Chapter 79: The Spring Examination

Chapter 79: The Spring Examination

"May we meet again next year."

"Next year."

"I wish you a prosperous New Year and happiness for your family."

It was already the Great Cold, and tomorrow would be New Year's Eve. When they met again, it would be a new year.

The scholars of the Imperial Academy bowed to each other in farewell.

However, Fu Jiaze would not see some of them again after the New Year. After the turn of the year, he would not return to the Imperial Academy but stay at home to prepare for the final stages of the Spring Examination.

Mo Xingyi closed the storeroom, which had undergone significant changes during this period.

In the past, entering the storeroom felt chaotic and gloomy, but when the weather was clear, Fu Jiaze had people air out the books, making the place truly exude a scholarly atmosphere.

Mo Xingyi even thought that his family wasn't short of money, so why wasn't he as quick-witted as Fu Jiaze to know how to do such things?

Mo Xingyi originally wanted to talk to Fu Jiaze, but then Mr. Pei arrived. Mo Xingyi said to Mr. Pei, "Mr. Pei, may we meet again next year."

Mr. Pei nodded slightly at Mo Xingyi, "Next year." He beckoned for Fu Jiaze to walk beside him.

As the two walked out of the storeroom, all the scholars greeted them one by one and made way for them, even the proud Scholar Wang did so.

At first, everyone thought Fu Jiaze had entered the Imperial Academy through Fu Bin's connections and looked down on him; but when Mr. Pei took Fu Jiaze as his disciple, many scholars began to see his talent. Now, after several months of interaction, everyone knew whether Fu Jiaze had talent or not. Even the most arrogant Scholar Wang bowed to him.

Some people are naturally suited for officialdom. Perhaps some didn't fully understand this before, thinking they still had room to grow, just like Mr. Pei who had grown over the years.

But seeing Fu Jiaze, they understood what it meant to handle things with ease and that some qualities were innate.

Like Jian He, many nobles and officials came to the Imperial Academy to find books. As Mr. Pei's disciple, Fu Jiaze had more opportunities to interact with these nobles and officials than other scholars. Just by observing, others could see that Fu Jiaze always left a deep impression on those who came to find books, making them leave with smiles.

A born official.

For a young scholar who hadn't yet taken the Spring Examination to leave such a deep impression, who knows what kind of brilliance he would display once he passed the examination and entered the imperial court next spring?

After Pei Jin and Fu Jiaze's carriage disappeared from sight, the scholars resumed their conversation.

In the carriage, Pei Jin instructed his disciple and then took out a gift box.

"This is something my daughter has prepared for Lady Wen. Please, Jinyuan, deliver it for me."

Pei Jin's voice was somewhat unsteady. Inside was indeed something sent by his daughter, Pei Qinghe—a plate of pastries she had made.

Besides the pastries, there was also a book written by Pei Jin.

When Pei Jin was young, he traveled extensively throughout the land. Now, he found it difficult to converse with his daughter, so he started talking about the places he had visited in his youth.

Pei Qinghe was very interested in her father's past experiences. Pei Jin revisited those journeys daily, writing a little each day, eventually compiling a manuscript.

Pei Jin even added illustrations and submitted it to a publishing house.

Currently, such travelogues were selling well. Moreover, since Pei Jin wrote it for his daughter, the language was not obscure but rather poetic, suitable for leisurely afternoons spent sipping tea and reading by the window.

The publishing house immediately saw the potential in the book, negotiated the royalties, and produced the first edition. Pei Jin held the first copy in his hands.

Pei Jin had briefly opened the book to look at it. Since his daughter wanted to send pastries to Wen Hui and heard that the book was ready, she suggested sending a copy to Wen Hui.

Pei Jin caressed the book and finally wrote a letter on flower paper, placing it inside the book.

Pei Jin handed the items to Fu Jiaze and hurriedly got off the carriage.

Fu Jiaze went directly to Wen Hui.

"It must be something from Qinghe," Wen Hui said with a smile.

Opening the basket, she found a box of pastries. According to Pei Qinghe's note, the pastries needed to be oiled, but she had already done so, making them ready to eat. The book included was a travelogue she had recently enjoyed.

Wen Hui wrapped some pastries for Fu Jiaze and, once her son-in-law left, eagerly prepared to read the book.

Wen Hui lived alone and was quite content. After washing up, she sat on the warm kang, eating pastries and drinking tea while reading the book.

Wen Hui noticed a piece of flower paper inserted in the middle of the book. Upon reading its contents, she, who had been leaning softly against a cushion, suddenly sat up straight.

The book was written by Pei Jin and was the first edition printed by the publishing house. As the first reader, Pei Jin hoped Wen Hui would give her opinion.

This was the first time Wen Hui saw Pei Jin's handwriting. His writing, like him, seemed unassuming at first glance but had hidden strength.

Wen Hui carefully put away the flower paper, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and checked if the book was damaged. Fortunately, she used her right hand to eat pastries and hold the teacup, leaving her left hand free to turn the pages without damaging the book.

/

While Wen Hui was reading, Lin Yingxue was discussing the hot spring villa with Fu Jiaze.

