Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 23 My son became the top scholar in the imperial examination!
When the name Song Shi'an was uttered, everyone in the Song family stared in shock.

Even Song Jing, who was usually quite calm, but became furious after his failed ambush of Song Shi'an that day, was dumbfounded, completely losing the dignity of a third-rank official of the imperial court.

Why was this name brought up?
And what was that guy saying about being a 'top scholar'?
This is impossible!

My son, my son...

Jiang, who had been hiding in the corner, heard her son's name and her eyes lit up.

Moreover, it seems they came to propose marriage to my son?
Could it be that I've 'hit'?
But she didn't hear the words "top scholar in the provincial examination," and knew that even if her son passed the provincial examination, the master wouldn't easily forgive him, so she suppressed her excitement. Slowly, little by little, she secretly moved closer.

Seeing the expressions on these people's faces, the old man thought he had said something wrong, and quickly said, "Since you don't know... then I'll take my leave."

They definitely know that.

But they must have a grudge.

Otherwise, why would they all have that expression?

"No, no." Song Jing snapped out of his daze and asked, puzzled, "What do you want with Song Shi'an?"

When asked, the old man explained, "Lord Song Shi'an was the top scholar in the provincial examination... so he came here specifically to propose marriage."

To find a son-in-law after the imperial examination results are announced.

In ancient times, when the results of the imperial examinations were announced, some gentry, landlords, wealthy merchants, or even impoverished nobles would take the opportunity to propose marriage and bring home the sons-in-law who had passed the provincial or metropolitan examinations.

In order to "catch a son-in-law" as soon as possible, many people prepare in advance, even those from other places.

For example, the Wang family of Sui County had produced a prefectural magistrate in their ancestors. Although they are now down on their luck, they are not considered poor. If they prepare a generous dowry, they can still dare to try for the top scholar in the provincial examination.

Of course, you have to grab it.

The title of Jieyuan is something that can be missed in an instant.

"What did you say?" Song Jing asked in surprise, "Song Shi'an became the top scholar?"

Song Qin and Madam Cui also looked incredulous, shaking their heads and exclaiming in unison, "How could that be?!"

Jieyuan?

That is, first place in the provincial examination!
Jiang was stunned when she heard this.

The surroundings fell silent for a moment.

After regaining his senses, he immediately shouted excitedly, "My son has become the top scholar! My son has become the top scholar!"

Madam Cui immediately blushed and roared, "Shut up!"

"Stop talking," Song Jing also stopped Jiang Shi, then said sternly to the old man, "Why are you spouting nonsense? Making up such things?"

"Oh, sir!" The old man was speechless and sighed, "How many heads do I have? How dare I fabricate such nonsense? The top scholar is a star descended from heaven, how could I dare to blaspheme him!"

"Are you... are you serious?"

Song Jing still couldn't believe it and asked to confirm it again.

Song Shi'an knows his own abilities.

That's the talent of a scholar who passed the imperial examinations.

What's the point of talking about passing the imperial examination, let alone becoming the top scholar in the provincial examination!

"My lord, the whole city knows now, I dare not speak nonsense!" the old man explained helplessly once again.

After glancing briefly at the people in the mansion, he roughly understood the situation.

Song Shi'an was the son of this family, but he was probably an illegitimate son.

So, she cautiously began, "This Lord Song Shi'an is your son... What do you think about the marriage proposal? If it can be settled, my master will personally visit to propose in three days... no, tomorrow."

it is true.

For a moment, Song Jing was somewhat dazed.

But the other party's marriage proposal team was still in front of the door. After a moment of inner struggle, his face darkened and he said, "No, you should find someone else."

After being rejected, the old man didn't persist and just smiled.

Then he left, waving to the group and saying, "Let's go, next one."

"The top spot in the Asian Games belongs to Sun Situ's eldest son," someone whispered to him.

"Then the next one."

Without wasting any time, the team searching for a son-in-law changed direction, their objective clear.

"Master, Shi An has passed the imperial examination with top honors!" Jiang rushed out excitedly, "He's passed with top honors!"

