On the fifth day of the ninth month, the notice board outside the prefectural yamen was packed with people, and beneath the drifting fragrance of red osmanthus, the “laurel list” was finally posted.
There were always many who waited for the announcement.
Du Heng and Qin Zhifeng arrived before dawn to wait for the list. With people packed shoulder to shoulder, they were already drenched in sweat early in the morning.
The moment the red list was unfurled, a wave of commotion rippled through the crowd.
Du Heng and Qin Zhifeng had been standing together when several strong household servants suddenly shoved their way in, scattering the tightly packed crowd and drawing a chorus of disgruntled curses.
“He passed—Du Heng passed—he passed!”
Standing beneath the red list, Du Heng was suddenly grabbed by the wrist by Qin Zhifeng, who had been forcibly squeezed over. Du Heng could feel his hands trembling.
Du Heng looked at the list and nodded twice in quick succession.
He truly was on the list. Before he even had time to feel happy himself, Qin Zhifeng—usually so steady—was overjoyed to the point of acting completely out of character.
Then Du Heng saw the light in Qin Zhifeng’s eyes as his smile grew broader. “I finally passed!”
“What—you passed!?”
Du Heng reacted, realizing that it was Qin Zhifeng himself who had passed.
Joy piled upon joy. Du Heng had sincerely hoped that Qin Zhifeng would make the list; all those years of hard study and perseverance had not been in vain.
“What about you? Did you make the list?”
Du Heng paused, his expression unreadable for a moment, then broke into a smile. “Double happiness.”
“Really?!”
Qin Zhifeng’s eyes shone even brighter. The two of them looked back at the list together—this time not for their own names, but for each other’s rankings.
In this autumn provincial examination, Jintuan Prefecture admitted a total of sixty-six provincial graduates. Du Heng found Qin Zhifeng’s name listed at sixtieth place, while Qin Zhifeng saw Du Heng’s name at fifth.
Though their rankings were far apart, simply being on the list together was more than enough to rejoice over. Qin Zhifeng had read Du Heng’s essays before and long known that his talent was in no way inferior. The result was entirely within expectation.
Regardless of rank, both were genuinely happy for each other.
There was a custom of “snatching a son-in-law from beneath the list.” Though it was more commonly seen after the metropolitan examination in spring, in the prefectural city there were also merchants hoping to seize a provincial graduate as a prized son-in-law.
After reading the list, the two left in tacit agreement, not lingering beneath the notice to show off. Both were already married; fewer troubles were better. Besides, they still had to return to their lodging and wait calmly for the yamen runners to arrive with the official announcement.
Back at the small courtyard, they tidied themselves up. Before long, the sound of gongs and drums rang out from the alley—the announcement runners had arrived.
Hearing the gongs and drums, the neighboring residents all opened their doors to watch the excitement. Everyone knew that the results of the autumn examination were being announced today, and all were eager to see which household had produced a successful candidate.
They followed along behind the runners, watching as they entered Du Heng and Qin Zhifeng’s courtyard.
The lead runner unfurled a sheet of red paper and called out loudly, “Is this the lodging of Provincial Graduate Du Heng and Provincial Graduate Qin Zhifeng?”
“It is.”
“Congratulations to both gentlemen on passing the autumn provincial examination and attaining the rank of provincial graduate. These are the rewards bestowed upon provincial graduates.”
With a wave of his hand, two boxes tied with red silk were immediately brought forward. The runner said politely, “The Prefect has arranged a banquet at the Honghu Hall, a Luming Banquet, to congratulate all newly admitted provincial graduates. The two gentlemen are respectfully requested to attend tomorrow.”
“Thank you for making the trip, officers.”
Du Heng presented a pouch of reward money to the lead runner. “This is a small token of appreciation from Qin the Provincial Graduate and myself.”
Receiving celebratory money naturally put the runners in good spirits. They thanked him and said, “Congratulations to you both.”
The runners still had other households to visit and did not linger.
