Chapter 8

Wan Xuezheng revealed an envy that he could not hide and said, "Talent resounds in Mingzhou, a prodigy before the Sage, and two literary archways in one go—this is unprecedented in Jingguo. Even Chen Sheng was only a prodigy before the Sage. Compared to this examinee, that so-called prodigy is nothing. County Magistrate Cai, your county is truly a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

County Magistrate Cai and Wang Yuanjun glanced in the direction of the prodigy Fang Zhongyong, then quickly turned back. Wan Xuezheng was right; compared to a prodigy before the Sage and Mingzhou, a mere county prodigy was nothing.

County Magistrate Cai smiled and said, "The examiners are patrolling the venue. Would you two like to join me?"

"We are willing!" Wan Xuezheng and Wang Yuanjun answered in unison.

The three of them laughed and walked together in the direction of Fang Yun.

As they passed by the examination rooms, the candidates inside looked up and felt a sense of unease.

"Have the three examiners been possessed by demons? Why are they smiling like they've been promoted or made a fortune?"

"It doesn't look like a routine patrol. Something big must have happened."

"County Magistrate Cai is usually a stern and incorruptible official. Has he been bewitched today? His smile is brighter than the sun."

Many candidates poked their heads out, wanting to see what the three officials were up to.

The three officials slowed their steps in front of Fang Yun's examination room, moving as slowly as snails.

Fang Yun had just received the talent灌顶 (crowning), and his joy had not yet faded when he saw County Magistrate Cai, Wang Yuanjun, and Wan Xuezheng turn to look at him with radiant smiles.

Fang Yun was taken aback; the actions of the three officials were too strange, reminding him of a scene from a horror movie.

The three officials nodded at Fang Yun, giving him an encouraging look, then glanced at the exam paper on his desk, their eyes carrying a hint of envy as they left.

"They must have found out that I became a prodigy before the Sage," Fang Yun thought.

Fang Yun carefully examined "Spring Dawn" again, feeling a sense of relief. Becoming a prodigy before the Sage meant that Liu Zicheng would not dare to kill him in Jixian.

Fang Yun packed his book box, placed the exam paper on the desk, and left, carrying the book box. The nearby constables immediately came over, took the exam paper, and placed it above Fang Yun's petition for the Sage's words.

As Fang Yun passed by other examination rooms, many candidates couldn't help but murmur.

"Arrogant scholar!"

"This person is so fast, I admire him."

"Isn't this the Fang Softmeal who is kept by the West Beauty of Jiangzhou? What bad luck!"

Leaving the examination area, Fang Yun saw the three examiners sitting in a pavilion looking at him. He did not approach to chat but merely bowed and walked out of the examination hall.

Wan Xuezheng praised loudly, "What a fine and noble young man!"

County Magistrate Cai thought to himself that the boy was clearly from a poor family, his body frail and covered in injuries, and no one would think he looked noble.

Wang Yuanjun, standing beside him, praised, "Despite his injuries, he still came to take the exam, showing remarkable integrity. He is a model for all candidates and will surely be recorded in the county annals, leaving a legacy for future generations."

County Magistrate Cai immediately ordered the two soldiers who had checked Fang Yun's entry to be brought over.

Looking at the two nervous soldiers, County Magistrate Cai said, "I have questions to ask. You must answer truthfully."

"Yes."

"When the injured candidate entered, did he mention his injuries?"

Among the two thousand candidates, only one had a bandaged head, and the two soldiers remembered clearly. They recounted Fang Yun's words, saying he had been brought by a cart and had been attacked by four masked men with a Daoyuan accent the previous day, nearly being beaten to death.

County Magistrate Cai's face turned dark.

Wan Xuezheng and Wang Yuanjun looked at County Magistrate Cai with sympathy.

Fang Yun's success in Mingzhou and becoming a prodigy before the Sage was a political achievement for County Magistrate Cai, but the fact that a prodigy before the Sage was almost killed before the county exam was a sign of poor law and order. If the court investigated, County Magistrate Cai might face reprimand and a reduction in salary.

The Ministry of Personnel had an office to evaluate the performance of officials. Originally, County Magistrate Cai could have received a top rating, but if the incident with Fang Yun became public, he would be lucky to get a good rating.

County Magistrate Cai slammed his hand on the table and said, "Tell Captain Lu to investigate this matter thoroughly! It is not easy for our county to produce a prodigy before the Sage, and I will not tolerate such lawlessness!"

After saying this, County Magistrate Cai looked towards the entrance of the examination hall.

Fang Yun walked out of the side door of the examination hall. The entrance, previously crowded with candidates, was now occupied by parents, with over a thousand people waiting anxiously, chatting in groups, and making a lot of noise.

"Poor parents," Fang Yun thought, remembering his own mother, his eyes dimming.

"You've finished the exam? Wasn't it supposed to end at five in the evening? Why did you come out before four?"

"Whose child? It's no wonder he couldn't pass."

"It seems to be the child of the West Beauty of Jiangzhou. They say he's not bad, but it's a pity he gave up."

Fang Yun didn't want to get entangled with the uncles and aunts, so he quickly walked out, pushing through the crowd. Outside, there were many sedan chairs and carriages, and one ox cart stood out.

Fang Yun quickly walked towards the ox cart, where he saw several neighbors and Yang Yuhuan chatting.

"Xiao Yun?" Yang Yuhuan looked at Fang Yun in surprise.

The neighbors said nothing, only looking at Fang Yun with pity. Those who submitted their papers early were either geniuses or those who had given up. In their eyes, Fang Yun clearly belonged to the latter.

These neighbors did not say harsh words but instead comforted Fang Yun.

