Chapter 195

Chapter 195

As the Metropolitan Examination drew near, the capital's pre-exam atmosphere grew increasingly intense. These days, simply stepping outside, one could easily encounter locals discussing the imperial examinations.

During this period, Chen Qingyan kept Qing Song confined to his study, not allowing him to go out. Every day, Qing Song would read, practice calligraphy, and work on his patience.

"So boring," Chen Qingsong sighed, slouched in his chair.

Lately, his two older brothers had been relentlessly drilling him: the eldest brother on policy analysis, the second on poetry. He was dizzy and worn out from the intensive study.

Originally, he had plans to dine out with classmates today, but his eldest brother had canceled it. Although he knew it was for his own good, he couldn't help but feel a wave of frustration.

"Uncle, Uncle..." Little Yuanbao called out quietly from outside the door.

Chen Qingsong opened the door. "Little Yuanbao, what are you doing here? Didn't you go to school today?"

"Our teacher caught a cold and asked for leave, so we have no classes these few days."

"Is that so?" Chen Qingsong's eyes lit up. "How about Uncle takes you out to play?"

"Yes! I'll go ask Father for money!"

"No need, I've got money in my pocket. Let's go quietly."

Yuanbao covered his mouth and nodded with a smile.

The two slipped out and headed straight to Vermilion Bird Street. The street was bustling with all kinds of vendors selling their wares.

"Pancakes for sale! Unleavened, leavened, cornmeal—"

"Candied haw berries! Sweet sesame candy haw berries—"

"Uncle, I want candied haw berries."

"Let's go get some." Chen Qingsong wandered with Yuanbao, snacking along the way. By noon, he initially thought of catching up with classmates but reconsidered. Bringing Yuanbao along would mean no drinking, and staying out too long would surely worry his sister-in-law. Better to wait until after the exams to gather.

At noon, the two ate a bowl of hot noodle soup at a nearby eatery, topped with meat, savoring every bite.

Full and satisfied, Yuanbao wanted to watch street performers, so Chen Qingsong took him to explore the market.

Back at home, Chen Qingyan hurried back from the Hanlin Academy, calling out as he entered, "Qing Song! Chen Qingsong!"

Wang Ying heard the commotion and came out. "What's wrong?"

"Where's Third Brother?"

"He took Yuanbao out this morning."

Chen Qingyan's heart sank. "Damn it!"

"What happened?"

"Something terrible. News just came in—several restaurants and eateries in the city have been poisoned. Many people have fallen ill and were taken to nearby clinics for treatment. Right now, over a hundred people are in critical condition, and most of them are exam candidates preparing for the Metropolitan Examination this year!"

"What?!" Wang Ying was also terrified and quickly sent the servants to search for them.

Soon, Chen Qinghuai and Bai Yanqing arrived. Seeing the expressions on Chen Qingyan and Wang Ying's faces, they knew something was wrong. "Third Brother isn't home?"

Wang Ying replied, "No. As it happened, Yuanbao's teacher took leave today, so he took Yuanbao out to play."

Chen Qingyan said sternly, "I specifically warned him these past few days not to go out, not to go out! With the exams so close, I was afraid someone with ill intentions might harm him. He's toiled hard for over ten years just for this moment. If anything goes wrong, all his efforts would be wasted!"

"Don't worry, Third Brother and Yuanbao will be fine..."

At the moment, the capital was in an uproar. All restaurants and eateries were ordered to close, and people on the streets were told to go home, forbidden from loitering.

The incident rocked the court. The Emperor immediately ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple to investigate rigorously and dispatched over thirty doctors from the Imperial Medical Bureau to treat the poisoned victims. Due to the suddenness of the event, many officials hurriedly took leave to return home and check if their sons or nephews were among the victims.

It wasn't until Chen Qingsong and Yuanbao returned from the market that they sensed something was amiss.

"Uncle, why is there no one on the streets?"

"I don't know, but it feels like something big happened. Let's hurry home." The two rushed back home.

As soon as they entered, Chen Ju stopped them. "Oh, Third Master, you're finally back! Go to the study quickly—the Master and the gentlemen have been worried sick about you!"

Their faces went pale at his words. Yuanbao whispered, "Is Father going to hit us?"

Chen Qingsong swallowed hard. "P-probably not. We just went out for a stroll. Eldest Brother wouldn't be this angry. But if he really does hit us, hide behind me. Your uncle can take a beating."

"Okay!"

They entered the study and saw the eldest brother and sister-in-law, as well as the second brother and sister-in-law, all inside. Chen Qingsong scratched his head awkwardly. "E-everyone's here..."

"You idiot! You finally decided to come back!" Chen Qingyan looked up, his gaze like daggers piercing his younger brother's face.

Chen Qingsong was so frightened his knees shook. "I-I just took Yuanbao out to relax and get a bite to eat. We didn't do anything else."

Yuanbao nodded behind him, his little face pale with fear. He had never seen his father so angry.

Chen Qingyan slammed his hand on the table. "Do you know something major happened in the city today?!"

"N-no, I don't. What happened?"

Chen Qinghuai said, "Today, someone poisoned several restaurants and eateries in the city. Many people were affected."

"What?!" Chen Qingsong was horrified, a chill of fear washing over him. Thankfully, he hadn't gone to meet his classmates for a meal and had instead taken Yuanbao to a small food stall. Otherwise, they might have been poisoned too.

