A month later, Changbai returned home with a pallid face and unsteady feet. After paying his respects to Grandmother, his parents, Sheng Hong made no reproach or lecture this time — he had sat for the examinations himself in his day, and knew that the Provincial Examination bore no resemblance to the earlier County, Prefectural, and Qualifying Examinations. It truly stripped a man of a whole layer of skin.
The Provincial Examination was held in the provincial capital of Jinan, and the results were posted within a few days of its conclusion, so the good news had already reached Dengzhou well before Changbai returned home. Changbai had placed in the top dozen or so — an excellent result. Not wishing to appear a person who had never seen the world, Sheng Hong did not make a great fuss and simply hosted a modest Qionglin feast at home, inviting a few colleagues, friends, and Master Zhuang to celebrate at a few tables.
At the feast, as Sheng Hong listened to the guests heap praises, he felt immensely pleased with himself. He glanced to his left at the prefect and thought of his ne’er-do-well son — fond of cockfighting and dog racing. He glanced to his right at the assistant prefect and thought of his debauched wastrel of a son — chasing flowers and pleasure houses. His heart felt wonderfully at ease. In the inner quarters, the ladies’ banquet was equally grand for Wang Shi — the other officials’ wives poured out flattering words, and those with eligible daughters of their own hinted broadly at the possibility of a marriage alliance. Wang Shi played foolish and feigned ignorance throughout, but that evening told Sheng Hong about it, her pride and elation overflowing — like a farmwoman who had toiled for years and was at last seeing her great prize cabbage admired by all: It’s all thanks to the good soil.
Sheng Hong, however, gave a firm refusal: “Don’t be hasty. Changbai is our eldest — his marriage must be handled with care and deliberation. There’s no urgency to betroth him now. Let us wait until next spring after the Metropolitan Examination. If his name appears on the Board of Successful Candidates, then we find him a match with an excellent reputation and family standing — that would be the proper course.”
Wang Shi hesitated: “And if he does not pass? Surely we cannot wait until he has become Number One Scholar before allowing him to marry — we mustn’t delay Changbai’s age.”
Sheng Hong said: “We only wait until next year, no longer. If he does not pass, I won’t insist on waiting past that. We must think of Changbai’s future — I myself have no hope of entering the Grand Secretariat or the central court; at best I will finish with a decent position in a ministry and retire with honor. For Changbai to advance in the court, even with the patronage of a teacher and fellow graduates, nothing would serve better than a powerful and well-connected father-in-law. And those distinguished scholarly families — when choosing a son-in-law, they will at minimum require a metropolitan examination graduate.”
These words had in fact been said to Sheng Hong by Grandmother Sheng herself twenty years ago. At that time he had just passed the provincial examination and suitors had come calling, but Grandmother Sheng had turned them all away, citing that Sheng Hong’s father had died early, the Sheng family had made its fortune in commerce, and apart from a few old associates who remembered past kindness, there was no one in the court to sponsor him. So she had waited until the following year, when Sheng Hong passed the Metropolitan Examination with a high ranking, before arranging the marriage to the second daughter of the Wang family. Afterward, though Sheng Hong’s rise had depended on his own hard work, the Wang family’s backing had been of no small benefit.
Looking back now, Sheng Hong’s career had gone smoothly, never pressured or bullied by superiors, and he had maintained a dignified presence throughout the officialdom — who could say how much of that was not owing to the favor of his teacher Elder Yang and the Wang family’s connections? Grandmother Sheng had truly possessed remarkable foresight.
Qi Heng had placed somewhere in the middle of the provincial list. For the noble sons of aristocratic households like the Qi family, however, Qi Heng was something of an oddity. Going back to the generation of the founding duke, fewer than forty sons of titled families in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty had passed the imperial examinations. Though many of them held official positions, most had obtained their posts through inherited privilege or purchased offices, and always felt a certain lack of standing before colleagues who had come up through the legitimate examination path. When Qi Heng now sat and passed the provincial examination, Qi’s father and the Princess of Pingning were overjoyed, and immediately sent word to the Qi Ducal House in the capital and the Marquis of Xiangyang’s household. For a time, Qi Heng became one of the outstanding representatives of scholarly achievement among the royal and noble descendants across the entire country.
