Chapter 320

Some were shocked, some marveled, and some, of course, was sad.

Although Xu Mu had told Shen Qingling in advance, Shen Qingling didn’t expect that this day would come so soon. He didn’t even want a rank in the Final Imperial Examination. Didn’t he know that as long as he got the title of “the best scholar” of the Final Imperial Examination, his tale would circulate among the people in the capital city in the future?

Shen Qingling shook his head. No, it wasn’t that Xu Qing didn’t know that, but he just didn’t care. He didn’t want to be a government official, nor did he want power. What he wanted was nothing but a stage where he could prove himself. Undoubtedly, being an official was the best choice.

Shen Qingling had heard Tangtang mention it more than once that this idea came from his Dad. Shen Qingling admired this person, who he had never met before, from the bottom of his heart. He admired him for having created a son like Xu Qing.

Shen Qingling was also aware of the reason why Xu Qing had made such a choice. Once he became a local official near his home, he could often go back. He could also exploit his talent in a better way and show himself. It was indeed an excellent choice.

Xu Qing was originally from the countryside, so naturally, he was not afraid of hardships.

However, even though Shen Qingling knew that this was the best and most suitable choice for Xu Qing, he still didn’t express support for him. After all, he didn’t want to be too far away from Xu Qing. The relationship between them was still friends now, and there would be a long way to go.

When Shen Qingling was absent-minded, the Emperor had already granted Xu Qing’s request, but he said that he had to give Xu Qing the title of “the best scholar”. The Emperor did this in an extremely casual way.

However, everyone present understood that this was an inevitable outcome, and only Shen Qingling didn’t know what Xu Qing had told the Emperor just now so that the Emperor would grant Xu Qing permission to leave the capital to be a local official.

Shen Qingling felt that he couldn’t wait any longer. He wanted the Final Imperial Examination to finish as soon as possible, so that he could have a good talk with Xu Qing. He wanted to ask Xu Qing so many questions, and he also wanted to tell Xu Qing his feelings for him.

Before long, the Emperor announced the best scholar of the Final Imperial Examination, so it wouldn’t take long before the rest of the rankings came out. The Emperor had already got his answer after reading the papers, so he could give the ranking directly. Therefore, he called the names one by one, deciding the placing.

However, the placing this time was totally different from the one of the Spring Imperial Examination. The original first and second students became the ninth and tenth, while the original fifth and sixth ones became the second and third. Few had expected this, especially for the first and second students in the Spring Imperial Examination. Their color changed immediately. However, since they were in a public occasion, they couldn’t lose their temper, so they could only choke back their anger. But they hated the Shen family and Xu Qing to the core.

Xu Qing, who had already become the public enemy somehow, was still happy because he was granted permission to be a local official by the Emperor. He planned to ask the Emperor for a favor in a while since he wanted to take up the post one year later, so that he could bring Guoguo’s spouse and baby home first, and then have Baozi and Qingshu get married soon.

As for anything else, he didn’t have enough energy left to think about them.

After the Final Imperial Examination, the students could go home. They only needed to wait for the announcement of examination result. Three days later, they would enter the palace again to attend the banquet held for the best scholar. Then they just needed to wait for the assignment of the positions.

When the Emperor asked the crowd to dismiss, Shen Qingling was the first one to leave to wait outside. The Emperor had originally wanted to ask him to stay so that he could have a further discussion with him. However, before he had the eunuch speak to him, Shen Qingling was already nowhere to be seen.

The Emperor sighed, feeling helpless. He was somewhat satisfied with the Final Imperial Examination today, but more dissatisfied.

Finally, the Emperor gave the title “the best scholar” to someone he liked, but he wanted to be a local official, with his own efforts. However, it would take years before a local official was able to make an achievement. Therefore, the Emperor couldn’t see the best scholar in years, while the best scholar might not be willing to come to the capital city then.

The Emperor was upset, but since each of Xu Qing’s words hit the right note, he couldn’t disagree, so he could only endure the pain silently and let go of the one he liked.

However, what the Emperor was most interested in right now was how come Shen Qingling would know what Xu Qing knew. Furthermore, only the two of them knew about these things. Could it be that they were in cahoots with each other?

The Emperor thought about it and felt that it was impossible. After all, he was the one who had set the test question and had told nobody about it. Even if the two of them had colluded in the Final Imperial Examination, they wouldn’t have known what to do!

Thinking of this, the Emperor became more and more confused and curious.

…

On the other side, Shen Qingling, who had been waiting, didn’t see Xu Qing as soon as he had expected. Instead, he had waited for a long time but failed to see him. Meanwhile, he found that there were few ministers walking out of the hall today.

