CHAPTER 1045: CHAPTER 1044 CONGRATULATIONS

It was almost late afternoon by the time Song Chongjin, surrounded by many, hurried home.

As he entered Swallow Alley, a government official led the way, beating a gong and shouting, "Song Chongjin, a scholar of Changqing Academy, has achieved third place, Yayuan, in this autumn’s examination. Escorting Old Master Scholar Song back to the residence—"

News-savvy and sociable by nature, some had gone to the dock earlier today to catch a glimpse of Song Chongjin from afar.

However, since the Song Family hadn’t set off firecrackers, they didn’t feel it was appropriate to visit unexpectedly and stayed home waiting for news.

At this moment, hearing the sounds outside, not only did the adults hold back, but the children also rushed out to the doorway to enjoy the excitement.

Yang Zongbao, having heard the commotion outside, hurriedly took the firecrackers prepared by Old Granny Zhang and others, held them high with a pole, and lit them with a flint, causing a burst of red debris on the ground.

The children covered their ears, screaming and laughing, while the alley suddenly became lively.

Beating drums and gongs, they arrived at the entrance of the Song Family Courtyard, already open, with Yang Zongbao and the steward brought by Imperial Doctor Du waiting at the door.

After the government official, who led the way with the congratulatory report, said a lot of auspicious things, they quickly handed over several pouches, which felt heavy.

The official, feeling the weight, understood and spoke a few more nice words before taking his leave.

The neighbors next to them had been waiting for a long time. Seeing the official leave, they rushed forward, bearing gifts from their households, to offer their congratulations.

Fortunately, the front yard had been opened up, so all the guests were received in the front yard.

Those who were considerate handed over their gifts, offered congratulations, and said they would visit another day, taking their leave afterward.

For those who were less tactful, they sat in the hall as if glued to the benches, unwilling to leave.

Imperial Doctor Du saw this wasn’t a feasible solution, as the kitchen couldn’t keep up with boiling water, and Old Granny Wu, Gu Yu, and the maids brought by Lady Qi were running their legs off.

Yet guests continued to arrive one after another.

With no other options, Imperial Doctor Du personally took charge, politely saying that today was unprepared, the place was small, and they were negligent, assuring everyone that their intentions were acknowledged. He invited them to a banquet in a city restaurant the next day.

Only then were the guests seen out.

Once the guests departed, everyone sighed in relief.

The steward, with the others, was tasked with clearing up the remains in the front yard while Imperial Doctor Du led Song Chongjin and Yang Zongbao to the backyard.

Old Granny Zhang and Lady Qi had been waiting anxiously in the backyard and finally saw Song Chongjin.

Old Granny Zhang, after sizing him up, couldn’t help but say, "You’ve gotten darker and thinner—"

Lady Qi nodded repeatedly in agreement.

With a darkened face, Imperial Doctor Du remarked, could Song Chongjin’s face appear darker?

After hosting guests all day, everyone was parched.

Once tea was served to moisten their throats, there was finally time to ask Song Chongjin.

Upon entering the room, Song Chongjin saw Wang Yongzhu. They had not seen each other for nearly a month. If not for so many people present, he would have loved to hold his wife in his arms and kiss her affectionately.

At this moment, however, he could only exchange a glance and then brace for his mother-in-law’s storm of concern.

From whether he ate well, to whether he slept well, to whether he was bullied, and whether he was accustomed to living outside, she cared about everything from head to toe.

For most people, this might have been irritating, but Song Chongjin found it very gratifying. Not only did he answer everything honestly, but he also smiled without showing any hint of being annoyed.

This obedient demeanor brought comfort to Old Granny Zhang’s heart while Lady Qi couldn’t help but sigh, "This is indeed someone else’s child. See how obedient he is? Unlike my own, who would have run off at such questions."

After Old Granny Zhang and the others had finished caring for him, Imperial Doctor Du asked about the experience of passing the examination and whether Magistrate Lv had said anything today.

Song Chongjin then recounted the story leisurely.