"I'm not deaf!"

Song Jing's feelings are very complicated right now.

Amidst these complex emotions, there were also moments of surprise.

However, he also felt that to be happy about this was utterly shameful.

How could I possibly be so eager to please that kid?
Completely disbelieving the matter, Madam Cui gritted her teeth and said sarcastically, "How could he have won? It must be cheating..."

"Shut up!" Before he could finish speaking, Song Jing, in a fit of anger, pointed at Madam Cui, his guard up.

She quickly covered her mouth, realizing that she had said the wrong thing.

Even the First Madam wouldn't dare to argue at a time like this.

To say that Song Shi'an committed fraud would implicate the entire Song family.

When people are angry, they don't think before they speak.

“Master… Shi’an has already passed the provincial examination with top honors, please let him come back,” Jiang pleaded.

This time, the humility and caution he used to show in his request were completely gone.

They even started to talk things out.

"What's the point of passing the provincial examination with top honors?"

Song Jing clenched his fists, feeling that Song Shi'an's misdeeds were too numerous to recount: "Even if he becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination, he has no respect for his father, no manners, and his private morality is corrupt. I will not condone it. He wants to go home like this? No way!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the head butler behind him whispered a reminder: "Master."

Song Jing slowly turned his head and saw several young men in official robes standing at the door.

One of them was carrying a wooden tray with a set of spotless black official robes neatly arranged on it.

On his official robes, the brand-new black gauze hat gleamed.

The one leading the group was a sixth-rank scholar from the Imperial Academy. After bowing, he said with a smile, "Congratulations, Lord Song and Madam, both of your sons have passed the imperial examinations and become Juren. I bet the doorstep is about to be thronged with suitors!"

Although the other party was not of high rank, they were from the Imperial Academy, so Song Jing smiled and returned the greeting, saying, "Thank you."

"Please come in."

Then, Song Jing extended his hand.

Officials from the Imperial Academy all entered the Song residence through the main gate.

Upon hearing that her son had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, Madam Cui's expression relaxed somewhat.

However, seeing Jiang Shi standing there grinning foolishly on the side, he was furious.

"Shall we sit in the lobby?" Song Jing suggested.

"No, no, I have to hurry to Situ's house," said the Imperial Reader.

"Young Master Sun Qian won the Asian Grand Prize?" Song Jing asked curiously.

The scholar smiled mysteriously and whispered, "Second in both subjects, second only to Lord Song."

Upon hearing "Lord Song," Song Jing was momentarily stunned, and the other party quickly explained, "It's Young Lord Song."

"Haha."

Song Jinglaoqian laughed.

Madam Cui's face turned green.

Jiang raised her head slightly.

"That's right," said the scholar-official. "The successful candidates in the provincial examinations will report to the Imperial Academy in three days to be assigned their duties. The top-ranking candidate in the provincial examinations will report to the Ministry of Personnel in seven days at dawn."

"I understand." Song Jing nodded.

"This is Lord Song's official robes." The scholar-in-waiting held out his hand, and the scholar next to him stepped forward with the robes and hat.

Seeing this, Madam Jiang quickly stepped forward with a smile and said, "Thank you, sir."

Then, they moved aside.

He carefully stroked the black gauze hat with his hand, a happy smile spreading across his face.

"Is Lord Song here?" the Imperial Reader asked, poking his head out.

“…” Song Jing paused for a moment, then said, “Yes, he’s here, he’s just not home right now.”

"When will you return?" the scholar asked.

He had just overheard some of the conversation.

It seems like something happened between Song Shi'an and his father?
"That's still uncertain..."

Song Jing frowned.

Is it inside the city?

“Of course it is,” Song Jing said without hesitation.

Sensing a subtle problem, the Imperial Reader reminded him, "Lord Song, if you fail to attend the Ministry of Personnel's report meeting seven days from now, on June 20th, you will be considered to have resigned from your post."

"Please rest assured, Your Excellency."

Upon hearing this, Song Jing dared not delay and quickly repeated, "It will definitely arrive. It will definitely arrive."

(End of this chapter)