After the previous county examination, the children had all studied hard.
If Xu Mo was not the top of the list, going to the bulletin board to see would be meaningless.
If Xu Mo was the top of the list, going to see the bulletin board would be even more pointless since he wouldn't even be able to catch a glimpse.
It would be better to stay in the wood shed and prick up his ears to listen for any sound.
The brothers had been waiting since the crack of dawn, but by the time the sun was high overhead, they still had not heard the expected sounds of celebration and drums indicating good news.
Could it be that he was not the top of the list? Or had he even failed the exam?
All the brothers were wondering in their hearts, but no one dared to speak this aloud.
Only Jiang Sheng, basking in the sun and eating dried meat, happily said, "I've already prepared a full tael of silver coins for the tip."
It was only last time that she learned celebratory tippers should give at least one tael of silver, with no upper limit.
Jiang Sheng had immediately prepared according to the minimum standard.
In stark contrast to her optimism were the solemn faces of her five brothers, their searching eyes, and slightly hesitant steps.
Just as they were beginning to suspect the top scholar title had gone to someone else, the sound of drums rang out.
Zheng Ruqian was the first to jump up and shout "Yo!" as he rushed outside.
Fang Heng followed closely behind, excitedly like a monkey.
Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan looked at each other. Their personalities were more refined so they got out of bed and put on their shoes at a measured pace. Before they made it out the door of the wood shed, Zheng Ruqian and Fang Heng were already coming back.
One was dejected with his head hanging while the other had a purple and gloomy complexion.
Xu Mo's heart sunk as he softly asked, "Could it be one of the scholar guests staying at the inn who got the top scholar title?"
Zheng Ruqian shook his head indignantly, "It was a family next door hosting a one month celebration."
Xu Mo uttered an "oh", suddenly feeling this waiting was truly unbearable. He would rather have gotten the top scholar and gone to the government office, or not gotten it so he could just take the 50 strokes of the plank and get it over with.
Having his heart hanging in suspense like this was too agonizing.
"Forget it," he suddenly steeled his heart and stood up, "No need to care whether I'm the top scholar or not, let's just go directly to the government office."
But before he could even get his shoes on, the sound of drums rang out again from outside.
This time, everyone didn't dare move. They looked at each other hesitantly, all frozen in place.
"Maybe that family is inviting more people for the one month celebration," Zheng Ruqian murmured hoarsely.
Fang Heng sullenly said, "Or maybe someone is getting married."
Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan sighed at the same time.
Xu Mo closed his eyes.
Jiang Sheng finished the last piece of dried meat and was sucking the oil off her fingers. Seeing her brothers in a daze, she could only smack her lips and grab the one tael of silver coins prepared on the table before going out front of the inn.
The second son of the inn was talking with the drummers.
Seeing Jiang Sheng, he quickly pointed at her and said, "This, this is the younger sister of that scholar boy who hurt his bottom."
The drummers immediately rushed over and sang in a shrill voice, "Top scholar of the county exam Xu Mo, congratulations, congratulations!"
Jiang Sheng smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. "Thanks for sharing my joy!"
She shoved the silver coins over, now it really was a shared joy.
The tippers left happily, leaving Jiang Sheng proudly holding the big red bulletin, ready to meet the envious gazes of everyone in the inn.
"Young miss, your brother is truly amazing. After passing the provincial exam, he'll be a xiucai gentleman!" The second son's attitude towards Jiang Sheng had become much more polite.
The Dayu Dynasty placed great importance on education, yet the road of examinations was arduous. Many grew old with white hair yet never rose above the status of tongsheng student, not to mention those who struggled for a lifetime but never got past xiucai.
For Xu Mo to obtain top scholar of the county exam at such a young age, his future prospects were indeed limitless.
Of course, this was premised on him not knowing Xu Mo had also obtained top scholar of the prefectural exam.
Jiang Sheng thanked the second son and hopped happily back to the wood shed, putting down the bulletin and picking up another piece of dried meat to satisfy her craving.
"Little Jiang Sheng, what is this?" Zheng Ruqian was dumbfounded.
Jiang Sheng spoke while chewing, "Bulletin...I already gave one tael of silver."
Zheng Ruqian stared with wide eyes, unable to speak.
Fang Heng's hands trembled as he suddenly rushed over to hug Xu Mo, crying and laughing.
Wen Zhiyun's eyes also filled with tears. He was so emotional he couldn't control himself. He simply wiped all his tears on Chang Yan.
After the anxiety of the morning, they were now equally ecstatic.
Xu Mo was stunned for a long time before grabbing the bulletin. "Let's go, to the government office!"
The four brothers put on their shoes and robes.
Even the usually solitary Pang Dashan bundled up and came along.
Jiang Sheng was still drinking water. She had eaten too much dried meat and was now thirsty.
Zheng Ruqian grabbed her and hauled her directly onto the carriage.
They set off for the government office.
They had just stopped and not yet gone in when they saw the Anshui Magistrate smiling and standing at the entrance, with a gentleman dressed as a teacher next to him.
They seemed to be conversing.
The Anshui Magistrate was smug. "I didn't judge wrongly, did I?"
"You're quite capable," the teacher gritted his teeth. "A talent like this is rare even in a hundred years. To think you would discover him."
When the carriage stopped in front of them, the Anshui Magistrate quickly hid his smug smile and resumed a dignified and solemn demeanor.
However, when he saw Xu Mo get out of the carriage, the corners of his eyes couldn't help curving up slightly.
"Sir," Xu Mo immediately moved to kneel.
But the Anshui Magistrate stopped him.
"Sir?" Xu Mo sounded puzzled.
The Anshui Magistrate helped him up and patted his shoulder, looking the excellent youth up and down before nodding. "Not bad, not bad."
"You didn't disappoint me. Top scholar of the county and prefecture all the way until now, you're no longer who you used to be."
Xu Mo was a bit at a loss.
The teacher at the side prompted, "According to the rules of the Dayu Dynasty, obtaining top scholar in two consecutive exams means one can become a xiucai without taking the provincial exam."
Xu Mo was confused again.
The surprises had been coming one after another today, frequently and intensely. It had only been a few months since his county exam and he had gritted his teeth and taken the prefectural exam.
By some fluke, he obtained top scholar in the county exam, then happened to get top scholar in the prefectural exam as well.
Now, he was a xiucai.
Xiucai Xu.
He was no longer of the common masses. He could remain seated in court, was exempt from taxes and corvee labor, could teach in schools as a gentleman, and could even study under a teacher to become a juren.
His life was set for smooth sailing.
Even if he encountered the Xieyang Magistrate again, he no longer had anything to fear. He could even talk back and raise objections. The Xieyang Magistrate had no authority to deal with him, and would have to apply to the prefectural government to revoke his xiucai status before being able to detain and punish him.
Xu Mo's eyes moistened.
But even more exciting news was still to come.
The Anshui Magistrate stroked his small goatee and smiled, "The matter with the Xieyang Magistrate involves too many people. I know you're impatient, so why don't we just go to Xieyang County to resolve this injustice. It would also make gathering testimony and evidence easier."
The teacher at the side widened his eyes and exclaimed, "Impossible, impossible!"
The Anshui Magistrate pretended not to hear and beckoned him onto the carriage.
With a neigh of the horse, dozens of yamen runners set off in an imposing manner towards Xieyang County.
