Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 95: An Explanation for Zhou Wenhai

The carriage wheels rolled over the bluestone-paved road, emitting a familiar rumbling sound.

This sound announced their return to Qingshi County.

Before the carriage had even come to a complete stop at the town entrance, a clamorous din of gongs and drums forced its way into the compartment.

Su Ming and Xu Qing exchanged a glance, both seeing a flicker of surprise in the other's eyes.

Xu Qing was the first to lift the carriage curtain, and the sight before him made him freeze.

A crowd had gathered at the town entrance at some point, led by several men who looked like yamen runners energetically beating gongs and drums.

A crude yet eye-catching red cloth banner had been unfurled, its ink still fresh, boldly proclaiming: "Congratulations to Esteemed Masters Xu Qing and Su Ming of Qingshi Town for Passing the Bingchen Provincial Examination as Provincial Graduates!"

"The news travels fast!" Xu Qing murmured.

Su Ming's gaze swept over the crowd, spotting many familiar faces, their expressions beaming with shared pride and joy.

He understood perfectly well. Official courier routes were always swift; the joyous announcement of their success had likely raced back to Qingshi Town well ahead of their own homecoming journey."I see," Su Ming said with a slight smile, his tone still calm. "Brother Xu, you are the Second Top Scorer. Today's spotlight belongs to you. Go on, don't keep the folks waiting."

Xu Qing nodded, took a deep breath, straightened his back, and stepped down from the carriage.

The moment he stood firm, he was enveloped by the enthusiastic crowd. Congratulations and praises rose and fell around him. A village elder stepped forward, gripping his hand, his face flushed with excitement as he spoke of "bringing honor to the family" and "winning glory for our town."

While everyone's attention was focused on the undisputed star, the "Second Top Scorer," Su Ming silently slipped down from the carriage. He whispered a few words to the cart driver and prepared to leave quietly.

However, someone still noticed him.

Several townsfolk who had been surrounding Xu Qing turned their heads, their faces breaking into smiles as they greeted him. "Top Scorer Su... no, Provincial Graduate Su is back!" "Congratulations, Provincial Graduate Su!"

Their tone, compared to the fervor directed at Xu Qing, was noticeably more subdued, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible regret. After all, the gap between seventy-third place and the third-place "Second Top Scorer" was rather stark.

Su Ming paid this no mind, merely offering a humble, respectful bow in return. "Thank you, fellow villagers. It was merely luck, sheer luck."

He found Xu Qing amidst the crowd and said in a low voice, "Brother Xu, enjoy this moment of glory and have a good reunion with your father. I must first go pay my respects to my teacher. I will visit to offer my congratulations another day."

Xu Qing could see Su Ming's mind was made up. "Alright! Brother Su, we'll meet again soon! Please convey my regards to Teacher Zhou!"

Su Ming nodded, turned, and merged into the flow of people on the street, striding towards the direction of the County School.

The street was the same street. The shops lining both sides, the hawking vendors, the children laughing and playing—everything was just as it had been when he left.

His pace was not hurried, each step landing with exceptional steadiness.

"Master, I'm ready," he said in his heart.

"Ready?" Lin Yu's lazy voice sounded, carrying a hint of a test. "Remember, once you go in, you are a child who messed up his exam. You need to feel wronged, you need to be afraid, but above all, you must be sincere. The performance must be convincing!"

Lin Yu's Soul Body shifted to a more comfortable position inside the ring.

Heh heh, Oscar-worthy acting is about to commence. Let's see how this modern workplace PUA tactic... no, this 'victory through appearing pitiable' open strategy fares against an old fox of the ancient officialdom.

"Your disciple understands," Su Ming replied.

Before long, the familiar black-lacquered main gate of the Zhou Residence came into view. Compared to the commotion at the town entrance, it was much quieter here. However, a brand-new pair of red paper couplets had been conspicuously pasted on the lintel, bearing phrases like "Poetry and Books Passed Down Through Generations" and "Fragrant Laurels and Orchids," proclaiming the household's joy at producing a Provincial Graduate.

Just as Su Ming stepped onto the stone stairs, the familiar side gate he knew so well creaked open from the inside.

The old gatekeeper peeked out. Upon seeing it was Su Ming, his somewhat cloudy eyes instantly brightened, his face breaking into an unprecedented, obsequious smile as he practically rushed out to greet him.

"Oh my! Master Su is back!" The old man's bow was deeper than usual, his tone filled with reverence and flattery. "Please come in, please come in! The Master has been waiting for you in his study since early morning! He gave instructions that as soon as you arrived, you were to be shown straight in!"

