Chapter 535

Chapter 541: The Imperial Examination (Part 2)

Over at Eleven Miss's residence, Eleven Miss also received the news.

"The ranking is just too low," Lord Xu said tactfully. "I heard only three hundred forty candidates were selected this time."

Eleven Miss suddenly recalled a widely circulated couplet: "Washing a concubine’s feet is like granting a 'Tong Jinshi' title." Comparing concubines to officials who barely passed the imperial examination illustrated the awkwardness and helplessness such scholars faced in officialdom. Worse still, unlike the modern college entrance exams, there were no second chances—this one exam decided your fate for life.

"Perhaps Fifth Sister’s husband will perform exceptionally well in the palace examination?" she said hopefully.

Even if he did, the likelihood of ranking in the top two divisions was slim.

But since the results weren’t out yet, why let pointless worries upset Eleven Miss?

Lord Xu smiled. "That’s possible too. In at most a month, the palace examination results will be announced. Moreover, the Emperor’s questions often concern state affairs. Zi Chun has lived in the capital for years and has some experience—perhaps he’ll indeed make it into the top two divisions."

Eleven Miss knew Lord Xu was comforting her and nodded with a smile, asking whether they should visit Four Symbols Lane to offer congratulations.

"Send a trusted older woman for now," Lord Xu said. "Once the rankings are posted, I’ll personally go congratulate Zi Chun."

Eleven Miss considered that Qian Ming, having passed the exam, would need money for rewards, visits to his mentors, and banquets with classmates and fellow graduates. She sent Song Mama with a red envelope with two hundred taels inside.

Upon returning, Song Mama whispered to her, "Fifth Miss blew up over Zhuotao breaking a teacup and even threatened to call a broker (to sell her). Master Qian, annoyed, hid in the kitchen drowning his sorrows."

She was probably venting her frustration over Qian Ming’s poor performance.

Eleven Miss frowned.

Fifth Miss was becoming increasingly impatient.

Even if Qian Ming got stuck with a "Tong Jinshi" title, what good would throwing a fit do?

She kept a closer eye on the palace examination dates and results.

Just then, news came from the palace that Fang Jieer had safely delivered a baby boy.

Lady Zhou was beside herself with joy. Despite the curfew, she rushed to Lotus Lane to share the happy news with Eleven Miss.

"I prayed to the gods every day—I’d give ten years of my life for this," she said, tears spilling over. "The Crown Princess has finally gotten her wish. It’s all thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince. Otherwise, how could the Crown Princess have borne three children in succession?"

Hearing her give all the credit to the Crown Prince, Eleven Miss couldn’t help but laugh as she picked up the roly-poly toy Jin Geer had tossed onto the kang and placed it in the wicker basket beneath the kang table.

Lady Zhou suddenly exclaimed, "Where’s our Jin Geer? Where’s he hiding?" Then she added, "Speaking of which, the Crown Princess has our Jin Geer to thank for the imperial heir!" She beamed, telling Qiuyu, "Quick, go fetch Jin Geer! I’ve got a big red envelope for him!"

Eleven Miss felt embarrassed. "This is all the Crown Princess’s good fortune—what does it have to do with Jin Geer?"

Ignoring her, Lady Zhou urged Qiuyu to bring Jin Geer over.

Qiuyu glanced at Eleven Miss for guidance. Seeing Lady Zhou’s delight, Eleven Miss nodded—it was just harmless fun.

Qiuyu cheerfully curtsied and withdrew.

Only then did Lady Zhou take a sip of tea. "I’m not like those grand secretaries who claim credit for good deeds but blame the six ministries for failures. If not for Jin Geer’s immense blessings, how could he first bring Shen Geer and now the imperial heir?"

As she spoke, Qiuyu returned with Jin Geer. Lady Zhou even hopped off the kang to greet him, sweeping him into her arms.

"Jin Geer!" she cooed, smacking a loud kiss on his cheek. "You’re truly blessed! Did you know you’re an uncle now?"

Jin Geer, never one to shy away from strangers, bubbled with laughter at the attention.

Lady Zhou was even more delighted. She sat him on the kang and truly pulled out a large red pouch embroidered with the pattern of the God of Longevity leading a spotted deer from her sleeve, stuffing it into Jin Geer's hand. "Here, this is Auntie's red envelope. Keep it for yourself to use slowly."

"You’re too kind," Eleventh Miss said. It was understandable to give some silver as a reward during happy times to let those around share in the joy. Smiling, she thanked Lady Zhou on Jin Geer's behalf. Jin Geer had already sat aside to untie the pouch, pulling out a string of small golden ingots threaded with red silk—eight in total, each the size of a peanut.

He was overjoyed, chattering excitedly as he showed them to Eleventh Miss.

Though precious, these weren’t uncommon.

Eleventh Miss smiled lightly and tied them to Jin Geer’s waist.

Jin Geer sat on the kang, playing with the golden ingots, not even lifting his head.

Seeing how much he liked them, Lady Zhou was also delighted. She hugged Jin Geer and kissed him several times. "No wonder our elder madam feels restless if she doesn’t see him for a day. Even I wish I could take him home with me!"

Eleventh Miss smiled faintly and discussed the Third-day Ceremony with Lady Zhou. "When the time comes, let’s go together!"

Lady Zhou nodded repeatedly. "Yes, let’s go together." Noticing Jin Geer struggling in her arms to climb back onto the kang, she let him go. Jin Geer crawled and toddled his way into Eleventh Miss’s embrace. Lady Zhou gently stroked Jin Geer’s jet-black hair. "And our Jin Geer will come too."

Going to the palace...

Eleventh Miss felt a chill of worry. "He’s at that mischievous age. I think it’s better not to bring him. He might break something in the palace."

