Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 140 The Song Mansion is Unsealed, and Scholars from Across the Land Return to the Capital

At the Song residence, the family remained the same, staying quietly in the main hall, doing nothing.

After all, Song Jing had already given instructions that no trouble should be caused before he came out.

Now that Song Shi'an has accomplished such a great feat, all that's left is to settle the accounts.

"Father, how much longer until we get out?" Song Qin asked wearily.

“The process of Dali Temple’s investigation takes some time to complete,” Song Ce replied. “Especially for major cases like this, it can’t be that simple.”

"Isn't the scientific expedition coming up soon?" Song Qin asked. "Can't we release us all before then?"

"The deadline for registering for the scientific expedition has long passed," Song Ce said.

"Then Ce'er, does that mean you won't be able to take the exam this time?" Madam Cui said, feeling very regretful and somewhat anxious.

After all, Song Ce hadn't performed well in the provincial examination and hadn't even achieved the second-highest score, so he was still quite disappointed.

Afterwards, he made up his mind that he must pass the imperial examination.

Although the entire Song family was captured not long after Song Shi'an went to Shuofeng, leaving him no time to study, he still aimed to surpass his father...

However, just when everyone thought he would be very sad, Song Ce said in a completely calm tone: "It's just a single imperial examination. Compared to the safety of the family, it's nothing."

Suddenly, she's become so mature.

This child is only sixteen years old...

"I used to think you were a bit dull, but now I see you have quite a manly air about you," Song Qin rarely praised.

"That's rude! You mustn't talk about your brother like that," Madam Cui scolded.

"What brother? He only came out a little earlier than me..." Song Qin muttered softly.

"Then you're sixteen years old this year too."

Madam Cui suddenly realized something and looked at Song Qin, who was quickly shrinking her head: "Really, you're another year older. I need to get you married off soon."

Before she went in, Song Qin was fifteen years old, which was actually time for her to get married.

Who would have thought that the whole family would suddenly be arrested, and it would drag on for more than half a year, until he turned sixteen.

She became an older single woman.

"Has Mother decided who to marry Qinmei to?"

Upon hearing this, Song Ce unusually became curious.

"You're usually so quiet, why are you so enthusiastic about this kind of topic?" Song Qin teased, clearly annoyed.

After spending these days together, Jiang also discovered that, apart from Madam Cui, both children were fine.

Song Ce's two older sisters, who had married out before, were rather arrogant.

But the twins were much kinder.

Song Ce, in particular, has always had a strong sense of family.

So talking about my sister getting married is less about gossip and more about showing concern.

"Once she leaves, Qin'er can marry into a noble family," Jiang said with a smile.

The moment the name Qin'er was uttered.

Clearly, everyone was a little uncomfortable.

This is no ordinary stepmother; she is a concubine of extremely low status, born a maid. No one would have dared to call the legitimate daughter that before…

But her son is coming back.

The mother's status has risen because of her son.

Madam Cui instinctively wanted to show disgust, but then she realized that she couldn't afford to offend anyone, so she kept quiet and even managed a forced smile.

Putting everything else aside, it's good that she doesn't hold a grudge!

Moreover, if one could truly marry into a noble family, that would be adding even more prestige to one's life!

Her own maternal family, the Cui family, was one of the five prominent families in the capital. Because they had not contributed to the rise of the emperor or joined the fold, none of them had ever produced a marquis, not even one of the non-hereditary titles of a local marquis.

"Ah..." Song Qin thought for a moment and then said, "Aren't those the sons of those noble families?"

"What, you look down on it?" Madam Cui asked.

"No, it's just that those military officers..." After struggling to find the right words, Song Qin finally uttered that simple phrase, "They're not good-looking."

The noble families of Qinzhou are now the most prestigious families in Dayu.

However, the people of Qinzhou were known for their fierce and unruly nature, and the region had a long history of hardship. Among those who followed Emperor Gaozu in battle, only a portion came from minor aristocratic families. For example, Zhao Xiang's ancestors were close friends who shared indulging in sensual pleasures and music with Emperor Gaozu.

The rest, apart from a few small landlords, were mostly local leather shoe dealers who could mobilize hundreds of local militia, and were involved in some kind of shady dealings.

Several young masters from Qinzhou, a few wealthy men from small landlord families, and some shady characters gathered over ten thousand soldiers, which became Emperor Gaozu's wealth.

These ten thousand-plus people from Qinzhou fought in the north and south, laying the foundation for the Great Yu Kingdom.

In ancient times, one of the important criteria for becoming an official was being good-looking.

But it will not be.

The underhanded tactics won't look good either.

Furthermore, noble families intermarried to consolidate their power, making it difficult to improve physical appearance through genetic means...

In Kyoto, very few of the handsome men are from noble families.

They were mostly from families of civil officials.

"How can you be so shallow, child?" Madam Cui criticized.

"I was just saying," Song Qin complained, dissatisfied. "Besides, it's not like I have a choice."

"Since it has to be beautiful, and from a noble family..."

After thinking for a moment, Song Ce raised his head and said, "Then it can only be the Sun family."

"........."

After the eldest son, naturally clueless, uttered those words, the entire room fell silent.

A long time, a long time.

"If it weren't for Situ Sun, we probably would have left already," Song Qin rolled her eyes.

"Too."

Song Ce knew that given the current conflict between the two families, a marriage alliance was impossible.

A mere marriage alliance cannot resolve the conflict.

