Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Top Scorer of the Regional Examination "Passed!" Er Shun was extremely excited, gripping the pillar as he gasped for breath. He had pushed his way back through the crowd, nearly falling several times. Song Yu couldn't wait to ask, "What rank is Xuan-ge?" "Rank..." Er Shun was still catching his breath. Cui Lingrong had Caixia pour Er Shun some tea. "Passing is what matters. Have a cup of tea first, then speak slowly." A hint of joy had already appeared on her face. The county examination was the first step; if her son could make a good start, he would have greater confidence for the Imperial Examination ahead. Song Mingxuan knew he would pass; what mattered more now was his ranking. He appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly he had a competitive spirit. Zhao Xu had done so well, and he didn't want to lose to him. Across from them, Zhao Xu couldn't hear the conversation on Song Mingxuan's side—he could only see Song Mingxuan and the others staring at a servant. He clenched his fists nervously. Beside him, Madam Qian asked the servant, "What rank did Song Mingxuan get?" The servant said he had spotted his own young master's name at a glance and come straight back. "This one thought to return and report the good news, so I didn't look at the others." Madam Qian sent the servant back to check again. "Xu-ge is already third; he's definitely not as good as Xu-ge." As she said this, Madam Qian was already confident, certain that Song Mingxuan couldn't match her own son. The teahouse below was buzzing with noise. Madam Qian was in no hurry to return to the mansion—she wanted to see Song Mingxuan make a fool of himself. As for Er Shun across the way, he had finally caught his breath and said happily, "It's... it's the top scorer!" The top scorer meant first place—not only higher than Zhao Xu, but first overall. There was one name between them, which was why the Rong Prince Mansion's servant hadn't spotted Song Mingxuan's name. Hearing it was the top scorer, Cui Lingrong's lips curved upward. Song Yu gasped softly, and Song Mingjin excitedly hugged his elder brother. Only then did Song Mingxuan allow himself a knowing smile. He bowed to his mother. "Mother, your son has not failed your upbringing." "Mm, my son has done very well." Cui Lingrong patted her son's shoulder. "You studied diligently and put in much effort over the years, but you must not grow proud. You must continue to strive." The county examination was only the first step; he still needed to pass the prefectural examination and the provincial examination to earn the title of xiucai. With the status of xiucai, things would be different—he would no longer be a commoner. And for someone of Song Mingxuan's age to earn the xiucai title was even more worthy of anticipation. Nanny Qiu brought out the prepared copper coins and had Er Shun and the other servants distribute them to the onlooking commoners. As the commoners received their reward money, auspicious blessings flowed freely from their lips. Many scholars also took note of Song Mingxuan, the top scorer. One who could rank first was surely a dragon among men. As Cui Lingrong led the children downstairs, Madam Qian also came out. She still didn't know Song Mingxuan was the top scorer. "Look how pleased Marchioness Song is—it seems Xuan-ge did well?" Madam Qian said proudly, continuing, "Xu-ge is third, not failing the upbringing his father and I gave him. I wonder if Xuan-ge made it into the top ten?" Cui Lingrong looked at Madam Qian's smug expression, then glanced at Zhao Xu beside her. She patted her son's shoulder, signaling for them to board the carriage first. She then looked at Madam Qian and her son. "Xuan-ge did passably well—two ranks above Xu-ge. He hasn't failed my upbringing either." With that, Cui Lingrong boarded the carriage. Madam Qian didn't react at first. She silently repeated the words a few times before realizing that two ranks above third place meant the top scorer. "Top scorer? How could he be the top scorer?" Madam Qian's eyes widened. Zhao Xu refused to believe it. He said he would see for himself. "Song Mingxuan can't possibly be better than me!" He charged to the results board, shoving through the crowd, and was stunned to see Song Mingxuan's name at the very top. Rage flared instantly. "How is that possible? Isn't he afraid I'll make things difficult for him?" Zhao Xu gnashed his teeth. His servant reminded him that there were too many eyes around, but he shoved the man aside and stormed off furiously. He had sworn to people that he would definitely outperform Song Mingxuan—and yet not only had Song Mingxuan passed, he was the top scorer. Where was his face supposed to go? Zhao Xu refused to accept it, but his mother dragged him back to the Rong Prince Mansion. By all rights, Zhao Xu's ranking should have been enough to please the Rong Prince Mansion. But when Madam Qian and her son returned, both wore dark faces. Seeing this, Princess Consort Rong was