The Good Concubine of the Qing Dynasty [Red Mansion]

Not long after, Chenyu also returned. Lin Ruhai had decided to spend the New Year away from home this year.

The news from the Gao family had turned out to be accurate. Lin Ruhai’s trip didn’t go as smoothly as planned. He was originally supposed to return to the capital but was delayed by unexpected circumstances.

So, Chenyu came back first. After traveling through harsh winter weather, his cloak was covered in snow. Old Lady Lin was deeply concerned when she saw him and immediately ordered the maid to bring hot water and tea, have him change his outer clothes, and serve him a steaming bowl of lamb soup to warm him up.

She couldn’t help but scold him, “If I had known it would be like this, I should have made you come back earlier to avoid such hardship.”

Hearing his grandmother’s concern, Chenyu smiled and said, “I dressed warmly, so there was no real problem.” Knowing that he was older and had his own ideas, Old Lady Lin didn’t press the matter further.

Yun Shuyao also examined him carefully. The journey had clearly taken a toll on him, and she felt a pang of sympathy. However, she knew she had to let go, or he would never learn to fly on his own.

After washing his face and hands with warm water, Chenyu was greeted with a table full of his favorite dishes.

Ola Lady Lin urged him to eat more, “Since you’re back, don’t go out again. After the New Year, you still need to go to Suzhou, so rest and recover at home.”

Chenyu had no objections to his grandmother’s words.

He had no particular worries about the upcoming exams but harbored his own ambitious goals. He aimed to secure the top position and knew he couldn’t afford to be careless.

During this New Year, the Lin residence was not very lively. With the head of the household away and several candidates in residence, it was a time that required tranquility.

Old lady Lin turned down most social engagements and took on the busy work herself, so her grandson could concentrate on his studies. She also restricted her two granddaughters from going out. The upcoming year would be their selection year, and she knew that some with “ambitions” might try to sabotage potential competitors.

If something went wrong due to inattention, it would be too late to regret.

Other families with candidates for selection were generally doing the same.

Old Lady Lin had leveraged many connections but was gradually becoming disheartened. Exemptions from the selection were not easily granted. She had previously underestimated the situation, thinking that by making connections and intervening after the selection, it wouldn’t be so difficult to influence the outcome.

Knowing that Chenyu would be participating in next year’s county exams, the Jia family was stunned for a while. He was only fourteen this year and would be fifteen after the New Year.

This easily reminded them of the late Jia Zhu, who passed the scholar exams at fourteen and had a grand three-day celebration. At that time, they all thought the Jia family would soon produce a literary star who would lead the family to glory. Who could have predicted his early demise?

Fortunately, they still had Baoyu. Baoyu was a promising individual with an exceptional background; he was destined to lead the Jia family to greater heights.

Thus, Jia Baoyu, who had previously enjoyed some relaxation under the pretense of illness, was once again under his father’s scrutiny. Jia Zheng, with a stern face, assessed him and watched as Baoyu stammered and struggled to express himself. If it weren’t for the quick warning from a maid, Baoyu might have been in for another round of punishment.

Tanchun and the others watched this scene in silence.

This wasn’t the first time such an event had occurred; they were almost accustomed to it. However, there was always a tinge of regret. They wished they could also take part in the imperial exams to secure a promising future and wouldn’t complain about the hardships of studying.

Even if they couldn’t participate in the exams, having another path they could forge for themselves would be a good alternative. Unfortunately, the world seemed to be especially harsh on women.

Tanchun had a younger brother from the same mother. She knew her stepmother had little regard for him, but Tanchun didn’t want him to grow up aimlessly.

In the Lin family, even though the older brother was also of a concubine status, he was young and already able to participate in the exams. Once he succeeded, his future would be set, and whether he was born of the main or secondary line would no longer matter.

Tanchun hoped that her younger brother would also have a promising future. Even if he couldn’t achieve the highest ranks, obtaining a title like “Juren” or “Xiucai” would allow him to support himself and gain respect from others.

