Chapter 1494: Chapter 1494: Joyful News from the South

Song Zhiyuan entered Chunhui Hall with a beaming smile.

Song Ci was talking to Dan Geer about the sights and sounds from the palace today. She interspersed her speech with some undertones, not caring whether the child understood or not, she just spoke.

"Your father is here, go over and ask for a hug."

Upon seeing Song Zhiyuan, Dan Geer grinned and showed a few gleaming white teeth. He extended his arms and called, "Dad, Dad," with a happy smile.

Song Zhiyuan picked him up, gently patting him on the rear, and looked at Song Ci, saying, "Mother, you’re telling him about palace matters, can this little one understand?"

"Hey, whether he understands or not, he’s here, and I’m talking just to have someone listen to my chatter." Song Ci smiled, adding, "Look at you, with spring winds brushing your face; the Crown Prince’s establishment must have made you breathe a sigh of relief?"

Song Zhiyuan put Dan Geer down, pushed a few blocks in front of him, and laughed, "The Crown Prince would have been established sooner or later. Him being confirmed at the Longevity Festival wasn’t surprising. My joy isn’t only because Great Qing has a successor, but also because before leaving the palace, my son received joyous news sent from the south by fast horse."

"Oh?"

Song Zhiyuan beamed, saying, "I’m delighted to inform you, both Su’er and Jie’er passed the provincial exam, with Jie’er ranking ninth. Su’er did slightly less well, but he’s still in the middle range. Our Song Family has truly secured a standing among the esteemed families."

"Is this true?" Song Ci was elated.

Currently, Song Family has officials Song Zhiyuan and Song Zhiqing. In the third generation, Su’er originally passed the scholar level, but now it’s even better with two scholars in the family, alongside senior officials. Counting carefully, our Song Family now has two Scholars and two other scholars, truly qualifying as a literary family.

So when Song Zhiyuan said the family had a firm foothold, it wasn’t an exaggeration. Esteemed families thrive by passing their legacy through generations, yielding abundant talents, sustaining family prosperity and flourishing.

With Song Lingsu and his sibling having scholar status, they basically have one foot in the officialdom. Even if they don’t pass the subsequent exams, they can still hold office.

Who dares to underestimate the Song Family from now on?

"Wonderful!" Song Ci clapped her hands excitedly, exclaiming, "Our Song Family truly has successors."

Song Zhiyuan nodded with a smile.

"We need to inform our ancestors at the ancestral hall and let them share in the joy."

Seeing her intent on heading to the ancestral hall, Song Zhiyuan said, "Mother, there’s no rush. We have the good news first, but the children are not back yet. They’re already en route and should arrive in October. Then, we can properly open the ancestral hall, inform the ancestors, and offer documents in a formal ceremony."

Song Ci realized this made sense and nodded, saying, "I hadn’t thought it through. Let’s proceed as you suggested."

Yet she remembered Song Zhiyuan’s words and asked again, "You said Jie’er was ranked ninth, and Su’er ranked after him? Did the joyous news include their essay papers copied back for you?"

Others might not do this, but considering Song Zhiyuan’s status as Prime Minister, the subordinates doing the tasks would be meticulous and considerate, naturally sending copies of the essays along with the joyous news for Song Zhiyuan’s review and commentary.

Seeing Song Ci’s attentive demeanor, Song Zhiyuan knew she was probably considering Song Lingsu, the eldest grandson, having not scored as well as his cousin. Aware of potential remarks, he nodded and said, "All were copied back. In terms of neatness, both were identical. Jie’er’s responses perfectly hit the core of arguments. Su’er excelled in poetry and essays, but his argumentative writing was slightly weaker."

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