Chapter 274 - 116: Third-place Scholar
Hearing they were going to Yuquan Building, the matriarch felt a bit more at ease. It was the Xie family’s territory, and with Xie Jinshu and Xie Linlang looking after them, she wouldn’t have to worry even if something happened.
The two men finished their meal in the time it took to have this brief exchange. The matriarch then asked with concern, "How did the exam go? Are you confident this time?"
Song Buran exchanged a glance with Zhong Yingzhang before replying, "Making it onto the list shouldn’t be a problem."
The matriarch was overjoyed and turned to her son-in-law. "Yingzhang, what about you?"
"Mother-in-law, Bo Ran and I compared our papers on the way back. Our results should be about the same," Zhong Yingzhang said with a smile.
Song Guiyi and Song Yexi also looked joyful. It would be wonderful if they really passed, but it was hard to say what their rankings would be.
After passing, they still had to prepare for the palace examination. Only the scholars who made the list were qualified to participate.
Before the palace examination, there was a qualifying test. Only those who passed could attend the final test, which lasted a single day, with papers submitted at dusk.
After Song Yunzhao learned the whole process, she thought, ’This is far more complicated than the college entrance exams of later generations.’
News that both Song Buran and Zhong Yingzhang were eligible for the palace examination reached the palace, and all of Wangyou Palace erupted in cheers. This was truly a joyous occasion.
Song Yunzhao was overjoyed. Although she had predicted that neither of them would fail, she still breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the actual news.
Once the palace examination was over, the final results would be set in stone.
This news quickly spread throughout the harem. For a time, everyone looked toward Wangyou Palace, not knowing what to say. It was one thing for Song Yunzhao to be favored, but for her maternal family to be so capable as well...
Two Advanced Scholars! Although one of them was the Song family’s son-in-law, the connection was still very close.
On the day of the palace examination, Song Yunzhao waited for news in Wangyou Palace. Soon, Han Jinyi, Feng Xiaoyuan, and Lu Zhixue arrived together. With them to talk to, time didn’t seem to pass so slowly.
They waited from sunrise to sunset. Zhang Maoquan, panting for breath, rushed into Wangyou Palace and shouted, "Great news, Your Highness! Mr. Song has been named the third-place scholar by the Emperor!"
Song Yunzhao shot to her feet. ’Third-place scholar?’
"Congratulations, Your Highness! Felicitations, Your Highness!"
Han Jinyi and the others also came forward to offer their congratulations. The hall instantly became lively.
The surprise was so sudden that Song Yunzhao was in a bit of a daze. ’That’s the third-place scholar! First Class!’
She turned back to Zhang Maoquan. "Chief Steward Zhang, how did my brother-in-law do?"
"Young Master Zhong ranked eighteenth."
’Eighteenth place?’
’That’s an excellent ranking. Eighteenth among all the scholars in the country!’
"Rewards! Reward everyone!" Song Yunzhao said, looking at Xiangxue.
Zhang Maoquan received a thick money pouch, spoke a few more auspicious words, and then hurried back to Taiji Palace. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride as he recalled the complicated look in Xu Sixi’s eyes when he had received the news and dashed off to Wangyou Palace.
He couldn’t compare to Meng Jiuchang yet, but he was already starting to subtly overshadow Xu Sixi. This was all thanks to Concubine Song. How could he not be devoted to the affairs of Wangyou Palace?
The news that the Song family had produced a third-place scholar was spread by Han Jinyi and the others. Never mind how Qin Xiyue felt; the three concubines were certainly in a foul mood.
This was a third-place scholar personally selected by the Emperor.
Song Yunzhao had someone send congratulatory gifts back to the Song Mansion. There was no need to be low-key this time. Such a joyous occasion should be celebrated openly and generously.
The matriarch received Concubine Song’s reward, grinning from ear to ear. Since the Song family had come to the capital, not even producing a concubine had brought them as much glory as today.
Producing a concubine just meant having a favored concubine, but producing a third-place scholar meant the Song family had a promising future ahead. How many people could truly respect wealth and honor that came from a concubine? Others might congratulate you to your face, but they wouldn’t necessarily look up to you in their hearts.
But things were different now. Song Buran was the eldest son of his generation in the Song family, and he was so outstanding that he had won the title of third-place scholar on his very first attempt.
People would no longer see the Song family as just the maternal family of the favored Concubine Song, but as the residence of the new third-place scholar.
Congratulatory visitors arrived in an endless stream. Even Mrs. Cai, who was usually a drag, was all smiles today, helping the matriarch receive guests. With a third-place scholar as a cousin, Song Qinghan would be able to hold her head a little higher in her husband’s family.
’In a few more years, when my own son passes the exams and earns a title, I’ll be as glorious as the matriarch is today...’
Song Jinxuan was helping out over at Song Yexi’s place, her heart burning with excitement. ’My eldest cousin is so brilliant. If only he had some free time to guide my younger brother. I wouldn’t dare dream of my brother also becoming a third-place scholar; as long as he passes the exam, my mother and I will be content.’
In the palace, Feng Yi arrived at Wangyou Palace in the evening. Song Yunzhao’s particularly attentive demeanor amused him. He pulled her into his arms and asked with a laugh, "Are we this happy?"