Afternoon, the Shen hour.
The gates of the exam hall opened, and the side doors in the corners followed suit. After two days trapped in the stuffy academy, the candidates filed out like fish through several doors.
In an instant, the exam hall became the busiest place in the county.
Du Heng emerged carrying his trunk. The sun was high and glaring; after two days in a dark exam room, stepping into the bright light made him shield his eyes instinctively.
“My son has suffered! You’ve lost weight. Come, let’s go home—everything you like has been prepared.”
“Darling! Was everything smooth? Did you catch a chill?”
“Were the questions manageable? Confident about passing?”
Voices of caring parents and devoted wives surrounded the hall, all there to collect candidates.
Amid the bustling crowd and blocked carriages, Du Heng craned his neck, looking around, but still saw no one from his family.
He let out a low hiss. That shouldn’t be.
He hadn’t mentioned having someone meet him when leaving, but he had given the exam’s end time. By habit, Qin Xiaoman should have come. It was an unspoken understanding between them.
Waiting longer, the crowd slowly thinned, but Qin Xiaoman still hadn’t appeared. It seemed he really hadn’t come.
Du Heng carried his trunk and headed straight to his shop. A young man in his prime, yet a tiny pang of grievance surfaced because his wife hadn’t come for him.
He realized belatedly that it was rather amusing.
Inside, cries of labor echoed. Outside the shop, Qin Xiaoman nervously wiped sweat from his palms, pacing. Li’s fifth son also circled, anxious.
“The baby’s about to come! Why run to the shop instead of staying home? Moving back and forth like this—something bad might happen!”
“Fifth brother, you shouldn’t spoil him so much in the future. This one in your wife’s womb is the Li family’s blood. If anything were to happen, it would be your family’s loss as well.”
It was Qin Xiaoman’s first time meeting Qin Xiaozhuo’s so-called Fourth Sister-in-Law. Dressed in elaborate finery, she carried herself with the air of a well-to-do family in the county. The pearl-and-flower ornaments in her hair wobbled as if they could slap anyone nearby at a moment’s notice.
The appearance was proper, but her mouth never stopped moving. Born from a scholarly household, she hardly showed any decorum—only sharp-tongued and critical. Bearing the title of “Sister-in-Law,” she seemed more focused on finding fault with everyone than anything else.
Qin Xiaoman saw a faint echo of Li Wanjv in her: Qin Xiaozhuo had been pampered by his mother, and now fate had delivered a sister-in-law like this.
Seeing that Li Kai paid her no attention, the Fourth Sister-in-Law’s face fell slightly, and she glanced at Qin Xiaoman.
“So this must be Xiaozhuo’s cousin, right?”
Qin Xiaoman nodded.
“The cousins even resemble each other somewhat. I hear your family is scholarly as well?”
“Yes.”
At the mention of scholars, the Fourth Sister-in-Law’s eyes brightened. “My father had quite a collection of books from his own exams. We’re related by marriage, so I can send you some when I have the chance.”
“To support a scholar from a farming family is never easy. The cost of study and materials is high, and you manage both the shop and the fields. No wonder you look as weathered as the wheat in the fields—must be exhausting.”
Qin Xiaoman raised an eyebrow.
“I appreciate your kind intentions, Fourth Sister-in-Law, but my husband is studying at the Bai Rong Academy under Master Xiang. His curriculum is already full of the master’s assignments. I’m afraid he won’t have time for other books.”
The Fourth Sister-in-Law’s eyes flickered. She hadn’t known Du Heng studied at Bai Rong Academy or that he was a disciple of Master Xiang.
Her own child had been purchased with a donation. Her father had tried to use connections to place him in Bai Rong Academy, but the academy was proud and would not accept a purchased student. Only a commoner without prior rank was admitted, leaving her dissatisfied with the school. Hearing that Du Heng studied there now, she felt even more displeased.
“Is that so? Well, that’s impressive. Bai Rong Academy has a century-old reputation and has produced many prominent figures. Though… times have changed. Lately, not much has been heard of its achievements.”
“After all, the academy suits the offspring of high officials. For ordinary families trying to rise, it’s not as advantageous as the county school. Where the highborn study, their families pave the way for them anyway.”
