Misfortunes are where blessings depend, and blessings are where misfortunes lie. The ancients were honest and did not deceive me.
Tang Ning's left eyelid has been twitching in the past few days. When the left eyelid starts to twitch, the right eyelid starts to twitch. Sometimes, both eyelids even twitch at the same time.
Based on his examination paper, which was not unexpected when he failed, he was able to pass the exam. If he hadn't known that the examiners had a heated debate about it, they would have suspected whether there was some shady story or deal involved.
This is barely a happy event.
However, it is not a complete happy event. When they left just now, there was a lot of resentment in front of the Gongyuan Gate. There must be no other state where the state test list is as lively as Lingzhou.
From today on, Tang Ning's name will be spread all over Lingzhou, and even beyond Lingzhou. If he promotes the reform of the imperial examination system, he will be hated by countless candidates.
Throughout the ages, no matter whether the system reform is good or bad, the people who reform the system generally have no good ending.
Naturally, my mother-in-law didn't think too much about it. She only knew that Tang Ning passed the exam and wanted to celebrate. She wanted to celebrate in a big way.
The maids and servants of the Zhong Mansion all went to help in the kitchen, and they were very motivated, because their monthly wages doubled this month. The cook was even more motivated, and her wages tripled.
Xiao Ru went back to invite her third uncle and third aunt over. It was a big happy event. From top to bottom, the Zhong Mansion was more lively than a festival, except for the lanterns and colorful decorations.
The happiest person is Fang Xiaopang. Judging from her appearance, she must be planning to stay at the Zhong family today.
Trading a small piece of dried meat for a big meal is a good thing that won't suffer any loss.
"You men, there is not a word of truth in your mouth..." Tang Yaoyao looked at him, shook her head, and turned to leave.
In his case, "passing average in the examination" can be equated with "gaining Yuan in the state examination".
"Wait a minute." Tang Ning stopped her in time.
Tang Yaoyao glanced at him and asked, "Is there anything else?"
Tang Ning thought for a while, looked at her and asked, "Do you have any special skills that you can use to steal the show? Can you teach me a few tricks..."
In order to avoid being slapped or slapped in the face when he goes out in the future, he urgently needs to improve his strength.
Of course, the best way is to stay at home and not go out, but when my father-in-law came back just now, he clearly told him that this was impossible.
Three days later, local officials in Lingzhou will hold a grand banquet for the newly promoted candidates, called the "Lu Ming Banquet". At that time, the two hundred and forty candidates who passed the Lingzhou Prefectural Examination will participate.
The examiner will also be present.
As Jieyuan, he cannot be absent.
This is not the Luming Banquet at all, this is the Hongmen Banquet.
Because of the policy issue, he had just offended a large number of scholars. At this time, he was asked to participate in a deer-crowing banquet - two hundred and forty to one, with no hope of winning.
"My uncle is so awesome..."
"Zhixian Zhao's son won the fifth place in the first-class rankings. He is far behind my uncle. The master is very happy and is drinking in the study!"
"Of course my uncle is better than Magistrate Zhao's son, and he will win the first prize in the future!"
"If my uncle wins the first prize, wouldn't the young lady become the first prize's wife?"
"Then Qing'er is the maid of the number one scholar..."
…
Qing'er and a group of maids gathered around the stone table in the yard, looking into the room from time to time.
Tangning sat at the table in the room, holding her chin with one hand, feeling a headache about the Hongmen Banquet three days later.
Let’s not talk about the Hongmen Banquet that has not happened yet. Today’s banquet at the Zhong family, although there were not many people, was extremely lively.
My father-in-law rarely spoke during meals, and today was no exception. However, he poured glass after glass of wine into his mouth. When he was halfway through drinking, he was helped into the room by his mother-in-law.
When Tang Ning put down her chopsticks, Little Fatty Fang, who was eating and drinking, was left sweeping the table like a whirlwind.
The third uncle drinks a bit too much. He doesn't have many opportunities to drink on weekdays. Although he doesn't lack the money for drinks now, he is used to living a hard life and will not suddenly change his living habits.
"Back then, back then, I knew that Xiaoning, you were the Wenquxing who descended to earth!" His body swayed and he said, "Isn't this just the first prize? Wait until the next time, and you will definitely win the number one prize!"
"If you win the top prize, you can become a high official, right?" He looked at Tang Ning, his mouth full of alcohol, and muttered: "When you become a high official, you can have a lot of money and buy a big house. You said it before, I'll wait for you.
If he wins the first prize, he will come back to marry Xiao Ru and buy her a big house and many, many maids..."