Once they had moved out and divided the family property, they wouldn’t be reduced to living like those family members who needed charity and struggled through their days.

After the New Year, once the thaw came, Chenyu and his group headed south. Along with Lin Rong, a staff member of Lin Ruhai, and Yun Guangyu, who also accompanied Chenyu south to participate in the county examination before returning to his hometown for the provincial exams, there were also guards and escorts.

The old lady wasn’t worried about mobilizing a large group as long as it ensured safety; if more people were needed, so be it.

Since their departure, the old lady had practically taken up residence in the Buddhist hall.

She prayed for their safe journey and hoped they would achieve good results smoothly.

Yun Shuyao experienced firsthand what it was like to be the parent of an exam candidate, especially one going far away for the exams.

Although this “college entrance examination” wasn’t a one-time opportunity, Chenyu was still younger than the typical senior high school student.

Generally, exam candidates are around sixteen or seventeen years old, but… there are also fourteen or fifteen-year-old prodigies in specialized programs.

Only parents who have given birth to an SSR (Super Super Rare) child can experience such supreme enjoyment.

Thinking about it this way, she felt she should have more confidence in him.

Yingyu also worried about Chenyu. Although he wasn’t born of the same concubine, he was her only brother, and they had grown up together over the years, forming a bond. She hoped Chenyu would continue to improve and achieve top results, and it would be even better if he could place first.

So, she prayed for him and even copied scriptures.

Concubine Mei looked on coldly and did not intervene.

If she had a son, she might be able to compete, but without a son, even if she couldn’t help directly, having a brother like this who could intimidate others and give her daughter a strong presence in her future in-laws’ eyes was still beneficial.

Luoyu appeared to be the calmest one. She reassured Yun Shuyao, “Aunt, although the teacher doesn’t explicitly praise him in class, his talent for studying is evident from what is said indirectly. Since this is just the examination for a scholar, there’s definitely no problem.”

The only potential uncertainty was his ranking.

But as long as he passed, given his age, it would be a happy occasion.

“That’s true, but the better the ranking, the more others will value him. He hasn’t taken a mentor yet, so getting a good rank will be like an official endorsement of his abilities.” Furthermore, it would also make it easier to arrange marriages.

Yun Shuyao took a deep breath.

She opposed children marrying too early, but an engagement did not have the same impact.

At his age, the next two years are the right time for an engagement. The better he performs, the higher the chance of finding a more outstanding match.

Yun Shuyao did not intend to seek a high-status family for her son, but given Chenyu’s exceptional qualities, she hoped his partner would also be excellent and compatible, which is only natural.

In this era, it’s not that there are no outstanding girls from poor families, but it’s true that girls from wealthy families, especially those of legitimate birth, often show greater promise. They are more likely to be well-educated, literate, and confident—qualities that are rare in daughters from ordinary families.

Even basic literacy can be a major hurdle for many.

Besides keeping an eye on her grandson, the old lady did not forget her great-nephews or her two granddaughters. She hired a nanny from the palace to teach proper etiquette.

While the family had nannies from the palace before, they had left the palace some years ago. The current nanny, Madame Fang, had recently left the palace.

Madame Fang had taken in a nephew, and she agreed to teach the etiquette to daughters of prominent families for his sake. She was highly sought after, and the old lady had to make considerable effort to hire her.

Thus, Yun Shuyao, Aunt Mei, and Aunt Chu became attendees of the etiquette lessons as well.

While Madame Fang taught etiquette and discussed some of the “trivial matters” of the capital, they also became students.

Through these “trivial matters,” they gained a more in-depth understanding of the royal families in the capital.

For example, they learned about the Crown Prince: how many children he has, the family background of the Crown Princess, the positions held by his family members, who the secondary concubines are, and so on. When it came to the Fourth Prince, Yun Shuyao paid close attention.

He was the next in line to become emperor.

