Chapter Thirty: Good Fortune

“Impossible?” The sturdy student glanced at the teacher. Though the teacher was still shaken, the matter was too important, so he mustered his courage and squeezed into the crowd.

He leaned in and took a close look, immediately noticing the issue. Pointing to the lower left corner of the red list, he exclaimed, “There’s a piece missing here. It must have been torn off just now when the crowd got too dense.”

“Paper on the wall can be torn off?” The crowd was incredulous.

“How crazed were you all just now?” If they hadn’t brought it up, the old teacher wouldn’t have gotten angry, but hearing this, he flared up, “You nearly squeezed me to pieces!”

But no one paid him any mind, all stooping down to search for the missing corner.

Yet the rose-red paper was fragile and easily crumbled, trampled who knows how many times—it was impossible to find.

“Stop looking,” the old teacher called to everyone, “There’s a roster inside. We’ll check it again.”

With a nod, one of the sturdy students sprinted into the mountain gate…

As they waited, the crowd gathered around the missing corner to study it. Upon closer inspection, a few strokes remained on the edge of the paper. Su Lang, the chubby youth, sharp-eyed, recognized three characters: “Second Son Su.”

“It’s ‘Second Son Su’—it’s one of us!” Su Lang cheered, drawing his brothers over to examine it. The more they looked, the more convinced they became: “It really is!”

“Nonsense, it’s not ‘Second Son Su,’ it’s ‘Second Son Cheng’!” The Cheng family always appeared on the opposite side.

“No, no, I think it’s ‘Second Zhu’!” A third group attempted to claim the final spot.

The three families argued heatedly, unable to resolve it, tempers rising. Thankfully, the old teacher returned quickly; otherwise, given the fierce temperament of the locals, another brawl might have broken out…

Everyone fell silent at once, watching as the old teacher approached the red list, a roster in his left hand and a wolf-hair brush in his right. There was no time to rewrite the whole list, so he simply took up the brush and, on the wall at the lower left corner of the red paper, slowly wrote four dignified characters in Yan-style script—

“Second Son Su Lu!” The crowd recited the name in unison.

“Hahaha! I knew it was ours!” Su Lang, proud and cheeky, stuck out his tongue at the Cheng family, as if he himself had passed the exam.

“Hmph, pure luck!” The Chengs left in a huff.

Aside from those named on the list, the other candidates and their families had not yet departed. They all gazed at the name “Second Son Su Lu” written on the wall, murmuring with envy, “That child is truly fortunate.”

“Which child is Su Lu?” Even the teachers from the academy grew curious, wanting to see what this year’s “last place” looked like.

“Here, sir, that’s me.” Su Lu quickly bowed. He was both delighted and embarrassed—was this the feeling of being the last on the list?

“Lucky lad.” The old teacher, by the light of the sturdy student’s lantern, looked at the boy’s handsome face and stroked his beard, smiling, “Excellent, excellent, you look like a good child.”

“Sir flatters me. Not only was I last on the list, but my name was squeezed down to the ground—how dare I claim to be lucky?” Su Lu hurried to be modest.

“Ah, boy, you don’t understand,” the teacher laughed, “Having your name pressed to the ground is a great omen—it foretells you’ll rank high in the future!”

“Thank you for your kind words, sir.” Su Lu found the praise pleasing, and bowed deeply again.

The onlookers couldn’t help but admire; scholars truly know how to speak.

“This pen is for you, as a keepsake.” The old teacher didn’t only give kind words; he handed his wolf-hair brush to Su Lu.

“An elder’s gift, I dare not refuse.” Su Lu quickly accepted it with both hands, drawing another round of envy.

“Well done, your brother stole all the limelight.” Su Youcai and Su Tai stood nearby, smiling with satisfaction at the scene.

“Impressive.” Su Tai gave a thumbs up, gruffly asking, “But old man, why do I feel like crying?”

“Don’t ask me, I feel the same,” Su Youcai replied in a low voice.

That year, sixty children passed the exam. No one remembered who was first, but everyone remembered the lucky last—

Second Son Su Lu!

~~

A round moon climbed slowly along the contours of the Wumeng Mountains, rising into the night sky. Golden moonlight spilled across the Chishui River, illuminating its shimmering waves, and lighting the path home.

After seeing the list, the Su family set out for home that very night. The fathers, who’d been generous before the exam, now pinched every penny. Staying at an inn was out of the question; they wouldn’t even pay for a meal in town…

But Su Lang and his friends were content—the adults hadn’t taken back the good food just because they’d failed.

“Here, there’s one chicken drumstick left—let’s split it.” Su Lang, carefree as ever, offered to share with Su Lu.

“You need it more,” Su Lu shook his head.

“That’s true. You passed—the coarse millet cakes taste better than chicken to you now.” Su Lang took a hearty bite, mumbling, “Unlike me, even chicken tastes like wax.”

“You look like you’re enjoying it,” Su Lu laughed. The chubby boy always ate with gusto, making others hungry just watching him.

