Chapter 250: Unlimited Glory
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Lu Yan Shu has achieved the highest honors!!”
“He topped the rankings!”
“His name is on the gold list, achieving the top honors!!”
“Hurry, spread the good news…”
“Li Zi Xi has secured the third highest position…”
“And you know what? Li Zi Xi is indeed very handsome. This year, even the top scholars have exceptional looks.”
Madam Xu heard the joyous news and burst into tears of joy.
“Did he make it? Is Yan Shu’s name on the list?” Madam Xu clutched Deng Zhi’s arm, her hands and feet trembling with nerves.
“He made it, he made it! General Rong lost a shoe in the rush, but he went to confirm it himself. Our young master has become the top scholar!”
“Madam, your hardships have paid off. You’ve finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel!” Deng Zhi couldn’t hold back her tears either.
Madam Xu wiped her tears with a handkerchief, “Quick, let’s go home and wait for the official announcement.”
“Have you prepared the congratulatory money?”
“It’s been ready for a long time, madam. Don’t worry.”
As Deng Zhi helped Madam Xu downstairs, someone shouted, “Isn’t this the mother of the top scholar, Madam Xu?”
Madam Xu stood at the top of the stairs, her face slightly flushed. She smiled faintly and nodded to the crowd, who then loudly congratulated her, “Congratulations, Madam Xu.”
Madam Xu smiled and said, “Once things settle down, I will host a small feast at our residence. Please come and share in our joy.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
“We’ll definitely come to share the joy.”
As Madam Xu left, the crowd exchanged glances.
“Is this the plain-looking wife that Marquis Yuan Ze mentioned?”
“Hiss… Is Marquis Yuan Ze insane? This is what he calls plain? She’s much better looking than his concubine.” The crowd looked at each other in shock.
Is Lu Yuan Ze out of his mind!!
“He even disowned his three sons and a daughter from the family register. Isn’t he crazy?” someone mocked, their face full of ridicule.
“But this is the eldest son who has achieved the highest honors, bringing glory to the ancestors!” The crowd looked on enviously.
“I heard Madam Xu’s third son is also very studious and humble. He keeps saying he’s the dumbest in the family.” The crowd sighed, amazed at her luck in having such talented children.
At that moment, just after court had adjourned, Lu Yuan Ze adjusted his robe, which had become a bit too loose. Once a handsome young lord, he now looked somewhat disheveled and aged, a far cry from his former elegance.
“Marquis Yuan Ze, congratulations!” The Assistant Minister of Rites bowed to Lu Yuan Ze.
“Marquis Yuan Ze, you’re so fortunate. Congratulations, Marquis Yuan Ze.” The Protectorate Duke also offered a sarcastic smile and congratulations.
Many colleagues followed suit, bowing to Lu Yuan Ze, “Congratulations, Marquis Yuan Ze.”
Lu Yuan Ze was taken aback. He had been so troubled by Lu Jing Huai’s scandal recently that he was on edge, his mind scattered, even during court.
Lu Yuan Ze paused, wondering what the celebration was about. His colleagues exchanged glances, surprised at his reaction.
“Marquis Yuan Ze, you don’t know?”
“Your son has become the top scholar, achieving the highest honors, bringing glory to your family! What a joy!”
“Marquis Yuan Ze, though you lost the marquisate, your son has made you proud.”
“He’s the youngest to achieve the highest honors, with a bright future ahead.”
“I heard the king is considering him as a tutor for the crown prince. Marquis Yuan Ze, you mustn’t forget us when you’re even more successful.”
“You’re truly blessed, Marquis Yuan Ze. Though your son was paralyzed for ten years and didn’t touch a book, he aced the royal exams, achieving the highest honors. It makes one wonder, if he had not been paralyzed, he might have achieved this earlier. What an incredible talent.” Everyone chimed in.
Lu Yuan Ze’s heart clenched painfully.
[The highest honors?]
For a moment, he felt as if the world had abandoned him. He could only faintly hear his colleagues’ compliments, his mind blank.