quite curious. Zhao Xu couldn't hold it in and blurted out, "What's there to be happy about? Song Mingxuan beat me—those examiners really don't know talent!" He didn't think he was inferior to Song Mingxuan; it must be the examiners' fault. "Song Mingxuan?" Princess Consort Rong repeated the three names to herself before realizing it was Lady Cui's son. She looked up at Madam Qian. "Is Lady Cui's son really that impressive?" "To answer Mother, it is indeed Song Mingxuan who took the top scorer in this county examination." Madam Qian was equally unwilling to accept it. Her son had lost to Song Mingxuan, and the smug look on Lady Cui's face made her gnash her teeth with hatred. Princess Consort Rong was not pleased either. Her daughter had married into the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, and she hoped her daughter would bear a child of her own to inherit the title. But Song Mingxuan was too outstanding—there would be no justification for setting aside the eldest in favor of a younger son. In the room, Lady Wu arrived belatedly. Upon learning the rankings of Zhao Xu and Song Mingxuan, she pondered for a moment before saying, "One county examination doesn't mean much; the subsequent examinations are what matter. If Xu-ge can outrank Xuan-ge in the provincial examination, that would be best." She understood the petty nature of Madam Qian and her son. If she didn't say it that way, she feared they might secretly cause trouble. Princess Consort Rong nodded. "Indeed, there's not much difference between first and third. Xu-ge, you must work harder—don't let people laugh at our mansion." She then summoned a matron. "Since Song Mingxuan placed top scorer of the regional examination, pick a few items from the storeroom and send them over. Tell Rongjia to temper her temper and treat Song Shulan's two sons well." At the very least, she should maintain appearances—no more faults for others to find. When the people from Rong Prince Mansion arrived at Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, they first met with County Princess Rongjia, then went to Qiushuang Zhai. Seeing the congratulatory gifts from Rong Prince Mansion, Cui Lingrong was not surprised. County Princess Rongjia was still under house arrest, and to salvage her reputation as well as her standing in Song Shulan's eyes, Rong Prince Mansion would only join in the celebration. Cui Lingrong had the items recorded in the registry, then sent someone to deliver them to Xuan-ge. At Shouan Tang, Old Madame Song was holding Song Mingxuan's hand, beaming with endless joy. As for Song Shulan, he learned of his eldest son's top score midway through his journey. He was absolutely elated, urging the coachman to hurry faster and faster, then strode into Shouan Tang with big steps. By the time Cui Lingrong arrived, Old Madame Song and Song Shulan had already praised him several rounds over. When Song Shulan looked at Cui Lingrong again, his expression had softened considerably. "Lingrong, Xuan-ge is truly a credit to your upbringing. Not only did the tutors praise his conduct, but he even placed top scorer of the regional examination—what a honor he's brought to our marquis mansion!" By the generation of Song Mingxuan, the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion's hereditary title would come to an end—it could no longer be inherited. They would have to rely on Song Mingxuan's and Song Mingjin's own abilities to earn titles and official positions. So Song Shulan was very strict about his sons' studies, especially Song Mingxuan's, harboring a single-minded hope that his sons could restore the marquis mansion's glory. Now that Xuan-ge had placed top scorer, it was a beginning. Love for the child extended to the mother. When Song Shulan looked at Cui Lingrong again, the anger of previous days was gone, replaced by a measure of appreciation. Especially when Cui Lingrong smiled softly, her glances radiant and graceful—she was exceedingly beautiful, and Song Shulan couldn't help but steal several more looks. Even Old Madame Song found Cui Lingrong more agreeable now. "Yes, Lady Cui knows how to teach." Cui Lingrong smiled without speaking. The Old Madame and the Marquis were pleased—this was good for Xuan-ge. She no longer yearned for marital affection, but Xuan-ge needed his family's support to walk further and more steadily. The group had dinner at Shouan Tang, and Song Shulan walked alongside Cui Lingrong for a stretch. He thought that with this matter, he could mend fences with Cui Lingrong. He was just about to step into Qiushuang Zhai when he heard Cui Lingrong suddenly speak. "These past few days, I've been preoccupied with the examination results and am quite exhausted. It's already late—Marquis, please go elsewhere tonight." Cui Lingrong didn't bother to look at Song Shulan's expression. Having said this, she led Nanny Qiu and the others into the garden. Song Shulan's raised foot froze awkwardly in mid-air. It was only when Qingshan reminded him that he slowly withdrew it.