Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 58: Xie Shi'an Tops the Exam

Yun Chu curled her lips.

It was easier to move mountains than change a person's nature—Xie Shiwei would never reform in this lifetime.

After being severely beaten, he had merely learned to disguise himself.

Yun Chu spoke up, "Concubine Yu claims you pushed him, while you deny it. Each sticks to their own story. Why not let Yun Ge'er speak for himself?"

Xie Shiyun hung his head, his hands twisted together.

Ting Yu was so anxious she nearly stamped her foot. "Yun Ge'er, the mistress is here. Just tell her the truth. The mistress cares for you most and will surely see justice done for you."

Xie Shiwei's mouth twitched. "Yun Ge'er," he said, "the tutor taught us that children must not lie."

"Mother, Second Brother didn't bully me..." Xie Shiyun buried his head even lower. "It... it was my concubine who misunderstood."

Ting Yu was incredulous and wanted to say more.

But Yun Chu directly set down her teacup. "Wei Ge'er says he didn't push, and Yun Ge'er says so too. Concubine Yu, if this isn't making something out of nothing, what is?"

Ting Yu immediately defended herself, "Mistress, this concubine did not invent—"

"I have much to attend to. You may withdraw." Yun Chu picked up a book and began reading.

Ting Shuang made a gesture of invitation.

Ting Yu led Xie Shiyun out, her face cold. "I clearly saw him bullying you! Why didn't you dare admit it before the mistress?"

"What nonsense is Concubine Yu speaking?" Xie Shiwei approached from the side. "In truth, Yun Ge'er and I were just playing around. Only Concubine Yu took it seriously and even brought it to Mother. Mother is so busy every day—how could she have time for such trivial matters?"

As he spoke, he slung an arm around Xie Shiyun's shoulders. "Yun Ge'er, the tutor assigned homework. Let's go work on it together."

Once they had left Ting Yu far behind, Xie Shiwei's voice turned grim. "You performed well before Mother today. I'm satisfied. Remember this: in the future, when my elder brother becomes head of the Xie household, if you don't obey me obediently, I'll have Big Brother drive Concubine Yu out of the Xie residence. I'll make her a prostitute on the streets and ensure you never hold your head high again!"

"Second Brother, I'll obey! I'll listen to you obediently!" The thought of his mother being driven out frightened Xie Shiyun to tears.

Now that the mistress disliked him, if even Concubine Yu—his only protector—were gone, what would become of him?

With tear-filled eyes, he worked on the homework assigned by the tutor. In the past, he would write each stroke with care, but under Xie Shiwei's watchful eye, he could only scribble like a ghost drawing talismans, not even knowing what he was writing...

Xie Shiwei nodded with satisfaction. He only needed to perform slightly better than Yun Ge'er, and Father and Mother would surely not scold him again.

As the fifth month arrived, temperatures gradually rose.

Waking early, Yun Chu already had a light sweat on her brow.

"In the fourth month, it was cold as winter—how did it suddenly become so hot?" Ting Feng glanced at the sun. "The next half month will likely be clear and sunny."

Yun Chu knew it wasn't just half a month. For the next four or five months, until the tenth month, it would grow increasingly hot. Fortunately, there would be occasional heavy rainstorms in between; otherwise, a drought would surely lead to famine, making life even harder for the common people.

"Any news?" she asked.

Today was the day the academy examination results were posted. She had sent two servants to check the rankings—they should have been posted by now.As soon as the words fell, Ting Xue rushed in breathlessly: "Madam, the yamen sent someone to announce the good news! The eldest young master has passed the imperial examination and become a Cultivated Talent—and he's truly the top scorer!"

A smile appeared on Yun Chu's face, though it didn't reach her eyes.

So many incidents, both major and minor, had occurred in the Xie residence recently, yet Xie Shi'an still managed to achieve first place. She had to admit, this child was naturally gifted in scholarly pursuits.

If not for the fact that Xie Shi'an would later turn against the Yun family, she wouldn't have wanted to destroy such a promising pillar of the state.

She spoke up: "Quickly summon the Old Madam, the master and mistress, along with the concubines and young masters and misses—let us all go to the main gate to welcome the good news!"

