Chapter 85: Autumn Examination Is Paramount [Requesting First Subscription

Tonight’s banquet was a great success for both hosts and guests.

Xu Minghua laughed heartily at the front gate, bowing to bid farewell to the male guests, while Sun Shi saw off the female guests at the inner gate.

Fu Yanjiong sat in his mother’s carriage, his face flushed from drinking.

Pan Shi was in high spirits today, for the future in-laws had risen above the Bao family’s head.

Looking at her son’s foolish grin, Pan Shi asked:

“I heard Gu Yang, the young master of the Ningyuan Marquis House, got so drunk he vomited all over himself?”

“Yes, Mother. It’s common for men to get drunk and vomit, but he—”

He glanced at his mother and continued: “He passed out and lost control of his bowels.”

“Oh? How do you know this, you little rascal?”

“I saw it. Jing Ge seemed to despise this disrespectful Gu family member—his gaze was different.”

The guests gradually departed.

The Xu family returned to the courtyard.

The atmosphere lost its earlier ease of greeting and farewelling.

Xu Minghua and Sun Shi sat on chairs on either side of the main hall, their expressions complex.

Below them, on either side, sat Zai Duan and his wife, Zai Zhang, the two Mei sisters, and Xu Zaijing.

Except for Sun Shi’s personal maid Xiao Zhu, all other servants were ordered outside the courtyard.

In the center of the main hall, Qing Zhi stood with her face already swollen, head bowed.

Though precocious, her tears fell like broken beads onto her old but clean embroidered shoes.

Her fingers trembled slightly—from fear, and from worry over her own fate.

She had understood: one was a noble heir of the Marquis House, the other a lowly servant girl.

For the sake of the two families’ relationship, she would never come out well.

Qing Cao stood beside her, helpless, pleadingly glancing at Xu Zaijing, whose eyes looked frightening, full of desperate appeal.

Ping Mei’s eyes were filled with deep thought.

Da Lang and his wife also wore grim expressions; Xie Shi gripped Zai Duan tightly.

Zai Zhang and An Mei wore expressions of indignation.

Xu Zaijing’s face showed no expression; he had always believed his elder sister’s marriage was excellent.

Now, it seemed no better than he’d imagined.

Marquis Xu Minghua spoke first:

“So, it’s this fifth branch boy of the Gu family who disrespected our maid?”

Sun Shi nodded:

“I asked Xiao Zhu. This girl has always been obedient since entering the Xu household—never gossiped, never stared, always quiet and honest.”

Xu Minghua said sternly:

“What does this Gu boy mean? To act so boldly in our home? What will he do when Ping Mei marries into their house? Won’t he become even more arrogant? How can Gu Hou, such a capable man, run his household like this?”

Xu Minghua’s breathing grew heavy with anger.

“But I see Yu Ge is sensible. Qing Zhi said if not for Yu Ge’s intervention, your son would be guilty of murder.”

Sun Shi said, then cast a reproachful glance at Xu Zaijing.

Not for his intervention, but for his recklessness—someone dying in the Xu household? Who could explain it clearly?

“Father, Mother, Brother Yu has already told me he will handle this. We’ll see his reply tomorrow,” Xu Zaijing said.

Xu Minghua frowned:

“Now the Gu household is under Gu Hou’s control. Their eldest son is still young—what decision can he make? Split the family? Even if he passed the imperial exam, it’s impossible now.”

Hearing his father’s words, Xu Zaijing nodded slightly—the Gu household was still Gu Yan Kai’s.

Xu Zai Duan said:

“Father, if the Gu family fails to handle this, I suggest we delay my sister’s marriage.”

“Big Brother, don’t say that. Sister loves Yu Ge. He’s a good man,” An Mei said.

“An Mei, don’t speak. Marriage is decided by parents,” Ping Mei said.

“Wu Lang, what do you think?”

Xu Minghua, aware of the reason for his promotion, decided to hear his youngest son’s opinion.