This attitude was completely different from the gatekeeper Su Ming remembered, who had always maintained a somewhat formulaic politeness.

After passing the provincial examination, even with a low ranking, his status in the eyes of these servants had fundamentally changed, from a "promising student" to a genuine "Master."

Su Ming inwardly scoffed, but his expression remained unchanged. He merely nodded gently. "Thank you for your trouble, Uncle."

He passed through the courtyard, noticing that the occasional maid or servant passing under the covered walkways would stop, casting curious and respectful glances his way, softly greeting him with "Good day, Master Su." The entire Zhou Residence was permeated with a subtle, reverent atmosphere born from his success.

Su Ming walked through the familiar courtyard and arrived before the study he had visited countless times.

He did not knock immediately. Instead, he stood quietly for a moment, adjusting his breathing and heartbeat to a slightly hurried and uneasy rhythm.

did he raise his hand and gently

*Knock, knock, knock.*

"Enter."

low, authoritative voice came from

the door open and entered. A scent, a mix of aged books and high-quality ink,

as

a deep blue scholar's robe, stood with his back

did not turn around, focused solely on wielding the Wolf Hair Brush in his hand, its tip dancing across the snow-white

gaze fell

was the character for

force it seemed to pierce the paper, sharp as a blade. It disrupted the character's overall balance and charm, revealing the writer's own profound inner

speak. In the study, only the soft

was stifling, oppressive

quietly, head bowed,

A long time passed.

the final stroke. He placed the brush heavily on the

He slowly turned around.

on Su Ming, calm as a deep pool

"You have returned."

of any emotion, yet

invite Su

Ming knew the

Yu's script, he took a step forward, bent at the waist, and performed a deep, ninety-degree bow,

the right amount

failed to live up to your

was abnormal, my inspiration dried up. I merely placed seventy-third, bringing shame upon you and

with immense fear and shame! I am too ashamed to face your nurturing! I have come specifically... to beg for

with genuine feeling, overflowing with remorse and

had not anticipated this move from

for failing to meet

in his chest by Su Ming's preemptive, self-abasing plea for

years, a respected and virtuous teacher. Facing a student who was already so "fearful" and contrite, what

further would only make himself appear petty and lacking in magnanimity, obsessed with a mere

Zhou Wenhai was stunned.

bowed, not even daring to raise his head, the knot of frustration in his chest

a heavy sigh, his

"You... rise first."

to

"Sit and speak."

a look of shame. He obediently sat on the edge

is brilliant," Su Ming thought

Yu hummed a little tune triumphantly inside the ring. "This is called striking the snake's vital spot, grasping the human heart. He values

took a sip, seemingly organizing

examination hall are full of variables. Performing below one's usual standard is a common occurrence," he

respond, nor did he offer a single word of

knew now was not

shifted the topic, as if hoping to make up for his

the prefectural city ended in disappointment at

voice had regained its composure, his thoughts clear

and complex than your student imagined. Prominent families stand like forests within the city, merchant guilds are entrenched, and various forces interlock like a dog's teeth, forming an invisible web. When your

hand, holding the teacup, paused slightly. A flicker of interest appeared in

what

continued, "For this Provincial Examination, the chief examiner, Minister Wang, served in the Ministry of Rites before retiring and values moral integrity above all. Your student observed that those who stood out in the prefectural literary gatherings, whose poetry and essays were particularly forceful and outstanding, mostly ranked high this time. The Top Scorer in the Classics, Qian

of an ordinary student, possessing a cool, observer's

The disappointment in his eyes had been completely replaced by

pause. He knew the real main event

lowering his voice a few degrees, as

at the very last seat as a companion. During the banquet, I happened to overhear a casual conversation between two low-ranking officials. In their words, they mentioned

Wenhai's gaze instantly

The cause seems to be related to an 'Iron

"Iron Certificate of Immunity!"

drops of scalding tea splashed onto the back of his hand, but he seemed not to

instantly became

discuss court affairs. I merely speculate privately that if this is true, there will surely be great changes in the capital. With

Su Ming lowered his head once

only after this experience that I truly began to understand that the path of the imperial examinations is far from being merely

is not a vessel.' A true scholar cannot merely be a 'vessel' for writing essays. One must also observe all directions, listen to all sources, understand the strategy of Concealing One's Edge and guarding one's simplicity, and clearly

thing. At the very least, it allowed your student to see the depth of these waters in advance,