Chapter 377

On the fifteenth day of the second month, the imperial examination opened, and on the twenty-fourth, it concluded. In the busy days of nearly half a month in between, the copying officials who had rested for a full year callused their fingertips from copying over a thousand vermilion rolls to present before the chief examiner.

Next it was the chief examiner's turn to scrutinize them. First he picked out those with nonsensical writing, then relegated those with unsuitable ideas to the back. He gave priority to selecting outstanding, agreeable pieces with reasonable wording to mark. No wonder candidates inquire every year about the chief examiner’s preferences - if you write of the azure sky while he likes the earth below, failing is inevitable bad luck. Of course, if you demonstrate excellence such that the chief examiner discards his preferences, even changes his views, that is a matter of personal capability.

This period lasted some twenty-odd days.

For the six siblings, it was also rare time together as a family.

They gathered together to eat, drink, chat and joke around. Even Jiang Sheng felt moved, finally seeing Third Brother Fang Heng again leading the eight Jiangs in martial arts practice. Time seemed to rewind to the peaceful days of the past in Anshui Prefecture, when brother and sisters lived together.

Yet it was not truly the same as the past, because there was always someone who needed to be busy coming and going everywhere, smiling at the masses.

Jiang Sheng was fully occupied with the newly opened branch of the Jiuzhen Store, hiring new aunties, signing contracts, investigating backgrounds, keeping secret formulas - happy beyond compare.

Zheng Ruqian then took on preparations for the first batch of lychees to be delivered into the imperial palace. With the Liao family fallen, the imperial tribute supply fell onto his shoulders. But there were still prominent families eyeing a share, so only by gaining a foothold this year could control of this profitable affair be completely swallowed up.

Wen Zhiyun had to manage the medical hall, while also making house calls from time to time to massage noblewomen, studying new massage techniques, then teaching them to the other female doctors.

Carefully tallying it up, only Xu Mo, done with exams, and the casual wood carving Chang Yan could truly be considered at leisure.

The two brothers sat across from each other at a writing desk, one wielding his writing brush, the other gently blowing away wood shavings, while in the distance was the shirtless Fang Heng, leading the huffing and puffing eight Jiangs.

Finally, on the twentieth day of the third month, the examination results were posted.

Jiang Sheng left the store in the hands of the matron Miao Zhaoying to keep watch. Zheng Ruqian arranged for Wang Xiaozong to personally escort the lychees to Lingnan. Wen Zhiyun left the medical hall to the simple care of Wang Xiaozhu, who could handle basic consultations. Together with their elder brothers they hurried to the gates of the Imperial Examination Hall.

In the carriage...

Xu Mo wore a crisp, unwrinkled green robe. He appeared tranquil and refined, spine upright. Only someone intimate would discern his barely hidden tension from his quicker breaths.

The posting of results this time not only showed whether Fang Yuan passed as a tribute student, but also concerned claiming first place and implicating lives. A year ago in the Golden Hall, the conversation between the Fang and Tian family patriarchs left an extremely deep impression on Xu Mo.

Clearly both sides had pulled strings in the examination, yet as long as Fang Yuan obtained the tribute student status, the Tian family’s promise of granting him third rank in the palace examination would be fulfilled.

In contrast, if Xu Mo failed, nine families would be implicated.

This was the difference between prominent families and impoverished students, the disparity between influence and its lack.

Although Xu Mo was extremely confident he would not fail, what if?

Without truly seeing it, he would always feel nervous, always worry, always fear.

No one could assuage this sentiment, so his younger siblings did not speak, only silently accompanied him on both sides.

From the second compound to the Examination Hall, the distance of two cups of tea - the carriage was silent as the grave, until the instant it halted, when Jiang Sheng finally deeply inhaled and said, “Eldest brother, I’ll get off first.”

She was the boldest sister, and also the most fearless of the siblings.

