County Magistrate Cai's Fury

Academic Examiner Wan revealed an envy he could not hide. "Literary Talent Resonating in the Prefecture, a Sage-front Tongsheng—two Literary Archways in one stroke. Never before in Jing Kingdom's history. Even Sage Chen was merely a Sage-front Tongsheng. Compared to this examinee, that so-called prodigy is nothing at all. County Magistrate Cai, your county truly hides crouching tigers and coiled dragons."

County Magistrate Cai and Academy Director Wang glanced toward where the prodigy Fang Zhongyong was, then quickly turned back. Academic Examiner Wan was right. Compared to Before the Sages and State-Ringing, a mere County-Exceeding little prodigy truly counted for nothing.

County Magistrate Cai smiled. "The examiners are making their rounds. Will the two of you come along?"

"Gladly!" Academic Examiner Wan and Academy Director Wang answered in unison.

The three laughed heartily and headed together toward Fang Yun's examination cubicle.

As they passed the cubicles, the examinees inside looked up and immediately found the sight strange.

"Have the three examiners been possessed by demons? Why are they smiling as though they've been promoted and struck rich?"

"This doesn't look like they're making rounds. Did something major happen?"

"County Magistrate Cai is usually an ice-faced incorruptible official. Has he been bewitched today? His smile is brighter than the sun."

Many examinees stretched their heads out, wanting to see what the three officials intended to do.

They saw the three officials slow down in front of Fang Yun's cubicle, moving as slowly as snails crawling.

Fang Yun had just finished receiving the Literary Talent Infusion, and the joy in his heart had yet to fade when he saw County Magistrate Cai, Academy Director Wang, and Academic Examiner Wan turn their heads toward him with dazzling smiles.

Fang Yun froze. The actions of the three officials were simply too bizarre, reminding him of scenes from horror films.

The three officials nodded at Fang Yun, their expressions encouraging. Then they glanced at the examination paper on his desk and departed with traces of envy in their eyes.

They must know I became a Sage-front Tongsheng, Fang Yun thought.

Fang Yun carefully looked over Spring Dawn again. The sense of crisis eased. Having become a Sage-front Tongsheng, Liu Zicheng would not dare kill him in Ji County.

Fang Yun packed up his book case, placed his examination paper on the desk, and left with the case on his back. A nearby yamen runner immediately came over, took the paper away, and placed it atop Fang Yun's request-for-Sacred-Words examination paper.

As Fang Yun passed the other cubicles, many examinees could not help muttering quietly.

"Arrogant scholar!"

"This man is so fast. Impressive."

"Isn't that Fang the Freeloader, kept by the Xishi of Jiang Prefecture? What bad luck!"

After leaving the examination area, Fang Yun saw the three examiners sitting in a pavilion and looking his way. He did not go up to strike up a conversation, merely cupped his hands in salute before heading out of the Literary Academy.

Academic Examiner Wan loudly praised, "What a valiant and imposing young man!"

County Magistrate Cai thought that the boy was clearly from a Cold Gate family, frail and weak, covered in injuries besides. Not even a ghost could see anything valiant or imposing about him.

Academy Director Wang beside him praised, "Though injured and ill, he still resolutely came to take the examination. His moral character is exceptional. He is a model for all examinees and will surely enter the County Gazetteer, his name fragrant through later generations."

County Magistrate Cai immediately ordered the two soldiers who had inspected Fang Yun upon entry to be brought over.

County Magistrate Cai looked at the two uneasy soldiers and said, "I have questions for you. You must answer truthfully."

"Yes."

"When the injured examinee who just left entered the grounds, did he mention his injuries?"

Among two thousand examinees, he was the only one with medicinal cloth wrapped around his head. The two soldiers remembered clearly and recounted Fang Yun's words in full: he had arrived by ox cart, and yesterday he had been attacked by four masked men with Dayuan Prefecture accents, nearly beaten to death.

County Magistrate Cai's face turned livid.

Academic Examiner Wan and Academy Director Wang looked at County Magistrate Cai with considerable sympathy.

Fang Yun's State-Ringing poem and status as a Sage-front Tongsheng were certainly achievements to County Magistrate Cai's credit. Yet for a Sage-front Tongsheng to have nearly been beaten to death before the County Examination was a failure of public security. If the court pursued the matter, County Magistrate Cai would very likely face reprimand and a deduction in salary.

