The Marquise: I Earn My Own Worship

"Well, what Mr. Cheng said is really great!"

Song Shengfu clapped her hands in joy. It was rare to see students with such thoughts in this era. Looking at the person in front of her, he had a clear face and good conversation.

If he passes the imperial examination and becomes an official, he will definitely have a place in the court in a dozen years.

It is extremely difficult for people from poor families to enter officialdom, but it would be different if they had someone to support them.

Three years from now, this boy will soar into the sky like a dragon entering the river. If someone helps him in his humble days...

Cheng Xi felt relieved immediately, it seemed that he had chosen the right path.

"but..."

Cheng Xi:!

Cheng Xi's heart was in suspense again.

Song Shengfu didn't notice the psychological changes of the person in front of her, and called Wei Jie'er who was reading a book next to her.

Sister Wei obediently walked over and leaned against Song Shengfu.

Song Shengfu stroked Wei Jie'er's hair before continuing, "I have a granddaughter who's not even six yet. I want her to study with me for a few years. I don't ask her to learn anything special, just enough to be knowledgeable and sensible. If you can accept this, you can stay. If not, then forget it."

Cheng Xi looked at the well-behaved little girl leaning against Lady Duan, and the stone in his heart finally fell.

He was not a pedantic person, he was just teaching two children at once, so he stood up and responded respectfully.

Song Shengfu was even happier when she saw this. Now the child's education was settled, so she ordered someone to take Master Cheng down and settle him down.

After everyone left, Sister Wei spoke:

"Grandma, does Sister Wei have to study later?"

Hearing the soft voice, Song Shengfu's heart softened.

Holding the soft and sticky pink dumpling in her arms, Song Shengfu looked doting and serious.

"Sister Wei, tell Grandmother first if you want to go."

Shen Shiwei tilted her head and thought seriously, then shook her head at the kind old lady in front of her.

"Sister Wei doesn't know either, but she had never read it before. Her father only occasionally took her to learn to read. Now she has finished reading the Thousand Character Classic."

Song Shengfu was indeed a little surprised now. She didn't know about her child's reading situation before, but seeing that Kang Ge'er had not yet learned all the words, she must have thought that Wei Jie'er must be very smart.

So, she showed her surprise and praised directly, "How come our sister Wei is so amazing? She even memorized the entire Thousand Character Classic."

After hugging Shen Shiwei and kissing her for a few times, he continued, "Sister Wei, you should study even more. This world doesn't require us women to read a lot, but sometimes we will inevitably encounter some problems in life, and sometimes we can find solutions from books."

"You must remember that studying is not just about becoming an official, but more about enriching yourself and understanding more truths in the process of studying."

Sister Wei nodded as if she understood, then hugged Song Shengfu's arm and started to act coquettishly.

"Brother Cheng, congratulations."

When Mr. Kang saw Cheng Xi packing his clothes, he knew that he had been successfully selected. He felt a little sad, but he was also really happy for Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi stopped and bowed seriously to Mr. Kang.

"I have to thank Brother Kang for informing me of this yesterday, otherwise this day wouldn't be here."

When Mr. Kang saw that Cheng Xi still remembered him, his face looked much better.

Seeing this, Cheng Xi quickly continued, "I've read Brother Kang's articles before. Today, we understand the world through facts. Brother Kang's writing style is simple, and his topics are relevant to people's livelihood. I believe he should be on the list this time. So, I would like to congratulate Brother Kang in advance."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Kang was overjoyed, but he couldn't show it, so he could only modestly recommend: "No, no, my literary talent is far inferior to Brother Cheng, it's just..."

Feeling that he had said something wrong, Kang Juren hastened to make amends: "I did say something wrong, please don't mind, Brother Cheng."

Cheng Xi didn't take it to heart. It was pointless to say more now that things had come to this.

"Nothing, just bad luck. It seems I won't be able to take the imperial examination this time. I'll have to wait another three years before trying again."

Seeing that Cheng Xi showed no reluctance at all, Kang Juren sighed that the man before him was very open-minded and would surely have great fortune in the future. This could be considered a good relationship for them.

"Brother Cheng has a broad mind that is unmatched by most people. I admire him."

......

"Hurry, hurry, the results will be announced today, go and wait at the door."

Several maids and servants went to the gate to wait. If the Fourth Master won, whoever ran fast enough to pass the message would receive the reward.

In the main courtyard, it was rare for all the people from the Duan Mansion to gather together. Duan Jing'an did not practice martial arts today. After the training in the past few days, his originally fair skin was tanned a little yellow, and his body became much stronger.

While waiting, Duan Jing'an felt a little restless and kept walking back and forth in the hall.

"Oh, my dear Fourth Uncle, please stop wandering around. You're making me dizzy."

Kang Ge was acting and shaking his head. Duan Jing'an saw this and went over to pick up Duan Chengkang. Because he was very confused, he looked for an outlet to vent his anger and started to touch his itchy spots.

Kang Ge'er couldn't bear it and kept asking his fourth uncle to spare his life.

Sister Wei and Brother Xuan on the side couldn't stop laughing, and Duan Jingzong and Lu also laughed along.

Song Shengfu laughed and scolded: "You deserve it, who told you to provoke your fourth uncle?"

Seeing no one to help him, Kang Ge'er quickly shouted: "Help, help, someone is coming from outside."

Duan Jing'an quickly stopped and looked, but he escaped before he knew it.

He looked around and saw no one coming. It was obvious that he had been fooled by this kid. He turned around and was about to catch the fat boy when he heard an excited voice in the distance.

“I got it, I got it!!”

Duan Jing'an didn't react for a moment, but Duan Jingzong and Lu immediately stood up and looked outside.

As for Song Shengfu.

Oh, I’m old and my ears aren’t very good, so I didn’t hear it.

But seeing everyone's reactions, she knew the result was out. Song Shengfu had memories of what happened afterwards, so she didn't take it to heart at all. She was going to win anyway.

A little maid about ten years old ran in from outside, shouting "I got it, I got it" all the time.

When he entered the room and saw that his masters were all looking at him, he suddenly stuttered and kept saying "hit the mark".

Duan Jing'an couldn't wait any longer and rushed out and went straight to the main gate.

A team of yamen runners just arrived at the door.

"Is anyone at Duan Bo's residence?"

The gatekeeper cleverly stepped forward and handed over two purses.

"Sir, our masters are all here."

The yamen runner struck the gong and sang loudly: "The imperial examination of Duan Jing'an in the Duan Bo Mansion of the capital has been passed. The imperial examination of Duan Jing'an in the Duan Bo Mansion of the capital has been passed. The imperial examination of Duan Jing'an in the Duan Bo Mansion of the capital has been passed."

After saying it three times in a row, Duan Jing'an's heart seemed to be about to jump out. For a moment, his body was stiff and his hands and feet were sweating.

It was not until Song Shengfu and others arrived and Duan Jingzong pushed him that he came to his senses.

The doorman next door had already lit firecrackers, and the sound of firecrackers was extremely lively.

Song Shengfu sent someone to stuff a handful of silver into the yamen runner who delivered the message, and the maids and servants who had prepared several baskets of copper coins began to scatter gold at the door.

Passersby gathered at the door and rushed forward to grab the items. It was not because they were short of money or anything, but because those who had children and grandchildren at home wanted to grab some to take back and share in the joy of the tribute scholar.