Chapter 74: Provincial Top Scholar, Miao Shi’s Motherly Heart

Chapter 74: A Mother's Heart

"Wen Gu, I know what I want to write next. These criticisms won’t make me retreat; they’ll only strengthen my resolve to move forward." Nan Jinping clenched her fists, her eyes filled with determination.

On the day the results were posted, Bing Wengu only sent his servant Ping'an to check the list. Nan Jinping wanted to go, but Bing Wengu didn’t allow it.

"The area around the imperial announcement is packed with people, head to head. I don’t want you getting jostled," Bing Wengu said confidently. "Just wait at home for the news."

"Actually, I have full faith in you. I just wonder if you’ll rank as the provincial top scholar or second-place this time?"

Bing Wengu smiled. "Are you worried I’ll lose to Shen Qinghe? Don’t worry, that won’t happen."

Nan Dalang nervously rubbed his hands. "How can Da Lang and Jin Geer stay so calm? This is the provincial exam—the one that selects *juren*! I heard only a little over a hundred candidates will pass this time, out of countless examinees across the Great Yong Dynasty. It’s like a thousand troops trying to cross a single-log bridge. How can Da Lang and Jin Geer still be so confident?"

Bing Silang muttered, "Brother-in-law wasn’t this arrogant before. He must’ve been influenced by my eldest brother."

Nan Dalang didn’t dare say it aloud, but he wholeheartedly agreed. Jin Geer used to be so obedient—now he runs around like a tomboy, disappearing for entire days. Still, Nan Dalang had to admit, this version of Jin Geer was happy. Bing Dalang had truly raised him well.

"Dear, my Lord—" Ping'an’s voice echoed from afar.

Nan Dalang and Bing Silang leaped up simultaneously and sprinted toward Ping'an, shouting, "Did he pass?"

"He made it! He made it!" Ping'an yelled at the top of his lungs, his voice booming loud enough to be heard from one end of the street to the other.

Just hearing those two words, Nan Dalang and Bing Silang felt the weight lift from their hearts. They immediately embraced and spun in circles.

"Haha, my eldest brother passed! My eldest brother passed! Now I’m the *juren*’s younger brother!" Bing Silang cheered.

Nan Dalang grinned so wide his smile nearly reached his ears. "I know! Now Jin Geer is the wife of a *juren*!"

Before their excitement could fade, Ping'an continued shouting, "He’s the provincial top scholar! Our dear ranked first!"

Bing Silang and Nan Dalang, still holding onto each other and jumping, simultaneously collapsed onto the ground.

Nan Dalang stared at Bing Silang. "Your brother-in-law is the provincial top scholar?"

Bing Silang said dumbfounded, "My eldest brother really is the provincial top scholar!"

Ping'an came rushing back, not even noticing the two men sprawled on the ground as he passed them.

"Provincial top scholar! Dear has won the provincial top scholar!" Ping'an panted as he reported to Bing Wengu.

"Wen Gu, you did it! You’re amazing!" Nan Jinping gazed up at Bing Wengu with starry-eyed admiration. "I knew you could do it."

Bing Wengu felt utterly gratified by Nan Jinping’s open admiration. Just as he was about to praise himself, the Yamen Officer arrived to deliver the official congratulations.

Nan Jinping was already familiar with the routine and immediately stepped forward to tip the Yamen Officer. Neighbors crowded around to offer their congratulations, and Bing Wengu calmly acknowledged them with a slight bow.

Bianliang wasn’t like other places—where if a sign fell on three people, at least one would be an official. So while Bing Wengu’s title as provincial top scholar carried prestige, it didn’t cause as much of a stir as it had in the prefectural city. Most visitors were just petty merchants with no influence, easily dismissed.

After handing out coins to the crowd, Bing Wengu took Nan Jinping home. Meanwhile, Nan Dalang and Bing Silang remained sitting on the ground, still holding onto each other, unable to get up.

Bing Silang said to Nan Dalang, "Eldest Brother, get up!"

Nan Dalang replied, "My legs are weak. Help me up."

Bing Silang admitted, "My legs are too."

