Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 15 I have a younger sister?

The grading of the examination papers took three days, and the results were announced three days later, on the fourth day.

For the past few days, Song Shi'an has been staying at Wang Shuishan's place, eating and sleeping there.

However, Wang Shuishan didn't mind at all, and even treated him well from beginning to end, still buying him an extra portion every time he ate, and letting him sleep in the bed.

After all, money is easy to come by, but a true friend is hard to find.

Someone like Song Shi'an, the son of a high-ranking official but an illegitimate child, would never take advantage of such a small thing.

Therefore, Wang Shuishan felt even more strongly that he was someone he clicked with, which was why he was staying with him, and so he became even more enthusiastic.

"Shuishan, I'm going down for a walk. Do you have any money on you?"

After getting a little bored lying in the post station, Song Shi'an got out of bed and said to Wang Shuishan, who was looking at a book of poems at his desk.

Scholars like Wang Shuishan, with lofty aspirations, all aimed to pass the imperial examinations and become Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), so they generally had the good habit of 'lifelong reading'.

However, since the imperial examinations had just ended, he wouldn't read books on practical matters.

Flipping through a book of poems can be a way to relax and cultivate one's mind.

Upon hearing this, Wang Shuishan put down the booklet, reached into his pocket, and took out a small string of coins.

"Ten coins will be enough for me," Song Shi'an said.

"There's no need to talk about borrowing; just take it and use it."

Wang Shuishan took a small half-string of food and placed it in Song Shi'an's palm.

It's about twenty or so coins.

As the son of an eighth-rank official in the imperial court, Wang Shuishan's family was certainly not poor, but he was extremely frugal.

Those scholars from other places who came to the capital to take the imperial examinations would definitely not be able to resist taking a good stroll around this bustling city and enjoying the food and drinks while waiting for the results to be released.

Some people with poor self-control become instantly addicted after being taken to pubs and karaoke bars by their friends in the capital, and then stay there for days on end, oblivious to the passage of time.

Looking at it this way, the man I found who provided the meal ticket is truly of excellent character and worth getting to know better.

"Then I'll go downstairs for a stroll."

"okay."

Wang Shuishan smiled at Song Shi'an and then continued reading the poem.

After Song Shi'an went downstairs, he walked for a while and came to a rather bustling street.

Although the Student Inn is not located in the downtown area, there are too many students here, and the consumption level is high, so a commercial street has sprung up specifically to serve them.

It's like the decadent street next to a university.

There were sesame seed cake stalls, tea and snack shops, foot massage parlors, pitch-pot and wine shops, as well as shops selling exotic lacquerware, spices, jewelry and jade. The variety was dazzling and overwhelming.

The emotional value that these recreational activities brought was no less than that of today.

Some even violate public order and good morals.

It's a market economy.

However, what interests Song Shi'an the most are the bookstores all over the streets.

These books are not 'saintly books'.

It's a novel.

In this world, novels began to appear half a century ago.

The first one is a fan-made drama adapted from the Warring States period history of this world, titled "The Chronicles of the Six Kingdoms".

The most popular novel was "The Strange Tale" written by a failed scholar.

It is an early road trip novel that tells the story of a poor student who encounters some beautiful women who are actually monsters, and the series of events that follow.

I heard that many people have a copy in their homes.

The total number of copies of Da Yu may have reached tens of millions.

Of course, it was divided into volumes, not a single book.

Although the total sales of the legitimate copies may be less than one percent of the stock due to rampant piracy, the authors of the novels still received a considerable amount of royalties and made a lot of money.

If there were a Forbes list of authors, Yu would definitely be number one.

Filled with curiosity, Song Shi'an walked to a bookstore called 'Yuewenge'.

This seems to be the largest novel publisher in the entire Sheng'an area.

Here, books are displayed in different areas based on sales volume.

The best-selling titles are prominently featured. Each month's top seller also receives an illustrated deluxe edition.

Some people might ask, who are the authors of these books?

Candidates.

After the establishment of scientific research in the Dayu era, ordinary people gained a rare opportunity for upward mobility.

However, not everyone's family circumstances are sufficient to support him taking time off to prepare for the exam.

