Jia Yao of the Red Chamber

Chapter 37 Top Scholar in Baoyu ([-])

The results of the general examination have always been relatively late, but Baoyu has not been idle these days.In addition to gathering with his friends among the descendants of the aristocratic families, he also joined the circle of scholars in this class.Don't think that the circle can only be united after the achievements are made, that is only for most people who have no connections.People like Baoyu who achieved excellent grades in Qiuwei, or people from big families like Baoyu, or people like Baoyu led by a master with relatively strong invisible power and uncle who has been dealing with Jiangnan officialdom for many years, their Resources are always the most abundant.Of course, Baoyu has all three things, so he was accepted by this circle as a matter of course, and he got to know the seniors of the Imperial Academy and the teacher of the Imperial Academy early.I believe that among the candidates in this session, the information about the descendants of aristocratic families like him or those who are deeply involved in the background has long been placed on the desks of the current emperor and various forces.Baoyu had already silently read the essays he had made during the examination, and Jia Zheng, Xu Zhengling and Lin Ruhai had all read them.After reading it, Jia Zheng just stroked his beard pretending to be profound, without saying a word.Of course, Baoyu was his son, so even if he was serious on the surface, he still had the common problem of being a parent, thinking that his son's articles were the best.On the contrary, Xu Zhengling's evaluation is more pertinent: Although there are a few points of view that are sharp, they are not too outrageous, and the words are gorgeous and meaningful.Judging by your usual articles, it's pretty good.It is impossible to fail the ranking.In fact, what Xu Zhengling said was a little reserved, and he was very satisfied in his heart, but he didn't want to talk too much.Like Lin Ruhai, he didn't have so many worries. He said in his letter to Jia Zheng that Baoyu played very well this time.The title of the gold list is inevitable.Jia Zheng had always believed in what his brother-in-law said, and he was even more happy when he heard it. He couldn't help seeing everything more pleasing to the eye these days.

By the time Baoyu and the children of the big families in the capital, the talented scholars from the Jiangnan aristocratic families, and those who came to the capital for the exam from all over the world were almost friends with each other, it was already Mid-Autumn Festival.Because the imperial courts of all dynasties paid the most attention to the results of this test, the time to get off the list soon came.Although Baoyu knew it well, he was still nervous at this moment.Because he knew that the servant who went to see the ranking had to go to the elders to report the results first, so he didn't want to go there.He only asked Jia Yao to go to Jia Mu to help him hear the result. He said, "Good Yaoer, I'm really scared. You can help me inquire, and if you do well in the exam, you will tell me. If you fail the exam , so you don’t need to tell me.” In fact, everyone knew that Baoyu would not fail the ranking, but when Baoyu was nervous, he had to plan for all bad results.Jia Yao felt that she had gone through the college entrance examination in her previous life, so she could still understand Baoyu.In fact, it's not that people with top grades or a strong family background don't worry about grades. On the contrary, the higher you stand, the more you need to worry about it.For people like them, there are too many things to bear if they fail the exam, and they can't help being nervous.Jia Yao shook his hand to give him some comfort, "If I bring good news later, you have to give me a lottery." Baoyu replied, "Look at what you said, it was you who brought it." It's not good news, you can take all my things whenever you like." Jia Yao made him happy.Then he took Taoxi and Xingyan to Jiamu's place.In fact, if she could, she would also think about Baoyu shrinking in the room like this, waiting for someone to bring the news, and only listening to it if it is good news.But now that the client begged him, obviously he did better in the exam than she and Wang hoped, so she had to suffer for a while.

When I arrived at Jiamu's place, I found out that in the past few times when Baoyu finished the exam and had to get off the list, Jia Zheng and Mrs. Wang, who were guarding Jiamu, would come early.It must have been the same idea.Seeing Jia Yao coming, Jia's mother asked, "Why can't your brother come, do you know what he does?" Jia Yao smiled, "My brother was afraid of hearing the result, so he sent me, a small soldier, to investigate first. The old lady smiled and shook her head, "What's the matter. This kid is too serious now. If he passed the exam, it was his skill. Just in case, he is still young, just pass the exam next time." Just step back ten thousand steps and say, people like us, even if they don't fight for that fame, it's nothing." At the end, he curled his lips and said, "It's your father who forced him." Jia Yao was moved by Jia's mother's love for her grandson, But I still want to argue for Jia Zheng, "Father is not very strict with the second brother now, and it is only because he hopes that his son will become a dragon that he can see his love for his son. The ancestors didn't know that the elder brother was motivated by himself, just for the future. Honor your ancestors." Mother Jia was happy when she heard this, but she was not without thoughts, and she didn't say anything else, just sat on the kang with Jia Yao in her arms and waited.From time to time, I would ask Jia Yao about her female celebrity homework, what she ate recently, and so on.

