tallest building

Chapter 147 Ecstasy

Lights were lit in all the rooms, but the Gong brothers still did not return.

"Could it be that the teacher kept you here?" Sang Er asked. "Or did you go to the Three Paths Academy to see what was going on?"

"Don't even mention them, none of our family members who went to see the excitement have come back yet!" said Zhang Ma. "They're all like madmen. We should send someone out to meet them; we can't trust them in the dark."

"Madam! Madam!" Ma Ping'an rushed in from outside, shouting as he ran.

"Oh dear, what's wrong? You scared me half to death! You're a father now, why are you still so flustered?" Aunt Zhang asked him. "Have you seen the young master?"

"Fifth Young Master is back," Ma Ping'an said, stopping to catch his breath. "He'll be coming in soon."

"Is it only the Fifth Young Master? What about the Fourth Young Master?" Sang Er asked quickly.

"Great news! Huge news!" Ma Ping'an jumped up and down. "I heard about it all over the streets, it's all over the capital!"

"What good news is it? Tell me!" Sang Er said, "You're driving me crazy with anticipation."

“I want to see Madam,” Ma Ping’an said. “This great news must be heard by Madam first.”

“Then you’ve come to the wrong place. Madam is in the old lady’s room!” Zhang Ma said.

"Then I'll go to the old lady's place." Ma Ping'an didn't care about anything else and ran straight east.

"What kind of big news is it? They didn't even tell us." Sang Er laughed. "I have to go and find out."

Wen Mingqian served Old Madam Gong dinner in her room.

“I told you we’d eat together when Chang’an comes back, it won’t make a difference if we wait a little longer,” said Madam Gong. “I’m a grown woman, I can’t wait.”

Wen Mingqian smiled and said, "Grandma, please enjoy your meal. They should be back soon."

"Grandma, Second Madam, Ma Ping'an is outside. He says he has something to report," a maidservant said as she entered.

Wen Mingqian frowned slightly upon hearing this. In the past, Ma Ping'an would always wait until he returned to report something. Now that he had come here to report, it must be something urgent and important.

"What is it? Let him come in and talk," said Madam Gong, knowing that Wen Mingqian was too embarrassed to speak.

Ma Ping'an was covered in sweat when he came in and immediately knelt down on the ground: "Grandma, Madam, great news!"

"Oh dear, you startled me! What joyous occasion is it?" Old Madam Gong asked, clutching her chest.

"Our fourth young master has been selected by the Sanjing Academy!"

"What?! You didn't hear me wrong, did you?" Old Madam Gong didn't believe it.

“It’s really the old lady. Our fourth young master really passed the selection of the Sanjing Academy. Now the whole capital knows. There’s no mistake.” Ma Ping’an said confidently. “I was afraid I had misheard, so I asked around carefully and only dared to come back and say this after confirming that it was true.”

"Then...then...I haven't heard of the child going there!" Old Madam Gong was somewhat at a loss. "Didn't he get up early to go to school?"

"Grandmother, Fourth Brother, Prince Qiao, and Prince Feng have gone to the Sanjing Academy to watch the commotion." At this moment, Gong Bao'an walked in. "I was afraid of being scolded by the teacher, so I didn't go with them."

"But I still can't quite believe it... this is too unexpected," said Madam Gong. "I have to wait for Chang'an to tell me himself before I dare to believe it." "No mistake, Madam, I swear on my life. And our Fourth Young Master is also Master Zhuge's last disciple!" Ma Ping'an couldn't hide his pride. "Just you wait and see, I don't know how many people will come to tell you the good news!"

"Congratulations, Madam! Congratulations, Sister-in-law!" Before Ma Ping'an could even get up, Madam Wei entered with a group of maids and servants, all beaming with joy. "Our family has produced a fine horse and a towering tree."

"What? You've heard about it too? Is it true?" Old Madam Gong asked quickly.

“It’s absolutely true! Madam, you can rest assured and be happy!” Madam Wei said with a smile. “The teacher from the Sanjing Academy will be coming to visit us tomorrow! I have to get everyone ready so as not to neglect him.”

"The Fourth Young Master is back! The Fourth Young Master is back!" The maids chattered excitedly as they ushered Gong Chang'an in.

"Chang'an, my dear grandson, come to your grandmother's side! Tell me, have you really entered the Sanjing Academy?" When the old lady of the Gong family saw Gong Chang'an, she hugged him into her arms as if she had seen a rare treasure.

"Alright, let my grandmother, aunt, and mother know that I have indeed been accepted as a disciple by Master Zhuge." Gong Chang'an smiled and said, "I didn't expect to be selected. I can only say that I was very lucky."

"Oh dear, my little darling! You've really brought honor to our family!" Old Madam Gong burst into tears. "Grandpa, ancestors, if you're in heaven, you can see this!"

Her crying brought tears to the eyes of Wei and the others as well.

Wen Mingqian lowered his head, his expression unreadable.

"Mother, it was my fault. I didn't discuss it with you beforehand." Gong Chang'an leaned close to Wen Mingqian and gently took her hand, saying cautiously, "I just wanted to go and see what was going on..."

"Good child, your mother is so happy for you. It's something I've always wanted to do. How could I blame you?" Wen Mingqian's eyes also reddened. The Sanjing Academy was far beyond the mortal world. Once Gong Chang'an left, it was possible that they wouldn't see each other for many years.

Of course she was reluctant to part with it, but it was only in her heart that she was reluctant.

Being able to come here will be of great help to Gong Chang'an in the future; it can be said to be a shortcut.

"Mingqian, I'll say it again, you are truly a great contributor to our family! You gave birth to a fine son!" Old Madam Gong said while wiping away her tears, "It's all thanks to you."

Immediately afterward, there was another commotion outside. Gong Xu walked in laughing loudly. He didn't even bother to greet him as soon as he entered the door. He picked up Gong Chang'an and lifted him up, saying, "Good child, you are truly my honor! My colleagues all congratulated me when they heard about this. Whenever I walked down the street, anyone who recognized me would stop me and say congratulations."

I originally thought that we would only have such a scene when you grew up to be the age of your older brothers and passed the imperial examination.

"I never expected this! I never expected this at all!"

Gong Xu was overjoyed. He had only been granted the title of "Tong Jinshi" (a high-ranking scholar in the imperial examination), not a title he had actually earned through examination.

Although he didn't say it, he couldn't help but feel apprehensive.

His elder brother, Gong Rang, passed the imperial examination with genuine talent and learning, and his two sons were also intelligent and diligent.

Gong Xu often felt inferior and was always worried that her children would not be as good as the eldest son's children.

Gong Chang'an is only seven years old now, making him the youngest disciple in the history of the Sanjing Academy. He has also been chosen by Master Zhuge as his last disciple.

These layers of honor filled him with uncontrollable joy.

From then on, all the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital looked up to him.

He was no longer the timid and hesitant Gong Er; he was now the respected Master Gong Er.