usatvline Chapter 160 Tong Zhu
Chapter 160 Tong Zhu
Chapter 160 160 Children's Pursuit
"What's wrong with it?" Marquis Anshi frowned, his tone becoming somewhat dissatisfied.
“Xun’er’s achievement of becoming the top scholar in the provincial examination is his own merit, and has nothing to do with others. If Your Excellency holds such a grand banquet for important officials at this time, it might attract criticism for Xun’er, making people think that he got such a result because of Your Excellency’s connections in court,” Gongsun Yuan said. “In my opinion, we should just celebrate at home and not be too ostentatious, lest Xun’er actually enters the court as an official in the future, and it gives others a handle to use against him.”
Marquis Anshi hated nothing more than being lectured by Gongsun Yuan, as it always reminded him of Gongsun Zhan. Whenever he spoke in court, Gongsun Zhan would always reprimand him, making him lose face.
So what if everyone's an official? Does the Gongsun family think they understand the political situation in the court while everyone else is a fool? Hmph, how arrogant and conceited!
"You don't need to worry about this. Just take good care of Kang'er and Ran'er. As for the banquet, I'm determined to hold it!"
After saying this, Marquis Anshi turned and strode away, leaving Ye Yanxun and Gongsun Yuan looking at each other in bewilderment.
"Mother, it's alright. If Father is happy, let him be," Ye Yanxun comforted Gongsun Yuan, gently stroking her hand.
Gongsun Yuan was also furious at An Shihou's stubborn nature, which refused to listen to any advice. She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down, before saying to Ye Yanxun:
“Xun’er, your father is confused, but you must not be confused like him. When the banquet is held, you must not have any close contact with any of the officials attending. The situation in the court is constantly changing. When you actually stand on the golden throne and begin to serve the country, you will know that what your mother said is not a joke.”
As the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's family, Gongsun Yuan often listened to her father and brother discuss political affairs at home. Having been exposed to this for many years, she had a thorough understanding of the intricacies of court politics. Her words were not alarmist. Although Ye Yanxun knew that Marquis Anshi's actions must have a purpose, he still said to Gongsun Yuan:
"I understand, I will remain calm and discreet, Mother, please rest assured."
The Xu family mansion in Yanliu Lane.
The Marquis's residence had already begun preparing gifts of gratitude and a banquet a few days later, while Xu Pingyue in Yanliu Lane had just learned from her maid about Ye Yanxun's success in the provincial examination.
After listening to the maid recount the events, Xu Pingyue was overjoyed. She stood up and called to the maids in the mansion, "Quickly, go and prepare some snacks that the Marquis and Young Master like! They might be here soon!"
Xun'er has always been filial. Xing Guan will definitely bring Xun'er to share the joy with her on such a happy occasion as passing the provincial examination! Just thinking that Marquis Anshi and Ye Yanxun might come, Xu Pingyue couldn't suppress her joy. She noticed that her hair was a little messy, so she sat back down in front of the dressing table and started to dress herself up again.
However, she waited for a long time, from midday to sunset, but there was still no movement outside the Xu residence. As darkness fell, the maid inside lit candles. Xu Pingyue, filled with resentment, forcefully swept all the pastries prepared for Marquis Anshi and Ye Yanxun onto the floor.
With a loud crash, the porcelain plate shattered on the ground, producing a piercingly loud noise.
What does it matter if her son is successful? What does it matter if she's happy? All the joy her son feels at achieving the top rank in the imperial examination belongs entirely to the Marquis's family! What right does she, a mere concubine, have to share in such glory?
"Gongsun Yuan, one day I will snatch my son and everything that is rightfully mine back from you!" Looking at the dusty pastries on the ground, Xu Pingyue's eyes were filled with a chilling hatred.
***
When the examination results were announced, the capital city transformed into a city that never sleeps. Naturally, some were happy, and some were sad. The happy ones decorated the city with lanterns and set off firecrackers. The sad ones almost wanted to jump into the river and end it all.
