The Princess of Northern Land

In June, during the village examination, several Tongshengs emerged from the village. Lin Changting from the Lin Family was the youngest one, along with Lou Zheng’s grandson, Wu Xin, and a child from the Zhou Family who also passed the Tongsheng examination. This angered Yan Family’s matriarch so much that she couldn’t eat properly for several days. After all, her son, Ma Zhicai, had been the village’s only Tongsheng, which made many people envious. As a mother of a Tongsheng, she always walked around with a sense of pride.

Learning that both Lin Changting and Wu Xin were intending to sit for the Scholar examination, Yan Family’s matriarch did not shy away from mocking their families in the village.

It wasn’t so unusual for Lou Zheng’s grandson, Wu Xin, who had read at the private academy in the market for two years. Lin Changting, however, was merely a young child who had not been studying for a very long time, and yet he dared to sit the Scholar examination. This was enough to provoke laughter among the townsfolk.

"Where do Lin Changting and Wu Xin live?" The bearer of good news asked excitedly. Chapters first released on n0velfire.net

"Find them at the big courtyard." Some elders had already gathered at the entrance of the village. They kindly pointed the way to the joyous messenger, "What is the news, young sir?"

"Lin Changting and Wu Xin have passed the Scholar examination. I came to spread the joy." The messenger replied with a smile.

"Really? Two Scholars in our village?" Upon hearing this, the elders dropped what they were doing and eagerly volunteered to guide him. Anyone who became a Scholar in the village was a source of village pride. Besides, the two new Scholars were from Lou Zheng’s and Lin Family’s households!

"How can this be?" Upon hearing that her son’s name was not mentioned, Yan Family’s matriarch incredulously stared at the messenger. "How can Ma Zhicai’s name be missing? Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake?"

"Ma Zhicai’s name is not on the list." The messenger pushed past Yan’s matriarch and cheerfully followed the village elders towards the Lin Family’s residence.

"No, they must have made a mistake." Yan’s matriarch absolutely refused to believe that Ma Zhicai had failed in his examination. "Old man, where on earth are you? Go check the placard at the market!"