Chapter 121: Two Hanlin Scholars in One Family

Chapter 121: Two Hanlin Scholars in One Family

Chen Yuhu saw it clearly: with Xu Feixin living right under Old Mrs. Chen’s nose, there would be many days ahead when she’d have to come begging to Old Mrs. Chen.

She had no hopes for Xu Feixin whatsoever.

And she wished Xu Feixin would keep her distance.

Fortunately, Xu Feixin still had her maternal relatives—Chen Yuhu’s brothers and sisters-in-law.

They certainly wouldn't come to her, the aunt, first.

...

Chen Yuhu proceeded with the wedding formalities with Lady Xiao as usual.

She specifically arranged a day off for Lin Qingbai, so he could bring gifts and go for the *naji* ceremony (betrothal gift presentation).

After all the rituals were completed, Chen Yuhu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Next, she simply awaited her daughter-in-law’s arrival.

...

Over the next two years, much transpired both inside and outside the palace.

Lin Ji was promoted to Chief Envoy, and the Senior Commander retired completely.

This year, the Empress Dowager’s health deteriorated, fluctuating between good and bad.

Minor conflicts repeatedly erupted at the border, with Lin Qingtong earning frequent commendations.

Every time Lin Qingtong distinguished himself, the Elder Prince would visit the palace to have tea with the Emperor. Eventually, the Emperor grew so weary that he told him to stop coming, assuring him that his grandson-in-law’s contributions would not be overlooked.

Only then was the Elder Prince satisfied.

Chen Yuhu sat at home, secretly smiling. This was perfect—she didn't have to lift a finger.

This marriage was truly worthwhile!

By this year, Lin Qingtong was due back in the capital to report on his duties.

This young man was no longer the nameless nobody who had tagged along with others years ago.

This time, returning to the capital, he would be accompanied by Tatar envoys.

The Emperor of Great Yong was not afraid of war. If negotiations failed to reach an agreement this time, conflict was likely.

But none of this concerned Chen Yuhu. She was eagerly anticipating her son’s return.

Well, not entirely, but she had to at least put on a show.

Chen Yuhu waited at home for her son to return, ready to "brainwash" him, fearing that Lin Qingtong might have become too wild outside and would be less filial to her in the future.

She had already sent people to wait at the city gates.

This way, when he returned, Chen Yuhu would know in advance and could go to the gate to welcome him.

However, her eldest sister-in-law from her maternal family sent a message, saying Xu Feixin had another argument with her husband and asking if Chen Yuhu had time to visit the Chen household.

Of course, she had no time for that.

That year, in the Autumn Examination, Qingbai and Qingzhuo both passed. Qingzhuo ranked second, becoming the *Ya Yuan* (second-ranked scholar), while the top spot went to a candidate from the south.

The south valued scholarship highly, with a rich cultural atmosphere and a developed economy, making education more accessible—hence it often produced talented scholars.

This was no surprise.

Qingbai ranked seventh, and Chen Yuhu was already very satisfied.

The Xu family’s child also performed well, ranking eleventh.

He often exchanged ideas with Qingbai and Qingzhuo at the academy, and both Qingbai and Qingzhuo held him in high regard.

With such sons, the Xu family’s difficulties were only temporary.

Ultimately, the future of families like theirs depended on their children.

After the Autumn Examination, the Xu family’s eldest son returned to his hometown to take up a minor official post, seemingly intending to establish himself in the local bureaucracy.

Chen Yuhu’s two sons, however, followed the An family’s path and entered the Hanlin Academy.

Within two years, Lin Qingjiao’s father-in-law had risen to Hanlin Academician, a fifth-rank official.

This was the highest position in the Hanlin Academy.

This was also why An Ze, despite entering the Hanlin Academy, chose to seek another official post elsewhere.

One reason was quicker advancement, and another was that the An family didn’t need a second person in the Hanlin Academy.

Moreover, with the imperial succession still undecided, it wasn’t wise to exert too much influence in the central government.

Chen Yuhu and Lin Ji also decided to have their sons train in the Hanlin Academy for a few years before taking the Palace Examination, leveraging the family’s existing connections.

When Chen Yuhu discussed it with Chi Wanqing, the latter readily agreed.

