Chapter 127: Joyful Success
On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Wen Mingqian visited the Changrong Marquis Mansion.
Madam Zhong smiled broadly, “It’s done, it’s done! You’ll accompany me to see the Princess the day after tomorrow!”
Wen Mingqian immediately showed a surprised expression upon hearing this, saying, “So soon?!”
“It’s also your opportunity,” Madam Zhong said with a smile. “A few days ago, I took Mei’er to a Taoist temple to offer incense, and we happened to meet the Princess. She saw the scented sachet Mei’er was carrying and asked about it.
That was something you casually made and gave to her, and she liked it so much she always wore it. The Princess praised its exquisite craftsmanship when she saw it. I had also mentioned you to the Princess before, saying that you made this as well.”
“Sister Wen, I also told the Princess that you cured my face,” Zhong Meier said with a grin, seeking credit. “The Princess then said she’d like to meet you.”
“I really have you to thank, my dear sister,” Wen Mingqian said, holding Zhong Meier’s hand. “How can I ever repay you!”
“It’s too formal to talk about thanks,” Madam Zhong said. “If you can truly win the Princess’s favor, you’ll have to help us out in the future!”
“Madam, please don’t say that. Without you, how would the Princess even know of my existence? But what good things should I bring when I go to see the Princess? Please advise me, Madam.” Wen Mingqian humbly asked for guidance.
“In my opinion, bring those face creams and scented pastes you’re skilled at making! But remember, the Princess dislikes roses the most, so avoid them,” Madam Zhong said.
“Thank you for your advice, Madam. Mingqian understands,” Wen Mingqian replied.
As they were speaking, they heard hurried footsteps outside. Madam Zhong said, “They’re back from checking the examination results. I wonder which family’s son has succeeded this year?”
The announcement of the annual Autumn Imperial Examination results was the liveliest time in the Capital City, with countless people rushing to see it.
“I was thinking of going along the way,” Wen Mingqian said. “Eldest Sister-in-law said there’s no need to rush to go early; it’s too crowded.”
“Call them in and ask if they’ve seen your family’s two young masters,” Madam Zhong said with a smile. “Your First Madam is truly patient.”
The person who went to look came back and reported, “The two young masters of the Gong Family are both on the list. The Eldest Young Master placed twenty-third, and the Second Young Master placed one hundred and ninth. We saw it clearly, absolutely no mistake.”
“Oh my! Congratulations, congratulations!” Madam Zhong clapped her hands. “This is double happiness! These two young masters are so young and already on the list; their future is boundless.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Madam. This is indeed great news,” Wen Mingqian said, also very happy. “Even though I’ve heard, I still want to see it with my own eyes. I imagine Eldest Sister-in-law and the others have gone too.”
“Go, go! I won’t keep you any longer. Just wait for you to come to my place the day after tomorrow, and we’ll go see the Princess together,” Madam Zhong said.
After leaving the Zhong residence, Wen Mingqian went to the place where the examination results were posted. The crowd was dense, making it impossible to move.
After a long while, she saw Wei Shi and the others arriving leisurely, all appearing unhurried.
Only Gong Changan, like a slippery little loach, got off the carriage and dived straight into the crowd.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, I heard at the Zhong residence that Jing’an and Yu’an both passed. Have you heard?” Wen Mingqian walked over and said.
“I heard on the way, but if I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, I can’t believe it,” Wei Shi said. “If it’s true, then thank heaven.”
A moment later, Gong Changan emerged, “Eldest Brother placed twenty-third, and Second Brother is one hundred and ninth. I looked and looked, and there’s absolutely no mistake.”
Although he said this, Gong Jing’an and his brother still had to push through the crowd to see it for themselves.
“Buddha bless! Ancestors, manifest!” Wei Shi, upon receiving the confirmed news, clasped her hands together. “Quick! Quick! Go back and tell Old Madam so she can be happy too.”
So everyone returned to the Gong Family, and by this time, people in the mansion were already discussing the matter.
Old Madam Gong was overjoyed and repeatedly called for her two grandsons to quickly go to the Ancestral Hall to offer incense.
She also arranged for people to prepare in the front to welcome the bearers of good news.
The entire Gong Family was suddenly bustling, yet it was not without joy and festivity.
Wen Mingqian also felt quite gratified seeing this scene. Old Master Gong’s greatest hope before his passing was for his grandchildren to all achieve official positions and revitalize the family. If his spirit were watching from above, he would surely be greatly pleased.
Gong Xu’s foot injury had almost healed, and he was preparing to go to the Yamen after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Hearing the commotion outside, he knew it was his two nephews succeeding in the exams, and he was also very happy. He said to Yun Ying, “Excellent, excellent! Quickly go fetch two bottles of good wine. When Eldest Brother returns, I want to have a good drink with him.”
“Master, please don’t drink too much; your foot injury isn’t fully healed yet,” Yun Ying reminded him. “Drink a little less.”
“I know my limits; you don’t need to remind me. How can such joyous news be celebrated without drinking?” Gong Xu didn’t know why, but he had been craving alcohol lately.
“Daddy, Daddy!” Gong Bao’an ran in, saying happily, “Eldest Brother and Second Brother both passed! Old Madam said the kitchen has to make eighteen dishes for lunch!”
“Where is your Fourth Brother? Isn’t he with you?” Gong Xu thought of Gong Changan when he saw Gong Bao’an. “I must sternly instruct him to focus on his studies so that he too can achieve success in the future.”
Gong Xu spoke with full confidence, believing that Gong Changan was smarter than his two elder brothers and would surely achieve more than them in the future.
How glorious would he, as his father, be then!
“Daddy, Bao’er will also study diligently,” Gong Bao’an quickly pledged. “I will bring honor to Father and honor to the Gong Family.”
“Mm,” Gong Xu replied somewhat perfunctorily. “It would be good if you could even become a Juren scholar; you’ll always find a way out in the future.”
“Bao’er doesn’t want to be a Juren scholar; Bao’er wants to be a Jinshi scholar!” Although Gong Bao’an was young, he knew the difference between a Juren and a Jinshi; his mother had told him long ago.
A Juren scholar could only be a candidate, which was not valuable. Even if they truly became an official, no one would respect them in the officialdom.
A Jinshi scholar was different; no matter when, their title was impressive.
“Why are you crying?” Gong Xu was surprised that Gong Bao’an had started crying, looking very wronged.
“Alright, alright, Fifth Young Master, you will surely pass the Jinshi exam. Please stop crying,” Yun Ying quickly went forward to comfort him.
“Master, Fifth Young Master has this ambition; you should encourage him more,” Yun Ying said softly to Gong Xu. “The child is still young; who can predict his future?”
“Concubine Yun, I know Daddy doesn’t like me as much as he used to,” Gong Bao’an said, sobbing. “They all say that without my biological mother, I’m an unwanted wild child.”
“Who said that? What nonsense! Who doesn’t care about you?” Gong Xu was very angry. “If you continue to be ungrateful, I’ll beat you to death!”
