Results announcement
After the New Year, time seems to fly by even faster.
With Shen Wenqiu busy studying at Zhaoming Hall and preparing for the imperial examinations, time flew by even faster.
In the blink of an eye, Shen Wenqiu had already finished the imperial examination and was about to receive the results.
From the day of the scientific expedition, Aunt Qin was extremely nervous.
They burn incense and pray to Buddha at home, wishing they could worship every god in the world.
She didn't know which one could help her child; she just felt that as long as she was sincere, she couldn't go wrong.
As a modern person, Shen Wenqiu naturally didn't believe in these things, but he only joked about it and didn't really care.
He understood that Aunt Qin cared about him.
In modern times, it's only natural to feel extremely nervous before the college entrance exam results are released.
On the day the results were announced, Shen Wenqiu had just returned to her courtyard when she saw Aunt Qin pacing anxiously back and forth.
Seeing this, Shen Wenqiu vaguely guessed the reason, but still asked with a smile, "Mother, what's wrong?"
When Aunt Qin saw that it was Shen Wenqiu returning, she hurried forward, took his hand, and said, "I couldn't find you earlier, where have you been? There's important business here!"
Shen Wenqiu smiled, though she was actually a little nervous inside, but she didn't show it on her face. She just said, "It's just the results being posted, Mother, there's no need to rush. We'll go later, when there will be fewer people."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Qin frowned and shook her head, saying, "How can that be! The imperial examination is of paramount importance to you! Whether you can secure an official position depends on this!"
Shen Wenqiu understood Aunt Qin's nervousness and said with a smile, "Then Mother must come with me. I'm also uneasy about the imperial examination. I'll feel at ease if Mother is there."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Qin immediately waved her hand in alarm, stared at Shen Wenqiu with wide eyes, and hurriedly refused, "This...this won't do!"
Shen Wenqiu was puzzled. She pulled Aunt Qin to sit down first and asked, "Why not? Mother, you are my own mother. It's only right that you come with me to see the list of successful candidates!"
Upon closer examination, Shen Wenqiu realized that something was amiss.
Although Aunt Qin was usually cautious and prudent, she wouldn't show such an expression just because of something as trivial as looking at the list.
Resistance, fear.
It's as if they suffered some kind of trauma in the past, and now they are so afraid whenever it is mentioned.
If we were to talk about the person who caused Qin Yiniang trauma, the first person that Shen Wenqiu would think of is the Marquis of Huai'an.
But what could the Marquis of Huai'an possibly have that's related to the imperial examinations, something that could make Aunt Qin so flustered?
Aunt Qin only has one son, Shen Wenqiu, and he is only now participating in the imperial examination. This has never happened before.
Shen Wenqiu looked up at Aunt Qin, her brows furrowed.
He thought that perhaps Aunt Qin herself should say it, otherwise he was afraid that his guesses might be wrong.
Since it's a trauma, we should try to heal it. If we leave it untreated, it might fester and develop into a sore someday.
Aunt Qin still looked terrified, shaking her head like a rattle drum.
She took Shen Wenqiu's hand and said, "I am a concubine, so it is not appropriate for me to go out and show my face in public. Besides, it is to go and see the results of the imperial examination. There are many talented scholars and their families everywhere. Wouldn't it be embarrassing for you if I went?"
These words clearly weren't Qin Yiniang's own idea; they were most likely said by that old codger, the Marquis of Huai'an.
Shen Wenqiu's eyes widened, and he immediately became displeased, asking directly, "Was it that old man from Huai'an, the Marquis...was it the Marquis from Huai'an who said it?"
Aunt Qin frowned and said, "He is still your father, you..."
Shen Wenqiu interrupted Aunt Qin directly, saying firmly, "What father? I didn't even know I had a father. Anyway, I have my mother, that's enough. I don't want those pigs and dogs."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Qin immediately sensed something was amiss and was about to speak when Shen Wenqiu pressed her for an answer again.
Shen Wenqiu asked, "Is it him?"