The Ministry of Personnel had the Bureau of Performance Assessment evaluate officials' governing ability—the so-called appraisal. County Magistrate Cai had originally been able to receive a top-top rating, but if news of Fang Yun's beating spread, he would be fortunate to receive even a middle-top rating.

County Magistrate Cai suddenly slammed his palm onto the table. "Tell Constable Lu to investigate this matter strictly! Producing a Sage-front Tongsheng in this county was no easy feat. I will never tolerate these petty scoundrels running wild!"

After speaking, County Magistrate Cai looked toward the entrance of the Literary Academy.

Fang Yun exited the Literary Academy through a side gate. The entrance, previously packed with examinees, had now been occupied by parents. Over a thousand people waited anxiously, acquaintances gathered together to chat, and the noise was deafening.

Pitiful are the hearts of parents everywhere. Fang Yun thought of his own mother, and his gaze dimmed.

"You handed in your paper already? Didn't they say the exam lasted until five in the evening? Why did you come out before four?"

"Whose child is that? There's no way he can pass like this."

"Seems to be that child from the Xishi of Jiang Prefecture's household. People said he was doing fairly well, but who would have thought he'd give up on himself? What a pity."

Fang Yun had no desire to get tangled up with those uncles and aunties. He hurried outward, squeezed through the crowd, and saw sedan chairs and carriages parked everywhere outside. One ox cart was especially conspicuous.

Fang Yun quickly walked toward the ox cart and saw several familiar neighbors chatting beside it with Yang Yuhuan.

"Little Yun?" Yang Yuhuan looked at Fang Yun in surprise.

The neighbors said nothing. They all looked at Fang Yun with regret. Those handing in their papers now were either heaven-sent geniuses or people who had done poorly and simply given up. In their eyes, Fang Yun clearly belonged to the latter.

These neighbors did not say harsh things like the others. Instead, they all comforted Fang Yun.

"Little Fang is still young. No need to rush. It would be stranger if he became a Licentiate now."

"That's right. It's all because of those injuries. Otherwise, Little Fang would surely have passed with flying colors."

Fang Yun smiled. "Thank you, aunties. Sister Yuhuan, let's go home."

"Alright. The old hen is already stewing, just waiting for you to return." Yang Yuhuan's smile bloomed like a flower, without the slightest disappointment or reproach. She did not even ask how he had done, afraid he would be upset.

Fang Yun felt even more grateful to her and went home with her.

On the way home, the two chatted and laughed. Yang Yuhuan deliberately spoke of happy things.

Yang Yuhuan returned the ox cart to the neighbor and went home with Fang Yun.

After entering the house, Yang Yuhuan tied on an apron and said with a smile, "Little Yun, sit there and don't move. Your sister will make you an all-meat feast! There's not only stewed chicken and braised pork, I even bought a fish. Eat your fill—you can eat tomorrow if you can't finish today!"

Fang Yun looked at Yang Yuhuan tying on her apron and said, "Sister Yuhuan, I have something to tell you."

"Go ahead. I'm listening." Yang Yuhuan tilted her head up and looked at Fang Yun with her beautiful eyes. Though she was three years older than Fang Yun, she was slightly shorter than him, petite and delicate.

"Have you noticed that the wounds and bruises on my face are much lighter?"

Yang Yuhuan took a careful look and said in surprise, "The wounds are all gone. Only faint pale marks remain. How strange!"

Yang Yuhuan sensed that Fang Yun's smile was hiding something, so she thought carefully. After pondering for quite a while, she vaguely came up with one possibility, but found it absurd.

Fang Yun suddenly stepped forward, moved around to Yang Yuhuan's side, and scooped her up in his arms.

"Ah..." Yang Yuhuan cried out, hurriedly wrapping her arms around Fang Yun's neck. She looked at him in flustered confusion.

Fang Yun asked with a smile, "Sister Yuhuan, what power in this world could suddenly make a person stronger? And rapidly heal my wounds as well?"