Su Ru's expression changed, she quickly stood up and said, "Third uncle, you are drunk, what nonsense are you talking about..."
"I'm not drunk, and I'm not talking nonsense!" The third uncle waved his hand and said dissatisfied: "He has been saying this for more than ten years, from novels to novels. Can I remember it wrong?"
"Shut up!" Third Aunt stood up, dragged him up from his seat, looked at Tangning and Zhong Yi, and said, "He is drunk, I will take him home..."
Su Ruye looked at Zhong Yi apologetically and said, "Sister Zhong, let's go back first."
Tangning stood up and said, "I'll see you off."
"Let me go, I'm not drunk!"
"I can have two more drinks!"
"Let me eat another elbow!"
The third uncle was reluctantly dragged away by the third aunt. Fang Xiaopang held an elbow in each hand and breathed a sigh of relief.
Tang Ning sent them back to the house. When Su Ru walked into the yard, she looked back at Tang Ning and said with a smile, "Brother Ning, congratulations."
Tangning pinched her face and said, "Family, why are you talking about this?"
"This is Brother Xiao Ning's dream all along..." Su Ru said with a smile: "Jie Yuan, Hui Yuan, Number One Scholar... When Brother Xiao Ning becomes number one in high school, everyone in the world will know your name.
At that time, Brother Xiao Ning’s family will find you.”
In this world, there will always be such a person who will consider him wholeheartedly at any time without expecting anything in return.
Tangning gently took her into his arms, patted her thin shoulder, and said, "You are my family..."
…
Sitting on the steps in the yard, she talked to Xiaoru about many things from her childhood. Of course, most of the time, it was Tangning who asked, she said.
When he returned to Zhongfu, it was already very late.
He pushed open the courtyard door and found that the light was still on in his room.
Tangning walked into the room and saw several dishes of side dishes on the table. Zhong Yi was sitting in front of the table with his chin in one hand, looking at the flickering candlelight in a daze.
It wasn't until Tang Ning came in that she regained her composure, straightened up and said, "I saw you didn't eat much for dinner. You must be hungry now. I've made a few more side dishes. You can eat them while they're hot."
It is true that Tang Ning didn't eat much for dinner, because when he was eating, Fang Xiaopang was sitting on his left, and Uncle San was sitting on his right. As soon as he picked up his chopsticks, the food in front of him was empty.
Tang Ning sat down opposite her. Zhong Yi looked at him and said, "Congratulations on your high school graduation."
Tangning picked up the chopsticks and turned it away from her, "There's no need to be so polite between us, right?"
Zhong Yi looked at him and asked, "Then you kept it secret from me for so long?"
Tangning knew that she was talking about being ranked first among the three rankings, so she looked at her innocently and asked, "If I said that I always thought I would fail the rankings, would you believe it?"
"Trust." Zhong Yi nodded without hesitation.
She looked at Tang Ning and asked, "Will you win the first prize?"
Tangning shook her head.
First, it is easy to test for the title of Jie Yuan, but it is much more difficult to test for the No. 1 Scholar. The No. 1 Scholar is determined by the emperor's imperial pen. Strength alone is not enough, but also depends on luck.
Secondly, if he passes the exam and is admitted to the Yuan Dynasty, he is just a candidate at best. There are not many people who can become officials. If he passes the exam and becomes the top scholar, he is sure to become an official. The reason why he took the state exam is very simple, he just doesn’t want to disappoint Xiaoru.
It's not in his life plan. When the time comes, he can take the lowest grade of tribute and just be registered in the Ministry of Personnel without having to fill the actual vacancies. Wouldn't it be nice?
The Minister of Civil Affairs is Fang Xiaopang's uncle, so tell him in advance not to send him an official...
Zhong Yi thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Ru really hopes you can go to high school."
Tang Ning shook her head and continued to eat. Women can't always be used to it. When the time comes, they can be coaxed.
Zhong Yi thought for a moment and said, "I... also hope you can pass the exam."
Tang Ning continued to eat. Coaxing one was coaxing, and coaxing two was coaxing.
Zhong Yi was silent for a long time, finally raised his head and continued: "If you can get the top prize, I will agree to you a condition."
Tangning was stunned and asked, "What are the conditions?"
Zhong Yi stood up, walked to his side, bowed down, and whispered in his ear.
Bada.
The chopsticks in Tangning's hand fell to the ground.
He thought for a while, and when he looked at Zhong Yi again, he said seriously: "Although it is difficult to get the top prize, but in order to live up to your expectations, I decided to give it a try."
