The carriage sped along. Qiao Hezhi was also overjoyed: "Now we can truly return home in brocade robes. I'll write to father and mother as soon as I get back to pass on the news. They'll be overjoyed too!"
[衣錦還鄉 (yì jǐn huán xiāng): lit. to return to one's hometown in brocade robes; fig. to return home after acquiring wealth or honor, bringing glory to one's ancestors.]
Fang Yu hadn't thought that far. He just breathed a sigh of relief, feeling he hadn't failed his promise to Qiao Hezhi.
"Let's go home once we finish things here. We've been away so long; I'm starting to miss home."
"Most likely we'll still have three or five busy days ahead of us."
If it were just a regular passing, that would be one thing, but with such a high ranking, there would inevitably be social engagements to attend. The Prefect was certain to host a banquet to wine and dine the top seven candidates, and there would certainly be many officials present. This banquet was unavoidable. Naturally, attending was also a good thing; they could meet and get acquainted with some officials. Becoming a familiar face for the future was an opportunity that others might not attain even with heavy bribes or lavish gifts. As for other banquet invitations, they could probably decline them all—after all, they had no close connections here anyway.
Not even a full shichen after returning to their residence, officials came looking for them. They delivered the Prefect's banquet invitation and a series of reward lists for those who passed the provincial examination. Because he was first place, unlike ordinary successful Juren who had to return to their home county to collect rewards from the county magistrate, his were delivered directly to him.
Qiao Hezhi took the gold-plated scholar registration token from the tray. The column inscribed with the title, which originally read "Xiucai," had now been replaced with "Jieyuan." He gently stroked the fine carving on it, his heart filled with immense joy. All the hard studying had not been in vain.
"I have to attend the banquet tonight. You stay home and rest well. I'll probably have to drink some wine, but you know my capacity; I'll definitely come back fine. If it gets too late, don't just sit up waiting for me in the room. Go to bed early and rest; just wait for me there." Fang Yu carefully gave his instructions. On such a wonderful day, he actually wanted to spend it with Qiao Hezhi more, but these social obligations were unavoidable.
Qiao Hezhi said understandingly, "I know. Wear this set of clothes I newly brought. For such an important occasion, you should dress more appropriately."
The two tidied up in the room. Just as Fang Yu hung up the scholar registration token, the outer door creaked open: "Brother Sheng is finally back. The officials have already been here."
"Haven't even had the chance to congratulate Brother Fang on winning the Jieyuan yet!" Sheng Jia wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Who would have thought a country bumpkin like me, a piece of charcoal without a single ounce of scholarly bearing, would also get snatched! Really, ah! No, I must add a chapter on how to skillfully avoid 'catching a son-in-law under the list' to our Provincial Examination Candidate's Thunder-Avoidance Guide."
[Thunder: internet slang meaning an annoying cliche or pitfall to avoid]
Qiao Hezhi covered his mouth and chuckled lightly: "So, how was the family that invited Honorable Yayuan Sheng for tea?"
At this point, Sheng Jia's dark face actually blushed a rare red. Seeing his expression, Fang Yu quickly poured a cup of tea, lifted the corner of his robe, and sat down beside Sheng Jia: "Please, Brother Sheng, tell us in detail."
"Since when did Brother Fang become so gossipy?" Sheng Jia's voice weakened. He picked up his tea and silently turned his head away: "What's there to say about such an embarrassing and infuriating matter?"
"What do you mean 'since when'? I've always been like this. Tell us quickly; my Xiao Qiao loves to hear it."
"Tell us, did you see the young lady of this family?"
"What young lady? It was a young master, a ger!" Sheng Jia blurted out in refutation, only realizing he had let it slip after speaking: "Aiyo, aiyo! Brother Fang is already dressed impeccably. I also need to tidy up and go attend the banquet."
Fang Yu grabbed hold of him: "What's the hurry? You still have one or two hours, more than enough time to get ready. The restaurant isn't far either, just on the main street outside our alley. Brother Sheng is hiding something from us. Do you not consider us close friends?"
"Forget it, forget it, forget it!" Sheng Jia said, embarrassed and flustered: "The one who invited me was an old Xiucai. He had a ger late in life. Because he and his principal wife are getting on in years, and the sons and daughters from his knees are already married, only this young one is fourteen or fifteen, they want to find him a good match quickly."
"Brother Sheng Jia comes from a clean family background, is conveniently single, has no living parents above, and no younger siblings below. Now you've passed as Yayuan." Fang Yu raised an eyebrow and looked at Qiao Hezhi: "Isn't that exactly the source of a good match?"
"Don't tease me like that. Although I have an achievement now, my family has no meager property, and my ancestral home is in a bitterly cold place like Linya County. How could someone like me be a suitable match for a ger who has been raised with such utmost care and treasured like gold? Wouldn't I just make him suffer hardship with me for nothing? I can't be a live-in son-in-law either. This matter, this matter is not suitable!"
Fang Yu and Qiao Hezhi listened to his many excuses and explanations; ultimately, it was because he had taken a liking: "With passing the provincial examination, the court also gives rewards. How can you say you have no property at all? If you manage the farmland well, it can also generate income. If Brother Sheng still feels you'd be mistreating the other party, and if you have sincere intentions, just explain clearly to the old Xiucai. Ask the young master to wait two years, and after achieving something in the metropolitan examination or securing an official post, come back to marry him then. After all, the young master is still young."
Sheng Jia's face turned even redder: "Not suitable, not suitable! I... I'm going back to my room to change clothes first."
Watching the person who fled back to his room as if escaping disaster, Qiao Hezhi asked in confusion: "Could it be that catching a son-in-law under the list can really lead to a good match?"
Fang Yu laughed: "Happiness is something one must strive for oneself. Catching a son-in-law under the list is not necessarily a bad path."
He felt it was a somewhat crude form of matchmaking in current times.
Qiao Hezhi nodded, secretly relieved he had married early and secured the Jieyuan first.
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