And so, Nan Dalang and Bing Silang could only watch helplessly as Nan Jinping finished handing out coins and followed Bing Wengu back inside—without either noticing them.

Bing Silang nudged Nan Dalang's arm, gesturing toward Bing Wengu's direction. "Look at Big Brother and brother-in-law. They only have eyes for each other, but neither has noticed us. We could vanish into thin air, and they wouldn’t notice."

Nan Dalang chuckled foolishly, thinking, "Hasn’t it always been like this? What’s the point in mentioning it?"

The next day, Jiang Jinghuai visited, bringing with him a square piece of colored glaze.

"I’ve brought the colored glaze for the kaleidoscope," Jiang Jinghuai said. "Yuan Ting, I never thought you’d surpass my cousin and take first place in the provincial exam."

Bing Wengu was never one for modesty. "You’ve barely scratched the surface," he retorted.

Every time he encountered Bing Wengu, Jiang Jinghuai felt an urge to laugh in exasperation.

"Fine. We’ll see how long your smugness holds up," Jiang Jinghuai said, still unwilling to concede. "This time, my cousin was unlucky—he drew a seat next to the foul-smelling latrine, which affected his performance. Otherwise, he would have been the top scorer."

"A runner-up stays a runner-up, always making excuses," Bing Wengu scoffed.

"Bing Yuanting, do you even know whose turf this is? This is Bianjing, my cousin’s and my home turf. My cousin has studied every examiner’s question styles and preferences. He may not know them in exhaustive detail, but he understands their inclinations well enough. If not for that wretched seat, he would have undoubtedly taken first place."

"So, even with home advantage and all his meticulous preparation, your cousin still lost to me—an outsider who didn’t prepare at all. That just shows he’s no match for me!" Bing Wengu declared decisively.

Jiang Jinghuai had intended to defend Shen Qinghe, but his words only made things worse, seemingly confirming that Shen Qinghe’s scholarship was indeed no match for Bing Wengu’s.

"I can’t match wits with you scholars. But I know if you competed fairly against my cousin, you might not win."

"We’ve competed before. How do you think I swept the 'Little Triple Crown'?" Bing Wengu tilted his head. "Tell your cousin to borrow some luck from my husband during the metropolitan exam. Then we’ll see who comes out on top and who remains the eternal runner-up."

"Deal." Jiang Jinghuai turned to Nan Jinping. "Jin Geer, you must do your best to ensure my cousin doesn’t draw a seat near the latrine again."

Nan Jinping stared at Jiang Jinghuai until he grew uneasy, then said, "You do realize the man you want to defeat is my husband. Do you really think I’d lend you any luck?"

"..." Damn this couple!

Bing Wengu smirked. "It’s fine, husband. Even if you lend him some luck, his cousin will still lose to me."

"Bing Yuanting, may your pride never waver!" Furious, Jiang Jinghuai stormed off but couldn’t resist reminding him about the kaleidoscope. "The Empress’s birthday is next month. Don’t forget the kaleidoscope."

Bing Wengu neither agreed nor refused, further irritating Jiang Jinghuai, who tossed down the invitation and left.

In the afternoon, Nan Dalang and Bing Silang returned from their stall. Bing Silang asked, "Elder Brother, you’ve taken first place in the provincial exam—this is a crowning achievement. Shouldn’t we return home to honor our ancestors?"

"I plan to continue preparing for next spring’s metropolitan exam. A round trip home would eat up months. It’s better to wait until all exams are over," Bing Wengu said casually.

Bing Silang and Nan Dalang gaped in unison. "Elder Brother/Brother-in-law, you’re sitting for more exams?"

Bing Silang’s voice nearly cracked, and Nan Dalang wasn’t much better, his tone trembling.

"Of course," Bing Wengu said matter-of-factly.

"Wen Gu has come this far—naturally, he must keep going. He’s the provincial champion; why shouldn’t he aim for first in the metropolitan exam?" Nan Jinping didn’t know why she felt such inexplicable trust in Bing Wengu, but the longer they were married, the stronger it grew.

Perhaps influenced by visions after they became intimate, she felt the real Bing Wengu was becoming more like the one in her dreams—invincible, unbreakable.