Yun Shuyao had always been particularly attentive to his situation. Through Madame Fang’s limited “chit-chat,” she learned a bit more about him, though it was mostly about his reputed strictness and impartiality.

As the days passed, the Spring Examination arrived.

The Spring Examination consisted of three rounds, each lasting three days, making it a grueling nine days to get through.

Every time, some candidates fall ill or encounter problems during the exam.

Due to the season, they could only wear light clothing, so those who could endure were generally in good physical condition.

However, many people ended up falling ill after each exam.

Nervously sending people into the examination hall, they counted the days until the exams were over to pick them up.

The Lin family sent three carriages to fetch the candidates, while the Yun family had Yun Guangyu and his attendants go to pick up their people.

As soon as Xie Zimo and his companions emerged from the examination hall, two of them fainted and had to be carried by servants to the carriage, which rushed them home to have Dr. Zhou check for any serious issues.

On the other hand, the Yun family had already arranged for a doctor to be on standby, so as soon as their people were brought back, they were examined.

Even though doctors were expensive at this time, Yun Heng, having seen many people who couldn’t endure the exam, knew better than to skimp on expenses during such times.

Fortunately, Yun Chang and Yun Yan were in good health, though exhausted. They managed to take a bath, drink a bowl of porridge, and then fell into a deep sleep.

They were woken up by the urgent need to use the restroom.

Among the Lin family members, including Xie Zimo, there were three people in total. Xie Zimo, being the youngest, slept for almost a whole day and woke up on his own.

The other two were in poorer health; one of them even developed a high fever, but after taking medicine, they gradually recovered.

From the appearance of the three, it was easy to tell how well they had done in the exams.

Xie Zimo seemed the most composed, which indicated he had performed well.

The waiting period for the results was undeniably tough.

The old lady was on the verge of being ill from the stress.

But, in the end, good news arrived.

At that moment, the old lady’s ailments seemed to vanish, and her spirits were greatly lifted.

Yun Yan achieved the best result, ranking twelfth, while Xie Zimo ranked twenty-third.

With these rankings, barring any unforeseen issues, they would likely be in the second tier of scholars.

The older of the two Lin family members finally passed this time. It was his last attempt at the spring examination, and although his rank was at the bottom, likely among the third tier of scholars, it still made him tear up with excitement.

Yun Chang did not pass. He was disappointed, but it was within expectations.

He originally had a low rank among the scholars, and his chances in the spring examination were slim. He only wanted to give it a try.

He had been considering giving up on the spring examination, but seeing so many peers still striving, he hesitated about whether to try again in three years.

Even if he passed and became a scholar, his prospects would be much better than just being a candidate.

But if he did not pass, he would have to wait another three years for another chance. Was it worth it?

He was caught in a dilemma.

Yun Heng could not make the decision for him but suggested that if he wanted to try again, he should stay in the capital or go to the culturally rich Jiangnan instead of returning to his hometown.

If he stayed in the capital, his brothers could offer him additional support.

After the tribute examination, there would be one final palace examination. If the results of the palace examination were not significantly different from the previous ones, it meant he would have obtained the scholar title.

Hearing this good news, the old lady was so pleased that she donated another sum of money to the temple.

Good news!

The Xie family had successors, and the Yun family was also on the rise. Now, they were only hoping for good news about their grandson soon.

Indeed, good news soon arrived.

Chenyu ranked first in the county examination and was selected as the top candidate.

Basically, those who are chosen as the top candidates are almost guaranteed to pass the palace examination, although their rank may vary.

This means his scholar title is secured.

The old lady almost decided to hold a banquet to celebrate, but was persuaded by Luoyu, “He hasn’t received all the good news yet. Grandmother needn’t be in a hurry; we can celebrate once all the good news comes together.”

“You’re right,” she agreed, calming down a bit, though her smile remained unchanged, still as bright as a blooming chrysanthemum.