"He must go! How can he not?" Lady Zhou insisted. "When the time comes, I’ll personally keep an eye on him. I won’t let him break anything in the palace."

Eleventh Miss was more worried about her son getting hurt.

Eleventh Miss dodged the question. On the day, she left Jin Geer in Lord Xu’s care. Lady Zhou grumbled a bit and wanted to send someone to fetch Jin Geer before entering the palace. Eleventh Miss had to use the excuse, "If we don’t go now, we’ll be late," to talk her out of it.

Unexpectedly, once in the palace, Fang Jieer asked about it. Hearing that Eleventh Miss was afraid Jin Geer might damage palace property, she hid a laugh behind her sleeve. "None of these things are as precious as our Jin Geer!" She ordered a eunuch to fetch Jin Geer from Lotus Lane.

The eldest princess protested, "Don’t let Jin Geer come! He hurt my ear!"

The room full of women in bright red ceremonial robes and nine-flower hairpins shared awkward looks before lowering their heads to sip tea.

Then, the Empress spoke softly. "Jin Geer is still young. He didn’t mean it. You’re his elder sister—you should be more forgiving..."

Eleventh Miss smiled inwardly, sharing a knowing look with Fang Jieer.

Fang Jieer caught on and signaled to Lady Zhou.

As soon as the Empress finished speaking, Lady Zhou immediately chimed in cheerfully, "What auspicious hour did the Imperial Astronomers set? Should we begin the bath for the imperial grandson?"

Princess Changning seized the moment and ordered a maid, "Go check the time quickly!"

The maid curtsied and answered, "Yes, Your Highness," before hurrying out.

Princess Changning then brought up Ren Kun’s Third-day Ceremony. "In the dead of winter—it pained me to see. Our imperial grandson is truly blessed to be born in the warm spring of April..."

Light conversation eased the tension, restoring the festive atmosphere.

Eleventh Miss noticed someone’s gaze lingering on her for a long time without looking away.

Without changing her expression, she peeked discreetly from the corner of her eye.

It was Jiang Jin Kui, standing beside Princess Changning.

She looked even more drawn, hiding behind Princess Changning, appearing more humble than the maids beside her.

Eleventh Miss was surprised. She recalled Jiang Jin Kui once approaching her warmly, then remembered Ren Kun’s brutal tactics against Wang Lang. In the end, she decided to pretend not to notice, keeping a polite smile as she listened to the noblewomen’s conversation.

A palace maid hurried in and whispered a few words to Fang Jieer.

Fang Jieer’s eyes landed on Eleventh Miss, then she gently shook her head and replied to the maid in a low voice. The maid nodded, curtsied, and retreated.

The Empress glanced lightly at Eleventh Miss.

Not knowing what was going on, Eleventh Miss grew uneasy and looked toward Lady Zhou.

Lady Zhou nodded slightly, signaling that she would handle the matter.

Yet Eleventh Miss dared not be careless. Though the subsequent Thirdday Ceremony was lively, she remained strictly by the elder madam’s side, trying her best to stay unnoticed. At last, when the eunuchs summoned everyone to the side hall for the imperial grandson’s longevity noodles, she saw Lady Zhou still sitting there, not budging. Even after they left the warm pavilion, Lady Zhou had yet to emerge. Only then did Eleventh Miss relax a little as she supported the elder madam to the side hall.

By the time everyone was seated, Lady Zhou came in and winked at Eleventh Miss.

Eleventh Miss nodded faintly.

After the longevity noodles, they went to bid farewell to Fang Jieer. As they walked, Eleventh Miss ended up beside Lady Zhou.

“It’s nothing…” Lady Zhou whispered. “The Crown Prince sent someone to ask if Jin Geer had come, wishing to have him brought over for a look.” She then grumbled, “I told you to bring Jin Geer into the palace, but you refused. Now you’ve missed your chance to see the Crown Prince.”

“Who knew such an opportunity would arise?” Eleventh Miss could only smile apologetically. “It’s too late for regrets now.”

Just then, someone called softly to Eleventh Miss: “Lady Yongping!”

Eleventh Miss spun around in surprise.

Jiang Jin Kui hovered nervously by a thick red pillar, gazing at her.

Eleventh Miss’s eyes darted through the crowd for Princess Changning.

She spotted Princess Changning walking beside the Empress, listening intently to her words.

What did Jiang Jin Kui want from her?

“Lady Ren!” Eleventh Miss thought to herself, hesitating slightly as she greeted her.

“I—I have something urgent to tell you,” Jiang Jin Kui said, looking around like she didn’t want to be seen.

Hearing this, Lady Zhou smiled at Eleventh Miss and quickly caught up with Princess Yongan ahead.

With no way out, Eleventh Miss stopped and asked with a smile, “What is it, Lady Ren?”

Jiang Jin Kui bit her lip and whispered, “That Fang Shi in your household—she’s cursed—her husbands die!”

Eleventh Miss couldn’t hide her astonishment and studied her carefully.

Jiang Jin Kui’s eyes held only urgency, her expression nothing but concern.

“It’s true, I’m not lying to you,” she murmured, shrinking slightly under Eleventh Miss’s sharp, scrutinizing gaze. “Our families are related by marriage. You’re also from Jiangnan, and Yuhang isn’t far from Huzhou. If you don’t believe me, send someone to Huzhou to ask. Her first betrothed was surnamed Hu, a scion of the prominent Ninghai Hu family—a nephew of Old Madam Fang’s maternal family. The second was surnamed Huo, from Huzhou. Both young masters died young. Watch out, or her bad luck will rub off on you.” Her tone was utterly sincere.