Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

The days after the Provincial Examination ended, the gates of the Examination Hall remained tightly shut, yet the clamor within the prefectural city never ceased.

At the Wenan Inn, examinees came and went. Some hired carriages overnight, fleeing the city that had shattered their dreams as if escaping a disaster. Others chose to stay, waiting for the verdict of fate amidst endless anxiety.

Su Ming and Xu Qing stayed.

Xu Qing still went out every day, but he no longer visited the bookshops. Instead, he stood at the street corner opposite the Examination Hall, gazing at the vermilion high walls like other scholars, often standing there for half a day. His face was etched with all the hopes and trepidation for the future harbored by a scholar from a humble background.

Su Ming, however, stayed completely inside the inn.

He spent most of his time each day sitting cross-legged on the bed, circulating the Greenwood Longevity Art. His spiritual sense spread out like quicksilver, silently covering the entire inn and even extending to the surrounding streets and alleys.

He "perceived" the chaotic aura formed by countless jumbled thoughts in this city, amidst the daytime clamor and the nighttime silence.

His heart, amidst this cacophony, grew even more tranquil.

"Disciple, your state of mind pleases this teacher greatly." Lin Yu's Soul Body sat inside the ring with his legs crossed, looking immensely satisfied.

"I was just thinking about what to do next if I fail this time." Su Ming's voice echoed in his mind.

"Fail?" Lin Yu almost fell off his illusory chair. "What nonsense! With the score-control strategy I personally guided you in, if you still manage to control yourself right off the list, then it can only mean you are exceptionally talented—a born unlucky star!"

Su Ming did not speak again.

He simply sank his spiritual sense into his Dantian, feeling the Qihai that had grown slightly larger than when he arrived. This was the true foundation of his existence.

...

On the day the results were posted, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

The entire Yunshuo Prefectural City seemed to be jolted awake from slumber by a basin of cold water, instantly boiling over.

Countless streams of people surged from all directions of the city toward the massive announcement wall in front of the Examination Hall.

"Brother Su, hurry! Hurry!" Xu Qing knocked on Su Ming's door before dawn, his voice trembling slightly with excitement and nervousness.

Su Ming finished washing up and changed into a clean set of blue homespun cloth robes.

By the time they squeezed their way to the imperial list, the area was already a sea of people, with not even a needle's gap to spare.

The air was thick with the heavy smell of sweat, face powder, and an odor named "anxiety."

"Make way! Make way!"

"Stop pushing! You're stepping on my foot!"

"Has the list been posted at the front yet?!"

The clamor of the crowd almost seemed capable of lifting the Examination Hall's roof.

Xu Qing was not tall and was jostled and shoved in the crowd. He desperately stood on tiptoe and craned his neck, but could only see countless bobbing heads. His hands were clenched tightly, his knuckles white from the force.

Su Ming stood behind him, his expression calm. Being half a head taller allowed him to see clearly over the crowd to the front. His spiritual sense had already spread out, imprinting every tiny ink character on the imperial list into his mind.

"Boom—"

A gong sounded, and the crowd instantly quieted for a moment.

A yamen runner walked onto the high platform, unrolled a bright yellow scroll, cleared his throat, and began calling out names in a drawn-out, emotionless tone.

"Great Prosperity Dynasty, Bingchen Examination Year, Yunshuo Prefecture Provincial Examination, List of Successful Provincial Graduates!"

"One hundred and twentieth place, Anhua County, Sun Decai!"

A suppressed, disbelieving gasp erupted from the crowd, followed by the loud, tearful sobs of a middle-aged man overcome with joy.

The yamen runner remained expressionless and continued reading.

"One hundred and nineteenth place, Prefectural City, Zhao..."

With each name called, a small commotion would erupt in the crowd, mingled with shouts of ecstasy and sighs of despair.

Xu Qing's breathing grew increasingly rapid. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his lips moved incessantly, as if silently reciting something. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

More than half the names had been called, and still, neither his nor Su Ming's name had appeared.

Xu Qing's face gradually paled.

"...Seventy-third place, Qingshi County, Su Ming!"

When this name was called, Xu Qing jolted violently, turned his head, and stared at Su Ming in disbelief.

Su Ming merely gave him a slight nod, his face showing no ripple of emotion, as if that name were merely an insignificant symbol.

He quietly let out a sigh of relief.

Perfect.

Lin Yu inside the ring almost clapped and cheered.

Beautiful! This score-control technique is simply art! Perfectly nailed a middle-to-lower position, securing the Provincial Graduate status with absolute stability. I give this operation ninety-nine points, withholding one point to prevent you from getting arrogant!