Half covering her mouth, the Fourth Sister-in-Law confided to Qin Xiaoman, “We’re relatives, so I’m telling you frankly. Bai Rong Academy isn’t what it used to be. They just use the big name to collect tuition.”
Qin Xiaoman widened his eyes, feigning amazement. “Really?”
“Exactly. Many students cram in just for the name, paying all that tuition, but in the end, their learning isn’t better than what you get outside. Look at our family. When the academy director offered an invitation, we refused.”
Qin Xiaoman nodded. “Good thing our family didn’t have much money. Otherwise, according to Fourth Sister-in-Law, we’d have just been paying to be cheated.”
The Fourth Sister-in-Law opened her mouth to continue, but a baby’s cry came from inside.
The midwife’s joyous voice followed: “Mother and child are safe! It’s a little master!”
The Fourth Sister-in-Law’s face fell. She had three children herself, all boys or girls, but had long wished for a son to carry on the family line—and finally, Qin Xiaozhuo had a boy. Of course she felt a pang of jealousy.
Having heard the news of the birth, her goal wasn’t to help, but simply to see what was born. Not believing it was truly a boy, she ran to the delivery room.
Qin Xiaoman was about to go in as well when someone called, “Xiaoman.”
Turning, she saw Du Heng.
“How did you know I was here? Finished your exam already? I was going to come fetch you. Xiaozhuo’s labor took long, so I couldn’t leave.”
Two days apart, and Du Heng’s smile crept to his lips. “No worries. Someone at the shop informed me, and I figured you’d be here. How is it? The baby’s born?”
“Even the Goddess of Childbirth isn’t as efficient as you. He’s just been born—a son!”
As a man, Du Heng couldn’t go in. He waited outside while Qin Xiaoman glimpsed the mother and child, so they could bring the good news to the family.
The household was chaotic with the newborn. Li Kai was overjoyed but had little time for formalities with Qin Xiaoman and Du Heng. Having run the shop in the county, they weren’t concerned with such rituals. Since the child and mother were safe, the couple would return to the village and bring news to the elders.
“Xiaozhuo doesn’t look very strong normally, but the birth was fast. The boy weighs seven jin—a lot healthier than our little Chengyi.”
On the way home, the conversation naturally centered on Xiaozhuo’s delivery.
“That’s because Xiaozhuo grew up well cared for, with a strong body. You may look robust, but managing all household affairs at that age would have worn you down. His health made the birth easier.”
Qin Xiaoman leaned against the carriage railing, exhaling. “Then I must take care of my health. Next time, giving birth won’t be so troublesome. Most importantly, I can’t be as skinny as Yige. I worry even a little negligence could make me ill.”
Du Heng raised an eyebrow. “I think our little Chengyi is fine as he is. It doesn’t matter if he’s a bit weak.”
“Oh~ so you prefer boys like Lin Min, then,” Qin Xiaoman teased, pointing at him. “Be honest.”
“You don’t even mention that name, and I’d have forgotten that guy. Always fussing over trivial things.”
Qin Xiaoman chuckled a few times. Seeing that they had already left the county far behind, she slapped her thigh. “Ah, I meant for us to go to the restaurant together today. Look at me—I completely forgot again.”
Du Heng chuckled. “No matter. Eating a good meal at home is just as fine. Even roasting a drake would do.”
Qin Xiaoman smiled and nodded, then asked, “How was the county exam? Hard?”
Du Heng exhaled lightly. “So-so. But it’s definitely more difficult than the previous county and prefecture exams.”
After returning home, the couple went straight to the Li household to inform Mr. Li that Xiaozhuo had a child, then returned to the second uncle’s house to share the news.
Both families were overjoyed. Li Wanjv hurriedly packed and wanted to rush to the county to see the child and her grandson, regretting that she hadn’t been present during Qin Xiaozhuo’s labor.
Qin Xiaoman couldn’t help but feel a little envious that Qin Xiaozhuo had such a caring mother. However, when she gave birth to Chengyi, Du Heng had taken good care of her every day—he wasn’t lacking in attention either.
That night at home, they enjoyed a hearty dinner. Du Heng, relieved after the exams, prepared a stew of duck and radishes pickled before the New Year—the pickled radishes were extremely sour, but the duck soup was perfectly suited. He cooked the meal himself.
