Rebirth Married The Control group Fulang Chapter 113 Part 1

Chapter 113

    When Xu He escorted Zhang Fangyuan to the entrance of Qianchun Lou, he saw that the restaurant was already bustling with people. They had arrived just in time, the guests hadn’t yet appeared.  

    Zhang Fangyuan hurried inside as soon as he stepped out of the carriage, leaving the carriage for Xu He to ride back home and return later to pick him up.  

    Xu He lifted the carriage curtain and watched Zhang Fangyuan enter the building before preparing to head home to cook for their two children. Just as the carriage turned around, an ornate roofed carriage, surrounded by dozens of burly attendants, came to a stop in front of Qianchun Lou. Even the restaurant’s manager came out to greet them.  

    Though Siyang City had no shortage of wealthy families, this was the first time Xu He had witnessed such a grand spectacle. He couldn’t help but stare a little longer.  

    The towering, spacious carriage was twice the size of those owned by the village’s richest families. Once it halted, a servant swiftly knelt beside the carriage door, flattening his broad back like a stool. After a moment, the carriage curtain was lifted by a pair of fair, slender hands.  

    The face of a well-preserved middle-aged man appeared, his golden-threaded sable boots stepping onto the servant’s back. Two attendants supported him as he descended the carriage with effortless grace. His belt, densely woven with gold thread, was adorned with dazzling gold plaques and jade clasps, while his robe, embellished with gold, silver, and precious gems, shimmered under the sunlight as if the God of Wealth himself had descended.  

    Before Xu He could fully process the sheer extravagance of the man’s attire, a woman with skin as white as snow, draped in sheer silk, followed the master out of the carriage. Though dressed as a maid, her clothing surpassed that of many so-called wealthy families in the city, and her beauty outshone even the most famous songstresses. Xu He, who had always been frugal and rarely spent on finery, felt a pang of shame.  

    In just a few glances, the entourage had already ascended to the upper floors, leaving onlookers with a newfound understanding of wealth.  

    Xu He had thought his horizons had broadened over the years, he had seen many affluent families in the city, some with sprawling estates like celestial palaces. But today, just a glimpse of that wealthy merchant from the carriage made him realize that all his previous encounters paled in comparison.  

    No wonder Zhang Fangyuan was willing to attend as a mere companion. He called to the coachman, “Let’s go back.”  

    He would ask Zhang Fangyuan to share his experience when he returned home.  

    By the time he arrived at the house, the cook had already prepared lunch, and the two little rascals had returned from their private school, sitting at the dining table, waiting to eat.  

    “Little Daddy’s back! We thought you and Big Daddy were out for a banquet and wouldn’t be home for lunch.” Hearing the commotion, Little Ruili was the first to rush out.  

    Zhang Fangyuan was undeniably tall and sturdy, and Xu He had also been one of the tallest ge'er in their village back in the day. Naturally, their children grew just as lanky. At just six years old, Little Ruili already reached Xu He’s waist, making him the tallest ge'er in the neighborhood.  

    Xu He ruffled Little Ruili’s hair. “Big Daddy went to the banquet. Little Daddy went to the bookshop to get ink for you two.”  

    “Do we get new ink?”  

    Ruijin, who had been silently watching the exchange, finally spoke up at the mention of ink.  

    Little Ruili rolled his eyes. “The moment there’s talk about paper or ink, Brother’s eyes light up.”  

    Xu He chuckled and had a servant bring out the ink he had bought that day for Ruijin to inspect.  

    Ignoring Little Ruili’s comment, Ruijin examined the ink. “This is good quality. The luster and texture suggest it’s Lu inkstick. Both the oil-soot and pine-soot varieties are excellent. Thank you, Daddy.”  

    “Since Brother likes it so much, why don’t you take my share too?” Little Ruili leaned on the table, watching Ruijin. “Consider it an early congratulations.”  

    Xu He was puzzled. “What’s the occasion?”  

    “Daddy doesn’t know? Today, Teacher Luo said that boys shouldn’t just study for poetry and moon-gazing, they should aim for the imperial exams and official careers. Brother’s the only one in our school eligible to take the exams, so Teacher Luo’s hopes rest entirely on him. He said since Brother is old enough this year, he might as well take the Tong Exam in May.” 

[Tong Exam (童考): The preliminary imperial examination for young students, usually taken before the more advanced exams. Passing it granted the title of Tongsheng (童生), qualifying them for further exams]

    Xu He’s eyes widened slightly. “Your brother only turned the right age in March. The Tong Exam is in May, isn’t that too rushed? I’ve heard most children in the city take it at seven or eight, and some even wait until ten.”  

    “Passing the Tong Exam before ten is considered exceptional. Teacher Luo said students in the capital pride themselves on passing before ten. Counting the years, with exams open at six and prestige tied to passing before ten, students only have four years to make their mark, time’s tight.” Little Ruili propped his chin on his hands. “There are plenty who still haven’t passed in their forties or fifties. It’s only natural Teacher Luo wants to hurry.”  

    “You’re not the one taking the exam, it doesn’t hurt your back to talk while standing.” Xu He poked Little Ruili’s forehead.  

[站着说话不腰疼 (zhàn zhe shuō huà bù yāo téng): lit. it doesn’t hurt your back to talk while standing; fig. it’s easy to criticize when you’re not the one doing the work.]

    “I’m not!” Little Ruili rubbed his head. “How about Daddy swaps my clothes with Brother’s, and I’ll go take the exam instead?”