Xie Zhongcheng, who was usually absent from the residence, had long returned to await the news. Upon hearing that someone from the yamen had come to announce the good tidings, he rushed ahead of everyone and swiftly reached the main gate of the Xie residence. Xie Jingyu had already brought Xie Shi'an to stand at the foot of the steps.

Four yamen runners had come beating gongs and drums to announce the news, drawing crowds from all around.

"Only twelve years old and already a Cultivated Talent—and the top scorer at that! Truly, the younger generation inspires awe."

"Years ago, Lord Xie was personally appointed by His Majesty as the Number One Scholar. I suspect this eldest young master of the Xie family won't fall short either. Perhaps we'll see two Number One Scholars from the same family in the future."

"Lord Xie and Madam Xie have raised him excellently. With the Yun family as their backing, I believe this eldest young master will surely achieve the triple crown and rank among the hundred officials!"

"..."

The gathering crowd murmured among themselves, their gazes filled with admiration as they looked at Xie Shi'an.

Xie Shi'an stood tall and proud, his chest puffed out. In this moment, he was brimming with ambition and confidence. He seemed to see his future self ten years from now—even if not the foremost among officials, he would undoubtedly hold a position of great importance...

The Old Madam had someone present each of the four yamen runners with a large red envelope containing a full ten taels of silver—a truly generous reward.

Xie Zhongcheng cupped his hands toward the onlookers and said, "The Xie family will host a banquet on an auspicious day. Everyone is welcome to come and share a cup of celebratory wine to partake in our joy."

The crowd naturally agreed in unison.

After the well-wishers dispersed, the entire Xie family gathered around Xie Shi'an.

The Old Madam patted his head: "An Ge'er, from now on, our Xie family depends entirely on you."

Xie Zhongcheng spoke up: "When your grandfather was your age, he hadn't even passed the county-level examination. Seeing you become the top scorer in the prefectural exam feels like fulfilling my own long-cherished dream. You must continue studying diligently and strive to become the top scorer in the upcoming provincial examination as well."

Yuan Shi was overjoyed: "An Ge'er has achieved great success. Wei Ge'er, you mustn't fall behind! And Yun Ge'er too!"

He Shi was so happy she could cry.

When An Ge'er was just three years old, his tutor had said the child showed exceptional potential for scholarship and urged her to find him an excellent teacher.

Back then, An Ge'er had no formal status and could only attend the most ordinary private school. To get him into a better academy, she had repeatedly pushed for his recognition into the family lineage. Fortunately, all her planning had been worthwhile—An Ge'er had lived up to expectations, and his future looked bright.

Tears welled in her eyes as she gazed in Xie Shi'an's direction, both weeping and laughing.

Tao Yiniang, standing nearby, frowned. Although the eldest young master becoming the top scorer was indeed cause for celebration, as a concubine, wasn't she a bit too overjoyed?

If, like the madam who had no children of her own, she treated the eldest young master as her own son, it would be normal to be this happy.

But since she had her own child, while feeling happy, she couldn't help worrying that the master would value the eldest young master too highly and neglect her own son...

What was Concubine He so excited about?Yun Chu took charge of distributing reward silver to all the servants in the estate and asked, "Old Madam, when shall we hold the banquet?"

Old Madam looked toward Xie Jingyu.

"Tomorrow all officials are on leave, making it the perfect time to host a grand banquet for guests." Xie Jingyu turned to Yun Chu, "I wonder if Madam can manage the preparations in time?"

Yun Chu nodded, "Everything has been prepared these past few days. We can hold the banquet anytime."

Yuan Shi remarked with emotion, "With Chu'er handling household affairs, there's hardly any need for concern. Ping Jie'er, you should learn more from your mother."

Xie Ping promptly lowered her head and replied, "Yes, Grandmother, I will study diligently."

With the banquet scheduled for tomorrow, numerous tasks remained. Yun Chu instructed Ting Shuang to take Xie Ping and handle the remaining arrangements.

Ting Shuang was a steward maid personally trained by Yun Chu's mother. Yun Chu had complete confidence in Ting Shuang's capabilities.

No sooner had she finished giving orders than a servant arrived to announce, "Madam Dou requests an audience."