Chapter 259: A Title Chosen at Will

Chapter 259: A Title Chosen at Will

Madam Qu laughed dismissively, "We can speak freely here, no need to hold back."

Chen Jianfang pressed his thin lips together, a faint trace of impatience at the corners of his eyes and brows. He disapproved of his grandmother's casual discussion of the marriageable daughters of officials in Yingtian Prefecture.

It was as if she were discussing a piece of porcelain or a valuable commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.

Chen Jianfang expressed his dissatisfaction by lowering his head and remaining silent.

Madam Qu, oblivious to his silence, continued in a caring and gentle tone, "Since the officials have not made any indication, we can't just sit around waiting—by late August, your mourning period will be over, and you've already wasted many years. Now we must act quickly."

Chen Jianfang picked up his teacup, and lowering his eyes, he saw his silent and restrained expression reflected in the calm, clear surface of the tea.

Madam Qu waited a moment, but seeing Chen Jianfang still silent, she frowned, "Your mother rarely goes out and no longer socializes with the wives of officials as she used to, and her natal family is unable to help at all. There’s no point in relying on her."

Chen Jianfang set down his teacup gently, his voice low and steady, "Father is an official in Sichuan. Should my mother write letters every month, forcing her way into the distant circles of ladies?"

Madam Qu clicked her tongue and gestured toward Chen Jianfang, "If he doesn't speak, it's fine, but when forced, he's terribly sharp!"

Chen Jianfang let out a deep sigh.

Helpless, impatient, and exasperated.

Family—you can't choose your family.

"If you have no other matters, Grandmother, I will return to my studies," Chen Jianfang lifted his eyelids slightly, bowed, and stood up, his words respectful.

Madam Qu frowned, "Why the rush?!"

Aunt Qu, wide-eyed, was astonished!

In the old lady's eyes, could there be something more important than studying?!

Oh no! Perhaps the sun had been swallowed by Madam Qu!

Madam Qu’s hand rested on the small table, her patched sleeves hanging loosely.

Chen Jianfang lowered his gaze, his eyes landing on his grandmother's sleeve, and sighed inwardly. He then sat down again as instructed.

Madam Qu leaned forward and, seeing Chen Jianfang sit properly, she was finally satisfied.

"We’ve raised Baozhu for so many years, yet you spent an entire year settling the students left behind by Master Qiao..."

It sounds like it’s time for a harvest.

Chen Jianfang tilted his head slightly, his expression slightly indifferent, "I never expected any reward for these actions."

Madam Qu smiled, her high cheekbones almost reaching her temples, "No reward? Then why don’t we just give everything away for free in our business?"

This grandson of hers was perfect in every way.

Except for one thing—he is too youthful and idealistic.

As a scholar from a merchant family, he should understand the importance of being shrewd and calculating! Otherwise, how could he compete with those aristocratic families with generations of accumulated prestige?

Chen Jianfang pressed his lips together, like a bowstring taut with an arrow.

"When you pass the imperial examination, I will request Baozhu's hand in marriage on your behalf."

Madam Qu said casually.

Chen Jianfang's hand jerked as he gripped the armrest of his chair, his body stiffening straight, like an arrow ready to be fired. "What did you say?"

Madam Qu was fully aware of her grandson's discomfort and restlessness.

She deliberately ignored it and continued, "Grandmother has thought this through. Qiao Baozhu is the best choice for the Chen family right now. Although Master Qiao has not served as an official, the Qiao family is a distinguished clan. Whether it's the Qiao family's daughter who married into the Marquis of Dingyuan's house or the seemingly promising future of Qiao Baoyuan, neither is within our reach..."

Madam Qu smiled, revealing teeth that had yellowed with age, a smile of satisfaction and relief. "But we have indeed done them favors. If we request her hand, they will not easily refuse."

Chen Jianfang clenched his back teeth tightly, a myriad of thoughts racing through his mind. Countless thoughts flickered like flashes of light.

He must refuse!

He had to refuse!

What about Xianjin?!

What about him?!

And what about Baozhu?!

"If I pass the imperial examination but gain a reputation for seeking repayment for favors, I won't have good prospects in official appointments."

Amidst the whirlwind of thoughts, Chen Jianfang quickly picked out a reasonable and plausible excuse, his right hand withdrawing from the armrest as he spoke swiftly, "Passing the exam is not the final step. Some jinshi are sent to the Imperial Academy to compile books; though it's a difficult life, after a few years, they can enter the six central ministries. Some jinshi are dispatched to northern Fujian or western Sichuan as county magistrates, where they may not make any progress over decades, spending their entire lives stagnating in a seventh-rank position..."

Chen Jianfang, initially quick in speech, gradually regained his usual calm assurance, "Grandmother, we've walked ninety-nine steps. Is it worth failing at the last one?"

Madam Qu narrowed her eyes and tilted her head slightly downward, folding her hands over her lower abdomen as if deep in thought.

After a while, she hesitated, "How could such a reputation come about?"

They intended to seek repayment for favors, but... others shouldn't say it so bluntly!

They had indeed done them favors!

Favors should be repaid!

Food, clothing, monthly allowances... she had never been mistreated. They even allocated a mule carriage specifically for her!

If Master Qiao were sensible, he would have considered these things himself!

Moreover, Qiao Baozhu had lived in the Chen family for so long without relatives and with an unclear status. In the countryside, the villagers would have gossiped about it at the village gate!

If Qiao Baozhu doesn't marry into the Chen family, who else would she marry?

Chen Jianfang smiled, lifting his chin slightly, "The outcomes of the imperial examination are unpredictable. In a spring examination of a previous dynasty, a fifty-year-old candidate had a stomachache during the exam. Realizing he couldn't finish his paper in time to achieve a ranking, on the last day, he gave up on his paper and spent his time digging at the walls of his cubicle with a spoon..."

Chen Jianfang, gradually regaining control, his expression calm and composed, continued, "Guess what happened?"

Madam Qu narrowed her eyes, "What happened?"

Chen Jianfang smiled, "The candidates in the cubicles around him were all given zeroes."

Madam Qu was greatly surprised, "Why?"

"The proctor suspected cheating due to the holes in the walls of those cubicles," Chen Jianfang replied calmly.

Madam Qu was rather angry. "That old scholar failed the exam himself and resorted to some despicable tricks that can't be disclosed to implicate others!"

Chen Jianfang nodded. "He's old, and this was his last opportunity to take the exam. Having studied to this extent, he had no hope of success, so he pulled down as many people as he could... Unfortunately, the candidate in the adjacent booth was quite young and even the county’s top scholar..."

Madam Qu understood what Chen Jianfang was implying.

Those who failed the exam still used dirty tricks to drag others down, aiming for mutual destruction.

If one were to pass the exam, with only a few desirable positions available among several hundred jinshi from both lists, wouldn't they fight tooth and nail for those positions!?

In such times, one must not give others any leverage to attack!

Madam Qu felt a twinge of regret. "What a waste..."

Remembering that Jiao Baozhu was still quite young and could afford to wait, she could only console herself, "There will be another chance, I hope!"

The grandmother and grandson exchanged a few more words.

As soon as he stepped out of the Bima Courtyard, a night breeze hit him, causing him to be drenched in a cold sweat.

Chen Jianfang looked up, his eyes reflected confusion, panic, and lingering fear. He stood there dazed for a long time, then lifted his robe, turned, and hurriedly jogged southeast.