Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times - Chapter 78
It took one day by boat from Huanshui to Hanbei Prefecture.
So, within one day, the results of the provincial examination were quickly spread to Huanshui Academy.
The students who passed the exam were so happy that they went straight to the tavern in the outer courtyard and wanted to drink until they blacked out.
Whether they passed or not was related to the rest of their life and their family’s expectations. Whether they could stand out depended on exam after exam. Students were under too much pressure. So once the pressure was released, they couldn’t help but want to vent it out. Only wine could best vent their impulses.
At this time, the number one, Jing Xingzhi, was sitting at Chief Fang’s cottage. After reading the news, he smiled very happily.
It was appropriate, which meant he was not crazy with happiness.
There was a sense of accomplishment, but that was it.
Jing Xingzhi grabbed Liu Fang’s hand, played with it, and gave the paper to Liu Fang as a treasure.
Liu Fang looked at it and was more satisfied and happier than Jing Xingzhi, as if he was the one who had achieved the success.
Fang Qichen was also very happy. If he hadn’t accepted a disciple, he wouldn’t know it. Once he did, it would be astonishing. This sense of satisfaction that transcended generations made his heart swell.
However, he was afraid the young disciple would be too happy and waste time preparing for the examination. Fang Qichen forced down his smile: “You did well in the exam this time, but you must guard against arrogance and impetuosity. Don’t be satisfied just because of this little success and forget about the future Palace Examination!”
Jing Xingzhi nodded: “Okay.”
Fang Qichen looked at the young disciple with unconcealed indifference, and asked in surprise: “Why are you not particularly happy?”
He blinked his eyes and said, “It’s okay, I’m very happy. But coming first in the exam, isn’t that normal?”
Liu Fang was not among those taking the exam. Jing Xingzhi thought to himself: ‘I was once the second best in future world. Now that I don’t take the exam to be number one, I still be number one.’
As for the competitors in ancient times, the most famous one this time was Zheng Juelun. Jing Xingzhi also consulted the other party’s article and thought about it. He had already understood his opponent thoroughly, so he was very sure that he would win the first place.
He already knew it, so his joy was limited.
Fang Qichen was a caring and loving father. He thought: among the three major joyous events in life, the leader on the red list was at the top. Why did this little disciple look unhappy?
Weird! Weird! There must be something wrong.
So, Fang Qichen thought about the recent events in his mind and pinned the culprits on Ning Haibo and his wife. They must have affected his young disciple’s mood!
How could he make this young disciple happy normally?
Fang Qichen was afraid of Jing Xingzhi would be too happy and he was also afraid of the young disciple would not be happy at all and feel uncomfortable because of things in his heart.
After thinking for a while, Fang Qichen’s mind came up with the words “Return Home in Beautiful Clothes”.
The relatives in his disciple heart were not Ning Haibo and his wife. But the good neighbors. There were many enthusiastic villagers from Jingjia Village around him.
Fang Qichen raised the corners of his lips and smiled like a landowner. He stroked his beard and suggested: “I remember the Jingjia Village doesn’t have a memorial arch for people passing the exam. If you passed the first place, you should go home and tell the villagers. It’s a fame. You should go home and tell your elders; they will be very happy. I think you might as well pack up and go back to your hometown and stay for a few days.”
Jing Xingzhi was shocked when he heard this. A film broke in his heart, and layers of joy surged up at this moment.
He finally remembered that apart from his own joy, there were other things worth being happy about.
He was Jing Xingzhi, and he was also the little scholar, so he was the pride of the villagers in Jingjia Village, the fulfiller of Father Jing’s last wish, and the beautiful son that Mother Jing hoped for…
He had never met Father and Mother Jing, but they showed great love to the little scholar. Now that he had achieved some success, he still had to tell them and offer them a stick of incense to let them know that this child was going to be successful.
“I’m afraid if I go back for too long this time, I’ll slack off my studies. I won’t be able to stay for a few days, so I won’t take you with me.” Jing Xingzhi looked at Liu Fang and analyzed with him.
Liu Fang took the boat with him to take the exam and Jing Xingzhi was afraid if Liu Fang hadn’t had a good rest yet, so he didn’t plan to take Liu Fang with him.
Liu Fang touched his belly and puffed up his cheeks, feeling unhappy, but he still nodded in agreement.
Fang Qichen looked at this scene and chuckled: “Next time you go back, you will go with the baby. They will definitely be happy! They won’t blame Xiao Fang for not being able to go back this time.”
Jing Xingzhi went alone, packing his things and leaving the next day.
.
On the other side, Wu Mingrui rushed back excitedly to share the good news with his friend, but his friend ran away…
Wu Mingrui was happy but helpless: “Did he know that I would come back today, and he ran so fast?”
Liu Fang looked at him and guessed he must be very tired. He didn’t go home at all, and rushed to the academy as soon as he arrived at the pier.
Liu Fang reminded him: “Brother Mingrui, go say thank you to the teachers, and then go home quickly. Aunt Wu is still waiting for you at home.”
“Okay, I won’t disturb you here. I’ll come back later. I’ll invite you to my house for dinner again.” Wu Mingrui bowed to Liu Fang and turned around to thank the teachers in the academy.
After thanking his teachers, Wu Mingrui had to go to the chief’s home to say thanks, because Jing Xingzhi, the chief’s disciple, always helped him, otherwise he would not have achieved such results this time.
But when thinking about the chief’s house, Wu Mingrui thought of Young Lady Fang. He probably… wouldn’t be able to meet her, right?