Behind him, the two servants looked menacing. One strode toward Ian Song, and Chris Chen also stood up, watching the man warily.
"What, you want to fight?"
Ian Song looked at him confidently, with a mocking smile. "The county yamen is just nearby, and it's the crucial moment for posting exam results. Do you really want your young master to be known for bullying examinees by ordering his servants to attack?"
The servant looked panicked when he heard Ian Song's words.
Evan Shaw shouted, "You fool! Who told you to act on your own? Get back here!"
Just as Ian Song said, the county yamen was close by, and it was the critical time for posting results. If things got out of hand, the young master could be accused of ordering his servants to beat examinees. If the victim passed the child-student exam, the crime would be even more serious.
In the Grand Dynasty, scholars have high status. If an ordinary student is beaten, it's not a big deal, but if the victim has a degree, it's different. A servant beating a child-student would mean at least dozens of strokes with the cane.
After Evan Shaw's scolding, the servant glared at Ian Song but reluctantly backed away.
Hmph!
Evan Shaw also glared at Ian Song in displeasure.
Time passed slowly, and finally the hour for posting the results arrived.
Two yamen officers emerged from the county yamen, one carrying a rolled-up red list. Instantly, the crowd outside the yamen grew excited, many people pushing forward.
Step back! All of you, move back! If you damage the list, you'll be held responsible!
One of the yamen officers shouted.
Immediately, the crowd quieted down.
Soon, the two officers posted the red list on the wall. The results would be announced in three rounds, with the first round listing the last thirty places.
After posting the red list, the officers didn't leave. They stood guard to prevent anyone from tearing it down.
I made it! I made it! I'm number eighty-five!
At the front of the crowd, a scholar in his twenties danced with joy.
Everyone looked at the eighty-fifth place: Number eighty-five, Wei Chang from Hulin Village.
To avoid confusion from duplicate names, the list included each scholar's hometown.
Congratulations, Young Master Wei!
Best wishes, Young Master Wei!
For a moment, everyone crowded around to congratulate Wei Chang.
Watching from the teahouse, Ian Song secretly scoffed. Was passing the child-student exam really worth so much excitement?
To him, passing the child-student exam was like a middle schooler getting into high school.
At the same time, his eyes scanned the red list from dozens of meters away, but he didn’t see his own name.
"Young master, I'll go check if your name is there!"
Chris Chen hurried downstairs.
Ian Song wanted to call him back, but in the end said nothing and let him go.
A short while later.
Chris Chen returned disappointed, clearly not seeing Ian Song’s name. The chubby youth sneered, "See? You thought you could pass the child-student exam? What a joke!"
"Since you’re so sure I won’t pass, why don’t we make a bet?" Ian Song said, looking at him.