Chapter 73: Passing the Exam Is Truly Wonderful

Chapter 73: Passing the Provincial Exam Is the Best

After the county office plaque was hung, people in and around the village started getting ideas. Every few days, someone would come knocking with land deeds in hand, pleading to put their fields under Yan Fengan's name.

Such matters were unavoidable, and Yan Fengan had long been prepared for them. Having been taught the maxim "do what is right, not what is profitable" during his studies, he knew exactly where to draw the line.

Though accepting these donated lands would bring him a yearly income, such arrangements were essentially fraudulent tax evasion—a violation of the law at its core.

The practice of land donation had always existed in a gray area under this dynasty. On the surface, if no one reported it, the officials wouldn't investigate. But if someone filed a complaint or a local magistrate launched a thorough investigation, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Two years ago, a provincial graduate in the neighboring county accepted donated lands totaling thousands of mu. When a newly appointed magistrate investigated the case, the man was not only stripped of his scholarly title but thrown into prison as well.

He would never dig his own grave like that.

So whether it was ordinary farmers or town gentry who came to propose land donations, he refused them all outright. Though this might seem like feigning moral superiority, he refused everyone the same way, cleanly and without exception, leaving no one with grounds to criticize him.

After dismissing the townsfolk, Yan Fengan explained clearly to his family: "If anyone from town comes to discuss this matter again, just refuse them on my behalf. As for ordinary neighbors, if they truly face hardship paying their annual taxes, I'm willing to write a petition to the county office to plead for leniency—get what can be waived waived, and what can be postponed postponed."

Yan Shichang was not the type to take desperate risks for petty gains. With their family already much better off than the average household, it wasn't worth bringing trouble upon his son for such a paltry sum.

He approved of Yan Fengan's approach, but had other concerns: "Others are one thing, but what about your two sisters-in-law's natal families..."

He Jin and Li Wan exchanged a glance and lowered their heads. Indeed, their relatives had quietly approached them recently, making it clear between the lines that this was what they wanted. Though neither had agreed outright, they had assumed it would be a natural thing to help with.

Now that Yan Fengan had laid out the risks and benefits clearly, they understood it wasn't as simple as they had thought.

He Jin spoke up first: "It's fine. Next time they bring it up, I'll just refuse them directly. It's only the taxes on a dozen or so mu of farmland—even if paid on time, no one will starve."

At most, her brother and sister-in-law would just have to work a bit harder themselves.

Li Wan nodded in agreement. Though she too wanted to help her family, after learning of the risks, she no longer entertained the idea.

Both sisters-in-law were understanding and sensible, and Yan Fengan wasn't the sort of pedantic, inflexible man who couldn't adapt. He said: "While your families' fields can't be registered directly under my name, I can buy them."

"Buy them?" Li Wan frowned slightly. "Not to mention the cost of buying land, my family wouldn't sell anyway."

"It's just a formality—I'm not actually buying them, so why would I need to spend silver?" Yan Fengan explained to the confused household: "Go back and tell your families to write up an irrevocable deed of sale, selling the fields to me. I'll take the deed to the county office to transfer ownership and pay the deed tax. Once the land is registered under my name with the authorities, all the taxes that should be exempted will be exempted in full, not a cent less. The land will be truly transferred to me, so even if officials investigate, they won't find any fault."

Li Wan and He Jin's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Third Brother. We'll remember this kindness on behalf of our natal families."

Neither sister-in-law was muddle-headed, and they never stirred up trouble at home. They had always taken good care of him and Wen Xi, so if Yan Fengan didn't grant them this face, how could they hold their heads up before their own relatives?

He smiled and said: "We're all family—no need for thanks."

With the land donation matter settled, the date for Master Lu's banquet for Yan Fengan was set.

Because of Lu Xiuyuan, Master Lu already had a good impression of Yan Fengan. Now that he had passed the provincial exam, Master Lu was even more willing to befriend him.

Early in the morning, he arranged for a servant to drive a carriage to the Yan residence to fetch them.

After Yan Fengan dressed, Wen Xi fastened a sachet he had made himself onto his belt and hung a fine piece of warm jade at his waist.

The once somewhat impoverished scholar, now in fine robes and adorned with these exquisite accessories, was transformed—he truly had the bearing of a Master Juren.

Wen Xi hadn't forgotten to dress himself up either. His accessories were all paired with Yan Fengan's, and his jewelry was carefully selected—not the most expensive, but the most flattering on him.

The two smiled and examined each other, said goodbye to the family, and boarded the carriage waiting at the door.

Master Lu and Master Lin had reserved the banquet at Zuixian Tower, the finest restaurant in the county town.

