Сhеng Shao lеisurеlу fliррed through the mоdеl essaуs and pоеms thаt Сhеng Хu had transсribed from memory, cоmmеnting, "Not bаd! If nothing unехреctеd hарреns, yоu should rank within the sесond tiеr."
Hearing this, Сheng Jing did not fеel reliеvеd but grеw еvеn mоrе anxiоus. "Sеcоnd Unсlе, what dо yоu mеan by 'unехpеcted'?"
"You'rе letting your соnсern сloud your judgmеnt!" Сhеng Shaо сhuсklеd hеаrtily. "Wеrеn’t yоu helрing others with thеir modеl еssаys just а fеw dауs ago? Why аre you so fretful whеn it comes tо Jiashan? Jiаshan’s еssаys аre perfectly conventional in both topic selection and argumentation, with smooth and natural writing and apt metaphors. While they may fall slightly short of the top three, they should be more than sufficient for the second tier." As he spoke, his expression grew serious, and he turned to Cheng Xu. "Jiashan, your original essays were far better than these. Have you... become too cautious?"
Focusing solely on passing the imperial examination meant his essays avoided major flaws, but that also rendered them mediocre.
Cheng Xu looked at Cheng Shao, his expression steady and his gaze profound.
"Second Granduncle," he said softly, "I want to have my name on the golden list."
So, as long as he ranked within the second tier, it would suffice.
Cheng Shao felt somewhat disappointed.
In his view, Cheng Xu was fully capable of achieving the "Triple First"—placing first in the county, provincial, and palace examinations—and becoming the Cheng family’s first top scholar to accomplish this feat.
He gently set aside the essays Cheng Xu had transcribed.
Cheng Xu’s eyes dimmed slightly.
Cheng Jing, however, jumped up in agitation. "What do you mean by 'I want to have my name on the golden list'? Has our family ever lacked food or clothing for you? If this examination doesn’t go well, you can always take the next one?" Suddenly recalling his wife’s restlessness these past days, he hurriedly added, "Did your mother say something to you? How could you be so misguided? While having your name on the golden list is certainly good, many scholars fail to pass. I didn’t let you take the spring examination directly because I feared the pressure of your provincial top scholar title. I never expected you would still choose the middle path..."
He could not hide his disappointment.
Cheng Xu lowered his head and remained silent.
Sometimes he thought it was no wonder his father and mother shared such a deep bond.
They both wanted him to achieve the Triple First.
But was the Triple First so easily attained?
A single misstep could relegate him to the third tier, making him merely a "fellow scholar."
That was something he absolutely could not bear.
He thought of Cheng Chi’s words.
Perhaps this was the real reason he ultimately chose to settle for a second-tier ranking.
Hearing Cheng Jing’s words, Cheng Shao frowned. "Why have you become so impatient? There are countless scholars in the world. If Jiashan can have his name on the golden list, it would already be an immense stroke of luck. History is filled with exceptionally talented individuals who never managed to pass the imperial examination in their lifetimes. Besides, he is grown now and has his own thoughts and plans. If he doesn’t wish to spend his life studying in the Hanlin Academy, having his name on the golden list is enough. I don’t see any issues with these essays. You should prepare for the Junior Scholar Candidate examination instead!"Cheng Jing flushed with embarrassment and was about to say more when Cheng Shao interjected, "Jiashan must be tired. You should take Jiashan home to rest properly. The examination papers have already been submitted, and what's done is done. There's no need to keep asking questions—just wait for the results to be posted. If he passes, send him off to the capital with joy and dignity. If he doesn't, it's no great matter; he can try again next time. He's still young and has plenty of opportunities. As for you, you need to keep your composure. Our Cheng family wasn't born with the ability to pass the imperial examinations effortlessly. Even someone like Si Lang had to study diligently for several years back then."
"Uncle's admonition is correct!" Cheng Jing bowed to Cheng Shao, his face flushed crimson.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xu looked at Cheng Shao, his lips trembling as if he wanted to speak, but in the end, he said nothing. He bowed to Cheng Shao and withdrew.
Cheng Shao shook his head repeatedly.
Aunt Chang entered with tea and was taken aback to see that Cheng Jing and Cheng Xu had already left.
Cheng Shao waved it off, saying, "Don't mind them. They're like children, jumping at shadows, not as steady as Si Lang."
Aunt Chang listened, pursing her lips into a smile. Her demeanor was dignified and graceful as she quietly prepared tea for Cheng Shao.
Cheng Shao took the teacup but hesitated.
Aunt Chang looked at him with confusion, waiting quietly for him to speak.
Cheng Shao's expression suddenly turned somewhat awkward. After a long pause, he whispered, "I can't let you stay with me like this forever. I've made up my mind—if you don't mind me, tomorrow I'll go to my elder sister-in-law and ask her to arrange for us... to marry you into the family."
Not to take her as a concubine, but to marry her properly...
Aunt Chang's eyes suddenly stung with tears, her vision blurring.
She murmured, "I... my family is just merchants... and there's no one left..."
Cheng Shao said, "I'm alone too... As long as you don't mind me being on my own..."
"No, no," Aunt Chang's tears fell like rain. "You were the second-place scholar in the imperial examinations back then..."
Cheng Shao laughed. "Now I'm just an old man!"
"No, no," Aunt Chang was too choked up to speak.
Cheng Shao consulted her gently, "Then I'll go to Chaoyang Gate tomorrow?"
"Alright," Aunt Chang whispered, covering her mouth to stifle her sobs. She turned and hurried out of the main room's inner chamber, returning to the east wing where she had been staying these days. From the top shelf of the bookcase, she retrieved an inconspicuous black box containing some banknotes and loose silver.