As soon as they left, the onlookers who had been watching crowded eagerly around the gate, one after another offering congratulations and asking for celebratory money. “Congratulations, Provincial Graduate Du! Congratulations, Provincial Graduate Qin!”
Congratulatory words poured in without end. Qin Zhifeng scattered out even more copper coins, and everyone happily rushed off to pick them up.
Once the onlookers had been sent away, Du Heng and Qin Zhifeng finally carried the boxes inside. In the past, after passing earlier examinations, candidates had to go in person to the prefectural education office to receive their rewards. But becoming a provincial graduate was truly different—everything was delivered straight to their door.
Du Heng opened the box to take a look. As usual, there was a provincial graduate’s token, a document listing the privileges of a provincial graduate, and a full set of official clothing and headwear reserved for provincial graduates—what they would wear to the banquet the next day.
These were standard items that every successful candidate received, the basic rewards granted to all provincial graduates in a prefectural city.
However, each prefect also gave additional rewards to scholars according to personal preference, and these varied from place to place.
Depending on the size of the prefectural city, its wealth and prosperity, and how much the local prefect valued scholars, the rewards could be generous or meager.
In Du Heng’s box were the property deeds to a salt shop and an iron shop in the prefectural city, along with a fifty-tael silver note.
He found it almost unbelievable.
By contrast, Qin Zhifeng had received only twenty taels in reward silver.
“You placed within the top five in the autumn examination, which makes you a ‘Jingkui.’ That’s an exceptional result,” Qin Zhifeng explained. “Each provincial examination, the prefect gives especially generous rewards to the top six. The top three receive the most, fourth and fifth somewhat less, and sixth—the ‘Yakuì’—a bit less again. Below the sixth, everyone is simply called ‘Wenkui,’ and there’s no distinction in rewards. I’d heard a little about this before, but this is the first time I’ve seen it myself.”
Du Heng found it rather interesting after hearing that.
Of course, it was interesting because his rank was high; it was the candidates ranked below sixth who truly suffered the injustice.
“This time, sixty-six candidates passed in the prefectural city. Even setting aside the top six, the remaining sixty each received twenty taels—that alone comes to twelve hundred taels spent.”
Qin Zhifeng smiled. “Each major examination, the court allocates funds to the local authorities. In truth, it’s still money from the court. And though I shouldn’t really say it, this is a once-in-a-lifetime reward for passing. Over the past decades, how many years have we paid taxes to the court—commercial taxes, land taxes, all of it? This reward silver can be considered reimbursement for the expenses of sitting the examination.”
For candidates like them who had come from distant counties, travel, lodging, food, and gratuities alone had cost more than twenty taels—and that was already being frugal.
That the court was willing to reimburse them truly did much to soothe the hearts of poor scholars.
Qin Zhifeng even let slip another detail. “Once we return to the county, the county yamen will issue additional rewards.”
Du Heng smiled faintly. Setting other things aside, he liked rewards best of all.
Years of day-and-night study, enduring bitter cold and frozen ground—now it was only right to receive some tangible benefits.
Of the fifty taels, about half had already been spent. What truly delighted and impressed people were the two property deeds. Salt and iron were among the most profitable businesses under heaven, yet they were controlled by the court.
Now that he had been rewarded with these two shops, he no longer needed to compete with small merchants for profit. From now on, food and clothing would never again be a worry.
Du Heng was in an excellent mood. At last, he could buy a house for Qin Xiao Man.
In their excitement, the two immediately wrote letters home, tipping the courier extra to ride hard. Within three days at most, the good news would reach their families.
As for Du Heng and Qin Zhifeng, they prepared to attend the Luming Banquet and enjoy their moment as spirited, newly minted provincial graduates.
Back in Luoxia County, Qin Xiao Man had been invited by Zhou Wanqing to eat together. By now, everyone knew the autumn examination results had been posted, but there was still no word in the county about the two men.
If a letter arrived first, it meant someone had passed. If the people themselves returned first, it meant the provincial examination had ended in failure once again.
Everyone in the family felt as though a taut string had been drawn tight in their hearts, full of anxious hope.
