Chapter 96: Posting of Results

Xie Qian suppressed a smile. “Your subject also looks forward to seeing how Ouyang Zhi and the other two perform.”

He still needed to be modest and not boastful.

Emperor Hongzhi seemed to have noticed the pride deep within Xie Qian and Wang Ao and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Indeed, we shall wait and see.”

In truth, what he was really waiting to see might not be Ouyang Zhi and the other two, but Fang Jifan…

This guy couldn’t possibly only have that little skill, right? At the very least… he should make sure his disciples got into the Second Rank.

He suddenly remembered that on the matter of the Metropolitan Examination, Liu Jian had remained silent all along. He looked at Liu Jian. “Minister Liu, why have you said nothing?”

Liu Jian pondered for a moment. “Your old minister… also waits to see.”

Emperor Hongzhi stroked the table… and smiled.

But just then, a eunuch hurried in. “Your Majesty, it’s terrible! The House of the Crown Prince has caught fire!”

The smile on Emperor Hongzhi’s face froze. “How did it catch fire? What happened?”

After all, concern leads to panic. Emperor Hongzhi’s face instantly turned ashen.

“The fire has been put out, Your Highness… set off a firecracker. It was deafening and sparks flew everywhere. Luckily, only half of the building burned down, and it wasn’t a big problem.”

Emperor Hongzhi’s expression turned odd.

Look at others—they study hard for ten years in humble circumstances and take the exam diligently for their own future. And that guy? That guy does all sorts of nonsense every day.

Emperor Hongzhi couldn’t help but feel his hand itching. “Have him come tomorrow, and that Fang Jifan too, bring them both. Where is my whip?”

“Your Majesty…” Liu Jian gave a bitter smile. “Setting off firecrackers isn’t so bad. Young people like to celebrate, maybe because… Fang Jifan’s three disciples finished their exams… so…”

Liu Jian actually had a strange feeling inside.

No matter what, this Fang Jifan had three northern Scholars as his disciples. If this guy lost face, it seemed to make his own old face hard to bear.

Even if they were three oddballs, didn’t they still need to be cleaned up and prettied to save face?

Emperor Hongzhi’s expression eased slightly. “Order people to keep a close watch on them. I always have a bad feeling about this.”

…

Fang Jifan practically fled all the way home.

Seeing the fire, his eyes went wide. He wanted to yell at Zhu Houzhao, damn it, why did you pack so much gunpowder.

But after thinking carefully, didn’t he just have one younger sister? And she was so gentle and lovely. Forget it, for the sake of his sister, he forgave him.

So he hurried away quickly to avoid His Majesty’s little leather whip landing on him.

Returning to the hall, he saw his father Fang Jinglong drinking tea while complaining to Manager Yang. “These Scholars from the south are really detestable. They spread rumors outside, saying we’re no match for them. It infuriates me!”

Manager Yang also looked very displeased. He was a Xiucai from Northern Zhili. This was bullying taken too far! Moreover, the three Provincial Graduates Ouyang Zhi were all in the residence. In Manager Yang’s heart, they were like family. How dare people outside insult our Scholars from Northern Zhili like this? Hmph! He said angrily, “Exactly! They think Northern Zhili has no one.”

Upon seeing Fang Jifan return, Fang Jinglong quickly smiled. “Jifan, you’re back from duty? You scared me to death! I just heard there was a fire at the House of the Crown Prince. I was worried that if there was a fire, it might have been you who started it. Now that you’re back, it’s fine. It must have been the carelessness of the servants in the House of the Crown Prince. As long as it’s not our Fang Family’s business, it’s good.”

Fang Jifan actually really wanted to tell him that this fire did have a little something to do with him. But seeing his father’s happy face, he couldn’t bear to tell him the truth. So he smiled and said, “Father is also concerned about the Metropolitan Examination.”

“Naturally.” Fang Jinglong didn’t realize at all that Fang Jifan had changed the subject. “Mainly because the southern Scholars are hateful. They look down on us. I just don’t believe it! Ouyang Zhi and the other three—I saw how hard they worked. Oh, that Tang Yin, does his brain think it’s more precious than others? Why should he be better than Ouyang Zhi and them? It’s outrageous! It infuriates me!”

