Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 286 Someone Cares
No wonder I haven't seen Gao Jingming for several days. I thought he was busy with something, but it turns out he was trying to get achievements. With Xiao Gao's current talent, it's easy for him to pass the exam to become a scholar.

But the first one in the case is quite impressive.

Although there are nearly a hundred top candidates in nearly a hundred counties across Jing State, with this achievement, passing the next provincial exam is a sure thing. Otherwise, the government's credibility will be questioned. If the top candidate can't pass the exam, how did he get the top spot? I'm afraid there's something fishy going on with your government.

Anyway, it is a must to pass the junior high school entrance examination next time, but what ranking you can get in the examination depends on your personal ability.

"Tsk, isn't Xiao Gao planning to replicate Mr. Yushan's achievements? He might even be planning to complete the path that Mr. Yushan left unfinished. It seems like he has that potential. And with Xiao Gao's talent, the chances are great, but the difficulty is also great."

The so-called difficulty is not a problem of Xiao Gao's talent, but the factor of his aristocratic family. Looking back at history, in the previous ten imperial examinations, eight of the top three in the palace examination were from aristocratic families, and the number of times that "poor families" won the top three was very few. Occasionally, there were those times when either the talents were extremely outstanding and could not be suppressed. The others were probably just charity given by the aristocratic families to show that their greed was not so ugly.

This is the fact. Now, let alone Jingguo, the situation in the surrounding countries is the same. The aristocratic families control the channels for advancement, and the court structure is often decided by the aristocratic families. Many times, the emperor has to look at their faces before doing anything.

Unless a figure like Huang Chao appears in this world, it is unknown how long this situation will continue.

The Gao family is certainly not a poor family now, but there is still a big gap between them and the aristocratic families. They can barely be considered as the new elites, but that is not enough. If the Gao family continues to be prosperous and produces many talents, and operates like this for one or two hundred years, they will probably reach the threshold of the aristocratic family.

Xiao Gao has a fire in his belly, and now it seems that the fire has started to burn. As for how it will burn, it depends on his future. Chen Xuan is waiting to see.

If Xiao Gao completed Mr. Yushan's achievements and went to the capital to brush the highest copy of the imperial examination, considering his performance in the academy, especially his idea of ​​​​making sure the common people have enough food, it might not be so smooth. After all, Mr. Yushan had experienced a similar situation. His passion was stillborn, and he ended up with a disability and retired to the countryside to teach and educate people.

Judging from Chen Xuan’s own experience, the students who graduated from Yushan Academy at that time all had some problems with their thinking, which was somewhat inconsistent with the current mainstream.

"Even if I don't work for the Gao family anymore, if Xiao Gao wants to go to the capital to run a dungeon, I have to accompany him. Everything goes well, of course. If someone causes trouble, Xiao Gao will do the literary thing, and I don't mind stretching my lazy bones if the martial arts thing happens. Um, I can also go meet that 'online friend' of Tingfeng Jushi, provided she's willing to meet me. No one has known who she is all these years. She's so mysterious..."

Many thoughts flashed through his mind at once. Chen Xuan paused slightly and was happy for Xiao Gao when he heard the good news. He stepped forward, took out a sum of silver, ten taels, and handed it to the person who brought the good news, saying, "Thank you, big brother, for bringing the good news about my young master. This small gift is not enough to express your respect. You are tired from the journey, please come into the mansion to have a cup of tea and rest."

He is still nominally Gao Jingming's study partner, so it is only natural for him to give money to the person who announced the good news. Of course, it is the Gao family's money that is being spent, and part of Gao Jingming's small treasury is still with him. He has to distinguish clearly between public and private matters. Later, Gao Jingming will find a new "life assistant" Chen Xuan to make the handover.

Ten taels of silver is already a lot of money. I just made a trip to deliver good news. What else do you want?

"Then I won't be polite, thank you very much." The other party took the silver without any hesitation and put it in his arms. He made this trip just for this, and delaying it would be making things difficult for himself.

Smiling, Chen Xuan extended his hand and said, "Please."

"Sorry to bother you," the other party bowed and entered the Gao family with Chen Xuan. They would not deny him a sip of tea. Naturally, the horse he rode was taken away and taken care of by someone from the Gao family.

They walked all the way to the Gao family's living room, which was not the main hall, and the person who brought the good news was not of high importance. Chen Xuan called out and a maid brought tea.

"I wonder where my young master is now?" Chen Xuan asked after drinking tea.

The other person only sat halfway, and upon hearing this, he quickly said, "I rushed here after the results were announced this morning. I guess your young master Gao is attending the teacher appreciation banquet right now and will be back soon. Your young master has won the first place, which is truly a cause for celebration."

Yes, Gao Jingming can't just run away after the exam. A thank-you banquet is a necessary procedure. It is estimated that he will have to spend a few days gathering with classmates to build good relationships. These are all personal connections.

"My son has won the first place in the exam, which is a great joy. I'd like to trouble this gentleman to bring the good news. Qingxi, please give this gentleman some money for tea, and I hope you will accept it." At this time, Mrs. Gao's voice sounded at the door. She came in slowly, surrounded by two maids, with a happy look on her face, and she walked as if she was walking with the wind.

