I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 15 The Right Path to Success Through Imperial Examinations

Long Youdao, the deputy headmaster, had actually come here too. He hadn't even passed the city examination, so he couldn't really stand up to Xue Xiang.

He showered Xue Xiang with praise, but his heart felt as if it had been plunged into a sizzling, smoking oil pot.

"Vice Headmaster Long, you're too kind..."

"Director Xue, today's events are truly a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple; I will punish myself with a pot of wine."

Long Youdao grabbed the wine jug and poured it into his mouth in a gulp.

Xue Xiang took the wine flask away. "Vice Headmaster Long, today is the Little New Year. Drinking outside is not as good as spending time with your family."

Long Youdao suddenly realized, "Director Xue is absolutely right, it's time to serve my meal."

With that, he bowed deeply to Song Yuan, "Brother Song, I was really too forward today. Another day, another day, I will definitely come to apologize in person."

Having said that, he dragged the still bewildered Chen Bing away as if he were a mouse.

"This this……"

Zhang was dumbfounded. After a long while, she whispered, "Husband, is Zijie's matter over or not?"

Song Yuan was also dumbfounded.

Although he was in the public office, he was actually part of the police force, and his office was located on the street. Therefore, he could not keep track of the movements of Jiufenshan at all times.

He had no idea that the timid boy he had painstakingly brought up Jiufen Mountain had unknowingly grown into someone who could shelter him from the storms of life.

"The boss!"

Zhang urged them again.

Song Yuan said excitedly, "That guy surnamed Long is practically kneeling down, and you're saying it's over?"

He patted Xue Xiang on the shoulder affectionately, "I never thought that I, as the uncle, would finally receive help from my nephew, haha, let's eat, let's eat..."

As if waking from a dream, Zhang rushed into the kitchen, affectionately embraced Xue's mother, and led her into the main room. She held Xue's mother's arm tightly and wouldn't let go, leaving no room for Song Zijie to serve wine to his aunt.

At the dinner table, she subtly inquired about Xue Xiang's official position.

After realizing that he was an official in charge of all the universities, her face lit up with such radiance that it almost illuminated the hall. She grabbed Xue Xiang's sleeve and wouldn't let go, saying, "Xiao Xiang, you've made something of yourself now, but you can't forget your roots."

We are a family that is as close as blood ties.

You can't ignore your younger brother Zijie's future.

I heard that there are still openings in Class A of Baishui. Captain Wu of your uncle's patrol team even managed to get his son in.

Your uncle doesn't have that ability, and I can only dream about it.

Now everything's fine. Even Vice Headmaster Long has to bow and scrape before my nephew. What do I have to worry about? Haha..."

Zhang's unbridled shrewdness left Xue Xiang with nothing but a bitter smile.

Despite the table laden with delicacies, Xue Xiang ate without any appetite. After returning home, he had Liu Mei fry some egg sauce and mix it with a large bowl of steaming noodles, which finally satisfied his hunger.

Mother Xue added new firewood to the stove and pulled Xue Xiang to sit down. "Your aunt is short-sighted, please don't take offense."

Your uncle has had a tough time. If you can help with Zijie's matter, then help. If it's difficult, it's okay if you don't.

"But there's one thing: now that you're a government employee, you absolutely mustn't do anything out of line, lest someone use it against you and ruin your reputation..."

As Xue's mother talked on and on, Xue Xiang listened patiently while warming himself by the fire.

After Xue's mother had calmed down and talked with him for a while, he returned to his room.

Just as he finished his cultivation, Liu Mei knocked on the door and said that someone from Jiufen Mountain had come and summoned him to the Plum Blossom Hall.

Xue Xiang hurriedly changed his clothes and put on his boots, and rushed to the Plum Blossom Hall with the people who came.

The visitor led him to the entrance of the East Warm Pavilion and then left. Xue Xiang pushed the door open and saw Xie Haiya, dressed in a mink coat, brewing tea around the stove.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

Xue Xiang bowed respectfully. Ever since that day when he uttered the phrase "repay injustice with justice, repay kindness with kindness" in the East Warm Pavilion, Xie Haiya had flown away, and more than half a month had passed without him seeing Xie Haiya again.

If it weren't for what happened next—he was awarded a silver flying fish badge and promoted to deputy head of the Third Division—he would have suspected that Xie Haiya had committed a crime and fled.

"Come, come, try this freshly delivered Cai Chun Twelve Sprouts."

Xie Haiya invited him to sit down and offered him a cup of tea.

The pale red tea exuded a delicate fragrance. Xue Xiang raised his cup and took a sip, instantly feeling a delightful aroma. "Excellent tea!" he exclaimed.

"You like it? Here, take two ounces."

Xie Haiya took a ceramic jar from the tea cart next to him and handed it to Xue Xiang.

"Your Excellency, how could I possibly accept such a request?"

Xue Xiang was completely bewildered.

Although he made some contributions in the battle to wipe out Su Suiran for Xie Haiya.

However, he was first rewarded with a silver flying fish emblem, and later promoted to deputy head of the Third Division, which was enough to reward his merits.

Xie Haiya said, "If I say you deserve it, then you deserve it."

How's your reading going lately?

Xue Xiangzheng had a lot of questions, and he immediately began to address them one by one.

Xie Haiya kept him company while drinking tea, patiently explaining things to him. Two hours passed in the blink of an eye, and it was already dark.

Xue Xiang stood up and bowed.

Xue Xiang knew better than anyone how busy Xie Haiya was.

He was extremely grateful that he could spare an afternoon to explain the article and finalize the writing for Xue Xiang.

There's no need for formalities between us.

Xie Haiya said with a smile, "If it weren't for your words that day, 'Repay evil with justice and kindness with kindness,' I'm afraid I would still be stuck at the third level of Foundation Establishment for who knows how many years."

Your words have enlightened me, and I can never repay this kindness.

You are a person with wisdom, but if you remain mired in depravity for years, you will inevitably regret that you have been overlooked.

Have you ever considered taking the proper path of the imperial examinations?

Xue Xiang said solemnly, "This humble servant wishes to follow this great path, but is troubled by my background."

Xue Xiang's so-called "suffering due to his background" refers to his lack of a complete primary and advanced school education.

Without a complete formal school education, one cannot qualify for the imperial examinations unless one obtains two letters of recommendation from officials of official rank.

"Speaking of your background, I've reviewed your background check. You come from the renowned Xue family of Jiangzuo. How did you end up here?"

Xie Haiya brushed away the sunlight that fell into his palm.

Xue Xiang cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "My mother and father also had a moving song, but it's not something I, as their son, should discuss."

Xie Haiya laughed and waved his hand gently, "It's alright, let's not talk about that. As for your participation in the city examination, I'll take care of the recommendation. You should study hard and cultivate diligently. The city examination will be held next April, so you must not slack off."

"As ordered!"

"Preparing for the exam is one thing, but official business cannot be neglected."

Dong Jiacun has already been acquiring land in Yong'an City, and he certainly still wants to move Jiahe Trading Company away.

You sowed the seeds, and you are responsible for bearing the harvest. I have only one request: Jiahe cannot leave.

Having just received such a sweet treat, Xue Xiang naturally wanted to serve Xie Haiya to the death. He readily agreed and left the Plum Blossom Hall, heading straight for the Dong Family Garden.

After he revealed his identity, the butler courteously led him to a warm pavilion in the backyard and asked him to wait.

(End of this chapter)