Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 225: Master Zhen, this is so miserable.

……

This is also common.

Many candidates who thought they had failed the exam returned home after their names were called out, and suddenly found out that they had passed!

The eldest brother was slightly delighted, patted Li Chun on the shoulder, and consoled him: "Brother Li, don't worry. Maybe the noise was too chaotic just now and I didn't hear it clearly."

"Your essay didn't perform well this time. Although you can't make it into the top five, you should be able to win."

The rest of the British Society members also consoled him, “Yes, yes.”

In fact, I couldn't help feeling a little happy.

Especially those candidates who failed the exam.

Haha, at least there's one more person to accompany me.

Li Chun nodded with a blank look in his eyes, still muttering to himself: "Impossible, this is impossible..."

The eldest brother no longer cared about Li Chun. The most important moment had come. He listened attentively.
"The first place winner of the Jinling Provincial Examination in Jiachen: Zhou Yanru!"

Zhou Yanru!
As soon as the roll call officer finished speaking, the eldest brother's face changed and he almost jumped up!

"impossible!"

"Absolutely impossible!"

His writing is on par with his second junior fellow apprentice, Yuan Xin; this was said by the Grand Master himself!
Two people and one fifth-class champion!
A sixth Yaqui!
How could he... fail the exam?

Absolutely impossible!
The eldest brother's eyes suddenly turned red!

The members of the British Socialist Party also found it incredible.

My eldest brother’s essay in the provincial examination was obviously very good...

Probably, this is what is called:

Bad luck!

What can you do if God doesn’t help you?
No matter how good the article is, it’s useless.

"Don't worry, big brother. Maybe the noise was too mixed and I didn't hear it clearly."

"That's right, Senior Brother's article will definitely win!"

Li Chun was originally disheartened and even had some despairing thoughts. But when he saw that his senior brother also failed the exam, he suddenly felt a little comforted.

"Elder brother..."

Before he finished speaking, the eldest brother pushed forward with red eyes, shouting: "Impossible, impossible, my article is good, I will definitely win..."

There was a commotion in the crowd.

"Look, another one has gone crazy!"

"I'm sure to win! Bah, I'm sure to win!"

"that is……"

"Hey, isn't this Brother Yingshe? This is the seventh time, right? It's a sure win!"

The eldest brother could no longer hear any sarcasm, his eyes were only focused on the Dragon and Tiger List. Li Chun and others did not care to pretend to be polite, they squeezed forward and read the list carefully, word by word.

half an hour.

The crowd gradually dispersed, and the entrance to the Imperial Examination Hall became empty.

Those who passed the exam drank and sang, while those who failed drank to drown their sorrows. The situation was the same all over the country.

"Ahem, our Jinling is indeed a place of flourishing literary style and producing many talented people. If this were in Kyoto, articles like those written by Senior Brother and Brother Li would definitely be selected!"

"Yes, yes, Senior Brother Li, don't be sad. Even though you didn't win this time, there is still next time." Everyone comforted him.

Senior Brother: "..."

Li Chun: “…”

……

Kyoto.

The banquet lasted for another three days. The excitement of this autumn examination finally faded away. Those who did not pass the examination returned to their hometown to continue their studies, looking forward to the provincial examination three years later.

Those who have passed the imperial examinations have to return to their respective prefectures and counties to prepare and sign up for the next spring examination. As the date of the next spring examination has been set, more and more candidates come to Kyoto to prepare for the examination. The inns and brothels near the Imperial College are almost crowded every day, and various literary gatherings are held every day.

Exchanging knowledge with each other is the best opportunity for improvement, especially for those who have participated in many imperial examinations and are very experienced. Jia Rong will naturally not miss such an opportunity.

In addition, Li Chun was unwilling to accept his defeat in the previous few times and threatened to compete with him in the imperial examination. Jia Rong was also very considerate and sent him a message, inviting the eldest and second brothers of the Yingshe Society, Li Chun, Yuan Xin and others to come to Beijing to hold a literary meeting to exchange ideas and participate in the imperial examination.

Anyway, they were going to Beijing to take part in the imperial examination. As for whether the four heroes of the Yingshe Society would fail, Jia Rong did not consider this for the time being.

Apart from going out to attend literary gatherings from time to time, Jia Rong was not idle at home.

First, the master's condition is getting worse day by day, and he needs medicine and care every morning and evening.

Secondly, the marriage proposal is proceeding in full swing, and Lin Ruhai will be able to return to Beijing around the beginning of December to be rewarded for his merits. Whether he will stay in Beijing or continue to be sent out depends on the intentions of the emperor and the cabinet.

Lin Ruhai must have taken leave during this period and brought Lin Daiyu back to his hometown in Suzhou to formally go through the engagement ceremony.

Thirdly, the garden had been built over a year, and the scenery, rockery, attic, pavilions, and pavilions had all been completed, waiting only for the nomination plaque.

Of course, Jia Rong is not good at these things.

However, Lin Daiyu said in the original novel that many of the names of various places in the garden, such as "Tubitang" and "Aojingxi Pavilion", were proposed by her, and no changes were made when they were used. This time, she was asked to do all the work.

……

That day, after attending a literary gathering outside, Jia Rong came to the West Mansion, ready to discuss the plaque with Lin Daiyu, and happened to meet Jia Lian who was walking outside.

"Rong'er, how come you have time to come and play today? Come on, let's have three cups of wine first. I'll treat you as the host." Jia Lian walked forward with a smile on his face.

"Haha." Jia Rong smiled and said, "What good news is this, Second Uncle?"

Jia Lian smiled quietly and said, "I have a new concubine. She will be coming home in two days. Don't forget to come and have a drink then."

"Whose family is it?"

Jia Rong asked casually.

Jia Lian smiled and said, "It's the eldest sister of the You family. I was going to tell your master about it, but, hey, your master is in this state now, and I can't delay her for the rest of her life, right? I had no choice but to..."

Jia Rong: “…”

What the hell!

Jia Rong was shocked.

Have you ever considered the feelings of my Master Zhen when you do this?

"Does our master know about this?"

Jia Rong was really worried that Master Zhen would not be able to hold on if he knew about it, so he went there directly.

Jia Lian shook his head and said, "I don't know. Your master should focus on recuperating now. It's useless to worry about these things."

"Besides, I am also thinking about the reputation of our Jia family. After all, I have wasted several years on her. Now Sister You has become an old maid and has not married yet. If this gets out, it will not be good for our reputation. This responsibility... let me shoulder it!"

Jia Rong: "Second uncle has really worked hard."

Jia Lian laughed: "It's not hard, this is what I should do. You know that I have a good relationship with Brother Zhen and we have always been inseparable."

"Let's go have some drinks."

"No." Jia Rong shook his head and refused: "I have something else to do inside."

Jia Lian immediately understood and smiled, "Hey, are you going to look for your aunt again?"

"I have something important to do."

Jia Rong said seriously.

Jia Lian smiled and said, "I know. Go in, and don't forget to come and have a drink some other day."

"I'll try my best. Which day specifically?" Jia Rong was already considering whether to ruin it or not.

Jia Lian said: "The specific date has not been decided yet, but let's do it as soon as possible, just in case your master..."

Seeing Jia Rong's bad face, Jia Lian quickly changed his words and said, "Ahem, what I meant is that I will get married as soon as possible and use this opportunity to cheer up your master. Maybe he will get better."

Jia Rong felt that even if Master Zhen recovered, he would probably die of anger after seeing this situation.

Hey!
My master is so miserable!
The son also felt bad.

……

(End of this chapter)