Second Madam Xiao checked and rechecked the examination basket, only feeling satisfied when she could recall the placement of every item with her eyes closed. She instructed the book boy: “Take good care of the First Young Master’s belongings. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be held responsible!”
Jiang Cang’s book boy was a clever one and replied cheerfully: “Second Madam, please put your mind at ease. First Young Master will surely return as a successful candidate.”
Madam Xiao smiled demurely: “There will certainly be a reward for you then.”
On the day Jiang Cang was to go to the examination compound, the entire household gathered to see him off while it was still dawn.
“Cang’er, don’t be nervous. Just perform as you usually do,” Second Master Jiang gently patted Jiang Cang’s shoulder.
“I understand, Father.”
Madam Xiao quickly added: “I’ve heard the examination cells are in terrible condition. Cang’er, you must take good care of yourself.”
Jiang Cang wore a composed smile: “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll take care of myself.”
Second Master Jiang grew impatient: “Enough talk, let Cang’er get to the examination compound quickly.”
Madam Xiao adjusted Jiang Cang’s collar one last time and said no more.
Jiang Cang bowed deeply to Old Madam Feng: “Grandmother, please return inside. Your grandson will head to the examination now.”
Old Madam Feng maintained her composure and nodded repeatedly: “Go on then. Remember your father’s advice – you’ll do fine.”
Jiang Cang bowed once more to Old Madam Feng and the others before boarding the carriage heading toward the examination compound.
The dark edge of the sky gradually transformed into a light orange as dawn broke – another fine day.
Old Madam Feng stood rooted to the spot, gazing long after Jiang Cang’s departure, her heart full of excitement.
Her eldest grandson was only nineteen this year. If he passed this examination successfully, he could participate in the spring imperial examinations next February. If he succeeded then, he would immediately catch the attention of the capital’s elite circles.
Everyone knew how brutal the imperial examinations were, and how sought-after young jinshi degree holders were. With such achievement, there would be no worry about her grandson’s future career or marriage prospects.
In this generation, her second son had a promising future, and in the grandson’s generation, the eldest grandson would soon rise. Perhaps losing the Earl title in the future wouldn’t be so frightening after all.
These thoughts seemed to rejuvenate Old Madam Feng’s aging heart, even smoothing out some of her wrinkles.
“Oh? Has Big Brother already left?” Jiang Zhan hurried over, rubbing his eyes.
Though Jiang Zhan and Jiang Cang weren’t particularly close in private, the imperial examinations were a momentous occasion that typically brought entire families together to see candidates off. Naturally, Jiang Zhan had remembered to wake up early to bid farewell.
However, since Yu Jin had notified him about reporting to the Jinwu Guard soon, he had been training daily to avoid appearing weak. Being young and fond of sleep, he had accidentally overslept.
Seeing Jiang Zhan, Old Madam Feng’s gentle smile disappeared, and she said displeasedly: “So you remembered to come!”
Jiang Zhan replied embarrassedly: “I didn’t expect Big Brother to leave so early.”
Old Madam Feng’s face darkened as she extended her hand, letting Ah Fu support her as she turned to leave.
She had completely given up hope on this grandson – even looking at him brought her distress.
Jiang Zhan blinked awkwardly.
He was in the wrong today, but his grandmother’s disdain was too obvious.
Madam Xiao passed by Jiang Zhan and said coolly: “Studying is indeed such hard work. Second Young Master should go back – it’s still early, you can get some more sleep.”
Second Master Jiang was certainly displeased with Jiang Zhan’s late arrival, but thinking of his son’s recent efforts, he swallowed his intended scolding and left with Third Master Jiang to attend to business.
Jiang Si, who had fallen behind, walked back alongside Jiang Zhan.
“Second Aunt seems increasingly passive-aggressive,” Jiang Zhan said quietly.