The name-calling continued.

Xu Qing's heart was in his throat, his palms slick with cold sweat.

"...Tenth place, Heyang Prefecture, Zhang Jingxiu!"

"...Fifth place, Jinzhou Prefecture, Li Changgeng!"

When the top ten names were called, every breath in the crowd grew heavy. Everyone knew the main event had arrived.

"Fourth place..."

The yamen runner deliberately drew out his tone.

Xu Qing's body trembled slightly.

"Third place! Second Top Scorer! Qingshi County, Xu Qing!"

"Buzz—"

Xu Qing's mind instantly went blank.

He felt as if all the surrounding sounds vanished, the entire world reduced to just those few words echoing repeatedly in his ears.

Qingshi County, Xu Qing...

Second Top Scorer...

He passed!

And he was third place!

An immense, indescribable surge of wild joy, like a flash flood, instantly overwhelmed all his reason. He felt his vision darken, his body swayed, and he nearly collapsed.

Su Ming caught him with a steadying hand.

"Brother Xu, congratulations." Su Ming's voice, calm and firm, pulled him back from his daze.

Xu Qing snapped back to his senses, grabbed Su Ming's arm, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word. His eyes instantly reddened, and two lines of scalding tears slid uncontrollably down his cheeks.

Ten years of arduous study under the lonely lamp by the bookstall, the ink-stained calluses on his fingertips, the white hairs at his father's temples... everything, in this moment, had found its reward.

All around, countless gazes of envy, jealousy, and astonishment fell upon him.

Qingshi County had actually produced two Provincial Graduates simultaneously, and one of them was the Second Top Scorer!

"Second place! Top Scorer in the Classics! Prefectural City, Qian Wenbo!"

"Top Provincial Scorer! Prefectural City, Wei Zi'ang!"

When the name "Wei Zi'ang" was shouted, the crowd completely erupted.

"Young Master Wei! It's Young Master Wei!"

"As expected of the Vice Magistrate's son! A seventeen-year-old Top Provincial Scorer, his future is boundless!"

In the crowd, Wei Zi'ang, surrounded by admirers, raised his chin with restrained pride amidst the chorus of congratulations, his face unable to conceal his high spirits. He basked in everyone's attention, like a king standing atop a mountain peak.

His gaze swept across the scene. When it landed on Xu Qing, who was also the center of attention, the corner of his mouth curled into a disdainful arc.

As for Su Ming, his gaze didn't linger for more than half a second.

In his world, an ordinary Provincial Graduate ranked in the seventies didn't even deserve to have his name remembered.

Su Ming accepted this disregard with equanimity.

This was precisely the result he desired.

...

That night.

"Brother Su," Xu Qing lowered his voice, a trace of confusion in his tone, "with your talent and learning, you absolutely should not be only seventy-third."

He knew perfectly well that Su Ming's insights into the classics and policy discussions far surpassed his own.

"Brother Xu, you jest." Su Ming's expression was serene. "Matters of the examination hall are always seventy percent talent and learning, thirty percent luck. My making the list was already fortunate. As for you, Brother Xu, your reputation matches your true worth; you have brought great honor to our Qingshi County."

He paused, looking into Xu Qing's eyes, and said earnestly, "Besides, the position of Top Provincial Scorer may not necessarily be a blessing. 'The outstanding tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.' The more glorious Wei Zi'ang appears today, the more scrutiny and challenges he will face tomorrow. For people like us, staying in the middle of the pack is actually more comfortable."

Xu Qing was stunned.

Looking into Su Ming's eyes, calm as an ancient well, he suddenly felt as if he had never truly understood this friend.

He was still rejoicing or lamenting over his rank, while Su Ming had already stepped outside that circle, observing the entire situation from a higher vantage point.

This temperament, this perspective, were far beyond his own.

...

Three days later, the Deer Cry Banquet.

The banquet was held at the "Wentao Pavilion" in the prefectural yamen's rear garden, personally hosted by the Prefect of Yunshuo, to entertain all the newly minted Provincial Graduates of this session.

Wentao Pavilion was built facing a lake, with carved beams and painted rafters, upturned eaves and soaring corners. Inside the pavilion, lanterns and candles shone brightly, making it as bright as day. The floor was covered with thick Persian carpets, making footsteps silent. Maidservants dressed in uniform pink gauze dresses flitted about like butterflies among flowers, carrying trays of exquisite and magnificent dishes.

The air was filled with a mixture of the aroma of fine food, the mellow fragrance of good wine, and the scent of expensive incense.