Whenever the town gentry hosted important guests, they would hold the banquet here to display their status and show respect for their guests.

This feast was hosted by the Lu and Lin families, with several prominent local gentry invited as companions—men who rarely gathered together, all of whom had graciously come to celebrate Yan Fengan.

The banquet was held in a private room on the third floor of Zuixian Tower; from the windows one could see the bustle of half the street and the distant waters of Emerald Lake.

The gathering was divided into a men's guest table and a ladies' and spouses' table, separated by a screen.

On the women's side, Wen Xi was pulled by Lady Lu to sit beside her, with Lady Lin on his right, and beyond her the wives and spouses of the grain shop, pawnshop, and money house owners.

In the past, sitting among these people, Wen Xi had struggled to maintain a neither humble nor pushy demeanor while inwardly feeling a sense of disparity.

Now, seated among them, his state of mind was completely different. His husband was a provincial graduate; it was only natural that others treated him with courtesy and respect. He no longer needed to feel anxious or read people's expressions.

Lady Lin, who hadn't been very warm to him on the pleasure boat, now looked at him with a beaming smile and even proactively poured tea and made conversation: "Did you like those bolts of fabric I sent you last time?"

Wen Xi nodded. "Yes, thank you, Lady Lin."

"Saying thank you is too formal. Our shop has received several new shipments of fabric. If you see any style you like, just tell me."

Wen Xi replied: "I appreciate your kindness, but we still have quite a bit of fabric at home. I shouldn't need any more in the short term."

"That's fine—go pick whenever you need." Lady Lin paused, then added: "Zhao Geer really likes you as a friend. Come sit at our house often when you have time."

Wen Xi could hear the carefulness and unease in Lady Lin's words. Since she had already made this gesture, he couldn't very well keep rejecting her. He said: "Once I move into town, I'll inevitably be disturbing you and Aunt Lu. I hope you won't find me annoying."

Lady Lin finally showed a genuine smile. "What are you saying? I'd be happy if you came. So, when do you and Juren Yan plan to move into town? Have you decided which courtyard to settle in?"

Wen Xi and Yan Fengan were still discussing it, so in front of others he said: "That depends on my husband's plans. I'll follow his arrangements."

Lady Lu chimed in: "You young couple probably aren't familiar with how things work in town. If you have any difficulties or things you don't understand, just come ask us."

The money house owner's spouse added: "If you're short on cash, just come to our money house and take some. Repay whenever you want—I guarantee not a cent of interest."

The other spouses chimed in as well. All the things Wen Xi had once desperately striven for but couldn't get were now within arm's reach in an instant.

Though he had sighed in amazement countless times during this period, he still wanted to say now: how great it was that his husband had passed the exam!

After passing the exam, everyone around them had become amiable and understanding.

At the men's table, after three rounds of wine, someone asked Yan Fengan when he planned to travel to the capital for the metropolitan examination. Knowing he couldn't speak too definitively before these people who put profit first, Yan Fengan said: "I've only just passed the exam and my foundation is still shallow. For now, I want to settle my family first. Once my learning is more solid, I'll make my plans."

Master Lu laughed. "Juren Yan is too modest. But you're still young—there's truly no rush."

Manager Zhao of the money house took the opportunity to chime in: "My clan is in need of a family tutor. If Juren Yan doesn't mind, why not come teach at our clan school, specifically instructing a few of our young men? The stipend will follow the annual standard—eight taels a month, with additional modest gifts at festivals."

He spoke naturally, clearly having prepared this offer long in advance.

Another country gentleman surnamed Wang added: "Our clan also has several children who have reached the age for studying, and we haven't found a suitable teacher. If Juren Yan is willing, don't feel constrained—you could teach both families' children together."

After speaking, the two exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.

To be able to invite a Master Juren to teach at one's clan school—what glory and honor that would bring! And if any of the family's young men achieved success under his tutelage, it would also bring glory to the family.

Master Lu wasn't too happy hearing these words. This gathering was organized by him; before he had even taken the initiative to speak, this Zhao and this Wang had gotten ahead of him—how outrageous!

His smile faded, and he set his wine cup down on the table with a deliberate, not-too-light-not-too-heavy motion.

Yan Fengan, seated beside him, noticed his displeasure and tactfully declined: "I appreciate the kindness of both masters, but I plan to open my own private school in town. I won't be tied to any single family—any of your children are welcome to come study with me."

He wouldn't even take up a post at the county school, so how could he agree to teach at the clan schools of these local gentry?

Master Lin asked, "Yan Juren, if you're planning to open a private school yourself, have you found a suitable place?"

