Chapter 32: The Long List
Being able to marry her was actually my good fortune…

Jiang Zhimiao had already grabbed a piece of Eight Treasure Cake and was munching on it delightfully. Seeing his mother speak this way, he immediately chimed in like an eager supporter: “Mm!”

Jiang Qingshi looked at the smiling faces of his wife and son, feeling a surge of emotions. If it were anyone else, they would surely think he had stumbled upon great luck. Even those with worldly minds would actively encourage him to climb the social ladder. But his wife believed it was because he was truly worthy that others sought his friendship.

In this world, having someone who trusted and valued him so deeply was his greatest blessing.

“Initially, I thought Young Master Wei was too ostentatious, but it turns out he’s quite genuine. This taught me a lesson—one shouldn’t judge things too superficially,” Jiang Qingshi said with a smile. “Over the past few years, I’ve been buried in my studies, and I’ve fallen behind my wife in social interactions.”

“You flatter me, husband. There’s no secret to social interactions. What friends to make, what life to lead—you should decide for yourself!” Lin Guilan laughed heartily. “Since childhood, my brother taught me that no matter how good others are, we shouldn’t just think about benefiting from them. All I care about is your happiness, husband—nothing else matters! But today, Young Master Wei’s meal came just in time. Once Miao Ge’er and I are full, we’ll return home. Staying here for too long would disturb your studies. Besides, my stall has been idle for so many days—many people have been asking when I’ll reopen, saying they crave my cooking!”

Jiang Qingshi was reluctant to see Lin Guilan leave, but he knew their family’s burdens rested entirely on her shoulders. Only by excelling in the exams could he live up to her efforts.

Jiang Qingshi nodded: “Alright, let our family of three enjoy this meal together.”

Although this year’s county exam consisted of only four sessions, completing them all would take over ten days. Lin Guilan dared not linger too long with Jiang Zhimiao, as the family’s expenses still relied on her.

After Lin Guilan left, Jiang Qingshi continued to study diligently every day and attended the exams on schedule. Finally, after more than ten days, the county exam concluded.

In the third session’s results, Jiang Qingshi ranked first, earning the title of Top Scholar for that session. After all four sessions ended, the exam papers were unsealed and comprehensively ranked into the “Long List.” Jiang Qingshi arrived early to check the results on this day, feeling uncharacteristically nervous.

The previous sessions’ results had been anonymized, showing only seat numbers, but the Long List displayed names in descending order.

As the cannon fired, the county government office posted the list. Jiang Qingshi fixed his gaze and saw his name in third place. Though he had long known he likely wouldn’t be the Top Scholar, seeing the result still left him somewhat disappointed.

It wasn’t that he was overly ambitious or desperate for fame, but because of a dynasty regulation: if one became the county’s Top Scholar and passed the review, they could directly receive the Scholar rank, bypassing the subsequent prefectural and academy exams.

The trip to the county for exams was costly, and Jiang Qingshi was well aware of how hard Lin Guilan worked to earn money. Saving the expenses of the latter two exams would have eased his mind. But since the results were final, Jiang Qingshi was not one to dwell on setbacks. He collected himself and planned to return to the inn to pack his belongings before heading back to Fanjiazhuang.

“Brother Jiang!”

Just as Jiang Qingshi was about to turn away, another Iron Sand Palm came flying heavily, striking his shoulder with precision. Such force could only come from either his wife or that young master of the Wei family.

Jiang Qingshi struggled to maintain an elegant and appropriate smile on his face as he slowly turned around.

“Brother Jiang, you’re truly modest! When I asked you before, you only said you passed. I never imagined you’d be this outstanding—among so many leaping the Dragon Gate, you actually ranked third! If this were the Imperial Examination, wouldn’t you be the Third Scholar?”

“Such words shouldn’t be spoken carelessly,” Jiang Qingshi, ever cautious, hurriedly tried to silence Wei Fengling. “The county exam is merely the first step in the Imperial Examination. I was just fortunate this time. Brother Wei, you flatter me too much. And judging by your expression, you must have passed without doubt as well.”

Wei Fengling scratched his head somewhat sheepishly: “I barely scraped through. As my father puts it, there’s no one behind me! Brother Jiang, you don’t know—when Scholar Bu agreed to vouch for us, he looked down on you, saying it was only out of familial obligation and that you’d likely fail the county exam. Now that the results are posted, he’ll be utterly shocked and have to admit he misjudged you!”

