Chapter 1767: Chapter 901: Achieving Top Honors in the Imperial Examination (Part 2)

Lian Manman quickly went inside, invited out Lady Zhang, and the mother and daughter came out with a group to join Lian Shouxin. The Lian Family’s main gate was already wide open, decorated with lanterns and streamers, and the entire family came out to greet Wu Lang and Xiao Qi.

The group had just settled at the gate when they spotted a procession of carriages and horses turning off the official road from afar.

"They’re here, they’re here!" Several servants ran over to report.

Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang craned their necks to look and saw Wu Lang leading the way on a yellow horse, followed closely by Xiao Qi on a chestnut horse.

From afar, Lady Zhang saw her two sons, and her freshly dried eyes were once again moist.

Wu Lang and Xiao Qi spurred their horses forward, then dismounted quickly, throwing the reins to the following servants. Both of them jogged up and knelt before Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang.

"Father, Mother..." Wu Lang and Xiao Qi kowtowed to Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang.

"Get up, get up, let Mother have a good look at you." Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang hurried forward to help them up. Lady Zhang embraced Wu Lang, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

Not having seen her eldest son for over half a year, it was only natural for Lady Zhang to miss him. Now Wu Lang stood before her, taller and broader, clad in a fine long robe, exuding elegance and grace. Lady Zhang was, of course, overjoyed.

Lian Manman stepped forward with a smile to pay her respects.

"Brother, Xiao Qi." Lian Manman greeted with a smile.

Wu Lang missed Lady Zhang too, but being older, he felt a bit embarrassed being hugged by his mother in public. When Lian Manman approached, Lady Zhang let him go, and Wu Lang breathed a sigh of relief, returning her bow with a slight nod.

Xiao Qi, however, beamed brightly as he approached Lian Manman, bowing deeply.

Lian Manman helped Xiao Qi up while smiling at Wu Lang.

Wu Lang had changed significantly, now resembling a young man. He inherited the best features of both Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang: tall stature, fair complexion, a straight nose, and large, expressive eyes. In his youth, perhaps due to the family’s difficult circumstances, he often bore a slightly rebellious look. But with the family’s improved fortunes and years of study and experience, that look had vanished, replaced by a demeanor of poise and resolve.

He exuded reliability and was someone whom others could surely place their trust in.

Even Wu Lang’s voice had changed. Lian Manman realized that during his time away, Wu Lang had undergone the awkward voice change all young men experience.

After the family greeted each other, they didn’t immediately enter the house but first came to the Imperially Bestowed Archway. Underneath it, a ceremonial altar was already set up. Wu Lang and Xiao Qi each offered incense and paid their respects, followed by the entire family before entering the residence.

Inside, they first paid respects to the Imperial Decree, remembering the Imperial grace behind the Lian Family’s happy occasion.

Meanwhile, the people who were sent ahead to announce the good news had arranged hospitality. Wu Lang and Xiao Qi went to change clothes, during which Xiao Xi and Xiao Qing came in to kowtow to Lady Zhang and Lian Manman.

Seeing Wu Lang and Xiao Qi return home with high honors, evidently well cared for during their time away, delighted Lady Zhang. She had the two maids rise, rewarding each with a piece of brocade and a purse. The others who accompanied Wu Lang and Xiao Qi also received generous rewards.

Once Wu Lang and Xiao Qi changed outfits, the family sat down together to chat.

Perhaps due to his long absence and the time spent learning under Mr. Loo in the capital, Wu Lang’s official Mandarin had improved considerably, with no trace of a Liaodong accent. It was only after speaking with Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang in their dialect for a while that Wu Lang regained a hint of his hometown’s accent.

"... This year’s exam questions weren’t difficult, but they focused heavily on practicality, disadvantaging those who only studied in seclusion. Fortunately, my years of experience and having excellent mentors and friends were more valuable than ten years of hard study..." Wu Lang began to describe the county-level exam.

"Brother, did Brother Youheng pass this time?" Lian Manman peeled an orange, giving half to Xiao Qi and the other half to Wu Lang. She asked as she also began peeling a pomegranate.

"Yes, Brother Youheng passed too." Wu Lang replied.

"Mmh, Brother Youheng returned with us, but we parted ways at the county town." Xiao Qi added.

"What rank did Young Doctor Wang achieve this time?" Lian Shouxin asked.

"... He placed twenty-second." Wu Lang answered truthfully.

Both Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin nodded.

"Last time, he took the Shengyuan exam with Wu Lang and did better. This time... well, passing is what’s important." Both Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang said.

Wang Youheng didn’t do as well as Wu Lang this time.

"... Brother Youheng has been busy with various tasks these past two years, leaving him little time for focused study. Otherwise, he certainly would have done better." Wu Lang said.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Wang Youheng had been shuttling between Jinyang County and his uncle’s house, supporting his uncle’s household and thus dividing his attention. His success this time was, in part, thanks to staying with Wu Lang before the exam, where Wu Lang shared Mr. Loo’s predictions and explanations with him.

Of course, Wu Lang didn’t mention this detail.

"And did Xiao Jiu pass too?" Lian Manman inquired further.

"Brother Xiao Jiu placed third this time." Xiao Qi replied with a smile.

Shen Qian, having been guided by renowned teachers from an early age, had truly mastered the fundamentals, leading to naturally impressive results.

"This is indeed a series of happy events," Lady Zhang laughed. Her own children succeeding, as well as their friends, filled her with joy. Lady Zhang was the kind who, when experiencing good fortune herself, hoped everyone else did too, so they could all celebrate together.

...

Here’s an update from yesterday, wishing everyone a joyful family reunion and a happy Mid-Autumn Festival.

Still battling a cold, but I’ll strive to update with another Chapter soon. Your encouragement is appreciated O(∩_∩)O (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please consider voting for it on Qidian (qidian.com) or supporting with monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)