Chapter 411 - Chapter 411: This Is the Worst Outcome
Chapter 411: This Is the Worst Outcome
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Huang Yulin accepted the truth with a quick nod and a smile. After all, he had successfully passed the exam. Compared to those examinees who hadn’t made it to the rankings, he considered himself quite fortunate.
Fellow examinees who were staying at the same inn as Huang Yulin approached him, offering their congratulations. Most of them were understandably eager and hopeful for their own success in the future.
When the official bearing the good news arrived at the inn’s entrance, Huang Yulin generously distributed a bag of copper coins and silver pieces to those who had gathered to celebrate his achievement.
The singing chart event continued throughout the morning, and the excitement showed no sign of waning. It wasn’t until noon that the top ten candidates finally had their turn.
“Datong Town’s Qin Family Village’s Su Bin, ranked tenth in the high school examination, awarded a scholarship!” The official announced as he arrived at Su Bin’s residence. Qin Zhenzhen and others promptly tossed the prepared money bag, and the onlookers, including their neighbors, joined in to offer their congratulations and eagerly grab a share of the money.
Everyone was aware of Su Bin’s status as the Marquis Mansion’s heir. Achieving a top-ten rank guaranteed him a bright future in the capital, with numerous opportunities to become a high-ranking official. It was clear that his prospects were limitless, as the saying went.
As more well-wishers gathered around him, Su Bin did his best to maintain a pleasant facade, even though he disliked the attention.
Upon returning home, his expression darkened, and he muttered in frustration, “That Crown Prince actually placed me in tenth! I’ve already informed the Third Prince and the Emperor about his interference.”
The response from the Third Prince reassured Su Bin that they wouldn’t overlook the matter at hand. However, there was an unsettling silence from the Emperor’s side, raising the possibility that the news hadn’t reached him or that he harbored a bias in favor of the Crown Prince.
Tenth place was an uncomfortable ranking, to say the least. While it did secure Su Bin’s participation in the Palace Examination, it seemed like a mere formality. He knew his chances of making it into the top three were extremely slim.
The Palace Examination involved answering impromptu questions posed by the Emperor. Examinees had to respond before the Emperor himself, who would then evaluate the papers and select the top three performers. Typically, the Emperor would focus on the early responses and might not even have time to consider those from the later ranks, given his limited energy and preconceived notions that lower-ranked individuals were less likely to excel.
For someone like Su Bin, who occupied the distant tenth place, the likelihood of the Emperor even glancing at his answer sheet was bleak. This was precisely what fueled his frustration.
Su Bin had an alliance with the Third Prince and knew he had to rise to a high-ranking position to aid him. The thought of being undermined once again by the Crown Prince, which could result in an assignment to some remote region as an official, weighed heavily on his mind. His desire to put the Crown Prince in his place was palpable.
Observing Su Bin’s distressed state, Qin Zhenzhen attempted to offer some solace. “Don’t fret too much,” she reassured him.
“The Third Prince will seize this opportunity to deliver a substantial blow to the Crown Prince.”
“The Emperor is unlikely to be oblivious to what’s happening; once he’s informed, he won’t let the Crown Prince continue unchecked.’
“Moreover, even if you were assigned to a remote area as an official, it might not be a bad thing in the end.”
“Let’s seize this chance to depart from the tumultuous capital. The mountains stand tall, and the Emperor is distant. We could lead a tranquil, worry-free life,” Qin Zhenzhen proposed.
Su Bin’s countenance relaxed slightly. “It’s perhaps the worst-case scenario.”
Qin Zhenzhen nodded in agreement. “Yes, but it does mean you may not be in a position to advocate for your father.”
“Nonetheless, you’ve given it your all. I’m certain that, in the afterlife, your father wouldn’t hold you responsible if he knew..”