Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 156 The Sun Situ Family's Defenses Are Breached

A second-rank military officer of the current dynasty was actually used as a stepping stone for Song Shi'an to ascend the horse?

This scene was truly explosive.

Do the two of them have some kind of grudge?

The common people could not possibly know about the meetings held in the imperial court, but what was happening right before their eyes was crystal clear.

In order to curry favor with Song Shi'an, Chen Kefu did not hesitate to throw his face to the ground and be trampled on in front of the whole world!

Even without knowing any of the background information, the fact that a high-ranking official was humiliated in this way is like a cathartic story for ordinary people.

Chen Kefu is the villain.

The outcry rose like a tidal wave.

Song Shi'an rode a large horse and began to parade through the streets.

Just then, a large group of strong men wearing red ribbons and flowers suddenly appeared and began to accompany them, beating gongs and drums.

The atmosphere instantly became lively and festive.

While playing background music, these people also opened the road in a very orderly manner and perfectly protected Song Shi'an, preventing any civilians from having any physical contact with him.

Zhao Yi, who arranged all of this, couldn't help but complain inwardly as he watched the arrogant Song Shi'an being fawned over.

This guy is a real father.

If he were to enter a crowd of tens of thousands of ordinary people alone, and a traitor or assassin were to suddenly approach and kill him in the chaos, wouldn't that be the end of him?
Upon learning that Song Shi'an was the top scholar in the imperial examination, the King of Wu was as happy as if he himself had been the top scholar and couldn't wait to meet the newcomer.

Ye Changqing persuaded him to stop first and let him enjoy the glory of passing the imperial examination.

Then he also reminded the King of Wu to do a good job in security and to guard against any accidents.

However, when he arrived, he saw no chaos, only the deputy general of Sizhou, a second-rank official, being trampled underfoot like a dog.

Chen Kefu, that bastard, is truly shameless.

Impeachment and memorials demanding the replacement of generals have been launched against Song Shi'an, who has been used as a pawn and targeted at every turn. Yet, he can still act as if nothing happened and shamelessly cling to the top scholar's coattails.

What a shame.

Chen Kefu's face was still flushed with embarrassment after he got up from the ground.

As a second-rank military officer, having been used as a stepping stone for Song Shi'an in front of the common people, he feared he would have a hard time maintaining his position.

There's no other way now, I can only be Song Shi'an's dog, and focus on being a dog!
Therefore, after the crowd dispersed slightly as Song Shi'an walked away, he rubbed his hands together like a fly and walked in front of Song Jing and the others.

At this moment, Song Jing was talking with several scholars.

They presented a gold invitation, informed the guests of the date of the banquet, and offered congratulations and compliments, all amidst laughter and conversation.

After a few pleasantries, the scholars departed.

Seamlessly, Chen Kefu moved closer to Song Jing, who was still beaming with joy: "Lord..."

"Go away."

Song Jing's face darkened, showing no mercy whatsoever.

Those two words froze him in place, his expression stiff with embarrassment.

Then, Song Jing flicked his sleeves and left gracefully.

Chen Kefu was left holding his forehead, filled with regret: Those Sima civil officials, I really cursed them!

Because the entrance to the Dali Temple was blocked by the people, Chen Bao and the other eunuchs simply waited in a reception room of the Dali Temple until things calmed down before returning to the palace.

"Godfather."

One of Chen Bao's godsons hurried over and reported: "As soon as the Song father and son left Dali Temple, that Chen Kefu led a horse up to flatter them. Song Shi'an didn't appreciate it, so he lay down on the ground to serve as a footstool for Song Shi'an to mount the horse."

Upon hearing this, Chen Bao, who had been sitting with his legs crossed and gently scraping the teacup with the lid, stopped what he was doing. His tone was authoritative without being angry: "Having a second-rank official of the current dynasty as his stirrup, this Song Shi'an has an even bigger entourage than the Duke of the State!"

The emperor had long harbored resentment towards Song Shi'an.

As the chief secretary, Chen Bao couldn't possibly be unaware of it.

"But this kick should be enough to vent your anger, right?" Chen Bao smiled. "Who knows, this kick might even save his life."

"Godfather, what about this Chen Kefu?"

Chen Kefu was someone the emperor specifically wanted to arrest, and his home was to be confiscated after the fervor surrounding his status as the top scholar had subsided.

But right now, it's the hottest time of day in the city.

"Didn't we come to the Dali Temple? This saves Lord Wang the trouble of making a personal visit," Chen Bao said casually. "Please come in and have some tea."

.........

It was already quite late when the Song family members went out to greet them.

After the imperial city was opened to the public, hordes of people completely blocked the road to the Dali Temple.

And the common people all followed Song Shi'an, who was riding a horse, out of the inner city.

They could only watch the top scholar parade through the streets from afar.

Jiang was moved to tears on the spot.

Finally, she saw her son.

The joy of becoming the top scholar accounted for only a tiny fraction of his emotions.

The head steward, Song Gan, slapped his apprentice on the head and asked, "Did you see clearly? Are there any injuries on your face or body?"

"He's perfectly fine, Young Master Shi'an is alright, everything's fine, and he rides the horse very well!" the servant hurriedly replied.

Jiang felt a little better after learning that her son was not suffering in prison.

“It’s quite rare that they weren’t tortured or mistreated in the Dali Temple,” Madam Cui said. “This Shaoqing seems to be taking good care of them.”

The crowd continued to watch as Song Shi'an departed.

