The crisp and cool August was a gloomy month for most in the East Peace Marquis’s mansion, especially for Lord Jiang the Second and his wife.
It was depressing enough that their son had lost his almost-certain provincial graduate title, but their attempt to boost his reputation had backfired spectacularly when the new top graduate mercilessly slapped them in the face, leaving them thoroughly humiliated.
For the first time, Madam Xiao voiced a slight complaint to Lord Jiang the Second: “If only we hadn’t circulated Cang’er’s answers, he wouldn’t have been thrust into the spotlight…”
“What do you understand? This was unexpected!” Lord Jiang the Second, already seething, grew even more irritated at Madam Xiao’s words.
He saw nothing wrong with seizing the opportunity to promote his son’s name. It was just that their luck had been abysmal, extremely so.
Who could have anticipated that someone at the Deer-Crying Banquet would be foolish enough to use Cang’er to belittle the new top graduate? And who could have foreseen that the new top graduate wouldn’t tolerate even a single sour comment, immediately writing out his answer to throw in the face of his challenger, and by extension, slapping the East Peace Marquis’s household?
As Lord Jiang the Second pondered these matters, his face darkened like the bottom of a pot. To make matters worse, Emperor Jingming’s recent subtle favoritism towards Zhen Shicheng meant he could only swallow this humiliation in silence.
In terms of official rank, he was inferior; in terms of imperial favor, he fell short. What could he do but endure? Pick a fight?
Moreover, there was no one to blame for this situation. The more it was discussed, the more of a laughingstock they would become. Now, he just hoped the matter would quickly fade from public attention.
Madam Xiao’s face was clouded with worry: “My lord, what if Cang’er learns of the situation outside?”
Although Jiang Cang had physically recovered, he was deeply demoralized. These days, he was gloomy and rarely left his courtyard. Thus, he was unaware of the rumors about his potential to top the examinations, nor of the subsequent humiliation by the new top graduate.
Madam Xiao dreaded to imagine how her son would react upon learning of these events.
She couldn’t help but blame Lord Jiang the Second again for meddling, but seeing his grim expression, she dared not bring it up.
“We’ll tell Cang’er after some time has passed,” Lord Jiang the Second said, sighing as he thought of his eldest son.
He had been destined to make a name for himself in this provincial examination, standing out from the crowd. Yet, due to sheer bad luck, things had turned out like this.
Recalling how many relatives, friends, and even colleagues had congratulated him in advance of the autumn examination, Lord Jiang the Second felt the urge to bury his face in shame.
Madam Xiao’s face was even more swollen with shame than her husband’s. Just days ago, she had privately scorned Jiang Zhan as hopeless, but now Jiang Zhan had joined the Jinwu Guard, while her eldest son, in whom she had placed such high hopes, had withdrawn from the examination.
“My lord, perhaps I should go to Baiyun Temple to offer incense one of these days. I feel we’ve had such bad luck lately.”
Baiyun Temple was one of the capital’s famous temples, located just outside the city and bustling with worshippers.
Lord Jiang the Second was a scholar and didn’t put much faith in gods and Buddhas, but in many cases, it was better to believe than not. He wouldn’t stop Madam Xiao from offering incense and praying, so he said, “Go ahead, and donate some extra money for oil and incense.”
As the couple discussed their worries in muted tones, a maid came to report: “My lord, my lady, the elder lord has sent word that he’s received a visiting card from the Zhen family.”
“The Zhen family?” Madam Xiao was startled and looked at Lord Jiang the Second.
Lord Jiang the Second quickly reacted and asked the maid, “Is it from the Prefect of Shuntian, Zhen?”
The maid replied, “The elder lord didn’t specify. He just said that Lord Zhen wants to bring his son for a visit and asked if you’ll be available then.”
“I see.” Lord Jiang the Second waved his hand, dismissing the maid.
“My lord, what does it mean for Zhen Shicheng to bring his son to our home?” Madam Xiao asked.