Among those who were worried was the Tong family in the capital.
The reason was that Tong Zhu, the young master of the Tong family who was a classmate of Ye Yanxun and studied under the same teacher as Feng Guolao, failed the exam.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!" A series of terrifyingly loud crashes echoed in the courtyard of the Tong family mansion, accompanied by the furious, disappointed voice of Tong Hansheng, the head of the Tong family:
"The Five Young Masters of the Capital? Unruly and dissolute? What's the use of chasing after such empty fame all day long? Today I'll beat you so badly you can't be so unruly anymore!"
Tong Zhu's back was covered in bruises from the beating. The bamboo sticks lashed his body repeatedly, causing him excruciating pain. Yet, he remained kneeling there without uttering a word, silently defying his father with unwavering stubbornness.
"Silent? Trying to be tough with me? Fine, very well!" Tong Hansheng was even angrier at his appearance, and hit him harder. "You really think I don't know what you did during the exam? Huh?"
Tong Zhu winced in pain, forcing a scream down his throat.
"The provincial examination lasted twelve days, and you slept in your examination cell for all twelve days! Tell me, how can you face Elder Feng? Do you think you've done right by all the years of teaching he's given you? Are you still dreaming of your chivalrous life, huh?"
Tong Zhu clenched his fists, his eyes lowered, and a glint of anger burst forth.
Seeing his son beaten until his skin was torn and bleeding, yet still enduring the pain without uttering a sound, neither defending himself nor begging for mercy, Tong Hansheng finally didn't know what to do.
Continue hitting him? This is his son after all; what if he dies? He'd be heartbroken too! Don't hit him? That would really be playing into this brat's hands; who knows, he might be climbing on the roof and tearing the tiles off tomorrow!
Finally, Madam Tong noticed her husband's predicament and stepped forward to scold him, "Enough! Look what you've done to our son! Zhu'er doesn't want to be an official, but you forced him to. He's always been this stubborn, so of course he's going to hold a grudge against you!"
"What else can I do if I don't become an official? Become a chivalrous outlaw who helps those in need? Or become a bandit who robs the rich to help the poor? If anyone asks me what my son is doing in the future, where am I supposed to put my face!" Tong Hansheng continued to curse, but he had already taken the opportunity to have Madam Tong take away the ruler.
“A man’s ambition lies in all directions. Although Zhu’er didn’t pass the imperial examination, even Elder Feng has affirmed his talent. He will surely have a good future. You don’t need to worry about him!” Madam Tong glared fiercely at her husband, squatted down in front of Tong Zhu, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, and said gently:
"Zhu'er, don't worry about your father. Do whatever you want. Your mother will support you."
"Alright, alright, I won't worry. A doting mother spoils her son, humph!" Tong Hansheng raised his hand and poked Tong Zhu's head. "From today onwards, you stay in the manor and reflect on your actions. You're not allowed to go anywhere!"
After finishing his tirade, Tong Hansheng flicked his sleeves and stormed off. Turning a corner in the corridor, he hurriedly told his attendant, "Quickly find some medicine to stop the bleeding and promote tissue regeneration to apply to the young master's wounds. Don't let him have a scar." Taking two steps forward, he suddenly turned back, his face stern, and said, "Whatever you do, don't let him know that I gave him the medicine."
The attendant, used to his posture of scolding his son and then feeling sorry for him, suppressed a smile and said, "Yes, sir."
In the courtyard, Tong Zhu was helped to his feet by Madam Tong. With each step he took, the wound on his back caused him to break out in a cold sweat from the pain. Madam Tong was heartbroken and kept nagging Master Tong for being ruthless, completely unaware of the barely suppressed gleam in Tong Zhu's eyes.
A lockdown? That's impossible.
After the provincial examination, the military examination organized by the Ministry of War will begin soon. Although he cannot roam the world with a sword, he longs to join the army to protect his country.