Wearing tattered and dirty official robes, riding a Liangzhou horse, surrounded by cheering crowds, Song Shi'an filled Song Ce with longing.

"father!"

Just then, Song Qin suddenly shouted.

The crowd followed their gaze and saw the familiar man walking towards them.

Although he was thinner and looked exhausted, he was full of energy and his eyes were bright.

She rushed over and hugged Song Jing, her eyes brimming with tears: "Dad, I missed you!"

He placed his hand on his daughter's head, looking at this rebellious little girl who usually annoyed him so much, and smiled kindly: "I didn't expect you to have such filial piety. I won't hit you for a month."

"Can we go two months without getting vaccinated?"

Song Qin looked up expectantly.

"Father." Song Ce walked up to him, knelt down, and kowtowed to his father. "You've suffered so much." What a conspicuous bag!

Song Qin had no choice but to follow suit and bow to her father.

"Get up, get up."

Song Jing smiled and raised his hand, gesturing for the two to stand up.

"Aggie."

"master."

His wife and concubine also stepped forward slowly, looking at him with deep affection and longing.

This prison sentence is finally over.

"Once we get through this difficult time, the Song family will surely have a smooth road ahead," Song Ce earnestly comforted his father.

“Ce’er has really grown up and is a man now.” Song Jing nodded approvingly at him, then frowned slightly and said calmly, “It’s just going to jail. In the ups and downs of officialdom, this day may come. Anyone can become a prisoner.”

His sudden remark left everyone somewhat puzzled.

Only Song Ce understood.

Father is taking revenge on those who kicked him when he was down!

They should be sent in too.

However, he didn't point it out, because if his mother heard such words, she would definitely be frightened.

"Let's go home."

Song Jing's expression quickly returned to its gentle and loving state, and he led his family into the carriage to return home.

But the road home was even more blocked.

With lanterns and colorful decorations, and the sound of gongs and drums, the entire area was filled with wedding processions. The betrothal gifts were packed in hundreds of boxes of various sizes, all tied with red ribbons.

The annual tax revenue of a single county is probably more than that.

Song Jing, who had just gotten off the carriage, was completely bewildered.

If it weren't for Song Gan and his servants blocking his way, he would have been carried away by the wedding procession by now.

"This is good news!" Madam Cui said with delight, looking at Song Jing. "Our Ce'er has also passed the imperial examination and reached marriageable age. Why don't we settle the marriage now?"

"What's the rush you're in here for?" Song Jing was speechless. He said, "What kind of prestigious family would arrange a marriage so without any restraint? Didn't they consult with me before coming here?"

"That's true." Madam Cui nodded, agreeing with Song Jing's point. "When arranging a marriage between members of noble families, it's indeed important to choose carefully..."

"Shut up." Her words immediately triggered Song Jing, who promptly interrupted her sternly, "Who mentioned noble families?"

“I, I didn’t mean we should become a noble family.” Madam Cui also felt that this was inappropriate, so she quickly explained, “I mean, Shi An has made such great contributions, only a noble family can be a match for my Song family.”

"What kind of family is considered a suitable match for a noble family?" Song Jing countered.

"..."

Madam Cui was stunned, while Song Qin, standing to the side, weakly spoke up: "The Marquis's family."

Madam Cui covered her mouth, realizing she shouldn't have spoken out of turn.

While he gained this merit, he also made some mistakes. He accepted whatever the emperor bestowed upon him, but how could he have hinted that the other party should be granted a marquisate?

"Song Gan," Song Jing called the steward back and said to him, "Give each person who comes to propose marriage, including the servants, a small amount of money as a token of our appreciation, but politely decline any marriage proposals."

"That's true," Jiang said softly from the side, "Shi'an is twenty-one years old, isn't he of age?"

“Of course.” Song Jing knew what was going on. “He is the eldest brother, so naturally he should be married first. I will arrange it for him after the Qionglin Banquet.”

.........

While some are happy, others are sad.

Some people are not only worried, but also angry.

In Sun Situ's study, there were the three of them: father and sons.

"No way, absolutely impossible."

Thinking of his achievement of being the top scholar in both subjects, Sun Qian was unusually excited: "He went to fight in the north and had no time to read books or write essays. When he returned to prison, he couldn't even touch books. Even if his policy essays were excellent, the best in the world, what about his prose? No one can afford to waste almost a year and still write exam essays so easily!"

Sun Yan didn't say anything.

He thought so too.

A scholar knows that writing poetry and prose is all about using allusions, creating new words, and crafting beautiful scenes. If you don't practice your writing skills, you will definitely regress.

“I know ‘Exhortation to Learning,’ but I can’t compare to him. However, this is about the landscape of Da Yu, which requires one to fully display their talent for rhythm and aesthetics. How could that be his forte?” Sun Qian still didn’t believe it. “His policy essays reveal the fact that his writing is not good!”

Sun Heng almost laughed.

But he was holding it in.

If you laugh now, your father, who favors your younger brother, will kick you out.

"There's only one possibility: His Majesty, considering his merits, insists on awarding him the top scholar title!"

Sun Qian was certain.

Sun Yan thought the same way.

Otherwise it would look too fake.

"Has this sample scroll not been brought yet?" Sun Heng asked leisurely.

Suddenly, a steward came and knocked on the door.

Sun Qian rushed over, opened the door, and snatched Fan Juan from the astonished other person's hands.

Sun Yan and Sun Heng also slowly turned their heads to look at him.

Clutching the sample paper, Sun Qian's eyes shone brightly.