The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 623 Heading to the Imperial College (3)_1

Pei Qin chuckled at him.

Fang Liuming had no interest in the fine sons-in-law from all the families; he only wanted one person. Now, with a sigh of determination, he returned to the county school. Aside from writing to Pei Qian every few days and seeking Mo Heng’s advice on anything he didn’t understand, he devoted himself entirely to preparing for the imperial examinations in the spring. freewebnøvel.coɱ

At home, Pei Wenli hosted a gathering to thank his teacher and meet friends. Hearing that Fang Liuming had returned to the county school, he sneered and packed his bags for Lushan Academy. The knowledge of the teachers in the county school was limited; continuing to study with them meant reaching only so far. To pass next year’s imperial examinations, one needed the help of a Great Scholar and a consort.

Shen Songming sent more items over, two large boxes full of gifts for his goddaughter Jiujiu’s first birthday. He also arranged for Fang Liuming and Fang Fu to enter the capital. He had already spoken to the Imperial College and secured their admission.

The Fang family was overjoyed at such a rare opportunity. Although the capital was thousands of miles away, being able to enter the Imperial College was a dream for many scholars. Graduating from the Imperial College would make it much easier to participate in the imperial examinations in the spring.

Fang Fu, who had been considering giving up on the exams, felt his blood surge with excitement. "With such an opportunity, I’ll try one more time!" he said.

Fang Liuming was happy, but he knew this meant he would be far away from his hometown. After this, Mu Xiu would be unable to return to the town, and even sending letters home would be difficult. Seeing Pei Qin raise an eyebrow at him, he clenched his teeth. "I’ll go pack my luggage right now," he declared.

The uncle and nephew packed their bags, and Pei Qin gave each of them twenty taels of silver for the journey, "If you encounter any trouble, seek help at the soy sauce shop on Dongda Street. Chen Gua and Cui Liang were sent there by me."

After expressing their gratitude, the two men didn’t wait for Jiujiu’s birthday banquet. They gave Jiujiu her gift in advance and, joining a merchant caravan, set off for the capital.

Suddenly, the two left Yuanyang County. The Old Scholar Fang’s house was still so elated, even happier than if Fang Liuming had passed the examinations. Everyone speculated whether they had gone to seek out famous teachers like Pei Wenli had.

Qian Wanxiu quickly found out that Fang Liuming and Fang Fu had gone to the Imperial College in the Capital Jingcheng.

Old Pei immediately grew worried. What kind of place was the Imperial College? It was filled with the children of nobility, all exceptional students. If Fang Liuming and Fang Fu were to enter the Imperial College...

But it was too late for worries. With the connections of Pei Qin and Shen Songming and Fang Liuming’s success as a Graduate, getting him into the Imperial College wasn’t difficult, and they had already set off. Any words now would come too late.

Wenli was already at a disadvantage. "If they enter the Imperial College, won’t they always be ahead of Wenli? Think of a way to get Wenli into the Imperial College as well," Lady Chen said, displeased.

Kong’s had recently been facing complaints; her daughter was of age, yet she had not been able to conceive a son. After Pei Wenli passed the local examinations as a Graduate, his affection for her had waned. Hearing Lady Chen’s suggestion to send him to the Imperial College, she pursed her lips and said nothing. They only relied on the fact that Sister Peiqin and brothers were descendants of Old Pei’s House, who won a reward for growing sweet potatoes, even securing a position as a petty official of the Eighth Rank for the second uncle from the second branch of the family. But what was the Imperial College? It wasn’t something one could enter just by saying so!

"The Lushan Academy is said to be quite good too. Dalang has already gone there; let’s leave it at that! The Imperial College is difficult to enter. Once in the capital, within the Shen family’s turf, Shen Songming could break Zhao Junchao’s legs. If Dalang, alone in the capital, encounters their foul play, we wouldn’t even know," Old Pei decided after some thought.

Yet Lady Chen felt uncomfortable. "If they pass the exam and Wenli fails, wouldn’t we be trampled under their feet?!" The second branch had already become officials, receiving bows and gifts, being invited to meals wherever they went. If the main house didn’t hold on tight, they would never see a day of prominence.