Ling Muzhu said with lingering fear, this was even crazier than robbing gold and silver treasures. If there were soldiers blocking them, it would have already descended into chaos and been difficult to resolve.
“You now understand how terrifying it is. If you had shouted louder just now, we would have been swept up in the scramble and also found it difficult to escape.”
Fortunately, she quickly covered Ling Muzhu’s mouth to stop him from shouting, otherwise, they would have been among those being swarmed.
“I was just too excited. Who could have expected them to be so frenzied…”
“Young Madam, Young Master Ling, are you also here to see the list?”
Upon hearing the voice, Feng Jin and Ling Muzhu turned their heads in unison and saw Sheng Xubai standing behind them, dressed in elegant white attire.
“Congratulations to Young Master Sheng for achieving the top position. Your future career path will surely soar.”
While looking for Ling Muzhu’s name, she had also happened to glimpse Sheng Xubai’s name at the very top of the list, which was within her expectations.
After all, with Sheng Xubai’s knowledge, no one else was qualified to be the top scholar in this imperial examination.
“Young Madam is too kind. It is Young Master Ling who has come from behind to achieve the second highest rank, which is truly admirable.”
Although Sheng Xubai’s words were praising Ling Muzhu, his gaze kept lingering on Feng Jin.
Ling Muzhu, standing to the side, seemed to sense Sheng Xubai’s odd behavior. He stepped forward and blocked Feng Jin, saying, “It was merely a stroke of luck. Everyone in the capital knows of the great reputation of Sheng Sanlang, and Young Master Sheng’s knowledge is unparalleled in the world. There is no need for such modesty.”
Sheng Xubai lightly shook his paper fan, concealing his true emotions, and coughed softly, saying, “Young Master Ling has indeed changed greatly from before.”
“Young Master Sheng, we have matters to attend to at our manor and cannot converse with you any longer. We will take our leave. You should also depart soon to avoid being targeted by any young ladies, lest you incur more trouble.”
With a well-intentioned warning, Feng Jin turned and left directly, not sparing Sheng Xubai a single glance. In her eyes, Sheng Xubai was merely a passing stranger.
After cupping his hands in greeting, Ling Muzhu hurried to follow Feng Jin’s footsteps. He was eager to share the good news with his grandfather and father as soon as possible.
…
“You all quickly hang the red sashes. You go buy some firecrackers from the street. The mansion must be decorated splendidly with lanterns and festive lights. I will inform the ancestors in the ancestral hall of this momentous occasion…”
Old Master Ling instructed excitedly. Among his grandsons, Ling Muzhu had always been the most worrying. Ling Muzhu’s success in achieving the second highest rank was a tremendous piece of good news, bringing honor to their Ling family.
Such great news naturally called for everyone to know, and especially to inform their ancestors of the Ling family’s current prosperity.
“Old Master, please rest assured. These matters have all been arranged in advance, and there will be no mistakes. You just need to wait for Young Madam and Young Master Ling to return.”
As the butler finished speaking, Ling Muzhu’s excited and overjoyed voice came from outside the gate.
“Grandfather… Grandfather… Your grandson greets Grandfather!”
“Good child, quickly rise… quickly rise!”
Old Master Ling walked with measured steps and personally helped Ling Muzhu up, saying, “You are truly worthy and have brought glory to our Ling family. After your elder brother, our Ling manor has another top scholar. This is truly bringing honor to our ancestors!”
“Grandfather, how did you know so early? Your grandson hadn’t even had the chance to tell you yet.”
Ling Muzhu’s furrowed brow was filled with confusion. He hadn’t even announced the good news yet, so how did his grandfather know?
“Young Master Ling, you may not know, but a message from the imperial eunuch was sent to the manor early this morning conveying the imperial decree that you achieved the second highest rank. Old Master was so delighted that he directly rewarded the eunuch with a hundred taels of gold. Young Master, look at how the mansion is decorated with lanterns and festive lights, all prepared for your success.”
The butler, with keen insight, explained the matter, his eyes also filled with joy.
Ling Muzhu then realized that an imperial eunuch had come to deliver the news. If he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have had to wait at the entrance of the examination hall for so long, his hands frozen purple in the biting cold.
“Muzhu, your success in achieving the second highest rank this time is a momentous occasion. Quickly go and burn incense, bathe, and change your clothes. We must inform the ancestors in the ancestral hall so they can also rejoice in this matter.”
“Grandfather, I can also open the ancestral hall to inform the ancestors?” Ling Muzhu’s voice was filled with shock and disbelief.
One must know that the family’s ancestral hall was only opened on the first and fifteenth day of each month, and during festivals. Only the elder brother had the right to perform individual sacrifices to the ancestors in the ancestral hall. He used to envy it and even boasted that one day he would also be as glorious as his elder brother, informing the ancestors in great splendor.
He never expected that day would come so quickly. His arrogant words from that day had now come true.
Even now, he felt as if he were still dreaming. Everything felt unreal. He was now so careful even when blinking, fearing that he might wake up from the dream with a blink and everything before him would disappear.
“Naturally! You are so promising, you are a good son of our Ling family!”
Every wrinkle on Old Master Ling’s face was filled with pride and excitement. He who had previously looked down on Ling Muzhu the most was now made to feel immensely proud by him.
Ling Muzhu did not feel joy. Instead, he fell silent for a moment before lowering his head. When he looked up again, his eyes were dimmed. After a moment of hesitation, he stood up.
With a ‘thump,’ he knelt heavily before Old Master Ling.
“Muzhu, what are you doing? Quickly rise!”
Old Master Ling was startled by his sudden action and quickly reached out to help Ling Muzhu up.
However, Ling Muzhu dodged his hand. After a pause, Ling Muzhu gathered his courage and said, “Your grandson has something to ask of you, Grandfather, and hopes you will grant it!”
“Muzhu, whatever you have to say, speak slowly after you get up. The ground is cold and biting, do not catch a chill!”
“What your grandson seeks may anger you, Grandfather. To ask for your forgiveness, please allow your grandson to speak while kneeling.”
Old Master Ling’s outstretched hand froze in mid-air. After a moment of hesitation, he quietly withdrew his hand. It seemed he had some understanding of what Ling Muzhu was about to request. He sighed with a hint of helplessness and coaxed, “Muzhu, Grandfather knows what you want to ask. You are no longer young, and you should understand why I insisted on imprisoning your father.”