Aunt Qin hesitated, then nodded and said, "When you were still in my belly, he often beat and scolded me. I listened to many of the things he said back then."
Upon hearing this, Shen Wenqiu was even more furious.
He knew very well that such admonitions came when a person's spirit was at its weakest, making it the perfect time to say things that would destroy them.
It's no wonder that Aunt Qin remembered those words after being lectured by that old bastard, the Marquis of Huai'an. That old man was determined to break her wings and went to great lengths to do so, so how could she, the victim, be blamed?
Moreover, Aunt Qin had suffered a great upheaval at that time, suddenly falling from a noble lady to such a state, and was at her weakest, which is why that old man was able to take advantage of her.
"That old bastard deserves to be struck by lightning!" Shen Wenqiu didn't want to say anything even worse in front of Aunt Qin, and he was afraid that Aunt Qin would speak up for the Marquis of Huai'an because of her filial piety, so he preemptively advised her, "Mother, you can't listen to him! He's lying to you! There's no rule that says you can't go out!"
Aunt Qin wasn't actually unaware, but once something is forced into one's mind, it's hard to change.
Shen Wenqiu held Aunt Qin's hand tightly and said, "This is my son's imperial examination. If it goes well, this will be the only chance for him to see the results."
These words struck a chord with Aunt Qin. She suddenly looked up at Shen Wenqiu, hesitating to speak.
Seeing that this seemed promising, Shen Wenqiu quickly added, "Mother, don't you want to see where your own son's name is on the list?"
Upon hearing this, Aunt Qin didn't think twice and immediately stood up.
She said, "Let's go check the results."
Shen Wenqiu was pleased to have achieved his goal and, without bothering to change his clothes, pulled Aunt Qin out.
Aunt Qin became more attentive at this moment. She looked at her clothes and felt that they were not quite right. She quickly said, "Maybe I should dress up a bit. Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Shen Wenqiu smiled and turned around, saying, "Auntie, this outfit is perfect; there's not a single part that's inappropriate."
Aunt Qin said nothing more and followed Shen Wenqiu outside.
The two arrived at the gate and saw Jiang Heng already standing by the carriage waiting for them. Shen Wenqiu and Aunt Qin were slightly taken aback and quickly stepped forward.
"It's a real sin to make His Highness wait for us outside." Aunt Qin was a little flustered and looked at Shen Wenqiu with concern. She was only relieved when she saw him shake his head.
"Your Highness, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. It's cold outside, let's talk in the carriage." Shen Wenqiu smiled at Jiang Heng, knowing that Jiang Heng wouldn't be unhappy about waiting a little while, and there was no need to waste time here.
“Aunt Qin is a woman and an elder, please get in the car first.” Jiang Heng nodded, made way for her, and reached out to help Aunt Qin.
Aunt Qin dared not let the prince help her, so she quickly moved away and did not dare to pull him any further. She just got into the carriage.
Shen Wenqiu and Jiang Heng exchanged a glance.
Shen Wenqiu was about to tell Jiang Heng to go first, but then he saw Jiang Heng get into the carriage first, turn around and reach out his hand to him.
Shen Wenqiu was taken aback, looking hesitantly at Jiang Heng's palm, his movements unsteady.
Seeing this, Jiang Heng urged, "Qiuqiu, you'd better hurry up, your mother is still waiting in the car."
Upon hearing this, Shen Wenqiu no longer hesitated and took Jiang Heng's hand to get into the carriage.
The two got into the car and sat on opposite sides, looking completely at ease, as if their earlier hand-holding was nothing more than a trivial incident.
But Jiang Heng didn't pretend it hadn't happened. He lowered his head and rubbed his palm, lost in thought.
"I wonder how Wenqiu did on the exam. He studied so hard day and night, it broke my heart to see him like that." Aunt Qin sat in the carriage, clutching her handkerchief, looking extremely nervous.
“Aunt, there’s no need to worry. The Grand Tutor said that someone as talented as Qiuqiu is bound to pass the exam and will definitely be on the list,” Jiang Heng reassured Aunt Qin upon hearing this.
