Cheng Shao leisurely flipped through the examination essays and poems that Cheng Xu had written from memory, then said, “Not bad! If there are no unexpected circumstances, you should rank within the second tier.”
Instead of feeling relieved upon hearing this, Cheng Jing became even more anxious and asked, “Second Uncle, what do you mean by ‘unexpected circumstances’?”
“You’re so worried you’ve lost your composure!” Cheng Shao laughed heartily and said, “Didn’t you just help someone review examination essays a few days ago? How is it that when it comes to Jiashan, you’ve become so anxious? Jiashan’s essays—whether in establishing the thesis or developing the argument—are all proper and conventional. Combined with smooth, fluent writing and appropriate, fitting analogies, he may fall slightly short of the top three, but the second tier should be no problem.” As he spoke, his expression grew serious, and he said to Cheng Xu, “Jiashan, your original essays were written much better than this. Are you… being too cautious?”
Only thinking about passing the imperial examination, so the essays had no major faults in any respect, but that also meant they were mediocre.
Cheng Xu looked toward Cheng Shao, his expression calm and his gaze deep and profound.
“Second Great-Uncle,” he said softly, “I want to have my name inscribed on the golden roll.”
So being ranked within the second tier would suffice.
Cheng Shao was somewhat disappointed.
In his view, Cheng Xu could completely achieve the “Triple Crown”—passing first in all three levels of examinations—and become the Cheng family’s first top-ranked scholar.
He gently set aside the essays Cheng Xu had written from memory.
Cheng Xu’s gaze dimmed.
Cheng Jing, however, jumped up anxiously and said, “What do you mean by that? What do you mean ‘I want to have my name inscribed on the golden roll’? Has our family deprived you of food or clothing? If this examination doesn’t work out, you can take the next one!” He suddenly thought of his wife’s recent restlessness and quickly asked, “Did your mother say something to you? How could you be so confused? Having your name inscribed on the golden roll is certainly good, but there are plenty of successful provincial graduates who fail the imperial examination. I didn’t have you participate in the spring examination directly precisely because I was afraid you’d feel pressured bearing the title of top provincial graduate. I never imagined you would still choose the middle path…”
He couldn’t hide his disappointment.
Cheng Xu kept his head lowered and said nothing.
Sometimes when he thought about it, he felt there was good reason why his father and mother had such strong feelings for each other.
They both wanted him to achieve the Triple Crown.
But was the Triple Crown so easy to achieve?
One misstep and he might be swept into the third tier, becoming merely a “presented scholar.”
This was something he absolutely could not tolerate.
He thought of Cheng Chi’s words.
Perhaps that was ultimately why he chose to aim for just ranking in the second tier.
Hearing Cheng Jing’s words, Cheng Shao couldn’t help but frown deeply and said, “How have you become so impatient? There are countless scholars in the world. If Jiashan can have his name inscribed on the golden roll, he’s already extremely fortunate. Throughout history, how many people of exceptional talent never managed to pass the imperial examination in their entire lives? Moreover, he’s already grown and has his own thoughts and plans. If he doesn’t want to spend his life researching scholarship in the Hanlin Academy, having his name on the golden roll is sufficient. I think your essays will be fine. You should prepare for the imperial bachelor examination instead!”
Cheng Jing felt ashamed. He wanted to say something more, but Cheng Shao had already said, “Jiashan is also tired. You should take him home to rest properly. The examination papers have been submitted—what’s done is done. Don’t ask any more questions. Just wait for the results to be announced. If he passes, happily prepare for the palace examination. If he doesn’t pass, it’s not a big deal—he can take the next examination. He’s still young and has plenty of opportunities. You’re the one who needs to keep your composure. Our Cheng family wasn’t born with the ability to pass the imperial examination without effort. Take someone like Fourth Brother—didn’t he also work hard for several years?”
“Uncle’s admonishment is correct!” Cheng Jing bowed to Cheng Shao, his face flushed bright red.
