Chapter 191 - Chapter 191: Jealous
Chapter 191: Jealous
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Houses in the prefecture were pricier than those in the county but significantly cheaper than those in the capital.
They purchased a spacious house with about 200 square meters and paid 200 liang for it.
The property was relatively new, boasting a large yard and eight rooms, with a vegetable field behind it.
Both Qin Zhenzhen and Su Bin were delighted with the purchase. The house provided ample space and came at a reasonable price.
Su Bin was particularly pleased because he now lived closer to Qin Zhenzhen’s residence and saw an opportunity to develop a deeper connection with her.
After acquiring the house, they decided to furnish it and carry out some necessary repairs.
With the assistance of Chen Youwei and the governor, they managed to secure some guards to help with the renovations.
Qin Zhenzhen treated the guards well, showcasing her culinary skills by preparing delicious and innovative dishes for them.
The guards appreciated her hospitality and often returned to enjoy her food while offering their help in return.
Once the house was settled, it was time for Su Bin to register at the prefectural school, with Qin Zhenzhen and Qin Silong accompanying him as usual.
Due to Su Bin’s outstanding performance in two examinations, he gained widespread recognition among the students at the prefectural school. Many of them approached him with enthusiasm, some even attempting to flatter him.
They conversed with Su Bin as if he were already a high-ranking official, hoping that befriending him would secure their prospects in the future.
Qin Zhenzhen was taken aback by the snobbish behavior of some scholars in ancient times.
Despite encountering such attitudes, the registration process went smoothly, taking only half a day to complete.
As they were about to leave the school, they ran into Wang Yizhi, who had become a Cultivated Talent the year before but was not among the Best Performers. He had spent two years studying at the prefectural school, which must have put a significant financial strain on his family.
His entire family made sacrifices, tightening their belts and saving money to cover his tuition and living expenses. His wife, Su Lan, worked hard embroidering at night in an attempt to save a few more coins, but their efforts seemed to go in vain.
Wang Yizhi was enrolling for another year of study at the prefectural school, with the goal of eventually taking the province examination every three years to become a Recommended Man.
The title of “Old Master” would be bestowed upon him after becoming a Recommended Man, allowing him the privilege to donate money to the governmental office.
In the original book, Wang Yizhi ended up as the last-ranked Recommended Man and participated in the imperial examination the following year, where he fell behind Sun Shan.
Recognizing his lack of talent, Wang Yizhi’s wealthy father-in-law decided to help him by donating money to secure a title of County Magistrate.
Having no personal wealth, Wang Yizhi was often mistreated by his unattractive and overweight wife. Once he became County Magistrate, he was eager to regain his status and began accumulating money through corrupt practices.
However, when Su Bin obtained power, he effortlessly exposed Wang Yizhi’s corruption and openly executed him. Furthermore, he exiled Wang Yizhi’s entire family to a cold and remote location, where they tragically perished one after another during the journey.
Prior to these events, Wang Yizhi had learned from fellow villagers about Su Bin’s impressive achievement, winning first place in the double rankings and earning a substantial bonus.
Seeing Su Bin now, Wang Yizhi couldn’t help but feel envious and resentful.
He envied Su Bin’s talent and the benefits that came with it, such as the bonus and the ability to study without financial burdens. If he had ranked at the top, he would have enjoyed similar advantages and avoided marrying the unkind and deceitful woman.
Driven by his frustration, Wang Yizhi’s wife falsely threatened him with harm if he didn’t divorce her. In his attempt to stage a play to prove her wrong, he ended up damaging his reputation severely.
The fat woman was willing to give him money, but she could not serve him well. She only needed him to serve her at night..