Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 193 - 78: Passing the Imperial Examinations at the County, Provincial, and National Levels_4

Chapter 193 -78: Passing the Imperial Examinations at the County, Provincial, and National Levels_4

Lord Zhuang finally let go of the worry he had been feeling upon receiving this news, fearing he might be used and dragged into controversy.

Zhuang Changhe said, “Father, my brother-in-law is not such a person.”

As soon as Lord Zhuang heard this, he became angry. “Your brother-in-law has been accepted into the Hanlin Academy, and you? What have you achieved?”

Zhuang Changhe wasn’t as lucky as Ma Peng, having dropped back more than twenty places in the final imperial examination. “Father, I don’t want to go to the Hanlin Academy. It’s better for me to start working at the Ministry of Rites to gain experience earlier.” Naturally, his father could have used his connections to secure him a position in the Hanlin Academy, but he didn’t like that idea.

Lord Zhuang nodded. “Alright then, you’ll start your service at the Ministry of Personnel.” What he meant was for his son to start his career there. Although joining the Hanlin Academy was prestigious, pulling strings to get in wasn’t worth it, and he preferred his son to gather experience by undertaking official duties early on.

When Yueyao found out that Ma Peng had done well in the palace examination, she smiled. This was expected; if someone couldn’t pass under these conditions, truly they would be considered a lost cause.

During a break in class, Yuebing spoke excitedly, “I heard from my elder brother that Yu Zida has a photographic memory. He started recognizing characters before the age of one, was well-read in the Four Books and Five Classics by three, could speak eloquently at four, and was able to write an excellent article by five…”

Yueyao seemed to not be listening at all, focusing entirely on her calligraphy practice.

Yuebing couldn’t get over Yueyao’s calm, “Third younger sister, why don’t you say anything? I heard Yu Zida is from Jiangnan. Have you never heard of Yu Zida’s great reputation during all the years you spent there?” Such talent was rare to encounter in centuries.

Yueyao adjusted the notes in her hand. “I’ve never heard of him.” It was indeed strange, as Yu Zida wasn’t particularly famous before making a name for himself. She had never heard of Yu Zida while in Jiangnan, so all those stories about recognizing characters at one year old and being familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics by three were just fabrications. Yu Zida only started becoming famous after the Emperor appointed him as the top scorer, achieving the unique honor of passing the imperial examinations at the county, provincial, and national levels.

Yuebing paid no attention to the boring Yueyao.

Yuehuan looked at Yueyao thoughtfully, noticing her going back to her notes with a fresh focus. She truly admired her for being so composed; so composed, in fact, that she found it unsettling. Yuehuan thought it was time to have a serious conversation with her. After much contemplation, she still believed that befriending Yueyao was the most beneficial course of action. Setting aside everything else, being privy to the direction of large national events could be invaluable. Just one day of advance knowledge could change one’s fate, like in the case of Yueyao’s cousin this time.

In a timid voice, Yueying said, “I heard Yu Zida took a two-month leave to get married at home. I wonder what kind of woman he married. It must be wonderful to marry such a man.”

Yuebing, too, showed interest, “Yu Zida’s fiancée is from Jiangnan. We will only know what she looks like later on.” They would have to wait until Yu Zida brought his wife to Capital City to find out.

Yueyao did not join the conversation; she only knew about Yu Zida’s triple success in the examinations, and had no impression whatsoever of his private life. Of course, even if she had any memory of it, Yueyao wouldn’t have spoken of it.

Yuehuan looked at Yueying with a curious expression; the girl was only thirteen, could she possibly be thinking about love already? That seemed too early, and the thought of such young girls of ancient times was truly frightening.

Ma Chengteng felt completely relieved; his son was admitted to the Hanlin Academy as an Imperial Scholar. Without thinking about loftier ambitions such as entering the cabinet or becoming a minister, this career path was certainly not a bad one for his son.

There’s a saying that when fortune comes, one can’t even stop it if they tried. While Ma Peng had the good fortune to join the Hanlin Academy, Ma Chengteng was promoted, ascending from a Fourth-Rank official to Third Rank.

Moving from Fourth-Rank to Third Rank was a vast chasm, and many were stuck there for years, unable to cross. Ma Chengteng had been in his position for six years and had almost given up hope of promotion. Yet, when he least expected it, the promotion came.

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Upon hearing of Ma Chengteng’s promotion, Yueyao was shocked for quite a while, but once she had calmed down, she said to herself, “It will only get better from here.” Her own little efforts had changed the fortunes of her uncle and cousin, making their lives better, and that was a good thing.