Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 504 Results Announcement (Part 2)

At this moment, some different voices began to mingle with the noise downstairs, including news about other candidates who had failed the exam.

In another private room, Li Yancheng listened to his subordinates' reports with a somber expression, while outside, the messengers continued to relay news of others passing the exams.

"Young Master..." the servant reported the news tremblingly, his expression revealing barely concealed fear.

Because there were other people in the private room, Li Yancheng behaved very politely. His hand holding the teacup remained as steady as a rock, and he even managed to maintain a semblance of composure on his face as he said lightly to the person below, "I understand, thank you for your hard work."

However, the moment he lowered his eyes, the sinister and resentful look in them almost overflowed.

His devoted follower Zhuang Wen immediately stepped forward, looking indignant and sympathetic: "Brother Li, this...this must be because those examiners are blind and opportunistic!"

"Seeing that Sheng Changquan was some minor scholar, they deliberately flattered him! And that Sheng Changquan, he's just relying on a few empty titles..."

While Zhuang Wen spoke words of comfort with indignation, his eyes secretly glanced towards the private room where Sheng Changquan was upstairs. His words were laced with barbs, deliberately pointing the finger at the unfairness of the examiners and the fact that Sheng Changquan was all talk and no action.

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible hint of annoyance flashed in Li Yancheng's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

He knew that Zhuang Wen's words would not only be of no use, but if they were spread, it would make him look petty and unable to accept defeat.

He raised his hand to interrupt Zhuang Wen, his voice slightly hoarse, but he tried his best to maintain his composure and demeanor: "Brother Wen, be careful with your words! In the imperial examination, the essays will be judged by the public. Brother Sheng must have extraordinary abilities to have achieved the top score in the provincial examination. How can we presume to speculate?"

"As for the examiners, they are fair and impartial. How could they be biased because of a mere reputation? My failure this time is due to my own lack of knowledge and insufficient preparation. I need to go back and study diligently. How can I blame fate or others?"

His words were presented in a grand and dignified manner, making him appear both open and responsible, while subtly praising Sheng Changquan and the examiners, and positioning himself as a diligent but unsuccessful student.

Zhuang Wen was speechless after hearing this, and for a moment he didn't know how to respond. He could only awkwardly say, "Brother Li is right. I misspoke."

In his heart, he cursed Li Yancheng for being as cunning as a fox, for being able to endure this.

Li Yancheng picked up his teacup and took a sip, concealing the turbulent emotions within him.

No one knew that this seemingly close nephew of the Shen family had secretly colluded with Sun Zhixing, the Minister of Personnel and Shen Shouzhen's political enemy. For him, failing the exam this time was not only a loss of face, but it could also affect his value in Minister Sun's eyes.

Not far from them, An Yan, the youngest son of the Duke of Jingguo's family, was grinning as he squeezed into the crowd. He himself hadn't passed the exam, but he didn't care at all. Instead, he was enjoying the spectacle and would occasionally tease his acquaintances who had also failed the exam: "Hey! Sheng Huiyuan! I knew this kid could do it!"

He then turned to his companion and winked, "What a pity, I wasn't even thinking about this. Otherwise, I might have been able to join in the fun on the list today!"

His words were full of sarcasm, as if failing the exam was a very interesting thing.

In a relatively quiet corner, Qi Heng stood alone behind a screen, silently watching the noisy crowd below.

His handsome face was expressionless, only his tightly pursed lips and the deep, unyielding melancholy in his eyes betrayed his current state of mind.

His marriage to the Princess of Jiacheng was like an invisible shackle, trapping him in endless exhaustion and emptiness. He repeatedly told himself not to think about it anymore, but that bright and lively figure would always intrude into his mind unintentionally, disturbing his peace of mind, and naturally causing his writing to lose its soul.

Failing the exam again was less an accident and more a predetermined outcome. He sighed softly, turned and left, his figure appearing particularly lonely and desolate amidst the boisterous celebration.

……

The clamor of Gongyuan Street was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, the ripples spreading outward at an astonishing speed. The cries of good news, carrying the clear words "Sheng Changquan" and "Huiyuan," seemed to have grown wings and smashed open the usually imposing vermilion gate of the Sheng Mansion in Jiying Lane, instantly plunging the entire mansion into an unprecedented, almost out-of-control boiling vortex.

This good news did not arrive quietly, but rather in an almost brutal and exhilarating way, pouring into the ears of everyone in the mansion at almost the same moment, making their hearts tremble.

The first place to explode was naturally the front yard.

Two gatekeepers were yawning and chatting idly when they suddenly heard the distinctive, drawn-out voice of the messenger approaching from afar, the content becoming clearer and clearer— "Congratulations to Master Sheng, the Prefect of Sheng, for achieving the highest rank in the Jia Chen imperial examination! Congratulations on your first place!"