He patted Su Lang’s soft belly, kindly reminding, “Eating while walking—beware of a sagging stomach.”

“I can’t worry about that now. I call it ‘sorrow through food,’” Su Lang said gloomily, “To be honest, I started school at five, studied for eight years, worked hard, and everyone always said I was smart.”

Su Lu nodded, “Of course.”

“But I still didn’t pass. And you—you studied for just three months and passed. Is this the gap between a normal person and a genius?”

“I’m no genius, just an ordinary person,” Su Lu quickly denied, “Geniuses remember everything at a glance—have you heard of anyone who needs to memorize things seven times? I barely made it into the academy.”

“I ended up last, too,” Su Lang smiled bitterly, then earnestly, “But I believe you’re a genius. Plenty of people have a good memory, but many still fail. I believe you’ll become the first scholar in our Second Son Su family!”

“Not necessarily,” Su Dan, the sharp-witted one, interjected quietly.

“That would be you, then?” Su Lang shot him a look.

“Not me either—did you forget Spring Brother?” Su Dan was born to argue.

“Oh, how could I forget our eldest?” Su Lang slapped his forehead, apologizing to Su Lu, “In that case, I wish you’ll be the second scholar.”

“Haha, alright, I accept your kind wishes.” Su Lu also believed Spring Brother would surely succeed… If even his academically gifted brother couldn’t pass, then the world was truly unfair.

“And you? Will you keep studying?” Su Lu asked Su Lang softly.

“Of course—why not? I’m not competing with you guys. My goal is to pass the scholar’s exam. By the time I take it, you won’t be my rivals!”

“Yes, maybe even tougher ones,” Su Dan said.

The chubby boy ignored him, declaring loudly, “I can try again next year—I’ll give it at least one more year!”

He grinned at Su Lu, “Autumn Brother, share your secret techniques with me?”

“Of course.” Su Lu nodded, smiling, “When we get a chance, I’ll teach everyone at the clan school.”

“Autumn Brother, rise up!” The other clan brothers cheered. After this event, Su Lu’s “miraculous study method” became a household name among the clan.

~~

Spring Brother and Summer Brother walked at the head of the group.

Since viewing the list, Su Tai hadn’t stopped grinning, his mouth open in silly laughter. Su Man, in contrast, had fallen into deep thought, silent for half the journey.

Even the normally reserved Su Tai couldn’t hold back, quietly asking, “Big brother, aren’t you happy that Autumn Brother got into the academy?”

“Of course…” Su Man replied absentmindedly.

“Doesn’t look like it…” Su Tai muttered.

“You’re his brother, not his mother!” Su Man sensed his annoyance and said, exasperated, “I’m his brother too, not his keeper!”

“Oh…” Su Tai shrank, immediately docile.

“I’m pondering something,” Su Man confided to Summer Brother. “Don’t you think tonight was a bit miraculous?”

“Yes, incredible!” Su Tai nodded eagerly.

“No, I mean, as if some spirit helped…” Spring Brother spoke mysteriously.

“Ah?” Su Tai shivered in fright, “Big brother, I’m scared—can we talk in daylight?”

“See, you never listen when I try to tell you.” Su Man sounded annoyed.

“Then go ahead,” Su Tai said, gritting his teeth.

“I mean, Autumn Brother’s name appearing on the list seemed almost supernatural,” Su Man sighed.

“Mm, I know that saying,” Su Tai nodded, “It’s a fitting metaphor.”

“It’s not a metaphor—it’s real. Some spirit must be helping him,” Su Man whispered, “How else could it be so miraculous?”

“I see!” Su Tai clapped his hands, enlightened, “I thought as much!”

He spent more time with Su Lu than his big brother, and knew there were many unusual things about him.

Though Su Tai seemed rough, he was actually very perceptive. He always felt his brother changed after that sunstroke—he even forgot his own family. He couldn’t tell whether mushrooms from the mountains were poisonous or not. Su Lu had grown up wild in the hills—he used to collect mountain goods!

And his temperament changed—he became passionate about learning, and after just a hundred days of cramming, managed to pass the Taiping Academy exam!

All these oddities made Su Tai uneasy, but he knew there was no benefit in asking, so he kept his suspicions to himself.

Now, hearing his most admired brother’s explanation, Su Tai finally found closure! Oh, so my brother is possessed by a spirit… That explained everything.

Now, he only felt more protective of his brother. Forgetting his fear of ghosts, he grabbed Spring Brother’s hand, asking, “Will that thing harm Autumn Brother?”

“It won’t, never!” Su Man shook his head firmly, “If it harms anyone, it won’t be one of our family!”

“You’re sure, big brother?” Su Tai wasn’t doubting, but the safety of his dear brother was at stake.

“I am,” Su Man hefted the heavy book chest, lowering his voice, “Because it’s a treasure passed down from Master Dongpo…”

ps. Settled at last? Please vote for the last-place student! The competition is fierce—even the monks are at the bottom! Brothers, hold strong!