Yang Yuhuan stared fixedly at Fang Yun. From childhood to adulthood, Fang Yun had always been like a little brother in her eyes. If she had to describe him, the words that came to mind were nothing more than timid, weak, clumsy, unable to study, and kind-hearted.

This morning, Yang Yuhuan had seen determination in Fang Yun's eyes. But now, she saw a confidence she had never seen before.

Those were the eyes only a true man possessed!

"Did... did you receive Literary Talent Infusion?" Yang Yuhuan asked cautiously.

"I'm already a Sage-front Tongsheng!" Fang Yun said, gazing into Yang Yuhuan's eyes.

"Really? Really?" Yang Yuhuan tightly hugged Fang Yun's neck and looked at him in ecstatic surprise, afraid this was only a dream.

"I will never lie to Sister Yuhuan!"

Yang Yuhuan nodded hard. "I know. Our Little Yun would never lie to his sister."

As Yang Yuhuan spoke, tears fell patter-patter like pearls from a snapped string. To support Fang Yun's studies, she had endured too much hardship. She knew there was almost no hope, yet she had still gritted her teeth and persisted.

Countless matchmakers had secretly come to her door to arrange marriages for her. There had been wealthy merchants and great households, even prominent clans from the county. She had rejected without hesitation even descendants of famous families like Liu Zicheng, all for the conviction in her heart.

Now, the black night had passed, and dawn had come into view!

Only this dawn was far too brilliant. Even though Yang Yuhuan was not a scholar, she knew the significance of a Sage-front Tongsheng. His status was higher than that of an ordinary Academy Student; it could even be said that barring mishap, he was bound to become a Provincial Graduate.

"Good! Little Yun, you've truly done us proud!" Yang Yuhuan choked out, wiping away tears with one hand.

Fang Yun understood the bitterness and joy within Yang Yuhuan's tears.

Fang Yun slowly set Yang Yuhuan down, reached out to wipe her tears, and said, "Sister Yuhuan, don't cry. This is a good thing."

Yang Yuhuan's hands were rough, but her face was as delicate as white mutton-fat jade. It felt smooth in his hand, cool and soft.

"Mm! I'll go wash my face." Yang Yuhuan suddenly turned and hurriedly lifted the door curtain into the western wing room. She quickly washed and dried her face, then looked into the bronze mirror. Seeing a flush on her cheeks, her heart beat even faster.

Why is my heart beating so hard? Yang Yuhuan thought shyly.

Though I am to marry him in the future, I have only ever regarded him as a younger brother and never had any other thoughts. What is happening today? It is perfectly normal for a younger brother to wipe his sister's tears. Why am I acting like this? I must have been too tired lately. I should sleep early tonight.

Yang Yuhuan quickly calmed down. Just as she was about to return to the main room, she was seized by a ghostly impulse to look into the mirror again. She carefully combed her hair and then, in a rare moment, used the tiniest bit of rouge to improve her complexion. She had never been willing to buy such things; they had all been gifts from neighbors.

Before long, Yang Yuhuan came out and found Fang Yun awkwardly scraping fish scales. She smiled. "Let me do it. We don't eat fish often, so how would you know how to handle one? I've helped others make it before. Let me."

"Alright."

Fang Yun stood up, and Yang Yuhuan walked over, carrying a waft of fragrance with her.

Fang Yun looked at Yang Yuhuan's beautiful face and could not help saying, "Sister Yuhuan."

"Mm?" Yang Yuhuan lowered her head to handle the carp.

"You're so beautiful!"

Yang Yuhuan's hands stopped. She did not raise her head, but her fair face burned, even the tips of her ears turning red. Only after a long while did she say, "Go see how the old hen is stewing. If there's too little broth, add some hot water. Don't add cold water."

"Alright." Fang Yun knew Yang Yuhuan was shy and smiled as he went to add water to the clay pot.

The two soon finished preparing the meal: one stewed chicken, a bowl of braised pork, a braised carp, and finally a refreshing plate of shredded carrots.

This was the most sumptuous meal the Fang Household had enjoyed in all these years. Even New Year's Eve dinner could not compare.

Before the meal, Yang Yuhuan offered three sticks of incense at the memorial tablets of Fang Yun's father, Fang Yun's mother, and her own father.

Fang Yun, however, lit a full six sticks of incense and reverently inserted them into the incense burner.