Unless Song Shi'an marries Sun Jinhua and Song Qin marries Sun Qian, they can make peace completely.

That day, the world was at peace.

Of course, since his experience in the last provincial examination, Song Ce has become quite politically savvy.

He deeply understood one thing—Da Yu had no true leader.

The emperor wasn't one, the head of the nobility wasn't one, and neither was the head of the aristocratic families. Everyone was pushed to the top.

The emperor, the Duke of Li, and the Minister of Works Sun were all responsible for the interest groups behind them.

If someone can't take responsibility, then they need to be replaced.

Just as the family was chatting, Shen Kang walked in.

"Master Shen."

Song Ce quickly stood up and bowed.

"Young Master, Madam, Miss." Shen Kang bowed respectfully with his upright posture, and then said, "The order is that Song Ce will take the imperial examination at home, and the examination will be jointly supervised by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the scholars of the Imperial Academy."

Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

"Master Shen, has someone registered my son for the exam?" Madam Cui quickly stood up and asked, "Was it my father who did it?"

"Master Shen, what about my son?" Jiang asked.

"Song Shi'an took the exam while in prison."

After answering Jiang, he turned to Cui and Song Ce and replied, "The rest will be known in due time."

Since he said that, no one dared to ask further questions.

After all, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was no joke.

“The Imperial Guards outside the main hall, as well as the other yamen runners on duty inside the mansion, will all be withdrawn starting today,” Shen Kang said. “Of course, there will still be people on duty outside the mansion gate. But inside the mansion, you can move around freely and pass through, including servants making purchases, as long as you apply for permission.”

The ban has been lifted.

This means that he was essentially acquitted.

"Then, Mr. Shen, what do I need to do?"

Song Ce was somewhat hesitant.

Slowly, Shen Kang placed his rough, calloused hand on his shoulder, patted it gently, and said with a kind smile, "Young master, study hard for your exams."

.........

Kyoto is once again experiencing an unprecedented surge in student enrollment.

Previously, it was scholars from all over Sizhou who came to take the imperial examinations.

Now, the entire day is filled with candidates taking the imperial examinations, a veritable constellation of literary talents.

Many of these people know each other.

They usually travel together based on their region.

A more precise niche group was the 'contemporary scholars'.

This kind of friendship is very deep.

Inside the student hostel, Gao Yunyi, Fan Wuji, and two others sat at a table.

These people, after their previous appointments and removals, went on to serve as officials on their own. Now that they are able to gather together, they naturally have endless things to talk about.

And, endless gossip.

"What about Han Zhongchen?" Gao Yunyi asked with interest.

Mentioning this person, others laughed: "As soon as he returned to Sheng'an, he went to Sun Situ's house to deliver gifts. Now, he's probably serving Sun Qian like a servant."

Upon hearing this, everyone pursed their lips, shook their heads, and remained silent.

That's really shameless.

“He’s hoping to get promoted to the seventh rank by relying on the Sun family,” Gao Yunyi said.

"Are you still ranked as eighth-grade officials?"

Because Fan Wuji and Gao Yunyi were ranked third and fourth respectively, one went to the army and the other became a county magistrate, they were considered to have a very high starting point among this group of successful candidates.

"You want to be promoted to a high-ranking official in a year? Eight years to become a prime minister?" Gao Yunyi laughed.

Normally, even the fastest promotion requires some justification and achievements to be promoted every two years.

"Young Master Sun Qian is one of only two in our batch to reach the seventh rank. Now that so much tax has been collected, if he passes the imperial examination this time, he might just jump straight to the fifth rank, right?"

Comparing yourself to others can be incredibly frustrating.

Actually, they are already quite good, but compared with the top families, they are still as insignificant as dust.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Sun Qian will be the next Sun Situ.

Of course, if Sun Qian joins the party, then Sun Heng will lose the possibility of becoming one of the Nine Ministers.

A single entity cannot have two people participating at the same time.

"Speaking of the only two seventh-rank officials..."

Fan Wuji looked at the plaque hanging in the tavern—"Great Ambitions Achieve."

.........

"Since we can let Lord Song take the imperial examination in prison, does that mean we can let him read books in prison too?"

"That's true. Other people have to study hard for exams, but he hasn't even touched a pen once since he came back."

While the two prison officers were chatting, Sun Heng happened to pass by and then directly rebuked them: "Just do your job. The Dali Temple is only loyal to the emperor, not for flattering the powerful."

"Yes."

The two of them quickly lowered their heads and admitted their mistake.

Although Sun Heng was also annoyed by Sun Qian, they now only had one enemy: Song Shi'an.

When Song Shi'an got better, they became bad.

Meanwhile, in Song Shi'an's cell, Zhu Amang brought him food as usual and asked in a low voice, "Your Excellency will be taking the imperial examination in a few days. Is there anything you need?"

"What do you mean?" Song Shi'an asked.

"For example, some necessary books, or paper, ink, brushes, and inkstones?"

This is not something a prison guard can handle.

Zhu Amang has a superior named Liu, who asked him to inquire about this matter.

Lord Liu, there must be people you want to curry favor with.

What do you need this for?

"Don't you want to read a book?"

Even a prison guard knows that the imperial examinations require elegant writing, quotations from classical texts, and profound ideas.

I've neglected my studies for so long, I definitely need to pick them up again.

"Need not."

However, Song Shi'an directly refused, leaning casually against the wall with a steamed bun in his hand, and said, "The Great Yu only has a stone of grain, while I am eight dou higher."

(End of this chapter)