Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 640 - 640 641 Failed the List_1

Chapter 640: Chapter 641: Failed the List_1 Chapter 640: Chapter 641: Failed the List_1 “Mu, you should just drop it,” Tianniu said. “He sounds like someone from a family of power and influence, and I’m worried you’ll make enemies.”

Muniang laughed and did not talk about it anymore, “What about Zhao Jiangshui? Why aren’t you with him?”

“He went to a gathering with the fellow students who came to the capital to sit for the exams. Since I don’t belong to their group, I didn’t go with him,” Tianniu replied.

“No wonder,” Muniang teased. “I was wondering why you could stay here so obediently today. Turns out your sweetheart is not free, eh?”

Unembarrassed, Tianniu retorted, “Even if he’s not free, I would still be here. He kept me company to watch the play.”

Teasing Tianniu never had any effect, so Muniang didn’t bother trying to joke any further and got straight to the point, “How did Zhao Jiangshui do on the exams? Have you asked him? If it didn’t go well, what is he thinking? Is he really planning to wait until he’s achieved scholarly honor before marrying you? How long would you have to wait for that?”

Laughing, Tianniu said, “Don’t worry, I can tell he’s quite confident, and he likely won’t fail. Even if he does fail, I’ll wait for him even if he doesn’t marry me!”

Muniang glared, “You silly girl, still waiting? You want to end up an old maid?”

“Oh, I was just saying. I believe in Zhao Jiangshui; he’s definitely going to succeed!”

Muniang chuckled softly, “Yes, yes, your Zhao Jiangshui is the best. If he doesn’t make it, who will?”

The next day was the day the results were posted, and the capital suddenly boiled over with excitement. When the list was posted, the crowd around it was so thick there was no breaking through, layer upon layer of people. An attendant student squeezed his way in strenuously, eagerly focusing his eyes as he read from the top of the list downwards, checking three times over but in vain—his name was nowhere to be found!

Even the usually composed Zhao Jiangshui was restless with anxiety over this life-changing outcome, pacing around the yard over and over. Tianniu watched him, not daring to interrupt, almost wishing she could rush out to the street to see what rank he had achieved, if any.

“Young master, young master!” The attendant student ran back hurriedly, and Zhao Jiangshui quickly went to open the door.

“Did you see it?”

Panting heavily, the student said dryly, “Young master, you didn’t pass.”

Zhao Jiangshui’s vision darkened, and he nearly stumbled and fell, incredulous, “I didn’t pass? How is that possible?”

“I counted three times, truly not a single name was missed. Young master is not on the list; I don’t know why this happened.”

Tianniu felt a tightness in her chest too. Zhao Jiangshui was originally so confident, yet now he wasn’t even listed among the hundreds of names. What a blow to his pride this must be.

While some homes were filled with joy, others were colored with sorrow; the Feng Family, however, was bustling with exceptional liveliness. Firecrackers crackling, they celebrated and welcomed guests, with a continuous stream of people arriving to offer their congratulations. The entrance was as busy as a marketplace.

“Congratulations, congratulations! Your son has distinguished himself among the tens of thousands of aspirants in this examination, seizing the top spot. Securing this conspicuous position of Number One Scholar is a great honor indeed.”

“I’ve always felt that Mr. Feng’s learning is extraordinary, surpassing many others, and now that I see him, it truly lives up to his reputation.”

“Mr. Feng possesses a celestial bearing, truly impressive. This time he has topped the imperial examination; in a few days at the palace examination, based on Mr. Feng’s knowledge, he will surely stand out before His Majesty. By then, the title of Number One Scholar will undoubtedly be his for the taking!”

Mr. Feng greeted each guest at the entrance, his face blooming with a smile, radiating immeasurable joy.

“Where, where, you flatter me too much. It’s just luck, only luck. Please, come inside. My son will take care of you personally, haha.”

After escorting a group of guests inside, he lifted his eyes and saw a familiar figure approaching—it was Yu Ming, who had prepared a generous gift, waiting for the announcement day to present it. He had long known that Feng Rui was to become the Number One Scholar, so it was no surprise to him now. It was just an opportunity to thank his uncle for helping him in secret.

“Uncle, I heard that my cousin topped the list. I’ve specially prepared a generous gift to offer my congratulations,” Yu Ming said with a smile.

Mr. Feng valued this nephew quite highly; after all, he was his own sister’s son, a link of blood, and moreover, his constant aim was to have Marquis Chen Mansion fall into Yu Ming’s hands, which in effect would be the same as falling into Feng Family’s hands. Therefore, he had always helped Yu Ming quite a bit in secret. Now, with Yu Jin and Yu Ze returning, it posed a considerable crisis for Yu Ming, and how could he ignore it? Even if Yu Ming didn’t seek him out, he had to ensure that Yu Jin couldn’t come back and live in peace.

“Haha, you’re sharp. Hurry inside,” Mr. Feng laughed heartily. The items Yu Ming brought this time were indeed of great value, obviously prepared with care to honor him—it was just that today provided a good occasion for it.

Feng Rui regained his reputation among the young gentlemen instantly, not only winning the previous bet but also seeming to have erased the humiliation he had suffered at Qiao Muniang’s place just the day before. He even began to be buoyant with pride at the thought of becoming the Number One Scholar in this imperial examination, eventually becoming a legend among the nobility of the capital.

Marquis Mansion, Muniang had sent a servant out early to gather news of the examination results, but they returned with word that Zhao Jiangshui was nowhere on the list.

“What? Not listed?” Muniang’s face paled, and she sighed before saying, “Go on, you may leave.”

Qingya worriedly said, “What shall we do? Mr. Zhao failed the exam. He’ll be disheartened and have no mind for marriage now. Worse, he might even decide to try again in three years and delay marriage until he passes. How could Miss Qiao wait that long?”

“I originally thought he had an eighty percent chance of success. I didn’t expect it to end like this. After all, he is still young. It was me who was too eager and held such great expectations for this attempt. It seems Tianniu will be the one to suffer.”

“What’s wrong?” Yu Ze walked in and saw Muniang with a troubled look on her face: “Who’s upset you?”

Muniang, feeling helpless yet amused, said, “Why do you always jump to that conclusion? Am I such an easy target? ”

Yu Ze, with a slight smile, replied, “I’m just worried about you being wronged. So what is it, really?”

“Today’s the release of the examination results. Zhao Jiangshui didn’t pass, and he’s probably very distressed right now. Thinking of Tianniu, I just can’t help but feel worried. It’s such a pity, and now we have to wait another three years.”

“What’s three years?” retorted Yu Ze. “How many people wait a lifetime for those three years? There are plenty of candidates who are seventy to eighty years old. He’s just sixteen and you’re already sighing for him because he failed once? A man who can’t withstand setbacks hardly deserves to compete.”

“You’re right, of course, but I’m worried about Tianniu’s marriage. She’s set her heart on Zhao Jiangshui. Now that he’s failed, he’s bound to be disheartened and may not be in the mood to find a wife, which leaves Tianniu delayed.”