Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 21 Top Scholar! Song Shi'an!

Chunhou and Zhang Ji were both dumbfounded.

Their expressions were blank as they looked at each other.

"Is it Song Shi'an?" Zhang Ji looked at Chunhou. "They...are these the three characters they're referring to?"

"Did you hear that too?"

Chunhou thought his ears were broken and asked uncertainly.

"Damn!"

The next moment, Chunhou turned his head and looked at the expressionless Song Shi'an: "You little rascal, you didn't pass the imperial examination, did you?"

"This is not as simple as passing the imperial examination."

At this moment, Wang Shuishan spoke in a serious tone.

The two then looked at Wang Shuishan, puzzled.

"Why keep mentioning this name when he has only passed the imperial examination?" Wang Shuishan asked rhetorically.

The two of them then realized what was happening.

That's right. There were nearly a hundred people who passed the imperial examination. How could they all say the same name that had nothing to do with those candidates?
Judging from this, this kid is definitely more than just someone who passed the imperial examination.

Moreover, there are nine Asian elements, so why is only his name being discussed?

"My God! Song Shi'an has become the top scholar in the provincial examination!"

When the words "top scholar" were heard from behind, Chunhou and Zhang Ji almost dropped their jaws.

Wang Shuishan slowly turned his head and looked at the man he had been spending every day with these past few days, speechless with surprise.

According to them, this should be Song Shi'an's third attempt at the provincial examination.

What kind of person fails the imperial examinations twice but becomes the top scholar on the third try?

So you didn't learn anything before?!
"Peace be with you!"

Grabbing Song Shi'an's arm, he earnestly pleaded as if he had lost his parents, "Cheating in the imperial examination is a serious crime, you're being foolish!"

I'll fuck you.

“Yes, who wrote it for you? You’d better tell the truth!” Zhang Ji said, finding it hard to accept.

Fuck you!
"Shi'an, you've passed the imperial examination with top honors! You've passed the imperial examination with top honors!" At this moment, a man who knew Song Shi'an waved to him excitedly.

"Who is this dear friend?"

Song Shi'an felt a little unfamiliar with the person; even in his own memory, he didn't recognize this person.

Then the man said cheerfully, "You forgot? We drank with courtesans together."

"I see."

That's OK, we're all brothers.

"Congratulations!" the man said earnestly, shaking Song Shi'an's hand.

"Thank you very much."

Song Shi'an responded politely.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Chunhou suddenly shouted, "Father!"

"..."

While Wang Shuishan was still in a daze, Zhang Ji immediately followed up, "Father!"

That call was especially heartfelt, even more affectionate than calling them "Dad."

The reason is very simple.

When you compete with your buddies for exam scores, if you lose, you have to call them "Dad"—that's a gamble you have to accept, there's no way around it.

But your friend got the top score in the whole province in the exam, so he can become the county magistrate right after the exam.

At this moment, this is your strongest network of connections!

This is the ultimate understanding of a slacker.

While others are still trying to get closer, this guy is already ready to kneel down.

But for brothers, the first thing they think of when they gain power is cutting ties.

"Nonsense, utterly nonsensical." Song Shi'an covered his face with one hand, ignoring the remark.

"Brother Jingxiu... Congratulations on passing the imperial examination with top honors."

Only Wang Shuishan, quite normally, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and offered his sincere congratulations. Then, he pushed his way into the crowd, saying, "I also want to see if I'm on the list."

Song Shi'an bowed in response.

Turning around, I saw a handsome face staring at me blankly.

"Jingming, you got it too."

While Song Ce was staring blankly at Song Shi'an, someone emerged from the crowd and patted him on the shoulder with a smile.

"What place?" Song Ce turned around and asked him.

"I didn't count... but I won anyway!" the man said magnanimously.

According to him, not only would it not be the runner-up, but its ranking would be quite low.

Let's assume he's passed the imperial examination.

And he was the top scholar in the imperial examination?

With great effort, Wang Shuishan squeezed into the crowd and made his way forward little by little.

Jing Xiu passed the imperial examination with top honors...

First place in Sizhou.

For the past few days, I've been having long, engaging conversations with him.

