Chapter 196

Chapter 196

Half a month later, the results of the Metropolitan Examination were announced. Chen Qingsong ranked seventy-third, and the following day, in the palace examination, he placed sixty-seventh in the Second Class.

This result met his two elder brothers’ expectations—neither outstanding nor disappointing, merely average. With this, two generations of the Chen family had produced four jinshi. Who wouldn’t say their ancestral graves were smoking?

Wang Ying hosted two banquet tables in the capital to entertain relatives and friends. Once Qing Song returned to Jizhou, celebrations would continue without pause.

Those ranked in the Second Class enjoyed priority in selecting official appointments. Most chose to return to their hometowns to build their careers, though some aimed for prosperous regions like Yangzhou or Suzhou. However, such areas rarely offered desirable vacancies, and without powerful family backing, advancement there was nearly impossible.

Chen Qingsong harbored no grand ambitions. His sole wish was to return to Jizhou—to be near his mother, sister, and old friends—and live a tranquil life. Thus, immediately after the palace examination concluded, he set off for Jizhou. Chen Qingyan and Chen Qinghuai, unable to secure leave, had to wait until year-end to return.

With the youngest brother gone, the household resumed its normal rhythm. By mid-March, temperatures gradually rose, and the vegetable trade began to decline.

Wang Ying took the opportunity to visit Lady Xing to settle accounts. Upon arrival, a tailor was measuring Lady Xing for new garments. Wealthy families commonly employed tailors to custom-make seasonal clothing.

“Mr. Chen, you’re here.”

“Greetings, Madam.”

“Please, have a seat. Xi’er, prepare some tea.”

“No need to trouble yourself.” Wang Ying sat cautiously on a nearby stool, watching as the tailor finished taking measurements and recorded the figures before departing.

Lady Xing approached and said, “Today is the day to finalize accounts, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Thank you for your support over the years.”

“Not at all. You supply the vegetables; I earn the profit—a mutually beneficial arrangement. Nanny Zhang, call the accountant.”

Soon, the estate’s accountant arrived with the ledger. Lady Xing was direct: she handed the ledger to Wang Ying and said, “Mr. Chen, please check for any errors or omissions.”

Wang Ying skimmed a few pages. The accountant’s records were even more meticulous than his own. He set the ledger down and said, “Madam, your records are precise—no errors.”

“Good. I’ll write you a note to withdraw silver from the bank.”

“Thank you, Madam.”

The vegetables sold over winter totaled over seventeen hundred taels of silver—enough to cover the family’s capital expenses and social obligations.

After writing the note, Lady Xing paused briefly before speaking. “We’ve done business for several years now. I’ve observed that you are honest and capable, so I’ll share some confidential advice.”

Wang Ying was taken aback but quickly replied, “Please, Madam, go ahead.”

“Someone has set their sights on that piece of land your family leases.”

When Wang Ying first leased the mountain plot, no one paid much attention. But in the second year, when he began transporting vegetables into the city, people started discreetly inquiring. Learning that his husband held a position in the Hanlin Academy, many merchants lost interest—knowing better than to challenge an official.

Yet the person now eyeing the land was no ordinary individual—it was Consort Kang. Upon learning that the estate possessed a hot spring, she wished to claim the land to build a villa and spend winters there.

She had repeatedly pressed Lady Xing for information, leaving Lady Xing no choice but to disclose Wang Ying’s details.

“Take my advice: though this business is profitable, it’s attracting too much attention. If Consort Kang wants the land, simply yield it. Don’t risk provoking Prince Kang over a trivial sum.”

“Thank you for the advice, Madam. However, I only leased the land. If the consort wishes to acquire it, she must negotiate directly with the landlord.”

Lady Xing waved dismissively. “You’re clever—you know what to do without further explanation. I won’t say more. Should the opportunity arise, we may do business again in the future.”

Leaving the Minister of Personnel’s residence, Wang Ying felt deeply unsettled. Though the experimental field could be relocated at any time, the situation remained disheartening. He had worked hard to build this enterprise, yet before reaping substantial profits, he faced starting over.

Upon returning home, Wang Ying discussed the matter with Chen Qingyan.

“Let it go. We’re in no position to oppose Prince Kang. Even if we reclaim the experimental field, he’ll simply seize the barren mountain anyway.”

Though he understood, Wang Ying couldn’t suppress his indignation. “This Consort Kang is so shortsighted! It’s just a small hill with a hot spring—yielding no more than a couple thousand strings of cash annually. How can the mighty Kang Palace be so desperate for such a paltry sum?”

Chen Qingyan patted his hand reassuringly. “I’ll be transferred soon, and my salary will increase. We’ll manage even if funds run tight.”

“Has the reassignment been decided?”

Chen Qingyan shook his head. “It should have been finalized by now, yet there’s been no news. I’m unsure what the higher-ups are planning—we’ll have to wait and see.”

“What about Second Brother?”

“He’s been assigned to the Ministry of Revenue as a seventh-rank Storekeeper. It will take over a decade to rise from seventh to fifth rank—no wonder Qinghuai prefers a provincial posting.”

Time flew. By late March, Prince Kang’s estate indeed sent a representative to discuss the mountain plot.

The envoy was merely a steward from Prince Kang’s estate—arrogant and condescending, acting as if he owned the world. “Our consort has taken a liking to that land and has already purchased it from the original owner. Your prior lease is now void.”

“However, in recognition of your efforts managing the land, the consort waives all rent.” With that, he instructed a servant to present fifty strings of cash.

