Chapter 547: Delivering a Message
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The sound of gongs and drums rang all the way from the entrance of the prefectural office to the entrance of the Wang Estate, attracting many people who were watching the commotion.
“Why is the Wang Family beating gongs and drums again? Did someone in their family pass an exam again?”
“Speaking of which, this Wang Estate is really strange. Last year, their Young Master passed the imperial civil service examination. He was supposed to go to the capital to choose an official position, but he rejected it.”
“Eh, how come I’ve never heard of it?”
The prefecture capital had never lacked rich families, let alone scholarly families. In the 22 counties and 36 major cities of Great Chang, Wangbei County was ranked in the top five. The prefecture capital was even the best in the entire county.
However, the Wang Family’s fame in the prefecture capital still originated from last August. At that time, the only provincial scholar of the Wang Family had returned to the prefecture capital listlessly. Everyone he met said he must have failed the exam and didn’t manage to qualify for an imperial civil service position.
However, not long after, everyone heard that he had actually passed the imperial civil service examination!
Wang Chuangui went to Wanning City full of confidence. He thought to himself that he definitely could not compare to those prodigies who had studied hard for more than ten years. If he could not get into the top three, it would be good if he could get a placement in the second tier.
Unexpectedly, after the results were announced, he only achieved a third-tier ranking in the imperial examination, and even missed the second-tier by a margin of two or three positions. As a result, he failed to pass the examination directly!
Wang Chuangui was deeply shocked. Even Madam Ma and the new study assistant who had been specially bought for him could not comfort him.
At the thought that when he returned to the prefecture capital, his mother would definitely roll her eyes and say to him, “1 knew you were useless, but I didn’t expect you to be so useless. You still have the cheek to come back to see me after getting a mere third-tier? Your face is really not much thinner than the city wall!”
After obtaining the second-tier, one could immediately choose to become an official. It was usually a seventh-grade county magistrate position. It was better than donating money to becoming a ninth-grade fake county magistrate, but it was also relatively difficult to climb up from that position.
It was difficult, but it was not like there was no chance. If he gritted his teeth and worked hard. It was also possible for him to climb to the fourth-tier.
However, if he managed to get a third-tier result, he would at most be able to climb to the sixth-grade in his lifetime. At most, he would be able to reach the fifth-grade.
Then how could he apply for a noble title for his mother?
Not only that, but he also wanted to get a noble title of Madam for his wife. His wife had been by his side for many years and had worked a lot. He also wanted to give her a proper token of gratitude.
The title of Madam was more realistic than any sweet words.
But he had failed!
“I’ll go and ask if the exam can be retaken.” That night, Wang Chuangui left with red eyes.
The next day, the students of Wanning City realized that the original spot on the rankings had changed. One person’s name had been removed.
After asking around, they found out that a person born into a poor family had actually taken the initiative to give up on his scholarship and requested to take the examination again three years later.
Because he was dissatisfied with his ranking, he gave up his scholar title. This was the first person in history who did this!
One had to know that the difficulty of the imperial examination would only increase every year. Moreover, there would never be a shortage of candidates. All the candidates from the prefecture capital went to Wanning City, and there were a few thousand people in total.
These thousands of people were all outstanding people in the local area. There were many geniuses among them, but they were only ranked in the top 200.
Passing it required both strength and luck.
When Wang Chuangui returned home, he told Old Madam Wang about this. He originally thought that he would be scolded, but he did not expect the corners of Old Madam Wang’s lips to curl up.
“Yes, it’s not hopeless yet.” She did not mention Wang Chuangui’s abandonment of the exam at all.
Wang Chuangui was inexplicably praised (he thought that it was a compliment). He felt dizzy and ran to share it with Madam Ma before asking Old man Wang.
“Father, does Mother have high hopes for me again? Does she also think that 1 can still get into a top-three tier result in three years?”
At this moment, Old man Wang was in the house. There was a huge stone on the table and he was beating it with a hammer.
After hearing this, he did not even look up. “No, it’s just that you have to bring back a top-notch honorary title. Otherwise, your mother might have to remove you from the household register.”
Wang Chuangui’s smile froze. “…It’s not that serious, right?”
“It’s too embarrassing.”
If he gave up his scholar title, the outside world would at most laugh at him for being stupid. But if he returned with his poor results, they would laugh at their entire Wang Family for being too lousy.
The old lady could not take it.
Wang Chuangui:”…”
Speaking of which, a group of people arrived at the entrance of the Wang Estate with gongs and drums. Wang Chuangui who was locked in his room studying did not hear them at all.
Wang Erlang and Jiang Wujing, who had stayed at home, were the first to go outside. They saw someone carrying a big thing covered in a red cloth.
That thing was terrifyingly tall, and there was more than one piece. A large group of people was carrying similar things.
Wang Erlang was dumbfounded. “What is this?”
The person walking at the front smiled until his face was about to rot. “Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations to the Wang Estate!”
Wang Erlang hurriedly asked, “May I ask where you came from?”
“Do you have any elders in your family?” That person did not answer and asked instead.
“Yes, sir. Please wait a moment. I’ll call Grandmother over immediately.” Jiang Wujing recognized the badge on that person and knew that he was an official. She immediately turned back to the house and called Old Madam Wang and the others.
At this moment, there was already a large group of people at the entrance of the Wang Estate. Everyone wanted to see what was going on.
When Old Madam Wang and the others arrived, she only glanced at them before turning to Wang Silang, who was guarding at the side, and saying, “Get your father to come out and set up the incense table.”
Wang Chuangui had naturally learned all kinds of etiquette in the academy. When he heard that there was going to be an incense table, he knew that it was not a small matter, so he hurriedly went to clean up.
After instructing Wang Chuangui, Old Madam Wang asked Jiang Wujing and Zhou Chuchu to prepare the red seal.
The family had prepared some. The old lady had specially instructed them to prepare an extra big one.
Jiang Wujing was currently the slightly more knowledgeable person in the family and knew what grade of red seal was the best. Moreover, Zhou Chuchu knew what was richer, so the two of them would naturally work better together.
Seeing that the Wang Family was so sensible, the official thought to himself, “They’re a discerning family. No wonder they could raise such outstanding children.”
After everyone was ready, the official stood at the entrance of the Wang Estate and said, “According to the words of the Emperor of Minghua, East Peak City was in trouble and had encountered misfortune. The Wang Family’s Wang Zilang, Wang Zizhao, Wang Zilan, and Wang Ruyu contributed with their clever minds and bravery. They were not flustered in the face of danger… They have contributed to the eradication of chaos. They are specially bestowed with a ‘loyal’ memorial arch, a pair of jade scepters, a blood coral tree, and a letter of credence… In order to announce to the future generations, they are hereby entrusted with this!”
Old Madam Wang did not kneel down. She went forward to receive the seal and stuffed a big red seal into this person’s hand.
That person pinched the thickness of the red seal and smiled. He did not mind the fact that this old lady did not know the rules.
After reading the oral order, everyone pulled off the red cloth. Only then did everyone realize that it was indeed the top structure of the archway.
It was all made of stone!
As long as a foundation was built below, it could be used directly.
However, everyone was in a dilemma. “Where should this memorial arch be erected?”
Old Madam Wang pointed at a large empty space outside the door and said, “There.”
“Grandma, but there are still two houses on this street. They’re not from our family. It’s not good to occupy the street directly, right?”
Unexpectedly, the two families jumped out. “Very good, very good. Just erect it here!”
Another family said, “No, no, no. I think this place is a little narrow. Why don’t we tear down my door and move it back ten feet to make room?!”
Everyone was speechless.
The Wang Family:”…”