Chapter 56 Stepping Forward

The civil service examination system in the Great Sheng Dynasty was divided into four levels: the county examination, the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and the palace examination.

Qin Zian was still a student, only after passing the county examination and becoming a scholar could he take the next level, the provincial examination.

While Lu Jingchen, at the age of nineteen, was already a Juren (provincial graduate), and next year he could go to the capital to participate in the Spring Examination, the metropolitan examination.

Passing the Juren examination meant that one foot was already in the officialdom. Lu Jingchen only needed to climb one more step to become an official in the court, with a promising future.

Lu Jingchen had only entered Luming Academy last year. It was said that he came from a prominent family in Ganzhou.

As for why he gave up the prefectural academy and came to Luming Academy in Taihe County, he didn’t know the inside story.

But it didn’t stop Qin Zian from trying to curry favor with Lu Jingchen.

Qin Zian’s plan was that if he could become friends with Lu Jingchen, it would only be beneficial to his studies and future career, not harmful.

He had been trying to find an opportunity to get close to Lu Jingchen, but he had never found a way.

Now, Qin Ruo had the opportunity to get closer to Lu Jingchen, how could he not be excited?

“Don’t be so stubborn! Senior Lu is inviting you, he’s giving you face…”

Seeing that Qin Ruo didn’t respond, Qin Zian became angry and started to speak rudely.

“Junior brother, don’t force her. I saw that you have been trying to make things difficult for this girl several times, which is really unbecoming of a scholar. You shouldn’t do that!”

Lu Jingchen frowned, his expression displeased as he glanced at Qin Zian, interrupting his words.

He had heard a little about this Qin Zian.

He had met him a few times at the academy. The man did have some talent, but his impetuous nature was not very likable.

Now, seeing Qin Zian’s aggressive manner, Lu Jingchen was really disgusted.

Lu Jingchen’s tone was heavy, with an undeniable authority.

Qin Zian was stunned. He wanted to defend himself, but he saw Lu Jingchen turn around and bow to Qin Ruo.

“Miss, I apologize, I didn’t think things through. When you have time, I will come to ask for your guidance again.”

Qin Ruo nodded slightly to Lu Jingchen, acknowledging his words.

The manager of Qingfeng Residence heard the waiter report that someone had solved the chess game, and his heart blossomed.

After today, Qingfeng Residence’s reputation would surely rise to a new level.

After Lu Jingchen and Qin Ruo finished speaking, he quickly walked forward with a tray carrying a heavy sum of silver.

The manager first bowed to Lu Jingchen, then turned to Qin Ruo with enthusiasm.

“Congratulations, Miss, for successfully solving the Exquisite Chess Game. Here is one hundred taels of silver as a reward.”

“Also, Master Mingjing has said that anyone who solves the chess game, under the condition that it does not violate his personal principles and morals, can make one request of the solver.”

“Would you please leave your name and address? When Master Mingjing returns, I will notify you to come and visit.”

As soon as the manager finished speaking, the onlookers were envious.

One hundred taels of silver was tempting, but being able to make a request of Master Mingjing was truly mouthwatering.

Master Mingjing’s promise was something that many people dreamed of.

Master Mingjing was a famous Confucian scholar in the Great Sheng Dynasty, with a high status.

His knowledge and character were deeply respected by people all over the world, his words were considered golden rules, and his articles were considered the best in the world.

Being able to make a request of Master Mingjing was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Qin Ruo didn’t even know if Master Mingjing was male or female, old or young. Judging from the name and the reactions of those around her, she could guess that he must be a big shot.

But she wasn’t interested in that one request. She would find a way to get what she wanted.

Qin Ruo was confident and arrogant in her previous life, and she was no different now.

Qin Zian wished he could rush forward and answer the manager’s question on behalf of Qin Ruo.

But Lu Jingchen was still there, and he had just warned him.

Moreover, there were so many people around, he also had to save face, so he could only stand silently aside.

He was praying that Qin Ruo would be sensible.

She had already rejected Lu Jingchen once, missing a great opportunity. If she could get on Master Mingjing’s line, she would surely soar to success, her career would be smooth, and her fortune would be prosperous.

Qin Ruo didn’t care what Qin Zian thought.

She took the silver, shook her head with a light smile, “My surname is Qin, solving the chess game was just a coincidence. As for Master Mingjing’s promise, I appreciate it! I don’t need it anyway.”

The shopkeeper and the crowd were all surprised and lamented.

Even Lu Jingchen looked at Qin Ruo with surprise.

He didn’t expect Qin Ruo to be so decisive, abandoning the opportunity to make a request of Master Mingjing without hesitation.

Looking at Qin Ruo’s calm and composed demeanor, Lu Jingchen felt a ripple in his heart for no reason.

At this time, Qin Zian was about to go crazy.

“What do you mean you don’t need it? Do you even know who Master Mingjing is?”

Qin Zian lost his reason and yelled at Qin Ruo, reaching out to grab her arm.

Lu Jingchen was quick-witted and stood in front of Qin Ruo.

“Junior brother, don’t be rude! How can you speak to Miss Qin so disrespectfully? What grudge do you have against her?”

Lu Jingchen regained his usual aloof demeanor, his eyes sharp as he stared at Qin Zian.

Lu Jingchen’s words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly sobering him up.

“Senior Lu, it’s a misunderstanding, I and she…” Qin Zian’s throat tightened, looking at Lu Jingchen’s cold eyes, he couldn’t say the rest.

The Great Sheng Dynasty valued filial piety and respect for elders, emphasizing order based on age.

But Qin Zian didn’t even show “respectful address” to Qin Ruo.

Just based on his behavior just now, if he revealed his relationship with Qin Ruo, once it spread, the label of “disrespecting his elder sister” would likely weigh him down.

Lu Jingchen heard Qin Ruo tell the shopkeeper that her surname was Qin, and he also saw Qin Zian repeatedly disrespecting Qin Ruo.

Qin Ruo and Qin Zian’s facial features and eyebrows were vaguely similar. He could probably guess their relationship.

But since Qin Ruo didn’t reveal it, he didn’t want to say anything.

But he really looked down on Qin Zian’s behavior, so he stepped forward.

“It’s fine! It’s just someone unimportant. It won’t affect me. I’ll be on my way, see you later.”

Qin Ruo bowed to Lu Jingchen and left gracefully.

Qin Zian watched Qin Ruo leave, like a puppet without a soul, his eyes empty and confused.

Under the strange gazes of everyone, he stumbled out of Qingfeng Residence.

All he could think about was Qin Ruo’s cold face and the words that kept circling in his mind.

He had always thought that Qin Ruo was just angry with him, but now he was truly stung by her words.

Qin Zian couldn’t understand why Qin Ruo could be kind to Qin Zimu, the stutterer, but why was she so harsh and confrontational towards him?

When Father had just passed away, she had clearly said that she would do her best to support him in his studies and protect him for life.

Qin Zian was filled with resentment and grief, his eyes suddenly turned red.