Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 9 Don't even think about returning to the Song Mansion!

The results of the provincial examination were announced three days later.

The grading standards were led by the Grand Secretary of the Imperial College, and then the papers were graded by various levels of schools.

The final list of successful candidates was compiled at the Imperial Academy, where the imperial court assigned them official positions.

Generally speaking, ordinary successful candidates in the imperial examinations would take up positions in nearby prefectures, military counties, or other similar locations.

Once someone reaches the level of Asian Yuan, the central government will allocate and arrange positions based on their capabilities, and appoint them to certain official posts.

The top scholar in the provincial examinations would be summoned to the capital and directly appointed to a powerful seventh-rank official position.

Generally speaking, they are mostly local county magistrates.

Alternatively, they could be assigned to a department where they excel.

Most of these privileged children would prefer to work in subordinate departments in Kyoto.

This requires the older generation to do the work.

Jiang's earlier statement that as long as she passed the imperial examination and became a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations), Song Jing would arrange for her to become an official in the capital was exactly what she meant.

Because too many people from Sizhou passed the imperial examinations, and Sheng'an's quota was basically full, it was impossible to stay in the capital to work without connections.

Of course, this was not a problem that Song Shi'an needed to consider at all.

Having traveled through time, they are bound to make a name for themselves in this era.

He only has one problem to consider now.

We mustn't starve to death before the results are announced.

As soon as he left the examination hall, he encountered two idiots, Chunhou and Zhang Ji.

They saw him too, so Zhang Ji immediately shouted, "Here! Here!"

Having no other choice, Song Shi'an went over.

With the two of them was another person, and Song Shi'an sensed a certain aura the moment he saw him.

how to say?

It's like those people in civil service interviews who you can tell are incredibly talented just by looking at them.

"And who is this?" Song Shi'an asked.

The man was tall and upright with regular features, sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. Although his clothes were not very fancy, he gave people a very proper and clean feeling.

"Let me introduce you, this is Wang Shuishan," Zhang Ji said with a smile. "His father used to lead my father's horse in the army, who would have thought he'd be a county magistrate now? Impressive, isn't he?"

Despite being introduced in such an obviously mocking manner, Wang Shuishan showed no anger whatsoever, and maintained a polite smile.

"This is the son of the magistrate of Sheng'an, Song Shi'an."

Although Zhang Ji sometimes engages in subtle and sarcastic remarks within his inner circle, he still maintains the high standards of his inner circle when dealing with outsiders.

"I've met Mr. Song."

Wang Shuishan clasped his hands together and bowed very respectfully.

When he looked up, he found that Song Shi'an had returned the greeting in the same way.

For a moment, I was stunned.

He knew the other party was an illegitimate son.

But after all, he was the son of a third-rank official, while a county magistrate was only an eighth-rank official.

His father would probably never have come into contact with such a high-ranking official in his entire life.

"How did you do on the exam, Jinshi?" Zhang Ji teased Song Shi'an.

"So-so," Song Shi'an waved his hand.

"How about we ask Uncle Chun to arrange for us to go to that Huai Prefecture..." Zhang Ji said cheekily, "to become squad leaders together?"

"You're such a chatterbox."

Chunhou rolled his eyes at him.

"Let's go to Zuimanlou for drinks now, Wang Shuishan, come along," Zhang Ji said with a smile.

"Gentlemen, I have an appointment to keep me company, so I must decline." Wang Shuishan apologized with a smile.

"Never mind then, let's go." Zhang Ji didn't press the matter further.

"Everyone, I'll take my leave now."

Wang Shuishan bowed once again, with utmost respect.

Zhang Ji and Chunhou nodded casually, but Song Shi'an returned the greeting without any sign of disrespect.

The two of them were a little puzzled.

Was this kid ever that polite before?

What are you pretending for?

Only Wang Shuishan felt respected.

A strange sense of anticipation welled up inside me.

