Chapter 137

Chapter 137

The results for the provincial-level examination (juren exam) were typically released within 7 to 10 days.

The county-level qualifying exam results, on the other hand, came out within 2 to 3 days.

Han Zhang was very confident about his exam performance, and after reviewing his written answers, Father Shen also believed his chances of passing were high.

After resting for two days, he resumed his studies with renewed focus, preparing for the upcoming metropolitan exam (huishi).

Meanwhile, Shen Huaizhi and the others, after two days of anxiety, finally saw the fruits of their efforts.

As expected, all four passed the exam this time, finally earning the title of Tongsheng (a preliminary scholarly title)!

Although it was only the lowest rank of scholarly honor, for four former rich brats who once couldn't even recite the Thousand Character Classic, it was nothing short of a miracle.

Not only their parents, but even the instructors at the Imperial Academy were utterly dumbfounded.

"What? Those four blockheads—Shen Huaizhi and his lot—actually passed as Tongsheng? Quick, help me take a look—is the sun rising from the west today?"

The Imperial Academy instructors found it hard to believe, slapping their desks in amazement.

Their fellow students were even more stunned: "Impossible, absolutely impossible. How could Shen Huaizhi and the others pass the Tongsheng exam? I've got to be dreaming!"

Everyone refused to believe it, convinced they were still dreaming.

This infuriated Shen Huaizhi and his companions, who were hopping mad:

"What's their problem? Why can't we pass the Tongsheng exam? Why is our passing such a shock? A bunch of blind idiots—don't they know we're just late bloomers?"

"Father! Mother! I want a banquet! A huge blowout! I want everyone to know I've earned a scholarly title!"

Shen Huaizhi was the first to storm home, demanding his parents throw a lavish celebration.

You'd think he'd aced the top scholar exam, not just the Tongsheng, with all that fuss.

A bit showy, sure, but Father Shen, not wanting to dampen his son's confidence, good-naturedly nodded: "Fine, we'll have a banquet. Our second boy's finally amounted to something."

"You're right, this calls for a celebration. Let me pick a lucky day right now."

Mother Shen, beaming with excitement, immediately began flipping through the almanac—she really thought her son had done something great.

The Pan, Zhao, and Wu households were in the same boat.

Upon learning that their sons had truly applied themselves and earned scholarly titles, the elders of the three families couldn't keep up the act any longer. In tears, they hurried over to the little place where the three were staying, hugging them, laughing and crying at the same time.

"My boy's made it... my boy's finally made something of himself..."

"Grandma's good boy, you finally came around..."

"Little bro, good job!"

That was when Pan Taining and the others found out their exile was all a setup—their families had gone through a lot of trouble to get them to shape up.

Wu Xuelin wiped his tears: "No wonder I kept 'finding' money on the street... I thought I was just super lucky. Turns out it was you, Mom and Dad, quietly taking care of me. Boo-hoo... I thought you really had abandoned me."

Pan Taining also sobbed: "I was wondering why I always ran into old folks and kids who needed help... So you were finding sneaky ways to help me out."

Zhao Yongchang clung to his big brother's leg, wailing loudly: "Wah... Big Brother, I really thought you despised me as a burden. You have no idea how hurt I was back then!"

The three had really suffered out there without their families to back them up. Now that they knew everything was an act, they weren't mad about being tricked—just super relieved and happy.

Because life out there was rough!

Even with Shen Huaizhi helping them out, life out there wasn't even close to how comfortable they'd had it at home.

Now that they could go back to the good life, why be sore about it?

They knew what they used to be like—their families had no choice but to pull this stunt to get them on the straight and narrow.

After crying their eyes out, the three quickly got over it, immediately packed up their stuff with their wives and kids, and headed home, thrilled to eat well and live large again!

Once a slacker, always a slacker—even when they shape up.

The three pairs of parents: ...

Maybe they should've held off a bit longer before spilling the beans?

The parents were happy and worried at the same time.

Still, they didn't forget to put together thank-you gifts and hand-deliver them to the Han house, to thank Han Zhang for his teaching.

Especially Father and Mother Shen—now they couldn't help but think highly of their son-in-law Han Zhang.

The buzz over Shen Huaizhi and the others passing the Tongsheng exam had barely died down when the provincial exam results came out.

On that day.

Before dawn, the area around the results board was already jam-packed.

There were scholars checking the list themselves, servants waiting for their masters, and nosy locals just there for the show.

As for that famous "snag a son-in-law at the results board" thing, there wasn't much of that going on.

After all, this was the capital, right under the emperor's nose. Real high-and-mighty families only pulled that stunt at the metropolitan exam results; a provincial title wasn't worth fighting over.

But Shen Qinglan and An Yongyan figured their husbands were too good to risk it, so they booked a private room early at a tavern near the results board, sending only servants to check the list.