Fu Jiaze joked, "If Jinyuan were ever demoted and had nothing, just this villa of yours would be enough to support me." He then made a bow.

Lin Yingxue covered Fu Jiaze's mouth, "Don't say such nonsense. The Spring Examination hasn't even happened yet, and you're talking like this."

Under the candlelight, her eyes sparkled, and Fu Jiaze leaned forward to kiss her.

Lin Yingxue wouldn't let him, whispering that she was on her period.

"Then let's have a hug." Fu Jiaze loosely embraced her and asked what else she and Yao Su had talked about.

She also mentioned using retired and injured imperial guards, telling Fu Jiaze about it.

"I think, for them, helping to catch traffickers and earning some silver is a good thing."

Seeing Fu Jiaze silent, Lin Yingxue became worried, wondering if she had overstepped.

Fu Jiaze pinched his wife's cheek, "It's a good thing. They say Miss Yao is a goddess of wealth, and it proves to be true. If not for her, no one would have been able to afford such a sum."

Fu Heng did business the hard way, making a living by selling goods from the south to the north and vice versa. His profits came from volume, earned through hard work.

But Miss Yao was different; she ran a refined business.

She owned tea shops, where the tea she grew was expensive. She also made perfumes and cosmetics, with a dazzling array of fragrances and cosmetics that changed every year. It was unclear why women would continue to buy more even before finishing a box. Additionally, she dealt in jewelry, ornaments, and fabrics, all of which she managed well.

One could say that Miss Yao made money through elegance, earning the cosmetic money of women.

Lin Yingxue yawned, feeling a bit sleepy. Fu Jiaze carried her to the bed.

Feeling Fu Jiaze’s gaze, Lin Yingxue buried her head under the covers.

Fu Jiaze chuckled, stretched out his long arms, and pulled her into his embrace, "Go to sleep."

The next day was New Year's Eve. Around noon, Fu Bin returned home, bringing Qin Yuanting along for a meal. After eating dumplings, they celebrated a family reunion. After the meal, he hurried back to the palace.

In the palace, he encountered the eunuchs, who all wished him a happy new year.

Fu Bin met Chen Pan, who smiled warmly, "Has something good happened to you, Eunuch Fu? Your eyes are full of satisfaction."

Chen Pan was a man from the Jade Hall Palace, highly regarded by Concubine Chen. Though he had not been in the palace long, there was a subtle rivalry forming between him and Fu Bin.

Fu Bin humbly replied, "Eunuch Chen is too kind. Today is New Year's Eve, and His Majesty has granted me leave to go home and have a meal with my family."

"That is indeed something to be proud of," Chen Pan said with a smile. "To have so many family members around, I truly envy you, Eunuch Fu."

Hearing Chen Pan mention his family, Fu Bin felt a twinge of annoyance. His family was both his weakness and his Achilles' heel.

After exchanging a few polite words with Chen Pan, Fu Bin left.

Once he was far enough away, he sighed, looking at Chen Pan's back. Concubine Chen would certainly support her own people. With Concubine Chen whispering in the emperor’s ear, he wondered how long he could remain secure.

Fu Bin only hoped that the spring examination would come soon.

/

Under Fu Bin's anticipation, the New Year passed peacefully. After the Lantern Festival on the 15th, as soon as February arrived, scholars in blue robes were treated with respect throughout the capital city.

On the ninth day of the second month, the gentlemen who had passed the preliminary exams gathered for the spring examination.

That day, the sun shone warmly, dispelling the dampness of the past.

Fu Jiaze successfully entered the vermilion gate, assigned a good position far from the foul-smelling stalls, with no leaks in the roof tiles above.

Fu Jiaze calmed his mind, listening to the ringing of the bell, and began his examination.

Outside the examination hall, Lin Baozhen was talking to Xie Jingzhi, "You should have been inside here."

Xie Jingzhi thought about how even his father didn't believe in him, suggesting he should just buy an official position. After all, with the support of Concubine Chen, getting a minor post was quite easy for their Weiwu Marquis Mansion. Only Lin Baozhen believed he should enter the examination hall.

Seeing Xie Jingzhi smile lightly, Lin Baozhen became more anxious, "I'm serious. If not for her, you should have been the top scholar in last year's autumn exam and passed this year's examination, then taken the imperial exam."

If he had taken the imperial exam, he would have become the top scholar.

Suddenly, Lin Baozhen thought of something, "If you were the top scholar, and my second sister was still unmarried, would you marry her?"

Xie Jingzhi shook his head without hesitation.

Lin Baozhen then asked, "Would you take her as a concubine?"

Xie Jingzhi laughed bitterly, "How could that be possible."

He suddenly realized that he no longer had any feelings for Lin Yingxue.

Lin Baozhen pursed her lips, "Look."

She insisted that Xie Jingzhi look at Lin Yingxue.

On such an important day, Lin Yingxue, as Fu Jiaze's wife, naturally came to see him off.

For good luck, Lin Yingxue wore red today, even the hairpin in her hair had a small flag unfurled, symbolizing victory.

When Xie Jingzhi looked over, he found that Lin Yingxue was indeed beautiful. For a moment, he was captivated by her stunning appearance, just like many others in the crowd who were secretly watching her. But the stirring emotion had faded.