Zhang Yuanzong, the magistrate of Xining City, held the official document just sent from Anyang Prefecture in both hands, his eyes falling on the two preliminary exam papers placed on the desk.
One was barely passable, while the other was completely unreadable; he felt it dirtied his eyes just to glance at it.
"They are all cousins. Song Qiming was able to test all the way to the top of the list, so why are these two having such a hard time even passing the preliminary county exam? I want to do them a favor, but I cannot even find a way to do it!"
The advisor, standing to the side with a bowed posture, spoke tactfully, "A dragon has nine sons, and each is different, let alone cousins. The brother personally taught by Lady Linghui is naturally going to be different."
Zhang Yuanzong put down the official document and leaned back in his chair, his mind exhausted.
"Never mind this Song Yaozu, but tell me, should I let Song Yongnian pass the preliminary exam?"
The advisor asked in return, "Does Your Honor think that if we force him through the preliminary exam, he will be able to pass the second round?"
Zhang Yuanzong's eyes widened, and he blurted out without the slightest hesitation, "That is definitely impossible. If I forcibly push him through and it gets discovered, it would be considered cheating."
The advisor nodded in agreement, "In my humble opinion, since he cannot pass the second round, we should not let him slide on the preliminary exam either."
He raised his hands to indicate two different heights. "Failing by this much is different from failing by that much."
"If he fails the preliminary exam, Lady Linghui will not say much, but if he fails the second round, she might actually come to Your Honor for a favor."
Zhang Yuanzong suddenly understood. "What you say makes sense."
He closed the exam papers and handed them over. "In that case, let us forget it. After all, Song Jinzhao did not come looking for me anyway."
"Wait until the second round is over, and then I will take some people to the Song family to offer congratulations, so as to avoid them asking me about the exam results."
The list of those who passed the preliminary exam was posted on the wall at the entrance of the county office. Oldest Song, Second Song, and his wife led their children and read it from beginning to end three times, but they could not find the names of Song Yongnian and Song Yaozu on it.
Despite feeling incredibly disappointed, Oldest Song patted Song Yongnian's shoulder comfortingly. "It is alright. You can take the exam again next year. This time was just testing the waters anyway."
Song Yongnian lowered his head in disappointment as he was led out of the crowd. His throat choked up, and his eyes were already red.
"Father, I will definitely pass next year."
Oldest Song replied, "Father believes in you."
Under the posted list, Second Song slapped Song Yaozu heavily on the back and said angrily, "You have studied for two years and could not even pass the preliminary exam. I paid your tuition for these two years for nothing."
Song Yaozu was hit so hard he pitched forward, and Second Aunt Song quickly grabbed his hand tightly.
The people standing nearby turned to look at them, their eyes showing disdain.
Second Aunt Song pushed Second Song's back with her hand. "Yaozu is still young, and it is his first time. If he did not pass, he can just take it again next time. Why are you hitting him?"
Having finally squeezed out of the crowd, Second Song turned around with his hands on his hips. "Qiming passed at the age of eleven after studying for one year. You are ten and have studied for two years, so why could you not pass? You could not even pass the preliminary exam. All that studying went straight into a dog's belly!"
Second Aunt Song frowned and stopped him. "Why are you speaking so loudly? Are you afraid others will not hear you? Let us go home. Stop making a fool of yourself in public."
Being scolded, Second Song's eyes widened larger than a bull's, and he panted heavily in anger.
Seeing that he was angry and refused to leave, Second Aunt Song leaned in and whispered, "Yaozu is not the only one who did not pass. Yongnian's name is not up there either."
Second Song's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Of course. I checked it twice. It is definitely not there." Second Aunt Song stuffed the slip of paper with the two names into Second Song's hand.
Second Song's anger subsided a little. He held his breath and took a deep breath to comfort himself.
Song Gaoli studied for three years before he passed the exams to become a scholar. It has only been two years, so it is normal not to pass. Maybe he will pass next year.
Waiting for news at home, Old Man Song was so anxious that he had no appetite for breakfast. He kept pacing back and forth at the door of the old house, waiting for them to return.
His pacing even made Old Lady Song, who was sitting on a small stool holding Song Yongshi, feel her heart pounding.
"You keep walking around. Why did you not go with them this morning?"
Old Man Song turned around and said, "Both the husband and wife went, and you have to watch the child at home. An old man like me would just be an eyesore if I tagged along."
As the two were talking, familiar footsteps reached their ears.
Old Man Song hurriedly turned his head to look down the road.
He saw the six members of the first and second branches of the family walking down the road with their heads bowed, looking very grim.
His heart skipped a beat, suddenly feeling that something was wrong.
Did they fail the preliminary exam?
