Chapter 147: Betting in a Teahouse on the Day of Result Announcement
Xiao Wan stayed to take care of Zhao Sicheng, while Zhu Lan returned to the academy with the clues he had collected, found Ouyang Ye and told him what had happened.
She stepped back, bowed deeply and said:
"We, the students, have studied hard for more than ten years, and now we finally have the chance to take the Autumn Examination, hoping to demonstrate what we have learned and win fame. But Zhao Sicheng was framed by a villain, and he has to waste another three years to take the Autumn Examination again. How unfair is this?
I implore the abbot Ouyang to report this matter to the dean and have him deal with it seriously, give Zhao Sicheng justice, and restore the integrity of our academy!"
Ouyang Ye's goatee trembled a few times, and his sharp eyes suppressed anger. It was obvious that he was extremely angry about this matter.
As the dean of the academy, he knew better than anyone the importance of the autumn examination to a student.
Missing the Autumn Examination is tantamount to missing one's future. For many students, this is even more painful than losing their lives!
"I will report this matter to the headmaster and have him severely punished." Ouyang Ye solemnly put away the evidence.
"Thank you, Dean Ouyang."
Zhu Lan left Ouyang Ye's study, but he did not feel relieved at all.
She knew that the evidence she provided alone would not be enough to pose a real threat to Yang Xin.
Zhu Lan clenched his fists.
The retribution for the evildoers may not come immediately, but no matter what, she has to do something, even if it is just to make the Yang family suffer, to let them understand that there will be a price to pay for harming others.
…
On the fifth day of September, the day of the announcement of the results of the autumn examination finally arrived.
All the osmanthus flowers in Jiangzhou City have bloomed on the branches, golden color is spreading, and the rich osmanthus fragrance is boundless, filling the entire Jiangzhou City.
The results of the provincial examinations were announced by the Governor-General, with the names and hometowns of successful candidates listed in order of their scores.
Since the provincial examination was held in August every year when the golden osmanthus was fragrant, the list was called the "Gui Bang". However, because there was a dragon painted on the right side of the list and a tiger painted on the left side, the Gui Bang was also called the "Dragon and Tiger Bang".
On the morning of the fifth day, a list of winners had been set up in front of the door of the Governor's Office, with music played on both sides. The Dragon and Tiger List was covered with red cloth and carried to the platform by two clerks, who stood in the center, waiting for the moment of unveiling.
The audience was crowded with people. The candidates had gathered in front of the list early, some were nervous, some were expectant, and some even put their hands together and silently prayed "Buddha bless you".
Everyone was waiting for the moment when the red cloth would be removed.
For the first time, Mr. Zhu did not invite his entire family to come and see the list. He was sitting upright in the main hall of the Zhu residence. Except for Zhu Chao, who had followed Chunzhi back to Du Lanfang's hometown, everyone else was there. Even the servants stopped their work and waited quietly in the yard for news.
The atmosphere in the entire Zhu residence was extremely solemn.
It was Pei Yue who spoke first, "Dad, if you are really nervous, why don't you go and take a look at the list yourself?"
Zhu Yuanou had no expression on his face, and the muscles on his face were even a little stiff. "Nervous? What's there to be nervous about? I'm not nervous at all.
When Lan Jieer won the first place in the imperial examination, it was already a great honor for our ancestors. She must not fail in the autumn examination this time. It's so hard for an entire army to pass the single-plank bridge. How could it be so easy to pass the autumn examination?
If she is blessed by the Bodhisattva and is lucky enough to pass the Autumn Examination, then it will be our Zhu family's profit. Let's go to Wanfu Temple to burn incense tomorrow."
Pei Yue smiled and sighed, and said that she was not nervous, but the old man's voice was clearly shaking. He was so nervous that he didn't even dare to go to see the list in person. He insisted on sending Ah Cai to see the list, and asked everyone else to stay at home with him to wait for news.
By saying this now, Mr. Zhu is simply lowering his expectations so that if bad news comes later, he will be more able to accept it.
…
There was a teahouse opposite the Governor's Office. Zhu Lan, dressed in a blue shirt, was sitting by the window with a cup of tea in front of him.