Because Lin Qingjiao had just given birth to a boy for the An family.

He was the An family’s first grandson.

The eldest branch of the An family also had only one eldest son, who, though married for many years, had only three legitimate daughters.

Chen Yuhu didn’t gloat just because Lin Qingjiao had given birth to the first grandson. Instead, she became even more cautious.

Her daughter was doing well, and she couldn’t afford to hold Lin Qingjiao back.

She even wrote a letter urging Lin Qingjiao not to become complacent just because she had given birth to the first grandson or act as if she could lord it over others.

When Lin Qingjiao received the letter, she complained to An Ze, saying, “Look how Mother thinks of me—she actually wrote a letter specifically to scold me.”

An Ze smiled. “Your mother means well. You only see her scolding you, but not how worried she is about you. Ever since you became pregnant, your mother practically wanted to move the entire Marquis’s residence here for you.”

Lin Qingjiao smiled at An Ze. The couple had a very good relationship.

Of course, she knew her mother meant well.

But she also had to let An Ze know, and let the An family know, that her mother was a good person.

Her maternal family was not some unreasonable, ungrateful bunch.

Therefore, when Lin Qingbai and Lin Qingzhuo entered the Hanlin Academy, it went smoothly, with the An family's full backing.

They didn't have to lift a finger.

What mattered was that they could truly learn valuable things in the Hanlin Academy,

rather than wasting time.

The more Chen Yuhu thought about it, the more she felt that her marriage arrangement was a wise decision.

Chen Yuhu had indeed sent Lin Qingjiao plenty of gifts and money, not expecting to become a grandmother at such a young age.

She wasn't quite used to it yet.

After listening to Chen Yuhu’s advice, Lin Qingjiao returned to Yangzhou for the New Year last year and swapped tips with her older sister-in-law for having boys or girls.

Some of these tips came from Chen Yuhu, involving modern scientific theories such as balancing pH levels and similar concepts.

This year, Lin Qingjiao’s older sister-in-law became pregnant. With the sisters-in-law getting along, the An family grew even more satisfied with Lin Qingjiao.

Seeing Lin Qingjiao doing well, Chen Yuhu felt relieved. This year, An Ze was also returning to the capital to report his duties.

Chen Yuhu was eagerly looking forward to it, as it had been a long time since the children had all gathered together.

Soon, the messenger returned, reporting that Second Young Master had already entered the city.

Chen Yuhu immediately started getting ready, as everything at home was prepared.

With fewer household affairs to manage over the past two years, Chen Yuhu had become somewhat idle and had filled out a bit.

The most urgent matter recently was finding a suitable husband for An Zhi.

Fortunately, it had become fashionable among noblewomen to marry later, otherwise, An Zhi’s age would've been almost too old.

Chen Yuhu stood at the entrance of the mansion, all smiles, waiting for Lin Qingtong to appear.

Then, she saw a person wearing brown plain clothes, with dark skin and an unclear face, riding a horse and heading toward the Marquis Zhongyong’s estate.

To be honest, Chen Yuhu immediately knew it was Lin Qingtong, even though she found the figure unfamiliar and couldn’t see his face.

If such a suspicious individual appeared nearby without proper authorization, they would surely be driven away.

Chen Yuhu was certain of this.

As the group gradually came into Chen Yuhu’s view, her bright smile faded when she noticed the rundown carriage following behind them.

Lin Qingtong, who hadn’t seen his mother in a long time, grinned from afar upon spotting her.

But as he approached and saw Chen Yuhu’s stern expression, he didn’t dare to smile anymore.

Chen Yuhu tried her best to remain composed. “You’re all back? Then go inside and rest for now!”

Seeing the young woman following behind Lin Qingtong, Chen Yuhu couldn’t bring herself to smile.

She glanced at Lin Qingtong, who didn't dare explain without prompting.

In the end, Chen Yuhu left them all at the entrance without another word or glance.

The guards who had returned with Lin Qingtong were invited by the steward to be properly accommodated.

The young woman was taken by Nanny Fang to the guest courtyard for temporary lodging.

No one had expected that the lady of the house wouldn't so much as ask about the woman’s identity.