Those who went to wait for the news came back rather quickly. Jia Yao and Jia Mu were sitting in the back room, and they could hear the sound outside the door.Only the voice of a boy and a half from far and near can be heard, "Second Master Bao has won! He has won the first name! Second Master Bao has won the first name!" There is no need for the maid to spread the news everywhere, the child has already shouted Everyone in the house knows it.Jia Yao has good hearing, so she first heard the hoarse cry.At first she thought she was hallucinating.He stared blankly at the old lady.Jia's mother is also considered to have good eyes and ears among old ladies, and she heard the call after a while.First, she was ecstatic for a while, and then hurriedly called out, "Yuanyang! Yuanyang! Go outside and see what's going on!" The mandarin duck had obviously heard the shout from far and near, and thought it was a good thing. Frustrated, promised to lift the curtain to go out of the inner room, Hu Po from outside came in hurriedly, the two almost collided with each other.Fortunately, they are all stable maids, so Hu Po stood firm first, then said impatiently with a smile on her face, "The kid outside thought he was crazy with joy, so he yelled all the way. Our second master Bao has indeed won the first place." .Old lady, this is the No. [-] Scholar!" Mother Jia didn't care that Baoyu hadn't passed the imperial examination and would not be the No. [-] Scholar. She now believed in her heart that her grandson was the No. [-] Scholar, the number one, and the only leader. Mouth, "Haha, good! Good! My Rongguo Mansion has a number one scholar! I will have the face to meet the old man when I go underground! Haha!" Jia Yao couldn't say she was happy, as soon as she stood up, she felt her eyes darken. , his legs gave way, and he almost fell down.It made Jia's mother jump, and even lost the ecstasy, "Oh! My baby, what's the matter?" She took Jia Yao to sit for a while, "What's wrong?" In fact, Jia Yao Yao is not feeling unwell, but just too excited.She started to make arrangements many years ago, and she has poured her heart and soul into Baoyu for so many years. Although it is unknown to outsiders, she really hoped that Baoyu would become famous during those many days and nights.Now this dream came true suddenly, and the result exceeded her expectations, and she couldn't help but feel dizzy for a moment.Now that she has recovered, Jia Yao was a little embarrassed when she saw that Mother Jia made her jump, she blushed and shook her head, "I'm so happy. I really didn't expect... I really didn't dare to think... "Mother Jia already understood, and sighed, "No, no one dared to think about it. It can be regarded as worthy of Baoyu's hard work for many years." She turned her head and asked Amber, "Second Do the master and the second wife know about it?" Yuanyang answered, "I think the whole family already knows the boy's way of calling!" Jia Mu was very happy, not only did she not feel that the boy who reported the letter was rough, On the contrary, I feel sincere, "I think it's because the child is so happy that he doesn't know what to do. Yuanyang, you go and pass on my words, that boy will do a good job, and the monthly salary will be doubled in the future. In addition, the servants in the mansion will be paid next month. It's twice the monthly money." Yuanyang knew that this was a lottery, so she hurriedly agreed happily, and went down to order without mentioning it.

Jia Yao waited for Mother Jia to finish her orders, and said to Mother Jia with a smile, "Since it's good news, I'll go back to announce the good news to my second brother. He's still waiting with me!" Mother Jia said, "I think he already knew It’s okay, you can play here.” Jia Yao smiled cunningly, and secretly said to Jia’s mother, “He knows it’s his. He has promised me that if he returns with good news, he will reward me. I This is to please!" Mother Jia loves her clever little appearance the most, and thinking about what their brother and sister are whispering, she pinches her little nose and lets go.

When Jia Yao went back, Baoyu really knew about it, and was sitting there with a smile on his face.Seeing Jia Yao coming, go up to meet her.

"I can only say congratulations, Zhuangyuan Lang." Jia Yao clasped her fists and said.Baoyu shook her head, "How can you be called the number one scholar? There is still a palace examination. The ranking can only be determined after it is over." Jia Yao shook her head, "You are my brother, I believe in you." Baoyu smiled and did not speak.There are some things that cannot be said. For example, the emperor has a lot to consider in the imperial examination, and the ranking cannot be determined based on your talent and learning alone.Another example is that the emperor has to consider the game of various forces, in which it is up to others to decide who to win and who to choose.Although his younger sister is brilliant, he still doesn't want her to understand these things.

Of course, Baoyu's master Xu Zhengling also knew the news that Baoyu won the first place in the first place.At that time, many literati and scholars who had good friends came to congratulate him for teaching a good apprentice, and Xu Zhengling's satisfaction is needless to say.All I know is that Xu Zhengling wrote a special letter to Lin Ruhai, thanking him for recommending such an apprentice who carried forward his master.At first, Xu Zhengling was willing to accept Lin Ruhai because of his face and Baoyu's aptitude. Lin Ruhai owed Xu Zhengling a favor.However, over the years, Baoyu has performed so well that he can really be called Baoyu's name, so he can't tell who owes whom.As early as three years ago, Xu Zhengling decided to hand over all the knowledge he had learned in his life to Baoyu. Now, like a father, he is excited about the future of his apprentice.