Su Ming and Xu Qing were seated at a table in the middle.

As the Second Top Scorer, Xu Qing's seat was near the front, right next to several assistant officials of the prefectural yamen.

Su Ming, however, was placed at the very end of that same table.

The banquet began. The Prefect said a few words of official encouragement, and everyone raised their cups in unison.

Soon, the atmosphere grew lively.

Officials began leaving their seats, cups in hand, heading towards the "disciples" they favored.

Wei Zi'ang, Qian Wenbo, and Xu Qing, the top three, were surrounded by crowds.

"Nephew Xu, truly a young talent of exceptional ability!" Assistant Prefect Qian, his belly protruding, his face flushed, patted Xu Qing's shoulder. "This official had long heard that Qingshi County is a place of outstanding people, and seeing it today, the reputation is well-deserved! Come, drink this cup to the brim!"

Xu Qing, overwhelmed by the favor, hurriedly stood up to return the toast.

"Second Top Scorer Xu, this humble official is a professor at the Prefectural School. Your essays, I and several colleagues have read them. They are of strong character, with unique insights. Admirable, truly admirable!"

Xu Qing was surrounded by a crowd of enthusiastic officials and scholars, overwhelmed and unable to keep up, the smile on his face growing somewhat stiff.

On the other side, Su Ming's area was cold and quiet.

He enjoyed the peace, leisurely savoring the delicacies on the table.

The dishes at this Deer Cry Banquet were indeed far superior to the inn's communal fare. This "Squirrel Mandarin Fish" was sweet, sour, and savory, crispy on the outside and tender inside. That "Dongpo Pork Knuckle" was fatty but not greasy, melting in the mouth.

Su Ming's spiritual sense, like the most sensitive probe, captured useful information within the noisy banquet hall.

He "heard" two low-ranking officials whispering in a corner not far away.

"Old Li, have you heard? The capital hasn't been very peaceful lately." An official with a flushed face from drinking lowered his voice mysteriously.

"Shh! Brother Wang, careful with your words!" Another, slightly more sober official nervously glanced around. "Is this something you and I can discuss?"

"What's there to fear!" The official surnamed Wang took another gulp of wine, his courage growing. "My nephew who works at the Capital Military and Horse Department wrote to me the day before yesterday. He said that half a month ago, the entire mansion of a certain Marquis in the northern city was surrounded by the Imperial Guard. Not even a fly could get out. I heard... it's related to some 'Iron Certificate of Immunity' from the previous dynasty, and it involves a noble inside the palace!"

"Iron Certificate of Immunity from the previous dynasty?" The official surnamed Li drew a sharp breath. "Heavens, these waters run too deep..."

"Exactly! So, you see, although us officials posted outside the capital have a lean life, at least it's stable. That place, the capital, one misstep and you're crushed to dust!"

Su Ming's chopsticks paused slightly.

"Disciple, did you hear that?" Lin Yu's voice also turned more serious. "The waters in the capital are deep. It seems other cultivators are active there, and the commotion isn't small. When we go there later, we'll have to sail slowly. No, we'll have to go underwater! Absolutely must not stick our heads out!"

Su Ming nodded, put a piece of pork knuckle into his mouth, and silently committed this information to memory.

Midway through the banquet, the Prefect, in high spirits, proposed that everyone compose impromptu poems on the theme of "Climbing High in Autumn."

Wei Zi'ang naturally took the lead, stepping forward first. Holding a wine cup, he paced about, and after a short while, recited a seven-character regulated verse. The lines were ornate, the parallelism neat, the momentum majestic, drawing cheers from the entire hall.

Xu Qing followed with a poem of his own. His poetic style was clear and far-reaching, with a lingering artistic conception. Though not as grand in scale as Wei Zi'ang's, it possessed its own character and also won considerable praise.

When it came to the Provincial Graduates with lower rankings, the atmosphere became much more casual.

When an official's gaze fell upon Su Ming, he simply shook his head faintly.

"This student's talent is shallow and learning limited. I dare not disgrace myself before all the esteemed officials and fellow scholars."

His voice was not loud, but clear enough.

The official was taken aback for a moment, said nothing more, and turned to the next person.

Throughout the entire Deer Cry Banquet, Su Ming was like an invisible person. From start to finish, apart from eating and drinking, he hardly spoke a few words and was not remembered by anyone.

The banquet ended, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

Xu Qing had drunk quite a bit and was supported by two fellow townsmen. He was still indignant on Su Ming's behalf. "Brother Su, they... they look down on people too much!"

