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“I’m not sure,” Jiang Mixia shook her head.
Since the exam results hadn’t been announced yet, it probably wasn’t related to high exam scores.
“I think it might be a wedding celebration,” Jiang Mixia speculated.
Typically, towards the latter part of the year, there would be more weddings, especially during the mild autumn season, perfect for joyful occasions.
As for the scene at the inn’s entrance…
Perhaps the bride was from out of town, hence why the wedding was taking place at the inn.
Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun stood at the inn’s entrance, making these guesses and preparing to enjoy the festivities, hoping to share in the joy.
However, upon closer inquiry, they discovered that it wasn’t a wedding celebration but a celebration for the top scholar in the exams.
Jiang Mixia was suddenly intrigued, “How can one be so certain of their high ranking before the results are even announced?”
“Well, dear lady, perhaps you’re not aware,” chuckled a middle-aged man distributing candies and lucky money, “Whenever my employer takes the imperial exams, he never fails to make the list. Even in the provincial exams, it’s simply a matter of course.”
“Is he truly that remarkable?” Song Jingyun became interested. “I assume he must be exceptionally knowledgeable and gifted, hence his confidence in the exams?”
“Exactly,” the middle-aged man smiled. “My employer is truly like the God of Literature descending to earth. Despite his young age, his knowledge is extraordinary. Describing him as ‘eight feet tall in talent and five carts full of learning’ wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Moreover, his luck is exceptional, ensuring his name appears on the list every time.”
“In just a short two or three years of study, my employer, starting as a commoner, has already become a scholar. With such confidence in this exam, he is sure to claim the top spot.”
“That is indeed impressive,” Song Jingyun nodded in acknowledgment. “In that case, please accept my congratulations in advance.”
“Congratulations to us all.” Impressed by Song Jingyun’s words, the middle-aged man handed them some lucky money again, saying, “You seem like a student yourself. I hope you also achieve success in this exam.”
“Thank you for your kind words,” Song Jingyun beamed. “May I ask, who is your employer?”
Before the provincial exams, candidates often gathered to discuss topics. Even if they didn’t know each other personally, they would have at least seen each other around or heard about one another.
However, the man the middle-aged man spoke of was entirely unfamiliar to Song Jingyun. This piqued his curiosity.
“My employer is none other than Song Jingyun from Fengyang County,” the middle-aged man proudly announced. “Song Jingyun has previously achieved great success, even getting the top score on the three previous exams. You must have heard of him, right?”
Song Jingyun and Jiang Mixia were left speechless.
Never did they expect to be caught up in a case of mistaken identity!
“Is there some misunderstanding here?” Song Jingyun scratched his head, looking at the middle-aged man.
“Misunderstanding? What do you mean?” the middle-aged man became increasingly perplexed.
“What I mean is, could it be that the person who hired you to distribute lucky money and candies is not actually Song Jingyun?” Song Jingyun clarified.
“How could that be? Our employer is quite generous and explicitly told us that he is Song Jingyun from Fengyang County. I even had a lengthy chat with him, and he appeared to be a well-mannered, humble scholar. We accepted the job based on that information. How could it be wrong?” the middle-aged man insisted.
After scrutinizing Song Jingyun for a moment, the man asked, “And who might you be, then, to claim that my employer is not Song Jingyun?”
“Because…” Song Jingyun scratched his head again, “because I am the Song Jingyun from Fengyang County.”
The middle-aged man was left speechless.
“It seems that you are our employer,” another younger man, who was distributing lucky money, approached.
“Don’t talk nonsense,” the middle-aged man tapped his head, “Our employer is not this person.”
Turning to Song Jingyun, he asked, “Your name is also Song Jingyun?”
“That’s correct,” Song Jingyun nodded.
“Could it be… two people with the same name?” The middle-aged man was incredibly surprised. “Fengyang County, though not large, isn’t exactly small either. Having people with the same name is not impossible.”
“But in all of Fengyang County, there is only one person named Song Jingyun, especially considering the three times he topped the exam you mentioned. It’s highly unlikely to be anyone else,” Song Jingyun stated firmly.
“What?” The middle-aged man stood there, stunned. “How is this possible…”
The person who hired him to distribute lucky money claimed to be Song Jingyun from Fengyang County, while the person in front of him also claimed to be Song Jingyun from the same county.
What on earth is going on?
“On the way back, the young man puzzledly asked the middle-aged man, “Uncle, is there really someone out there willing to spend their own money just to gain reputation from others?”
The middle-aged man shook his head, “This isn’t about reputation.”
“Why not? In this scenario of giving out lucky money, anyone who receives it and hears about it will surely praise the person as generous and kind-hearted. Their reputation will spread far and wide without them having to spend a dime. Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Have you considered that, before the exam results are even announced, someone is spreading rumors about Song Jingyun achieving the top spot? If Song Jingyun does well, that’s fine. But if he doesn’t, and his name isn’t even on the list, how will others view him?”
“They will undoubtedly say that Song Jingyun is arrogant, boastful, and shameless.”
“So, you see…”
This situation isn’t about someone trying to assist Song Jingyun, but rather about someone attempting to harm him. The intention is to completely ruin Song Jingyun’s reputation.
They are willing to spend a significant sum of money to orchestrate this scheme, aiming to tarnish Song Jingyun’s name. Those involved accepted the task without verifying the details thoroughly.
Even if they were truly unaware, they hold a significant responsibility for the potential embarrassment Song Jingyun may face. Scholars value their reputation and integrity above all else. If Song Jingyun were to react poorly to this situation…
The consequences could be dire!
The individual who orchestrated this scheme is truly despicable, resorting to such malicious tactics to harm others.
Individuals like that will face their comeuppance!
Equally incensed was Jiang Mixia, so upset that she could barely eat.
“Calm down, my dear,” seeing her distress, Song Jingyun placed a bowl of freshly cooked wontons in front of Jiang Mixia. “Have some wontons to calm your nerves.”
Appreciating her husband’s kind gesture, Jiang Mixia accepted the wontons. However, she had little appetite and could only sigh, “I truly can’t fathom who would do such a thing.”
“Regardless of who they are, at least it’s their money being spent,” Song Jingyun chuckled.
“Yes, it’s their money, but it’s your reputation being harmed.”
“Do you think so?” Song Jingyun scratched his head. “I feel like they’re actually helping me.”
In the end, it’s his own money being spent, but the one who suffers is your reputation.
“Is that so?” Song Jingyun mused. “I can’t help but think they’ve done me a favor.”