Shen Qingling thought about it and realized what was going on. That was, Xu Qing was mobbed, by those ministers who could go home but didn’t.

Therefore, Shen Qingling decided to go back and take a look.

It was just as Shen Qingling had expected. Tangtang was indeed mobbed by the crowd. Shen Qingling knew none of them, but judging from the robes they wore, their official positions were not low. Probably except for those top-ranking officials, the rest of them all stayed around Tangtang, who wanted to leave but failed.

However, Tangtang didn’t know these people. Even if he wanted to have some small talks with them, Tangtang didn’t know how. The most thing he asked was people’s names, and he had been putting on a smile the whole time.

Not only these officials, but those students who had taken the Final Imperial Examination also came over to join them.

Especially the fifth and sixth students of the Spring Imperial Examination, who had become the second and third of the Final Imperial Examination, both of them thought Tangtang was credited with their rankings, so they came over to express their gratitude.

Tangtang was surrounded in the middle and found it difficult to say anything. He thought to himself. He would have left with Shen Qingling if he had known this would happen, so that someone could come to his rescue.

At the thought of Shen Qingling, Tangtang heard someone outside the crowd saying, “So everyone is here. The exam is already over. Are you all still here to discuss something? You’ve been working too hard.”

Shen Qingling forced his way through the crowd as he was speaking. He glanced at the one in the middle of the crowd, and it was indeed Xu Qing.

Shen Qingling squeezed into the crowd, reached out to grab Xu Qing’s arm and pulled him outside. As he was walking, he said, “Let’s go. Your younger brother is still waiting for us outside the palace. He must be anxious from waiting. The lords are discussing the state affairs here. You are just a best scholar and don’t even have an official title yet. Be sensible and leave.”

Shen Qingling wasn’t holding onto Tangtang’s arm tight, but Tangtang followed him out obediently. He didn’t really want to stay here anymore, so it was great that Shen Qingling came to his rescue.

Then, Tangtang apologized to these officials with a regretful look, walking outside with Shen Qingling.

When they left the crowd, both of them sped up, hoping to leave the palace as soon as possible.

However, even when they had left the crowd, Shen Qingling didn’t let go of Tangtang’s hand. Tangtang wanted to speak but stopped several times, and he didn’t say anything in the end. Although holding hands felt a little weird, but it was not that unacceptable.

As a smart man, how would Tangtang not understand what Shen Qingling was thinking about, but he hadn’t made up his mind yet. It was impossible for him to stay in the capital city for Shen Qingling, so if possible, he would rather not put everything on the table. It would also be great for them to be confidants.

If they were meant to be together, Tangtang wouldn’t refuse Shen Qingling in the future. Since his Dad and the others had approved of Baozi marrying Qingshu, there should be no problem if he took a man who was unable to bear children home!

Tangtang was thinking with rapt attention. The two of them were still holding hands when walking out of the palace entrance.

Many people were waiting outside the palace, including Guoguo. Seeing the two holding hands, Guoguo couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows. It had been less than half a day, and they were already holding hands. Weren’t they fast?

However, Guoguo realized that something was wrong after staring at them for a while. It seemed that someone had cast a spell on his elder brother because he was completely dragged out by Shen Qingling.

Guoguo leaned over and waved his hand at his brother’s face, but his brother had no reaction at all.

Guoguo asked Shen Qingling, “Has someone cast a spell on my brother?”

Hardly had Guoguo finished his words than his hand was heavily slapped. “What are you talking about? You were cast a spell on.”

The one slapping Guoguo was naturally Tangtang. Guoguo stroked the back of his hand with grievance. “You didn’t react when I was waving my hand at your face, and now you’re blaming me.”

Tangtang gave Guoguo a scornful stare. “I was thinking.”

The person who was given a scornful stare clapped his hands generously, indicating that he was not bothered with someone who had given him a cold shoulder.

However, Guoguo gave another teasing stare to the hands holding together all the time.

Guoguo’s stare made Tangtang realize that they were still holding hands. He clearly remembered that Shen Qingling had held his arm, but when had he started to hold his hand? Could it be that he had been thinking too attentively just now?

Now that they had already held hands, it was useless for him to think so much. Tangtang just withdrew his hand calmly.

Shen Qingling had remained quiet the whole time. It was a funny scene to watch that two identical people were bickering.

However, when Xu Qing withdrew his hand, Shen Qingling still felt a little disappointed. Then he comforted himself. Since they had held hands once, they would naturally do it again. There was still time, and he didn’t need to rush.