Little did she know that things were not going smoothly in Suzhou this time; it almost ended in trouble if not for the many helpers.

Chenyu, fearing that the family would worry, had kept the difficulties hidden for now.

—

The atmosphere in the Jia household was not good. After returning from talking to the old lady, Wang Xifeng lay down on the couch and couldn’t help but sigh.

What kind of life was she living?

She had to be cautious everywhere, endure her own frustration, and advise the master not to be too angry, leading to a chaotic daily life.

Wang Xifeng knew that it was mainly a matter of discomfort among everyone, and the reason was quite simple: it was due to the frequent good news from the Lin family, their son-in-law’s family.

But while the Lin family’s good news is a joy for them, it is not necessarily the same for the Jia family.

Even though Wang Xifeng might feel that those people worked hard only to achieve a modest position, she knew they had potential for growth. In a few years, they could become prominent officials or even join the cabinet.

This is the enviable aspect of civil officials: once they pass the exams and work diligently in their positions, with some luck, background, and capability, they can rise steadily through the ranks.

And what about military officials?

They have to risk their lives to achieve success, and in peacetime, they just sit idle at home, leaving their families unsure whether they should aspire for military achievements or prefer a peaceful and secure home life.

For the Yun family, the better they do, the more they contrast with the Jia family. Even holding the position of a primary wife becomes delicate.

People have an eye for wealth and status. Once the Yun family rises, who will the Lin family’s grandson acknowledge—Jia family or Yun family?

To Wang Xifeng, the answer is obvious: he will acknowledge whichever side holds power and influence.

If this situation continues, the Jia family’s position will become precarious.

That’s why the matriarch is not in high spirits.

Even trying to hinder the Yun family required navigating numerous social obligations, and those involved were reluctant to offend others. Considering whether their son-in-law would simply stand by, they ultimately didn’t take action.

Moreover, on the other side, the Lin family’s illegitimate son passed the exam as the top candidate.

His ranking is even better than Jia Zhu’s, and they are of similar age. With his good health, if he doesn’t die prematurely, he might very well become another prominent Lin family figure in the future.

So recently, Baoyu has been suffering.

The master is irritated and is closely monitoring his studies. If close supervision were effective, Wang Xifeng would wish for the second master to be scrutinized as well, hoping it might even earn her a title.

But that’s just a thought.

Ping’er was massaging Wang Xifeng’s wrist and asked, “Has the master gotten angry again? Did he hit Baoyu?”

Wang Xifeng lazily extended her wrist and replied, “No, the madam arrived in time.”

Ping’er sighed, “That’s good. Otherwise, Baoyu’s health is delicate, and it would have caused problems. Forcing him to study like this is really hard on him.”

Hard on Baoyu?

Wang Xifeng suddenly found it amusing: “This hardship is something some people want but cannot obtain.”

Wang Xifeng thought about how Tanchun was secretly tutoring Jia Huan and felt a bit disheartened.

People are different; even among the illegitimate children, there are distinctions.

But as the primary wife, she naturally prioritizes the interests of the main wife. And considering that the second madam is her own aunt, pretending not to know is already her greatest kindness.

Not long after, Chenyu took part in the imperial examinations, and the results came in: he passed all three exams.

This is the “Little Three Talents.”

A great joy!

The old lady was overjoyed.

Although her grandson had not yet returned, she still held a feast at home.

By this time, Xie Zimo had become a Scholar of the Third Rank and had bought a house to move into. His family was also on their way.

When they heard about the feast, they came back to help with the preparations.

Lin Ruhai had not yet returned, and Chenyu was still on his way back. The absence of a male member in the household did indeed cause some inconvenience.

However, things would be better once Chenyu returned.

When he is to take part in the autumn examination, it will be in the 45th year of the Kangxi reign, which is still two years away.

Chenyu had just set foot in the capital and had only seen his two sisters briefly before they boarded a carriage and headed towards the palace Gate.

The selection process for this year had begun.