Fang Jifan sighed with emotion. “Father is truly wise.”

“There’s more wisdom.” Fang Jinglong narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice. “I also placed a bet. I sent Accountant Liu to wager fifty thousand taels of silver. That Tang Yin is too hateful. I bet on him to win. Hmph, so what if he wins? If he wins, doesn’t he still make money for our Fang Family?”

“…” Holy crap… Fang Jifan’s face turned green. He couldn’t grasp the logic of this theory.

Fang Jinglong put his hand on Fang Jifan’s shoulder. Actually, he wanted to keep this matter secret, but such a large withdrawal from the accounts probably couldn’t be hidden. So he spoke with profound sincerity. “Anyway, we don’t lose out either way. Someone as hateful as Tang Yin—if we don’t make money off him, it’s just wrong, isn’t it?”

“…”

…

Several days passed, and finally, a notice was posted at the Examination Hall. The results would be announced on the twenty-seventh of February.

As soon as the news came out, the entire Capital was eagerly looking forward to it.

Not just the Scholars who came to take the exam, but even other monks, commoners, and everyone else in the capital were extremely expectant about this.

There were too many people betting on this Metropolitan Examination, from nobles and princes down to street vendors and laborers, all couldn’t resist wanting to have some fun.

When the morning of that day arrived, Tang Yin had just gotten up at the inn when Xu Jing and other Scholars from Yingtian Prefecture came looking for him. “Bohu… Bohu, quick, quick! In another hour, it will be the auspicious time. The results will be posted!”

Tang Yin quickly washed up. His injuries were mostly healed, though his legs were still a bit inconvenient. A bone injury takes a hundred days to heal, but even after a hundred days, it would still need more time to fully recover.

His heart was both expectant and uneasy. After straightening his clothes and hat, he went out with Xu Jing and the others. Many Scholars chattered noisily, hoping both that Tang Yin would take first place and that they themselves would pass the imperial examination.

They walked together in a group. Along the way, those who recognized Tang Yin, along with busybodies, all followed along.

When they reached the Examination Hall, it was already a sea of people. There were far more people looking at the results than in previous years, a dark mass that seemed to have no end.

Then someone shouted, “Provincial First Place Scholar Tang is here!”

So, countless people automatically parted the crowd, all looking at Tang Yin with respect.

In the distance, someone roared, “Tang Yin must win! Tang Yin must win! Play the suona!”

Whoo-whoo-whoo…

The mournful sound of the suona instantly overwhelmed the entire scene.

You should know, in later times, the suona was known as the legendary king of instruments. No matter what instrument—Chinese or Western—as soon as the suona appeared, no matter what sound they made, they would all be drowned out.

So when dozens of men puffed their cheeks and blew, the noisy sounds outside the Examination Hall abruptly lost their color.

Xu Jing glanced toward the direction of the suona players and whispered to Tang Yin, “Those are the Zhang Brothers. Ignore them. Although they are Imperial Uncles, they, like Fang Jifan, are famous Capital playboys, not accepted by the literati circles.

But the Zhang Brothers clearly didn’t notice the disdain countless Scholars at the Examination Hall felt toward them in their hearts. The two were beaming, full of joy. This time, they had placed heavy bets, they even brought out their burial money. This was picking up money! It was picking up money! If you don’t pick up this money, are you even human?

On the other side, Fang Jifan arrived with his three disciples.

He shouted, “Young Lord Fang is here!”

Countless people turned to look, the crowd surging and quickly making way.

However, while people made way for Tang Yin out of respect, for Fang Jifan, it was purely out of fear. This guy had beaten Provincial First Place Scholar Tang so badly he couldn’t take care of himself. And he actually dared to boast shamelessly, saying that Provincial First Place Scholar Tang had beaten him. Heaven’s conscience! Provincial First Place Scholar Tang beat him and then stayed in a sickbed for two whole months, while this guy, who claimed to be the one beaten, was jumping around lively everywhere…

Fang Jifan pursed his lips, wearing a reserved smile. Today, he seemed especially humble, offering friendly smiles to everyone.

But most people hurriedly avoided his gaze, trying their best not to have any connection with this prodigal son.