Chapter Forty-Nine: Passing the Imperial Examination

After leaving the pearl market, Wang Xiaoshan slung his arm around Gan Sui’s shoulders. “Didn’t expect it from you, you sly fox. Pulling off something for nothing, huh?”

“Don’t put it so harshly. It’s a win-win situation,” Gan Sui protested, refusing to admit to being a cunning merchant.

“But I believe now that good deeds are rewarded. If your wife hadn’t saved their precious child, do you think they’d let you take the goods first and pay later? Your wife truly is a lucky star.”

“I’ve always thought my wife is my lucky star,” he replied, raising his brows, exchanging a smile with Banxia.

Being force-fed such affection for no reason was truly insufferable. Wang Xiaoshan pretended to weep.

After buying pearls, they picked up a few other things and set out for home the next day.

“It feels so strange,” Banxia said as she helped Anzi into a thicker cotton jacket. “Just a couple of days ago it felt like summer, and now I’m freezing.”

“Exactly. The weather in Haicheng is much warmer. The farther inland you go, the colder it gets. I bet it’ll be even chillier once we’re back in Yunzhou.” Wang Xiaoshan pulled his sleeves tighter. Luckily, they’d found an inn. Otherwise, spending the night outdoors in this weather would be deadly.

“Did you hear?” someone at the next table whispered conspiratorially.

“Hear what?”

“I just saw an express courier from the court arrive with urgent news—a complete victory in Qiongyun Prefecture. They caught over a hundred pirate leaders. After being paraded through the streets, they’re just waiting for the emperor’s word before all being executed.”

“Who managed that? I heard those pirates are all highly skilled and nearly unbeatable—that’s why they’ve run rampant so long.”

“It was the famous Lin Family Army.”

“No wonder.”

“I imagine it won’t be long before the emperor rewards their service. Such merit must mean promotion and titles, surely?”

“That’s not a given. Here’s what you don’t know: General Lin is the brother of the Empress Yuan. If the emperor lavishly rewards his original wife’s brother, wouldn’t that be a slap in the face to the current empress? Word is His Majesty is deeply enamored with his present consort, so the rewards are unlikely to be generous.”

“How can court matters be entangled with the affairs of the inner palace? That’s just absurd.”

“At the end of the day, even heroes can’t resist the charms of a beauty. Not even the emperor is immune to pillow talk.”

“Bah, a bunch of loose-tongued fools. You think you can gossip about the sovereign like this?”

“Don’t be angry, Chief Li. Don’t be angry. We’ve had too much to drink and are talking nonsense. Here, have a drink with us.”

The conversation paused. Banxia clicked her tongue. “So, the merit that soldiers earn with their blood and sweat can be so easily erased?”

“That’s how it is,” Gan Sui replied. “The imperial relatives hold power, the empress’s family controls the court. In the end, under such might, whose merit it is no longer matters.”

For the next few days, Banxia’s mood was somber. Soon, they returned to Yunzhou. Exhausted from their journey, the family let themselves sleep in. When Banxia woke, she found Anzi rummaging through his small chest—the one with gifts from Qiongzhou.

“Where’s your brother-in-law?”

“He went out with Brother Wang and told me not to wake you. Sister, can I go see Xiaozhu and Xiaolin? I brought them presents.”

“All right. Wait until I change and we’ll go together after breakfast, all right?”

“Okay, I’ll wait.”

Anzi had bought two large conch shells for Xiaozhu and Xiaolin. When held to the ear, one could hear the sound of the wind. The children were utterly fascinated, giggling with delight. Madam Qian watched over the shop and chatted with Banxia.

“The results will be posted in two days. Are you nervous?”

Banxia was reminded that the results were imminent. To be honest, before Gan Sui’s exams, she’d been anxious, but now that they were over, she felt strangely calm. “Not really. I just think the results are already set. Good or bad, it’s all fated. Worrying won’t change anything—better to save myself the trouble.”

“So you must feel pretty confident. Soon you’ll no longer be just a scholar’s wife, but the wife of a certified graduate.”

“Sister, you always tease me.”

Madam Qian watched Banxia lower her head and smile softly, unable to say what was on her mind. She had thought that Banxia was a good match for her family, and with Xiaolin fond of Anzi, the childhood betrothal was ideal. But now Banxia clearly stood apart, and some words had to be kept to herself to preserve their friendship.

Banxia was indifferent to the exam results; Gan Sui was even more so. On the day the results were posted, he went out to discuss business with Wang Xiaoshan, letting only a servant go to check the announcement. Seeing Gan Sui’s unconcern, the servant assumed he had not done well and, not wishing to bring bad news, decided to linger before checking the results.

Unexpectedly, Gan Sui had taken the top spot. The first group to offer congratulations, with drums and gongs, arrived at their small courtyard.

“Congratulations, congratulations…”

Banxia opened the door to see a crowd announcing with fanfare, “Madam, great joy! Master Gan has passed the exams. Top scholar of the autumn session—he’s our champion!”

