Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 22 Proposing marriage at home
"Hey, miss, look at that person."

Awu said to Sun Jinhua with a subtle expression.

"What's wrong?" Sun Jinhua asked.

"Someone just proposed marriage to him, and he actually said he wanted to see the girl first," Awu described.

"Since we're proposing marriage, there shouldn't be any problem knowing what she looks like, right?"

"This is way too blunt, it's like they only care about the other person's looks," Awu complained. "Besides, it feels kind of frivolous."

"Ha, you mean?" Sun Jinhua asked curiously.

"It's that one, the tall one..."

Following the direction Awu pointed, Sun Jinhua looked over.

Then, I remembered—it was the man who had casually looked at my carriage from the upper floor of the student inn that day.

It seems he passed the exam.

"Miss!" A servant, panting, rushed over from the crowd and reported, "I saw the list."

"Then tell me," Awu urged.

After a pause, the servant said with some complicated feelings, "Young Master has won... won first place in the Asian Ranks."

Both of them were somewhat surprised to hear this.

Because Sun Situ was certain that if his son failed to pass the provincial examination with top honors, it meant that the Grand Secretary had a grudge against him.

Moreover, the story of Sun Qian's ability to achieve the highest honors in three consecutive imperial examinations when he finally speaks out has been circulating for quite some time.

One of the purposes of hosting the birthday banquet for the students of Ya Yuan in advance was to build momentum for the young master.

Did he not become the top scholar in the provincial examination?

"Second place is still impressive... but I wonder if Young Master Yu will be too happy about it." Awu was also a little nervous.

I can already foresee the atmosphere that will be in the mansion from now on.

"And what about the top scholar?" Sun Jinhua asked.

"The top scholar was a scholar named Song Shi'an... who seems to be the son of the magistrate of Sheng'an," the servant said.

"That's it..."

Sun Jinhua seemed to be deep in thought.

But she couldn't really understand anything, since she was new to the capital and knew nothing about the affairs among the nobles in the capital.

But she knows a little bit.

That means there will be something fun to do in a few days.

……

"One who achieves the highest rank in the provincial examination will be appointed to a seventh-rank official position."

Standing beside Song Shi'an, Wang Shuishan asked with great interest, "Brother Jingxiu, what are your thoughts?"

This idea is about career direction.

After passing the provincial examination with top honors, one can become an official without waiting for a vacancy; one will directly become a seventh-rank official of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Before the performance review, there will be an interview with the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, who is the head of the Nine Ministers.

The imperial court will appoint you to a position based on your abilities.

However, it wasn't entirely up to the imperial court; the top scholar could also request to take up a position in a particular department.

Of course, you can't just pick any one; there's no such thing as a free lunch.

It shouldn't be a problem to give you a general direction.

Or rather,

Go into Hard mode and go where the country needs you.

"What does Shuishan think?" Song Shi'an asked.

When this topic came up, Wang Shuishan became interested: "I think there are three types."

"Firstly, Brother Jingxiu comes from a family with deep roots. If he stays in the capital to serve as an official, with your father's support, his future will surely be bright."

"Secondly, enter the Imperial Academy. The work at the Imperial Academy is not heavy. Brother Jingxiu can prepare for the imperial examination while on duty, and if he passes the examination next year... even if he is among the top three, he will be appointed by the court again."

When these two paths were mentioned, Song Shi'an showed no reaction whatsoever.

"Third," Wang Shuishan said excitedly, as if he had found a kindred spirit, "to serve as a county magistrate and become a key official in charge of a region."

These words brought a smile to Song Shi'an's lips.

"and!"

Although the other party had restrained his knowledge, Wang Shuishan had long since discovered his inherent arrogance, so he immediately guessed his ambition: "Choose the most difficult, poorest, and most turbulent county, display your talents, and make a name for yourself!"

These are three directions in life.

First, it depends on your father's connections.

Secondly, paid mandatory exams.

Thirdly, there is the official simulation game, which is completely free of any artificial hype.

There are three paths, each more difficult than the last.

The last one, in particular, is a golden path fraught with thorns.

Last year, Yizhou was plagued by locusts, and the people rioted, resulting in the execution of seven county magistrates.

This is just what ordinary people did themselves.

The imperial court dismissed countless officials, even high-ranking regional officials like governors were demoted by one rank.

