Chapter 761: Inhaling a Sharp Breath of Cold Air [Thank You

The sky had not yet lightened,

at the Bianjing County Examination Hall,

there were already many pedestrians and carriages outside the test compound.

Because it was still dark, people along the nearby streets carried lanterns or held torches.

Xu Zaijing and Zhaizhang stood before the Xu family’s carriage.

Zhaizhang pulled back the curtain and looked at Hualan holding the child inside, saying, “Wife, wake Zhong’er early! He’ll need to get out of the carriage soon—better to wake him before he catches a chill.”

“I know, husband,” Hualan said from inside the carriage. “Zhong’er, Zhong’er, wake up.”

After a while, tightly wrapped in blankets, Xu Xingzhong was passed out from the carriage by Hualan and handed to Zhaizhang.

Xu Xingzhong blinked his eyes in Zhaizhang’s arms, yawned, and said, “Father, Mother, hasn’t Little Uncle arrived yet?”

“He’s coming soon,” Zhaizhang chuckled.

Hualan stood beside them, smoothing her son’s collar, then smiled and nodded.

Classmates from the academy were also arriving nearby.

Xu Zaijing smiled at Qi Heng as he approached: “Once Qizhen enters the exam hall, Yuanruo, you can still go back to sleep.”

Hearing Xu Zaijing’s voice, Xu Xingzhong immediately turned his head and grinned: “Little Uncle.”

Xu Zaijing reached out his right hand, grabbed the front of his nephew’s clothes with one hand, lifted him over, and casually set him atop his own neck.

Hualan looked at Xu Zaijing with mild exasperation and exchanged a knowing glance with her husband.

Xu Zaijing said to Gu Tingye beside him: “Erlang, why are you staring at me? You don’t have no nephews yourself.”

Gu Tingye sneered, reaching out toward Xu Xingzhong: “Xing’er’s gotten too heavy now—he’s like carrying a sack of sand. I’m not going to torture myself.”

Qi Heng shook his head with a smile, waved to Xu Xingzhong, and said: “If Mother hadn’t sent Buwei to wake me, I might’ve slept right through this.”

“If you don’t show up, the academy master will make you pay,” Gu Tingye laughed.

As they spoke,

carriages and horses around them gradually increased in number,

and Xu Xingzhong, perched on Xu Zaijing’s neck, pointed excitedly down the road: “They’re here! They’re here! I see the Sheng lantern!”

“Oh! Zhong’er, you’re sharp!” Gu Tingye laughed.

As Xu Xingzhong had said,

soon the Sheng family’s carriage pulled up nearby, and Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu stepped down, followed by Wei Shuyi and Changzhen, and behind them came the three Lans.

“Why did Mother come too?” Hualan asked in confusion.

“She’s Changzhen’s official mother—of course she had to come.”

Hearing this, Gu Tingye smiled and raised an eyebrow; in his mind, Changzhen, so young, taking the county exam—whether he passed or not, his talent was exceptionally rare.

One fears not the ten thousand possibilities, only the one in ten thousand—if Changzhen truly began climbing the examination ladder now, his future was boundless.

Wang Dainiang could not afford to neglect him.

Sheng Hong and his wife led Changzhen near the Xu family, and Hualan greeted them with a smile, then looked at her younger brother and said: “Changzhen, try your best today—aim to pass on your first try.”

“Yes, Big Sister. Chang’er will try hard.”

“Good!” Hualan nodded with a smile.

“I wish Little Uncle all success.”

“Changzhen, we’ll wait for your good news at home!”

Nearby, Xu Xingzhong and the three Lans also offered their blessings.

After bidding farewell and exchanging pleasantries with Sheng Hong and his wife and Xu Zaijing and others, Changzhen picked up his book box and walked toward the examination hall’s main gate.

Just before reaching the gate, Changzhen turned back and glanced over; in the dim light, he faintly saw Wei Shuyi among the crowd.

Though he couldn’t make out her face clearly, he felt her gaze.

