Free Web NovelChapter 341: Chapter 136: Lesser Triple First, Part 3
It wasn’t just noisy upstairs; waves of clamor also rose from the teahouse below.
Standing by the window, one could hear the announcers excitedly drawing out their words in a singsong voice, "Master So-and-so has placed third in the college exam!" "Congratulations, Master So-and-so, on passing and becoming a Scholar!" "Felicitations to Master So-and-so, who is henceforth a venerated Scholar!"
Those who received good news would act as if possessed, grabbing their companions and roaring with laughter. Meanwhile, those who failed to become Scholars looked dejected, some even bowing their heads to sob quietly.
All of life’s varied states were on display, a sight that couldn’t help but make one sigh. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
But thankfully, the people she cared about had all passed. This was truly the greatest blessing.
Zhao Jing and the others were overjoyed at becoming Scholars. freewebnoveℓ.com
Wang Xiao, with a grand gesture, was ready to book a table at the restaurant next door to get the celebration started.
Before they could even make a move toward the restaurant, they saw Chen Song hurrying up from downstairs.
His eyes scanned the room, quickly locking onto Zhao Jing and De’an in the crowd. He strode purposefully forward and pulled both of them into a tight embrace.
"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! You are truly my good son and my good son-in-law! Wonderful! You’ve brought great honor to your father!"
Chen Song was in attendance on Mr. Cheng, the County Magistrate, and was staying with him at the posthouse.
Today was the day the results were announced, and all the County Magistrates were distracted. They had gathered in the first-floor lobby to drink tea since early in the morning.
As the lists of names were passed around, the County Magistrates heard that the final selection of Scholars was largely the same as the top-ranking candidates from the county exams. Only then did they breathe a collective sigh of relief and find themselves in the mood to joke with one another.
It was no wonder they had been on pins and needles. If the final list of Scholars had differed too greatly from the county exam rankings, the Lord Prefect would have launched a strict investigation into the county exam’s integrity. In serious cases, a County Magistrate could even be dismissed.
Thankfully, the storm had passed peacefully. How could they not be happy?
But their happiness was on a completely different level from Chen Song’s.
Upon hearing that both Chen De’an and Zhao Jing were on the list, Chen Song couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.
Mr. Cheng glanced back at him and said, "Happy now? If you want to laugh, go ahead and laugh."
With the County Magistrate’s permission, Chen Song had no reason to hold back and immediately burst out laughing.
This display attracted the attention of the other County Magistrates, who all looked over in surprise. Mr. Cheng then explained on his behalf with a reserved air, "Mr. Chen’s beloved son and son-in-law both passed. His son-in-law, Zhao Jing, in particular, was not only the top scorer in the county exam, but also in the prefectural and college exams, achieving the Small Triple Crown. He is young and promising. It is understandable that Mr. Chen is so overjoyed."
Hearing this, the other County Magistrates couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.
On the surface, Mr. Cheng was talking about Chen Song’s joy, but how was this not his own joy as well?
A Small Triple Crown winner had emerged from his jurisdiction; this was a testament to his governance. With such an achievement to his name, he wouldn’t have to worry about receiving an "Excellent" rating in his performance review, nor would he have to worry about future promotions.
In contrast, the caliber of the Scholars from their jurisdictions was no different from previous years. If they were to claim they had done their best, even the Lord Prefect wouldn’t believe them.
Swallowing their jealousy, the men raised their cups of weak tea to Mr. Cheng. "Congratulations."
Even Chen Song, basking in his son-in-law’s reflected glory, received a toast from the assembled officials.
After finishing their tea, the officials knew Chen Song was anxious to see his son and son-in-law, so they all let him go. Before he left, they didn’t forget to ask him to pass on their congratulations to Zhao Jing for achieving the Small Triple Crown.
Seeing his son and son-in-law, Chen Song couldn’t help but roar with laughter again.
His laughter was filled with both vindication and vigor. He had long since forgotten the County Magistrates’ requests, his mind now completely filled with a single thought: ’I, Chen Song, am truly a fortunate man!’
’The first half of my life may have been wasted away, but the second half has been extraordinary.’
’Not only did I find a good wife and have a beloved daughter and son, but now my children are making me proud, and my son-in-law is simply outstanding.’
’Even if I were to go and meet my ancestors now, I would die without any regrets.’
Chen Song clapped both of them hard on the shoulders again, a glistening sheen of tears welling in the corners of his eyes. "You’ve really made your father proud. This is wonderful, just wonderful!"
Chen Song was a proud man’s man, but even his voice couldn’t help but choke up with emotion.
A man who once scrabbled in the dirt for a living, he had actually lived to see such a day. He was content. He had no other wishes in this life.
With Chen Song’s arrival, they naturally couldn’t have lunch together anymore.
But upon becoming Scholars, the first thing one should do is celebrate with one’s family. So, Wang Jun and the others quickly left the teahouse to go celebrate with their own families at home.