Yan Fengan hedged, "Still looking. I've seen a few places, but none that quite fit the bill."

Master Lin pressed further, "What kind of place are you after, Yan Juren?"

"Nothing in particular. I'm just starting out, so I don't expect many students. A house with two courtyards and a few spacious rooms for teaching would suffice."

Master Lu spoke up at this point, "I have an old residence on the south side of town that's been vacant for years. The front courtyard is spacious, and the back is quiet. You're welcome to it if it suits you."

Yan Fengan thanked him and added, "Besides the school, I'd also like to find a separate place for our home, so that my parents and my brother's family will have somewhere to stay when they come to the city."

Master Lin laughed, "I also have a residence in the south, just down the alley from Old Lu's place. It'd be just right for you two."

Yan Fengan was tempted but didn't agree outright, since there were things he didn't want to discuss in front of others. Master Lu added, "Yan Juren, no rush on your decision. After the banquet, I'll have my steward take you to see both places, and then you can decide."

At that, no one had much more to say. Shopkeeper Zhao chimed in, "When Yan Juren opens his school, be sure to give us a heads-up."

Yan Fengan raised his cup with a smile, "Certainly. I welcome students from all your households."

Later, as the banquet at the Drunken Immortal came to an end, stewards from both the Lu and Lin families escorted Yan Fengan and Wen Xi to the residences in the southern part of the city.

The houses were tucked down an alley just off the main street, and once they turned into it, the noise of the outside world faded away behind them.

The residences in this alley all belonged to the city's gentry, quiet and secluded for the most part—ideal for a private school.

The first property was a two-courtyard house. Upon entering, there was a decorative screen wall; passing it, the front courtyard was paved with blue bricks, and due to years of vacancy, fine grass had sprouted from the cracks, lying thin and low against the ground.

The front courtyard had three main rooms. Yan Fengan pushed open the door of the middle one and looked inside—it was empty, bare of furnishings, but spacious enough to fit a dozen desks, perfect for a classroom.

The two side rooms were slightly smaller, suitable for younger kids' classes.

The back courtyard had three wing rooms, which could be converted into a library if they weren't going to live there.

Standing in the middle of the courtyard, Yan Fengan's gaze swept from the main hall to the eaves, and a faint smile curved at the corner of his mouth, as if he could already envision the sound of students reading aloud.

The other property, for their residence, was a single-courtyard house with a back garden. The two houses, as Master Lin had said, were separated by just one alley, just a dozen steps apart.

The back garden was smaller than the front courtyard but had its own charm. Along the wall was a patch of bare ground, covered in soil. Though it had been neglected for some time, with a little care, it could be replanted with all sorts of vegetables.

Wen Xi said nothing, but his eyes sparkled, just as Yan Fengan had felt at the other house—before anything was settled, he was already imagining how he'd fix up and arrange this residence.

In the southwest corner of the courtyard was a small pond, with withered plants. Once cleaned up, it would be lovely with a few fish and a few lotus blooms.

The Lin family's steward asked, "Are you both satisfied with these two places, Yan Juren? Our master said if you're not pleased, he'll help find something else."

Yan Fengan glanced at Wen Xi, and seeing him nod slightly, replied, "These are quite nice. How much is the rent for these two residences?"

The Lu family's steward said, "Our master said that since our families are close, mentioning money would only make things awkward. If you like them, you're welcome to use them rent-free."

"Our master said the same."

Yan Fengan never liked leaving loose ends. The Lin and Lu families were being generous now, not bothered about money, but the future was uncertain.

Only if the houses were in his name would he feel secure.

He said, "I appreciate the kindness of both masters, but I can't accept these houses for free. Please tell them that I'd like to buy them at the going rate, and ask if they're willing to sell."

The Lu family's steward smiled and said, "Our master anticipated you'd say that. Forget market price—if you truly like these two places, fifty taels apiece will do."

Together, the two houses came to a hundred taels. Though a substantial sum, it was far below market value, and both Wen Xi and Yan Fengan could live with that.

They had originally planned to stay in the city for a few more days to look at houses, but hadn't counted on things being this easy.

Actually, they had—Yan Fengan had long anticipated that someone would offer a helping hand. Now that things were unfolding as he'd envisioned, he could finally let out a long breath.

After agreeing with the two stewards to sign the papers at the Lu residence the next day, Yan Fengan and Wen Xi rode a carriage back to the village.

One reason was to inform the family of the news, and the other was to pick up the money.

At the thought of moving to the city with Yan Fengan, Wen Xi was a mix of nervous and excited. Once they had their own home in the city, selling his needlework would be even more convenient.