Chapter 101: Promotion

Chapter 101: Promotion

Back at Yaohua Palace, Chu Nan had not yet returned from discussing politics with the ministers. Fan Xueyao asked the wet nurse to bring over Chu Xu. Mother and son laid out a crimson felt mat on the ground and played together. Although it was still early February and not very warm, it wasn't too cold either.

"Why aren't you playing on the couch? The floor must be so cold." After an unknown amount of time, Chu Nan entered.

Fan Xueyao stood up and walked over to help him remove his cloak, saying, "We have a carpet laid down, and we added another layer of crimson felt. The room is also heated with charcoal. How could it be cold? The couch is narrow, and there's a risk of bumping into Xu'er."

As she spoke, she handed the cloak to Chunyun, a palace maid from Yaohua Palace, and then tiptoed to poke Chu Nan's chest. "Lower your head a bit; I can't reach."

Chu Nan complied and lowered his head, allowing Fan Xueyao to untie his hat. With his head bowed, he mumbled, "If the couch is too narrow, why not go to the warm room? It has underfloor heating and would be better than this room."

Just as Fan Xueyao was about to respond, Chu Xu, who had been left alone on the floor, began crying in disappointment.

The wet nurse hurried to pick him up, but Chu Xu sat on the crimson felt, waving his hands in refusal. "No, no, Mama..." He cried for Fan Xueyao.

Fan Xueyao felt a pang of sympathy and quickly attended to Chu Nan before carrying Chu Xu to the couch, letting father and son spend some time together. Perhaps because Chu Nan didn't often take care of his son, Chu Xu was not particularly close to him. While he recognized his father, he did not cling to him as he did to Fan Xueyao.

Chu Nan, as the emperor, genuinely loved Chu Xu, his first surviving son born to his favorite woman, who was as fair and adorable as a jade carving. However, raised under strict etiquette, he believed that being overly affectionate with his children would make them disrespectful. Thus, despite his love, he only showed concern for Chu Xu's daily needs and whether the wet nurse cared for him properly, rarely holding him.

At his young age, Chu Xu did not understand deep parental love. He instinctively sought comfort from familiar people who brought warmth, comfort, and fullness. Fan Xueyao was precisely that person. Unlike others of her era, she did not leave all childcare to the wet nurse, believing that merely checking on food and clothing fulfilled her maternal duties.

Fan Xueyao was quite possessive. She would never allow her child to see the wet nurse as a substitute mother. To her, the wet nurse was simply someone paid to provide milk. She would not let her child view the wet nurse as a mother figure.

Seeing Fan Xueyao fussing over their son's shoes, Chu Nan recalled something and said, "Your brother is taking the spring examination this year, right?"

Fan Xueyao was taken aback, her eyes widening slightly as she nodded foolishly. "Yes, my brother took the provincial exam last year, and I mentioned it to you."

"Yes, you did mention it," Chu Nan nodded, remembering the incident. "The exam is in nine days. How is your brother preparing?"

Fan Xueyao blinked, her pretty face filled with confusion, and answered honestly, "I don't know. I've been living here, and the servants haven't mentioned it. My mother hasn't talked about it either. I forgot about the spring examination."

Chu Nan gently poked her forehead, saying softly, "You, how could you forget such a thing?" Other concubines would have hinted or outright asked for favors regarding their family members, hoping to gain his favor and secure titles for their relatives.

But with Fan Xueyao, if no one mentioned it, she wouldn't think about it, forgetting completely.

Feeling embarrassed, Fan Xueyao stuck out her tongue, realizing she hadn't given enough importance to her brother's future. She quickly reassured him, "It just slipped my mind. I do care. Although my brother isn't exceptionally talented, he's always been diligent. Even without my supervision, he should be able to study hard every day."

"Who is your brother's tutor?" Chu Nan pinched her cheek, not commenting on her words. Everyone praised diligence and talent, but ultimately, true ability would show during the exams.

"My brother studied under Zhao Siyuan when he was young. Father would occasionally guide him. Four years ago, Zhao Siyuan told Father, 'This student will achieve great things. I have nothing more to teach him and must resign. But I cannot bear to delay his progress. Though he lacks extraordinary talent, he has a quick memory and a certain wit. Such a good student should not be held back by mediocrity. I recommend Zhou Yan, the Minister of Rites.' Brother studied diligently and received Zhou Yan's approval three years ago. His recent comprehensive exam results were one excellent and one average, promoting him to a middle-level scholar."