Nan Dalang opened his mouth. "Jin Geer, you’ve changed a lot." He’d become just as audacious as Bing Wengu—definitely corrupted by him. The Jin Geer of old was so humble.

Bing Silang was now utterly in awe of Bing Wengu. "Elder Brother, if you want to sit for the exam, then sit for it. It’ll give me more time to do business in Bianjing. The market here is booming, and with your fame as the top scholar, our family’s fortunes will rise even higher."

"You two draft your letters first. Later, I’ll have Ping’an send them along with mine," Bing Wengu said, picking up his brush to begin his own letter.

True to form, he warned his family against taking bribes, corrected mistakes in last month’s exams for the Bing and Nan families, and even wrote a separate letter to their tutor adjusting the curriculum focus.

He had just finished writing when Nan Jinping also put down his brush. Bing Wengu noticed him slipping a hundred-tael silver note into the family letter.

"I've earned several hundred taels, and I want to give my mother one," Nan Jinping said openly, explaining his intention to send money to the Nan family without hesitation, as if certain of his approval.

This attitude was something Bing Wengu had cultivated day by day, guiding him with patience. He didn’t want his young husband to be overly cautious—he only wanted him to be happy.

Besides, the money was Nan Jinping’s own earnings. He kept most of it for their household and only gave a small amount to Miao Shi, so Bing Wengu saw no issue with it.

Being filial was always a good thing.

Bing Wengu didn’t comment on the silver note, simply taking Nan Jinping’s letter naturally and calling for Ping’an, instructing him to collect their letters first before gathering those from Nan Dalang and Bing Silang to send back to the Bing family together.

"Also, don’t forget the letter I gave you last time—send it separately to Squire Zhao’s residence in town," Bing Wengu reminded Ping’an.

"Sir, I remember. I’ve already set it aside," Ping’an replied. Such a small matter wouldn’t slip his mind, especially since it was quite important to the family.

"You remember? I’d forgotten all about Li Erniang," Bing Wengu admitted. So much time had passed, and with everything else that had happened—including Bing Wengu becoming the provincial exam’s top scholar—it had slipped his mind entirely.

"You’re wonderful, husband—if only you weren’t so softhearted," Bing Wengu remarked. In both this life and the last, he had always been a man who never let an insult go unanswered.

Along with the family letters, news of Bing Wengu’s triumph as the provincial exam’s top scholar also reached the Bing family.

Despite the recent frequent visits from yamen officers, when the sound of celebratory suona horns echoed through the village again, Liang Shi was so overjoyed she nearly fell off the heated bed.

She shouted excitedly, "Aunt Bing, go see! I hear the suona! Counting the days, Da Lang’s exam results should be out by now. Is it the yamen officers with good news?"

Aunt Bing had already rushed out at the commotion. When she spotted the uniformed yamen officers in the distance, her legs almost buckled with joy.

"Ma! Pa! Come quick! It’s the yamen officers with the good news—Da Lang must have passed!"

Liang Shi couldn’t get up for a long moment and had to be helped to the gate by Bing’s father. Her legs were like jelly, trembling uncontrollably from sheer happiness.

The yamen officer approached with a broad smile, even friendlier than when he had last delivered a letter. "Congratulations! Bing has earned the rank of provincial graduate and topped the list!"

Everyone in the Bing family had studied with the tutor by now, so they all knew exactly what passing meant.

Only by passing the provincial exams could one truly be halfway to becoming an official.

Liang Shi could no longer hold back. She sank to the ground, crying.

"He passed! He passed! Da Lang is a provincial graduate now! Hahaha…" Liang Shi laughed uncontrollably. But no one would mock her—this was the rank of a provincial graduate! If it were them, they’d go mad with joy.

Bing’s father handed the officer red envelopes (monetary gifts). The family hadn’t dared hope too much for Bing Wengu’s success, and the envelopes had been prepared merely for good luck. Never did they imagine they’d actually be used. His hands trembled as he distributed them.

Bing Erlang was out selling tofu and wasn’t home, leaving only Zhou Shi. She rushed out without hesitation upon hearing the commotion, and when the yamen officer announced the news, she was beside herself with happiness.

