Chapter 6: Triumph

Outside the examination hall, guards stood watch. Li Zhengshan, dressed in a constable’s uniform, stood nearby acting as a guard. When he saw Luo Zijun emerge, he was momentarily stunned.

“Zijun, why are you out already?” Li Zhengshan asked in surprise. Then, realizing something, he quickly lowered his voice. “Was the exam very difficult?”

It wasn’t even noon yet; the exam was scheduled to end before the late afternoon. Coming out so soon clearly didn’t bode well.

Luo Zijun replied, “It wasn’t too hard. I finished writing before coming out.”

Li Zhengshan was skeptical. After all, his brother-in-law had been studying medicine all along and only started preparing for the prefectural exam two weeks prior. It seemed impossible to finish so quickly.

Still, he held back from commenting further and offered some consolation. “It’s okay. If it doesn’t work out this year, try again next year. Your sister is waiting over there. Go to her. I have to keep watch and probably won’t be home until night.”

Luo Zijun nodded and walked toward the open space ahead.

Friends and relatives of the examinees gathered there, speaking softly and gazing anxiously at the entrance to the exam hall.

“Boss, your brother-in-law doesn’t look like he did well,” one of Li Zhengshan’s fellow constables joked.

“Last time, you boasted that when he passed as a scholar, you’d treat us to drinks. Looks like we’ll have to wait till next year,” another added.

“Ah, year after year, there are always more years,” they chuckled.

Li Zhengshan, however, was not in the mood for jokes. He waved them off sternly. “Stand guard properly and keep quiet.”

Luo Jiaorong had already spotted her brother. Seeing him come out so early, a heavy feeling settled in her heart. She knew the results were not good but forced a smile and waved. “Zijun, over here.”

Unexpectedly, Aunt Wang, the fruit vendor standing behind her, immediately shouted, “Oh, Jiaorong, your brother just came out after barely a moment inside. He probably didn’t even finish the first exam, right? Don’t worry, don’t lose heart. Let him go home and study well, then try again next year.”

She went on, “Honestly, I’m going to say something you might not like. Not everyone is born with a scholar’s mind like my nephew. If he can’t make it, don’t force it. Let him learn medicine or pharmacy instead; that’s a good path too.”

Jiaorong’s anger flared instantly.

Luo Zijun walked over and said, “Sister, I only came out after finishing.”

Jiaorong forced a smile, taking his hand. “Let’s go home. I’ll make you something good to eat.”

She was afraid of staying any longer and facing Aunt Wang’s snide remarks.

Yet Aunt Wang said again, “Oh, Jiaorong, leaving so soon? Not waiting for the results? Even if Zijun might not pass, you could at least look at the others’ names and make some scholar friends. By the way, my nephew should be coming out soon. Once the results are up, you, as his sister, better prepare a red envelope, hehe.”

Jiaorong’s face darkened with fury, ready to leave immediately.

Luo Zijun grasped her hand. “It’s okay, sister. Let’s wait a little longer for the results.”

The prefectural exam results were not ranked; they would be posted on the wall outside the hall right after the exams finished.

His results should already be posted since only a few had finished and handed in their papers so early, and the three examiners would have completed grading.

Aunt Wang smiled. “That’s right, don’t be anxious. When the results come out and my nephew’s name is up, I’m treating everyone to a meal at my place!”

Jiaorong remained cold-faced and silent.

Luo Zijun laughed. “Aunt Wang, how much silver did you put in the red envelope?”

Proudly, Aunt Wang pulled out the envelope. “Two full taels!”

For someone who sold fruit from dawn to dusk, two taels was indeed a considerable sum.

Luo Zijun said, “Aunt Wang, you’re very generous. Are you really going to give it out later?”

“Of course! Passing as a scholar is a big deal. That’s my nephew! I can’t be stingy!”

Aunt Wang shouted loudly as if afraid no one would hear.

About a burn of incense later, examinees began to emerge one after another.

Aunt Wang hadn’t seen her nephew yet but smiled brightly. “My nephew has always been diligent. He’s probably still checking his paper.”

The sun slanted westward in the sky.

By now, the exam time was over, and the remaining candidates were coming out.

Finally, Aunt Wang spotted her nephew, her face lighting up with excitement. “Look, here comes my nephew! See the way he walks? He’s got the makings of a top scorer!”

Others nearby waved as well.

Aunt Wang’s nephew, Wang Yaozu, walked over with his head bowed and a dazed expression.

They hurried up to ask him questions.

Wang Yaozu looked up and said, “I finished everything, but…”

“Ha! As long as you finished, that’s what matters!”

Aunt Wang became even happier and pointed to Luo Zijun. “This is your brother Zijun. He came out this morning. He probably didn’t even finish the first paper. You should get to know each other so you can make some scholar friends later.”

Wang Yaozu glanced at Luo Zijun expressionlessly.

A crowd gathered around the examinees, chattering excitedly.

Before long, a man in official robes emerged from the exam hall and pasted a red paper on the wall to the right.

“Quick! The exam results are out!”

The crowd rushed over, their excitement palpable.

Jiaorong had not intended to go but was pulled along by Aunt Wang, who said, “Haha, Jiaorong, come see my nephew’s name! Today, your aunt’s red envelope is guaranteed!”

Aunt Wang’s strength was not to be underestimated, and Jiaorong stumbled as she was dragged forward.

“Zhang Wenliang! Haha, my Wenliang passed!”

“Wang Jian! Haha, my grandson passed!”

Many cheered excitedly at the names on the wall.

Aunt Wang pushed to the front, eyes wide as she scanned from top to bottom but did not see her nephew’s name.

Though illiterate, she recognized her nephew’s name.

“Hmm? Where is my nephew’s name? Could it have been left out?”

Unwilling to believe it, she carefully checked again but still found nothing.

At that moment, the faces of Wang’s family paled.

Just as Aunt Wang was about to ask, Wang Yaozu, looking pale and dejected, said, “I finished the paper, but the math questions were all guesses… and there were some words I didn’t know…”

His words struck like thunder on a clear day.

Aunt Wang was stunned.

Suddenly, from the crowd came Li Zhengshan’s excited voice. “Luo Zijun! Zijun! Madam, come quickly! Our Zijun passed!”

At the sound, Jiaorong’s body trembled as if revived with full vigor. She pushed and shoved desperately to the front, eyes wide as she searched the wall—and soon found her brother’s name.

“Luo Zijun! Luo Zijun! It’s really my brother! Haha, my brother passed! Haha, my brother passed! Zijun, come see! You passed as a scholar!”

Jiaorong laughed uproariously, tears streaming down her face.

Suddenly recalling something, she fought her way back through the crowd, grabbed the disconsolate Aunt Wang, and laughed heartily. “Aunt Wang! Aunt Wang! Come see! My brother passed! He’s a scholar now! Hahaha… Hey, where’s your nephew? Why didn’t I see his name? Did he forget to write it down? Haha, Aunt Wang, as an aunt, you won’t be forgetting that red envelope today, right?”

Aunt Wang was left speechless.