Hearing that Fan Yelin had become a middle-level scholar, Chu Nan was surprised and asked, "Since he's already a middle-level scholar, exempt from the Ministry of Rites' exam, why is he still taking the imperial exam?"

Middle-level scholars were those who passed the imperial academy's internal exams and were exempt from the Ministry of Rites' exam. They could be directly appointed officials, though without the honor of top scholars.

Fan Xueyao explained, "My brother wants to test his abilities and see where he stands among other students. He insists on taking the exam. In my opinion, it's unnecessary. An essay's quality depends on the examiner's subjective judgment. Different scholars might rate the same essay differently. Exam success largely depends on the examiner's preferences. Some prefer conservative writing, while others like flowery language or fresh styles. As they say, 'There is no first in literature.'"

Chu Nan looked at her with admiration, saying, "Xueyao, I didn't realize you had such insight. You're more perceptive than many scholars chasing fame and fortune."

Blushing, Fan Xueyao lowered her head, whispering, "How could I deserve such praise? I'm just a woman who reads poetry. Scholars who read classics for the exams and see through fame and fortune are truly wise."

"People often say wealth and fame are external, but few truly understand it," Chu Nan said with a wry smile.

Turning to a new topic, he asked, "Since your brother has such ambition, what does he plan to do after passing the exam? Will he stay in the capital or serve elsewhere?"

She had not discussed this with her brother, but considering her parents' and siblings' thoughts, staying in the capital would be advantageous. Serving in the capital likely meant working in the Hanlin Academy. With her influence in the palace and her father's support, it would be a matter of gaining experience and achievements.

However, she decided to voice her thoughts.

"I don't know what my father and brother think, but in my opinion, serving elsewhere would be better."

"Oh?" Chu Nan raised an eyebrow, urging her to continue.

Taking a deep breath, she knew her current position depended on Chu Nan's love and trust. If he doubted her ambitions, it could hinder her plans. For her, the empress and ministers were secondary; Chu Nan was crucial.

If Chu Nan loved her and wanted her to be honored, she could be honored. Without his support, even advancing her position would be difficult, let alone making Chu Xu the crown prince.

If Chu Nan doubted her, a single edict could isolate her from the outside world, rendering her powerless.

Chu Nan now wanted to help her family, partly because she was the mother of the eldest prince and partly because he loved her. However, her father's low rank and family dynamics made supporting her uncles impractical.

Thus, helping her brother was the best option. As her status rose, her family's influence would grow, potentially leading to distrust from Chu Nan.

Today, Chu Nan supports her, but will he regret giving her too much favor in the future? Would he wish to see her fall?

With these thoughts, she continued, "In my opinion, serving elsewhere would be better."

And Fan Xueyao would not entrust her life, honor, and disgrace entirely to a man's love and pity. She preferred to be far-sighted, thinking three steps ahead to nip all crises in the bud.

"My brother is young and full of vigor. Although he has some talent, he hasn't experienced much hardship. He is like a flower pampered in a greenhouse—beautiful but unable to withstand storms. How can he become accomplished? It would be better for him to go out and see the hardships of the common people. I do not expect him to rise swiftly to high office; I only hope he can serve the emperor faithfully."

Fan Xueyao said this with a slight frown, her expression gentle yet concealing deep concern.

Chu Nan felt as if he could sense her worries. Was she concerned that her family might become arrogant because of his favor towards her, just like countless other families of imperial consorts throughout history, who became tyrannical and lost themselves in power and wealth?

Chu Nan couldn't help but feel both pity and admiration for Fan Xueyao. He pitied her for being overly self-conscious and admired her for being virtuous and noble. Her fears stemmed from her humble origins, which made her worry about the repercussions of his favor.

If it were another consort from a powerful family, they wouldn't feel anxious. They could keep their relatives in the capital, assigning them positions of real power. If he asked, they might be delighted, seeing it as a sign of his deep affection, and likely wouldn't refuse his favors. Instead, they might even push for more.

Those with true abilities would seek good positions. Those without would ask for clear favors. They might even remove those with genuine achievements and replace them with their own relatives, waiting for promotions. With such achievements, within a few years, they could secure a fourth-rank position in the capital, adding another powerful official to their family.

"You think too much. There are only a few people in the Fan family, and you're already worried about your elder brother. Look around the capital; which family doesn't have more officials than yours?"