Chapter 85

That wailing, oh, it was a mix of joy and sorrow, with tears pouring down like rain.

Inside and outside the hall, those who knew the true relationship between "Asheng" and the family were as if they had been cast a spell to stand still.

Only Zhong Ruochen, who dared not move a step inside the hall, suddenly clenched her hands and bit her lower lip tightly.

The butler, Li, who had run down the steps, wiped his tears and sobbed, "Master, Madam, the young master has passed the exam!"

Wen Jianhui's voice trembled with surprise and disbelief, "Old Li, are you sure he really passed? No mistake?"

The butler, Li, with tears and snot, "No mistake, he really passed!"

The throat of Zhong Yuwai, the father, moved as he asked, "What place did he get on the list?"

This question was a bit presumptuous. Before, he didn't believe the young master could pass, but now that he had, he naturally remembered Qi San's good news.

"Great! Too great! There's nothing better than this, the best of the best!" The butler, Li, was so excited that he stumbled and fell to the ground, but he didn't care about his appearance, clapping his hands on the ground, "He's the top scholar! Master, Madam, the young master is the top scholar, with full marks in all four subjects!"

Not being true scholars, they didn't really understand the intricacies. They didn't know how impressive full marks were, something that even most scholars never saw in their lifetimes. The people they usually interacted with never discussed such things, but they knew that the top scholar was the first place in the imperial examination.

Because they didn't understand, whether it was full marks or not wasn't important to them. For them, being the top scholar was enough. Full marks were just an added bonus, and they valued the title of "top scholar" more!

Even if the butler, Li, had gone to see the list himself, he only heard passersby say that the top scholar with full marks in all four subjects was amazing. He didn't know exactly how amazing it was and couldn't calmly inquire. Once he confirmed the results, he thanked heaven and earth, wiping his tears as he ran back.

Inside the hall, Zhong Ruochen, the only one who liked reading in the family and the only one who understood the intricacies, was truly shocked when she heard that the young master had achieved the top scholar with full marks in all four subjects.

She began to feel inexplicable tension, wondering what kind of person her future husband, whom she had never met, was. A person who could achieve the top scholar with full marks must be extraordinarily talented and outstanding!

She felt somewhat inferior, thinking she might not be worthy, and unsure if someone like her, from a merchant family, would be seen as a suitable match.

Her family didn't think this way and didn't understand these nuances. The title "top scholar" was enough to make them ecstatic, somewhat shallow in a way.

Zhong Yuwai was already flushed with excitement, quickly descending the steps and helping the butler up, "Since it's such good news, don't cry. Think carefully, did you see it clearly? Don't let this be a false joy."

If "Asheng" had always performed well, no one would doubt it, and there would be no need for repeated confirmation. But since he had no confidence in even making the list, suddenly passing and becoming the top scholar with full marks was indeed exaggerated, so they had to confirm repeatedly.

The butler, Li, immediately swore, "Master, no mistake, absolutely no mistake. The young master's name is in the most prominent place on the list, at the very top. Other names are as big as fists, but the young master's name is as big as a basin, and everyone can see it clearly, no mistake!" He gestured with his hands, still very excited, with snot still uncleaned.

With such clear explanation, Zhong Yuwai suddenly hit his palm with his fist, finally able to express his extreme excitement, "Good boy! You really surprised me!"

Fame and fortune, how many people can escape?

In the past, in certain situations, he would inevitably encounter so-called literati and scholars. Even if you thought they were poor and酸, they wouldn't compare wealth with you, but their attitude could still make you uncomfortable, and you couldn't easily lose your temper, otherwise it would show that you were indeed uneducated.

Now? He felt a bit amused, thinking of finding an opportunity to provoke someone, asking how they did in their exams, and then mentioning his son-in-law, to see their reaction...

On the side, Du Fei, who was still relatively calm, waved his hand to signal, waiting for the irrelevant outsiders to leave before speaking, "If it were just passing the list, it wouldn't be so surprising. This requires real talent. Perhaps it's not so surprising after all."

The excited crowd immediately looked at him, and Zhong Sui stopped to ask, "What do you mean?"

Du Fei: "His situation, you know, he made a big splash even before reaching the capital, didn't he?"

Upon hearing this, the butler, Li, was stunned, suddenly becoming more sober.

Zhong Sui also calmed down, thinking for a moment, and understood the deeper meaning, nodding, "Yes, it's not that he performed poorly before, but that he couldn't make a splash. This boy has been hiding his talent, and now he's finally revealed it! We were foolish, he was trained by the old master, how could he be so incapable! Fortunately..." He didn't finish his sentence, giving a cold glance at his wife, glad she hadn't caused trouble, or he would have regretted it.