This teahouse usually does not have much business on weekdays, but the boss makes a living during the autumn examination results announcement. On this day every three years, the teahouse's tea fee can increase by more than ten times. A seat like Zhu Lan's, which is by the window and can see the results announcement, costs ten taels of silver to reserve!
It accurately explains what it means to "close business for three years, then make enough money for three years after you open it."
"Youyou, it's all thanks to you that I can sit here today and see all the candidates from Jiangzhou." Zhu Lan, dressed in a green shirt, took a sip of tea, and said to Qiao Youyou beside him with a smile.
Xiao Wan also nodded, feeling melancholy. If Sicheng hadn't been in trouble, why would he be missing from the announcement of the results today?
The time for the results to be announced has not yet arrived. Compared to the anxious people downstairs, Zhu Lan seems calm.
"Miss Xiao, I didn't expect to meet you here again."
An annoying voice sounded, Xiao Wan stood up suddenly and looked back, only to see Yang Xin standing at the stairs with a smile on his face, well-dressed, looking like a gentleman.
Seeing Xiao Wan turning around, she bowed to the three of them gracefully.
"Xiao Wan, calm down first." Zhu Lan grabbed Xiao Wan, who clenched her fists, and advised her in a low voice.
Yang Xin walked towards the three people with a swagger, "You two are Miss Xiao's friends, right? Since you are Miss Xiao's friends, you are my friends. I am Yang Xin, and my father is the new Tongpan of Jiangzhou. Nice to meet you."
Seeing that the three people on the other side were looking at him with sullen faces, Yang Xin did not care, "Miss Xiao, after the results are announced today, do you have time to go boating with me at Guanze Lake?
Now that the Autumn Examination is over, Miss Xiao will not stay at home and study hard, right? "
Xiao Wan has always been gentle and doesn't like conflicts with others. When she met someone as shameless as Yang Xin, she was so angry that she couldn't speak for a moment.
Qiao Youyou looked around and asked doubtfully:
"Hey, why are there barking stray dogs in this nice teahouse?"
Yang Xin's face changed, but he couldn't get angry in front of Xiao Wan, so he had to pretend he didn't hear it.
Zhu Lan, who was standing by, also spoke calmly, "Young Master Yang, it's not time to announce the results yet. You are so proud of yourself, but I wonder if you will still be in the mood to go boating with your beautiful lady after the results are announced?"
"Haha, it's just the autumn examination. I, Yang, still have some confidence in this." Yang Xin smiled confidently.
"You're not afraid of sticking your tongue out when you brag." Qiao Youyou rolled her eyes, her disgust evident in her words.
Yang Xin's face darkened. "What do you mean, young lady? Are you looking down on me?"
Qiao Youyou was very confused, "You really look down on me, isn't that obvious enough?"
"You——!" Yang Xin's face changed, and he suppressed his anger. "Well, since you said so, let's make a bet. If Yang is on the list, what will you do?"
Qiao Youyou rolled her eyes. "Whether you make the list or not is none of my business. It's as if everyone gets first place in the subject test."
Yang Xin gritted his teeth and glared at Qiao Youyou, "Okay, then let's see who ranks higher!"
Qiao Youyou was about to agree, but hesitated. She didn't even know the man's academic background. If she really lost the bet, wouldn't it be embarrassing?
We have to think of a sure-fire way to win.
Qiao Youyou's eyes suddenly rolled, "Okay, let's compete, but the person you're competing with is not me."
"Who is that?"
Qiao Youyou pointed at Zhu Lan and said, "Compare yourself with her!"
Zhu Lan was slightly startled, but he couldn't stop Qiao Youyou from talking.
There are no uncertainties in this examination room. Even she herself doesn't dare to say how good a ranking she will get. It was really rash of Qiao Youyou to make such a bet.
Yang Xin looked at Zhu Lan, she was just an ordinary woman, she only knew some fancy skills after studying, how could she compete with a man like him?
"Okay, what shall we bet on?" Yang Xin asked.
Qiao Youyou raised his chin and said arrogantly: "If you lose, you will bark like a dog three times in front of everyone."
Yang Xin was so angry that his blood boiled. "Okay, if she loses, who will shout or you?"
Qiao Youyou patted his chest and said, "Me!"
"It's a deal!"
After saying this, Yang Xin sneered, waved his sleeves and sat down in a seat next to him.
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