Compared to the Sheng family, which had hosted merely a few tables of banquet, the Qi family set up an open flowing feast that covered half the city. The firecrackers alone at the front gate were worth several taels of silver, and they sent out baskets upon baskets of white flour steamed buns distributed to the poor. The next day, Qi’s father and the Princess of Pingning brought their freshly minted provincial examination graduate, Qi Heng, to call upon the Sheng household and strengthen their ties.
Minglan had just risen early that morning and was sitting at her dressing table mid-yawn, when she heard that the young ladies were also expected to go and greet Qi’s father and his wife. She immediately had Danju undo the hair she had just arranged in a reverse-folded drooping coil, and redressed it into a drooping coil with twin loops, then added a pair of small tasseled hairpins of gold-spun filigree set with carnelian flowers. She changed into a pale rose-red brocade jacket embroidered with soft yellow sprays of magnolia branches across the lapel, waist, and back, with a plain moon-white fine-pleated long skirt, and on her chest the same gleaming gold collar and jade lock as ever. Once dressed, she presented herself before Grandmother Sheng, who felt the outfit was too plain. Grandmother called for a pair of pink hibiscus jade bracelets in gold wire settings to put on Minglan — but Minglan’s wrists were too small, and they would not fit properly. Grandmother sighed and exchanged them for two pairs of twisted red-gold shrimp-feeler bracelets set with southern pearls.
Minglan lifted her arm to look. On her smooth round white arms hung two jingling bracelets on each side — four in total — and she felt the weight immediately.
Qi’s father did not have Sheng Hong’s scholarly, distinguished bearing, but in its place carried an air of noble stateliness, and appeared easier to talk to than the Princess. He spoke with each of the Sheng household’s children in turn, then had the Princess distribute a weighty brocade pouch to each. Grandmother Sheng received her courtesy gifts and then retired to rest, leaving the two couples and the children to continue the conversation. As the Qi and Wang families shared some distant roundabout kinship, they were considered something like cousins, so there was no great need for strict avoidance of propriety.
“…We owe all of this to Master Zhuang’s diligent instruction — it is entirely thanks to his efforts that my son has achieved this today. I had hoped to express my deep gratitude in person, but the master recently asked for leave to visit relatives and friends, so I shall have to wait and call on him another time.” Qi’s father stroked the short beard beneath his chin, looking quite cheerful.
Sheng Hong smiled: “During that stretch, Master Zhuang taught the two of them every single day without a single day’s rest — he truly exhausted himself. The day they set off for Jinan, the master immediately took to his bed once they had gone. When he recovered, he said he had to take the chance to go and travel about while they were still away taking the exams — otherwise once lessons resumed, he would have no chance at all. When the master returns, let us arrange a table and toast him properly.”
Qi’s father struck his hands together in enthusiastic agreement, then sighed: “Master Zhuang truly possesses the ardent, rigorous spirit of the ancient sages in his love of teaching!”
The Princess smiled: “…That Master Sheng could invite Master Zhuang all the way to Dengzhou truly benefited our Heng’er greatly. During this period, Heng’er has imposed upon this household extensively — causing so much trouble and effort for everyone. I feel quite guilty about it, and was afraid of disrupting the young masters’ own studies.”
Wang Shi also smiled and replied: “Having the young masters study together is actually better than studying alone. Heng’er is such a well-mannered and considerate child — there was no imposition at all. Your Highness need have no concern.”
The Princess adjusted the pearl hairpin at her temple, cast a glance at Changbai, and her eyes held a look of considerable satisfaction: “That is so. Your eldest son had Heng’er studying alongside him — that was certainly advantageous.” Her words were most courteous, but her expression could not quite conceal a note of condescension, as though Qi Heng attending the Sheng household school was in fact a favor bestowed upon them. Wang Shi lowered her gaze and said nothing.
And here was where Sheng Hong’s talent showed itself. It was the first time Minglan had witnessed her father’s conduct before a social superior, and she watched with admiration. He was neither servile nor arrogant, adroit in manner, his words appropriate and respectful of taboo. He said with a clear, assured voice: “Ultimately, scholarship depends most on one’s own diligence. When has any poor scholar of humble origin been given such comforts and privileges? Grand Councilor Liu and Grand Councilor Li from the founding era, Elder Yang from the reign of the previous emperor — men of sweeping vision and consummate strategy, of extraordinary ability — and each of them was a son of poverty and hardship. That commands true admiration!”