Aunt Qin knew that there was no such thing as a guaranteed pass in the exam.
Even if you do very well in your studies, you might still fail in the exam.
They all say it's bad.
But Jiang Heng was willing to comfort her, and she could also see that he had a good relationship with Shen Wenqiu, so Aunt Qin was genuinely happy.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I feel much more at ease now that you've said that." Aunt Qin smiled and thanked Jiang Heng.
Seeing that Aunt Qin was relieved, Shen Wenqiu breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Jiang Heng gratefully, only to meet his gaze.
When did Jiang Heng come over?
Shen Wenqiu hadn't noticed anything at all.
The feeling of being stared at was quite obvious, but he didn't realize it.
I suppose he was so nervous that he ignored his surroundings.
Shen Wenqiu tried to find a reason for this in her mind, and then turned to look at the scenery outside the window to distract herself.
Because this was the road to see the results, there were many other candidates walking nervously on the road outside, clearly like him, there to see the results.
Shen Wenqiu looked around for a while, then lowered the carriage curtain and stopped looking outside, instead lowering his head and staring blankly.
At this moment, Shen Wenqiu clearly felt a gaze upon him.
It landed right on the top of his head.
Is it Jiang Heng?
Shen Wenqiu was curious, but didn't look up.
He always felt that something was off between him and Jiang Heng.
But I don't know what's wrong.
He also deceived himself by not wanting to investigate further.
Perhaps it's a form of escapism.
But escaping is so effective that it's irresistible.
Shen Wenqiu was an ordinary person; he couldn't avoid it.
And so, Shen Wenqiu remained in a daze until the carriage stopped. Aunt Qin was the first to get off the carriage and hurriedly squeezed into the crowd.
Shen Wenqiu and Jiang Heng hurriedly got out of the car. Shen Wenqiu looked anxious and was about to follow when Jiang Heng grabbed his hand and shook his head.
"Go, follow Aunt Qin and protect her." Jiang Heng instructed the servant beside him, who obeyed and followed.
"Thank you, Your Highness. If it weren't for you, my mother and I would probably have been separated from each other." Shen Wenqiu thanked him sincerely.
"What are you saying, Qiuqiu? It's only right that I help you. Qiuqiu is my study companion. If I don't help Qiuqiu, who else can I help?" Jiang Heng gave an innocent and kind smile.
Shen Wenqiu's ears turned red. She felt that Jiang Heng's tone was somewhat ambiguous. She hurriedly lowered her head and nodded as if to agree.
Jiang Heng observed Shen Wenqiu's expression and, fearing he was worried about the results of the imperial examination, said, "Qiuqiu, don't worry, you will definitely be on the list."
Shen Wenqiu smiled and shook his head, saying, "Why is Your Highness so certain? You cannot engage in any fraudulent activities."
Jiang Heng shook his head and said, "Qiuqiu knows. I only have Qiuqiu. How could I have that ability? I just think that Qiuqiu's writing is so good. She can answer almost every question the Grand Tutor gives her to his satisfaction. It's really unfair of God that someone like you can't pass the exam."
Upon hearing this, Shen Wenqiu sighed inwardly.
His test-taking skills were honed through the fierce competition of the National College Entrance Examination.
With his exceptional test-taking skills, answering a few questions was a piece of cake for him.
Jiang Heng observed Shen Wenqiu's expression and was even happier to see the sudden surge of confidence in him.
Qiuqiu is just fine like this.
He likes Qiuqiu like this.
Jiang Heng greedily traced Shen Wenqiu's appearance with his eyes, his tongue pressed against his teeth to suppress the emotions in his heart.
Just as I was about to say something, Aunt Qin came running back with a big smile on her face.
"It's a hit! It's a hit!"
Aunt Qin's excited voice attracted the attention of Shen Wenqiu and Jiang Heng. The two turned their heads at the same time to look at Aunt Qin running towards them.
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