When Jiang Sheng was eight years old, her conviction that Eldest Brother would claim first place came from ignorance of the examinations, bewilderment at the sea of learning’s boundlessness.

The twelve-year-old Jiang Sheng’s certainty was instead support for her close one, understanding of her elder brother, bravery in the face of the unknown.

The girl in red skirt and blouse jumped down, greeted acquaintances after landing, then unhesitatingly darted for the posted examination plaque.

She did not count up from the bottom or carefully peek through her fingers.

Instead she boldly read straight towards the top spot, finally breaking into a huge smile.

“Sister Jiang Sheng, is Brother Xu here yet?” Qi Huai called from outside, his voice full of delight. “Where are you people? Hurry out already!”

“That’s right, come out quick!” An Jun echoed.

Xu Mo deeply inhaled, looking towards his assembled younger brothers with faces full of encouragement, finally lifting the carriage curtain and jumping down.

There were truly so many people at the gates of the Examination Hall - successful candidates exulting ecstatically, failing examinees weeping despairingly, family members accompanying them in shared joy or murmuring consolation.

Qi Huai led his sister over. An Jun guided his parents along. Spotting him, all revealed smiles at the same time.

They should all have passed.

“Congratulations,” Xu Mo cupped his hands. “Congratulations to you all.”

“We should be telling you congratulations instead,” Qi Huai blinked. “Brother Xu’s noble character and high scholarship, rising above setbacks without falling, can serve as our generation’s model... Aiya!” Before he could embellish further, the black-skirted Qi Yue muffled his mouth. With a flushed face she said, “Don’t listen to my Brother’s nonsense. Go see for yourself quickly!”

Xu Mo gently dipped his head and finally strode up to face the plaque.

His sister smiled joyfully ahead while his name loftily topped first place. Acquainted former schoolmates cupped hands in congratulations, unconcealable envy and jealousy in their eyes.

How could someone be so outstanding as to claim first place on two examinations?

The first time, it had been deceitfully snatched away. The second time, honor was finally regained.

“Xu Huiyuan,” someone cried out his new rank, bellowing congratulations. “Seizing chief examiner's first rank in the imperial examinations at sixteen - such a thing is rare now and before, promising talent to be feared in future! Promising talent indeed!” Xu Mo acknowledged with a hint of a smile, poised and tranquil.

There were also those who resentfully glared at him for being held back by the repeat attempt causing them to fail placements. Very quickly Fang Heng brought the troop of eight Jiangs over to staunchly shield Xu Mo in their middle.

“Congratulations Eldest Brother,” the younger brothers cheered delightfully.

Xu Mo finally released that pent-up breath, seriously beginning to search for Fang Yuan's name.

It was absent from the front row, absent from the back row.

In the end the sharp-eyed Fang Heng located the inconspicuous two characters for Fang Yuan towards the middle back.

The previously elated siblings immediately turned grave.

“My cousin does seem to have some skill,” Fang Heng’s glare was icy cold. “Grandfather taught us martial arts, while scholarship was merely shallowly tasted. Yet in a few years he could test as a tribute student.”

Although far from matching Xu Mo’s outstanding brilliance, it was still far beyond the common sphere.

If the Tian family continued honoring last year’s agreement to grant Fang Yuan third palace exam rank, the Fang family’s transformation from military generals to civil officials could be considered complete, emerging as the greatest winner.

The only losers in this corrupted examination affair were Xu Mo, delayed by a wasted year, and other students.

Not only so, but judging from the Fang family’s recent movements, they likely had something arranged for the palace examination to thoroughly destroy Xu Mo’s examination prospects.

“On what basis!” Fang Heng clenched his fists furiously. “The Fang family is truly excessive, bullying people too harshly!”

It was tolerable at first; at what point could it no longer be tolerated?

It could no longer be endured or tolerated.

He neatly spun around to face the knitted-browed Chang Yan. “Fifth Younger Brother, tell me, exactly what method can discover the Fang family’s contingency plans?”