Du Heng had a hearty appetite that night, finishing several bowls of duck soup, sampling plenty of the other dishes as well. At the academy, meals were bland and portions limited. Eating too much was risky in that cramped space, and with the lack of privacy, even basic necessities felt uncomfortable.
The provincial exam results wouldn’t be announced for another half month. This year there were more candidates than usual. After completing the main exams in Qiuyang County, the exam officials would rush to several surrounding counties to review papers. Candidates waited anxiously for results, while the officials worked day and night flipping through the papers.
After the short rest, students returned to the academy. Those who had participated in the provincial exams discussed them eagerly. The ones who had finished often recited the poems they wrote for review, or explained the angles from which they approached their essays. Those who had already become licentiates discussed the difficulty of the exam and changes in the number of accepted candidates.
In short, the academy buzzed with discussion, and the excitement over the exams didn’t wane even after the two days’ break.
Du Heng reflected on the structure of the civil service exams: the youth exam could be taken annually; the provincial exam every three years, sometimes twice; the county exam every three years as well. His timing had been fortunate—having passed the youth exam, the provincial exam followed the next year, then the county exam, and the year after that, the spring imperial exam.
Such a path sparked his imagination: if he could pass all the exams in sequence, it would be ideal.
Although he had passed the youth exam at twenty, he was already older than most in a small place like Luoxia County. Having even a modest reputation at that age was rare, so his age wasn’t much talked about.
At Bai Rong Academy, many students had already passed the youth exam before twenty, and it wasn’t unusual for someone under twenty to already be a licentiate. Most of these students came from larger prefectural cities. Families hoped that their children would enter the spring imperial exam around twenty, earning the title of the emperor’s scholar. This raised the bar for marriage alliances and connections; if they chose a family like the Yue family for support, their careers could flourish smoothly.
At the academy, the uniform subtly concealed social status, but expensive ornaments occasionally revealed a student’s wealth. Talk of the scenery in the prefecture or the capital couldn’t be hidden by simple attire. On the surface, everyone seemed equal, but the starting line had long been different.
Some aimed to serve in the imperial court and live freely under the emperor; others were content to become respected local gentry, having their years of study pay off.
Du Heng had long understood the importance of connections and family background. He had no grand ambitions—making it to the capital and serving in government would be good, but he knew his own family lacked influence. Even with the support of the Yue family in Luoxia County, advancing to the capital would be far from easy. Without powerful relatives, he would have to rely entirely on his own efforts. Youthful pride made him think he could manage anything alone, but without family backing, he knew progress would be limited.
Still, he did not resent his situation. He had enough to eat, a loving husband, and now a child. That was enough.
Many privileged families hadn’t started wealthy either—they had to work hard for generations to build their current standing. Each generation’s effort gave their descendants a higher starting point than ordinary families.
Du Heng’s plan was simple: study diligently, accumulate some property, and even if he didn’t rise far, he could still secure a solid future. Passing the imperial exams, becoming a local gentry, managing more land, acquiring shops—his descendants could then focus on study without worrying about making a living. Each generation would be stronger than the last.
Thinking of this, he shrugged. He didn’t aim for high office or political ambition. Life didn’t need to be rushed and exhausting; as long as he gradually built a stable life, and avoided decline, there was no need to push himself too hard.
In late April, Du Heng went up to the private mountain for a stroll. Over the past two years, he had managed the forest well; the bamboo had grown thick, and although the business at the shop wasn’t booming, it ran smoothly enough.
The remaining stock of paper was running low. A while back, they had soaked another batch of bamboo to produce more paper for the shop. Yet keeping a large inventory was still a bit tight. Qin Xiaoman planned to have villagers with private bamboo groves sell bamboo to them, so there would be no shortage for their own production.
Du Heng readily agreed. The previous batch of bamboo for papermaking had taken a long time to process; older bamboo wasn’t ideal. The best paper came from fresh bamboo of the current year. Bamboo sprouting around the start of summer was optimal. Their private mountain wasn’t large, and even a year’s growth could only produce so much paper, so buying some fresh bamboo from the villagers worked out perfectly.
Once word got around the village, people immediately came to inquire.
Qin Xiaoman declared with authority, “We only take fresh bamboo—fifteen wen per stalk.”
The villagers understood that the Qin family used bamboo for papermaking, but fifteen wen seemed a little low.