“Father, the Gu household’s inner quarters are still ruled by Aunt Bai. If Yu Ge can’t handle it, we’ll see whether Aunt Bai comes tomorrow.”

“If Aunt Bai comes, ask whether the Gu family plans to split—after all, Yu Ge’s grandfather has been dead for so long.”

Xu Zai Zhang said with concern:

“Father, I heard when Gu Hou returned to the capital, he bound Gu Tingbing of the fourth branch—rumor says it was for publicly harassing a common woman.”

After Xu Zai Zhang spoke, the atmosphere in the main hall grew colder.

Sun Shi’s face darkened as she looked at her eldest daughter:

“If no one comes tomorrow, I’ll go to the Gu household myself. This matter must be explained to us. With such a family ethos, who would dare marry a daughter into their home?”

Thus, the Xu family reached a unified stance. Sun Shi ordered:

“Xiao Zhu, take Qing Zhi away. Summon a physician to treat her well. She’s a woman of integrity—take ten taels of silver from the ledger and let her rest for a few days.”

“Yes, Lady.”

At night, Qing Xia, Ping Mei’s personal maid, looked at Qing Zhi, asleep with her swollen face, her eyes filled with pity.

She now knew this little maid had refused to kneel even after being slapped.

She was a tough one.

In her sleep, Qing Zhi suddenly jerked—as if caught in a nightmare.

Qing Xia sighed, gently stroking Qing Zhi’s hair.

Qing Zhi opened her eyes: “Sister Qing Xia.”

“Sleep.”

Some women scheme to climb onto the beds of young masters to become superior beings; others strive to stand on their own feet and survive.

Yet the light of such women is often crushed by scoundrels like Gu Tingyang.

On the other side

After leaving the Xu household in the afternoon, Sheng Hong kept his appointment and went with Yuan Bo Ye to Fan Lou.

They had simply enjoyed their conversation at the Xu household.

A bout of reminiscing over past hardships had nearly brought the two middle-aged men to tears.

Yuan Wenshao naturally accompanied his father.

Yuan Wenchun had to return home to see his wife and inform them that Yuan Bo Ye would not be dining at home tonight.

At Fan Lou, though Sheng Hong’s eyes were blurred from drink, his mind remained clear. Watching Yuan Wenshao’s diligent demeanor in the room, he asked thoughtfully:

“Bo Ye, is your second son betrothed yet?”

Yuan Bingkai, hearing the question, sobered instantly and sighed deeply:

“Brother Sheng, my family has fallen from grace—we lost our old mansion to others. Now, alas.”

He raised his cup, and the two men drank on.

Night fell, and Sheng and Yuan parted ways to return home.

At the Yuan household, Yuan Bingkai drank his sobering soup and soaked his feet in a chair, a warm towel over his face, eyes closed to clear his head.

Pondering his conversation with Grand Secretary Sheng,

suddenly

he cried out:

“Could it be? Someone! Someone!”

His wife Zhang Shi jumped in fright.

That night, Yuan Bo Ye sent a messenger to his sister’s household, the Huang family of Shoushan, to inquire about the Sheng family.

Deep into the night.

Hearing the steward’s report, Yuan Bingkai happily tapped the arm of his chair.

He was fully sober!

“So that’s what Grand Secretary Sheng meant. Excellent, excellent.”

“Husband, what’s happened?” Zhang Shi asked.

“Our second son’s marriage is settled!”

“Husband agrees to marry my—”

“Shut up! Marry a concubine-born daughter into our family? Are you mad from lard? I already let Wenchun marry your Zhang daughter out of respect for you—do you want to drag more of your kin in?” Yuan Bingkai snapped.

Zhang Shi stammered: “Then who, Husband?”

“The eldest legitimate daughter of Sheng Hong, the Prefect of Yangzhou.”

“A fifth-rank official’s daughter?”

“Oh? A minor official? Does your Zhang family have any high-ranking jinshi?” Yuan Bingkai asked.

“Our family is a marquisate—how can we marry into a fifth-rank—”

“Fine. Then have Wenchun divorce his wife. Your Zhang family isn’t even a scholarly lineage.”