The founding Grand Councilor Liu was in fact Qi’s father’s maternal grandfather, and Qi’s father had always revered this ancestor most highly. Upon hearing this, his expression brightened greatly, and he said with enthusiasm: “Precisely! Though our families happen to be better circumstanced, you young men must not be complacent and bring shame upon your ancestors.”
These words were addressed to the young men. The Sheng boys and Qi Heng all rose and bowed their heads in acknowledgment. Qi’s father, seeing that Sheng Hong’s sons were all fine-looking and clear-featured, could not help but remark: “Brother Sheng is truly blessed — all three sons are personable and outstanding.” He then looked at the young ladies: “Sons and daughters alike in abundance — that is the good fortune of the whole household.”
The Princess’s expression became momentarily a touch uncomfortable, though this flicker of displeasure passed in an instant. Seeing the Princess’s slight discomfiture, Wang Shi, who understood the reason well, quickly smiled and said: “Though abundance is said to bring blessings, we are not like peasant farmers, urgently needing male labor for the fields and inheritance disputes. As I see it, when it comes to children, good ones need not be many — one who is capable is enough; too many incapable ones only multiply one’s headaches.”
The Princess’s brows and eyes relaxed, and she smiled: “Well spoken.”
As she spoke, she casually drew Rulan to her side, looked her over carefully, and praised her repeatedly — how dignified and gracious, how charming, how wonderful she was, and so on — then removed the jade bracelet from her own wrist and slipped it onto Rulan’s arm. Rulan flushed scarlet with pleasure, her expression betraying a look of quiet triumph, and she deliberately cast a sidelong glance at Molan and Minglan, her eyes carrying a hint of showing off. Molan’s face went pale — since entering the room, she had only spoken when receiving the gifts; after that she had had no opportunity to open her mouth. She clutched her handkerchief tight in her pale, fine fingers. Minglan was busy examining the brocade pouch, pressing it between her fingers to guess what was inside, and did not notice Rulan’s pointed look at all.
While the Princess and Wang Shi chatted with Rulan over on their side, Sheng Hong and Qi’s father were on the other side quizzing and testing the four young men. Qi’s father had himself been an ambitious young man in his youth, but unfortunately had received his hereditary ennoblement before he could sit for the examinations. Although he later rose to a significant official position, in the presence of colleagues who had come through the legitimate examination path, he always felt a slight lack of conviction — so he was particularly admiring of capable and scholarly young men. After asking a few questions, he found that Changfeng spoke with fluency and eloquence, quoting at will; while Changbai was sparing of words, his manner reflecting a deep and unassuming quality. Qi’s father could not help but remark to Sheng Hong: “Your eldest son has the very bearing of the late Elder Wang of the Wang family.”
The Elder Wang he referred to was Wang Shi’s late father — Changbai’s maternal grandfather.
This Elder Wang had been, in his day, one of the handful of able ministers who managed to end their careers with dignity and honor. He had weathered successive reigns, low-key and steady, neither elated in glory nor shaken in disgrace, and no matter which emperor he served — even those who had begun with reservations — they had invariably come to admire and rely on him. He was truly a figure of remarkable generation. Regrettably, the various Wang uncles were not particularly outstanding in ability, but riding on their ancestor’s merit and the emperor’s remembrance, they maintained stable positions in the court — something Sheng Hong greatly envied.
In truth, Changbai closely resembled Sheng Hong in appearance, but his temperament had taken a curious turn, as though it had absorbed one quarter of the genes of his maternal grandfather. Sheng Hong was not particularly fond of Wang Shi, but was quite satisfied with the fine hereditary qualities she had brought. Still, when he faced his second son Changfeng — whose form and spirit so resembled his own — his feelings were inevitably complicated. Sheng Hong said: “If he truly takes after my honored father-in-law, that would be wonderful — but I fear it is only an imperfect likeness.” No matter how pleased a father might be, his mouth rarely produces any ivory.
Sheng Hong and Qi’s father fell to reminiscing about the appearance and manner of Elder Wang with Changbai. Wang Shi and the Princess kept Rulan engaged in conversation, with Wang Shi unable to refrain from talking shop and praising her own daughter at every turn. When Wang Shi reached Rulan’s needlework in her list of praises, the Princess’s eyes flickered. She glanced at the small, adorable little Minglan sitting nearby, and something stirred in her mind. She suddenly said: “I was just about to mention this — I must thank your sixth young miss.”