“Of course, fresh bamboo isn’t as valuable as mature bamboo.”
“But if you wait a couple of years on the mountain, it’ll be mature anyway.”
“The problem is, we don’t have that kind of time.”
“How about we cut it and bring it to your place ourselves? Eighteen wen a stalk?”
After some negotiation, they settled on eighteen wen per stalk. Families whose groves faced the sun harvested and delivered the bamboo to the Qin household before the start of summer. Since these were villagers, they were more reliable than outsiders and spoke frankly about their deliveries. Qin Xiaoman simply paid them each day she returned from the county.
Busy with business, the days passed quickly, and soon it was time for the provincial exam results to be posted.
Before dawn, the couple hurried to the county. One would go to the shop, the other to the academy, but on result day, candidates who had already finished the exam were allowed to check their results before returning.
Everyone knew there were many exams this year, but the number of examiners was the same as before. With the workload divided among them, each person’s share was heavier. A few days before the official announcement, some had tried to use connections to see their results early, but the academic office was too busy. Anyone attempting to sneak a peek not only failed but also received a stern reprimand. The news spread quickly, and no one dared risk it again.
Qin Zhiyan had already heard about this. The provincial exam wasn’t like the youth exam; checking results before the official posting was improper. Naturally, no one went ahead to show Du Heng his results early. Besides, Qin Zhifeng had shown some talent back then but had taken several attempts to pass, so there was little expectation that Du Heng would succeed this time.
The time between the youth exam and this provincial exam was short; there wasn’t much opportunity for review and preparation. Du Heng had performed well in the youth exam because he had accumulated years of preparation by twenty, but the provincial exam required its own preparation period.
“It really is harder than the youth exam,” Du Heng remarked. “Last time, not many showed up early. This time, there are already so many waiting before the results are even posted.”
Standing in the crowd, Du Heng saw Qin Xiaoman tiptoe and jump to get a better view. He grabbed her hand. “They haven’t put it up yet.”
Just as he spoke, Qin Xiaoman excitedly shouted, “Here they come! I see the staff carrying the red board!”
Du Heng looked and indeed saw four officials approaching. Before he could say anything, Qin Xiaoman pulled him toward the board.
Two armed attendants flanked the officials as they posted the results. The crowd was anxious but didn’t dare push forward.
Finally, a voice rang out: “The provincial exam results are posted. All may view them, but do not damage the red board.”
Once the officials left, the crowd surged forward.
“I passed! I passed!”
Shouts of joy mixed with groans of disappointment filled the square. Those at the back, unable to see the board, pressed forward anxiously.
Qin Xiaoman had been here before. Her father had taken her to see the youth exam results, so she didn’t miss any chance to come to the county and had dragged Du Heng along.
Usually, seeing the results left her father and uncle disappointed, so she had learned to stay quiet and follow along. But when she saw Du Heng’s name on the red board, she froze in shock.
After confirming several times that it was indeed her husband’s name, she grabbed Du Heng’s hand, trembling. She turned to face him, eyes wide. “I think I see your name! I-I didn’t misread it, did I?”
Du Heng had already scanned the board. He had some idea whether he would make it. Seeing Qin Xiaoman almost losing her mind with excitement made him chuckle. “What do you think?”
Qin Xiaoman saw the slight, restrained smile on his face. The joy in his eyes was unmistakable, and she knew for certain she hadn’t been mistaken.
“I passed!” she shouted, leaping into his arms and hugging him tightly. “Third! It says third! My husband is now a licentiate!”
Onlookers frowned at the couple’s public embrace, but when they heard her shout “third,” their surprise quickly turned to envy.
“Third? Could this be the Du Heng on the board?”
“What good fortune! So young and already a licentiate!”
“Scholar Du Heng is talented and handsome; the future is boundless! Shall we celebrate with tea at the Qingyun Tower?”
For a moment, people began coming over to strike up conversations, and some even invited Du Heng to visit them.
Qin Xiaoman, still practically glued to Du Heng, lifted his head and directly declined on his behalf. “Many thanks for everyone’s kind intentions, but my husband still needs to go back first to report the good news to our elders. If fate allows, we can gather again another day.”
With that, he grabbed Du Heng by the hand and ran straight out of the crowd.