Taking a deep breath, the young Changzhen turned and walked forward again.

Only after Changzhen’s small figure vanished from view did the crowd gradually disperse.

As they walked toward their carriages, Hualan linked arms with Wang Ruofu and chatted for a while, then spoke a few words to Wei Shuyi, who followed behind.

“Changzhen loves that wolf-skin cushion—he takes it everywhere,” Wei Shuyi smiled.

“As long as my little brother likes it, that’s all that matters.”

On the way back to the carriage,

Hualan walked beside Wang Ruofu and whispered: “Mother, has Grandmother returned to the capital?”

Wang Ruofu nodded: “Yes. Your sister will be coming of age in a few days—your grandmother and auntie must come.”

Hualan pursed her lips: “No wonder you came today. Tell me honestly—did Grandmother make you come to see Changzhen off?”

“What do you mean, Grandmother made me come? Can’t I come on my own?” Wang Ruofu demanded.

Hualan shook her head at her mother: “I don’t believe you.”

Seeing this, Wang Ruofu sighed and glared at Hualan: “Fine! It was Grandmother who told me to come.”

After speaking, Wang Ruofu glanced at Zhaizhang, then leaned close to Hualan’s ear and whispered: “Zhong’er’s grown so big now—find a good time to conceive again!”

At this, Hualan blushed and shoved Wang Ruofu lightly, glancing around: “Mother! Why say this now?”

“Alright, alright, I won’t!” Wang Ruofu surrendered.

Arriving at the carriage,

the sky had just begun to lighten,

Wei Shuyi and the Sheng couple parted ways; as she prepared to board her carriage, she bowed respectfully to Zhaizhang and Hualan.

When Wei Shuyi lifted her head, she saw Xu Zaijing, holding his nephew beside Zhaizhang, smiling and nodding at her.

So Wei Shuyi bowed again to Xu Zaijing before turning away.

Three days later,

at Chen Shi (after seven in the morning),

in the Sheng family academy,

Master Zhuang paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.

Though Changbai, Xu Zaijing, and others kept their heads down reading, Qi Heng and Changfeng kept glancing toward the door.

On one side, the three Lans:

Mo Lan wrote with pursed lips,

Ru Lan stayed awake but kept glancing toward the door,

and at the back, Ming Lan held the ink stick pressed into the inkstone motionless, distracted, lost in thought.

“Tsk.”

Master Zhuang suddenly made a noise, then walked toward the door.

As he impatiently lifted the cotton curtain, footsteps sounded in the courtyard.

Seeing Qingyun approaching with a joyful expression, Master Zhuang instantly understood what had happened, lowered the curtain, and relaxed into a calm, leisurely demeanor.

Master Zhuang’s posture at the door was clearly seen by everyone in the classroom.

Changbai smiled faintly and looked toward Changzhen beside him.

Soon,

Qingyun lifted the curtain and entered, bowing with a smile: “Master, everyone, I just checked—the seventh son passed the county exam.”

“Wow!”

“That’s wonderful!”

“Changzhen, you’re amazing!”

A burst of joyful cheers erupted in the classroom.

Shou’an Hall,

inside the room,

the old lady sat on a Luohan chair, with Wang Ruofu seated below her, and Liu Mama standing behind Wang Ruofu.

Standing beside them, Wei Shuyi’s chest rose and fell—clearly emotionally stirred.

Behind her stood a cushioned stool, on which she had just been seated.

In the hall, the maid Danju beamed as she reported:

“Good! Good! Did the gatekeeper give the messenger a reward?” the old lady laughed.

“Yes, Grandmother—the gatekeeper gave him one,” Danju replied.

After Danju spoke, Wang Ruofu glanced at Wei Shuyi, her eyes filled with admiration.

The old lady ordered: “Ming’er, sit.”

Wang Ruofu echoed with a smile: “Yes, sit down quickly!”

“Thank you, Grandmother. Thank you, Lady Wang.”

After Wei Shuyi sat, the old lady spoke with solemn gravity: “Ming’er, Changzhen’s achievement is certainly cause for joy.”