"Big Brother really passed!"

Bing Sanniang and Bing Wulang were even more direct, jumping and dancing in the courtyard, singing a cheerful song.

As for Xiucai Zhang, whom Bing Wengu had hired to teach the Nan and Bing families, he had witnessed firsthand Bing Wengu’s steady rise.

Being a scholar himself, he knew just how difficult the imperial exams were. Yet in the few short months he had spent with the Bing family, they had received one piece of good news after another. Anyone unaware might think passing the exams was as easy as picking herbs!

It nearly made Xiucai Zhang doubt himself.

After seeing off the yamen officer, Liang Shi was finally helped back inside by Bing’s father and Aunt Bing. Bing’s father then promptly closed the main gate, turning away well-wishers.

Miao Shi also received the news, and her joy was no less than Liang Shi's.

"Your son-in-law has ranked first in the provincial exams—what a tremendous joy! Why are you crying?" Father Nan beamed from ear to ear, unable to close his mouth.

Gu Shi quickly said, "Mother is overjoyed—these are happy tears."

Gu Shi used to give attitude easily, but ever since the news of Bing Wengu's successes kept coming one after another, she had been on her best behavior.

There was no denying that Gu Shi was greedy for wealth, but at the same time, she knew which way the wind was blowing.

"Mother, has Son-in-law really succeeded, and as the number one scholar?" Nan Erlang couldn't believe it. "It feels like a dream to me!"

"Yes, I remember when we sent Son-in-law and Jin Geer off for the exams, I thought they'd be back in a month at most. Back then, I thought if Son-in-law could just make xiucai (scholar), it would be a tremendous blessing. Who would have thought he’d now be the number one scholar—the juren (provincial graduate)!" Nan Sanlang exclaimed excitedly.

Even while crying, Miao Shi didn’t forget to glare at Nan Sanlang. "Don’t speak such discouraging words—what do you mean 'just a scholar'? Your son-in-law is now the number one scholar, and he’ll surely continue to achieve even greater heights!"

Though she said this, Miao Shi wasn’t entirely confident, but she had to say it anyway.

Nan Little Sister suddenly spoke up, "Mother, if that’s the case, then the village rumors about Jin Geer being the reincarnation of a fortune-bringing star must be true. Jin Geer really does bring fortune to those who treat him well. Son-in-law was given a boost by him—our family’s hard times in the past were because we didn’t treat Jin Geer well enough."

This rumor had grown stronger with each of Bing Wengu’s successes. At first, Miao Shi paid it no mind, but now she started believing it.

Gu Shi couldn’t resist asking, "Is it really true?"

Miao Shi shot her a glare. "Of course it’s true! Jin Geer is the reincarnation of a fortune-bringing star. Look at how much he’s helped his husband succeed since marrying him!"

Gu Shi hesitated, "But Mother, you used to say—"

"I never said anything! Let me tell you all—our Jin Geer is the reincarnation of a fortune-bringing star. Our family was poor before because we didn’t treat him well enough. Look at how well Son-in-law treats him—isn’t that why he’s been given a boost so high?"

Now that the gap between Bing Wengu and Nan Jinping’s statuses was rising in status, Miao Shi had to ensure that her Jin Geer held onto something—anything—to prevent being looked down upon by the increasingly prestigious Bing Wengu.

The "fortune-bringer" theory was the perfect angle. If Bing Wengu gave it some credence, Nan Jinping’s life would be much easier.

Before, Miao Shi had feared that Bing Wengu’s lack of scholarly success would reflect poorly on Nan Jinping, so she hadn’t dared to acknowledge the "fortune-bringer" idea.

But now that Bing Wengu had achieved such heights, this theory had to be embraced—even if it only made Bing Wengu and the Bing family give it some credence.

The Nan family talked excitedly for a long time before finally calming down and dispersing. Only then did Miao Shi take out the letter Nan Jinping had written to her again.

By then, the letters from Bing Wengu’s group had also arrived swiftly at the Bing and Nan households.

Miao Shi clutched the hundred-tael banknote Nan Jinping had sent her, tears streaming down her face as she gazed at it, unwilling to let go.