The three women inside and outside the hall didn't understand the men's cryptic conversation, but they grasped the main point: "Asheng" was indeed very talented and capable, but for some reason, he had been hiding his talent.

As a long-married couple, Wen Jianhui naturally understood her husband's look, feeling a bit guilty but confident that as long as he didn't say anything, it was fine. If he did, it would be his fault, and she would win any argument.

At this moment, she didn't care about that. Her future son-in-law was the top scholar, enough to make her excited for a long time. She already imagined the envy of other women.

"Wow, my brother-in-law is so amazing!" Wen Ruowei tugged at her mother's sleeve, whispering. Hearing that her brother-in-law had hidden his talent, it made him seem even more mysterious and impressive, making her even more excited, her eyes sparkling.

Just then, the gatekeeper ran in, "Master, Madam, people from the Lizhou Guild have come to inform the young master about the palace examination and to congratulate him!"

The family in the courtyard immediately exchanged joyful glances, now even more certain. Even the official had come to congratulate, and was already arranging the palace examination.

"Alright, please them to the front hall, and send someone to the east wing to call Asheng." Zhong Sui said, then strode off.

Du Fei and the butler, Li, followed.

Wen Jianhui immediately lifted her skirt and ran down the steps, catching up with her husband.

Zhong Sui looked back, frowning, "What are you rushing for?"

Wen Jianhui mumbled, "I've never seen such a congratulatory scene, and it's the first time in our family."

In other words, she wanted to see it.

For her, if she knew nothing, how could she talk to other women later? If they asked and she knew nothing, it would be embarrassing. She wanted to describe something they hadn't seen.

Zhong Sui didn't say much, as it was appropriate for the lady of the house to appear.

On the other side, Wen Ruowei had already bounced into the hall, running to grab her sister's arm and pull her out, "Sister, let's go."

Zhong Ruochen stumbled and had to follow, asking, "Ruowei, what are you doing?"

Wen Ruowei pulled hard, "Didn't you hear? The congratulatory people are here, let's go see."

Zhong Ruochen was startled. Without the adults' permission, how could she appear before men? It would violate the standards of a well-bred young lady, especially since she was about to be married. If her future husband found out, he might look down on her. She quickly stopped and struggled, "No, I won't go."

"It's a great opportunity. Don't you want to see what your brother-in-law, the top scholar, looks like? Don't you want to see the excitement of the congratulations? This kind of scene is rare, and missing it would be a pity. I know you're worried, but we won't show ourselves, we'll just peek from the back hall..."

Wen Ruowei's rapid persuasion finally dragged her sister along.

Actually, Zhong Ruochen was somewhat moved by her words, wanting to see her future husband's moment of glory and the people...

In the living room, Zhong Sui had regained his composure, but the joy in his eyes was hard to hide. Wen Jianhui, the lady of the house, greeted the guests with a practiced smile, dignified and graceful.

The guests from the Lizhou Guild soon arrived, nine in total, of various heights and builds, all dressed as minor officials.

Nine people suddenly barging in, it didn't look like they were there to congratulate, but rather to start a fight.

No choice, seeing where "Asheng" lived, they knew there was a chance to make some money, especially for such a major piece of news. The family wouldn't be stingy, so they all wanted to be the first to come, and ended up coming together.

Zhong Sui, experienced in dealing with such people, knew exactly what kind of people they were, but he wasn't annoyed, as the news was indeed great.

"Master, Madam, the Zhong family has produced a great talent, the top scholar with full marks in all four subjects, a once-in-a-century event!"

"Yes, on the way, we heard the guild master and the escort official, Mr. Fu, say that since the founding of the Jin Dynasty, only two such people have appeared, and the young master is the third, a great honor for all of Lizhou!"

"Tsk tsk, one full mark is enough to make the list, four full marks, that's really something!"

"By now, the young master's name and essay must be on the emperor's desk for his review."

"With such talent, passing the palace examination is a sure thing, the top rank is within reach."

"According to legend, the two previous top scholars with full marks both became top ranks, the young master will be no exception."

"Of course! Which scholar in the world wouldn't be convinced? The talent is there!"

After the initial greetings, the smooth-talking group began to lavish praise, making it sound like the heavens were raining flowers.

But it finally made Zhong Sui and the others understand what a top scholar with full marks in all four subjects meant.

It was not just any top scholar, but something entirely different.

Its influence was not limited to the results of the Jin Dynasty's imperial examination. The Zhong family's son-in-law was about to become famous beyond the Jin Dynasty, truly renowned throughout the land!