Chapter 132 [VIP]
Liang Boqing and Lu Lao returned home together and recounted the events surrounding Chen Qingyan's false accusation during the imperial examination.
Since ancient times, the imperial court has attached great importance to the imperial examination, and almost none of the students who were dismissed from the examination would retake it.
Liang Boqing was an exception, and Chen Qingyan was the second exception.
"Thanks to Wang Ying for cultivating superior seeds, I sent someone to the capital and asked the Grand Minister of Agriculture for help. That's how Qingyan's status in the imperial examinations was restored. Otherwise, with just my help, I'm afraid we would have had to wait until he became famous before he would have a chance to re-enter officialdom."
Lu Zhongqi sighed, "I never imagined Qingyan had gone through so much. It's not easy for him to get back on his feet."
Liang Boqing nodded, “I took him as my apprentice because we were in similar circumstances. Although he doesn’t show off much, he studies very hard and is extremely talented. He understands what I mean with just a little guidance.”
"I also noticed that when we were at the prefectural school, every time he asked me a very tricky question, but after I answered it, I understood everything."
For a teacher, taking on a good student brings more joy than personal achievement.
In his early years, Liang Boqing was cynical and felt that the whole world was against him. He spoke of disdain for the imperial examination system, but he always harbored regrets in his heart.
Since taking on these three apprentices, watching them grow and mature has been like experiencing this path for him, and he feels an immense sense of accomplishment!
Liang Boqing said, "I just hope that both of these children can pass the exam."
*
As the saying goes, good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels a thousand miles.
Yesterday, Xu Ruicai told the story of Chen Qingyan being kicked out of the examination hall for cheating in a teahouse, and today the news has spread throughout Jizhou.
Previously, most people had only read his poems and did not know who he was. Now that they learned that he was able to participate in the prefectural examination even after being dismissed from the exam, many rumors spread.
Most people like to assume the worst about others; some say he got in through connections because of his family background.
Somehow, they found out about Fourth Uncle Chen Jing and said that he was able to resume the imperial examinations through Fourth Uncle's connections.
If Chen Jing were truly so capable, he wouldn't have been demoted to Shanzhou in the first place, and he's still trying to achieve political success in that godforsaken, impoverished mountain village.
Some people say that Liang Boqing helped find connections, which is somewhat related, but ultimately it was because the evidence against Chen Qingyan was conclusive that he was wronged, otherwise he would not have been able to be reinstated.
Even Wang Ying was exposed. He had previously used Wang Tongzhi's identity to do business, so everyone connected the two and assumed that Wang Ying was Wang Tongzhi's nephew. They all went to the vegetable shop to confront him.
As soon as the vegetable shop opened early in the morning, four or five scholars gathered outside, pointing indignantly at the door and cursing Chen Qingyan for being shameless. Their shouts quickly attracted many passersby to come and watch the spectacle.
Lin Sui paced anxiously inside the room, "Sister-in-law, what should we do? My cousin hasn't finished his exams yet. If this gets back to him, it will definitely affect his exams!"
"Don't panic, we've been through this before."
It's precisely because I've been through it that I'm worried. I heard last time that my cousin was quite devastated and had to go to the estate to recuperate. Now that I'm in the prefectural city and don't know anyone, if I go through that again, I'll have no choice but to go back to my hometown.
"I'll go out and explain to them!"
Wang Ying pulled Lin Sui aside and said, "Once this gets out, even if we have a hundred mouths, we won't be able to defend ourselves. Besides, if Qingyan can't even handle this kind of blow, he might as well give up the exam and go home to farm."
"So, are we just going to let them slander us like this?"
"They can't control what they say. These intellectuals are very sharp-tongued. The more you argue with them, the more they get worked up, and they might come up with even more offensive things later. If you ignore them, they won't have a place to vent, and they'll quiet down in a few days."
"What will happen to our shop's business then...?"