"Thank you for your hard work, sir," Mrs. Gao's personal maid named Qingxi came forward and handed over a silver note of one hundred taels!

Although Chen Xuan gave ten taels, he gave it on behalf of Gao Jingming, while Mrs. Gao gave it on behalf of the Gao family. Although it was the same, Mrs. Gao was so happy that she spent money and came to see the first person who brought the good news in person. It can be seen how happy she was.

But he was the first one to receive this treatment.

"Greetings, Madam," Chen Xuan said, rising and bowing. The person announcing the good news also quickly stood up and said excitedly, "Greetings, Madam Gao. Your young master has won the first place in the Jingting County Spring Examination this year. Congratulations, and thank you Madam for your reward. I am so grateful for your hard work."

He came here to please people, so naturally he would not delay. One hundred taels made him very happy. This trip was really worth it.

Mrs. Gao's face lit up. She had come here in person just to hear such compliments. She smiled and said, "Thank you, sir. Haven't you had your meal yet? Since you are a guest, why not have a simple meal at my Gao's house?"

The person who announced the good news was a little tempted, but since he had received the benefit, he did not dare to disturb you too much. He bowed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. I have to rush to the next house to announce the good news, so I will not disturb you anymore."

"In that case, I won't force you to stay. Goodbye, sir," Mrs. Gao nodded.

"Farewell"

After the person who brought the good news left, Madam Gao said to the maid, "Qingxi, go and inform Housekeeper He that if there are any people who bring good news, please receive them."

"Yes, ma'am, I'll go right away," Qingxi bowed and left happily.

Having heard the good words and known the news, Mrs. Gao naturally did not need to receive the next person who brought the good news in person. She would probably set up a buffet for a few days to share the joy. It was not certain, but it was likely that Gao Jingming would have three consecutive banquets this year, and it would be more glorious if they were organized together.

"Young Master has won the first place in the exam. Congratulations to Madam," Chen Xuan said with a smile.

Madam Gao looked at Chen Xuan as if he were her own junior. She didn't hide her emotions and said cheerfully, "My son has won the first place in the exam, and I am very happy. Everyone in the mansion has given him a reward to share his joy. Xiao Xuan has been with my son for many years, and he has contributed to his current success."

"Thank you, ma'am. The young master is truly talented and knowledgeable. I dare not take credit for it," Chen Xuan said with a smile.

After the happy moment, Mrs. Gao asked with concern: "How is Xiaoxuan doing recently? If there is anything you need, just let me know."

"Thank you ma'am for your concern, everything is fine, but I've been busy all day and a bit unemployed," Chen Xuan said embarrassedly. In fact, he didn't have any proper job at all. If he had to call it a career, it was just being Gao Jingming's servant, but this job was now in a state of "resignation".

Mrs. Gao nodded and said, "I watched you grow up. This is your home. Don't hide anything. We are one family and we don't talk behind each other's backs."

"Well, I understand and I won't be polite. It's getting late, so I'll go back first. Madam, you should also go to bed early," Chen Xuan said with a bow. He had grown up and it was not convenient for him to spend too much time alone with Madam Gao. Even though there were people around, he still had to be careful.

"Go ahead, summer is almost here. I'll have someone send you some summer clothes later. Xiao Xuan, your clothes are all worn out."

The new clothes you get after coming back are not old, right? But considering the Gao family's current situation, they can afford a new set of clothes a day, so it is reasonable that clothes worn for more than a month are considered old.

After Chen Xuan thanked her and left, Mrs. Gao looked at his back with some emotion in her heart. More than ten years had passed, and the children had grown up, and she herself was getting old.

"After all, I watched him grow up, and we are like brothers. It's not a good thing for Xiaoxuan to be alone like this. Should I help him find a marriage? I'll ask him what he thinks when I have time. It's not easy to make the decision directly. I'll think about whether there is a suitable one. With Xiaoxuan's current innate cultivation, marrying a princess is not considered too high a goal."

Mrs. Gao really treats Chen Xuan as her own son or nephew, and is already helping him consider his lifelong affairs. Chen Xuan has no one to rely on, so if she doesn't worry about him, who will?
As the good news came, the entire Gao family was shrouded in an atmosphere of joy. At this time, anyone with a sad face would feel uncomfortable. As soon as the first person came to report the good news, the second person came, and it continued until late at night. Dozens of people came to report the good news, and they were all received by Butler He. A lot of money was given out as a gift, and they were really happy.

After returning to his residence, Chen Xuan was thinking about whether to give Gao Jingming a gift. He thought that he didn't have anything to give except some pills, and Gao Jingming didn't need that thing.

"I won't give him a gift this time. I'll wait until he passes the imperial examination and then we can give them together. But now we can prepare. I'm thinking about giving him a fan. As a scholar, a fan would be suitable. I can seal two true essences in it. At the critical moment, one can protect his body and the other can kill the enemy. When he holds the fan, no one below the Grandmaster can threaten him. Well, that's what we'll do."

Chen Xuan soon came up with a plan. However, making a fan like this would require some thought. After all, it was something that could store the Grandmaster's true essence for a long time, so the materials were very particular. Fortunately, he had enough time to prepare...

(End of this chapter)