If you have lofty ambitions and a heart that soars higher than the sky, do you dare to stand against the tide of history?

"Shuishan, you have a great idea."

Song Shi'an raised a finger and gave Wang Shuishan an approving smile. "It's a pity I didn't even win the Asian Scholar title, I don't even qualify as a candidate official."

Wang Shuishan had even planned it out: when he told the officials at the Ministry of Personnel his aspirations, he would say, "Wherever they need me, I'll go."

Unfortunately, I didn't have that opportunity.

Three days after the ordinary candidates for the imperial examinations were admitted to their posts, they were directly assigned to the capital or various prefectures and counties by the administrative agencies under the Ministry of Personnel, based on the needs of the court and the candidates' own abilities.

Start from the grassroots level.

The two walked and talked, and just as they arrived at the student inn, a group of people with red ribbons on their arms started beating drums and gongs.

"The top scholar stayed at my inn!"

"My family's inn has produced a top scholar!"

"Lord Song, congratulations!"

He is the owner of the inn.

This kind of rubbing is perfectly normal.

At this time, the news is widely publicized that the inn has produced a top scholar. At this time next year, students will scramble to book rooms at high prices, hoping to absorb the scholarly aura of the old master.

Meanwhile, the area around the post station was also crowded with people.

Many parents even pushed their sons forward, trying to get as close to Song Shi'an as possible; this is the ancient custom of "pushing, pushing, pushing".

"Do we still need to pay for our accommodation?" Song Shi'an asked.

"You're joking, sir. Of course not!"

To this, the innkeeper quickly replied with a smile, "Stay as long as you like. The best rooms, the best food and wine, and if you would like maids, sir..."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Wang Shuishan quickly raised his hand to interrupt him, not letting him finish speaking.

"Sir, this shop's signboard is quite old. Could you please...?"

The boss started rubbing his hands together like a fly, eager to try it out.

"Give me a pen."

Song Shi'an raised his hand.

The next instant, the calligraphy brush appeared in his hand.

The papers on the table were spread out with an extremely smooth texture.

Without hesitation, Song Shi'an wrote four large characters from right to left—

Great ambitions will unfold.

.........

At the Song residence, a group of people were waiting.

Suddenly, a group of people carrying gift trays covered with red cloth, followed by servants carrying boxes of betrothal gifts on carrying poles tied with red ribbons, arrived in front of them, beating gongs and drums.

Leading the group was a thin, elderly steward in a blue robe, who greeted them with a smile and a bow even before they arrived.

Upon seeing this, everyone in the Song family immediately showed joy.

Madam Cui's anxiety subsided.

He passed the exam, and now the marriage proposal has arrived.

"Is this the home of Master Song, the top scholar in the imperial examination?"

The old man stood outside the mansion gate and politely asked.

"The top scholar?!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Cui was so excited that she almost fainted, but fortunately, her maidservant helped her up.

After accepting the offer, she was overjoyed: "My son passed the imperial examination with top honors?!"

Even more shocked than her was Song Jing.

How could he possibly be a top scholar?
My son's writing is indeed quite good, but his policy essay is clearly somewhat off-topic.

Am I getting old?

wrong.

Those old men at the Imperial Academy, by promoting such an article, are clearly trying to oppose the emperor?

How courageous he is!

"My master is from the Wang family of Sui County, and we have come to propose marriage," the old man said.

"Sui County? And there's a Wang family there?" Madam Cui had no idea and was somewhat confused.

“The Wang family’s ancestors once served as the Prefectural Assistant of Fu County,” the old man explained.

"Prefectural Magistrate? Haha..."

This official position made Lady Cui, a prominent figure in the capital, laugh.

The old man's face also darkened, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Song Jing tugged at Madam Cui's sleeve, signaling her not to go too far. Then, he replied with a smile, "No need. My Song Ce is only fifteen years old and has no plans to get married yet."

The main problem is that they are not a good match.

Who is Song Ce?

But the old man's words stunned everyone in the Song family.

Madam Cui immediately retorted angrily, "If you don't know Song Ce, what are you doing in my residence?!"

"Please forgive us! Please forgive us, sir and madam! It was my mistake, we'll be leaving now."

The old man quickly apologized to the two men and prepared to leave.

However, since they were unfamiliar with Kyoto, they turned around and asked, "Sir, do you know how to get to Lord Song Shi'an's house?"

(End of this chapter)