Banxia was stunned for a moment before realizing it was results day.

“Sister, the reward money…” Anzi pointed to the silver on the table.

Banxia gathered the embroidered purses, each containing eight taels and eight qian. “Thank you all for the trouble—take this money and have a drink on us.”

The messengers weighed the purses, beaming as they thanked her. “Tonight the magistrate will host a banquet for the top ten scholars, and you are invited as well. The magistrate’s wife is holding a chrysanthemum banquet for the ladies. We have more stops to make, so we’ll leave you, Scholar’s Wife.”

“Thank you for telling me. May I ask if there was a Lin from Lan County among the successful candidates?”

“There was someone from Lan County, but we don’t know who exactly. We’re in separate groups and don’t have all the details.”

“Thank you, then. Please go ahead.”

Soon, local residents passed by to share in the joy. Gan Sui had already prepared a basket of copper coins, and Banxia didn’t stand on ceremony, tossing them out the door. “Come, everyone, share in our good fortune!”

At once, people swarmed to snatch the lucky coins.

After distributing the money, Banxia closed the door and stared at Anzi.

“Sister, aren’t you happy?”

“It’s not that. It’s just that the outcome seemed so predictable, there’s no surprise. When will your brother-in-law be back?”

With no more worries about running the shop, Banxia slept late every day. Gan Sui was always out early, while Anzi diligently practiced his studies and had recently added physical training, running laps with Gan Sui each morning.

“Anzi, am I too lazy?”

“Brother-in-law says girls should sleep more to be prettier. You’re not lazy, you’re getting beautiful.”

There was no arguing with that logic.

“Do you think I’m prettier?”

“Yes, you get prettier every day.”

Banxia was speechless. Well, it seemed the boy already knew how to flatter—how many girls would fall for him in the future?

“I’ll go cook. You play on your own.”

Anzi pouted. He wasn’t playing—he was seriously studying, determined to earn honors like his brother-in-law.

Gan Sui returned at noon to find Banxia and Anzi sitting idly at the table. As soon as he stepped in, Banxia stood up. “Congratulations, Scholar Gan!”

Gan Sui raised an eyebrow, teasing, “Congratulations to you, Scholar’s Wife. I was starting to think you’d forgotten.”

The truth was she had, but she couldn’t admit it now. “How could I forget, when your great success is at hand? Look at this celebratory feast I’ve prepared for you.”

“Not bad…” Gan Sui handed her some treats. “A reward for you.”

Banxia saw her favorite sugar cakes. “Did you go to West Street?”

“I settled accounts with Brother Wang. He’s off to Qiongyun soon, and I asked him to carry something to Master Zhu. We’re leaving for the capital, so there’s no time for anything else.”

“It feels like we’ve been moving constantly these last two years.”

“It’ll settle down soon. But if we’re posted to some remote backwater, you can’t complain of being unaccustomed.”

“There’s no forgetting our roots, Master Gan. We’re countryfolk at heart. No pretending to be city people.”

“Of course, my lady. But your husband is famished—let’s eat first.”

After the meal, Banxia remembered, “The magistrate is hosting a banquet tonight for you and the other scholars, and his wife is holding a ladies’ banquet. Should I attend?”

“Last time I went, I found their chef’s skills impressive. You should try it.”

“I’ll pick out something to wear for tonight’s banquet, then.” Banxia had little experience with such events and rarely dressed up, so she felt at a loss. She took a carriage to the Wang household and found Bailian.

Fortunately, Bailian had a maid skilled in cosmetics, said to have come from the palace, with impeccable manners and technique. Wang Xiaoshan had paid a hefty price for her. Bailian sent the maid to help Banxia prepare and reminded her, “I hear the magistrate’s wife is kind-hearted. Just be yourself.”

Banxia nodded and hurried home. Luckily, she’d recently bought new clothes and didn’t have to scramble for an outfit, which set her mind at ease.

The maid truly had magic hands. When Banxia looked in the yellowed mirror, she barely recognized herself.

“Madam is naturally beautiful and needs little makeup. This way, you look both natural and lovely.”

“It’s your skill that makes the difference.” They say there are no ugly women, only lazy ones. Banxia finally understood—though she did feel her head was a bit heavy.

“Is this hair ornament too much?” The solid gold hairpin weighed her down. It was meant to be an heirloom, to sell in hard times. “I hear the magistrate’s wife has simple tastes and doesn’t like gold ornaments.”

The maid searched Banxia’s jewelry box and found a filigree gold hairpin in the shape of a hibiscus blossom. “How about this one? It matches your dress and is quite elegant.”

Banxia couldn’t refuse. Seeing the hairpin, she remembered it was the first gift Gan Sui had given her after returning from his travels. Her smile was sweet.

Anzi noticed his sister had been inside for ages and asked his brother-in-law, “Aren’t you worried? Sister’s been in there a long time.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. Girls always take their time dressing up. That’s why, even in modern etiquette, men are told to wait for their girlfriends to finish doing their makeup. Be patient—there’s time yet.”