Chapter 58
When Fang Yu and Sheng Jia arrived together at the tavern where the banquet was held, several people were already seated in the hall. Seeing new arrivals, they all stood up, introduced themselves, and exchanged greetings.
In about a quarter of an hour, all those invited for today had arrived. Fang Yu counted ten people in total—seven of them were fellow scholars, and the remaining three were local officials.
One was the Prefect, an official of the fourth rank; another was the Deputy Prefect of the fifth rank; and the last was the Assistant Prefect—whom Fang Yu had met once in Yuncheng—the father of Ji Yunlu.
Originally a prefectural official of the sixth rank in the capital, the Assistant Prefect, together with the Deputy Prefect, assisted the Prefect in managing a series of affairs in Yongjiang Prefecture such as finance, criminal law, and public security. However, because Yuncheng was one of the wealthiest counties under Yongjiang Prefecture's jurisdiction and for the sake of the prefecture's finances and taxes, the Assistant Prefect had been stationed directly in Yuncheng to oversee matters.
Although Ji Yunlu had introduced Fang Yu once before in Yuncheng, it was during a banquet with many people present. The Assistant Prefect hadn't paid much attention to a mere xiucai who was his son's classmate. He only vaguely remembered his son introducing a scholar who was the son-in-law of a local wealthy family, and he hadn't clearly remembered the person.
When the provincial exam results were released and the preliminary list was drafted, the Assistant Prefect learned that the Jieyuan came from Yuncheng. His first action was to inquire about this scholar's information. Before he could even send anyone out, his son, who had also come to take the exam, told him everything.
The Assistant Prefect was overjoyed. Not only was the talent from his jurisdiction, but he was also on good terms with his son. He praised his son highly for his good judgment in making friends. Beaming with pride, the Assistant Prefect strode over, took Fang Yu’s hand warmly, and kept calling him "worthy nephew" with clear affection.
Fang Yu also maintained a humble demeanor, inquired about Ji Yunlu's exam results, and expressed genuine happiness upon learning he had also passed this year. He poured wine and toasted the Assistant Prefect. Seeing Fang Yu so polite and well-mannered, the Assistant Prefect liked him even more. Throughout the banquet, he treated Fang Yu as if he were his own student, introducing him to others and speaking highly of him at every opportunity.
Afterwards, it was a round of drinking. Flattery was universal currency, and with the slight influence of alcohol, everyone began ingratiating themselves with each other.
Of the seven scholars attending, only two were from other counties. The other five—and four of these in particular—were sons of influential families in the prefectural city. They had already established connections with the Prefect and Deputy Prefect, as could be seen during the toasting.
After praising Fang Yu's talent and essays, the Prefect took the opportunity to ask a few questions about his family situation. When Fang Yu revealed he was already married, the Prefect no longer engaged him in extensive conversation. Instead, he showed greater warmth towards the scholars from the prefectural city. Fang Yu roughly understood the implication. After offering the necessary compliments, he secretly took advantage of a free moment to eat a few bites of food.
Having attended banquets in the prefectural city for half a month, some dishes at today's banquet were ones he hadn't ordered before, seemingly part of a special menu reserved for distinguished scholars. Dishes like Xianren Luan (Immortal's Morsel) and Wubao Sandan (Fried Tripe with Coriander) were quite excellent.
Throughout the banquet, the scholars vying to become the Prefect's son-in-law bustled about, their flattery loud and clear. In the end, it was the Prefect who got drunk.
After the banquet ended, the Deputy Prefect escorted the drunken Prefect back. The Assistant Prefect held Fang Yu's hand and said, "Worthy nephew Fang, this old official will still be in the city for some days. When I return to Yuncheng, I will send an invitation to your residence for tea."
"This student often meets with Brother Ji. Assistant Prefect, your generous hospitality is deeply appreciated. This student will certainly come."
"Excellent, excellent! Be careful on your way back."