He believed himself to be talented and had lofty ambitions.

If I don't pass, how can I face him as a friend? The more Wang Shuishan thought about it, the more uneasy he became.

Before I knew it, I had squeezed into the first few rows.

Because of his tall stature, his view was not obstructed, and he could see all the names on the list.

At the very top, occupying one-fifth of the list, stood alone with three characters: Song Shi'an.

The remaining two to ten, occupying one-fifth of the total, are the nine Asian champions.

Sun Qian, Fan Wuji, Gao Yunyi...

I am not included in the Asian Yuan.

Eleventh, twelfth...

Counting down to the eightieth, Wang Shuishan still didn't see his own name.

My heart grew cold, little by little.

Until the ninety-first person, he suddenly saw three characters that looked very similar to his name.

After a moment of confusion, he confirmed it.

Ninety-first place, Wang Shuishan!
Clenching his fist, he finally relaxed completely, gritting his teeth as he said, "Well, I guess I've hit the jackpot."

"Excuse me, excuse me! You're done watching, don't keep taking up space!"

Amid the protests, Wang Shuishan glanced casually at the back of the list, then emerged from the crowd with a smile, finally reaching Song Shi'an and the others.

"how?"

Seeing that he was also smiling, Song Shi'an asked with genuine joy.

"Oh, I'm embarrassed, I almost didn't win," Wang Shuishan said with a smile and a wave of his hand.

"You little rascal, you're still putting on an act!"

Song Shi'an raised his hand to clap, then grabbed his hand and immediately scolded him.

The two held hands tightly, looked at each other, and laughed heartily.

The light boat has already passed ten thousand mountains.

Did we get infected?

Zhang Ji asked tentatively.

Seeing that they had both passed, he couldn't help but have this illusion—could it be that passing the exam is a guaranteed success?

Wang Shuishan smiled and slowly shook his head.

"You're even asking now? You think you can win, huh?" Chunhou immediately mocked.

"How could I not know? It was just a random test; of course, there's no way I could pass." Zhang Ji laughed dismissively, then turned to Song Shi'an, "Shi'an, you'd better treat us to a good meal tonight..."

"Lord Song, is that Lord Song?!"

Just then, a man dressed in fine silk robes and wearing a round hat, who looked like he came from a wealthy family, rushed over.

"What is it?" Song Shi'an asked.

Wang Shuishan: "..."

Did you get used to this title so quickly?

"Master Song."

The man raised his hand, and a servant beside him lifted the red cloth off the wooden tray he was holding.

The gold was gleaming and dazzling.

"what are you going to do?!"

When faced with this situation, Song Shi'an instinctively looked for security cameras.

Oh, this is Dayu, before cameras and TikTok were invented.

so far so good.

"I have a lovely and obedient daughter, seventeen years old. Is she married, Lord Song?" the man asked.

"Is my daughter there?"

With a respectful and humble attitude, Song Shi'an inquired without any airs.

“My daughter is at home; adults can come home with me.”

Unexpectedly, Song Shi'an was such a sentimental person, and the man quickly extended his hand to invite him.

"That's it."

With a wave of his hand, Song Shi'an left as if money were dirt.

"Lord Song! Lord Song!"

The man quickly tried to persuade him to stay, but seeing that the other party was resolute, he asked Wang Shuishan with a smile, "Did this gentleman pass the exam?"

"I passed the exam, but I have no intention of pursuing this career. I'm sorry."

Wang Shuishan smiled and politely declined, then caught up with Song Shi'an and left the place.

"Oh my god!"

The man suffered many setbacks.

Turning his head, he saw the other two people staring at the glittering gold, their mouths practically watering.

The disappointment vanished instantly, and the man asked with a gentle smile, "Did you two pass the exam?"

Coming to his senses, Zhang Ji and Chunhou shook their heads blankly.

In an instant, the man's expression changed: "What kind of adult are you if you didn't pass the exam!"

With that, he covered the gold back with the red cloth and turned to leave.

Before leaving, he suddenly stopped, turned back to face the feet of the two people, and unleashed a powerful shout: "He...tui!"

(End of this chapter)