The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 829 - 178: Raise eyebrows and sigh

Chapter 829: Chapter 178: Raise eyebrows and sigh

Mo Heng had already informed Chang Yonglin and others about Jiang Benxin’s preferences last year. Chang Yonglin was aware of them, but Mo Heng did not recommend that he tailor his strategic essays to those preferences. It was better for Chang Yonglin to retain his uniqueness, to write as he ought to write. Now, Jiang Benxin wouldn’t dare seek death before him.

Chang Yonglin did not ask further and directly followed his regular thought process when composing his strategic essays.

Li Baoxiang, fearing he might fail the examination this year too, inquired about Jiang Benxin’s preferences. Mo Heng told him to just write truthfully. Although Jiang Benxin was now following Xiao Guangbi, he also came from a humble background and was a Palace Graduate himself. While splendid and ornate writing was appealing, truthful writing captured his current performance and thoughts even better.

Chang Yonglin’s essays were somewhat florid; he was more tactful than Pei Wendong and Zhao Yong, and his essays often contained excessively flattering words, splendid and ornate.

After reading Pei Wendong’s and Zhao Yong’s essays, Li Baoxiang felt that neither of their essays matched up to his, though they had their unique points. However, their chances of passing the examination were not solely based on the quality of their essays. The educational officer even recognized Pei Wendong and the others, while Mo Heng wouldn’t even introduce him to the Master County.

Therefore, he also did some inquiries on his own and made his essays splendid and ornate. However, he couldn’t learn Chang Yonglin’s opulence or Zhao Yong’s style of aristocracy. After finishing his essay, he himself felt that it was perhaps a bit excessive. When he left the Tributary Court, he hadn’t even reached the gate when he overheard two students discussing anxiously in a hushed tone, suffering the same plight, exclaiming how dire it was.

Fearing he might miss this year’s opportunity too, Li Baoxiang quickly sought out Mo Heng, hoping he would use his connection with the Master County, because in the final analysis, passing or failing still depended on Jiang Benxin, and if Mo Heng recommended him to the educational officer, his chances would be eighty percent secure.

"Write down your exam responses for me," Mo Heng instructed Zhang Gengshan to bring paper and pen.

Li Baoxiang, with a slightly stiff expression, thought of bluffing his way through, not wanting to let Mo Heng know he hadn’t followed his advice. Looking at Mo Heng in his black robe embellished with subtle patterns and his detached demeanor, exuding an air of chill all around, he ultimately did not conceal it and dictated his answers to Mo Heng. However, he slightly revised his essay, worrying that transcribing the strategic essay directly might make Mo Heng deem it unsuitable and refuse to speak for him.

After reviewing it, Mo Heng tossed it aside, "There’s no one else backing you up; just wait for the news."

Li Baoxiang’s heart brightened, "What if... someone does back me up?" Chang Yonglin had been with Pei Qin since childhood, and they would certainly favor him. Pei Wendong could be disregarded, but Zhao Yong’s essay was passably decent. With such an opportunity at hand, they would definitely push Chang Yonglin forward.

Mo Heng looked up at him.

Li Baoxiang’s heart clenched, suddenly feeling sheepish, "I see, there are quite a few nobility amongst this year’s examinees."

Chang Yonglin would certainly pass this year, as would Wang Nuo from the Wang family, who often sought academic advice from Mo Heng. Since the Wang family had significant influence in Yuanyang County, he was sure to pass as well. That would squeeze out his own chances.

"The selection process selects talents, not family backgrounds," Mo Heng said coldly.

"Yes, yes," Li Baoxiang replied, forcing a laugh. Despite himself, he felt as if Chang Yonglin and Wang Nuo were the real sons, and he was just adopted.

After cleaning up, Chang Yonglin thought about the skewed examination hall scene, found himself unable to eat, and only drank two bowls of plain porridge with some cold dishes mixed with sesame oil, not minding whether it was cold, and fell asleep as soon as he finished eating.

It took him several days to barely recover.

Li Baoxiang came to ask him how he had performed in the exam. If Chang Yonglin had indeed won the favor of Jiang Benxin and the educational officer, then his own chances would be further reduced.

Although Chang Yonglin felt sick to his stomach, his mind was clear and knew that Li Baoxiang had been running around asking Mo Heng to pull strings for him and had even approached Wang Nuo. He didn’t want to entertain him, "Whatever the results of the exam, just wait for them! They’ll be out in another couple of days anyway."

Li Baoxiang could not get an answer and had to let it go.

After two days, the results of the spring examination were released. Chang Yonglin failed, and so did Wang Nuo.

Li Baoxiang was listed as having passed.

Pei Wenchen also failed.

Li Baoxiang’s face beamed with joy, his heart swelling with delight. Especially with Chang Yonglin and Wang Nuo’s failures, he felt a secret thrill. Both young men from noble families had failed, whereas he had passed, thus proving his academic superiority over them!

Grandma Li was also extremely delighted, wanting to throw a celebration. She invited her maternal family, the Fang family, the Yu family, along with Pei Qin and Mo Heng’s. She felt like it was a moment to raise her eyebrows in triumph and planned to organize a big celebration.

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