“Oh dear, I made a mistake!” The Protectorate Duke suddenly waved his hand.
“It’s all my fault for my poor memory. I forgot that Marquis Yuan Ze disowned his eldest son, removed him from the family register, and even wrote a severance letter, cutting ties completely.”
At these words, the entire hall fell silent. Everyone looked at Marquis Yuan Ze, whose face went from red to white, almost collapsing.
“Marquis Yuan Ze, you won’t blame me, will you?”
Lu Yuan Ze forced a bitter smile, “It’s fine, it’s fine.”
As his colleagues walked away, he could still faintly hear them saying, “We must visit the top scholar’s house for a drink later.”
“Madam Xu has finally made it.”
“What a pity, it could have been an opportunity for the Marquis Zhongyongate. Now… alas. Such a misfortune…”
Lu Yuan Ze felt as if he had been slapped in the face, his complexion pale. He staggered out of the palace.
Outside, the streets were bustling.
“The top scholar is parading through the streets…” Children played and ran along the road, everyone looking up at the three scholars.
“Oh my, the top scholar and the third-ranked scholar are so handsome…”
“I think the top scholar looks better…”
“I think the third-ranked scholar looks better…” The crowd argued incessantly.
Lu Yan Shu rode a tall horse, parading through the long street, wearing a big red flower, his face flushed. The girls in the pavilions threw handkerchiefs at the three scholars.
“Top scholar, catch my handkerchief, top scholar…”
“Third-ranked scholar, look at me…” The girls laughed.
Unmarried girls were usually very reserved, but every three years, when a top scholar emerged, they became particularly bold.
There was even a tradition of capturing a husband from the ranks of scholars. Earlier, third-ranked scholar Li Zi Xi was almost captured. Luckily, Lu Yan Shu had brought enough guards to save him.
“It’s so scary, so scary…”
The fair-faced young boy beside Lu Yan Shu blushed. His features were even more delicate than Lu Yan Shu’s, though he was somewhat thin.
“Ouch…” Li Zi Xi suddenly covered his head.
“Who put a stone in the handkerchief…” Li Zi Xi held his forehead, blood starting to show.
“Still so unlucky…” Li Zi Xi looked desperate.
“Yan Shu, can I rest at your place later?” third-ranked scholar Li Zi Xi asked cautiously.
“Of course you can.” Lu Yan Shu sighed.
Around the corner, Jiang Yun Jin sat in a carriage, her eyes red as she watched the young scholars basking in glory.
“It should have been mine.”
“The highest honors, unparalleled glory…”
“It should have been mine…” A tear slid down her cheek as she thought of the helpless and furious Lu Jing Huai at home, filling her with nothing but disgust.
Lu Yuan Ze was also in a daze. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
A joyous event—his son had achieved the highest honors.
A misfortune—he had disowned his son, cutting all ties.
[What have I done? How did I ruin such a good hand?]
He had abandoned his eldest son for Lu Jing Huai’s talents. Now, Lu Jing Huai was exposed as a plagiarist, while his eldest son had become the top scholar. How laughable. He felt like a joke.
When Lu Yan Shu brought third-ranked scholar Li Zi Xi home, Madam Xu had already seen off the congratulating relatives. The top scholars had to enter the palace to express their gratitude, which caused the delay.
“The young master is home,” a servant shouted.
The maids and servants were delighted. Today, Madam Xu had given everyone triple their monthly allowance and prepared a lavish feast. Who wouldn’t be happy?
Madam Xu hurriedly stepped out. She happened to meet Lu Yan Shu.
“Mother, this is Young Master Li,” Lu Yan Shu introduced with a smile.
“This is Young Master Li, the third-ranked scholar? I saw you from a distance during the parade. No wonder you are the third-ranked scholar.” Traditionally, third-ranked scholars were known for their handsome looks.
Madam Xu pondered, wondering if the rumors about Young Master Li’s terrible luck were true. Just as she finished speaking, the plaque above the door suddenly loosened and fell straight toward Li Zi Xi.