“God of Wealth, tell me—is there a chance this is just someone here to swindle a reward?”
Wu Ping gave up on arguing!
He set down his bowl, patted Xie Yan, his hand stiffened briefly on Lu Yang’s shoulder, then patted him too. “Come on, come on, everyone up! Early in the morning, someone comes with good news—what a wonderful thing! Why would anyone lie about it? Xie Yan, you go back to your room first, keep your composure. Wait for us to call you out! Uncle Lei, get the reward money and the firecrackers!”
Xie Yan responded with a dazed “Oh, oh,” holding his bowl awkwardly, stepping toward the door. Wu Ping grabbed him and guided him to the main hall.
Inside, Uncle Lei had already heard the commotion. He emerged, along with all the household attendants. Two young clerks had prepared the reward money and firecrackers in advance, ready for whoever brought the good news.
Wu Ping and Lu Yang opened the door together. Wu Ping said, “It’s strange—this is my house, and someone comes to bring news to Xie Yan, stealing my spotlight, yet I’m so happy I’m shaking! And he’s not even my son! Ah!”
He sighed deeply, his smile wrinkling his face with excitement.
Lu Yang said, “A good start! What a joyous occasion! First his, then yours—two scholars from one household! Your family is going to prosper!”
They babbled nonsense in delight, each holding one side of the door open, leaving the center clear.
Two messengers arrived. One carried a basket of firecrackers, a bronze gong, and a burning incense stick. The other wore a red sash around his waist and sleeves, holding a letter with the exam results, looking left and right. Seeing the red birthmark on Lu Yang’s forehead, he assumed Wu Ping was Xie Yan and hesitated, then looked at Wu Ping again.
Wu Ping reacted instantly, stepping aside to let him in and called out, “Xie Yan! Xie Yan! You passed! Come out!”
Xie Yan, trying to be modest, hid at first, then ran out laughing, his grin wide and unrestrained.
Wu Ping thought he looked helplessly adorable, and they exchanged a joyful glance, both grinning broadly.
He quickly reached for Lu Yang, pulling him over to Xie Yan. “You open the letter!”
Lu Yang laughed uncontrollably as well.
The messengers spoke auspicious words, their deep, booming voices somehow musical in the ears of those present. They congratulated Xie Yan for taking first place—this year’s Jieyuan!
“Jieyuan!”
Lu Yang echoed, jumping on the spot.
“Jieyuan! Ah Yan, you are destined to be first wherever you go!”
The messengers continued, “Scholar Xie has the talent of the God of Literature! Next year you shall surely succeed in the imperial exams and perhaps even take the top title!”
Lu Yang, overwhelmed with excitement, grabbed Xie Yan’s hand, exclaiming, “Reward money! Bring out the reward money!”
Wu Ping took a basket of copper coins from the clerks, handing each of them two strings—two taels of silver each.
With coins in hand, the gongs beat louder and eight firecrackers were set off outside the door—loud and festive!
The once-quiet little household now buzzed with celebration.
After handling the congratulations from neighbors, Lu Yang finally had a chance to open the letter. It contained only the year, hometown, Xie Yan’s name, and his rank. He read it repeatedly while Wu Ping instructed the household servants to congratulate Xie Yan.
Seeing him just standing there smiling, Lu Yang pushed the basket of coins to him to distribute. Xie Yan realized and handed out a string of copper coins to each, one hundred cash each.
The early-morning joy lifted their spirits; Wu Ping kept shouting “Scholar Xie!” repeatedly.
“This really sounds better than Scholar Xiu!” Lu Yang said happily. “Shall we still go to the tavern? What if more messengers arrive later?”
Wu Ping nodded. “We already made the plans. Xie Yan passing the exams is perfect—let’s celebrate with wine.”
If any messengers arrived later, Wu Ping said, “If I miss them, you two just act it out outside. Let this year’s Jieyuan bring the good news—good face for the household!”
After a few more instructions to Uncle Lei, the three of them headed toward a tavern near the local administration office.
Nearby streets were crowded; they slipped in through a back entrance. Sheng Daxian and Ji Mingzhu were already waiting inside, having arrived early.
They immediately congratulated Xie Yan. Even outside, the name of the Jieyuan was still being announced; the moment they arrived, the news reached their ears.
Xie Yan kept his mouth pursed, hiding his smile for a moment, then laughed—completely unrestrained.
After Ji Mingzhu congratulated him, he headed downstairs.
“I need to see the results myself—and find that wretched dog!”
So many people, yet he had squeezed through the crowd. He left home without any accessories, entrusted his money pouch to Sheng Daxian, and brought his clerk with him to the center of the crowd where results were posted.
Waiters brought tea and took orders; it was a day of celebration, and Lu Yang insisted they order freely.
While waiting for the food, they watched from the window. Below, the crowd surged, shouting, nearly deafening them.
Their attention followed Ji Mingzhu as he pushed forward to the front, scanning the lists. From his stubborn refusal to look back, they knew he hadn’t seen his name yet.
Half an hour later, Ji Mingzhu turned, waved, shouting names that could barely be heard.
“Sheng Daxian, twenty-seventh place!”
“Wu Pingzhi, thirty-fourth place!”
Xie Yan let go of Lu Yang’s hand, raised both arms, and shouted in order: “Scholar Sheng! Scholar Wu!”
In the crowd below, Ji Mingzhu shouted loudly:
“I passed! I passed! I am a scholar! I passed!”
The people upstairs didn’t know his exact rank. Based on Wu Ping’s placement, he was likely near the bottom.
He was overjoyed, nearly delirious. Sheng Daxian, unable to sit still upstairs, hurried down to hold him back, with Wu Ping summoning the clerk as well. Xie Yan stayed upstairs with Lu Yang.
They managed to get Ji Mingzhu back to the tavern room; he was still smiling, but his emotions were more controlled.
This feast was a celebration of scholarly success.
The five raised their glasses together, letting Xie Yan, ranked first, speak first.
“You all worked hard. Passing as scholars is your due. Since we’re all scholars, let’s split the cost of this meal evenly!”
Everyone froze.
All eyes turned to Lu Yang.
Lu Yang: “…?”
Xie Yan, seeing no one to clink glasses with, stretched his arm, clinking one by one.
“See? Don’t be scared. This meal is on me!”
Wu Ping indulged in the wine, several cups down in quick succession.
Lu Yang held his tea cup, unable to enjoy the flavor and secretly wanting wine. Xie Yan pushed his cup aside, sharing tea with him instead, and offered a round to the table.
Full and satisfied, everyone returned home.
Wu Ping, having indeed missed the first congratulations, instructed Uncle Lei to prepare a few red sashes for Lu Yang and Xie Yan to wear and act out the congratulations at the door.
Xie Yan had a good memory, Lu Yang was quick-witted. They knocked on the door, mimicking the messengers, reciting auspicious phrases in turn, making Wu Ping laugh uncontrollably.