Wang Ruofu nodded eagerly.

The old lady continued: “But the county exam is only the first step on the imperial examination path—there are many more hurdles ahead! Countless examples exist of prodigies who faded as they grew older!”

“Forget distant cases—Sheng’s eldest branch once arranged a match for Shulan with a Sun scholar—he passed the scholar exam at twelve!”

Wei Shuyi nodded firmly, watching the old lady, waiting for more.

“Master Zhuang will teach him at school; at home, as his stepmother, you must constantly remind and caution him.”

“Your own family was scholarly—you surely don’t need me to spell it out.”

After the old lady finished speaking, Wei Shuyi stood and said, “Madam, rest assured, I understand.”

“Mm. Lady Da.” The old lady looked at Wang Ruofu.

“Mother, please, go on.” Wang Ruofu smiled.

“As the saying goes, brothers fight tigers together, father and son fight side by side. No matter what Zhen becomes in the future, Lady Da is his rightful stepmother. If Bo, Feng, and Zhen all thrive, our Sheng family will flourish.”

“Yes, Mother. I understand.”

The Ministry of Personnel’s office,

Sheng Hong, dressed in his official robes, stood at the gate, grinning broadly.

Colleagues from nearby offices frequently came over to greet him with smiles and clasped-hand salutes.

Officials exchanged compliments: “This young man is promising, his future is bright,” “A prodigy at such a young age, his prospects are limitless,” and some even asked whether Sheng Changzhen was betrothed, hoping to arrange a child marriage with their granddaughters.

Sheng Hong could only bow and humbly reply, “Early brilliance doesn’t guarantee later success.”

When asked about Zhen’s marriage, he said, “The boy is still young, no thoughts of marriage yet,” then added the phrase about early brilliance to deflect.

In short, by the time he returned home at noon, his cheeks ached from smiling—but his heart was utterly elated.

When Sheng Hong returned to the Sheng household, he went to pay his respects to the old lady.

The old lady gave him another long, earnest lecture.

Sheng Hong bowed deeply and said, “I understand, Mother. Rest assured, from now on, I will personally oversee Zhen’s studies and never slack off.”

“Good! Though Hualan’s life in the Xu household is tolerable, Hong’er, you know that if our sons thrive, Mo’er, Ru’er, and Ming’er will benefit too.” The old lady added.

“You are right, Mother. I will keep this in mind.”

“Also, tomorrow is Ru’er’s coming-of-age ceremony. Your mother-in-law, your brother-in-law, and your uncles will all come to our home. Remind Lady Da not to become overconfident.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Two o’clock in the afternoon,

The sunlight was blinding,

Sheng household, Jin’an Studio,

Wei Shuyi stood at the courtyard gate with her maid Qiujiang, shading her eyes as she gazed toward Shou’an Hall.

When she spotted several figures approaching, her lips curled into a smile.

Moments later,

Xiao Die and Aunt Minglan, accompanied by Liu Mama, walked over.

Both wore unrestrained smiles, each carrying a small bundle in their arms.

As they drew near, Liu Mama bowed slightly and smiled, “Miss, the two ladies have just paid their respects to the old lady and Lady Da. I won’t enter the courtyard—you three talk.”

“Thank you, Liu Mama. Take care.”

“Yes, Miss. I’ll be going then.”

Once Liu Mama was out of sight, Xiao Die and Aunt Minglan’s smiles grew even brighter.

“Come, let’s go inside,” Wei Shuyi said.

Aunt Minglan grabbed Wei Shuyi’s sleeve, excitedly exclaiming, “Good heavens! Sister, how did you teach Zhen? How could a boy so young pass the county examination?”

Xiao Die, equally thrilled, added, “Miss, isn’t Seventh Young Master a celestial literary star descended to earth? He’s too extraordinary!”

Wei Shuyi looked at them and shook her head. “Zhen only passed the county exam. There are still many hurdles ahead. This proves nothing.”

