Irritation

Linhua County · Results Day

There were few candidates on the county list, so it was posted very quickly—normally within three days, sometimes as soon as the next day. Thus, the scholars all remained at the inns awaiting news rather than returning home.

The restaurant by the county yamen had six storefronts. On this day, its main hall was almost packed to bursting. Several dozen people sat scattered about in groups of three or five, all scholars. Some drank, some stared into space, some recited poetry, and one drunken fellow suddenly burst into tears.

The place was exceptionally bustling; those who came late could not even find a seat. Su Ziji had not arrived especially late, yet the moment he stepped through the restaurant doors, the liveliness washing over him still made him pause.

Though not every examinee was waiting here, besides the candidates themselves, there were also people who had come merely to watch the excitement. They found seats in the restaurant and waited to see the myriad faces of life when the list was posted.

"The snow has passed, the sky has cleared, and spring has officially arrived." Su Ziji appeared calm and unhurried, drawing occasional glances from others, who suspected he had done exceptionally well.

"Brother Su, you're here! Hurry up here!" Zhang Sheng and Yu Lü had claimed seats upstairs long ago. Spotting him now, Zhang Sheng quickly rose and called out to him from the staircase.

Smiling, Su Ziji climbed the stairs. Sure enough, there were six private booths, and warmth greeted him as soon as he entered. Clearly, the place had heating. He inwardly sighed. The prices here are not particularly high, yet they have heating. As long as one orders some wine, dishes, and tea, one can spend a little silver and wait here for half the day on results day. No wonder the place is packed.

After all, the weather outside was cold and damp. No one could endure standing out there for long, and catching a chill in this era could truly cost one's life. Nobody dared be careless.

When Su Ziji was only halfway up, he heard a cold snort from below. Turning his gaze, his heart sank. It was Cao Jincai, his creditor. Several burly men with vaguely hostile looks stood around him, clearly street toughs.

"Boss Zhang has come knocking."

Su Ziji's home was within the county town. He had not needed to stay at an inn at all; he could have gone home, or returned to Ye Bookshop. Why had he not? It was not because of Ye Buhui, that little hot pepper. Though the Child Scholar Examination was merely a qualifying examination, and passing it brought no formal rank, it was still a major event in the county—no one dared cause trouble at such a time, especially near the county yamen, where scholars gathered in droves.

Boss Zhang did not dare. Neither did Mount Tong Temple.

Otherwise, the county magistrate would teach them what "a county magistrate who could destroy a household" meant!

Thus, gathering in crowds had bought them several days of peace and safety, and he had also come up with a countermeasure.

So when he saw Cao Jincai now, his expression changed only slightly before returning to normal. He stepped into the restaurant, smiling before he spoke. "I've kept you two waiting."

Yu Lü knew the circumstances. Seeing his composure, he secretly admired Su Ziji's self-possession and hurriedly pulled him to the table. Eight cold dishes, a hot pot, and two varieties of pastries had been laid out. "Sit, sit. Have some wine."

Zhang Sheng had also heard and understood enough to know that Su Ziji had most likely failed because he had written a taboo character. Yet Su Ziji's expression, though somewhat ugly at first, had swiftly returned to normal, and Zhang Sheng could not help admiring him.

If he himself had encountered such a thing, he would surely have been consumed by regret. How could he possibly be as composed as Brother Su? Deeply impressed by Su Ziji's state of mind, he hurriedly comforted him again. "Brother Su, our information was cut off. It is understandable that we did not know during the County Examination. Besides, the Child Scholar Examination is not held once every three years—it is held every year. You can simply take it again next year."

Yu Lü shot him a look, feeling somewhat helpless—his emotional intelligence had truly broken through the heavens.

"Brother Zhang is right." Su Ziji did not take it to heart and nodded, though his mood remained heavy. In feudal society, taboo characters were taken extremely seriously.

There were not only national taboos; one also had to avoid the names of the Empress Dowager and the Empress.

