Chapter 1358: 1355: Regret

Chapter 1358: Chapter 1355: Regret

“The imperial examination is inherently difficult. Out of the whole Great Chu, every three years, how many students manage to become the first place in the examination, or even imperial examination scholars? Do you really think that just because of your Third Uncle’s exception, it’s easy to aim for those statuses?”

Chu Qingxiang’s smile froze upon hearing this. For a long while, she was at a loss for words. Indeed, she had seen Third Uncle and Young Master Xie become imperial examination scholars and thought it wasn’t difficult to achieve the same.

You should know that Song Lu is about the same age as Young Master Xie, a young and promising scholar. Why couldn’t he continue to take the exam?

“Ah Sheng and Ah Zhang have both become scholars,” Qingxiang murmured.

Madam Zhang was feeling rather mixed at this moment. She hadn’t expected her daughter to be so naive.

“So, you naturally expect Song Lu to take the imperial examination, thinking that since you’ve given all your silver to him for this purpose, he ought to pass without question?”

Qingxiang frowned, “Is it not supposed to be like that?”

Madam Zhang struggled to hold back her anger. No wonder she could hear people saying Madam Huang scolded Qingxiang for setting her sights too high, making life difficult for her son. In the past, she had thought that it was just the two of them deliberately arguing, with no real issue.

But now, she really couldn’t blame the Song family for everything anymore.

“What about Ah Sheng? Do you think he can become an imperial examination scholar?” Madam Zhang asked in a different way.

Qingxiang nodded, “Of course. My younger brother is still young. If he can become a scholar now, his strength is evident. Besides, he has a Master in the capital recommended by Third Uncle, so the probability of him passing is quite high.”

“And what about Ah Zhang?”

“My cousin is a bit slower, this I cannot guarantee. However, with such excellent educational resources, becoming the first place in the examination should not be a problem.”

Madam Zhang understood and continued according to her daughter’s line of thought, “So you believe that with a good Master, one can become an imperial examination scholar, right?”

“Naturally.”

“Then let me ask you, are only your younger brother and them privileged to have a good Master? What about those other students who have been studying in academies since childhood, hailing from well-off families, why didn’t they pass?”

Qingxiang, as a matter of course, said, “Naturally, it’s because they aren’t hardworking enough. So it is only right that they don’t pass.”

“Mother, I know what you’re trying to say. If Song Lu fails, it’s because he isn’t hardworking enough. I’ve been scrimping and saving at home, splitting a copper coin in two to spend, all so that he might become an imperial examination scholar. If he doesn’t work hard, then he’s letting down my efforts.”

Madam Zhang looked at Chu Qingxiang as if she were a stranger, never imagining her daughter could say such outrageous things. No wonder Song Lu was under so much pressure.

No wonder her sister-in-law said that the requirements for Ah Zhang’s marriage need not be too high; being practical and hardworking is enough.

“By doing this, aren’t you putting pressure on Song Lu!” Madam Zhang was so angry she felt like scolding her, but feared her voice would carry and bring shame upon them if overheard.

Qingxiang’s expression was very calm, “Mother, this isn’t pressure. A man should have ambition.”

“Song Lu is already ambitious enough. Your father personally went to the Prefectural City to see him; even during vacations, he doesn’t leave the school, studying every day, and is known in the Prefectural City academy as a bookworm,” Madam Zhang couldn’t help but speak up for her son-in-law.

Qingxiang’s expression barely changed as she insisted, “Yet he still has not become the first place in the examination or an imperial examination scholar.”

“So you’re saying that you only regard the outcome, not the process, right?” Madam Zhang felt sympathetic towards Song Lu.

She was also a bit perplexed; over the years, she had secretly given Qingxiang silver and backed her up at the Song family, wondering now whether it had been the right thing to do.