"Xiao Fang is still young, there's no rush. It would be strange if he passed now."

"Yes, it's all because of his injuries. If not for them, Xiao Fang would have definitely passed."

Fang Yun smiled and said, "Thank you, aunts and uncles. Sister Yuhuan, let's go home."

"Sure, the old hen is already stewing, just waiting for you to come home." Yang Yuhuan smiled, showing no disappointment or blame, and not even asking how the exam went, for fear of making Fang Yun sad.

Fang Yun felt even more grateful to her and went home with her.

On the way home, the two of them chatted and laughed. Yang Yuhuan deliberately said some cheerful things.

Yang Yuhuan returned the ox cart to the neighbor and went home with Fang Yun.

After entering the house, Yang Yuhuan tied an apron and said with a smile, "Xiao Yun, sit down and don't move. I'll make you a full meat feast! Not only stewed chicken and braised pork, but also a fish, so you can eat your fill. If you can't finish today, you can eat it tomorrow!"

Fang Yun looked at Yang Yuhuan, who was wearing an apron, and said, "Sister Yuhuan, I have something to tell you."

"Go ahead, I'm listening." Yang Yuhuan tilted her head, looking at Fang Yun with her beautiful eyes. Although she was three years older than Fang Yun, she was shorter and had a petite and delicate figure.

"Have you noticed that the wounds and bruises on my face are very light?"

Yang Yuhuan looked closely and said in surprise, "The wounds are gone, leaving only light white marks. How strange!"

Yang Yuhuan sensed that there was something hidden in Fang Yun's smile and thought hard, vaguely coming up with a possibility but finding it absurd.

Fang Yun suddenly moved to Yang Yuhuan's side and picked her up horizontally.

"Ah..." Yang Yuhuan screamed, quickly wrapping her arms around Fang Yun's neck, looking at him with a mix of panic and confusion.

Fang Yun smiled and asked, "Sister Yuhuan, do you think there is any power in the world that can suddenly make someone strong and quickly heal my wounds?"

Yang Yuhuan stared at Fang Yun. In her eyes, Fang Yun had always been a little brother, timid, weak, clumsy, and not good at studying, but also kind.

In the morning, Yang Yuhuan had seen determination in Fang Yun's eyes, and now she saw a confidence she had never seen before.

That was the look of a true man!

"Did... did you receive the talent灌顶 (crowning)?" Yang Yuhuan asked cautiously.

"I am already a prodigy before the Sage!" Fang Yun said, looking into Yang Yuhuan's eyes.

"Really? Really?" Yang Yuhuan clung to Fang Yun's neck, looking at him with surprise, afraid it was just a dream.

"I will never lie to Sister Yuhuan!"

Yang Yuhuan nodded forcefully and said, "I know, our Xiao Yun would never lie to his sister."

Yang Yuhuan's tears fell like broken beads, for she had endured much hardship to support Fang Yun's studies, knowing there was almost no hope but still persisting.

Countless matchmakers had come to propose marriage to her, not only from wealthy merchants but even from prominent families in the county, including the likes of Liu Zicheng, but she had refused them all without hesitation, for the sake of her inner resolve.

Now, the night had passed, and dawn had come!

But this dawn was too bright. Even if she were not a scholar, Yang Yuhuan knew the significance of a prodigy before the Sage, a status higher than a common scholar, and almost certain to become a juren (advanced scholar) without any unexpected events.

"Good! Xiao Yun, you've really done well!" Yang Yuhuan choked, wiping her tears with one hand.

Fang Yun understood the bitterness and joy in Yang Yuhuan's tears.

Fang Yun slowly put Yang Yuhuan down, reached out to wipe her tears, and said, "Sister Yuhuan, don't cry, this is good news."

Yang Yuhuan's hands were rough, but her face was as smooth as white jade, cool and moist to the touch.

"Okay! I'll go wash my face." Yang Yuhuan suddenly turned and quickly entered the west room, washed her face, and dried it. Looking in the bronze mirror, she saw a rosy flush on her face, and her heart beat faster.

"Why is my heart beating so fast!" Yang Yuhuan thought, blushing.

"Although I will marry him in the future, I only see him as a younger brother, with no other thoughts. Why am I feeling this way today? It must be because I'm too tired. I need to go to bed early tonight."

Yang Yuhuan quickly calmed down and was about to return to the main room but, as if possessed, looked in the mirror, carefully combed her hair, and used a little rouge to improve her complexion. She never bought these things, which were gifts from her neighbors.

A moment later, Yang Yuhuan came out and saw Fang Yun clumsily scraping fish scales, and she laughed, "Let me do it. We don't often eat fish, so you wouldn't know how to handle it. I've done it before, let me."

"Okay."

Fang Yun stood up, and Yang Yuhuan came over, carrying a fragrant breeze.

Fang Yun looked at Yang Yuhuan's beautiful face and said involuntarily, "Sister Yuhuan."

"Yes?" Yang Yuhuan lowered her head to handle the carp.

"You are so beautiful!"

Yang Yuhuan's hands stopped, and she did not look up. Her fair face turned red, even her ears, and after a while, she said, "Go check on the stewed chicken. If the broth is low, add some hot water, not cold."

"Okay." Fang Yun knew Yang Yuhuan was shy and smiled as he added water to the pot.

The two quickly finished their work, preparing a stewed chicken, a bowl of braised pork, a red-braised carp, and a refreshing dish of shredded carrots.

This was the most sumptuous meal the Fang family had had in years, even better than the New Year's Eve dinner.

Before the meal, Yang Yuhuan offered three incense sticks to the memorial tablets of Fang Yun's parents and her own father.

Fang Yun, however, lit six incense sticks and respectfully placed them in the incense burner.

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