Chapter 95: Rongguo Produces the Top Candidate (Requesting First Subscription)

After finishing all miscellaneous duties, Jia Zheng requested an hour’s leave from Vice Minister Li De; when Li De asked why, he learned that today was the day the provincial examination results were posted, and the skilled calligrapher Jia Cong had taken this examination.

Now raised under the Second Branch of the Western Mansion, Jia Zheng, as this branch’s uncle, naturally took great interest in the matter and hurried home to inquire about the results.

Li De had just received a piece of calligraphy from Jia Cong and held a strong liking for this extraordinary youth, so he readily granted the leave.

Jia Zheng rushed back to the mansion and immediately sent a young servant to the Ministry of Rites’ notice board to learn the results.

This reminded him of his own examination days, Kexi he had gained nothing then—a lifelong regret.

He also heard from household staff about how Wang Ziteng had come to pay birthday respects today, how Wang’s son had intruded into the inner quarters and publicly humiliated Jia Cong and others.

Enraged, Jia Zheng smashed his teacup to pieces and, before Lady Wang, loudly berated Ziteng for failing to raise his son properly, leaving Lady Wang deeply embarrassed.

…

As this commotion unfolded, messengers from the official post arrived at the main gate of Rongguo Mansion; the gatekeeper, upon hearing the news, was stunned and immediately informed the steward.

Though Steward Lai Da held little regard for Jia Cong, he dared not neglect the matter—he led the messengers through the ceremonial gate straight toward Rongxi Hall.

Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, Lady Wang, and others all received the news and were startled, each hastening to Rongxi Hall in turn.

Even so, in the wealthy and illustrious Jia household, this was an exceptional achievement; if this were true, the boy must have accumulated immense fortune in a past life.

Jia Mu, Lady Wang, and soon after, Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng—all were utterly stunned.

They all knew Jia Cong studied with intense diligence; in their minds, he might pass the examination after four or five years of effort.

The messenger, experienced and worldly-wise, had seen countless wild reactions from families upon hearing good news—nothing surprised him anymore.

But now Jia Cong was still under thirteen—he had not only passed the examination but also claimed the top rank of the entire province, far surpassing Jia Zhu in his prime!

Historically, over half of those who won the provincial examination’s top rank went on to appear on the palace examination honor roll.

The messenger entered the hall, knelt on one knee, and proclaimed loudly: “Your household’s Jia Cong, Young Master Jia, has passed the Yongzhou Provincial Examination of the 12th Year of Jiazhao as the top candidate!”

Now the top candidate was from the Rongguo Jia household—the family whose halls were of white jade and whose horses were of gold—who could not know that the Jia family boasted two Dukes, the pinnacle of earthly wealth and glory?

He had struck great fortune today; such households scattered gold like dirt, and with this announcement of a provincial top rank, how could the reward be anything less than generous?

So he rallied his spirits and shouted again: “Your household’s Jia Cong, Young Master Jia, has passed the Yongzhou Provincial Examination of the 12th Year of Jiazhao as the top candidate!”

Upon hearing the news, Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng rushed over, yet the news had already spread swiftly to Yingchun and the other young ladies deep within the inner quarters.

Even the arrival of official messengers bearing good news had been a dream he never dared hope for.

When Jia Zhu passed the examination at fourteen, he was called a child prodigy—but he merely passed, ranking far behind, nowhere near the top candidate.

He then withdrew the official notice from his sleeve; it bore the bright red seal of the Ministry of Rites, utterly authentic.

Yet they had never imagined that on his very first attempt, Jia Cong not only passed but claimed the prestigious title of provincial top candidate.

Top candidate—something Jia Zheng had never dared even dream of; in his youth, limited by talent, merely passing had been a blessing.

And now it had happened before his eyes—Jia Cong had won the provincial top candidate!

Jia Zheng’s face flushed crimson, as if he could not believe his ears, and he trembled as he asked again: “Say it once more!”

Top candidate—this was not something that belonged in his world.