Initially, he planned to return after the exam, but persuaded by his classmates, he decided to stay a few more days.

In Qingzhou Prefecture, only a little over a hundred people passed the examination, with the top Jieyuan being another scholar from Changqing Academy, Wen Shuming.

After the announcement of results, those who passed had to meet the chief examiner, Academic Governor.

Despite being busy, the Academic Governor personally received them, spoke a few words, and after a cup of tea, saw them off.

This was already a rare honor. Only the top ten had this privilege; other candidates who passed could only have tea in the side chamber without even meeting the Academic Governor.

After meeting the Academic Governor, the Grand Commandant hosted a Luming Banquet specifically for these successful scholars.

Except for the top three who, seated at the front, received a few words of praise and a set of scholarly essentials from the Grand Commandant, the others could only observe.

This delayed things by a few more days.

As for Magistrate Lv, because of twenty-six individuals passing the examination in Jing County this time, an unprecedented honor, he had been extremely delighted, even proposing rewards for the top ten, including twenty taels of patterned silver and a set of scholarly essentials each. Those who did not make the top ten but still passed as graduates were also to be rewarded with a set of scholarly essentials.

Having listened, Imperial Doctor Du nodded, "I will have the steward book the restaurant later and thank everyone who came to congratulate us today. Tomorrow you must prepare gifts to thank the dean and teacher at Changqing Academy; do not be negligent. Now is the time when success shines bright. While one mistake might not seem important, everyone is watching closely. You must be increasingly cautious to avoid giving others ammunition!"

Song Chongjin nodded in agreement.

On the other side, Lady Qi suggested to Wang Yongzhu, "Chongjin’s success in passing the exam is a great thing. You should send a message back to your hometown to spread the joy. Once affairs here are settled, you must return to host a banquet as gratitude to your fellow villagers, lest anyone takes issue."

Wang Yongzhu agreed to everything.

Seeing that it was getting late, Imperial Doctor Du rose to take his leave, "It’s getting late today, and we should be heading back. You must attend to all these worldly affairs over the next few days, always remembering not to indiscriminately accept gifts. Now that you’ve graduated, the road ahead is long; don’t sacrifice your future for petty gains."

Feeling grateful in his heart, Song Chongjin personally saw Imperial Doctor Du and Lady Qi to the door.

Just before boarding the carriage, Lady Qi reluctantly held Song Chongjin’s hand, "Are you worn out? Rest early. You don’t need to worry about the banquet; I’ll have Du San stay with you to lend a hand. He can return when things settle down."

This showed Lady Qi’s deep care for Song Chongjin.

Song Chongjin didn’t stand on ceremony and agreed, making Lady Qi especially happy.

After seeing Imperial Doctor Du off, everyone was exhausted and soon went to have some rest, knowing there was still much work ahead.

Back in the room, Wang Yongzhu hadn’t even spoken before Song Chongjin had already pulled her into his arms, "Yongzhu, I passed the exam! Someday, I’ll earn you a phoenix coronet and a grant!"

Wang Yongzhu nodded, slightly untangling herself from Song Chongjin’s embrace and sat on the bed with him to take a good look.

Having not seen him for nearly a month, Song Chongjin appeared more mature and composed, perhaps due to passing the exam, and the subtle air of aggression from before had faded away.

It seemed that passing the exam brought some relief from the pressures Song Chongjin had felt?

As Wang Yongzhu finished her observations, Song Chongjin pulled out a small box from his pocket and handed it to Wang Yongzhu.

"For you!"

Upon opening it, Wang Yongzhu found a silver hairpin inside, adorned with a piece of mutton fat white jade that was warm and delicate, elegant without being ostentatious.

"Since I’m still in mourning, I only got you this. Once the mourning period is over, I’ll buy you gemstone accessories," said Song Chongjin as he took the hairpin and carefully inserted it into Wang Yongzhu’s hair.

Among her glossy black hair, the white jade accentuated the darkness like crow’s feathers, her eyes like autumn water.

Song Chongjin gazed, momentarily entranced.