There were official taboos as well, what common people called officials' name taboos. One had to avoid the names of one's superiors and their fathers and grandfathers.

Avoiding the names of sages and one's own elders was even more basic knowledge for any scholar.

Before the County Examination, Su Ziji had carefully studied the taboo characters issued by the court and committed them to memory. Yet because information did not travel easily, he had missed this one character—and he had happened to use it.

Could this be the omen that the feng shui had gone bad?

Su Ziji had originally been wondering what sort of omen bad feng shui would bring, but he had never imagined it would manifest in this matter.

A wave of irritation immediately rose in his heart.

Even after two days, I still can't accept it. Am I really going to fail because of such a ridiculous reason?

Taboo characters are taken so seriously now. If the examiner noticed it, then even if my work was fairly good, getting on the list would probably be difficult, wouldn't it?

He thought again of the young woman he had met at the temple that day, then thought, Even if I have bad luck, enough literary talent can suppress it. I had already reached Level 5 before the County Examination. Perhaps I can still make the list.

Su Ziji smiled, raised his cup, and gulped down the wine in one go. A flush spread across his face. Seeing that Yu Lü was still worried, he smiled. "I have already done my best. As for the rest, let nature take its course."

Then he asked, "Can I attend lectures at the Prefectural Academy?"

"You can. My family still has some connections. Besides, I showed your draft to Brother Zheng, and he also thought it was a great pity. He said you would be very welcome." Yu Lü brightened as he spoke.

"Brother Zheng? Zheng Yingci?"

"That's right. He is from the Zheng Family. He became an Examination Student last year and will take the Prefectural Examination this April. Brother Zheng's talent exceeds even mine. In my opinion, I cannot guarantee he will become a Provincial Graduate, but becoming a Provincial Graduate is certainly within his grasp."

"I see." Su Ziji fell into thought. He had vaguely heard of the Zheng Family: two Presented Scholars, three Provincial Graduates, and their highest-ranking official had once served as Minister of Revenue. Though that man had now retired from office, the family was still among the foremost great households in this county, with a name even in the prefecture.

With this connection, Su Ziji felt a weight lift from his heart.

Boss Zhang and Mount Tong Temple merely had some influence within this county; in the prefecture, they were nothing. He had the Golden Finger. Even if this attempt failed, it did not mean there was no road ahead. Attending lectures at the Prefectural Academy was an excellent solution.

Besides, he possessed martial arts. If they truly drove him into a corner, making blood splash five paces away would not be difficult.

"Some people truly refuse to shed tears until they see the coffin. Looking so poor and talentless, they still have the nerve to wait for news." Just as he was thinking this, a somewhat familiar voice suddenly sounded. Su Ziji froze slightly and looked over to find Cao Jincai had come upstairs and taken a table. Though his gaze was hostile and his words provocative, he had not named anyone directly, so Su Ziji simply ignored him.

"There are really a lot of people here today." Zhang Sheng could not help sighing. "It is understandable for examinees like us to wait here, but look around—quite a few people have specifically spent money to come watch the results being posted. They even keep making random sarcastic remarks. I truly do not know what is so entertaining about this excitement!"

Though Cao Jincai had actually been mocking Su Ziji, Zhang Sheng had taken the insult upon himself.

Yu Lü was rather tolerant of it. "There is little entertainment in ordinary times. Posting the results is a major event, and a happy occasion as well. Those with free time come to see something unusual and treat it as watching a play."

A play? A monkey show? Su Ziji thought helplessly.

When the time comes, those who pass will laugh, those who fail will cry. Bitterness, sweetness, sourness, and spice will all be laid bare before the spectators, left for anyone to comment upon. It is hard to say whether that is glory or absurdity.

Still, even without making this trip, in my original world, most people spent their lives rushing about for fame, profit, and such things.

Even now, with the Golden Finger, I am still merely an ordinary man.