Han Zhang and Jiang Wencheng didn't want to squeeze through the crowd and get all sweaty either—sipping tea in a private room was way more comfortable.

They were both pretty confident and their essays had gotten praise from their teachers, but you never know—so they were still nervous.

As the moment came, their hearts were still thumping with nerves.

After all, they'd both promised their husbands they'd pass. If they didn't, they'd definitely be sleeping in the study!

Luckily, nothing went sideways.

"Passed! Young Master, you passed!"

"Passed! Passed! Our son-in-law passed too!"

Both servants practically tripped up the stairs shouting the news, loud enough for the whole tavern to hear.

Shen Qinglan and An Yongyan jumped up, all excited: "What place did my husband get?"

The Jiang servant, panting and grinning: "Second! The young master got second—Yayuan!"

The Han servant, not about to be outdone, yelled even louder: "Third! Our son-in-law got third—Jingkui!" "For real?"

Upon hearing this, not only were Shen Qinglan and An Yongyan overjoyed, even Han Zhang and Jiang Wencheng could hardly sit still, so overjoyed they couldn't contain themselves.

Neither of them had expected to do this well.

It wasn't first place, but second and third were still really impressive.

Even someone as confident as Han Zhang hadn't even dared to dream of breaking into the top three—he'd originally thought just making the list would be good enough.

All those sleepless days and nights of studying this year had finally paid off!

Jiang Wencheng, even more worked up, spun around and bowed deeply to Han Zhang, thanking him sincerely:

"Brother Han, I owe my ranking today mostly to your encouragement and help. If I hadn't seen how hard you worked day and night, I never would've pushed myself this hard in the last few months."

Han Zhang returned the bow with a smile: "Brother Jiang, you're too kind. Without you generously lending me your family's rare books, I probably wouldn't have gotten where I am today. Brother Jiang, let's celebrate this together!"

The two of them traded sincere compliments back and forth.

Shen Qinglan and An Yongyan chimed in happily from the side: "Okay, husbands, enough with the pleasantries. Let's hurry home—the official messengers are probably already on their way. We need to be there to receive the good news in person for good luck."

Unfortunately, so many townsfolk had come out to watch the excitement that day, and by the time Han Zhang and his husband got back home, the yamen messengers had already been and gone.

Luckily, Grandpa Han and the others had come into town the day before, eager to hear the results early. With the elders and the steward handling things at home, the messengers had been well taken care of.

When Grandma Han saw Han Zhang and the others come back, she immediately told the servant: "Quick, light the celebration firecrackers for our eldest boy!"

"Light two strings—make sure all the neighbors hear it."

Grandpa Han clasped his hands behind his back, chiming in with instructions, trying to keep up the dignified air of a family head, but his twitching mustache and slightly trembling hands gave away his excitement.

His grandson had passed the provincial exam—the Han family was finally about to reclaim its status. A happy occasion like this deserved a proper celebration.

Once the ear-splitting firecrackers died down, everyone headed inside.

Grandpa Han then suggested happily: "Eldest boy, since you were buried in your studies, we didn't throw any banquets during the holidays. Now that you've earned the provincial degree, I've talked it over with the clan elders—how about we throw a big feast so the whole clan can share in the good fortune?"

Han Zhang helped his grandfather sit down and said gently: "Celebration is certainly in order, but there's no rush. This special examination leads directly to the metropolitan exam—the jinshi test is in two months. Let's save the grand banquet until after I pass that. Holding two lavish feasts in a row might be a bit too ostentatious."

Though Han Zhang felt he was already quite conspicuous, he preferred to minimize trouble where possible.

Hearing this, Grandpa Han's face lit up even more: "Eldest boy, are you truly confident?"

His grandson was only twenty—a jinshi at just over twenty would be considered exceptional even among the most prestigious noble families.

Grandma Han, equally aware of the stakes, was trembling with excitement, gazing at Han Zhang eagerly for his answer.

"Truly. Grandfather, Grandmother, if I weren't confident, I wouldn't dare speak so boldly."

Han Zhang didn't keep the elders waiting long, nodding firmly.

After seeing the rankings, he now had a clear understanding of this cohort's examination level.

As he'd said before, he couldn't guarantee a top spot in the metropolitan exam, but passing was absolutely certain. As long as he succeeded in entering officialdom through the exams, everything would fall into place.

Seeing his calm assurance, the two elders were too overjoyed for words, only nodding repeatedly:

"Good, good, good—Grandfather and Grandmother will follow our eldest boy's lead... We'll save the grand celebration for when you pass the imperial exam and earn the jinshi title!"

"That also gives us more time to prepare things properly. A lively celebration will do justice to all your years of hard study."

Shen Qinglan added from the side, showing not a shred of doubt in Han Zhang's abilities, his face beaming with joy.

Though his husband hadn't placed first, third was still excellent—his own father hadn't even cracked the top ten back in his day.

In his heart, his husband was simply the best!