The Jia family had produced scholars before—Jia Jing, Jia Zhu—and Jia Mu, Lady Wang, and others understood something of scholarly traditions.

This boy, so young, already achieving such fortune—could the Jia family be producing another Jinshi?

Everyone present was stunned, yet each felt differently within.

Jia Mu could not claim to feel no joy at all, yet her emotions were tangled; her most beloved Baoyu remained obscure, while this one she least favored kept outshining everyone.

Lady Wang stared at the messenger, her wariness deepening; she had lost Jia Zhu, the one who could uphold the household, and now only Baoyu remained.

Jia Cong and Baoyu were the same age—one still pampered in the inner quarters, the other already claiming the top rank; how could Baoyu not be far outshone? Over time, even the old lady’s favor might shift.

Jia Zheng laughed heartily: “Mother, this is great fortune! Master Cong has passed the examination before reaching his teens and claimed the top candidate title—truly ancestral blessings, glorifying our lineage!”

He turned to Lai Da: “Reward this officer with silver for wine—no, gold! Generous reward!”

The messenger was overjoyed, knelt again, and recited a flood of auspicious phrases—“honored on the golden list,” “plucking the osmanthus in the moon palace,” “eternal nobility”—words he spoke with practiced ease.

Jia Zheng was delighted and finally awarded him five gold ingots; the messenger departed, ecstatic.

Jia Zheng ordered Lai Da to send someone to find Jia Cong; soon after, thunderous firecrackers erupted outside the main gate of Rongguo Mansion, their clamor echoing along the entire Ningrong Street.

News of Jia Cong’s victory as provincial top candidate spread rapidly through both branches of the Jia household; soon Jia Zhen from the Eastern Mansion arrived to offer congratulations, yet Jia Cong himself was nowhere to be seen.

…

In Jia Mu’s courtyard, the young maid Xiao Qiu hurried along the covered walkway, her cheeks slightly flushed.

At Qingzhi Studio, she pounded on the gate loudly.

The gate opened to reveal the maid Juan’er; Xiao Qiu, breathless, asked: “Is Qingwen here? I need to speak with her.”

Qingwen rushed out from inside, frowned at Xiao Qiu’s flushed face, and said: “You little rascal, banging on the gate like this in broad daylight—I thought bandits had come!”

Xiao Qiu didn’t mind Qingwen’s sharp tongue and grinned: “Yuan’ang sent me to tell you—the official messengers just arrived with good news: Third Master Cong has won the top rank in the provincial examination!”

Qingwen’s face lit up with delight; she grabbed Xiao Qiu’s arm: “Is it true? He truly won the top rank?”

Xiao Qiu laughed: “Of course it’s true—I saw it with my own eyes! Second Master even gave the messenger a large gold ingot, and the firecrackers outside the main gate are still going off!”

Qingwen leapt three feet into the air, crying joyfully: “Third Master is amazing! Third Master passed! Third Master won the top rank!”

Juan’er and Si’er in the courtyard burst into laughter too.

Soon Wu’er ran out upon hearing the news, her face alight with joy; she grabbed Xiao Qiu and asked again, then happily embraced Qingwen.

Laughter like silver bells echoed through Qingzhi Studio; the emerald bamboos in the courtyard seemed touched by the joy, swaying merrily in the autumn wind.

Xiao Qiu watched the scene with envy and said: “Qingwen, your place here is so wonderful—Third Master is so talented. Could you ask the old lady to let me come live with you too?”

Qingwen tapped Xiao Qiu’s head with a finger and scolded playfully: “What sweet dreams are you having? Stay where you are with the old lady. But today you’ve done well—you deserve a reward.”

She pulled Xiao Qiu inside, brought out two plates of pastries newly made by Wu’er, and Wu’er smiled warmly as she poured her a cup of hot tea.

Xiao Qiu, at that age when hunger never sleeps, stuffed the pastries into her mouth, delightedly devouring them, forgetting even her earlier disappointment.

Her adorable eating habits made Wu’er and Qingwen laugh softly beside her.

(End of Chapter)