Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 4 Manager Liu

This "Young Master Yan" is none other than himself.

He was Yan Song's only son, Yan Shifan, who was famous even in later generations as the "Little Grand Secretary".

Unlike his father's thin and tall appearance, Yan Shifan must have inherited his mother's plump and fair-skinned genes, giving him a rich and noble appearance, but unfortunately, he was born with a disability in one eye.

Such an appearance obviously made him unable to participate in the imperial examinations. However, under Yan Song's protection, he still entered the Imperial Academy as an official student. Subsequently, he was granted official positions and was promoted repeatedly. Now, before he was even thirty years old, he had already been appointed as the Chief Administrator of Shuntian Prefecture in the capital (assistant to the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture).

Since Yan Maoqing started staying at the Yuzhang Guild Hall, Yan Song, who was in charge of reading the examination papers, has never come here, perhaps to avoid suspicion.

Yan Shifan had come twice before, and each time he arranged a feast for these scholars, leaving a good impression on them and making them familiar faces.

"Greetings, Young Master Yan. My name is Yan Maoqing."

Meeting Yan Shifan's gaze, Yan Maoqing bowed again.

"..."

Zhang Yusheng and the others exchanged bewildered glances, their hearts pounding with apprehension.

They all knew that the exam papers had been opened this afternoon, and the lists of the second and third place winners on the yellow list had been filled out, with only the names of the top three scholars (Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua) left blank for the Emperor to personally announce at the ceremony tomorrow.

As the Minister of Rites and the examiner for this examination, Yan Song was required to be present when the list of successful candidates was filled out, and he must have already known the results in advance.

Therefore, Yan Shifan probably already had a plan in mind.

The purpose of this visit is most likely to congratulate the successful candidates in the imperial examinations in advance and to further strengthen the relationship between the two sides.

But Yan Shifan immediately focused all his attention on Yan Maoqing, who had just claimed that his paper was not even up to standard. What was the reason for this?
Could it be that this scoundrel is just spouting nonsense and feigning humility?

Damn it!
Despicable!
Therefore, Yan Maoqing's chances in this palace examination are at least in the top two ranks, and he may even be the top scholar, second-place scholar, or third-place scholar. That's why he is being given so much attention.

If that's really the case, it's even more painful than killing a few of them!

Just as the group was thinking this, and even began to grit their teeth,

"hehe."

Yan Shifan suddenly let out a cold laugh that was hard to decipher, and then his expression changed.
“The temple of Yuzhang Guild Hall is too small to accommodate a Buddha like you. Don’t say I’m disregarding our fellow townsmen. I’ll give you three days to find another place.”

Eh?
What's going on here?

Zhang Yusheng and the others were stunned again upon hearing this, almost overwhelmed by the sudden and drastic change, and could no longer hide the surprise and doubt on their faces.

They were increasingly confused about what had happened.

Was Yan Maoqing just being modest?
But this doesn't make any sense at all. Even if Yan Maoqing didn't rank well in the palace examination, or even the lowest of the three classes, he would still be a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination). After observing the administration of the Six Ministries, even if things didn't go well, he could still at least get a county magistrate position.

The county magistrate is also an official appointed by the imperial court, and he will still have opportunities for advancement in the future.

Moreover, even if there is no chance for advancement in this life, it can still become a local connection. Isn't that why the Yan family donated funds to establish the Yuzhang Guild Hall outside the Jiangxi Guild Hall?
Yan Shifan could disapprove of him at this moment, or ignore him, but there was really no need to tear off the mask of civility like this.

This move is neither reasonable nor in line with interests. Does the Yan family think they have too many disciples?

"This……"

Yan Maoqing was also somewhat surprised to hear this.

He knew that once he submitted his answer sheet, it would leave a very bad first impression on the cabinet and the ministers of the six ministries.

Even Yan Song would most likely feel disgusted by him. After all, two tigers cannot share one mountain; how could a treacherous official tolerate someone even more cunning than himself vying for the emperor's favor?

As a result, he was naturally not well-liked when he entered the Six Ministries and the Censorate to observe government affairs. His evaluation results were poor, and no one recommended him for an official position. His career path was bleak.

When that time comes, he will put in a little more effort and money to try to resign due to illness.

The cabinet and the ministers of the six ministries were probably eager for peace and quiet, so they cooperated to deceive the emperor and the people, and let him go back to his hometown to recuperate without him even knowing that the Jiajing Emperor would ever know that there was such a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the world.

Unexpectedly, Yan Shifan's reaction was so surprising that he directly broke off relations and expelled him from the Yuzhang Guild Hall.

Yan Maoqing always felt that Yan Song or Yan Shifan's decision lacked political wisdom and was driven by some irrational impulse...

However, upon further reflection, he realized that this matter did not conflict with his goals, so he did not delve into it further, nor did he show any displeasure or resentment. He simply stated in a composed and respectful manner:

"I am deeply grateful for Young Master Yan's hospitality these past few days. How could I possibly trouble you any further? I will now pack my bags and take my leave."

After saying that, he walked towards the side room without looking back.

As for the "Don't underestimate a young person's potential" taunts, let's skip that.

He now only wants to stay away from the court and live a peaceful life. There is no need to force a karmic connection with Yan Shifan and increase the uncertainty of the future.

Moreover, he had been eating, drinking, and staying at Yuzhang Academy for free these days, and the money he had spent was indeed donated by the Yan family. At least for him personally, the Yan family had not owed him anything, and Yan Maoqing was a reasonable person.

"..."

Looking at Yan Maoqing's carefree figure as he walked away, Yan Shifan was somewhat at a loss.

He originally thought that a treacherous villain like Yan Maoqing, who could write that answer sheet, would try every means to make clever excuses or speak ill of him after being ordered to leave. He even thought that he had already prepared to have his servants throw him out before he came.

But now it seems that Yan Maoqing is somewhat different from what he imagined. At least he has some backbone and is not a unreasonable person.

"..."

Zhang Yusheng and the others were still confused about what was going on. They could only look at Yan Maoqing and then at Yan Shifan, curious but not daring to interrupt, lest they get into trouble.

However, there is one thing they are certain of.

Now that Yan Shifan has expelled Yan Maoqing from the Yuzhang Guild Hall, it's clear that Yan Maoqing can no longer rely on Yan Song for the selection of probationary officials after the imperial examination...

While everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts.

"Gentlemen, may I ask..."

A sudden, abrupt sound came from outside the hall.

Yan Shifan, Zhang Yusheng, and the others turned around and looked in the direction of the sound. They saw a middle-aged man dressed in a long blue robe and wearing a square-shaped turban standing outside the door, craning his neck to look into the hall.
"May I ask if Yan Maoqing, the Jinshi (successful candidate in the imperial examination), is currently staying at your esteemed residence...?"

He had only spoken halfway when the middle-aged man suddenly exclaimed "Ouch!" and quickly put on a smiling face, bowing and apologizing.

"Isn't this Young Master Yan? I was blind and have no respect for him!"

"So it's Manager Liu from Luming Pavilion. What do you want with Yan Maoqing?"

Yan Shifan also recognized the middle-aged man, but he knew even better who the middle-aged man's master was, so he put on a smile and asked.

Although he didn't believe that Yan Maoqing could be connected with Manager Liu's master, it wouldn't be superfluous to casually ask a few questions.

(End of this chapter)