Chapter 561

Chapter 567 Joy (Part 1)

On the first day of the ninth month, the results of the military imperial exams were announced, and Shao Zhongran ranked fourteenth.

The good news arrived, and the Weibei Marquis's household immediately sent stewards to the Shao family's villa to set off celebratory firecrackers. In contrast, the Yongping Marquis's household appeared more reserved, with Manager Zhao delivering a set of well-worn armor to the Shao residence.

"...This was worn by the Marquis on his Miaojiang campaign."

Shao Zhongran was greatly surprised. He received it with both hands and respectfully displayed it in his study before accompanying Manager Zhao to the reception hall for drinks.

The reception hall was filled with congratulatory guests. The Lin family’s steward was also present. Familiar with each other, he stepped forward with a smile, saying, "Young Master, tend to your guests. I will help entertain Manager Zhao."

A section of the reception hall's eastern side had been partitioned off, seating Shao Zhongran's fellow candidates.

Shao Zhongran did not stand on ceremony, exchanging a few pleasant words before heading to the adjacent room.

The Lin family’s steward introduced the guests in the reception hall to Manager Zhao.

A young servant rushed in, panting, "A palace envoy arrived, saying His Majesty wishes to see our young master. He must enter the palace immediately."

The hall erupted in excitement, with everyone crowding forward to offer congratulations. Some exclaimed, "Zhong Ran, you've hit the jackpot!" Others teased, "Zhong Ran, perhaps it's Her Majesty the Empress who wishes to see you!" Still others joked, "Zhong Ran, connections grease the wheels!"

Shao Zhongran responded to each with a smile, either saying, "I’ll count on your blessings," or "Fingers crossed." He did not hide his joy but also refrained from becoming overly proud, carrying himself with grace.

Standing among the crowd, Manager Zhao nodded slightly, though his eyes grew solemn.

After seeing Shao Zhongran off to change clothes and depart, Manager Zhao excused himself, claiming that the elder madam was awaiting his report, and hurried back to Lotus Lane.

"At this hour, summoning Shao Zhongran to the palace..." Lord Xu placed his brush on the rack and leaned back in his armchair, his expression thoughtful.

Seeing this, Manager Zhao stepped closer and said in a low voice, "I have already sent someone to deliver a message to the palace. We should receive news by the latest early tomorrow morning, at the hour of Si [9 AM]."

Lord Xu nodded but was about to speak when quick, heavy footsteps echoed outside the door.

No one but Jin Ge’er would dare run so recklessly outside his study.

The corners of Lord Xu's lips curled into a pleased smile.

Manager Zhao's gaze flickered. With a creak, the door was pushed open, and Jin Ge’er rushed in excitedly.

"Daddy! Daddy!" He skirted around the desk and climbed onto Lord Xu's lap in the armchair. "My bird!"

In his chubby little hand, he clutched a small sparrow.

Lord Xu smiled faintly, his eyes brimming with affection.

He patted his son's head and said softly, "Manager Zhao is here. Why don’t you greet him?"

Jin Ge’er turned his head and called out, "Manager Zhao!"

Manager Zhao quickly bowed in greeting, politely murmuring, "I dare not presume," before gently asking, "Did the Sixth Young Master go bird-catching in the back garden?"

Jin Ge’er nodded, then turned back to Lord Xu. "Sui Feng caught it! And worms too. Birds eat worms!"

He spoke much more clearly now than a few months prior. Lord Xu listened, then lifted his son into his arms. "Come, let’s go hunt worms in the garden!" He then instructed Manager Zhao, "Update me when the message comes!"

Manager Zhao acknowledged with a smile, watching as Lord Xu and Jin Ge’er departed.

The news arrived sooner than Lord Xu and Manager Zhao had expected.

"...The Emperor asked Scholar Shao: 'The art of ancient warfare hinges on appointing skilled commanders. Scholar Shao, please expound on ancient methods for contemporary application!'"

A question about military tactics!

Lord Xu leaned slightly forward. "And how did Scholar Shao respond?"

The messenger, a sharp-eyed eunuch of about fifteen or sixteen, replied respectfully, "Since this was Scholar Shao’s first imperial audience, he was inevitably nervous. He paused before replying: 'With the right general, one can assess the enemy and secure victory, sweeping through like wind and lightning, unstoppable in every direction. A wise general, a brave general, a prestigious general, or a benevolent general—all must be well-versed in strategy, combining wisdom and courage. In leading troops, strict discipline is essential, knowing when to adapt, employing both orthodox and unorthodox tactics, ensuring victory in every battle and conquest in every siege...'"

Nothing but platitudes!

The eunuch spoke, stealing glances at Lord Xu’s reaction.

The more Lord Xu listened, the graver his expression became. When the eunuch finished, he forced a smile. "And what did the Emperor say next?"

Scholar Shao had squandered a golden opportunity. The eunuch felt he understood Lord Xu's disappointment, a flicker of sympathy crossing his eyes. Remembering how Lord Xu had always treated them kindly over the years, his voice softened further.

"The Emperor then asked about Scholar Shao’s household—how many lived there and what they did," the eunuch said, hands clasped. "When he heard Scholar Shao had a fifteen-year-old brother studying for the military exams, the Emperor suddenly paused, then turned to Commander Ouyang standing nearby and said with a smile: 'Don’t you have a niece, thirteen and yet unbetrothed? This seems a perfect match. Why wait? Dispatch a matchmaker to the Shao family immediately!'"

Commander Ouyang—Ouyang Ming himself—head of the Imperial Guards. Having entered the palace at thirteen as a guard by the Emperor’s side, he was known for his solitary nature, keeping company only with a few hometown comrades. He was the Emperor’s right-hand man.

