Three days later, the imperial exam results were freshly announced. The results were almost as expected, with little deviation. The top scholar was Cui Changxiao, the second place went to Wu the Scholar, and naturally, the third place, like a gentle jade, was Yan Zisheng.
As for the second tier, the chosen scholar was a Jiangnan Scholar named Zhou Bo, while Wei Cheng, who originally ranked fifth, dropped directly to eleventh in the second tier.
After the imperial exam concluded, various officials were granted titles. The top scholar, of course, stayed with Hanlin, while the third place, Yan Zisheng, was appointed as a seventh-grade County Magistrate in Linpu County, Guangxi.
After the conclusion of the imperial exam rankings, it was time for the street parade for the top scholar, a major event that occurs after every autumn examination.
Song Ci, who loves a good spectacle, naturally wouldn’t miss out on this grand event.
But this time, she was invited by the Madam of the Wei Family to join in the excitement.
The Taibai Restaurant, one of the teahouses along the must-pass route for the top scholar’s street parade, was packed, teeming with people.
Song Ci, smiling, pulled Madam Wei aside to express her congratulations, and looked meaningfully at Wang Qiuman, who was beaming with happiness behind her, saying, "At my age, I’m glad I haven’t tarnished my reputation in my old age, but instead made a good match."
Wang Qiuman blushed, her face red and her ears burning, speechless.
Madam Wei, however, smilingly said, "That’s right. When the two children get married, you must have a few more drinks with us."
"Has the date been set?"
"It has. Thanks to your Prime Minister’s blessing, Zisheng planned early, knowing he’d likely be appointed elsewhere, so the date was set sooner so he could get married before taking office." Madam Wei pulled Song Ci to sit down, saying, "The date is set for the third of October, just a few days after your family’s fourth son’s wedding. It doesn’t clash, and you can come drink the wedding wine. You must be there."
"Wow, so soon?" Song Ci calculated and realized there were only about ten days.
"It’s unavoidable; you know that the latest to assume the post is February next year, and it’s already late September," Madam Wei said. "Besides, Zisheng also has a younger sister who hasn’t yet married, and she’s of age and needs to find a husband."
Madam Wei laughed and said, "When the list came out and Zisheng was second, many families wanted a son-in-law. Knowing he was already engaged, they turned their attention to his sister, and there are several such families."
In fact, those people weren’t only eyeing Yan Zisheng for being second but were interested in Yan Zisheng’s political connections.
Who is Yan Zisheng? He’s a protégé of the Song Minister’s Mansion. With such connections and his own talent, how could he not do well in the future?
So among those proposing families, besides contemporaneous scholars, there are many officials, and quite a few military generals too.
"No wonder poor families strive so hard; once someone becomes a scholar, the entire family shares in the glory and prosperity." It’s not an exaggeration to say it’s like ’when one rises to success, even the chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.’
Just like our own family. When Song Zhiyuan became a scholar, the Song Family immediately changed its standing. After more than twenty years of settling and managing, it’s already a new elite.
If Song Zhiyuan has the ability to lead the Song Family further and raise more responsible successors, the Song Family might eventually earn the title of a century-old family. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel✶fire.net
After all, Song Zhiyuan is only in his early forties, which is a golden age. His capital is time, and of course, it all depends on managing wisely and not being self-destructive. Once greed takes over and mistakes are made, the downfall could be swift.
Let’s not dwell on such unfortunate matters.
Just as Song Ci was about to speak, she heard the sound of drums and gongs, and the cheers of the people.
The street parade had arrived!