Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 185 - 76: Diethyl (Part 1)_2
Chapter 185: Chapter 76: Diethyl (Part 1)_2
Ma Chengteng looked at Ma Peng’s complexion and knew what his son was thinking, “Don’t worry, the exam questions haven’t been leaked, and your father hasn’t spent money to buy them.” In recent years, the administration has been clear and uncorrupted, and no cheating incidents have ever occurred in the palace examinations.
Ma Peng breathed sigh of relief. If the questions weren’t bought, that was good, “Father, where did these questions come from then?” If they weren’t bought or guessed, could they have fallen from the sky?
Ma Chengteng looked through the window at the blue sky outside, “It’s unbelievable when I say it, but right before you returned, I had a dream. I dreamt of your aunt. Your aunt appeared in my dream and told me that your success in the last rural examination was thanks to Yueyao’s blessing, but you would not have such luck in the palace examination. Your aunt also said if you don’t pass this time, the Ma Family will fall into decline, so she told me the exam topics. I originally thought it was just a dream, but the questions your aunt told me were exceptionally clear, so I thought, since your chances of passing were slim, why not give it a try? Unexpectedly, the questions your aunt provided were indeed the real exam questions.”
Ma Peng’s mouth formed an ‘O’ shape, not because he was ignorant, but because the matter was simply inconceivable, “Father, you mean… you mean these exam questions were told to you by aunt?” Was there anything more unbelievable than this? It was like something out of a superstitious tale.
Ma Chengteng looked at Ma Peng, “You don’t believe it?”
Ma Peng reflexively nodded, then realizing that was wrong, quickly shook his head.
Ma Chengteng also found the matter inconceivable, but apart from this reason, he couldn’t figure out where Yueyao could have gotten the questions from. Although it was beyond reason, he chose to believe it. The reason was simple, Yueyao couldn’t have obtained the questions, “I don’t believe it either, but the few questions your aunt gave, they were the exam questions.”
Ma Peng nodded, “Don’t worry, Father, I won’t speak of it to others.” Even if he did tell, others wouldn’t believe it was true, they’d only think he was cheating. Of course, he indeed was cheating.
Ma Chengteng was quite confident in his son, who might not be clever but was reliable. He nodded and said, “Your aunt, even from beyond the grave, is worried about you. In the future, take good care of Yueyao to repay your aunt’s kindness.” The reason Ma Chengteng didn’t mention Yueyao specifically was just in case.
Ma Chengteng didn’t think there would be any major problems. The essays were written by Ma Peng, and any inappropriate parts were revised by Ma Peng himself. They had simply taken an initial advantage. With Ma Peng’s literary talent, he wouldn’t rank too highly. So even if it was an accident, it wouldn’t attract too much attention, especially when this examination session would witness Yu Zida becoming a triple titleholder, capturing everyone’s focus. By then, the impact of his son’s incident would definitely be minimized.
Ma Peng listened attentively the whole time.
Then Ma Chengteng continued, “When you returned, everyone saw you dejected. Now go back and sleep, and for the next few days, don’t show any signs of joy. Peng, this matter remains between us, father and son, and mustn’t be known by a third person. Otherwise, it will lead to trouble. Do you understand?”
Ma Peng might be naive, but he wasn’t foolish, and he knew what should and shouldn’t be said, “Father, rest assured, I won’t say a word to anyone.”
Only then did Ma Chengteng let him return to the courtyard.
After three days and nights of exams, even if the essays had been prepared in advance, both physically and mentally he had reached his limits. Once Ma Peng returned to his courtyar he didn’t need to ponder over anything; he fell onto the bed and slept straight through to the next afternoon.
It was a coincidence that during his sleep, he kicked off his blankets and ended up catching a magnificent cold. He quickly sent for the doctor, who said it was a chill and that he needed proper rest. So he continued to lay in bed and rest.
Ma Chengteng was somewhat surprised that his son caught a chill. A person’s condition is actually related to their spirit; if Ma Peng had appeared excited, it would indicate he harbored hopes of passing. Now, such a passive attitude clearly informed everyone that he had failed.
