usatvline Chapter 337 The Jiang Family Tree Blossoms anew
Chapter 337 The Jiang Family Tree Blossoms anew
Jiang Xiaoqi's thoughts wandered for a while, and she realized that if she went home immediately after the Deer Cry Banquet, she might be able to make it in time for her third sister's wedding.
Hmm? We can give Xue Xu, this third brother-in-law, a good beating then.
As I was lost in thought, the deafening sound of a gong rang out once again.
This time, Jiang Lin was less nervous and sat down steadily, fearing it would be another false alarm.
"Congratulations! Jiang Lin from Xinghe Prefecture has passed the provincial examination, ranking eighty-eighth! Where is Master Jiang?"
Jiang Lin, who was not yet twenty, was called "Master," which Jiang Xiaoqi found quite amusing, so she quickly pulled her elder brother to her feet.
Jiang Lin was a little dazed. He mechanically took out red envelopes to reward the constables and then took out some loose silver coins to throw to the waiter who had been serving them.
The waiter took the money, his eyes shining. As expected of the table he had chosen, these handsome young men had indeed lived up to his expectations when it came to passing the imperial examinations.
"Congratulations, Brother Jiang Lin, that's a very good ranking. Judging from this, it's not impossible for you to win the imperial examination next year."
Jiang Lin felt relieved, and a youthful exuberance appeared on his face.
"Yes, let's all work together, brothers, and head straight to the capital after the Deer Cry Banquet!"
Looking at his cousin, who seemed to be on steroids, Jiang Xiaoqi was very satisfied. Excellent, three points were about to be credited to his account. His previous investment had indeed paid off.
Jiang Lin didn't believe that his youngest cousin would fail the exam; Ming Fei's ranking would only be higher, and they would just wait and see.
Jiang Xiaoqi himself had dreamed of achieving the highest rank in the imperial examinations, but those were just stories in novels. How many people in the past few centuries could actually do it?
This is the real world, not some made-up storybook. It's better to be realistic.
It would be great if I could be among the top five like my grandfather and become a master in my field.
The teapot has been removed, and the tea soup is whiter than water. What's the point of drinking it?
Would you like another pot...? I really can't drink anymore.
Oh well, I'll just sit here. I'm not really thirsty anyway.
Jiang Xiaoqi wanted to sneak out a few more packets of pastries from his spatial storage, but everyone's attention seemed to be on him, making it a little difficult to hide.
Forget it, I won't eat anymore. I'll wait until I get home for a celebratory feast.
"Ugh."
Someone sighed, and the atmosphere at the partitioned tables on the terrace became even more somber.
The people in front of the list had mostly dispersed, but no one went downstairs to check if their names were on the list.
Their buttocks looked like they had glue on them; not one of them moved.
It was somewhat self-deception, since the messenger announcing the good news had already reached within the top ten.
Jiang Yan and Jiang Hao were getting restless and wanted to go downstairs, but Jiang Lin stopped them.
"Let's wait a little longer and have faith in Mingfei."
The two sat down again, their ears perked up, ready to listen for any movement.
"Relax, relax, he'll be fine. We all owe it to him. After doing so many tests, we'll have succeeded even if we hadn't done well."
Old Wang's words came from the bottom of his heart; before his younger brother Jiang returned from his studies abroad, he had sent him many study guides for the provincial examinations.
In order to avenge his previous humiliation, he naturally read it all, and now he has become a scholar who was chosen from among hundreds.
If he can do it, how could Brother Jiang not?
That won't work! It will definitely succeed!
Hey? Maybe he can even become the top scholar in the imperial examination!
Old Wang's eyes lit up for a moment, but after glancing at the tables of people around him who were eyeing him menacingly, he kept quiet and didn't voice his suspicions.
They're not stupid; they shouldn't provoke public outrage.
Being too flamboyant during this crucial period will inevitably attract dissatisfaction and even insane jealousy.
Many people in the lobby downstairs had left, and some people in the private rooms on the second floor had also left.
A few people from the few tables on the terrace came downstairs, but most of them remained stubbornly waiting there.
It was getting dark, and they had only eaten two packets of snacks that day, so their stomachs were rumbling.
You can't suffer in silence. If you have food to eat, you're forcing yourself to endure hardship, which is a serious problem.
The teahouse only served tea and snacks, which were obviously not enough to fill a meal.
Jiang Xiaoqi gave Xiao Er five taels of silver and ordered "takeout".
The restaurant was two streets away from the teahouse, and it was indeed difficult to go there in the past because there were too many people on the street and it was easy for accidents to happen.
It's much better now; it's not so crowded anymore, so people can go to the restaurant to get some food to take home.
As for why he didn't send his own servants, it was simply because Jiang Xiaoqi was considerate.
He knew perfectly well that none of his family members wanted to miss out on their young master's good news. See, that's how understanding his master was!
The waiter took the money and quickly went downstairs.
The shopkeeper shook his head helplessly. Oh well, such opportunities to earn extra money are rare, only once every three years. He decided not to bother with these youngsters.
Alas, the candidates who came to my teahouse this year are clearly not doing as well as last year. At least last year, one of them achieved the highest score in the imperial examinations.
The innkeeper fiddled with the abacus, the beads clicking and clattering, while the only sounds in the teahouse were the low murmurs of the remaining examinees.
Many people had already given up hope and went straight to the restaurant after leaving the teahouse with a few friends.
Let's drink until we're completely drunk!
Some people went to drink until they were completely drunk, while others, unwilling to spend money on alcohol, waited patiently in the teahouse.
"DuangDuangDuang!"
This time, the gongs and drums were noticeably louder.
Footsteps echoed down the wooden stairs, suggesting there were quite a few people, perhaps a dozen or so.
Then it might not be a messenger announcing good news. Who would be joining in the fun, setting up gongs and drums to amuse people?
"Congratulations to Jiang Mingfei from Changshou Village, Changshou County, Xinghe Prefecture, for achieving the top rank in the provincial examination!"
"Congratulations to Jiang Jiaming of Xinghe Prefecture for achieving the top rank in the provincial examination!"
"Congratulations to Jiang Jiaming of Xinghe Prefecture for achieving the top rank in the provincial examination!"
They shouted it three times. Is this what it means to say something important three times?
It's fair to say that the top-ranking scholars in the provincial and metropolitan examinations were highly valued; the constables were very good at handling people!
"Mingfei! You passed! You're the top scholar!" Jiang Lin was the first to shout, his joy barely concealed.
"He really is the top scholar! He really is the top scholar!" Wang Jue exclaimed, following closely behind.
"I knew it! I knew it! Luckily we didn't leave. Good things come to those who wait!" Jiang Hao and Jiang Yan exchanged a glance and hurriedly spoke up.
Jiang Yan smiled helplessly: "Mingfei, you're amazing!" He gave Jiang Xiaoqi a thumbs up.
Hearing this result, it seems alright?
I don't seem to be as overjoyed as I imagined. I guess I'm still quite mature and composed after all.
Steward Wen happily gave each of the dozen or so messengers who brought the good news a large red envelope, without feeling the slightest bit of regret.
Thus, the Chiang family reaped another great harvest, and their political careers blossomed anew.
Ignoring the envious and jealous looks around him, he prepared to go home for dinner, otherwise he would have to entertain the scholars who came to ingratiate themselves with him and build relationships.
"Young Master Jiang, your banquet has arrived!"
The waiter returned just in time and successfully collected the reward money from the top scholar.