Wang Ying seethed inwardly but forced a smile. “Thank you for the consort’s generosity. I’ll hand over the land tomorrow and recall my workers.”

The steward snorted and departed with his entourage.

Wang Ying muttered under his breath as he accepted the money. He’d initially planned to reclaim the experimental field early—but now decided to wait until Consort Kang completed her villa, letting her efforts go to waste!

The next day, Wang Ying instructed Chen Zhandong to recall all workers.

Chen Zhandong lamented, “Such a fine hot spring, snatched away from us just like that. Had we known, we should’ve bought the mountain outright.”

Wang Ying sighed. “Even if we had bought it, we couldn’t have kept it. Those in power can seize whatever they want with a single word.”

“What should we do now?”

“Leave the vegetables in the field. Consort Kang is petty—if we provoke her, it’ll only cause trouble for Qingyan. Besides, with warming weather, the vegetable trade is slowing. Letting them have it won’t cost us much. We’ll find another venture later.”

“Understood.”

After acquiring the mountain, Consort Kang dispatched workers to renovate it. They uprooted all vegetables and replanted flowers and ornamental shrubs instead.

Thanks to the hot spring, the area remained lush even in winter. Consort Kang eagerly ordered construction of a villa, sparing no expense. Within months, the framework was complete.

Wang Ying secretly inspected the experimental field several times at night. Consort Kang was indeed lavish—using aged pine for structural elements and nanmu wood for furniture.

As the villa neared completion, Wang Ying quietly reclaimed the experimental field.

The experimental field’s concealment feature functioned perfectly—not vanishing abruptly, but gradually altering the terrain over time, rendering the transformation imperceptible to others.

The hot spring’s flow dwindled until it dried up entirely. Fertile soil eroded with rainfall, and planted flowers withered and died.

By the time the villa was completed, the land had reverted entirely to its original barren state!

The steward dared not report this to the consort. Having spent so much silver, he feared punishment if she discovered the truth.

He concealed it until August, when Consort Kang—growing impatient—asked about the villa’s progress. The steward stalled, claiming it remained unfinished.

Consort Kang erupted in fury: “Five months—and it’s still not done? What are those useless servants doing!”

The steward stammered, too afraid to say anything.

"Forget it, let's go see how Jian is doing." The next day, she went to the biezhuang (country villa) with Consort Kang, only to find that what they had imagined as a lush, green mountain courtyard had turned into a barren, rocky hill! The vast courtyard stood prominently amidst the mountain rocks, looking utterly ridiculous.

Consort Kang nearly fainted from anger. She had spent tens of thousands of taels of silver, all of which had gone to waste. She immediately dismissed the steward and sent people to dig for the warm spring. However, even after digging until winter, not a drop of hot water was found. In the end, she had no choice but to abandon the villa.

This incident became a laughingstock in the capital. Whenever it was brought up, everyone would burst into laughter. Consort Kang, who usually bullied others relying on her status, had now swallowed a bitter pill in silence.

Time flew by, and it was already mid-August. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, colleagues from the Hanlin Academy were successively transferred to other departments, but Chen Qingyan remained at the Hanlin Academy, working alongside the newly appointed scholars.

He had also inquired at the Ministry of Personnel but received no news. As the transfer period passed with no progress in his official affairs, Chen Qingyan had no choice but to visit Lord Liu's residence.

Liu Yaozhi seemed to have anticipated his visit. He showed no surprise upon seeing Chen Qingyan and took him to the study. "You're here about your official assignment, aren't you?"

"Yes, all my colleagues have been transferred, yet I alone remain at the Hanlin Academy. Has Your Excellency found some fault in me, leading His Majesty to keep me here…"

Liu Yaozhi waved his hand. "No, Qing Yan, it's not that you've done anything wrong. On the contrary, you've performed too well, which is why you were kept here."

Chen Qingyan looked puzzled. "I don’t understand. I hope Your Excellency will enlighten me."

"Are you aware that in recent years, the noble families in the court have been trying to win over newly appointed officials?"

Chen Qingyan nodded. Some had even tried to recruit him before, but he had made his stance clear—he always stood with the upright faction.

"The upright faction is the sword in His Majesty's hand. The noble families are fearful yet powerless; they can only feel at ease by blunting this sword. Originally, His Majesty intended to transfer you to the Ministry of Personnel to assist me, but unexpectedly, seven or eight ministers strongly opposed it."

Liu Yaozhi smiled wryly. "You are too sharp, and you've frightened them."

Chen Qingyan finally understood. After a moment of contemplation, he stood up and said, "In that case, I will prepare to take up a post outside the capital."

Liu Yaozhi patted him on the shoulder. "Go and gain experience for a few years. I believe this sword of yours will only grow sharper with time, and one day, it will cut down those pests."

When Chen Qingyan returned home, he told Wang Ying about the matter. "It seems we may have to leave the capital and move elsewhere with me."

Wang Ying was also aware of the stakes. At present, Chen Qingyan’s influence was still growing, and staying in the capital might mean being crushed by the noble families before he could rise.

"An external appointment might be for the best. My vegetable business has already failed, and it’s hard to do business in the capital. Perhaps it will be easier elsewhere. Have you decided where to go?"

Chen Qingyan hesitated for a moment before saying, "I’m thinking of going to Shanzhou."

"Shanzhou? Why there?"

"Although it’s a harsh and cold place, there is room to make a difference, and opportunities for advancement are greater. Moreover, with Fourth Uncle’s foundation and connections there, I believe we can adapt quickly."

It seemed Shanzhou was indeed a good choice.