Then she turned to Aunt Minglan. “Sister, has Mother heard yet?”

“She has. She was so happy at noon she ate an extra bowl of rice. Your brother-in-law set off seven or eight strings of firecrackers—he was overjoyed!” Aunt Minglan laughed.

“Even though your monthly allowance is generous, you shouldn’t waste it like this. One string of firecrackers is enough—why so many?” Wei Shuyi chided gently.

Aunt Minglan pouted. “Jiang Shangfeng wanted to. I couldn’t stop him.”

Hearing Aunt Minglan address her husband by his given name, Xiao Die sighed and pressed her lips together.

“Xiao Die, how has the child been lately?” Wei Shuyi asked.

“Well-behaved!”

“Then maybe one day I can call you ‘Maiden of the Scholar’?”

“Miss, you!” Xiao Die blushed, glancing at Wei Shuyi.

Seeing Wei Shuyi’s calm gaze, Xiao Die nodded. “My husband says he’ll work hard this year—he won’t let Seventh Young Master outshine him.”

“Your husband’s always saying wild things. How old is Zhen?” Wei Shuyi shook her head, half-amused, half-reproachful.

They entered the room and handed the gifts from their bundles to the maid Qiujiang.

Aunt Minglan and Xiao Die sat on either side of Wei Shuyi.

Gently stroking her sister’s hand, Aunt Minglan sighed. “Sister, you’ve finally had your reward after all your suffering.”

Wei Shuyi shook her head. “This is merely the first step of a ten-thousand-li journey—how can you speak of suffering ended? But you—Xiao Die’s example stands before you. You and your husband have had no children for so long; you must try.”

Xiao Die nodded vigorously. “Wei sister, my elder sister-in-law went years without children too—then she tried, and now—”

Aunt Minglan looked uninterested. “I’m too old for that now.”

“Pah!” Xiao Die slapped Aunt Minglan’s hand, frowning. “Sister, don’t say that. Look at the Lady of the Duke of Ying and Lady Xu Hou—both gave birth to their youngest children older than you.”

Wei Shuyi added, “Sister, try. If you succeed, Mother and your husband will both find peace.”

Aunt Minglan hesitated, then slowly said, “Come to think of it, I’ve met that young master a few times—we know each other. Then… I’ll try?”

Wei Shuyi and Xiao Die nodded eagerly, smiling.

The next day,

was the Cold Food Festival,

school was closed,

and families in Bianjing with daughters often chose this day for their coming-of-age ceremonies.

Sheng’s fifth daughter, Rulan, was among them.

Besides the two branches of the Sheng family, Rulan’s maternal grandmother, Lady Wang, her aunt-in-law, Lady Feng Da, her married sister Hualan, her cousin Shulan, and her unmarried cousin Kang Yun’er all attended.

In the afternoon,

the coming-of-age ceremony ended,

the Wang family returned to their residence in the capital,

on the way,

Lady Feng Da and her husband Wang Yan rode in a carriage behind Lady Wang’s.

Inside the carriage,

Lady Feng Da sighed, clutching her handkerchief, and said to Wang Yan in a gloomy tone, “Husband, why do all the scholarly talents seem to go to the Sheng family?”

“Bo is like our father because of your sister Wang Ruofu! But why is Zhen so extraordinary at such a young age?”

Wang Yan’s eyes held a trace of envy. After imagining how wonderful it would be if Changzhen were his own son, he replied coolly, “Isn’t that little lady from a scholarly family? And your brother-in-law is clever and shrewd—of course their child excels.”

Lady Feng Da nodded. “Back in Yangzhou, I already knew Wei Xiao was sharp. I never expected her talent would pass to Zhen.”

“Hualan is the Lady of the Marquis household! The Xu family is powerful, and their sons study well. It looks like the Sheng family is rising!”

“Husband, I notice Ru’er and You’er are about the same age. She just had her ceremony today—what if—”

“Hss!” Wang Yan sucked in a sharp breath, deeply tempted.

(End of Chapter)

(End of chapter)