Hearing this, Cheng Xu looked at Cheng Shao, his lips moving slightly, but ultimately said nothing. He bowed to Cheng Shao and withdrew.
Cheng Shao shook his head repeatedly.
Aunt Chang brought in tea and, seeing that Cheng Jing and Cheng Xu had already left, couldn’t help but be startled.
Cheng Shao said dismissively, “Don’t mind them. Acting like children, believing every rumor they hear, not as composed as Fourth Brother.”
Hearing this, Aunt Chang smiled with pursed lips, her bearing dignified and graceful as she quietly prepared tea for Cheng Shao.
Cheng Shao accepted the teacup but began to hesitate.
Aunt Chang looked at him uncomprehendingly, quietly waiting for him to speak.
Cheng Shao’s expression suddenly became somewhat unnatural. After a long while, he said in a low voice, “I can’t just let you follow me like this. I’ve thought it over—if you don’t mind me, tomorrow I’ll go to my elder sister-in-law’s place and have her make the arrangements… to marry you into the family.”
Not to take her as a concubine, but to marry her…
Aunt Chang’s eyes suddenly stung and ached, her vision blurring.
She murmured, “I… my family are just merchants… and I don’t have many relatives…”
Cheng Shao said, “I’m also alone… as long as you don’t mind that I’m all by myself…”
“No, no,” Aunt Chang’s tears fell continuously. “You were the second-ranked scholar in your year…”
Cheng Shao laughed and said, “Now I’m just a decrepit old man!”
“No, no,” Aunt Chang could no longer speak.
Cheng Shao consulted with her: “Then shall I go to Chaoyang Gate tomorrow?”
“Yes!” Aunt Chang said softly, covering her mouth to prevent herself from crying out loud. She turned and quickly left the main room’s inner chamber, returning to the east side room where she had been resting these days. From the top shelf of the bookcase, she took down an inconspicuous black box containing some banknotes and loose silver.
From the very bottom of the box, she took out a piece of paper.
The paper was neatly folded to the size of a banknote, somewhat yellowed. When unfolded, it was half a sheet of torn rice paper with the words “Difficulty and ease complement each other, length and shortness define each other” written on it.
The ink was full and rich, the handwriting elegant and upright.
She had treasured it for fourteen years.
She still remembered that day when she had been on duty. The Emperor was displeased for some reason and summoned Cheng Shao to the palace to talk. As they talked, the Emperor lost his temper. All of them were so frightened they trembled. Cheng Shao then wrote a few characters for the Emperor.
The Emperor looked at them and flew into a rage, tearing the paper.
Afterward, his mood inexplicably improved, and he even had them bring in a chess board to play with Cheng Shao.
From that time on, she remembered Cheng Shao as a person and remembered these characters.
Every time he entered the palace, as long as she was on duty, she would prepare tea to his taste and replace the incense sticks with the sandalwood ink he preferred. Occasionally, she would remind him when the Emperor lost his temper.
When his son passed away, she was even more heartbroken than he was.
She thought she would spend the rest of her life just watching over him from afar. She never imagined that one day, because she was the oldest and most taciturn, the Emperor would bestow her upon Cheng Shao.
Being bestowed upon Cheng Shao was one thing. She thought that as long as she could still work and Cheng Shao didn’t mind her age, she would serve him well for a few years. She never imagined Cheng Shao would marry her.
Could this be heaven’s will?!
Miss Chang buried her face in the bedding and cried silently.
When Old Madam Guo learned of Cheng Shao’s intention, she was quite pleased and said, “Aunt Chang has served the Emperor, after all. Her propriety should be excellent. If you think it’s suitable, I’ll have Fourth Brother go to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to select an auspicious date and help you arrange the wedding.”
