"Son, why are you so confused? That Scholar Master is a student at Changqing Academy. You ntioned that today the academy’s Dragon Boat Race won first place again. As long as that Scholar Master doesn’t act recklessly, what future could be bad? Have you forgotten how many graduates have co out of Changqing Academy?"
"Usually, our family wants to establish a connection with such a Scholar Master, and we can’t even find a way even if we offer silver for free. Isn’t today an opportunity given by heaven? That Scholar Master saved our Er Gouzi; we should sincerely thank the Scholar Master. If he is easy to talk to, we can even have Er Gouzi take him as a teacher. With such interactions, wouldn’t we be able to establish a connection?"
"If that Scholar Master is talented and can eventually beco a Graduate or a Scholar, what would Er Gouzi have to worry about in the future? As for our family, as long as Er Gouzi is the Scholar Master’s disciple, we would be people with backing. Previously, there was no way; we had to keep a low profile. But if we establish this connection, what would we need to be afraid of?"
"Think for yourself, isn’t this the truth? A great opportunity is right in front of you, yet you pushed it away, offending the Scholar Master! If we encounter soone petty, looking to cause trouble for our family, wouldn’t it just be a matter of lifting a finger?"
At this point, Old Madam Cao was so angry that she hamred Cao Jian twice before slumping into a chair, tears streaming down her face.
Cao Jian finally realized, and couldn’t help turning pale, regretting so much that he slapped himself several tis: "Mother, it’s my fault! It’s because I’m brainless! I’m useless!"
After all, Old Madam Cao cared for her son, let out a long sigh: "It’s still our Cao family’s fate. Forget it, let’s accept it! Say no more; this afternoon, prepare a thank-you gift, find out where Scholar Song lives, and we’ll send it over tonight. Let’s not think about establishing connections anymore; just hope he doesn’t hold a grudge against us!"
Saying this, Old Madam Cao supported herself with a cane, hunching her back, and returned to her room.
Leaving Cao Jian regretting, pounding the ground with his fists, hating himself for not realizing sooner.
Cao Jian’s wife brewed ginger soup and forced Er Gouzi to drink it. Er Gouzi, still young and startled, drank the soup and could barely keep his eyes open.
After seeing Er Gouzi sleeping soundly, she ca looking for her husband.
Seeing her husband pounding the ground like that, she was startled: "Dear, what’s wrong with you? Be careful not to hurt your hands."
Cao Jian’s heart was dripping blood, and he pulled his wife aside and explained what his mother just said, making his wife turn pale too, tears streaming down her face: "It’s all my fault! It’s all my fault! I caused trouble for Er Gouzi—"
Grief welled up inside, and the couple hugged and cried together.
Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu knew nothing about the ruckus at the Cao family. After bathing and changing clothes, Old Madam Ding had quickly prepared lunch.
Everyone was exhausted from the morning, and after eating, they all went back to their rooms to rest.
Song Chongjin lay on the kang, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Wang Yongzhu, disturbed by the noise, couldn’t sleep either and got up: "What’s going on?"
Song Chongjin spoke of Zhu Haoran’s suspicions towards him.
Upon hearing this, Wang Yongzhu got a bit annoyed: "This na card was Zhu himself offered to you. Moreover, he ntioned he once audited at Changqing Academy for a year. When he gave you the na card, he should’ve expected you might use it to study at Changqing Academy. Besides, regarding that matter in Qi City, although it was mutually beneficial, in the end, you did him a big favor. So this na card was tacitly agreed upon when he gave it to us."
"Moreover, we didn’t use his na card to do anything shady, so what is he suspicious about? Unless he suspects that when the Qi City incident happened, we plotted to get involved with him! This Lord Zhu’s heart grows more suspicious as his rank rises."
Song Chongjin also speculated that Zhu Haoran’s suspicion might be due to recalling how coincidentally the plans in Qi City went, and how what he needed was exactly what was given.
At the ti, to complete the emperor’s task promptly, there was no ti to dwell deeply. Once back in the capital, pondering over and over, he might have felt uneasy, questioning how such coincidental events could happen in the world.
If he hadn’t seen him at Changqing Academy, it might’ve been fine, but seeing him naturally stirred suspicions.
There was no way to argue, nor was it easy to explain how he ca to know Zhu Haoran’s information.
This made it increasingly difficult to clarify.
Wang Yongzhu sat cross-legged on the kang, thinking: "If it cos to that, absolutely, honesty fears no scrutiny. Don’t worry, even if you pass this autumn examination, you’re only a Graduate. It will be next year’s spring in February to enter the capital for the Imperial Spring Examination, and only by being among the top two could you achieve Scholar status."
"After becoming a Scholar, it’s another three years in the Hanlin Academy, and only after passing the exam can one be appointed. Even if Zhu grows more suspicious, as long as we don’t commit any cris, what can he do? At most, we might be assigned to a remote county as a County Magistrate, far beyond the reach where the emperor’s rule can’t easily touch. I think that sounds quite nice!"
Song Chongjin could not help but smile bitterly: "How could there be such a good deal? So many Scholars every three years, and how many counties nationwide are available? Most just serve as Editorial Secretaries in the Hanlin Academy, compiling books for a lifeti."
He wasn’t working so hard to spend a lifeti as an anonymous Editorial Secretary in the Hanlin Academy. He aid to stand out, to ensure Yongzhu is protected throughout life, to enable Yongzhu to do what she wants without needing to hold back due to lack of power or influence.
As a man, if he can’t even protect his woman, what good is there in pursuing this fa?
Moreover, there is still the presence of Song Hong in the capital.
He must be prepared, if not to counter it, at least to protect himself, right?
Thinking of these, Song Chongjin couldn’t help but feel anxious.
"So what? Compiling books well is also a good deed of great rit! Besides, you’ve got , what’s there to be afraid of? We’re not lacking in silver; if push cos to shove, we can grease the wheels and find an opportunity to be posted elsewhere. Once far away, even Lord Zhu’s hands can’t reach so far, and as long as we do well, how could we not succeed?" Wang Yongzhu understood why Song Chongjin was worried, but the path must be walked step by step; als should be eaten bite by bite, and worrying was useless.
They were still young, with a future full of promises. She refused to believe that with her and Song Chongjin’s abilities, they couldn’t carve out a place for themselves.
Listening to Wang Yongzhu’s comfort, Song Chongjin knew he had been too impatient.
As the exams approached, Song Chongjin, though usually calm on the surface, did feel pressure.
He didn’t usually ntion it, keeping it all inside, but speaking out today and hearing Wang Yongzhu’s calm tone, his heart gradually settled down.
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