Madam Yan's Matchmaking Pavilion for Men

65 Too Scared to Read, Disbelief

Ming Xiang Wen drafted the invitations for the young scholars to take up a position at the Academy but with everything that needed to be considered like where they would be sent exactly, what their responsibilities would be, who would be responsible for them, and how long they were supposed to stay at the Academy, it still took a long time until the invitations were finished. In the end, the letter only arrived the day before the autumn hunt.

Zhang Shi Lan looked up in surprise when the servant brought the letter over. "A letter? Who sent it?" That wouldn't be Yu Huang Rong, would it? He had already told him before that he was supposed to accompany him to the autumn hunt and that they would let Madam Yan's grand act play out there so he wasn't sure what this might be about. Could these be details about what he was supposed to do? He was still in the dark about that.

"It is from the Academy." The servant's face was glowing saying that even though he couldn't help but show a hint of nervousness as well. Everyone in the household knew that their young master was interested in the Academy and would like to take up a position there. After not hearing from them since his graduation, it was good that he had finally gained enough reputation that they at least contacted him!

"The Academy?" Zhang Shi Lan took the letter, looking at it in a daze. He didn't know what to make of this.

"Don't you want to open it, Young Master?"

Zhang Shi Lan opened his mouth but he didn't know what to say. His heart beat madly. The results of the competition were already out. He had managed to get the second place — the highest result he had ever achieved. Shouldn't that have been it?

The servant wanted to urge him again but finally swallowed the words down. "Alright, then ... I'll leave you alone."

"Mn. Thank you." Zhang Shi Lan nodded and continued to look at the letter until the door closed.

What to do now? He ... he didn't dare to open it. But he still wanted to know what was written inside.

He got up, holding the letter in his hands and paced through the room. His heart beat even faster. He couldn't wait forever to open this, could he? What if ... what if there was something inside that required him to go somewhere at a specific date or time? What if he missed it?

Ah, but he was probably hoping too much. Maybe this was just a note for those who had taken part in the competition, some warm words of comfort to those who hadn't managed to gain a position yet again.

Zhang Shi Lan sighed and sat down again, putting the letter onto the table. There was only one way to find out. But he didn't dare to do it. If it wasn't what he hoped for ... Maybe he would be even more disappointed. After all, Yu Huang Rong had spoken out for him the other day and his results hadn't been bad. He would never get a better chance than this. So if this wasn't what he hoped for, it would be the same as burying his dreams. He really didn't know what to think about that.

On the other hand, if it was the case, then it might be better if he just opened it. What use was there in hoping and hoping if it would never come to fruition anyway? He might as well face the facts and then find another direction. Hadn't he confidently told Yu Huang Rong the other day that there would be other ways to be a scholar even if he couldn't get a position at the Academy? Well, if he was able to say words like that, then he should also be able to make them work.

Zhang Shi Lan picked up the letter, reaching for the flap but hesitated once again. He closed his eyes and then slipped the letter into his clothes, getting up and leaving the room.

He would open it. But he wouldn't do it here and he wouldn't do so now. He would go and see Yu Huang Rong first. Even if he wouldn't be able to change anything about what was written inside, he would at least be able to give him a hug and tell him that everything was going to be well in the future. He could make a joke about how he didn't even need to be a scholar since his salary in the military would be enough to support both of them.