratic families or dynasties, but asked with great interest, "Since it's a competition, is there a reward for winning?"
Looking at his wife's greedy look, Xu Jinnian chuckled: "Of course there is. The Jiang family has a profound heritage and countless rare books. These are the rewards for the winners each time."
Sheng An was not disappointed at all, his eyes brightening: "Rare books are more precious than gold and silver. They can be kept as family heirlooms, and they also represent the heritage of a family."
She couldn't imagine what the Jiang family's library was like, or whether it could compare to the large libraries of her previous life.
Xu Jin asked softly, "An'an wants to see?"
Sheng An shook his head: "No, I was just curious."
Xu Jinnian carefully observed her expression, and only after confirming that it was as she said did he lean over and kiss her cheek: "You'll be gone for at least half a month. Will An'an miss me?"
The weather was getting cooler, and Sheng An didn't dare say she didn't want to, but her tone was somewhat perfunctory: "I do want to, come back early when you're done."
Xu Jinnian smiled helplessly, wondering if he had bullied the person too much these past few days.
Having finally been "unlocked" and moved from the study to the bedroom, I did indeed become a bit too unrestrained.
Xu Jinnian is about to go to Jinling to participate in the internal competition of the Jiang clan, and Xu Huaining also learned about this from Zhao Juren.
In the Zhao family study, Master Zhao spoke with Zhao Feipeng:
"I have no connections to visit the Jiang family in person, but a friend of mine is related to the Jiang family and will be attending this grand event. He will record the exam questions and the winners' answers, and I will get a copy for you to see."
Zhao Feipeng asked longingly, "Dad, will I have a chance to participate in the future?"
Zhao, the scholar, shook his head regretfully: "Those who are not disciples or students of the Jiang family are not qualified to participate. You should just study diligently and pass the county-level examination first."
Zhao Feipeng was extremely disappointed. He nudged the silent Xu Huaining with his elbow and said, "Do you know any members of the Jiang family or any of their students? It would be great if you could get to know one or two of them."
Upon hearing this, Zhao, the scholar, also looked at Xu Huaining, a thought flashing in his eyes.
Xu Huaining's expression stiffened slightly, and his hands clenched tightly under his sleeves: "I've been studying in town all this time, so I haven't had the chance to get to know the Jiang family."
Zhao Feipeng had just asked casually, and he wasn't disappointed when he heard this.
Zhao, the scholar, was somewhat dissatisfied and stared directly at Xu Huaining: "Last year's top scorer in the provincial examination was also surnamed Xu. Aren't you from the same clan?"
Xu Huaining's clenched fist trembled slightly, but his voice remained as calm as ever: "I am of the same clan as him, but I have lived in the city since childhood and have no contact with the village. I have no chance to know him."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Juren seemed somewhat disappointed: "Since we are of the same clan, if you come to make friends, this Xu Xiucai will not turn you away."
He not only knew that the top scorer in last year's provincial examination was surnamed Xu, but also that the other person's teacher was surnamed Jiang, and was a direct descendant of the Jiang family of Jinling.
He couldn't even find a way to visit such an important person.
The newly enrolled students clearly have opportunities, but they just won't seize them, which is truly frustrating and infuriating.
Xu Huaining sensed the displeasure in Zhao Juren's words. His fingernails dug into his palms and pierced his skin, but he felt no pain. "Thank you for your guidance, Master. I will bring gifts to visit this cousin another day."
Zhao, the scholar, nodded in satisfaction and added a word of advice: "In the future, when you have the opportunity to enter officialdom, whether you can gain a foothold in the officialdom and rise steadily in your career, your network of connections will be very important."
Xu Huaining struggled to suppress the resentment that threatened to burst forth from his heart: "Yes."
Next, Zhao, the scholar, gave some pointers on the essays the two had written, asked them a few questions, and then told them to go and read.
Stepping out of the study, Zhao Feipeng breathed a sigh of relief and exaggeratedly patted his chest: "My father is usually alright, but when it comes to testing our knowledge, he becomes as strict as the King of Hell. I don't dare to be disrespectful in front of him at all."
Xu Huaining smiled slightly and said in a gentle tone, "The Master is strict because he cares about us."
Zhao Feipeng nodded: "I know, but unfortunately I'm not cut out for studying. My dad said that it's only because my ancestors' graves are emitting auspicious smoke that I was able to pass the imperial examination."
After saying that, he patted Xu Huaining on the shoulder with a grin: "You are the student my dad has his eye on. My dad has high hopes for you. You have to work hard. Whether I live a life of luxury or starvation in the future depends on you, my good brother!"
Xu Huaining smiled wryly: "Feipeng, the imperial examination is like crossing a single-plank bridge, and I am not confident either."
Zhao Feipeng knew very well how difficult it was to enter officialdom through the imperial examinations, let alone for his friend who came from an ordinary background and had no help at all.
Looking at his friend's handsome face, he joked, "Storybooks always say that beautiful women love talented men. You are not only talented but also good-looking. Perhaps one day you will be noticed by a young lady from a noble family and embark on a path to success."
Even though his friend was already married, many girls still admired him.
If he can really climb the social ladder by relying on his talent and good looks, then that's his good fortune, isn't it?
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