"Eh, Miss, look at that person," Awu said to Sun Jinhu with a subtle expression.
"What about him?" Sun Jinhu asked.
"Just now, someone wanted to propose a marriage match with him, and he actually said he'd first take a look at their daughter," Awu described.
"Since it's a marriage proposal, knowing what she looks like shouldn't be a problem."
"But that's way too forward, isn't it? It's like he only cares about the other party's appearance," Awu complained. "And besides, it feels kind of improper."
"Ha, who are you talking about?" Sun Jinhu asked curiously.
"That one, the tall one..."
Following the direction of Awu's pointing finger, Sun Jinhu looked over.
Then she remembered—it was that man from the upper floor of the Scholar's Inn that day, who had glanced at her carriage with such casual indifference.
So he passed the examination.
"Miss!" A servant who had squeezed out from the crowd and hurried over reported breathlessly, "This humble one saw the rankings."
"Well, speak up then," Awu urged.
The servant paused for a moment, then spoke with a somewhat complicated expression: "The young master placed... placed first among the sub-yuan."
Hearing this, both women were somewhat surprised.
Because Minister Sun was certain that if his son didn't achieve jieyuan, it meant the Grand Secretary bore a grudge against him.
Moreover, the beautiful rumor that Sun Qian would either remain silent or achieve the triple crown had been circulating for quite some time.
The birthday banquet prepared in advance to celebrate a sub-yuan scholar was also partly intended to build momentum for the young master.
He didn't achieve jieyuan?
"Second place is still quite impressive... it's just that for the young master, he won't be too pleased about it," Awu also grew a bit nervous.
She could already sense the atmosphere that would pervade the estate in the coming days.
"What about the jieyuan then?" Sun Jinhu asked.
"The jieyuan was achieved by a scholar named Song Shi'an... apparently the son of the Sheng'an Magistrate," the servant said.
"I see..."
Sun Jinhu looked thoughtful.
But in truth, she couldn't think of anything clearly, since she had just arrived in the capital and knew absolutely nothing about the affairs between the noble families of the capital circle.
However, she understood one thing.
In a few days, things would get interesting.
...
"Achieving jieyuan means entering office as a Seventh Rank official."
Walking beside Song Shi'an, Wang Shuishan asked with great interest: "Jingxiu-xiong, what are your thoughts?"
This question referred to his career direction.
After achieving jieyuan, one didn't need to wait for an appointment—you immediately became a Seventh Rank official of the Great Yu court.
Before taking up the post, there would be an interview session with the Minister of Personnel, the head of the Nine Ministers.
The court would make job assignments based on your abilities.
But it wasn't entirely up to the court—the jieyuan could also actively request which department to serve in.
Of course, you couldn't just pick anything; there was no such good fortune.
However, stating a general direction was no problem.
Or rather—
Take the Hard mode route and go where the country needs you.
"What does Shuishan think?" Song Shi'an asked.
Discussing this topic sparked Wang Shuishan's interest: "I believe there are three options."
"First, Jingxiu-xiong's family has deep foundations. Remaining in the capital as an official, with your esteemed father's support, your future would surely be bright."
"Second, enter the Imperial Academy. The work there isn't burdensome, and Jingxiu-xiong could prepare for the jinshi examination while employed. Next year, passing the jinshi exam... perhaps even placing in the top three, then receive the court's assignment."
While discussing these two paths, Song Shi'an showed no reaction whatsoever.
"Third." As if finding a kindred spirit, Wang Shuishan declared passionately, "Take up a position as county magistrate, becoming a key governing official for a region."
This sentence made the corner of Song Shi'an's mouth curve upward.
"And furthermore!"
Although the other party restrained himself in scholarly matters, Wang Shuishan had long since discovered the pride in his bones, so he immediately guessed his ambition: "Pick the most miserable, poorest, most chaotic county, display your talents, and establish your fame and reputation!"
These were three life directions.
First, rely on your father.
Second, study hard while earning a salary.
Third, that would be an unadulterated official simulator.
The three paths, each more difficult to walk than the last.
Especially the final one—it could be called a golden path filled with thorns.
Last year's locust plague in Yi Prefecture, with the common people rioting, resulted in seven county magistrates being beheaded.
And that was just what the common people did themselves.
The number of officials dismissed by the court was countless, and even the regional governor and provincial inspector was demoted by one rank.
If you harbor great ambitions and aspirations as high as the heavens, would you dare contend against the torrents of history?
"Shuishan, you have quite the vision."
