Chapter 663 - 243: Memory Recovery
Chapter 663: Chapter 243: Memory Recovery
It was evident that the competition was truly fierce.
Xu Su Ying was highly ambitious. She wanted Jing to become the Metropolitan Examination Champion, the Champion Scholar, and to sweep all six imperial examinations to leave his name in history. However, such things couldn’t be achieved merely by wishing for them. Talented individuals in the world were as countless as the stars. Jing was exceptional, but so were others. At this point, it truly came down to a battle of skill and luck.
Xu Su Ying couldn’t help with Jing’s situation. As for Yao’an, after taking into account the opinions of her older brother and Yan Lin, she finally decided to send him to the Imperial College as well. It would be good for him to study alongside De’an; the two boys would have company and could look out for each other.
Just as she had finalized Yao’an’s arrangements, news of a death arrived from the Huang family. Miss Huang’s biological grandmother had passed away.
Since Miss Huang was the eldest legitimate granddaughter-in-law of the Xu family, they had to arrange for someone to attend the condolences in person. Xu Shiniang took a leave of absence. He, along with Xu Yanlin—who had just been promoted to the standard fifth-rank Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Selection two days prior—traveled to the Huang family’s estate to send the old lady off on her final journey.
The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Selection was in charge of the selection, appointment, dismissal, and assessment of civil officials nationwide. Hailed as the "Chief Manager of Official Selection," it was a highly lucrative post with immense power, and those who held it were historically nicknamed "the snooty officials." If the Ministry of Personnel hadn’t been firmly in the Empress Dowager’s grasp, making this position a political hot potato, Mr. Xu’s attempt to place his eldest legitimate grandson in this role would never have succeeded.
Xu Yanlin had only been in office for a few days before he had to leave the capital again. When he returned, he didn’t just bring back Miss Huang—who was so haggard and frail she looked as though a gust of wind could blow her over—but also brought her younger sister along.
Chen Wanqing and Xu Su Ying had already learned about the Huang family’s situation from Mrs. Guo, Changsi, and Chang Nian. They had guessed that with the old lady gone, Miss Huang would worry about her younger sister being mistreated at home and would inevitably bring her back. Seeing the two sisters return to the capital looking so utterly desolate still tugged at their heartstrings.
Miss Huang felt deeply ashamed. "When I received my husband’s letter at home saying that you had been found, Aunt Su Ying, I was overjoyed. I wanted to return to the capital to congratulate you, but my grandmother was on her deathbed... I arrived a step too late in the end. Please don’t blame me, Aunt Su Ying and Wanqing."
Miss Huang was a petite and gentle beauty, exuding the delicate and endearing charm typical of Jiangnan women. When she wept, her sorrow was profound, yet she possessed a fragile, heartbreaking beauty that made one want to tenderly care for her. Xu Su Ying’s heart ached for her. She gently hugged and comforted her, telling her that since they now lived together, they would visit often and have plenty of opportunities to spend time with one another.
By the time Miss Huang’s affairs were settled, the first lunar month had already passed.
On the second day of the second lunar month, the Dragon Head-Raising Festival, De’an was having breakfast at home when he suddenly mentioned, "Today is the start of the county exams. This time, Li—cough—Wang Xiao will definitely pass, right?"
Xu Su Ying glared fiercely at her son. Did he really think that just because he changed his tune in time, she wouldn’t know who he had been about to say? What kind of benefits had Li Cun given him to make him still think of that man? This son of hers was a total disappointment!
Scolded by his mother’s glare, De’an felt incredibly wronged, but he didn’t dare utter a single word. He wondered why such an inexplicable thought had genuinely just popped into his head a moment ago. Why had his stupid brain thought of Li Cun? Fortunately, he was quick-witted and had brought up Wang Xiao in time to save himself. De’an looked at Jing. He truly hadn’t meant it; Jing wouldn’t blame him, would he?
Zhao Jing and Chen Wanqing pretended they hadn’t heard a word De’an said. The young couple carried on as usual, picking up food for each other and passing around crab roe shumai, not showing a hint of anything amiss in their behavior.
Only after finishing his shumai and drinking the last mouthful of lean meat porridge in his bowl did Zhao Jing slowly say to De’an, "Wang Xiao’s knowledge is sufficient; he just lacked a bit of luck. Barring any accidents, he’ll definitely pass this time." He deliberated for a moment before adding, "He has meticulously honed his skills for the past two years. He should take first place this time."
De’an pursed his lips. He wanted to say that he thought Jing didn’t care anymore, only to realize he had been waiting to drop this remark. Why did it have to be Wang Xiao who took first place? Li Cun’s academic abilities weren’t bad either, were they? If Wang Xiao had meticulously honed his skills for two years, hadn’t Li Cun done the same? By saying Wang Xiao would take first place, wasn’t he basically cursing Li Cun to fail at securing the top spot? Tsk. Jing had sinister intentions!
Throughout the meal, De’an looked to his left and then to his right, his mind wandering erratically like a kite thrashing about in the sky.
Xu Su Ying picked up a soup dumpling and shoved it into her son’s mouth. De’an reflexively opened his mouth, but the moment he bit down, SQUIRT...