Zhang Shi: “I—”

The next day

Sheng Hong kept his appointment and returned to Pan Lou.

Seeing Yuan Bingkai’s overly eager demeanor, Sheng Hong did not put on airs; the two spoke at length.

As they left Pan Lou, Yuan Bingkai patted his chest and said:

“Brother Sheng, rest assured—after the New Year, I’ll go to Yangzhou myself and make sure your family is satisfied!”

Sheng Hong smiled and said:

“Good. Then, Brother Yuan, it’s a deal.”

“It’s a deal.”

Riding in the carriage driven by Yuan Wenshao, Yuan Bingkai said inside: “Shao’er!”

Outside, Yuan Wenshao replied: “Father?”

“Your marriage is settled—she’s the eldest daughter of a civil official’s family.”

Yuan Wenshao said: “Father, you’ve gone to too much trouble.”

Quyuanjie

Xu Family

Gu Tingyu followed behind Bai Shi, his face grim; beside him was Chang Mama, holding Gu Tingyi.

After being announced, they entered the main hall of the Xu residence. Sun Shi saw Bai Shi and forced a smile.

“Sister, what brings you here?”

Bai Shi said: “Chang Mama, take Yi’er to play.”

“I want to find Anmei sister,” Gu Tingyi said.

“You’re just thinking of that cat, aren’t you?” Chang Mama chuckled.

Sun Shi also smiled and said: “Xiao Dan, take him.”

Soon, only Bai Shi, Sun Shi, and Gu Tingyu remained in the main hall.

After the maidservant served tea, Sun Shi waved her hand.

Xiao Zhu understood and led all other Xu servants out of the main hall courtyard.

Bai Shi said: “Sister, Yu’er only found me this morning—I only just learned what that little beast in the Gu family did. Please don’t blame him.”

Sun Shi looked curiously at Gu Tingyu, who was nearly grown:

“Why didn’t you go to the Marquis?”

Gu Tingyu’s face darkened, and he said nothing.

Bai Shi’s expression was the same.

Sun Shi sensed something amiss: “What’s wrong, sister?”

Bai Shi frowned:

“Last night, the Marquis sent word he had business and didn’t return home. Yu’er waited outside his courtyard all night.”

Sun Shi’s face changed:

“Child, how can you be so stubborn? Your health is already poor—how could you possibly—!”

Gu Tingyu said:

“I promised Jing-ge I’d handle this. I never expected Father to...”

Sun Shi frowned:

“This isn’t something to rush. Don’t you know your most important task is the autumn imperial examination? When did you become so blind to priorities?”

“Lady, I was wrong.”

Sun Shi softened her tone:

“Sister Bai, every family has disobedient children—but Gu’s Yang-ge is far too violent. I heard from Zhang-ge that recently the Marquis even bound the fourth branch’s son for harassing a common woman?”

Gu Tingyu’s eyes flickered as he kept his head down.

Sun Shi did not call her “Lady Bai”—she spoke as a friend, not as the Gu family’s senior wife.

If things are like this, how can I peacefully allow Ping’er to marry into your family? I only want to ask you one thing: will your family split up?

Bai Shi understood Sun Shi’s meaning. She twisted her silk handkerchief:

“Sister, I only learned of this today. Whether we divide or not—I, as a Gu family daughter-in-law, have no say! But once Ping’er enters my home, I will protect her.”

“Sister Bai, if others told me rumors about your Gu family, I’d investigate thoroughly.

But this disgrace happened in my own Xu household—here, he acts like this. What would he do back in his own home?”

“When the Marquis returns home, please speak plainly to him. If there’s no explanation, my husband and I will delay the children’s engagement.”

In the main hall, everyone’s faces were grim.

At that moment, Xiao Zhu entered from outside, bowed, and said: “Lady, Ye-ge’s servant Zhi Que has come with word—the Marquis has returned.”

Hearing this, Gu Tingyu leapt to his feet, too abruptly—he swayed.

Enough!

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(End of Chapter)