Chapter 147: Overjoyed
All the rooms had their lamps lit, but Gong Changan and his brothers still hadn’t returned.
“Could it be that the Tutor kept them?” Sang Er said, “Or did they go to San Jing Academy to watch the excitement?”
“Don’t just talk about them, even those from our household who went to watch the excitement haven’t returned yet!” Zhang Ma said, “They’re all acting like they’re possessed. I’ll have someone go out to meet them later; it’s not safe in the dark.”
“Madam! Madam!” Ma Ping’an rushed in from outside, shouting as he ran.
“Oh my, what’s wrong? You startled me. You’re a father now, why are you still so flustered?” Zhang Ma asked him, “Did you see the Young Master?”
“The Fifth Young Master is back,” Ma Ping’an said, stopping and catching his breath, “He’ll be here any moment.”
“Only the Fifth Young Master? Where is the Fourth Young Master?” Sang Er quickly asked.
“Great news! Tremendous news!” Ma Ping’an jumped with excitement, “I heard it on the street, the whole Capital City is buzzing with it!”
“What good news, tell me!” Sang Er said, “You’re killing me with suspense.”
“I want to see Madam,” Ma Ping’an said, “This great news should be heard by Madam first.”
“Then you’ve come to the wrong place, Madam is in the Old Madam’s room!” Zhang Ma said.
“Then I’ll go to the Old Madam’s place.” Ma Ping’an didn’t bother with pleasantries and ran directly towards the east.
“Just how great is this news? They didn’t even tell us.” Sang Er smiled, “No, I have to go and listen.”
Wen Mingqian was serving Old Madam Gong her dinner in her room.
“I said we’d wait for Changan to return and eat together, it’s not a matter of minutes,” Old Madam Gong said, “I’m already this old, how can I not wait?”
Wen Mingqian smiled, “Old Madam, please eat slowly. They should be back soon.”
“Old Madam, Second Madam, Ma Ping’an is outside, saying he has something to report,” a maid said as she entered.
Wen Mingqian frowned slightly upon hearing this. In the past, Ma Ping’an would always wait for her to return before reporting anything. For him to come here to report now, it must be an urgent matter.
“What is it? Let him come in,” Old Madam Gong said, knowing Wen Mingqian would be too shy to speak up.
Ma Ping’an ran in, sweating profusely. After entering, he knelt on the ground with a thud: “Old Madam, Madam, great news!”
“Oh my, you startled me! What is this good news?” Old Madam Gong asked, clutching her chest.
“Our Fourth Young Master has been selected by San Jing Academy!”
“What?! Are you sure you heard correctly?” Old Madam Gong didn’t believe it.
“It’s true, Old Madam. Our Fourth Young Master really passed the selection for San Jing Academy. The entire Capital City knows about it now, there’s no mistake,” Ma Ping’an said earnestly, “I was afraid I misheard, so I inquired again carefully and only dared to return after confirming it.”
“Then… then… I haven’t heard that this child went there either!” Old Madam Gong was a bit flustered, “Didn’t he go to school this morning?”
“Grandmother, Fourth Brother and Heir Apparent Qiao and Heir Apparent Feng went to San Jing Academy to watch the excitement,” Gong Bao’an said as he walked in, “I was afraid of being scolded by the Tutor, so I didn’t go.”
“But I still find it hard to believe. This… this is too unexpected,” Old Madam Gong said, “I won’t believe it until Changan tells me himself.”
“There’s no mistake, Old Madam, I’ll stake my life on it. And our Fourth Young Master is Tutor Zhuge’s closed-door disciple too!” Ma Ping’an couldn’t hide his pride, “Just you wait, many people will come to congratulate you later!”
“Congratulations, Old Madam! Congratulations, Sister-in-law!” Before Ma Ping’an could get up, Wei Shi entered with a group of maids and old women, all beaming with joy, “Our family has produced a thousand-mile horse, a soaring tree.”
“What? You’ve heard too? Is it true?” Old Madam Gong quickly asked.
“It’s absolutely true! Old Madam, you can rest assured and be happy!” Wei Shi said with a smile, “Tomorrow, the Tutors from San Jing Academy will personally visit our home! I must hurry and prepare things now, so as not to neglect them.”
“The Fourth Young Master is back! The Fourth Young Master is back!” the maids chattered, escorting Gong Changan in.
“Changan, my good grandson, come to your grandmother quickly! Tell me, have you really been accepted into San Jing Academy?” Old Madam Gong, upon seeing Gong Changan, hugged him like a rare treasure.
“Yes, Grandmother, Aunt, Mother, I have indeed been accepted as a disciple by Tutor Zhuge,” Gong Changan said with a slight smile, “I didn’t expect to be selected either, I can only say my luck was too good.”
“Oh, my little ancestor! You’ve brought so much honor to our family!” Old Madam Gong burst into tears, “Old Master, my ancestors, if you can see from heaven, please look!”
Her tears brought tears to Wei Shi and the others as well.
Wen Mingqian lowered her head, her expression unreadable.
“Mother, it’s my fault for not discussing it with you beforehand,” Gong Changan moved in front of Wen Mingqian, gently took her hand, and said cautiously, “I originally just wanted to go and watch the excitement…”
“Good child, Mother is happy for you. To be able to go there is more than I could wish for, how could Mother blame you?” Wen Mingqian’s eyes also turned red. San Jing Academy was far from the mortal world, and it was possible she wouldn’t see Gong Changan for many years.
Of course, she was reluctant to part, but it was only in her heart.
Being able to go there would be of great help to Gong Changan’s future, it could be considered a shortcut.
“Mingqian, I’ll say it again, you are truly the great hero of our family! You’ve given birth to a good son!” Old Madam Gong said, wiping her tears, “It’s all thanks to you.”
Immediately after, there was another commotion outside. Gong Xu entered with a hearty laugh. Upon entering, he didn’t bother with greetings and immediately scooped up Gong Changan, lifting him high. He said, “Good child, you are truly my father’s glory! My colleagues congratulated me when they heard about this. On the road, anyone who knew me would stop to offer congratulations.
Originally, I thought I would have to wait until you were as old as your elder brothers and passed the imperial examinations to have such a scene.
I never expected it, never expected it, truly never expected it!”
Gong Xu was ecstatic. He himself had only been granted the title of a “tong jinshi” (a lesser degree of imperial examination graduate), not a true scholar who passed the examination.
Although he didn’t say it, he felt inadequate deep down.
His elder brother, Gong Rang, had passed the imperial examinations through his true talent and learning, and his two sons were also intelligent and diligent.
Gong Xu often felt inferior and always worried that his children wouldn’t measure up to the main branch.
Now, Gong Changan was only seven years old, the youngest disciple in the history of San Jing Academy, and had been favored by Tutor Zhuge, chosen as his closed-door disciple.
This series of honors truly made him unable to contain his joy.
From now on, high officials and nobles in the Capital City would look at him with greater respect.
He was no longer the timid Gong Er, but the revered Gong Second Master.