Wang Ying said, "What matters is that you're safe. There's no need to blow up. With things so unstable these days, Qing Song shouldn't go out anymore. Yuanbao, come with me to the backyard."

"Okay." Yuanbao obediently followed his father out.

Bai Shi also stood up. "If all's well, I'll head back now."

Chen Qinghuai said, "Go ahead. Be careful on your way."

Bai Yanqing's cheeks flushed a little as she nodded. After everyone left, the two brothers took turns scolding Chen Qingsong, reprimanding him until late at night before finally allowing him to wash up and rest.

The poisoning incident was extremely malicious. With pressure from the Emperor, the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice quickly apprehended the poisoner.

The perpetrator turned out to be a scholar from the capital. His motive for poisoning was jealousy—he resented others for passing the civil service exams while he repeatedly failed despite years of diligent study. His mind gradually twisted, leading him to devise this method to harm those successful scholars.

In the end, the poisoning incident resulted in three scholars dying from poisoning, sixteen falling seriously ill and unable to participate in the Metropolitan Examination, and many others suffering from days of diarrhea—among them, Chen Qingsong's classmates.

With the Metropolitan Examination imminent, the Emperor, furious over the incident, ordered the culprit to be executed by dismemberment and barred his clan from participating in the imperial examinations for three generations.

The scholar never imagined that his moment of impulsiveness would not only harm others but also ruin himself and his kin. His death was not enough to atone for his crimes.

The incident left everyone in a state of fear. For some time afterward, Chen Qingsong was too frightened to go out again, waiting anxiously until the day of the Metropolitan Examination.

Just like the Provincial Examination, the Metropolitan Examination consisted of three sessions over nine days. Before entering the examination hall, Wang Ying repeatedly checked his exam basket, worried that he might have forgotten something.

After packing, Chen Qingyan and Chen Qinghuai saw him off to the examination compound. When the carriage stopped and the three got off, Chen Qingyan reached out to straighten his younger brother's collar. "Go in and do your best. Don't stress too much. Qing Huai and I will come to pick you up after the exam."

"Yeah."

Chen Qinghuai added, "Stay calm. Treat it just like the Provincial Examination. Making it into the Second Rank would already be a success!"

Chen Qingsong nodded. "I'll head in now."

"Go ahead." The two older brothers waved him off like worried fathers.

Chen Qingyan sighed. "I wonder if he'll do well."

"Don't worry. Even though he's usually carefree, he's actually quite capable when it counts."

"That rascal scared me half to death the other day. Thankfully, nothing happened."

Chen Qinghuai couldn't help but laugh. "Elder Brother, you're starting to sound more and more like our father."

...

Since no one else could assist Chen Qingsong with the imperial exams, Wang Ying had Chen Ju stationed near the examination hall in case help was needed quickly.

After the Liu family's tutor recovered from his illness, Yuanbao resumed his studies as usual. Chen Qingyan went to work every day, while Wang Ying continued writing and managing the vegetable business. Life carried on steadily.

In the blink of an eye, the day the exam ended arrived, and the whole family came to pick him up.

As the gates of the examination hall opened, the candidates streamed out. It was clear that the nine days had been grueling—their hair was disheveled, and their faces were pale and weary, as if they had just survived a battle.

"Qing Song!" Chen Qinghuai spotted his brother from afar and called out while waving.

Chen Qingsong stumbled over. "It's finally over. One more day and I might not have survived it."

Chen Qingyan and Chen Qinghuai hurriedly helped him into the carriage, where hot ginger tea was already prepared. Chen Qingsong drank a large cup before finally feeling better.

"How did it go? Did you finish the policy discussion essay?"

"I'm not sure how well I did, but I answered all the questions."

Wang Ying said, "Hold off on the questions for now. Let him rest properly at home. We can talk after he's had some sleep."

"Alright." Chen Qingsong didn't force himself and soon drifted off to sleep against the carriage wall, sleeping straight through until the next morning. When he woke up, his entire body ached—sleeping on a hard wooden plank bed in the examination hall had been truly exhausting.

With the Metropolitan Examination over, Chen Qingsong's imperial exam journey had come to an end. Whether he performed well or not, there was no turning back.

On a day off, Chen Qingyan and Chen Qinghuai took their younger brother to review the exam questions. Chen Qingsong recited all the questions he remembered from memory. Though his answers weren't exceptional, they were decent and by-the-book.

Chen Qinghuai remarked, "In the past, he might have only made it to the third rank, but after that incident, he might even get into the Second Rank..."

He was referring to the poisoning incident, which had affected many candidates. Some had taken the exam while still ill, inevitably impacting their performance.

Chen Qingyan tapped the table. "Luck is also a form of ability. If he makes it into the Second Rank, we can pull some strings to get him a post in Jizhou. Mother hasn't been well these past few years. As the eldest son, I can't be by her side to do my filial duty, so I have to rely on my younger brother to stay in Jizhou and look after her."

Chen Qingsong nodded. "I was thinking the same. By the way, Aunt Liu wants to set me up. Once the results are out, I might have to meet the prospective partner."

"Oh? Our Qing Song is growing up now."

Chen Qingsong scratched his head sheepishly. "It's the son of Liu Changyi's maternal uncle, two years younger than me."

Liu Changyi's uncle was a military officer, so it was hard to say what his son would be like. If he turned out to be a feisty partner, Chen Qingsong might end up getting beaten often.

Still, having someone to keep him in check might be good, preventing him from remaining immature and flaky in speech and action.