Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 184 - 76: Second Grade (Part 1)

Chapter 184: Chapter 76: Second Grade (Part 1)

Three days later, the imperial examination had ended. The servant fetched Tingli and Tingyi back home, and upon their return, both immediately went to bed to sleep. This was customary, as candidates would head straight to bed after three days of testing.

After waking up and being questioned for two days, Tingyi immediately shook his head, indicating there was no hope. Tingli, however, remained silent, making it unclear whether he had performed well or poorly.

Lady Mo’s expression was calm, neither sad nor happy, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking, a stark contrast to her restless demeanor over the past two days.

Lian Dongfang went to see Old Madam, and said, “Mother, Tingli is not yet ready; even if he passes, his ranking won’t be high. This time, having him compete was mainly to familiarize him with the environment, so he can truly strive in the next one. If our eldest son were serious, he could definitely pass, but his ranking would surely not be very high. A good or bad rank determines future prospects in officialdom, and it is not something to be taken lightly.”

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Old Madam nodded repeatedly, “Your concerns are valid. Tingli is only sixteen now, and even three years from now, he will be just nineteen, there is no need to rush.” Rather than getting a poor ranking, it’s better to wait another three years. If he ranks in the second division, it would be manageable, but ranking in the third division would lead to a lifetime of regret.

Lian Dongfang spoke with the Old Madam also to keep her from worrying.

Since both Tingli and Tingyi was confirmed to stand no chance, the mansion remained quiet, without even a hint of tension in the air.

Nanny Deng whispered, “It seems quite uncertain for the Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master.”

Yueyao smiled, “The results haven’t come out yet, so don’t speak carelessly.” In her memory, Tingli passed three years later, and Tingyi six years later; passing at twenty was already considered young. Now, stepping up was entirely to get familiar with the environment and to build courage.

In comparison to the calm at the Lian family, Ma Peng was so shocked when he saw the exam questions that he nearly passed out. Ma Peng forced himself to calm down and finish the exam questions. After the exam, when he met Ma Chengteng, his expression was exceedingly complex, even fear could be traced in his eyes.

Ma Chengteng had someone help him to the carriage and said in a low voice, “No matter how you did, let’s discuss everything at home.” This meant that now was not the time to speak of anything.

Ma Yuan, observing Ma Peng’s demeanor, knew the test had gone badly. However, he had not held much hope to begin with; the young master’s capabilities were evident, it was a fluke in the preliminary examination, and there was no luck to stumble upon in the middle exam.

Back at Ma’s Mansion, father and son entered the study one after the other. Ma Peng finally blurted out disjointedly, “Dad, the problems you had me prepare before the exam were the actual exam questions. Dad, where did you get those questions?” Ma Peng managed to write them all during the exam but now started to worry.

Ma Chengteng looked at his son, not displeased, “How did you do?”

Ma Peng, somewhat ashamed, “I finished them all.” He had made the final amendments, but passing this way meant he had cheated. Thinking of this, Ma Peng panicked, “Dad, could I get caught?” Being implicated in a cheating scandal would bring endless troubles. By now, Ma Peng truly regretted it; he should not have written anything during the exam, even a blank paper would have been better.

Ma Chengteng stared at Ma Peng, “You haven’t told anyone about this, have you?” Ma Chengteng had personally picked up his son precisely because he was worried that Ma Peng might say something careless after the exam. By meeting him at the gate and heading straight home, Ma Peng had no chance to speak with anyone else.

Ma Peng quickly shook his head, “No, I haven’t said a thing.” Although some tutors could guess the questions, it was very rare, and they could at most guess one correctly, but his father had provided all the exam questions, which was a serious matter, and he dared not mention it to anyone. Once he left the examination hall, he began to feel uneasy.

Ma Chengteng nodded, “That’s good.” Actually, according to Ma Chengteng, Yueyao should have come in person; the more people who knew, the greater the risk, but fortunately, he could trust Old Granny Deng.

Ma Peng asked hesitantly, “Dad, could there be any trouble?” What he really wanted to know was how those questions had been obtained.

Ma Chengteng looked at Ma Peng and said, “Are you asking if Dad bought these questions?” Anyone would have this doubt.

Ma Peng hesitated before saying, “I think, Dad guessed them.”

Ma Chengteng laughed, “Do you think your dad is a deity, able to guess the exact questions for the imperial examination?” He thought his son was indeed naive.

Ma Peng’s expression changed again and again, wondering if the questions had indeed been bought! If this were to leak, even his father would be implicated: “Dad…” Ma Peng was now so regretful that he wished he had simply turned in a blank sheet.