"You can't stop people who want to buy groceries, and you can't force people who don't want to buy to come in. Just let nature take its course."
In her previous life, Wang Ying had encountered many trolls online. These people loved to argue with others, and the more you debated, the more it fueled their fighting spirit. The best way to deal with them was to simply ignore them, leaving them with no room to argue.
Those scholars talked outside all morning until their voices were hoarse, but no one inside showed up. It was as if they had punched cotton, leaving them feeling extremely frustrated. So they didn't come over again in the afternoon.
Chen Qingyan learned about this three days later. The results of the prefectural examination would not be available for three days after the exam. This morning, he went to check the results with Qinghuai and Qingsong.
As soon as he arrived outside the government office, he was surrounded by dozens of students, the leader of whom was none other than Fang Wenke, the man who had clashed with him at the poetry gathering.
He walked forward with a smug look on his face, fanning himself with a fan, and said, "I thought you were a talented and upright gentleman, having studied under Liang Liufang. I never expected you to do such a despicable and vile thing. It is truly contemptible!"
Chen Qingyan was taken aback by his words. "May I ask your surname, sir? Is there some misunderstanding?"
Fang Wenke tightened his grip on the fan; this person didn't even remember him!
"You really do have a bad memory, but it's alright. Do you still remember when you were kicked out of the exam hall for cheating in the county exam?"
Chen Qingsong and Chen Qinghuai, who were standing nearby, turned pale and hurriedly stepped forward to block their elder brother.
Chen Qingyan pulled the two apart and said frankly, "It is true that this happened, but I was framed at the time. His Majesty is very discerning and has exonerated me, which is why the imperial examinations were able to be reinstated."
"You—" Fang Wenke didn't expect him to admit it so directly. The words he had prepared were stuck in his throat, and he didn't know what to say for a moment.
The lackey standing behind said, "Who knows if what you're saying is true or false? It's all based on your own side of the story."
Chen Qingyan said seriously, "Are you questioning His Majesty's wise judgment?"
"No...I wouldn't dare..."
Another person said, "You don't need to use the Emperor to pressure us. How come everyone else was not forced to take the exam, but only you were? Isn't that because of your misconduct!"
Fang Wenke chimed in, "Right, right, how come we weren't boycotted during the county-level exam?"
"I was framed, and instead of condemning the one who harmed me, you're questioning me? According to you, if you were walking down the street and a thief stole your wallet, wouldn't you blame the thief or yourself for not carrying money?"
"Sophistry! There are so many people on the street, why would a thief only steal from you?"
Chen Qingyan sneered, "I guess it's because I'm so rich that I'm targeted by thieves. After all, how could a poor person attract thieves?"
Before the other party could say anything more, the government had already started posting the notices. Chen Qingyan didn't have time to waste words with them and pulled his two younger brothers to squeeze forward to see the notices.
As the red list was finished being posted, everyone held their breath and began to read it word by word. The large, densely packed sheet of paper listed thirty-seven people admitted.
To prevent duplicate names among test takers, the list includes not only the names of those who passed but also their place of origin and age.
"First place, Chen Qingyan, from Qingshui Town, Longquan County, 21 years old... Big brother, you're number one! You're the top scholar in the prefecture!" Chen Qingsong and Chen Qinghuai jumped up excitedly.
Chen Qingyan froze, feeling a ringing in his ears, as if the sounds around him had been pulled far, far away...
I thought it would be good enough if I could get into the top ten, but I didn't expect to get first place... I was so surprised that I didn't know what to say.
It took him a while to come to his senses. "Quickly, check Qinghuai's ranking!"
The three searched carefully on the list and found Chen Qinghuai's name in seventh place. They were so excited that they clenched their fists and waved.
Both brothers were on the list, with one of them even taking first place in the county, silencing those who had questioned them earlier.
The students who had been watching the commotion muttered under their breath, "How could someone with that kind of ability cheat?"
"She must have been framed..."