Watching the officials depart one by one, the night had grown deep. Fang Yu and Sheng Jia headed back together.
Autumn in the prefectural city was thick with atmosphere. After several rains, the night wind blew cold and sharp. Thinking it was only a short walk back and the walk would help sober them up after drinking, the two strolled side by side with hands clasped behind their backs on the damp, bluestone-paved street.
"Listening to the Prefect earlier, he said only sixty-eight successful candidates were selected from Yongjiang County this time, with nearly three thousand people taking the exam. The acceptance rate is twenty fewer than three years ago."
"Policies change every three years. Regardless, our hardships have finally paid off," Fang Yu said. "With this first banquet concluded and no other matters, I plan to set off back to Yuncheng tomorrow. Brother Sheng, will you stay a few more days?"
"No. Although I have no immediate family awaiting me, the elders and fellow villagers back home are eager for news. I ought to return early as well."
Fang Yu nodded. "Then we can travel together as far as Huining County."
It was already quite late when they returned to the residence. Fang Yu washed up, dispelling the chill from his body, before returning to the bedroom. Qiao Hezhi, hearing the movement, lifted the curtain. "Did Siyu give you the sobering soup?"
"Already drank it," Fang Yu said, slipping into bed. "The Prefect doesn't hold his liquor well, so I didn't drink much either."
Qiao Hezhi saw the man's complexion was fine, and he had returned earlier than expected.
"Have all the belongings in the residence been packed? We can set off tomorrow."
"All packed. There wasn't much to begin with."
While waiting for the results earlier, they had already bought local specialties and gifts, which were packed long ago. It was even simpler than when they came.
Fang Yu held him. "Then let's sleep early. We need to get up early tomorrow."
The next day, as soon as the sky brightened, the carriage departed from the alley. Qiao Hezhi was still somewhat drowsy; the gloomy autumn weather always made people feel lethargic. Moreover, his health was inherently poor and couldn't withstand the cold. Now, with Fang Yu by his side, he didn't have to endure everything alone. He leaned against him, dozing off.
.
Fang Yu told the coachman to go slower. There was no hurry on the return journey anyway. Holding Qiao Hezhi, he let him sleep a while longer on his lap, more comfortably.
"Master, there's a carriage ahead blocking our path."
"Did you ask who it is?"
"Brother Fang, you go ahead first. I'll have my carriage catch up with you later." As soon as the voice fell, Sheng Jia's voice sounded outside the carriage. "Young Master Qi has come."
Hearing this, Qiao Hezhi perked up a bit, rising from Fang Yu's lap and opening his eyes to look at Fang Yu.
"Alright, we'll wait for Brother Sheng at the post station ahead."
"Thank you, Brother Fang."
Listening to Sheng Jia's departing footsteps, the two immediately lifted the carriage curtain to its highest and squeezed together at the window.
In the distance, beside a carriage, stood a young man with a somewhat round face, holding an exquisitely carved, bordered brocade box he was offering to Sheng Jia. Whatever Sheng Jia said to him made the young man's eyes turn red...
"Brother Sheng truly lacks romantic sensibility. Someone came from afar to see him off, and he managed to make him cry. No wonder he's still unmarried at his age."
Qiao Hezhi glanced sideways at Fang Yu. "Aren't you older than Yayuan Sheng?" You used to be just as unromantic.
Fang Yu chuckled, covered Qiao Hezhi's eyes, and pulled him back into the carriage, lowering the curtain. "Alright, alright, let Brother Sheng handle it himself. Sleep a little more."
He draped a thick cloak over Qiao Hezhi. "When you wake up later, we can play a game of chess together. It won't be long before we're home."
At the post station, Fang Yu and Qiao Hezhi waited for over half an hour before Sheng Jia caught up. Seeing he had brought the brocade box they saw earlier, the two exchanged a smile but said nothing and didn't inquire further. The group traveled together for a stretch. They reached Huining County around noon the next day, where Sheng Jia bid them farewell.