Song Shi'an raised his hand slightly, showing Wang Shuishan an approving smile.
"How unfortunate that I didn't even achieve sub-yuan status and lack even the qualification to be a backup official."
Wang Shuishan had even thought it through—when the time came to state his aspirations to the officials of the Ministry of Personnel, he would say: "Wherever you need me, I'll go."
Unfortunately, he didn't have that opportunity.
The placement for ordinary juren would be in three days, directly assigned by the personnel management agency under the Ministry of Personnel to serve as clerks in the capital or various prefectures and commanderies, based on the court's needs and the juren's individual capabilities.
Starting from the bottom.
The two men walked while talking, and just as they arrived at the Scholar's Inn, a group of people with red silk tied around their arms began beating drums and gongs.
"The jieyuan master stayed at our inn!"
"Our inn produced a jieyuan master!"
"Song-daren, congratulations, congratulations!"
It was the inn's proprietor.
This kind of riding on coattails was completely normal.
By making a big fuss about it now, advertising that the inn produced a jieyuan, when the next examination cycle came around, scholars would fight to reserve rooms at high prices, absorbing some of their senior's scholarly aura.
At this moment, the area around the inn was also packed with common people.
Many parents even pushed their own sons forward, trying to get as close to Song Shi'an as possible—this was the ancient practice of absorbing good fortune.
"Then do we still have to pay for our lodging?" Song Shi'an asked.
"Jieyuan master, you jest—of course not!" the proprietor immediately replied with a beaming smile. "Stay as long as you wish. The best rooms, the best wine and dishes, and if the master desires maidservants..."
"Hey hey hey!" Wang Shuishan quickly raised his hand to interrupt, not letting him finish.
"Jieyuan master, the inn's signboard is also getting rather old. Could you perhaps for this humble one..."
The proprietor began rubbing his hands together like a fly, eager to try.
"Bring me a brush."
Song Shi'an raised his hand.
The next instant, a writing brush appeared in his hand.
The paper on the table unfurled with extreme smoothness.
Without hesitation, Song Shi'an wrote from right to left, his brush falling to inscribe four large characters—
Great Display of Grand Ambitions.
...
At the Song Estate, a group of people waited.
Suddenly, a crowd carrying gift trays covered with red cloth, followed by servants using poles adorned with red ribbons to carry box after box of betrothal gifts, came beating drums and gongs.
Leading them was a thin, elderly steward in blue robes who, before even arriving, bowed and saluted with a beaming smile.
Seeing this scene, everyone at the Song Estate's faces immediately lit up with joy.
Madam Cui's anxious heart also settled down.
This meant he passed—people were already coming to arrange marriages.
"Is this the home of Jieyuan Master Song?" the old man asked politely outside the estate gates.
"Jieyuan?!"
Hearing this, Madam Cui was so excited she nearly fainted, fortunately supported by a maid beside her.
After recovering, only wild joy remained: "My son achieved jieyuan?!"
Even more shocked than her was Song Jing.
How could it be jieyuan?
My son's literary talent is indeed not bad, but his policy essay clearly deviated from the topic.
Have I grown old?
No.
Those old fellows at the Imperial Academy, pushing forward such an essay—are they openly opposing the Emperor?
How audacious!
"My master is from the Wang Clan of Sui County, here to propose marriage," the old man said.
"Sui County? There's a Wang Clan there?" Madam Cui had no concept of it and was somewhat confused.
"The Wang Clan's ancestors once served as Deputy Commandant of Fu Commandery," the old man explained.
"Deputy Commandant? Haha..."
This official position made Madam Cui, one of the Five Prestigious Families of the Capital, burst out laughing.
The old man's expression immediately darkened, somewhat embarrassed.
Song Jing tugged at Madam Cui's sleeve, telling her not to be so excessive. Then, smiling, he responded: "That won't be necessary. Our Song Ce is only fifteen years old and currently has no plans to marry."
The main issue was that the families were mismatched in status.
"Who is Song Ce?"
But one sentence from the old man left everyone at the Song Estate completely stunned.
Madam Cui immediately grew angry: "If you don't know Song Ce, what are you doing at our estate?!"
"Please forgive this transgression! Please forgive this transgression, Daren and Madam! This old fool made a mistake—we'll leave immediately."
Hastily, the old man apologized to them both and prepared to depart.
However, being unfamiliar with the capital, he turned back around and asked respectfully: "Daren, might you know how to get to Song Shi'an-daren's home?"