Father Nan teased, "You’re going to rub the ink off the banknote just by staring at it."

Miao Shi scolded him lightly, "Nonsense! How could I wear it out just by looking? It’s not that I’m greedy for the money Jin Geer sent—I’m just overjoyed that my Jin Geer has made something of himself."

As she spoke, tears fell again. "I never dared to hope that Jin Geer would one day become an author. I only wished for him to marry a good man and live a peaceful life with him."

"But—but my Jin Geer has been so outstanding. He wrote two books at once, had them turned into storytelling performances in the capital, even staged as plays, and made hundreds of taels of silver easily." Miao Shi sobbed uncontrollably. "My Jin Geer is so brilliant. It’s all because our family held him back—I’ve failed him!"

Father Nan pulled her into an embrace. "Wife, don’t blame yourself. What’s past is past. Jin Geer has his own fortune—he met the right person and grew into such an outstanding man. With his talents, his future will only get better."

Miao Shi nodded vigorously, but worry still lingered in her heart.

"Don’t tell the rest of the family about the banknote Jin Geer sent. This money is his backup plan. If Son-in-law ever changes his heart or treats Jin Geer poorly, this banknote will ensure he can still live well."

Miao Shi wasn’t unaware of how well Bing Wengu treated Nan Jinping—he had even given her family a money-making secret passed down through generations.

But beauty withers like flowers, and a man's heart may change. As Bing Wengu's status and position rise higher, how could Jin Geer remain his only one?

With a charming young wife and a newborn son, would Jin Geer still fare well in the future?

Miao Shi dared not ask, nor even voice the thought. Suddenly, she recalled a saying from her teacher’s lessons: *Good fortune leans on misfortune, and misfortune hides good fortune.* As Bing Wengu climbed step by step, was it truly a blessing or a curse for Jin Geer?

*"If—just if—one day Jin Geer really parts ways with Bing Wengu, then let’s split the household. The two of us will live with Jin Geer, alright?"* Miao Shi thought. As long as she lived, she would remain Jin Geer’s safety net.

*"Alright,"* Father Nan agreed without hesitation, and Miao Shi managed a teary smile.

At Squire Zhao’s residence in town, the gatekeeper received a special letter today, so urgent he didn't dare stall before rushing inside to report.

*"Master! Master! The famous Scholar Bing from town has sent you a letter!"* Though the gatekeeper couldn’t read, the courier made sure to mention it, looking quite envious.

Squire Zhao, lounging on the daybed with Li Erniang in his arms, humming a tune between sips of tea, nearly spat out his tea at the news. *"Who sent me a letter?"*

*"It’s Scholar Bing,"* the gatekeeper grinned. *"That same Scholar Bing from Shanghe Village who just earned top honors as Jieyuan."*

At the mention of Bing Wengu’s name, Li Erniang in Squire Zhao’s arms paled, panic darting through her eyes.

Squire Zhao frowned. *"Scholar Bing? Why would he write to me? I don’t even know him."*

The gatekeeper chuckled. *"Surely it’s because of your sterling reputation in town. Somehow, Jieyuan Bing must have heard of you and now seeks your acquaintance."*

Flattered, Squire Zhao beamed. He wasn’t aware of any particular virtue in his name, but who didn’t enjoy praise?

*"Our county has only one Juren this year, and a top scholar at that,"* Squire Zhao mused smugly. *"Even the magistrate in his official robes holds him in high regard. Yet this Jieyuan Bing remains so low-key—after each exam result, his family shuts their doors to all visitors. No matter your status in the county, they refuse everyone."*

*"All the more reason it proves your noble character, that the Jieyuan would seek you out himself!"* the gatekeeper continued to flatter.

Squire Zhao, played coy though bursting with pride, smirked.

*"Just yesterday, I personally visited the Bing household, and they wouldn’t even open the door for me. Imagine their faces when they find out their eldest is now writing to me first—what an amusing sight that would be!"*

*"Apart from Jieyuan Bing, the rest of the Bings are mere backwater folk. Why should you trouble yourself with them?"*

Squire Zhao burst into laughter. *"Truly, only a man capable of topping the exams would have such a sharp eye for quality!"*