June 19, it was already "Big Sumr," the hottest three months of the year. Yet today, Linhe Prefecture was bustling with activity, even more fervent than the sumr heat.
The people of Linhe Prefecture had risen early, heading towards Governnt Street.
The porters, who awaited the announcents that would bring money to support their families, had already settled on Governnt Street before dawn, laying down on straw mats, half-sleeping, half-waiting.
Pound, pound, pound—a series of wooden sticks hitting the ground resounded. The Governnt Officials, seeing the porters sleeping soundly at the governnt gate, grew more frustrated. Kicking them, they said, "Get up right now, you botherso lot. Are you beggars? Or do you think the governnt gate is your ho? How dare you sleep here! Have you no respect for the law?"
The porters, awakened by the kicks, hastily rolled up their straw mats and apologized with a smile: "Oh, it’s Brother Liu! We’re sorry. We ca in the middle of the night and got too tired, so we fell asleep while waiting. Don’t bla us!"
They then asked, "Brother Liu, are you the one posting the list today? Congratulations then, it’s a fortunate task, with lots of reward money."
The households of those who passed the exams and beca Scholars would often reward the officials who posted the list.
Constable Liu replied, "What nonsense! You think I could post the list? This ti it’s Squad Leader Song. I’m just here to clear the place. Today’s a day of joy, but I’m warning you, you can wait here for the announcent, but don’t fight. If you fight like last ti at the governnt gate, you’ll be sorry!"
The porters quickly agreed: "Yes, yes, this ti we won’t dare. We’ll behave, and if anyone causes trouble, Brother Liu won’t have to lift a finger; we’ll beat them ourselves first."
They moved closer to ask, "Brother Liu, when will the list be posted? Who’s the top student?"
"Zhang Laoba, are you stupid? Asking sothing like that, I’m not Lord Xue Zheng, how would I know?" Constable Liu pointed at them: "All of you shut up, or you’ll be kicked off the main street. Don’t think about making money announcing the results."
"Hey, hey, hey, calm down Brother Liu, it was my mistake." Zhang Laoba quickly apologized, and the other dozens of porters followed suit, scared of being driven away by Constable Liu.
The people of Linhe Prefecture watching the scene also didn’t dare to ask more, standing there waiting, speculating on who would be the top student this ti.
Yet the servants of noble families, eunuchs’ households, and Rich Families in the city weren’t afraid; they would slip Constable Liu so silver and ask him about certain matters.
Constable Liu knew little, only that the top student was the best of this county. But with several prefectures in the Jianghuai region, each having a top student, who knew who had achieved it?
Tong Family’s housekeeper, upon hearing this, was overjoyed. Wasn’t their Third Young Master one of the Jianghuai’s top scholars? Their Third Young Master now had at least a fifty percent chance of being the top student.
And the remaining fifty percent? They only needed to find a way to ruin the real top student’s chances and take the spot themselves.
The Tong Family’s housekeeper was very happy; if the Third Young Master truly beca the top student, they, who ca to watch the results, could earn a large sum in rewards.
anwhile, the Yan Family’s Housekeeper was quite gloomy; yet again, they hadn’t topped the list. Wasn’t the Fifth Young Master quite knowledgeable?
No matter how distressed the Yan Family’s Housekeeper was, the Gaosong Building, Golden List Tower, and Fugui Building by Governnt Street were teeming with people, very lively.
Young Master Tong San sat in the Golden List Tower of his family, surrounded by many scholars, all waiting for the results together.
Liu Family’s young master Liu Wenqing said, "I heard the next-door Gaosong Building has started betting on who will top the list this ti. Do any of you want to place a bet and make so money?"
The young master from the Gong family replied, "Of course, we should bet,"
He produced three five-hundred-tael silver notes, saying, "I’ll bet fifteen hundred taels that Brother Tong will be the top student!"
"Well, the Gong family is indeed wealthy." Liu Wenqing praised, then slapped down a one-thousand-tael silver note, saying, "I’ll bet a thousand taels on Brother Tong topping the list."
People in the private room started taking out money, one after another placing bets on Young Master Tong San becoming the top student, their flattery resounding like thunder.
Only Liu Wenqing remained still.
Liu Wenqing noticed this and wasn’t pleased, glaring at his cousin from his great uncle’s family, Liu Wenqing, saying, "Wenqing, what’s up with you? Everyone is supporting Brother Tong; at least place a bet."
Pauper, you don’t even have money to bet?
Hey, funny enough, he really didn’t.
Since his grandfather’s generation, when they branched off from the Liu Family, things had gone from bad to worse. Liu Wenqing’s father was born of a concubine, and he got only two taels of silver monthly. Going out for a al required careful selection; he didn’t dare enter a restaurant, so how could he co up with hundreds or thousands of taels to bet?
Liu Wenqing was very troubled. He wanted to say he had no money, but felt ashad, his eyes reddening in frustration.
His appearance was handso, with a fairer complexion than most. Seeing his distressed look, Young Master Tong San got heated, taking Liu Wenqing’s hand and saying, "Brother Wenqing, don’t worry. As long as your heart wishes for my success, whether you place a bet or not doesn’t matter."
Liu Wenqing was stunned, looking towards Tong San. Seeing his predatory gaze, he didn’t particularly like it, hastily pulling back his hand without speaking.
Liu Wenqing was furious, slapping Liu Wenqing on the head, scolding, "Liu Wenqing, you really consider yourself sothing, huh? Brother Tong comforts you like this, and you’re still ungrateful? Quickly apologize to Brother Tong!"
Liu Wenqing was from a branch of the Liu family and had grown up accustod to Liu Wenqing’s scolding. He was very afraid of Liu Wenqing, and hastily apologized to Tong San: "Third Young Master, I’m sorry. I didn’t an any disrespect, just..."
Young Master Tong San felt pained, lifting Liu Wenqing up before he could finish, saying, "Brother Wenqing, no need for this; you did nothing wrong. The one at fault is Liu Wenqing!"
Young Master Tong San turned sharply to Liu Wenqing, eyes fierce, voice angry: "Liu Wenqing, I invited you because I value you, not to watch you bully others. If you want to act high and mighty like the Liu Family’s eldest young master, then get out; the Golden List Tower of the Tong family doesn’t welco you!"
Liu Wenqing was bewildered. What was happening? Being Young Master Tong San’s most loyal henchman, Tong San had never scolded him like this in person before.
But Liu Wenqing was soone who could submit and yield. He quickly said, "Third Young Master, don’t be mad. It was my lack of understanding, I’ve caused you trouble."
Then hastily apologized to Liu Wenqing: "Wenqing, it’s my fault, big cousin, I apologize to you, please don’t be angry."
He gave a deep bow, his manner genuinely respectful to the utmost.
Liu Wenqing was astonished. From childhood, it was Liu Wenqing bullying him, and even if he cried or got sick from the bullying, Liu Wenqing never apologized. But now Liu Wenqing was apologizing to him publicly? It was unbelievable.
Young Master Tong San saw Liu Wenqing’s bewildernt, held his hand tighter, and said, "Wenqing, don’t be dazed. Liu Wenqing has apologized; it’s up to you whether to forgive him."
He spoke gently, "Don’t be afraid. If you don’t want to forgive Liu Wenqing, just say so, I’ll stand by you."
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