"No wonder the talented Liang was willing to take him as his apprentice; he must have valued his talent."
Fang Wenke never expected that he would win the top score in the prefectural examination. He covered his face with a fan and left in a dejected manner.
Chen Qingyan caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of his eye and laughed heartily, saying, "Let's go, let's hurry back and tell everyone the news!"
The three boarded the carriage and sped home. As soon as they entered the house, Chen Qingsong couldn't wait to shout, "We passed! Both my eldest and second eldest brothers passed the exam!"
Li rushed out of the house, carrying Yuanbao and Fang Ling, exclaiming, "They passed the exam?!"
Yuanbao stretched out his hand and said, "Father!"
Chen Qingyan took her son and carried him on her shoulder. "Yes, he passed the exam."
Fang Ling asked, "What rank did you get?"
Chen Qingyan held his son's soft little hand and said, "I'm first, and Huai's brother is seventh."
Li said excitedly, "Great, great! I'll go ask Aunt Chen to buy fish and meat, and we'll celebrate at noon!"
Fang Ling held her son's hand, tears welling in her eyes, and said, "Write a letter to your father later and tell him the news."
"Yes!" Chen Qinghuai nodded heavily.
Liang Boqing also came out, looking at his proud student with a smile in his eyes, "You did well, keep up the good work in the academy exam."
"yes."
The provincial examination was a re-examination. All the students who passed the prefectural examination became scholars. The provincial examination was equivalent to the ranking.
The first-class students were those who received stipends and meals. Those who passed the exam not only received free admission to the prefectural school, but also received a monthly stipend from the imperial court, which was equivalent to a scholarship.
Class B students were scholars who were allowed to study at the prefectural school, but they had to pay for their own expenses and received no subsidies.
Those who were classified as "Category C" scholars could only study at county schools in their respective regions. To enter the prefectural school, they had to spend a lot more money, which was similar to the "borrowing students" of later generations.
Both of them were determined to get a top grade in the provincial examination and make those who were talking nonsense furious.
Chen Qingyan teased his son and handed Yuanbao to Qingsong, saying, "I'm going to the shop to tell your sister-in-law the news. Yuanbao, stay home and play with your uncle."
"Go quickly."
Chen Qingyan walked briskly towards his shop. He was in high spirits because of the happy occasion, and even the flowers, plants and trees seemed to bring him joy.
He greets everyone he meets, whether he knows them or not, leaving passersby bewildered, scratching their heads and wondering for a long time, "Who is this person?"
When they arrived at the shop, Wang Ying was serving customers. When she looked up and saw Chen Qingyan's beaming face, she knew he had passed the exam.
After seeing the guests off, Chen Qingyan stepped forward and said, "Aying, I passed the exam!"
Wang Ying wiped her hands and asked, "What place?"
"Guess."
"It must be in the top ten, right? Fifth place?"
"Guess again."
"third?"
Chen Qingyan shook his head again.
"Could it be... that he's number one?!"
"I am but a humble student, and I have brought back the title of the top scholar in the prefectural examination."
"You little rascal!" Wang Ying hugged him excitedly, tears streaming down her face. Her little husband was truly remarkable!
Chen Qingyan reached out and wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes. "Why are you still crying?"
"How delightful! With such a husband, what more could I ask for?"
After her initial excitement subsided, Wang Ying asked, "Where's Qinghuai?"
"He also passed the exam, ranking seventh."
"Xiao Ma and Tian Ju, you two tidy up the shop. Sui Di, lock the door, we're not selling vegetables today. Let's go home and celebrate!"
"Hey!" Everyone quickly packed up, and Wang Ying and Chen Qingyan left first.
On the way, Wang Ying asked if she had encountered any students spouting nonsense while looking at the results today.
"Not only did I run into them, I also slapped them in the face with my grades!"
After years of feeling humiliated, Chen Qingyan finally got his revenge and vented all his pent-up frustration. He felt incredibly relieved!
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