Frost for a Thousand Years

The results for Chapter 20 are out!
Who exactly is Song Shi'an?
None of the seven Grand Secretaries present, plus the young Imperial Academy scholar standing nearby, knew anything about it.

Logically speaking, in Sheng'an, highly talented young people generally have excellent teachers.

Take Song Ce for example. His teacher had passed the imperial examination and was a scholar in the Imperial Academy. Although he did not reach the high-ranking position of Grand Scholar, he was still quite famous.

These scholars often interact with their students, and they know most of the outstanding younger generations.

Grand Secretary Gu Yixin even held Song Ce when he was a child.

“Speaking of Song Ce…” At this moment, Gu Yixin suddenly thought of something, “Does he have an older brother?”

"I think there is one, but I don't know its name," Zhang Zhao shook his head.

No matter what, it's impossible for these important figures to remember an unknown illegitimate son.

“Then this Song Shi’an doesn’t come from a prominent family,” Sun Kang concluded.

"It's rare to find someone who, despite not coming from a prestigious family and lacking a renowned teacher, possesses such knowledge and insight," someone remarked. "This young man is destined for greatness."

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Jin became somewhat interested.

But, that's all.

Although he is talented, he has no family background, so even if he can achieve something, his potential will be quite limited.

For example, Zhang Zhao, one of the scholars present.

Born into a poor family, he was the top scholar in the imperial examination, and this is the highest position he can achieve.

Moreover, his achievements were limited to academic research.

Unlike the ancient master, who once served as the Shaofu, a key national position and a powerful post among the Nine Ministers.

Gu Yixin only retired to the position of chief scholar in his old age, focusing on academic examinations.

Even when he retires, this position will not be filled by a poor but 'noble' person.

Those who can assist you must be the eldest sons of noble families.

Compared to his personal abilities, the King of Jin believed that what he needed more was the support of the clan behind the 'wise minister'.

“Then we don’t need to guess who came in second in the imperial examinations,” Sun Kang said with a smile.

"Let's take a look."

"What a pity. If it weren't for Song Shi'an, Sun Qian would have had the chance to win the triple crown."

Amidst the discussion, the second-place paper, with its name obscured, was cut open.

As expected, it was Sheng An and Sun Qian.

This name, compared to Song Shi'an, stirred the feelings of the Prince of Jin even more.

Sun Qian, the eldest son of Sun Situ.

Although not the eldest son, he was the most outstanding among his many sons.

He is very likely the one who will inherit the Sun family business in Yangzhou.

We should have won him over before he rose to prominence.

.........

The next day.

The main hall of the Situ residence.

An elderly man with a white beard and eyebrows, and a red jade thumb ring on his left thumb, sat in the main seat. He was over seventy years old, but he was quite robust, giving people a sense of vigor and vitality, like a dragon or horse that is still going strong.

"The results should be out soon, right?"

The First Madam, sitting next to Sun Situ, asked with great anticipation.

At this moment, the head butler replied, "Yes, Madam."

"Then Qian'er, aren't you going to go and see the results?" the First Madam asked.

A young man, with delicate features and an air of nobility, sat in the hall. He raised his head and said with great confidence, "I am at home. I will wait for the court officials to come and report on their duties."

"My son is so proud," the lady teased.

"Passing the imperial examination is a certainty, and receiving the Central Asian Yuan is only a matter of course."

Thinking of his son's exam essay, Sun Situ stroked his beard and said, "If he isn't the top scholar, then it's my problem."

"Why?" the First Madam asked, puzzled. "Why is it the Master's fault that he didn't pass the imperial examination?"

In response, Minister Sun smiled and said, "If Qian'er fails to pass the provincial examination, it is because I did not get along well with my colleagues in court, and thus incurred their resentment."

These words left the others speechless.

"Master is renowned throughout the court and has disciples and former officials all over the world. Such a thing would never happen," only the head steward said, offering timely flattery.

"Hahaha."

Sun Situ laughed with an air of wealth and power.

The other sons below the hall had subtle expressions and wandering gazes.

Unconsciously, it all fell on Sun Qian.

Upon hearing what that kid said next, I immediately felt physically nauseous.

"You're just a mere top scholar in the provincial examination. I'll definitely become the top scholar next year and live up to your father's reputation."

.........

"The results are out! The results are out!"

At the Song residence, everyone was incredibly excited. The First Madam was so eager to go out with Song Ce that she was practically rubbing her hands together like a fly.

Song Jing held her hand, smiled faintly, and advised, "Let Ce'er go by herself."