That day, Qin Zhiyan had just returned from the county yamen when, upon reaching the gate of the family home, he was stopped by a courier. “Clerk Qin, there’s a letter for you!”
Qin Zhiyan instinctively held his breath. “Is it from the prefectural city?”
“Yes. I expect it’s good news from Young Master Qin.”
Qin Zhiyan smiled. “Perhaps it was sent before the list was posted—but I’ll take your good words all the same.”
“There’s a letter?”
Hearing the courier, Zhou Wanqing hurried out as well.
Qin Zhiyan calculated the days. The list had been posted three days earlier. A letter arriving now was almost certainly a message of congratulations.
Holding his breath, unsure which child had made the list, his hands trembled slightly as he opened the letter.
After skimming through it, Qin Zhiyan suddenly folded the letter and looked at his husband, shock beyond words on his face.
“Well? Was it from Feng’er?”
“He passed.”
“Which one passed? Was it Feng’er?”
Qin Zhiyan slowly exhaled and said, “It says both of them made the list.”
“Both?!”
The sudden surge of joy made Zhou Wanqing’s head spin. His vision went dark, and he nearly fainted on the spot.
At the same time, Qin Xiao Man also received Du Heng’s letter. Without another word, he scooped up the child and rushed straight to his uncle’s house.
That evening, though the protagonists themselves had yet to arrive, the family gathered first for a celebratory meal.
“He’s made something of himself—truly made something of himself. All those years of studying weren’t in vain. At last, the clouds have parted and the moon has emerged.”
Several cups of wine into the meal, Qin Zhiyan was so happy that he wiped at his eyes.
“The Qin family finally has children who’ve risen to prominence!”
The rank of provincial graduate he himself had never managed to attain—now his son had fulfilled that dream, completing one of his long-held wishes. How could his heart not be stirred?
Everyone at the table was overjoyed.
Qin Xiao Man himself was so happy he hardly knew what to do. Du Heng was capable—not only had he made the list, he had placed at the very top of the provincial examination. If there hadn’t been anyone at home to celebrate with, he wouldn’t have rushed straight to the Qin household to share the joy.
For the time being, the whole family kept the news to themselves, waiting eagerly for the two men to return.
Du Heng and Qin Zhifeng did not depart from the prefectural city until the eighth day of the ninth month, when they finally set out for the county.
On the sixth day they attended the Deer Cry Banquet. On the seventh, Du Heng went to inspect the two newly acquired shops.
After all matters were handed over and settled, the two of them followed the fragrant trail of osmanthus blossoms as they made their way back to the county.
When they returned, it was not only the two of them—there were also locals from Luoxia County who had passed the provincial exam this time, twelve new licentiates in total. Clerks dispatched by the prefectural city escorted the group back.
On the one hand, it gave the newly minted scholars proper pomp and recognition; on the other, they also needed to report to the county offices and complete various official handovers.
By the time the large procession arrived at Luoxia County, it was already September eleventh.
The families back home knew that both men had passed, but no exact return date had been mentioned in the letters. They all understood that banquets and engagements would inevitably delay things after the results were announced, so no one knew precisely when the two would come back.
Every few days, Qin Xiaoman would take Chengyi to stroll by the county gates, hoping that one of those trips would coincide with the returning procession.
At dusk, rosy clouds spread across the ground, dyeing the city gates red—a sight so beautiful it was almost intoxicating.
“I want to eat a piece of cold melon that’s the same color as the sky before we go home.”
Chengyi gazed longingly at the roadside snacks, pursed his lips, and finally voiced his wish just before they were about to leave the city gates.
It was getting late. Qin Xiaoman had closed the shop and was preparing to return to the village. He was driving the ox cart and had nearly reached the gates.
The little one sitting inside the cart stuck his head out the window, staring at the bustling street outside with wide, hopeful eyes.
“All right, Little Daddy will buy you a piece.”
Qin Xiaoman reined in the ox and jumped down, just about to head over to the vendor when Chengyi hurriedly said, “Daddy, I want to get down too.”
“What are you getting down for? It’ll only take a moment.”