Recalling the cold reception he had received at Zhen Shicheng’s place last time, and now this deliberate notification of their visit, Lord Jiang the Second quickly surmised: “Perhaps it’s about the incident at the Deer-Crying Banquet.”
Madam Xiao’s expression suddenly changed, and she angrily said, “Could it be that they’re coming to our home to pursue the matter further?”
Lord Jiang the Second glared at Madam Xiao: “What do you mean by pursuing the matter? Do you think a dignified third-rank official has as much idle time as you women?”
“But you don’t have much contact with him, my lord. Why would he bring his son to visit at this time?”
Lord Jiang the Second had a sudden thought.
This could be a good opportunity to improve relations with Zhen Shicheng. As for his son being humiliated by Zhen’s son, it was ultimately just a matter between the younger generation. How could it compare to the importance of official connections?
“Prepare my formal attire for receiving guests,” Lord Jiang the Second said, beginning to look forward to the arrival of Zhen Shicheng and his son.
Soon after Zhen Shicheng sent his visiting card, he received a reply. He promptly brought Zhen Heng to the East Peace Marquis’s mansion.
Walking once again on the bluestone path of the East Peace Marquis’s residence, Zhen Heng felt somewhat excited.
Would he be able to see her?
However, in such a formal setting, even as the brilliant top graduate, he could only pin his hopes of seeing his sweetheart on his father.
Yet Zhen Shicheng seemed completely oblivious to Zhen Heng’s anxiety, not even sparing him a glance.
The young man’s heart grew even more restless.
He had been careless. In his excitement earlier, he had forgotten to ask his father how he might be able to see the young lady.
As Zhen Heng listened to Zhen Shicheng exchange pleasantries with the Jiang brothers, his mind wandered until the topic turned to him.
“Brother Jiang, Young Master Jiang, this is my unworthy son. I’ve brought him here today to apologize. The little beast was reckless in his youth, speaking nonsense after drinking a bit, causing trouble for your esteemed household…”
Lord Jiang the Second quickly interjected: “Lord Zhen, your words make me ashamed. My unworthy son simply cannot compare to your esteemed son. Who would have thought outsiders would spread such baseless rumors?”
Zhen Shicheng shot a glance at Zhen Heng.
Zhen Heng hurriedly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Lord Jiang the Second: “This youngster was inconsiderate. Please forgive me.”
Lord Jiang the Second hastily helped Zhen Heng up: “The top graduate is truly talented, surpassing even his accomplished father.”
In Lord Jiang the Second’s mind, praising a son for surpassing his father was always appropriate, as people valued lineage and inheritance.
Hearing this, Zhen Shicheng silently rolled his eyes.
As someone who valued rigorous investigation in his work, he disliked exaggeration the most.
What did he mean by surpassing his father? When he was studying, he couldn’t even afford to light an oil lamp at night. He had climbed the official ladder alone to reach his current position. His son had started with much better conditions than he had; if he hadn’t performed well in the examinations, he should have been beaten to death.
Unaware that his flattery had missed the mark, Lord Jiang the Second continued to praise Zhen Heng lavishly.
Zhen Heng was very modest: “You flatter me, sir. I still have many shortcomings. Today, I’ve come with my father to apologize to Young Master Jiang. Would it be convenient to see him?”
“Ah, my unworthy son fell ill on the day of the examination and is still recovering. Top Graduate Zhen has done nothing wrong, my son. There’s no need to dwell on such a small matter,” Lord Jiang the Second politely declined.
Normally, Lord Jiang the Second would have been delighted for his eldest son to associate with peers like Zhen Heng, but now he could only refuse.
There was no help for it. His eldest son had already suffered a heavy blow; if seeing the new top graduate further demoralized him, it would be counterproductive.
Zhen Heng bowed to Lord Jiang the Second again: “Then I’ll trouble you to convey my apologies to him.”
Nearby, Jiang Ancheng discreetly observed Zhen Heng, thinking to himself: So this is the son that Brother Zhen had originally intended to match with his daughter. He seems quite impressive.