The Emperor’s words amounted to a royal decree for marriage.

Given Ouyang Ming’s character, he would undoubtedly comply.

Lord Xu and Manager Zhao exchanged alarmed looks, with the latter exclaiming, "So the two families are to be joined in marriage!"

"Indeed!" the eunuch replied cheerfully. "Commander Ouyang and Scholar Shao both kowtowed to the Emperor in gratitude for the match. The Emperor, pleased, gifted Scholar Shao two jars of fine imperial wine, ordering us to escort him out of the palace. By now, Scholar Shao should have returned home!"

"You’ve worked hard, sir," Lord Xu said, glancing at Manager Zhao before adding courteously, "...Please convey my regards to Eunuch Lei upon your return."

The eunuch dipped into a quick bow. "You honor me too much, my lord." After a few humble words, he followed Manager Zhao out of the study.

Lord Xu sat in thought for a moment.

Manager Zhao soon returned.

"He presented a jade plaque," he reported hesitantly. "What do you make of this?"

Lord Xu waved a hand. "This is the Emperor’s favor upon the Shao family. Have congratulatory gifts prepared for them." Rising, he added, "At least it ended without further trouble. Tonight, we can finally rest easy."

Manager Zhao smiled as he saw Lord Xu to the moon gate.

Lord Xu entered the main courtyard with a smile.

Bathed in the red lanterns’ glow, the courtyard shone crimson, while summer breezes rustled through leaves, mingling with Xu Sijie’s clear recitation.

Lord Xu paused beneath the eaves to listen before lifting the bamboo curtain and stepping inside.

A maid on watch moved to announce him, but Lord Xu shook his head and entered the inner chamber quietly.

Eleven Miss sat by the window on the heated brick bed, while Xu Sijie stood before her, hands clasped behind him. One held a book, the other stood straight, reciting. Opposite Eleven Miss sat a small child, sulking and squirming restlessly.

Lord Xu couldn't suppress a smile.

The child's face lit up, and he sprang up suddenly, crying "Father!" as if he'd found his savior.

Lady Eleven glanced at her son.

Jin Geer quickly sat back down, murmuring "Daddy" with a pout, looking thoroughly wronged.

"My lord has returned!" Lady Eleven stepped down from the kang.

Xu Sijie likewise turned to bow to Lord Xu.

Jin Geer gazed longingly at Lord Xu but didn't dare budge.

Lord Xu walked over and scooped up his son: "What's the matter?"

Jin Geer immediately wrapped his arms around his father's neck, nestling his head against Lord Xu's shoulder.

"Jie Geer was memorizing his texts," Lady Eleven handed Lord Xu a cup of tea and called for a maid to help him change, "while he kept running around. No matter how often we scolded him, he only became more restless, even pestering his brother to take him out to play. So I had him sit in the corner of the kang and ignored him."

Jin Geer clung tightly to his father's neck, as if afraid Lord Xu might put him down.

Lord Xu's heart softened.

"It's alright, it's alright!" He gently patted his son's back to comfort Jin Geer, "Elder brother needs to study, so we won't disturb him!" Then he asked Lady Eleven, "Has Jie Geer finished his recitation?"

"Two more pages!" Lady Eleven replied.

Lord Xu murmured to Jin Geer, "Shall we go to the study and draw instead?"

Jin Geer immediately lifted his head, his face beaming like the summer sun: "Yes! Yes! I want to draw!"

Lord Xu laughed and kissed his son's cheek before bearing Jin Geer off to the study.

Jin Geer sat on his father's lap, clutching a brush and daubing on rice paper. Sometimes it was a blob of ink, other times a long stroke. Lord Xu would add a few touches to the ink blob, turning it into a plump little chick, or embellish the long stroke to create a dragon riding the clouds. Jin Geer giggled with delight, shoving the brush into his father's hand: "Draw a peacock, peacock showing hands!"

Lord Xu chuckled, correcting him: "It's not called 'peacock showing hands'—it's 'peacock fanning its tail'!"

Jin Geer obediently repeated, "Draw a peacock fanning its tail!"

Peacocks usually display their plumage in spring, but Sui Feng, who had been tending them for over two months, had contrived to make one display before Lord Xu and Jin Geer. Jin Geer clapped excitedly, and Sui Feng was rewarded with ten silver taels.

Lord Xu had never drawn a peacock before. He smiled and said, "Let's go to the back garden tomorrow and draw a real peacock!"

Jin Geer would have none of it, wriggling in Lord Xu's arms.

Lady Eleven entered: "My lord, it's getting late. You ought to refresh yourself and retire."

Jin Geer's movements slowed.

Amused, Lord Xu patted his son's back reassuringly and asked, "Finished reciting?"

"Yes!" Lady Eleven replied, picking up Jin Geer. "I'll give Jin Geer his bath."

Lord Xu stroked his son's hair and headed to the main room with Lady Eleven.

A servant hurried in: "My lord, your elder sister's husband has arrived!"

"At this hour?" Lady Eleven was startled. Noticing Lord Xu's thoughtful expression, she asked, "Has something happened?"

"We'll talk later," Lord Xu said quietly. "Put Jin Geer to bed first." He then followed the servant to the outer courtyard.

After putting the child to sleep, Lady Eleven embroidered a few stitches under the lamplight but found it too hot. She sat on the couch in the hall, fanning herself with a palace fan as she spoke to Zhuxiang: "Tell Amber that her child comes first—she should focus on taking care of them. I still have you here. Should need arise, we might select a few more capable maids in the household."

"That's what I said too!" Zhuxiang laughed. "But Sister Amber is pregnant again and feels anxious about the promises she made to you."

"If I'm not worried, why should she be?" Lady Eleven replied, just as Lord Xu lifted the curtain and entered.