Qin Xiaoman complained out loud, but he still lifted the little one down from the cart. Holding his hand, he warned, “There are lots of carts and horses on the street. Don’t run around.”
“I know.”
Chengyi followed Qin Xiaoman’s steps, trotting over to the roadside. While Little Daddy haggled with the vendor, he tilted his head and looked at the city gate blazing red like fire, blinking his eyes.
“Daddy, carriages—so many carriages!”
Qin Xiaoman was taking out money when the little one tugged at his clothes. His brow twitched, and he turned to look, following the child’s voice, only to see a long line of carriages approaching the city.
Someone shouted, “The new licentiates are back!”
Qin Xiaoman’s heart clenched. He hurried forward a few steps to look more closely. Chengyi asked anxiously, “Is Daddy back?”
“Maybe.”
Qin Xiaoman frowned slightly, scanning the procession, unsure whether Du Heng was among them, when the lead carriage suddenly stopped.
It had been more than a month and a half since he had last seen him. When the man stepped down from the carriage, Qin Xiaoman almost couldn’t believe his eyes.
“I’m back.”
Du Heng looked at the noisy street bathed in sunset light, at the person holding a cold melon in one hand and leading a small child with the other. Amid his joy, a faint ache rose in his heart.
“Daddy!”
Chengyi called out in his soft, sweet voice.
Du Heng strode over and scooped the little one up in his arms.
Chengyi kicked his legs happily, clinging tightly to Du Heng’s neck and pressing his cheek against it, breathing in the familiar scent, delighted beyond measure.
Qin Xiaoman looked at him, pressed his lips together, and his eyes grew a little moist.
Du Heng took his hand. “I’m back.”
Qin Xiaoman lowered his head slightly and nodded.
“Licentiate Du, you still need to go and see the county magistrate.”
The clerk did not want to interrupt the family reunion, but official duties could not be ignored.
“Go ahead. Go to the county office first. Chengyi and I will wait for you at the shop, then we’ll go home together once you’re done.”
“All right.”
Chengyi had only been held for a short while when he heard that Du Heng was leaving again. He was reluctant. “Daddy.”
“Be good. Daddy has something to take care of. I’ll come find you and Little Daddy in a bit. I bought you lots of treats in the prefectural city. Tonight, when we get home, you can open them, all right?”
Chengyi looked at Du Heng. Even though he didn’t want to part, he nodded obediently.
This time, twelve men from Luoxia County passed the provincial exam. Across the six counties under Jintuan Prefecture, sixty-six candidates were admitted. By average standards, Luoxia County exceeded expectations.
Moreover, one of them ranked near the very top. For a county that had long been neither prominent nor obscure, this brought the magistrate some credit as well. Naturally, he was very pleased with this group of scholars.
The magistrate would inevitably host another celebratory banquet, but considering the candidates’ long journeys and fatigue, he did not rush it. The feast was scheduled for three days later.
After a few simple words of praise, the scholars were allowed to disperse and return home.
They had already become acquainted along the road, and there would be plenty of interactions in the county going forward. They exchanged farewells once more.
Du Heng hurried back to the shop to reunite with his spouse and child.
“You bought so many things—aren’t you worried about how troublesome it is to bring them back?”
On the way home, the small carriage was crammed full with all the gifts Du Heng had bought in the prefectural city, leaving barely any room to sit.
So Du Heng held Chengyi in his arms and sat outside the carriage with Qin Xiaoman. Facing the cool autumn evening breeze, the family of three headed home together, hearts brimming with joy.
“They’re mostly snacks and pastries, plus some fashionable fabrics from the prefectural city. Since I finally made the trip, I figured I’d bring some back for the family. We can also take some of the fabric to Second Uncle’s place—Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law will probably like them.”
Qin Xiaoman smiled. “You really thought of everything. I’m sure it cost you quite a bit.”
Du Heng replied, “This time I placed high in the provincial exam. The prefect gave me a reward of fifty taels of silver. It’s enough.”
Qin Xiaoman laughed. “Well, that explains why you’re feeling so generous.”
