Free Web NovelChapter 338: Chapter 135: Being Recognized
It was no surprise that the Lord Prefect remembered Zhao Jing. After all, he was the top candidate of his county and a truly masterful writer.
But for De’an to also be on the Lord Prefect’s radar... did that mean the boy had gotten incredibly lucky and actually passed the academy examination?
The thought flashed through Chen Song’s mind, and for a moment, he could barely contain his excitement.
He didn’t dare let it show, however, and only replied to Mr. Sheng with even greater deference, "Your insight is truly sharp, Lord Prefect. Those two young men are indeed my son and son-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Sheng burst into hearty laughter.
His laughter left both Mr. Cheng and Chen Song bewildered. But neither dared to question the Lord Prefect, so they could only smile along awkwardly in their confusion.
After he finished laughing, Mr. Sheng nodded slightly and pointed at Chen Song. "You are a fortunate man. Your son is promising, and your son-in-law is a true dragon among men. Chen Song, oh, Chen Song, your greatest blessings are yet to come."
Chen Song and Mr. Cheng were utterly baffled, unable to fathom why Mr. Sheng would say such a thing. But this didn’t stop Chen Song from replying earnestly, "If I am truly to be blessed with good fortune, it will be thanks to your benevolence, my Lord. It is those two boys who should properly kneel and thank you."
Mr. Sheng laughed heartily again, but he didn’t continue on that topic. Instead, he brought up the treasure box.
"Regarding the presentation of the treasure box, Your Majesty and the Empress were greatly pleased. In a few days, I expect a reward will be bestowed."
Chen Song quickly said, "I have already been rewarded. You promoted me, and the Lord County Magistrate even gave me a sum of silver..."
Because of that treasure box, Chen Song, a mere clerk, had been exceptionally promoted to County Deputy, and the Lord County Magistrate had even awarded him a special prize of thirty taels of silver.
He couldn’t very well split the official title of County Deputy, so he gave all thirty taels of silver to Zhao Jing.
Zhao Jing, however, refused it. He said that Chen Wanqing had been the one to find the treasure box; he had merely helped deliver a few meals and felt he didn’t deserve so much silver.
At Zhao Jing’s request, Chen Song told no one else about the matter. Even Mrs. Zhao was kept in the dark.
But Chen Song didn’t keep the thirty taels of silver for himself. He sent it all with his daughter to the Zhao Family as part of her dowry.
’I had thought that was the end of the rewards for the treasure box,’ he thought. ’Could there be more?’
Mr. Sheng calculated the time. "It should be arriving soon. I told you your good fortune was yet to come. And now, it’s about to be proven true."
In the end, Chen Song walked out of the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office on unsteady feet.
Chen Song still hadn’t fully come to his senses by the time he reached the posthouse where Mr. Cheng was staying.
After taking a seat, Mr. Cheng looked at the dazed Chen Song and couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.
His own official career had been a struggle, half his life wasted in stagnation. His children and grandchildren showed little talent; they had only managed to pass the Child Examination and had never even attempted the prefectural-level one.
Chen Song, in contrast, had come from a humble, rural background, yet he was capable, and both his son and son-in-law were making him proud. Now, he was even on the Lord Prefect’s radar...
The river flows east for thirty years, then west for thirty years. Though he was Chen Song’s direct superior now, in a few years, he might be the one trying to curry favor with Chen Song.
At this thought, Mr. Cheng’s eyes filled with melancholy.
But he quickly pulled himself together.
Chen Song was his man; he surely wouldn’t forget their history. Chen Song’s son and son-in-law were now part of his network, too. Perhaps one day, they might be the ones to help him get a promotion.
In that case, they would be his benefactors. freewebnσvel.cøm
Having come to this realization, Mr. Cheng became even more cordial toward Chen Song. He began by lavishing him with praise, calling him alert, astute, and capable. He went on to say that if it weren’t for him, the scholars of Guyuan County would have suffered for who knows how much longer.
The praise made Chen Song’s scalp tingle and his weathered face flush slightly. Only then did Mr. Cheng bring up the official matter. "The results will be posted tomorrow. Once the list of new Scholars is confirmed, I’ll return to Qingshui County ahead of you. I’ll take Wo Laicai and the county constables with me. You can stay here and rest for a few days and travel back with your family."
Chen Song quickly waved his hands in refusal. "How could I do that? Official business is more important. I must return to ensure Wo Laicai’s case is settled quickly. That is what truly matters."
"Listen to me. I will preside over the case; you just stay here in the Prefecture for now. I hear your son is on good terms with several other high-ranking candidates. They will likely travel home together, and you can escort them and offer some protection."
This was Mr. Cheng’s way of allowing Chen Song to act for personal reasons, all under a noble-sounding pretext.
As it happened, Chen Song really was uneasy about his son, daughter, and son-in-law traveling back alone, so he shamelessly accepted Mr. Cheng’s kind offer.
