Jiang Yuhou's voice was bitter: "The new prefect accused me of embezzlement and bribery during the performance review. Not only was I dismissed, but several of my properties were also confiscated."
With the prefect leading the charge, he could no longer secure any government-related position.
In the past few months, his children had also suffered the consequences. Then, his mother passed away, and his father fell seriously ill.
His family was on the brink of collapse. Though relatives helped occasionally, it wasn’t a long-term solution. Jiang Yuhou no longer cared about pride—he just needed a livelihood.
Ji Yangzong felt a cold sweat break out. While he'd previously only heard rumors about the new prefect replacing dissenting officials during the administrative evaluations, witnessing firsthand how Jiang Yuhou - a competent and well-connected official - had been ruthlessly crushed made him realize the true severity of the situation. A shiver ran down his back as he understood the prefect's methods went far beyond mere personnel changes.
Huo Shu listened to their conversation without interjecting.
Only when Ji Taoyu brought in tea did the two pause their discussion.
They then turned to business. Huo Shu outlined the accountant’s duties and wages.
Given Jiang Yuhou’s background as a xiucai and former household department archivist, working as an accountant for their horseback archery range was a step down.
Thus, Huo Shu raised the pay slightly. If Jiang Yuhou was satisfied, the terms could be finalized.
Jiang Yuhou didn’t hesitate. Hearing the monthly wage of three taels of silver, he agreed immediately.
He was adaptable, not one to cling to past status and refuse to lower himself.
Not only was Jiang Yuhou in dire financial straits, but most people in the town were busy ingratiating themselves with the new prefect. Though he had swallowed his pride and lowered himself to seek employment, he had been repeatedly rebuffed. This current opportunity was truly a rare find in such circumstances.
Furthermore, Huo Shu made clear the position required no social obligations - simply managing the account books. The responsibilities would also include overseeing operations at the adjacent archery workshop.
When the merchant caravan prepared to depart after the New Year, his assistance would be needed as well.
The workload might be substantial, but the generous pay made it worthwhile.
Jiang Yuhou understood perfectly well - were it not for these longstanding personal connections, such an opportunity would never have come his way. His gratitude ran deep.
Huo Shu scheduled Jiang Yuhou to begin work the following morning. As Ji Yangzong prepared to return home, he courteously escorted the former archivist out.
"Is something troubling you? Have you changed your mind about hiring him?"
Seeing Huo Shu’s expression remain tense after they left, Ji Taoyu asked, "If you have reservations about his suitability, don't feel obligated just because of Father's acquaintance."
Huo Shu said, "No. I just think the situation isn’t good."
Ji Taoyu was puzzled: "Hm?"
"It’s nothing."
Huo Shu changed the subject: "Today is the 23rd. In two days, shouldn’t A-Pan finish his tongsheng exam?"
Ji Taoyu nodded: "Third Sister Wu said she’s free that day. She invited the family for a meal, so we’ll go then."
Huo Shu acknowledged.
The examination system consisted of three progressive levels: the county-level exam, prefectural exam, and finally the academy exam, administered biennially during the lunar calendar's spring and autumn seasons.
Candidates who successfully passed all three stages earned the xiucai degree - the foundational scholarly rank in the imperial examination hierarchy.
As a prefectural seat, Tongzhou maintained dedicated examination hall, sparing local candidates the hardship of traveling to distant testing locations.
The concluding academy exam finished at the middle of shenshi (around 4 PM). Wu Lianhe was cooking at home while Huo Shu and Ji Taoyu went to pick up Zhao Pan from the exam site.
Yuan Huiru had come to the town early, her hair neatly combed, wearing new clothes she usually wouldn’t dare wear in the village. She joined them to fetch Zhao Pan.
Nervous yet excited, she arrived before the start of the shenshi (3 PM), waiting anxiously like the other families gathering outside the examination hall.
Ji Taoyu reassured her: "Don’t worry, Godmother. He’ll be out soon."
"A-Pan is tall—he’ll be easy to spot."
Yuan Huiru gave her assent, though the words barely registered in her mind.
Three deep, resonant strikes of the gong reverberated through the air, their startling tones punctuated by the chief examiner's booming declaration: "The examination is concluded!"
The examination hall, which had been so deathly silent that one might hear a single leaf drop, suddenly came alive with rustling movements. Within moments, the restrained atmosphere shattered into a cacophony of voices and hurried footsteps.
Those examinees positioned nearest to the main gates were the first to come pouring out.
"The examination cells were suffocating—even this open air feels like a blessing after being confined."
"Ah, what a shame. I didn’t answer two questions as well as I’d hoped."
"Now that we're released, put it from your mind. Go home and rest while awaiting the results."
As more examinees emerged, the waiting family members outside craned their necks in anticipation.
When Zhao Pan stepped out of the examination hall, the autumn afternoon sun was mild, but after so long in the cramped cell, his eyes struggled to adjust.
Squinting against the light, he saw clusters of people gathered outside the examination hall—all waiting to receive the candidates.
Knowing his family's situation, he was certain his mother wouldn't appear openly at such a crowded, public place.
Though this was expected, watching other examinees immediately reunite with their waiting families upon exiting couldn't help but provoke a twinge of envy in his heart.
Holding his examination case, he considered heading straight home. With the preliminary imperial exams completed, he'd have several days of respite and could visit the horseback archery range again—the thought alone lightened his mood.
Just as he lifted his foot to depart, a voice seemed to call his name from the crowd.
"A-Pan, over here!"
Zhao Pan turned toward the voice. Though the throng of people was dense, his uncle's imposing figure stood out conspicuously - as unmovable and prominent as a rock formation in turbulent waters.
Upon focusing his gaze, he recognized it was Ji Taoyu who had called out to him.
The appearance of Huo Shu and Ji Taoyu was completely unexpected. Zhao Pan hurried toward them, his surprise evident though he maintained proper decorum in this public setting: "Uncle Huo, Uncle Taoyu, what brings you here?"
This manner of address reflected the recent change in their relationship - after discovering that Huo Shu was not merely his father's sworn brother but had also formally recognized his father's mother as his own godmother, he had begun addressing Huo Shu as "uncle (father's elder brother)" in private.
Ji Taoyu smiled. "We knew the exam ended today, so we came to fetch you."
The boy’s eyes lit up as he squeezed through the crowd.
Yuan Huiru’s eyes reddened slightly at the sight of the boy now standing before her, but she held back her tears in public.
Perhaps her gaze was too intense—Zhao Pan glanced her way.
At first, he assumed she was just another examinee's relative waiting nearby, but it seemed she was with his uncle.
She looked familiar, yet he couldn't immediately recall where he might have seen her before.
"This is…?"
Zhao Pan turned to Ji Taoyu in confusion.
Ji Taoyu took the book case from Zhao Pan and passed it to Huo Shu. Placing a hand on Zhao Pan’s shoulder, he met his eyes and said:
"A-Pan, this is Uncle Huo’s godmother. She came today especially to see you."
Zhao Pan froze. Though unspoken, he understood who she was.
His lips parted, but no words came out.
Yuan Huiru bit her lip and tentatively reached for his hand. "Child, you’ve suffered."
Seeing the mix of grief and joy in her eyes, Zhao Pan murmured softly, "Grandmother…"
At that, Yuan Huiru could no longer hold back her tears.
I've been waiting for this reunion 🥹🥹🥹🥹
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update!!!