When they got home, Du Heng didn’t alert anyone else. He first looked over all the gifts he had brought back. Little Chengyi happily ate several pieces of sweet cake, and even when he fell asleep that night, his mouth still tasted sweet.
The little one was afraid that Du Heng might leave again and insisted on being held before he would fall asleep.
Du Heng hugged the child and kissed him several times before finally letting Qinge’er carry him off to bed.
Watching the little one fall asleep peacefully, Du Heng felt warmth spread through his heart as well.
Seeing that Qin Xiaoman had gone to wash up, Du Heng sat down in the main hall. The house was simple—far less refined than the small courtyard they had rented in the prefectural city—but it filled him with an incomparable sense of calm.
As the saying went, no golden nest or silver nest was better than one’s own shabby nest.
He took a sip of tea, then casually called Shuǐ Qíncài over. “While I was gone, was everything at home all right?”
“Reporting to the master, everything has been well.”
Hearing that, Du Heng felt reassured. “Did the hired farmers all turn in their grain on time? Anyone in the village or the county causing trouble, trying to make things difficult for the household?”
Shuǐ Qíncài thought for a moment. Indeed, during the days the master had been away, the household had been peaceful, without any real problems.
But then his eyes shifted as he remembered something. “The master has always wanted to buy a residence in the county. Some time ago, I heard there was a suitable one, so the lady of the house went to take a look.”
Mention of a residence immediately caught Du Heng’s attention—he had been planning for that himself. Hearing that Qin Xiaoman had already viewed one, he felt that if it was suitable, it would be perfect timing. He quickly asked, “Where is the house? Did the master like it?”
“It’s in Fuji Alley, a two-courtyard residence. The master liked it very much. The owner was also quite willing to sell it to a clean, reputable family like ours. Originally, it was agreed that a decision would be made once you returned. But then a very overbearing xiucai suddenly came along and snatched the house away. His words toward the master were extremely disrespectful.”
“A xiucai?” Du Heng frowned. “Since he’s also a scholar with credentials, how can he be so unreasonable?”
“This servant doesn’t know. I only heard that his surname is Wang.”
“Wang?” Du Heng’s eyes flickered slightly. He didn’t recall anyone among his acquaintances fitting that description. It would require some inquiries. “All right, I understand. No need to speak of it in front of the master anymore. Go attend to your work.”
After returning to the county came another round of social obligations. Du Heng first went back to the academy to report the good news, then took his family of three to celebrate together at Qin Zhiyan’s home.
Villagers and elders from the countryside came by to offer congratulations, followed closely by a banquet hosted by the prefect himself. Du Heng was so busy he scarcely had a moment to breathe.
He was not someone who particularly disliked banquets, but after round upon round of feasts, even he began to feel weary.
His tolerance for alcohol was never great to begin with, and this time he had placed first in the provincial exam. At every celebration he was the guest of honor—flattery, ingratiation, modest replies, social niceties piled one atop another—until he felt nearly drained dry.
On his day of rest, he finally had some free time. He went to investigate the Wang-surnamed xiucai who had bullied his spouse during his absence.
“His ancestors ran a small business. The family has a bit of money in the county. After His Majesty permitted the sons of merchants to sit for the examinations, the Wang family sent their descendants to study. In this generation, Wang Yikang finally managed to pass as a xiucai. The Wang family was overjoyed and doted on him greatly.”
The Wang family’s business was not particularly large, yet they loved putting on airs, so money flowed out like water. Still, after Wang Yikang became a xiucai, he could receive some reductions in commercial taxes. Small merchants attached themselves to his name for protection, inevitably paying certain fees in return, which made the Wang family’s life rather comfortable.
Long driven purely by profit, they had lost all the integrity expected of scholars. The upright families in the county despised the Wangs and avoided associating with them.
Wang Yikang was already over thirty. Relying on his xiucai status, he swaggered about, bullying poor commoners. He was consistently one who preyed on the weak and feared the strong—obsequious toward those more powerful, contemptuous of anyone beneath him. This year, while officially in mourning, he had not gone to the prefectural city to sit for the exam.
