The saying that Tian Yu possessed the talent of a top scholar had been circulating in Duanjing for years, leading everyone to believe that Tian Yu would surely achieve a high rank in the imperial examinations this time. Even if not the top scholar, he was certainly expected to be within the first class.
In the end, he only ranked nineteenth in the third class.
This was no different from falling from the heavens into the mud.
Wang Da and Madam Bai were also stunned when they first heard the news, finding it hard to believe, and filled with disappointment. However, this complex emotion was fleeting, quickly replaced by overwhelming joy and pride.
After all, Tian Yu was merely their future son-in-law. Even though he was already married to Wang Qinglin, he was not as important as Wang Qingjing.
In the Lijin Courtyard, the maidservant sent by Wang Qinglin to gather news also came running in.
"Miss, the eldest young master has become the *tanhualang*! You will be the sister of a *tanhualang* from now on!"
Wang Qinglin smiled, feeling honored. She was proud and smug.
The only sister of a *tanhualang* in the world, she would surely ascend further in social circles from now on.
"What about Young Master Tian?" she asked, her smile slightly fading, her tone indifferent.
The maidservant hesitated for a moment before replying, "Third... nineteenth in the third class."
Wang Qinglin looked at her in surprise, her brow furrowing. "Third class?"
The maidservant shrank back, lowering her head, trying to minimize her presence.
"Yes, third class. That's what the messenger said."
Wang Qinglin's expression immediately turned cold. Hmph, just a few days ago, Tian Yu had boastfully declared he would marry her once he became the top scholar. Thinking about it now, she felt utterly embarrassed.
At this moment, Wang Qinglin was incredibly glad she had made her decision early.
The Tian family also received the news.
"What, third class?"
Madam Tian's eyes rolled back, and she nearly fainted.
Tian Yu's face instantly turned pale. Lord Tian, still rational, looked at him and asked, "How could you be in the third class? Did you forget to avoid the emperor's name?"
Tian Yu, his face still pale, shook his head. "No, I checked it several times."
"Then did the essay go off-topic?"
Before Tian Yu could answer, Lord Tian remembered that Tian Yu had recited the essay to him after finishing it, and he had praised it at the time!
So, what was the reason?
Lord Tian found it strange. Although he was only a seventh-rank official in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, he had been in office for many years and immediately sensed something unusual. He made arrangements and paid a visit to one of the officials in charge of grading the papers.
There was nothing difficult to explain. The official from the Ministry of Rites was quite understanding. He did not mention Prince Ding'an's name, only saying that the Emperor himself had brought it up.
Lord Tian was stunned when he heard this. Upon returning home, he couldn't help but slap Tian Yu and Madam Tian.
"It's all your own doing! You didn't study properly and insisted on getting entangled in illicit affairs between men and women! Now look, our Tian family... our Tian family is ruined!" Lord Tian was filled with regret.
Although he was dissatisfied with Wang Qingyao initially, the marriage had been decided, and he hadn't thought much of it. It was Madam Bai who constantly nagged him, saying Wang Qingyao was not good enough for her son. She also praised Wang Qinglin, saying that marrying her would surely bring prosperity to the family.
And the result?
He should never have agreed to break off the engagement with Wang Qingyao and replace her with Wang Qinglin.
Well, retribution had arrived.
Madam Tian and Tian Yu were stunned again when they heard the reason, completely taken aback.
"How could it be because of this?" Madam Tian wailed, "This Wang Qingyao is simply a jinx! Just being engaged to her has brought us eight lifetimes of bad luck!"
Lord Tian frowned and kicked her. "Shut your foul mouth! Do you think you haven't caused enough trouble for this family?"
In front of the servants, Madam Tian was beaten and kicked. Feeling disgraced and further demoralized by Tian Yu's ranking, she was utterly dejected and sat on the ground, crying loudly.
Despite her crying, she dared not curse Wang Qingyao this time.
Lord Tian, annoyed by her wailing, flicked his sleeve and left.
Madam Tian cried even louder, extending her arms towards Tian Yu, hoping he would join her in weeping.
But Tian Yu stood there blankly, like a soulless shell.
Madam Tian called out to him several times, but he showed no reaction.
Madam Tian was terrified. She stopped crying and quickly got up from the ground to pull his arm.
"Yu Ge'er, Yu Ge'er, what's wrong? Don't scare your mother."
"It's okay if you didn't do well in the exam, really. Mother only cares that you are alright."
"We'll start from the bottom. You are so capable, you will surely climb to the top step by step!"
"Yu Ge'er, say something! Mother is begging you, don't scare your mother!"
Tian Yu's face was devoid of any expression. He looked at Madam Tian blankly and said in a low voice, "Mother, I brought this upon myself."
Compared to the gloom and despair of the Tian family, the Fang family of Zhongyong Duke's mansion was filled with jubilation. Zeng Huai was a disciple of Zhongyong Duke and had been living and studying at the Fang family's residence. The good news naturally reached Zhongyong Duke's mansion.
Zeng Huai was also grateful and immediately kowtowed to Zhongyong Duke, saying, "All thanks to my mentor's guidance."
Zhongyong Duke, in his sixties with white hair and beard, was all smiles and couldn't close his mouth. He personally helped Zeng Huai up and admonished him, "A man's knees are made of gold; one should not kneel so easily."
Zhongyong Duke was very pleased with Zeng Huai. Although the young man came from a humble background, he had noble character, was loyal and honest, and now, having achieved the top scholar rank, his future was bound to be limitless. He had originally intended to betroth his granddaughter, Fang Yuan, to him, but Fang Yuan had already fallen for that young man, Huang Xuanming, earlier. What a pity, what a pity...
Zeng Huai changed into his scholar's attire and rode a tall horse through the streets for a parade. The Fang family was busy hanging red lanterns and distributing celebratory money. Amidst this joyous atmosphere, an old woman carrying a swaddled infant knocked on the gate of Zhongyong Duke's mansion.
Because Zeng Huai had become the top scholar, servants of Zhongyong Duke's mansion were coming and going, and neighbors from the surrounding streets had gathered to cheer. The main gate had not been truly closed.
This old woman's arrival was strange and conspicuous. The crowd had not yet dispersed when she began banging on the gate and wailing, "Lord Zhongyong Duke, please seek justice for my daughter! My daughter died so tragically!"
She was clearly an uncultured village woman.
Zhongyong Duke was not someone one could just see. He had retired to the inner courtyard, and his spirits were not as robust in his old age. The servants dared not disturb him and reported the matter to the Heir, Fang Xiuqi. As the Grandson, Fang Zheng, was also present, they both came out together.
An infant, a woman, and a noble household—it was easy to associate this with a scandal.
The lingering crowd immediately surged forward again.
"Could it be the new top scholar's child..."
"It's possible. One moment he's a high-ranking scholar, the next he abandons his wife and child. That's how it always happens in plays."
"Don't talk nonsense. I don't think the new top scholar is that kind of person."
"There are plenty of men in Zhongyong Duke's mansion..."
"Could it be the Heir's illegitimate child? Ah, I heard that the Heir's wife hasn't been able to conceive for many years, and only managed to get pregnant this year."
"Your guess makes a lot of sense!"
The discussions grew louder, and the content became increasingly outlandish.
Fang Zheng: Am I that kind of person?