The vast majority of people cannot be full-time students.

And they happened to have decent writing skills. So they started submitting their work to the booksellers at these book stalls, asking them to publish their books and earning a small share of the profits.

The most famous of them was a poor scholar who passed the imperial examination. After he became an official, his political rivals discovered that he had written novels that sold very well.

What's even more terrifying is that it's a romance novel.

Anything that becomes market-driven will inevitably take on a certain taint.

I heard that after reading his novel, the scholar's brother immediately severed ties with him and drew a clear line between them.

They probably eat dumplings in the novel. "Sir, what kind of book would you like to read?" the stall owner asked with a smile when he saw Song Shi'an looking at the book.

Which book sold best this month?

When asked this, the stall owner smiled and then took out a book with a crimson background under the title on the cover: "Sir, this one."

Springtime in the Garden.

Got it, a gardening and planting novel.

Song Shi'an usually enjoys growing small potted plants, so he just bought them.

"how much is it?"

"Fifteen articles."

"keep the change."

Song Shi'an threw all the twenty-odd coins in his hand at him, which was quite generous.

My identity outside is that of Song Jing, the magistrate of Sheng'an.

We can't embarrass him.

As Song Shi'an opened the book and started walking, he bumped into someone.

"Song Shi'an!"

The girl raised her finger, looking at him in surprise. Then, upon seeing the book, she said angrily, "You're reading such erotic books! I'm going to tell my father!"

This woman's name is Song Qin.

The twins born at the same time as Song Ce were also fifteen years old.

She looks exactly like Song Ce, practically a female version.

However, their personalities are completely different. He is not as aloof and calm as his younger brother, and is very lively and unconventional.

She has a touch of spoiled bratness.

Threatened in this way, Song Shi'an slowly put down the book, stared at her sister who was about to tattle, and retorted, "How do you know this is an erotic book?"

"..." Song Qin was stunned for a moment, then stammered, "A book with such an improper title must be an improper book."

"How would you know a book with such a title is improper if you haven't read it?"

"..."

Song Qinhong warmed up.

"Okay, Song Qin!"

Song Shi'an pointed at her and said sternly, "You're secretly reading such erotic books! I'm going to tell Father when I get back!"

"I didn't see it! You're not allowed to tell!"

He's getting anxious, he gets flustered after just a few words.

In the end, he's still just a little kid.

"I'll tell you, I'll tell you..."

"Let's not talk about this! By the way, are you really going to die out there and not go back?" Song Qin forcibly changed the subject.

However, she was indeed a little curious.

Actually, there wasn't that much animosity between the Song family's children.

The only one who truly hated Song Shi'an was the First Madam.

Before this, Song Shi'an had always kept his head down at home, knowing his true identity, so Song Qin and the others were not exactly his enemies.

He did have an older sister and a younger sister who looked down on him, but they were already married.

“Who would dare go back? I’d get beaten to death,” Song Shi’an refused.

"Who told you to do those ridiculous things?"

After teasing her, Song Qin had an idea and suggested, "I've got it! Just say you were possessed back then and you don't even know what you did. Besides, you almost drowned before, you just got a close call with death, maybe you even brought some little ghosts with you?"

Awesome.

Can he be trusted?

Song Shi'an probed.

“Dad will definitely believe what I say, it’s not you,” Song Qin said smugly.

"Then I won't go back, I'll really get beaten to death."

"What a coward."

After disdainfully mocking Song Shi'an, Song Qin had another flash of inspiration and came up with an idea: "How about this, I'll go back and sound out Father's opinion first. If he believes me, I'll send you a message, and then you can come back."

"..."

Seeing her say that, Song Shi'an pondered for a moment. Then, looking at Song Qin's eagerness, he asked with suspicion, "Why would you be so kind?"

You wouldn't do that to your brother...

Hearing this, Song Qin immediately became irritated: "That Song Ce, he's already finished the exams, and he's still at home reading, writing, and practicing swordsmanship all day long. No matter how I look at him, Dad is unhappy. It's infuriating."

Song Shi'an: "Then I'll go back?"

Song Qin immediately laughed brightly: "Then I'm not the most useless one~"

I can fuck you.

(End of this chapter)