One of the clever ones, named Laifu, didn't wait for the messenger to finish the second announcement before he sprang up like a spring from under his buttocks. His shoes seemed to be oiled, and he ran wildly into the inner courtyard, yelling at the top of his lungs, his voice completely distorted with excitement, shouting like a broken gong: "He passed! He passed! Such a great joy! Quan-ge'er passed! He's the top scholar! The number one scholar!"

This earth-shattering, chaotic shout was like a sharp lightning bolt, instantly shattering the usual orderly routine of the Sheng family mansion.

Another servant named Wangcai reacted a bit slower, but upon seeing this, he seemed to have his backside burned. He scrambled towards the storeroom, kicking the heavy door with both hands and feet, his voice hoarse as if he were about to vomit blood: "Open the door! Open the door now!"

"Open the middle door! Take the firecrackers! Take the coins! Take as many as you can!"

"Hurry! This is fantastic news! Our family has produced a high-ranking official!"

His shouts were like cold water thrown into boiling oil, causing an uproar throughout the front yard.

The servants, who were originally performing their duties, were initially stunned and stood there looking at each other. After digesting this earth-shattering news, their faces immediately showed an incredulous joy and excitement. They forgot about their work and ran around telling each other, cheering and jumping for joy. The entire front yard was suddenly bustling with noise and chaos, yet it was filled with an uncontrollable jubilation like that of the New Year.

Almost simultaneously, this explosive news, like an invisible shockwave, precisely penetrated every corner of Wei Rui Xuan, the study, Shou An Tang, Mu Cang Zhai, Ze Yu Tang...

It didn't happen sequentially, but rather like a summer thunderclap, it boomed and exploded simultaneously above everyone's heads, leaving them stunned and then overjoyed.

Inside the Wei Rui Xuan.

Madam Wang was listening absentmindedly to Liu Mama's report on tomorrow's shopping arrangements, fidgeting with the corner of her handkerchief when the earth-shattering shouts and the ensuing commotion inside the mansion suddenly burst in. Startled, she shuddered, and the Yue kiln celadon teacup in her hand clattered to the ground, shattering into pieces. She was completely unaware that tea leaves and tea had splashed onto her skirt.

She seemed to be frozen in place, stunned for a moment, then suddenly sprang up. Because she got up so quickly, she almost tripped over her own skirt, but fortunately, her mother, Mrs. Liu, caught her just in time.

She couldn't care less anymore. She grabbed Liu's mother's strong arm tightly with her backhand, her fingers gripping it like iron clamps. Her voice trembled and changed tone, and she asked in a shrill, tearful voice, "Wh...what? Liu's mother! Did you hear me?"

"The top scholar? Changquan passed the imperial examination? He got first place? Am I dreaming? Pinch me right now!"

Madam Liu was dizzy from being shaken, but she was also so excited that her face flushed red. She nodded repeatedly, her voice trembling, "Madam! It's true! Absolutely true! Quan-ge'er has passed the imperial examination with top honors! First place!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang burst into tears with a loud "Aww!" Forgetting all about maintaining her dignity as the mistress of the house, tears and snot streamed down her face as she cried and laughed, shouting loudly with a penetrating voice: "Quick! Open the main gate! Bring out all the firecrackers from the storeroom and light them! Light them all up, crackling and popping!"

"Go to the storeroom! Open the storeroom! Take out copper coins! Ten baskets! No! Twenty baskets! Scatter them at the door! Everyone who sees them gets a share! A generous reward! All servants, your monthly wages will triple this month! Triple!"

She was so excited she was incoherent, and she pushed past Liu's mother, trying to rush out herself: "I have to go see! I have to go see for myself! My son! You've really made me proud! You've brought honor to our family!"

He looked exactly like someone who had been hit by a huge windfall and was so happy he didn't know what to do.

At this moment, the supreme sense of glory brought by Sheng Changquan, the illegitimate son who had grown up in her presence since childhood, was respectful, sensible, diligent and ambitious, completely conquered her. The subtle barrier caused by him not being her son vanished, leaving only pride and ecstasy.

Liu Mama, being an experienced old nanny, was overjoyed for her mistress, but still retained a shred of reason. She quickly grabbed Madam Wang, who was about to rush out, and said urgently, "Oh dear! My lady! Slow down!"

"Watch your step! It's chaotic outside. Just sit calmly in the main hall, and the servants will take care of things! This reward... is it tripled, isn't it..."

She wanted to advise against the excessive reward, but seeing how overjoyed Madam Wang was and how she wouldn't listen to anything, she had to swallow her words and change her tune, saying, "...Should we open the middle gate first and wait for what the master and mistress say?"

"Need not!"

Madam Wang declared confidently, "I'm in charge of today's date!"

She looked as if she had been poisoned!
……