"This journey to take the exam, achieving this honor is worthy of joy, but being able to become acquainted with Brother Fang is even more lamentable. Brother Fang, after parting today, who knows when we'll meet again. Take good care on your journey!"
"We'll meet again at the metropolitan exam next year. Brother Sheng, have a safe journey."
The two bid farewell at the city gate, one heading west, the other south, somewhat reminiscent of their time at the prefectural exam compound. Fang Yu believed that destined people would eventually reunite despite taking different paths.
From Huining County, the return journey was quick. Although the trip back took more time than the outward journey, having company made the travel less arduous. While the two were still on the road, news of Fang Yu becoming the Jieyuan had already spread like wildfire through the academy and both residences.
When the servant rushed in with a joyful expression to report to Madam Chen, she was eating sweet fruits fed to her by the two considerate children she brought back.
In the short span of over half a month, under the coaxing and flattery of the two children, Madam Chen had grown increasingly plump. With people attending to her tea and water and keeping her company daily, she even grew too lazy to stroll in the courtyard, as if rooted to the soft couch.
The servants and maids arranged by Fang Yu at home tried to advise her, but instead, they were bullied by the two newly favored children for being disrespectful and received a harsh beating from Madam Chen. After that, no one dared speak up. With the Master and Zhengfu not at home, the two children, having curried Madam Chen's favor, began acting like masters in front of the servants, forcing them to address them as Xiaoniang and Xiaofu, putting on full airs of being masters.
[Xiaoniang (小娘) and Xiaofu (小夫): used to address a concubine]
Only when Xuezhu was present would they restrain themselves somewhat—respectful on the surface but secretly complaining to Madam Chen, who then reprimanded Xuezhu several times. However, as Fang Yu's capable personal servant, she didn't dare punish him excessively. Instead, she placated the two children with more rewards.
"What did you say? Yu'er passed?"
"Not only passed, but he's also first place, Jieyuan! Congratulations, Old Madam! Congratulations!"
The two children surrounding Madam Chen grinned from ear to ear. "Doesn't that mean we can be considered an official's family now? When the Master returns, we can also enter the scholar registry!"
"Old Madam, you must put in a good word for us both with the Master. We're afraid the Master might not like us for being slow-witted."
Madam Chen could no longer hear what the two children were saying. Amidst the chorus of congratulations, her mind felt like it was bursting with fireworks.
After passing the provincial exam, all successful candidates received a new scholar registry seal, thirty mu of fertile land, exemption from corvee labor and taxes, the ability to accept merchants seeking patronage, the privilege of not bowing to officials, and immunity from arbitrary punishment by officials if they committed crimes, among a series of other advantages. Furthermore, if a successful candidate chose not to sit for the higher-level Metropolitan Examination, they could enter a lottery to be assigned an official post, among other potential appointments.
Her son being the Jieyuan meant rewards beyond those for ordinary successful candidates: an additional thirty taels of silver, two salt shops, one iron shop, and twenty extra mu of fertile land. If he chose to become an official, he wouldn't need to draw lots but could directly select from available locations.
With this title, not only could he accept disciples, become a teacher, but even if he wanted to directly become a vice-dean at a small academy, no one would dare say a word against it.
Not only that, she, as his mother, would receive a special title. In the future, her scholar registry seal would bear an additional line: "Mother of Jieyuan." In today's society governed by ritual and filial piety above all, she would be able to move through Yuncheng with unshakeable authority. No one would dare show her the slightest disrespect As for that insolent merchant ger at home who had dared defy her—she could have her punished and cast out without a second thought. Even if it went to court, the county magistrate would have to side with her...
"Hahahaha! Ha..." Madam Chen laughed loudly, then suddenly stopped short. With a retching sound, she actually vomited a mouthful of blood onto the woman beside her, frightening her into a scream. "Old Madam! Old Madam, what's wrong?!"
"Quick, quick, call a physician!"
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