Chapter 379: Made it to the List

Translator: CokeZero Editor: Rainystars

Zhang Biyan couldn’t hold back and almost cursed out loud. She couldn’t fathom why Lu Jiao had to wish such things upon her.

With a smile on her face, Lu Jiao graciously escorted Zhang Biyan out, as if she had no idea that her words were offensive.

Zhang Biyan felt extremely uncomfortable as she couldn’t burst out in anger nor could she let it go. Eventually, she left with a darkened expression and headed to the front courtyard to call Li Wenbin to leave together.

Xie Yunjin still politely hosted Li Wenbin for a while, and after exchanging a few words, Li Wenbin took his leave.

As soon as they got into the horse carriage, Zhang Biyan looked at Li Wenbin coldly and sneered, “Others are scholars just like you, yet they have become an aide to the magistrate, earning respect and high status. In this tiny Qinghe County, who doesn’t know that Scholar Xie helped the magistrate to remove two corrupt officials? And you? You’ve achieved nothing, you’re just pretending all the time.”

After her sarcastic remark, Zhang Biyan didn’t even spare a glance at Li

Wenbin. She instructed the coachman outside, “Let’s go back.”

The coachman from the Zhang family acknowledged her command and steered the carriage away.

Back in the Xie residence, Lu Jiao informed Xie Yunjin about Zhang Biyan’s attempt to gift her ginseng and ganoderma.

“You wouldn’t believe her expression when she presented those items. It was quite amusing. She seemed to think I’d never seen anything valuable in my life. When she saw I didn’t react, she even went out of her way to emphasize that they were decades-old ginseng and ganoderma.”

Lu Jiao shared this with a smile. Xie Yunjin looked at her affectionately and said, “You must have really embarrassed her.”

Xie Yunjin knew Lu Jiao’s personality well.

Lu Jiao nodded, “Exactly. I had Feng Zhi immediately bring out our decades-old ginseng and lingzhi.”

After she finished recounting the incident, Xie Yunjin asked with a puzzled expression, “Didn’t you sell the ganoderma we found in our home earlier?”

Lu Jiao was momentarily taken aback, then she realized and awkwardly chuckled, “Actually, I found more ganoderma and ginseng later. But I didn’t sell them. I kept them at home for future use, in case someone gets sick and needs these medicinal herbs.”

Xie Yunjin didn’t doubt Lu Jiao’s explanation. It was Lu Jiao who felt a bit uneasy because he seemed to completely believe her.

However, her space was an important matter and she couldn’t reveal it now. She decided to wait until she was absolutely sure about being with Xie Yunjin before letting him in on her secret.

Lu Jiao changed the subject, discussing Zhang Biyan’s invitation to go

shopping.

“I sense that the Zhang family is trying to win us over. We need to be cautious.”

“Agreed.”

After finishing the conversation, they moved on and Lu Jiao helped Xie Yunjin change his bandages and apply medicine.

On September 13th, the preliminary imperial examination began.

The preliminary exam took place in Ningzhou Prefecture, lasting for three days. There were three consecutive rounds of examinations: first on the classics, then on the Four Books and Five Classics, followed by recall and comprehensive evaluations.

After three days of testing, the results were published three days later.

The Xie family wasn’t affected much since Xie Yunjin didn’t take part in the preliminary examination, so there was no tension at home.

However, as the time for the results to be posted approached, Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao became quite anxious. Xie Yunjin had previously received money from some students for tutoring and guiding them, so he wanted to know how many of them had succeeded.

Additionally, he was curious whether Classmate Han and Zhao Hong, the son of the neighboring constable, had made it.

Anticipating the announcement of the results, Xie Yunjin sent Zhou Shaogong to keep watch near the county office. Once the results were displayed, Zhou Shaogong would check to see if Classmate Han and Zhao Hong were on it.

Zhou Shaogong had already gone to the county office early in the morning to keep watch.

Officer Zhao from the neighboring house also had nothing else to do and stationed himself in front of the county office.

There were quite a few scholars and their families gathered in front of the county office.

In previous years, Qinghe County might have been lucky to get two or three candidates to pass, sometimes even none.

But today, when the list was displayed, excitement quickly filled the area in front of the county office.

Qinghe County had successfully secured eleven candidates passing the examination, a historical record!

Not only were the scholars and their families excited, even Magistrate Hu felt ecstatic.

It was his achievement, after all.

Upon seeing the list, Zhou Shaogong hurriedly rode back to the Xie residence to report to Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao.

“I’ve done what the master had asked, both Master Han and Master Zhao have made it onto the list. However, Master Zhao is ranked last.”

Before Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao could react with happiness, Officer Zhao and his wife Lady Lu entered with big strides.

“Yunjin, I thank you, I thank you for helping Zhao Hong with his studies and enabling him to pass the scholar’s exam.”

Zhao Hong barely made it onto the list. If it weren’t for Yunjin’s guidance, he would have been nameless on the list this time.

Zhao and his wife were particularly grateful to Xie Yunjin.

Officer Zhao, growing happier as he thought more, said loudly, “We’re hosting a feast at my house tomorrow. You must all come and join.”

Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao were also delighted, responding with smiles, “Sure, we’ll definitely come to the feast tomorrow. Don’t worry, Uncle Zhao.”

After a few more joyful words, Zhao and his wife turned to leave.

Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao exchanged smiles, “Both classmate Han and Zhao Hong passed. This is great news.”

Before they could finish their conversation, Lu Gui rushed in and exclaimed,

“Sister, Brother-in-law, Master Han is here.”

No sooner had Lu Gui spoken, classmate Han burst into the room. He rushed to Xie Yunjin’s side and held his hand, his voice choked with emotion.

“Yunjin, I passed, I passed.”

What a stroke of luck!

Given the recent turmoil in the Han family, he managed to pass the scholar’s exam. Han felt as though he had been granted a new chapter in his life.

Tightly gripping Xie Yunjin’s hand, Han said emotionally, “Yunjin, I passed. I finally passed. Thank you. It’s all thanks to you. Without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this.”

Xie Yunjin was happy for him, but he didn’t try to claim all the credit. He smiled and said, “Your effort played a significant role in this. Don’t give all the credit to someone else.”

He then added with a smile, “Congratulations. You’re now a scholar.”

Han nodded vigorously. After years of studying, he finally passed the scholar’s exam. It wasn’t in vain.

If it wasn’t for Yunjin’s help, he knew that based on his own abilities, he truly wouldn’t have been able to pass the scholar’s exam. He was also aware that reaching the level of being a scholar was already quite an accomplishment. He didn’t plan to continue studying further; he intended to focus on his business.

Thinking about this, Han happily said, “My family will host a meal tomorrow. Yunjin, you and your wife must come.”

Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao immediately thought about the dinner invitation from Officer Zhao’s family.

“We can’t make it tomorrow. Tomorrow, Officer Zhao’s family has invited the local leaders for dinner, and we had already agreed to attend.”

Upon hearing this, Han promptly suggested, “Then we’ll arrange it for the day after tomorrow. You must come then.’

Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao were about to agree, but at that moment, Lu Gui entered again and reported, “Brother-in-law, Sister, Dean Lu and his wife have come to visit.”

Hearing about Madam Xia’s visit, Xie Yunjin’s expression turned somewhat cold. However, considering Dean Lu’s status, he refrained from saying anything. He raised his hand to signal Lu Gui to bring them in.

Lu Gui quickly ushered in Dean Lu and Madam Xia..