“This Wang Yikang is unreasonable and unfilial. During his mourning period, he not only eats and drinks openly at restaurants, but secretly frequents brothels and pleasure quarters as well.”
Listening to the local informant describe the Wang family, Du Heng’s brow furrowed tighter and tighter. “The court places great emphasis on filial piety. During mourning, one is supposed to remain at home observing rites. How can he be so brazen, drinking and indulging in pleasure? Isn’t he afraid the education commissioner will strip him of his credentials?”
“What ordinary commoner would dare speak against him? He keeps a group of local ruffians under his thumb. Anyone who displeases him gets targeted. Everyone’s afraid—who would dare provoke him?”
Du Heng understood. He took some silver from his pocket and tossed it to the informant, then stood and left.
“Many thanks, Licentiate Du. Many thanks, Licentiate Du.”
……
That same day, at Qingyu Tea House.
“Scholar Wang, you said you wanted my residence. You paid the deposit, yes—but when exactly will the rest of the money be settled? That way, goods and payment are both cleared.”
After much inquiry, Old Physician Zhang finally found Wang Yikang at the tea house.
The man lounged with one leg propped up, a somewhat pretty young woman kneeling beside him, massaging his dangling leg. In front of him was a full table of wine and dishes—the unmistakable bearing of a spoiled scion.
Hearing the earnest, pleading voice, Wang Yikang tilted his head and glanced at Old Zhang, who had come to press for payment. With careless indifference, he said, “Since I’ve paid the deposit, that house is mine. I’m just not in a hurry to move in right now.”
Wang Yikang leaned closer to Old Physician Zhang. “I’m still in my mourning period. How could I make a big show of moving house? Doctors are supposed to be compassionate—Physician Zhang, you should understand.”
Old Physician Zhang wore a bitter expression. “But I urgently need to sell that house. I’m waiting on the money. It’s already been over a month. How about this—Scholar Wang pays the remaining balance, and I’ll hand over the keys. You can move in whenever it’s convenient.”
“Hey, no need to rush.”
How could he not be anxious? With the deposit paid, the house had effectively been seized—no one else dared to come view it anymore. What he hadn’t wanted to sell to Wang in the first place, he was now forced to sell to him, and yet Wang still dragged his feet and refused to pay.
Old Physician Zhang could only swallow his bitterness in silence.
“Scholar Wang, please do me a favor. Otherwise, I’ll return the deposit to you, and you can look for another residence.”
At these words, Wang Yikang slammed down his bowls and plates with a crash and cursed angrily, “You’re nothing but a wretched doctor, and you dare challenge me, a xiucai? I’m doing you a favor by wanting that broken-down house of yours! Has that old property ever produced a scholar with credentials? If I move in, it’ll be your Zhang family’s ancestors sending up blue smoke!”
“Someone—throw this blind old fool out!”
Old Physician Zhang’s legs went weak in fright. “Scholar Wang!”
At the shout, several people rushed in from outside. Old Physician Zhang’s hands trembled as he was about to shrink aside—but the men who entered did not touch him. Instead, they seized Wang Yikang in one swift motion and pinned him down.
The lightly dressed attendant woman shrieked in fright and darted off to the side.
Wang Yikang was also startled by the sudden turn of events. He struggled to break free, but the people behind him pinned him hard against the tabletop. He couldn’t help shouting, “What are you doing?! I am a xiucai! Treating a scholar so roughly—do you know what crime that is?!”
A constable said coldly, “What xiucai do you think you still are? During your mourning period, you failed to observe filial rites, came out drinking and consorting with prostitutes, and disgraced the reputation of scholars. The Education Commissioner is furious. You are being taken back to the yamen for interrogation. Do you really think you can still keep your xiucai credentials?”
Hearing that he was to be hauled off to the yamen for questioning, Wang Yikang was struck with terror. “You—you—!”
Old Physician Zhang staggered in fright, following behind the constables as he watched Wang Yikang being dragged away.