"Sir, there are too many people ahead, let me go check!"
Lei Zi was about to squeeze into the crowd when he spoke. Kang Xiucai knew he was on the list, but he still wanted to see it with his own eyes.
"Wait here for me a moment, I'll go in and take a look myself."
"Then you go ahead, sir. I'll stay here and watch over my brothers!"
Lei Zi understood Kang Xiucai's feelings, so he didn't argue with him and let him pass by himself.
Kang Xiucai nodded and walked step by step toward the list of candidates, which was packed with people.
Even though he already knew the answer, he was still nervous.
Because he had heard from Gou'er that his ranking was low, he didn't look at the front of the list and went straight to the last row. Sure enough, the first one in the last row was him.
Unlike the others, he didn't go crazy; he just quietly stared at his own name for a long time.
He really made the list, although his ranking was very low. But he qualified for the provincial examination. Next spring, he must work hard, no longer be disturbed by anyone, do his homework well, and strive to make the list!
Heaven ultimately smiled upon him. Although he had suffered a lot over the years, he had finally overcome his hardships and achieved happiness!
Even with some interference, he still managed to stay atop Sun Shan without falling.
There were all sorts of voices around him, but he was completely undisturbed. He just stared at his own name with a smile on his lips, feeling that everything he had done before was worth it.
Several children stood outside the crowd watching him. After a while, Lei Zi asked Kang Xiucai's servant, Xiao Hao, "Why isn't the master moving? Is he feeling unwell or happy?"
Xiao Hao shook his head and said, "I'm not quite sure either. Sir, you must be happy, right?"
The dog said, "The gentleman must be very happy. Let's not disturb him and let him stand there for a while! There's a shed over there. Brother Lei, how about you take us there for a bowl of herbal tea?"
Gou'er tugged at Lei Zi's sleeve, a fawning smile on his face.
Leizi took a look and saw that the pavilion must have been set up this morning. It was very simple, and there were many people sitting inside and outside. Some were watching the excitement, while others were family members accompanying them to see the results. When they got tired of standing, they bought a bowl of herbal tea to drink and rest their feet.
Such herbal tea wouldn't be very expensive, only a couple of coins a bowl. Normally, Lei Zi would have agreed, but today, he shook his head without even thinking.
"No, you've been sick these past few days, you can't drink anything cold."
Gou'er has had a slight cold these past few days, it's not serious, but He Jiu's mother is still worried that he'll eat random things outside, so she's temporarily confiscated his allowance.
That's why he could only helplessly wait for Lei Zi to buy it for him.
Even the most sensible child can't resist his cravings. After Lei Zi said that, he immediately pouted, squatted down with a somewhat aggrieved expression, propped his chubby face up with his hand, and looked at the other person drinking herbal tea with longing.
It's almost winter, and it's still early in the morning. Even if he doesn't have a cold, he shouldn't drink herbal tea. If it weren't for the bright sunshine today, this herbal tea stall probably wouldn't have made any money.
Lei Zi didn't understand why anyone would be selling herbal tea here, so when Kang Xiucai finally returned, he asked him directly.
Kang Xiucai glanced at it and smiled, "This is to calm down people who are emotionally agitated."
Some people, when they are overly happy or sad, can effectively manage their emotions by drinking a bowl of herbal tea.
Of course, the people who actually drank the most were those who came along to watch the rankings, because the people involved probably weren't in the mood for herbal tea at all.
"Let's go, I need to go back and wait for someone to come and bring good news!"
At this time, Kang Xiucai spoke with his head held high and his chest out. Although his ranking was not high, he was satisfied as long as he had the qualification to take the metropolitan examination.
"Sir, when we get back, could you ask Brother Xiaohao to make me some herbal tea?"
The dog tugged at Kang Xiucai's robe and licked its lips.
He really craves herbal tea, he doesn't know why, but right now, he really wants to drink it.
"Haha, that won't do. Your voice is already hoarse. If you drink herbal tea, you won't be able to speak. I can brew you two pots of hot tea, though!"
Kang Xiucai found him adorable and took his little hand to go back.
He still has the famous tea that He Jiuniang and Lu Baichuan sent him before; he'll go back and brew it for them!
The dog felt even more aggrieved; all he wanted was a cup of herbal tea!
Regardless of their joyful return to Kang Xiucai's courtyard for tea, Lu Baichuan was also holding a small meeting to discuss future plans regarding Qian Xing's brother-in-law's passing the imperial examination.
Qian Xing's brother-in-law, Guan Yuping, indeed passed the imperial examination today, but he didn't rank in the top three; rather, he came in fifth.
Although not in the top three, it is still among the top.
“I asked around before, and Guan Yuping wasn’t exactly a studious person. He wasn’t particularly outstanding in the academy, but he wasn’t bad either. He was basically below average, so it would have been difficult for him to pass the imperial examination. This time he passed the examination and ranked fifth. Not only us, but even his classmates in the academy found it unbelievable.”
“I also specifically investigated this Guan Yuping. His family is in business and is very wealthy. Besides studying at the academy, he always frequents brothels. After Danzhu Tower fell, he bought several girls unrelated to the case and kept them in his villa.”
"Danzhu Tower? Good heavens! Could this person be from the Eastern Court?"
...
The group began to discuss. At first, Lu Baichuan remained silent, but after hearing more, he interrupted them and said, "You're right, Guan Yuping is indeed from Dongting. Last night, Qin Jian told me that he saw Guan Yuping enter the backyard of Qingyin Garden, and he suspected that Guan Yuping and Qingyin Garden were in cahoots. This is what I wanted to tell you this morning."
When he said that, everyone was instantly shocked. They thought he was just joking, but it turned out to be true!
"Then...then isn't Qian Xing...?"
Lou Chong was stuttering. Qian Xing's crime of assisting others in cheating was already serious, and now he's involved with the Dongting people. Is he tired of living?
"The specifics still need to be verified. I will handle this personally. You all should focus on your current tasks for now. If there are any new developments with Qian Xing, I will transfer two more people back to follow up."
Lu Baichuan explained his plan, and Lou Chong immediately said, "Boss, isn't it too dangerous for you to go alone? Why don't I go with you? I'm not in a hurry to finish what I'm doing right now."
Lu Baichuan shook his head: "No need, I know what I'm doing."
Actually, he couldn't very well say that his wife had already accepted the matter.
Everyone knows it's dangerous, but his wife insists on going anyway. What a foolish wife.
Lou Chong was about to say something when someone next to him said, "Forget it, when has the boss ever made a decision that we can persuade him to change?"
Upon reflection, everyone realized it was true, and they immediately fell silent.
Lu Baichuan curled his lip. Who said no one could persuade him? He still vividly remembered the slap his wife gave him last night!
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