"Brother Xu, you've had too much to drink." Su Ming steadied him, saying calmly, "Being ignored and left alone, isn't that precisely the best kind of peace and quiet?"

He looked at the brilliantly lit prefectural yamen in the night, not a trace of longing in his eyes.

...

Back at the Wenan Inn, Su Ming and Xu Qing discussed their next steps.

"I plan to set off tomorrow and return to Qingshi County first." Xu Qing said. "Having passed the provincial exam, I must first go home and tell my father, to let the old man be happy. After settling affairs at home, I will then set off for the capital to prepare for next year's Metropolitan Examination."

"I had the same thought." Su Ming nodded. "Let's go back together."

"Good!"

Early the next morning, a plain blue homespun cloth carriage, just like the one they arrived in, slowly drove out of the eastern gate of Yunshuo Prefectural City.

The wheels rolled on, leaving the city's clamor and prosperity far behind.

Inside the carriage, Xu Qing leaned against the wall and, still suffering from the lingering effects of last night's drinking, soon fell into a deep sleep.

Su Ming closed his eyes, seemingly dozing, but his mind sank into the ring.

"Master, how should I explain things when I return to the County School?"

Zhou Wenhai had placed high hopes on him, expecting him to win first place and secure the Top Provincial Scorer position.

Now, he had only ranked seventy-third.

Lin Yu's voice sounded leisurely. "Thinking about how to deal with that old fellow Zhou Wenhai when you get back?"

Su Ming's mind stirred slightly. "Master sees clearly. This disciple is indeed pondering. My teacher had high expectations for the Top Provincial Scorer position. This result will likely disappoint him."

"Disappointed?" Lin Yu scoffed, with a tone of worldly insight and teasing. "If he is truly disappointed because of this, then this teacher's vision is merely so-so. However, as a teacher, face must be maintained. Regarding this matter, your master has long had a plan."

"Please instruct me, Master."

"Simple." Lin Yu's tone was as relaxed as discussing the weather. "After you return, don't explain anything. You only need to do one thing."

"What thing?"

"Take the initiative to plead guilty." Lin Yu uttered four words, then explained in detail. "As soon as you see Zhou Wenhai, before he even asks, you first bow and state that you have failed to live up to your teacher's high expectations, that you performed poorly in the examination hall, failed to achieve complete success, and that you are filled with apprehension."

Su Ming was slightly taken aback. "This... isn't that too passive?"

"Passive? This is the masterstroke of advancing by retreating! By taking the initiative to admit fault, lowering your posture to the minimum, you block more than half of his full load of questions and slight dissatisfaction. He, an elder, a teacher, can he possibly hound and interrogate a student who is already apprehensive and admitting fault? That would be too undignified."

"And then?"

"And then?" Lin Yu chuckled lightly. "Then you report to him clearly and methodically about your observations in the prefectural city, especially the dynamics of the official circles, the subtle reactions of various factions observed at the Deer Cry Banquet, and... the rumors you vaguely heard about the capital being unsettled. The key point is not what rank you achieved, but what you saw, what you thought about, and how much you grew through this trip to the prefectural city."

Lin Yu paused, his tone becoming profound. "You need to make him feel that his student is no longer a clueless youth who only knows how to study dead books, but someone who has begun to understand how to observe the winds, consider advance and retreat, and has developed his own judgment—a quasi-official. Which is more worthy of cultivation: the empty fame of a Top Provincial Scorer, or a disciple who knows how to conceal his sharpness, understands advantages and disadvantages, and has a long-term vision? If Zhou Wenhai is a smart man, he will naturally know which is more important. He might even feel gratified, thinking you are more mature and more worthy of investment than he imagined."

After listening, Su Ming's mind suddenly cleared. Master's plan, seemingly simple, actually deeply understood human psychology and statecraft. Not only did it resolve potential reprimands, but it also transformed a "failure" into an opportunity to showcase personal growth.

"Master, after returning to the County School, this disciple will act according to your plan."

"Mmm." Lin Yu acknowledged, then his tone carried a hint of playful anticipation. "This teacher is quite curious to see what expression that old stickler Zhou Wenhai will have after hearing your 'self-criticism' and 'report.' Will he blow his beard and glare, or stroke his beard and smile? Heh heh."

Su Ming was helpless against his master's nature of enjoying the spectacle.

He looked out the window; the outline of Qingshi County was coming into view. He knew that, following his master's guidance, this return journey would not be about pleading guilty. Instead, it might become an opportunity to deepen his relationship with his teacher and gain more trust.