Chapter 536 - 201: Fool’s Luck
The results of the latest Provincial Examination held few surprises. The overall student rankings were much as everyone had predicted, so no one caused a stir after they were announced.
The day the results were posted passed peacefully.
Notably, on the day the results were announced, a notice was also posted on the wall surrounding the examination hall.
It stated that any scholar who had failed could present their examination voucher to the records officer at the examination hall within ten days of the posting to review or retrieve their papers, as a show of impartiality.
Although the notice mentioned both reviewing and retrieving, most students simply took their papers. This was so they could either file an appeal later or seek guidance from more learned scholars to see where they could improve.
De’an had failed, so naturally, he also went to retrieve his exam paper.
He pestered Zhao Jing to go with him.
In his own words, "I may not have passed, but you did! That’s basically the same as me passing. I can use this chance to look impressive for a bit."
It was unclear what exactly he planned to be impressive about.
Nor was it clear if he would truly enjoy such vicarious glory.
Considering that the students’ sit-in protest in front of the examination hall had been entirely his doing, Zhao Jing ultimately decided to go with him.
As it happened, Chen Wanqing was feeling terribly cooped up at home and wanted to go for a walk, so she left with them.
The Zhao family’s residence was indeed very close to the examination hall—two hundred meters at most.
But it took them the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to cover those two hundred meters.
There was a simple reason for this: at the entrance to the government office, they happened to run into Mr. Sheng.
Sheng Mingchuan wasn’t in his official robes. Instead, he was dressed in ochre silk brocade, complete with a black satin gourd hat on his head.
Hanging from his waist was the same small abacus he’d had during his first meeting with Zhao Jing.
His overall attire was quite unassuming, making him look like an old, well-traveled merchant.
But a closer look revealed an inherent air of authority about him.
And while he was only accompanied by a single middle-aged servant, many plainclothes government officers trailed him from the shadows.
Zhao Jing and De’an recognized Sheng Mingchuan at a glance and hurried over to pay their respects.
Chen Wanqing didn’t join them up close. She bowed from a distance before stopping to stand under a large pagoda tree.
The weather was beautiful today, with brilliant sunshine. It was so bright that it was almost glaring if you stood in it for too long.
It was the first truly clear day in half a month, a welcome sight indeed.
Sheng Mingchuan didn’t notice Chen Wanqing; his attention was fixed cheerfully on Zhao Jing.
"A top scorer in the provincial examination at eighteen. That’s truly young and promising."
Zhao Jing bowed with clasped hands. "You flatter me, sir."
"I’m merely speaking the truth. Now, don’t you get complacent. I expect you to strive to win the title of Metropolitan Examination Champion for me. As long as you can achieve that, I have my ways to make you the Champion Scholar. If you manage to win first place in all six successive examinations, forget just having a place at court—your name, Zhao Jing, will be passed down among scholars for a hundred, even a thousand years."
"I will heed your words and do my utmost."
"As long as you do your best, that’s what matters... De’an."
Sheng Mingchuan then turned to look at De’an, who was momentarily stunned by the unexpected attention.
’We’ve only met twice, and a big shot like him actually remembers my name?’
’What have I ever done to deserve this?’
But De’an was completely unaware that as Sheng Saya’s classmate, he was far from an insignificant figure in Mr. Sheng’s eyes.
Thanks entirely to Sheng Saya, Mr. Sheng had not only become reacquainted with him but had also gained a rather thorough understanding of his cunning, his mischief, and his sense of loyalty.
De’an had no idea he was already on Mr. Sheng’s radar. If he had known, who knows how much more flustered he would have been!
Suddenly being singled out by the great man, De’an bowed again, full of reverence and trepidation.
Sheng Mingchuan circled him once, his gaze inscrutable. But De’an suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, as if he were being sized up by a predator.
’This has to be my imagination, right?’
’The Lord Prefect loves his people as if they were his own children and treats scholars with such generosity. Besides, I’m the one who gets credit for finding that treasure chest. I’m Chen Song’s son and Zhao Jing’s brother-in-law. Even if just for my father’s or Jing’s sake, the Lord Prefect wouldn’t bear me any ill will.’
De’an was certain he hadn’t offended Mr. Sheng, let alone provoked him.
But then he abruptly remembered Sheng Saya, and a lump formed in his throat. Suddenly, he wasn’t so sure.
’Sheng Saya wouldn’t... couldn’t possibly... tattle to his parents, right?’
’We’re not children anymore. Tattling to your parents... wouldn’t that be humiliating?’
’Sheng Saya absolutely wouldn’t do that. I’m still safe!’
Despite his internal reassurances, a guilty look couldn’t help but appear on De’an’s face.
But Mr. Sheng was a sharp man. He saw through De’an’s transparent guilt in a single glance.