Ma Chengteng gave a gentle smile and said, “That’s good, too. When the results come out, everyone will just think he was lucky.” Ma Chengteng spoke calmly, “Let Eldest Young Master take good care of his health, let him request whatever he wants to eat from the kitchen, and have him recover as soon as possible.”
Ma Chengteng’s attitude led those below to misunderstand, thinking that Old Master was displeased, and so the entire household became quiet.
Lady Cheng, hearing of Ma Peng’s performance, knew for certain that Ma Peng had not passed: “If such a blockhead could become a Palace Graduate, then the Great Yuan Dynasty would be teeming with them.”
The maid by her side kept her head lowered, not daring to let anyone see her expression. Even if the Eldest Young Master hadn’t become a Palace Graduate this time, at least he was already a Juren. But the Second Young Master was already fifteen in nominal age this year and hadn’t even passed the Scholar examination. Madam still had the nerve to call Eldest Young Master a blockhead in front of them. If the Eldest Young Master was a blockhead, what was Second Young Master? Nothing but trash.
Yueyao sorted the observations she had made earlier into notes and, after organizing them, read through them again and found them quite interesting. Touching the booklet, Yueyao thought, these would all be useful one day.
When Nanny Deng learned of Ma Peng’s performance, she was extremely worried and hurriedly informed Yueyao, “Miss, could the questions have been wrong?” If they had been correct, the Eldest Young Master should have been in high spirits instead of listless enough to fall ill. Nanny Deng was influenced by the messenger’s demeanor.
Yueyao said with a smile, “If it’s wrong, it’s wrong. It’s not a big deal.” It was better that it was wrong; she wouldn’t feel as if she were complicit in cheating and couldn’t reconcile it with her conscience.
Nanny Deng thought about the silver with a pang of distress. If the questions were wrong, then Yu Zida certainly couldn’t pass the imperial examinations at the county, provincial, and national levels. Three thousand taels of silver—that was her life savings.
Yueyao noticed Nanny Deng’s distress and asked, “Nanny, what’s the matter?” Then, with realization, Yueyao said with a laugh, “Don’t worry, Nanny. The results aren’t out yet. We’ll talk about it in a couple of days.” Actually, if Yueyao were to say, the Ma Family’s behavior was more reassuring. If they publicly announced with high spirits that the eldest cousin was certain to pass, then there would be a real problem. Given the eldest cousin’s ability, who could guarantee his success? A performance like this would make others think it was just a lucky accident if he did pass. But these were thoughts she couldn’t explain to Nanny Deng.
Seeing Nanny Deng still in a daze, Yueyao said sternly, “Nanny, you mustn’t go on like this. If it’s gone, it’s gone. If you keep on like this, people will find out.”
Nanny Deng had been momentarily distressed over the loss, but after Yueyao’s reminder, she promptly came to her senses: “You are right to remind me, Miss.” In comparison to three thousand taels of silver, Lady Mo was the biggest threat. If she left, what would Yueyao do?
Yueyao, seeing Nanny Deng regain her composure, then said, “Don’t worry, Nanny. I’ll make sure you have a peaceful old age.” Yueyao was considering giving Nanny Hao more responsibility. Nanny Deng really was unsuitable; she couldn’t keep calm over a single issue.
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Nanny Deng was not pretentious; she had no children of her own and naturally had to rely on Yueyao for her old age: “Miss, it was my muddleheadedness just now,” she said.
Yueyao nodded, “Don’t think too much about it, Nanny. Yu Zida has already made a name for himself in the Capital City. He should most likely be successful without any hiccup.”
Nanny Deng shook her head: “It’s not so easy to pass the imperial examinations at the county, provincial, and national levels.” Her own son-in-law was also a person of great talent but had nothing to do with achieving such success.
Yueyao was unwilling to continue discussing the topic. They would talk about it after the results were out. If Nanny Deng really did suffer a loss, Yueyao would compensate her.
Nanny Deng’s unusual behavior, naturally, did not escape Qiao Lan’s notice. Qiao Lan was puzzled, but she did not report Nanny Deng’s odd behavior to Old Madam, thus sparing Nanny Deng from one disaster.