However, when the Emperor learned of it, he looked at Cheng Shao in surprise for a long time without speaking. When he finally recovered, he immediately said, “You’re not marrying her just because I bestowed her upon you, are you? If you don’t have anyone at your side, I can help arrange a match for you. Why must you compromise yourself by marrying a palace maid?” As he spoke, he thought of the Empress Dowager’s maternal relatives who had recently come to the palace to visit. “I remember the Earl of Pengcheng has a fine daughter. Shall I ask about her for you? Or I could find someone among the ministers’ families? How could you marry Chang Yu’e?”
Cheng Shao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and said, “At my age, would you have me marry a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl? I think Chang Shi is good, and she’s someone from your household. She’ll do just fine!”
The Emperor was displeased and said, “What’s wrong with marrying a fifteen or sixteen-year-old? Chang Yu’e is so old, she certainly can’t bear children. If you’re unwilling to remarry, so be it. But since you’re remarrying, you should at least have a child or two. You don’t need to worry about saving my face. I only had her go to attend to you. If you find her difficult to accommodate, just send her back. I’ll release her from the palace and have her accompany those dowager consorts at Huangjue Temple.”
Wouldn’t that harm Chang Shi again?
Cheng Shao pleaded, “Don’t I have a grandson already? Besides, at my age, I just want some peace and quiet. Chang Shi is known in your palace as exceptionally gentle and kind—that’s enough for me.”
The Emperor thought it over and over but felt a thorn in his heart. “How about I arrange an imperial marriage for you?”
Cheng Shao truly didn’t know what to say. He could only respond, “I’ve discussed it with my sister-in-law. We’ll just have a family meal. There’s no need for so much ceremony.”
The Emperor thought of Cheng Shao’s low-key, reserved nature and conceded, “Then have the Empress bestow some gifts upon Chang Shi, and let the Imperial Grand Prince come drink a celebratory toast.”
Cheng Shao couldn’t refuse further and thanked him for the favor. The Emperor still asked him, “Don’t you want to reconsider?” Cheng Shao quickly rose to take his leave.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin was writing out a list of items for Cheng Shao’s wedding while saying to Old Madam Guo, who sat on the opposite bed platform playing with Yun Ge’er, “I feel there’s something inappropriate about this! Although Aunt Chang is older, this is still her first time as a bride. Just inviting the family for a meal makes it seem like taking a concubine—Aunt Chang will surely feel regret. Second Uncle either shouldn’t marry her at all, but since he’s decided to marry her, the proper rituals should be fully observed.”
Old Madam Guo was startled, then smiled and asked, “Then what do you think we should do?”
“I imagine Second Uncle is certainly afraid of too much commotion,” Zhou Shaojin said with a smile. “Why not follow the ancient rites after all, just without making a big fuss with guests?”
Old Madam Guo pondered for a moment, then said, “Let me go discuss it with your Second Uncle.”
Cheng Shao was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. He asked Old Madam Guo, “Zichuan’s wife’s words… do they make sense?”
“I think they make sense,” Old Madam Guo said. “Although some things are done for others to see, if we don’t do them, we’ll inevitably seem eccentric and make people think it incomprehensible.”
Cheng Shao was quite straightforward and said, “Then I’ll entrust this matter to you.”
Old Madam Guo had Zhou Shaojin ask Aunt Chang whether she had a maternal family to return to. Though the Six Rites would be somewhat rushed, they would follow proper protocol.
Aunt Chang’s eyes brimmed with tears as she said, “I’m from Yongding. I haven’t been back in many years and don’t know if anyone from my family is still there.”
Zhou Shaojin had Cheng Chi investigate.
When Lady Pengcheng learned of this, she waved her hand magnanimously and said, “Even if we find them, so what? It’s so far away—you can’t possibly go to Yongding to deliver betrothal gifts. I think we should do this: I’ll take Aunt Chang as my goddaughter. When the time comes, she can marry from our mansion, and her maternal family can come to witness the ceremony.”
This way, she would also establish a connection with the Cheng family.
Lady Pengcheng laughed heartily.