From the very bottom of the box, she took out a piece of paper.
The paper was neatly folded to the size of a banknote, slightly yellowed. When opened, it revealed half a sheet of rice paper that had been torn, with the words "Difficulties and ease complement each other; length and shortness shape each other" written on it.
The ink was rich, the handwriting elegant and upright.
She had kept it for fourteen years.
She still remembered that day was her shift. For some reason, the Emperor was in a foul mood and summoned Cheng Shao to the palace to talk. As they spoke, the Emperor grew angry. They were all trembling with fear. Cheng Shao wrote a few words for the Emperor.
The Emperor read them and flew into a rage, tearing the paper.
Then, inexplicably, his mood lifted, and he even had them bring in a chessboard to play a game with Cheng Shao.
From then on, she remembered Cheng Shao and remembered these words.
Whenever he came to the palace, if she was on duty, she would brew tea to his liking and replace the ink stick with the sandalwood ink he preferred. Occasionally, she would remind him when the Emperor was about to lose his temper.
When his son passed away, she grieved even more than he did.She thought she would spend her life just watching him from afar, never expecting that one day, because she was the oldest and most taciturn, the Emperor would bestow her upon Cheng Shao.
Being given to Cheng Shao was one thing. She thought that if she could still move and Cheng Shao didn’t mind her age, she would serve him well for a few years. She never imagined Cheng Shao would marry her.
Could this be fate?!
Miss Chang buried her face in the quilt and wept silently.
Old Madam Guo, upon learning Cheng Shao’s intentions, was quite pleased and said, “Aunt Chang, after all, once served the Emperor. Her manners must be impeccable. If you find her suitable, I’ll have Si Lang pick an auspicious day from the Imperial Observatory and help you arrange the wedding.”
When the Emperor found out, he stared at Cheng Shao in astonishment for a long time without speaking. Finally regaining his composure, he immediately said, “You’re not marrying her just because I gave her to you, are you? If you need someone by your side, I can arrange a match for you. Why force yourself to marry a palace maid?” As he spoke, he recalled the relatives who had recently visited the Empress Dowager in the palace and added, “I remember the Earl of Pengcheng has fine daughters. Shall I inquire for you tomorrow? Or perhaps find one among the ministers? How can you marry Chang Yue?”
Cheng Shao was both amused and exasperated. “I’m old enough as it is. Do you expect me to marry a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old? I find Madam Chang agreeable, and she’s someone from your side. She’ll do just fine!”
The Emperor was displeased. “What’s wrong with marrying a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old? Chang Yue is so old—she surely can’t bear children anymore. If you didn’t want to remarry, that would be one thing, but since you are remarrying, you ought to have a child or two. Don’t worry about my feelings. I only sent her to serve you. If you find her difficult to place, just send her back. Tomorrow, I’ll release her from the palace and let her accompany the imperial concubines at Huangjue Temple.”
Wouldn’t that just harm Madam Chang again?
Cheng Shao pleaded, “Don’t I already have a grandson? Besides, at my age, I only seek peace and quiet. Madam Chang is known for her gentleness and kindness even in your palace. That’s enough for me.”
The Emperor pondered, still uneasy, and said, “How about I arrange a marriage for you?”
Cheng Shao truly didn’t know what to say and could only reply, “I’ve already discussed it with my sister-in-law. We’ll just invite the family for a meal—no need for elaborate ceremonies.”
Recalling Cheng Shao’s low-key and reserved nature, the Emperor conceded, “Then let the Empress bestow some gifts upon Madam Chang, and have the Imperial Grandson attend the wedding banquet.”
Cheng Shao couldn’t refuse further and expressed his gratitude. The Emperor still asked, “Do you want to think it over again?” Cheng Shao hastily rose to take his leave.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin was listing the items needed for Cheng Shao’s wedding while speaking to Old Madam Guo, who sat on the opposite kang playing with Yun Ge’er. “I feel something isn’t quite right about this! Although Aunt Chang is older, it’s still her first time as a bride. Just inviting the family for a meal makes it seem like taking a concubine. Aunt Chang will surely feel regretful. If Second Uncle doesn’t want to marry her, that’s one thing, but since he’s decided to, he should observe the proper ceremonies.”
Old Madam Guo was taken aback, then smiled and said, “What do you suggest we do?”
“I think Second Uncle must be afraid of the noise and fuss,” Zhou Shaojin said with a smile. “Why not follow the ancient rites but avoid inviting a large crowd?”
Old Madam Guo thought for a moment and said, “I’ll go discuss it with your Second Uncle.”Cheng Shao was somewhat surprised to hear this and asked Old Madam Guo, "Does Zi Chuan’s wife’s suggestion... make a lot of sense?"
"I think it does," Old Madam Guo replied. "Although some things are done for show, if we don’t do them, it might seem too unconventional and leave people bewildered."
Cheng Shao was straightforward and said, "Then I’ll entrust this matter to you."
Old Madam Guo then asked Zhou Shaojin to inquire with Aunt Chang whether she had any family to return to. Although the six rites might be somewhat rushed, they would still be carried out properly.
Aunt Chang’s eyes welled up with tears as she said, "I’m from Yongding and haven’t been back for many years. I don’t even know who might still be left in my family."
Zhou Shaojin then asked Cheng Chi to look into it.
When Lady Pengcheng found out, she waved her hand dismissively and said, "Even if you find them, what then? It’s so far away—are you really going to send betrothal gifts all the way to Yongding? I think it’s better this way: I’ll adopt Aunt Chang as my goddaughter, and she can marry from our residence. Her family can simply come to attend the ceremony."
This way, she would also be connected to the Cheng family by marriage.
Lady Pengcheng chuckled.
※
Dear readers, here’s today’s update!
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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