Jiang Si gazed at Madam Xiao’s retreating figure and smiled slightly: “Indeed. Everyone’s different. Some people become more composed after overcoming setbacks, while others forget their composure entirely when facing difficulties.”
Thinking of her previous life, Jiang Qian had never been despised by her grandmother for being “possessed by evil spirits,” nor had she returned home in disgrace after the Crown Prince of Changxing Marquis’s murder of women. Madam Xiao, in her triumphant state, had always maintained her sense of superiority before the First House’s members, naturally remaining gracious and magnanimous.
In this life, with many things changed, it was unsurprising that Madam Xiao struggled to maintain her hypocritical mask amid accumulated resentment.
“Then it seems Second Aunt’s ailment will be cured soon.”
Jiang Si didn’t understand his meaning.
Jiang Zhan smiled: “Big Brother will succeed in the examinations. When that happens, Second Aunt will be so elated, how could she still be passive-aggressive?”
“That’s not necessarily true,” Jiang Si said meaningfully.
Jiang Zhan thought she was referring to Madam Xiao and didn’t think deeply. He changed the subject: “Fourth Sister, Brother Yu Seven notified me that I can report tomorrow – I’ve already received my badge.”
With the badge in hand, Jiang Zhan’s position in the Jinwu Guard was confirmed, and his entire demeanor became more relaxed.
Jiang Si was genuinely happy for her brother: “Then congratulations, Second Brother.”
The next morning, Jiang Zhan left early and returned wearing a guard’s uniform of blue and black with gold embroidery, looking particularly handsome.
The gate guard almost didn’t recognize him: “Se-Second Young Master?”
“Uncle Wang doesn’t recognize me?” Jiang Zhan hadn’t even ridden a horse, walking back, yet he felt energetic and not tired at all.
So this was how wonderful it felt to be envied by others.
“Second Young Master, where did you borrow these clothes from? These look like Jinwu Guard uniforms?” Having guarded the Dongping Earl’s mansion for many years, the gate guard had developed an eye for such things.
Jiang Zhan nearly stumbled and fell.
What did he mean by borrowed clothes? How could a mere gate guard think so little of him?
Second Young Master Jiang steadied himself, straightened his back, and patted the sword at his waist: “What are you saying, Uncle Wang? How could I borrow someone else’s clothes? These are my own.”
After speaking, he walked in with his head held high, but the gate guard called out worriedly: “Second Young Master, I’ve heard that counterfeiting official uniforms can lead to imprisonment—”
Jiang Zhan’s steps faltered as he took a deep breath.
He was now a member of the Jinwu Guard – he couldn’t cause trouble by beating up the gate guard.
News of Jiang Zhan joining the Jinwu Guard quickly spread throughout the Earl’s mansion.
Old Madam Feng looked at her grandson, who appeared increasingly handsome and dignified in his well-fitted guard’s uniform, feeling particularly complex emotions.
She had thought this grandson would be worthless his entire life and would be grateful if he didn’t bring shame to the family. She never expected him to join the Jinwu Guard.
Second Master Jiang couldn’t help but look toward Jiang An Cheng: “Elder Brother, it must have taken considerable connections for Zhan’er to enter the Jinwu Guard?”
Getting into the Jinwu Guard usually required substantial expenses in finding connections, yet he hadn’t heard even a whisper about it – how strange.
Jiang An Cheng smiled: “I have no such connections. Zhan’er has many friends; he found his way in.”
Indeed, Young Yu was quite impressive. If Si’er approved of him, he would like to keep him as a son-in-law – better not reveal this to others.
Jiang Zhan had never felt so triumphant: “That’s right, Second Uncle. I got help from a friend, didn’t spend a single copper from the family.”
Madam Xiao looked uncomfortable at Jiang Zhan’s pride and smiled: “Who would have thought Second Young Master would become a Jinwu Guard? This is good too – the brothers can help each other, one in civil service and one in military service.”
What was so special about being a Jinwu Guard? Could it compare to the glory of being a successful examination candidate?