Madam Cui said impatiently, "Then Ce'er, come back quickly and tell your mother what rank you got in the exam."

"Do we have to tell them even if they don't pass the exam?"

Song Qin didn't know what she was thinking, but those words just slipped out. Madam Cui's face immediately darkened.

Song Jing remained calm, slowly pulling a ruler from his sleeve and saying calmly, "Grab him."

Before Song Qin could react, she had already been restrained by the maid.

They forced her to extend her hand.

Immediately, Song Qin pleaded in terror, "Father, spare my life! Let me go!"

The next moment, the ruler landed in his palm.

Tears streamed down her face along with restrained screams.

After watching the whole thing with a blank expression, Song Ce clasped his hands together and bowed to his parents: "Father, Mother, your son is leaving."

Then, she and the coachman left the Song residence together.

In the corner, Jiang watched from afar, her expression a mix of joy and anticipation and anxious prayer, unlike Madam Cui's.

.........

"Shi'an, Shi'an, let's go quickly, it's already very late."

Grabbing Song Shi'an's arm, Wang Shuishan quickly left the post station.

"I overslept, sorry, sorry."

While apologizing, Song Shi'an folded his collar and straightened his clothes.

It was rather strange that two men rushed out of the inn like that, one of them with disheveled clothes.

Come walk with me on the streets of Sheng'an, oh oh oh~
What brought tears to my eyes wasn't just the alcohol from last night.

"Shi An! Wang Shuishan!"

On the way, they happened to run into Chunhou and Zhang Ji.

Seeing this, Song Shi'an, who had already put on his clothes, lost all his fatigue and drowsiness, as if nothing had happened.

Of course, it never happened!
"Two young masters."

Wang Shuishan took the initiative to greet him.

"It's one thing for Wang Shuishan to come and see the list, but why are you, Song Shi'an, joining in the fun?" Chunhou said with a sharp tongue.

"And you two?" Song Shi'an asked back.

“This is your third time taking the test, while it’s only our second time. Why can’t we come?” Chunhou bluntly exposed their shortcomings.

“That’s because you two passed the preliminary examination late. Even if you were given ten more chances, you still wouldn’t pass.” Song Shi’an didn’t indulge him at all.

Moreover, he was not angry because his shortcomings were exposed in front of Wang Shuishan.

My past failures were also the path I came from.

If I do exceptionally well on this exam, a great scholar will surely defend me: Master Song has already calculated the date and intends to take the exam this year.

"You'll fail ten times!" But Chunhou got anxious and started attacking wildly, "Even if I fail ten times, you'll fail eleven times, you'll always have one more time than me!"

Upon hearing this, Song Shi'an calmly and casually said, "How about the person who didn't pass the exam calls the person who passed 'Dad'?"

"Hey, you're not serious, are you?"

Zhang Ji looked puzzled, then smiled and said, "What I mean is, you don't really think you can pass the exam, do you?"

"Then let's gamble," Chunhou said nonchalantly. "Anyway, I doubt any of the three of us will ever hear him call me 'Dad.'"

"Let's gamble, let's gamble."

Zhang Ji waved his hand casually, seemingly nonchalant, but in reality, he was somewhat expectant.

Actually, I did pretty well on the exam this time...

But so what if I don't pass the exam?
Song Shi'an was the laziest and dullest of the three.

Anyway, he definitely won't pass the exam.

"Shuishan, do you want to join our 'Calling Father' bet?" Song Shi'an asked.

Wang Shuishan looked somewhat helpless, but forced a smile and said, "Everyone, hurry up and go, the results will be released soon."

Just then, a group of officials from the capital, armed with knives, ran past quickly, shouting, "The results of the imperial examinations are being released! Get out of the way!"

Soon, the densely packed students spontaneously cleared a path.

Wang Shuishan and the others also hurriedly moved forward to watch the list.

But it was so crowded that it was impossible to squeeze in.

They could only watch as the officials from the capital climbed a ladder and pasted the list of successful candidates onto the high walls of the examination hall.

But we were dozens of steps apart, and I couldn't see a single word...

As Wang Shuishan and others stood on tiptoe, straining to see the list, the students who saw it began to speak up.

"I'm hit!"

"Mother, I passed!"

Besides the students who found their names and exclaimed in ecstasy, Wang Shuishan and the others vaguely heard a name being mentioned repeatedly.

Then, he slowly turned his head to look at Song Shi'an.

The discussion was still going on—

“Song Shian…”

Who is Song Shi'an?

"It's Song Shi'an!"

(End of this chapter)