Wang Shi was briefly taken aback. The Princess smiled and beckoned Qi Heng over. Qi Heng saw Minglan sitting to one side — the little girl wearing an expression of complete bewilderment — and found it quite amusing. He then carefully explained the circumstances.
After Grandmother Sheng had instructed Minglan to make some useful items for Changbai’s examination, Minglan had immediately set about executing the task. She had inquired that no items with a lining were permitted inside the examination grounds, yet also knew the autumn would be deep and cold. So she retrieved a large piece of thick fleece from the storage room, carefully cut it up, and fashioned it into a pair of leg warmers — stretching from the tips of the toes all the way up to the thighs, like long stockings. Quite by chance, Qi Heng had seen them on one of his visits for lunch and found them interesting, and asked for a pair for himself. In exchange for a rare out-of-print copy of the Illustrated Compendium of Mirrored Embroidery Patterns, Minglan had reluctantly agreed.
“The first two days after arriving in Jinan were all right, but the day before the examination, the weather suddenly turned cold and overcast. Sitting in that stone-floored examination cell, a chill crept up from the ground underfoot. Fortunately, I had Sixth Sister’s leg warmers — not the slightest bit of cold reached me.” Changbai had also come over and stood beside Wang Shi, speaking warmly.
The Princess smiled: “Heng’er, you must thank Sixth Young Miss. At such a young age she is already this thoughtful and clever — truly a rare quality.”
Qi Heng raised an eyebrow and said: “Thank her I shall, but there is also an account to settle.”
“What account?” Rulan looked toward Minglan in startled uncertainty.
Qi Heng walked over to stand before Minglan and said with a tone of mock grievance: “What did you embroider on my leg warmers?”
Minglan spread her small hands open, the picture of innocence: “Nothing at all! The examination grounds forbid characters, so I just embroidered a little marker on the leg warmers so they wouldn’t get lost.”
Qi Heng laughed, showing a row of fine white teeth: “I knew you’d deny it, you little rascal!” He then turned and gave a few quiet instructions to a maidservant. Turning back, he continued: “On Brother Zecheng’s leg warmers, she embroidered a small, vigorous pine and cypress on each side — sturdy and dignified. But on mine, she embroidered…” he gave a low chuckle.
At that moment the maidservant returned. Qi Heng accepted from her hands a soft, fluffy bundle and held it up before everyone. It was a neatly folded piece of fleece, upon which glinted a small embroidered design. Everyone leaned in to look — there, embroidered neatly and precisely, was a tiny round golden ingot, plump and rotund, with a comically endearing, chubby expression.
Wang Shi burst out laughing: “What is the meaning of this?”
The Princess understood at once: “Ah — Heng’er’s courtesy name is Yuanruo, and Yuan of ‘yuan bao’ — gold ingot — is the same Yuan character. So you embroidered this?”
Minglan nodded with a red face, shrinking little by little behind Changbai’s back. Changbai, proving quite loyal, stepped forward to shield her.
Everyone looked from the elegant and refined Qi Heng to the fat, round-headed little gold ingot — and all burst into laughter. Even Rulan and Molan covered their faces with handkerchiefs, giggling, and little Changdong cupped his small mouth, laughing in high peals.
Qi Heng deliberately reached out and pinched Minglan’s small ear: “Even if I don’t quite measure up to your elder brother, surely I’m not as round as a gold ingot! You little girl — you show favoritism without any shame at all! See if I ever bring you anything nice again!”
Minglan had her ear pinched in front of everyone, and her round little face burned deep red with mortification. She yanked Qi Heng’s hand away with all her might and argued passionately: “The ‘yuan’ in your courtesy name and the ‘yuan’ in yuan bao — gold ingot — are the same character! And that gold ingot is so big and so plump — I used up a great deal of gold thread on it! If you don’t like the gold ingot, then next time I’ll embroider a tangyuan — rice dumpling!”
The room nearly collapsed in laughter. Qi’s father and Sheng Hong, who had heard from across the room, with Sheng Hong pointing at Minglan through his laughter: “You little rascal — you yourself are almost as plump as a tangyuan!”
Minglan covered her sore ear with one hand and put on her most guileless, oblivious expression, all while stealing a sidelong glance at Wang Shi. Seeing that Wang Shi appeared not at all displeased, she felt somewhat reassured. She then looked at Rulan and Molan — and noticed their expressions were slightly stiff.
Her heart sank quietly. She understood full well: her days of playing the naive, unknowing child were growing fewer.