After leaving the group, he glanced over there, observing. Then, he noticed that the three of them hadn't gone with him. At a fork in the road, Song Shi'an waved goodbye to the other two.

So he quickly followed.

After catching up, they slowed down.

As they approached, he feigned surprise and said, "Young master, what a coincidence! You're also taking this route?"

Song Shi'an stopped and slowly turned around, looking at this handsome man who worked in the system, and suddenly said, "You have lofty ambitions, so why bother to cater to those short-sighted and mediocre people?"

One sentence was enough to stop him immediately.

The smile on his face froze.

Then, I firmly agreed with it in my heart!

Absolutely, he hit the nail on the head.

Those kinds of people are just relying on their family background to look down on this and despise that all day long. In reality, they are mediocre, incompetent, and shallow in knowledge.

Who would want to associate with someone like that!
Wang Shuishan completely agreed with Song Shi'an's words and even regarded him as a confidant.

It's very simple; just remember these few phrases when telling a man's fortune.

You are a hardworking and ambitious person. You may not have much in common with the people around you, but you will humble yourself to please them. You may have had some setbacks in the past few years, but once you get through this hurdle, you will have a bright future.

What about for girls?

You appear easygoing but are stubborn inside, preferring to keep many things to yourself rather than share them with others. You are easily moved to pity, but you've been hurt in relationships before, so now you deliberately act aloof.

Wow, that's so accurate, teacher!

You're kidding me. I'll sell you health supplements when you're old.

"I'm not actually that familiar with Zhang Ji... we just happened to run into each other."

Moved, Wang Shuishan bowed to Song Shi'an once again and said, "Wang Shuishan, courtesy name Mucai, is from Anhe County."

"Song Shi'an, courtesy name Jingxiu."

"I felt an immediate connection with Brother Jingxiu, as if we were old friends who had met many times before."

Logically speaking, Wang Shuishan wouldn't say such a thing.

After all, the sons of high-ranking officials in Sheng'an naturally possess a certain arrogance.

Speaking like that can easily make the other person angry.

But just now and now, the other party's attitude clearly shows that they are willing to befriend me.

"Me too."

Song Shi'an smiled slightly.

"Would you mind having a chat with me?" Wang Shuishan offered.

"Gold is easy to come by, but a true friend is hard to find. I share that sentiment," Song Shi'an hesitated. "But I still need to go home..."

"Brother Shi'an."

After interrupting, Wang Shuishan spoke with particular seriousness: "I have reserved a room at the Scholar's Inn. Please do me the honor of staying there."

OK, I've got my short-term meal ticket before the results are released.

.........

"Ce'er, you're back."

Before the carriage arrived home, Song Jing and his men waited in advance.

"Father, mother."

Song Ce bowed and then followed him into the mansion through the main gate.

At this moment, Jiang, who was standing to the side, asked in a low voice, "Young Master, where is Shi An?"

"You bitch, how dare you mention it again?"

As soon as she opened her mouth, Madam Cui started cursing: "If your beastly son dares to reply, I'll have him beaten to death with sticks!"

"They even dare to break through the main gate. Are they trying to seize the family fortune?"

"He deserves it too!"

"He won't get a single tile from this enormous Song mansion!"

Madam Cui glared fiercely at Madam Jiang, wishing she could beat her to death with sticks as well.

It was Song Jing who calmed her down and told her not to argue with him.

"his words……"

Song Ce looked at Jiang Shi and said, "She probably won't be back before the results are announced."

"What? He thinks he can pass the exam?"

Upon hearing this, Song Jing, who had been trying to persuade Madam Cui, suddenly flew into a rage, even more furious than Madam Cui herself. Pointing at the trembling Jiang Shi, veins bulging on his face, he roared, "And do you think your son can just let this go by passing the imperial examination? Remember this, you remember this: even if that scoundrel passes the exam, he can forget about ever entering the Song family mansion! I swear!"

(End of this chapter)