Jiang Qingshi paused slightly: “Brother Wei, Scholar Bu is still your teacher after all. Isn’t it improper for you to say such things?”

Wei Fengling threw an arm around Jiang Qingshi’s shoulders and waved a hand dismissively: “My father has hired many tutors for me—he won’t miss this one. And Brother Jiang, I’ll tell you secretly: I actually don’t enjoy studying at all. My father says our family engages in commerce, and having a scholar would bring honor to our name, but I simply lack the talent. He’s been forcing tutors to cram books down my throat every day, and I only barely passed this county exam. I’ll probably fail all future exams. Ah, every family has its troubles—being forced by my father to do what I dislike day after day truly vexes me.”

“Everyone has their own path,” Jiang Qingshi smiled. “Though others might think you’re complaining without cause, I understand you, Brother Wei. Perhaps you’re better suited for another road—this world offers more than just scholarly pursuits.”

Wei Fengling’s eyes lit up as he placed both hands on Jiang Qingshi’s shoulders: “Brother Jiang! I knew you were a kindred spirit! Others just say I don’t appreciate my good fortune, but I’m truly not cut out for studying. If not for wanting to make my father happy, I wouldn’t suffer through this! Just listen to my name—how majestic it sounds! My grandfather gave it to me, hoping I’d become a great military general. Sadly, he passed away, and now father and son disagree. My father insists I take the scholar’s path—how could I possibly succeed? But he’s been fooled by someone—several fortune-tellers claimed I could even join the imperial cabinet! They’re just trying to cheat him out of money because he’s wealthy, and even I can see that! My father… he’s shrewd one moment and foolish the next.”

Jiang Qingshi found Wei Fengling’s words quite amusing and couldn’t help shaking his head with a light laugh.

“Hey Brother Jiang, since you’ve just reached adulthood this year, which month were you born in?”

“I was born in Apricot Month and just celebrated my birthday,” Jiang Qingshi replied.

Wei Fengling was greatly astonished: “So Brother Jiang has just turned twenty, a few months younger than me! Then I must address you as Brother Qingshi.”

“My courtesy name is Nian Chen. If Brother Wei doesn’t mind, you may call me by that.”

“Brother Nian Chen!” Wei Fengling caught on immediately, patting Jiang Qingshi’s shoulder with evident delight. “I never expected Brother Nian Chen to marry so young. I heard your child is already two years old – such a well-behaved and sensible little one who even called me a good person! Next time, this uncle must properly meet your little one.”

“In our village, people tend to marry early. My wife is two years older than me and handles everything without needing my concern. Moreover, she’s elegant in appearance, intelligent and capable – marrying her was truly my good fortune. Miao Ge’er is indeed full of clever ideas, thanks to my wife’s excellent upbringing.” Jiang Qingshi smiled. “Brother Wei is in the prime of youth – you should take your time choosing a marriage partner carefully, there’s no need to rush.”

“This is the first time I’ve seen a man who constantly speaks of his wife,” Wei Fengling remarked with surprise. “Other men I know all boast about which singers they’ve met or which courtesans’ salons they’ve attended – I’ve truly never encountered one who praises his wife daily outside.”

“Speaking of which, I’m rather ashamed – my current food, clothing, and expenses are all provided by my wife. If I were to entertain improper thoughts, I would truly be worse than beasts.” Jiang Qingshi adopted a serious expression. “I won’t judge how others behave, but I must certainly be worthy of my wife.”

“Nian Chen, I admire you more and more.”

Wei Fengling patted Jiang Qingshi’s shoulder again. Jiang Qingshi endured the soreness with great effort while maintaining a proper smile.

This Wei Fengling truly has the physique of a military man!

“Nian Chen, my family is hosting a banquet today – you must come! I’ll have servants prepare your belongings so you can stay at my residence!” Worried Jiang Qingshi might decline, Wei Fengling added, “Now that you’ve ranked in the top ten in the imperial examinations, you’ve become something of a local celebrity in our Jiangping County. By custom, you should pay respects to our county magistrate, who happens to be visiting my home today. I’ll introduce you properly.”