Chapter 182: Chapter 144: Child, Pick Up and Deliver My Shoe!
Translator: 549690339
“An, you mustn’t be nervous, it doesn’t matter if you don’t do well, we can wait for another three years if necessary, our family is already blessed enough to have your brother, don’t put too much pressure on yourself!”
At the entrance to the Prefecture Exam, Feng Qing’an appeared helpless while listening to the man in luxurious silk clothing holding onto him, mumbling incessantly.
Despite maintaining a calm composure, Feng Qing’an’s keen senses detected the nervous tremor in the man’s hands.
Although three years of affluence had changed him significantly, the man seemed to be unavoidably nervous seeing his son off to the Imperial examination.
No one dared to mock his awkwardness, because Feng Shouli had come not alone but with a dozen strong, robust workers and attendants to see his youngest son off to the exam.
When his eldest son took the Imperial examination, Feng Shouli was a mere peasant, unable to spare the time or resources to accompany him. However, now that he could afford to, he naturally took the opportunity to support his second son.
This overwhelming concern seemed somewhat unnecessary to Feng Qing’an. Luckily, his father’s overprotectiveness would come to a halt after the Prefecture Exam as it would be beyond his reach.
However, Feng Qing’an subtly noticed that his father actually hoped he would fail the Prefecture Exam, a notion that set him apart from others.
Notwithstanding, while he could fail it, he wouldn’t fail an exam as elementary as the Child Trial. It emphasized academic basics, the diligent students typically passed, there was no room for untapped talents.
If he couldn’t pass the Child Student examination, that would mark him as an absolute waste of space. Failing the Prefecture Exam would bring ridicule not only on him but likely also onto his older brother.
Feng Qing’an noticed the other students appearing for the Imperial examination frequently casting their eyes towards him, not only because of the entourage accompanying his father but more significantly, because of him.
Despite being a gigantic child towering over his peers, his boyish features hinted at his tender age.
Within moments, word of Feng Qing’an’s identity spread beyond the Prefecture Exam gate. His presence drew the crowd’s attention within the small county where news travelled fast.
Being the younger brother of the scholar who excelled in all Six Principalities in the previous exam made him the center of attention despite his young age.
Feng Qing’an, however, paid little attention to these stares. He waited patiently until the exam halls opened and then, with everyone’s consent, he was the first one to enter.
One’s personal belongings were thoroughly inspected before entering the exam halls. However, the Yamen Runner, aware of Feng Qing’an identities, merely performed a cursory check, clearly presuming that there was no chance of him cheating on the Imperial exam.
Once inside, Feng Qing’an found Mr. Zhang who had been his guarantor for the
Tmnerial examination. and then he saw the C.onntv Magistrate attending as a
guest speaker. He sensed the Magistrate’s special regard for him, the deference noticeably different from the rest.
Yet, after formally acknowledging the Magistrate’s attention, Feng Qing’an simply took his seat ready to attempt his paper. To him, even the County Magistrate, along with all those visiting his house, were essentially the same kind of people.
The examination process was mundane, however the time it consumed seemed rather long. The Prefecture Exam took place over four sessions. Each session lasted from dawn to dusk, with two days’ gaps in between to allow time for grading and to announce results. Only those passing the previous session could attend the next which made completing all four sessions quite a challenge.
Though the scheduling was sympathetic, considering the lengthy intervals, the process was a trying ordeal for many. However, not everyone possessed Feng Qing’an’s nonchalant attitude of treating this a social event and an opportunity for experiential learning.
Out of numerous scholars in Yongning county, many pinned their hopes of change on the Imperial examination. Every time the results were announced, Feng Qing’an witnessed the varied reactions – some rejoiced while others sobbed – a snapshot of life materialized under the results announcement placard.
Regardless of his apathy towards hitting the books, by virtue of being tutored by his elder brother and his extraordinary memory, Feng Qing’an sailed through every stage of the Prefecture Exam, topping each round.
Despite his unwavering reaction to the results, his father, Feng Shouli, responded with overwhelming joy as if he himself had passed the exams. He launched into celebration as soon as the first round results were announced, hosting feasts at his tavern and waiving the bills of his customers, marking the occasion.
Unsurprisingly, Feng Qing’an’s achievement sent ripples of astonishment through the small town.
Three years ago, a similarly-aged unnoticed boy previously topped the exam charts and went on to win the honor of Six Principalities.
Given that the two were real brothers, comparisons were inevitable. Therefore, even before Feng Qing’an had formally competed in the Imperial examination, people started addressing him as Champion Scholar. Even the betting houses used this as a hook to draw in punters.
At the conclusion of the Prefecture Exam, while many partook in their sorrow, exam qualifiers celebrated their joy in the county’s inns. The students sang and rejoiced in their prime years, drinking merrily and reciting poetry. Their revelry knew no bounds..
