The other juren, now officially candidates for office, were stunned, as though doused with cold water. Their private hopes were instantly extinguished.
They looked at Du Heng with awe.
One rank difference could be life-altering. Drawing poorly might place someone at ninth rank, separated from Du Heng by eighth and seventh ranks. Even mediocre men could spend decades stuck at lower positions.
Du Heng, barely thirty, would assume the proper seventh-rank magistrate post. Though not as prestigious as a post granted to a jinshi, the recognition from the two top examiners gave him a strong future prospect.
The others could only sigh and accept that a sharp, young mind had made its mark, while they considered other paths.
Du Heng raised his brows in mild surprise; he hadn’t expected the post to be confirmed in advance.
Managing a county versus being subordinate to a county magistrate—everyone knew the former was far superior. He quickly bowed. “I leave all arrangements to your judgment, my lord.”
Then the prefect supervised the other juren as they drew lots, while Du Heng was called aside by Qi Kaisheng.
“The county magistrate post at Jintuan Prefecture is the only one vacant—Autumn Sun County.”
Du Heng’s brow furrowed. He knew Autumn Sun County—it bordered Luoxia County, his new registered home. He was familiar with its situation over the past two years.
The prefect laid out the official documents, noticing Du Heng’s troubled expression.
“Is it that you hesitate because Autumn Sun County is poor and the people’s lives are difficult?”
Du Heng hurriedly said, “I dare not refuse. I am deeply grateful for the examiners’ trust and the responsibility entrusted to me. How could I dare complain or evade?”
“I will not conceal from you, Prefect. My old registration was in Autumn Sun County. Court rules allow avoidance of posting at one’s original home.”
Qi Kaisheng relaxed his brow. “Your household record shows that, and the prince and Hanlin officer discussed it. No problem. Though your original registration is in Autumn Sun, your new registration is in Luoxia. All your exam achievements are under your new registration, and your family resides in Luoxia. There is no issue. Even in the previous emperor’s time, similar precedents existed. You need not worry.”
Du Heng, hearing this, was reassured. He had expressed his concern, and the examiners had decided—it was no longer his burden.
“You are one of the students I have watched grow. With your talent, if you spent more years in exams, you could have shown brilliance in the spring palace exams. Yet you have chosen to enter officialdom early, which is also commendable. Here, under my prefecture, be diligent and loyal in your duties.”
The prefect gave him a private warning: “Autumn Sun County has suffered repeated disasters and poverty. Negligence has led past magistrates to be dismissed in these selections. Now you take charge—remember your predecessors’ lessons. Attend to every matter personally, restore the county properly. If you do well, I will not fail to praise you to the court. You are young and have a bright future.”
Du Heng knew full well the county’s condition. If it had been prosperous and easy to govern, the post would have been assigned to someone with influence. All candidates had mentally prepared themselves beforehand.
“I will remember your teachings, my lord. I will serve faithfully, diligently, and not fail the court or your confidence.”
Qi Kaisheng nodded with satisfaction. He liked Du Heng—handsome, upright, and articulate. Though seasoned in officialdom, he had seen many with outward beauty but little substance; Du Heng showed genuine ability.
“All right. The lot draw is complete.”
If one’s family wealth were ample, it would be possible to purchase a residence at the place of appointment for the family to live in, or else one could rely on a high-ranking post with its official residence.
The court did encourage officials to bring their wives and children along when taking up their posts, so they could serve with greater peace of mind.
But the court’s encouragement was only in words; in practice, many families with limited means and minor posts had no choice but to go alone.
Whether renting a home or cramming into the small quarters assigned to low-ranking officials, the family always stayed together. Over the years, they had never been apart, and a temporary posting would not suddenly separate them.
Moreover, he could not believe that Duheng would willingly leave him. Even if she could, she surely could not bear to leave Chengyi and Dancai behind.
On top of that, he would not be serving locally. With deadlines for reporting to the post and penalties for late arrival, he had to prepare in advance.
All the clothing and daily necessities for the new post, the staff to care for the old family home, and so forth—there was an overwhelming amount to arrange.
As he busily packed, he found it troublesome, yet he could not help marveling that one day he would actually become a government official’s husband. It felt almost like a dream.
When Duheng returned home, dusty and exhausted from travel, the household was bustling, and he exclaimed in surprise, “Is there a major New Year cleaning underway?”
“Father!” Chengyi, playing in the garden with Dancai, heard Duheng’s voice and ran over joyfully. “Father is back!”
Duheng scooped up the little soft bundle, overcome with how much he had missed the child.
Dancai, crawling on the open ground where mats had been laid, saw Duheng holding Chengyi and, having not seen him for some time, seemed not to recognize him. He opened his mouth, worried, and called out, “Yuyu, Yuyu…”
As if afraid that someone might steal his older brother away.
“This little one can talk now—he used to be fierce, only knowing how to spit,” Duheng said, surprised and delighted. He then scooped up Dancai as well. The little boy was not upset that his father had held his brother first; in fact, he kicked Duheng twice with his little legs.
“Second treasure has quite the strength. It would be a shame not to have him plow the fields someday,” Duheng joked. Holding one child in each arm, the two together were somewhat heavy.
“Lord Du truly has the heart of a kind father, personally holding the children,” someone remarked.
Duheng turned and saw the person leaning against the verandah post, smiling softly.
“Seems the news reached you first,” he said.
Qin Xiaoman took Dancai down, and the two of them each carried a child into the house.
After so many days apart, even walking shoulder to shoulder in silence brought a quiet joy and satisfaction.
But Qin Xiaoman, not being a quiet type and quick-tempered, immediately asked about Duheng’s appointment.
Duheng, of course, shared everything without holding back.
“County Magistrate!? A County Magistrate!”
Qin Xiaoman was stunned. The family had assumed at most a junior eighth-rank teaching officer, not a post like County Magistrate. She had never expected he could secure such a position.
Having never left Luoxia County, the highest-ranking official she had ever seen was the County Magistrate. Seeing people bow and scrape to the magistrate, fearing disrespect, the authority of that office had long been set in her mind. Now, with a County Magistrate emerging from their household, the incense smoke from the ancestral tombs seemed almost overwhelming. If her second uncle knew the news, he would surely carry a bundle of incense to their father’s grave and speak for half a day.
“My uncle thought the most likely posts would be teaching officer or instructor. He never imagined a County Magistrate would be available. And now, no need to worry about a residence—the county office provides one for the magistrate,” Duheng replied.
“Yes, during the late emperor’s reign, few posts were vacant, and appointments were generally what you expected. I never thought a County Magistrate could be chosen,” he added.
Qin Xiaoman’s eyes sparkled. “Then before leaving for the post, we must call the whole family together for a proper meal.”
“Of course. That can wait until tomorrow. I am covered in dust; I must first wash up.”
Seeing the fatigue in Duheng’s eyes, Qin Xiaoman felt a pang of concern. But once he saw the children, he brightened again. “Very well.”
“Don’t go, Father!”
Chengyi, clinging anxiously to Duheng, worried that he might disappear again just as he had gone out to play.
“You won’t go. Father is tired from returning from the prefectural city; let Father rest,” Duheng reassured him.
“I’ll start to stink,” he complained.
Chengyi buried his face in Duheng’s neck and inhaled. “Father doesn’t stink at all—he smells nice.”
Qin Xiaoman instructed the servants to heat water for Duheng to wash, then took the two clingy children to see the gifts brought back from the prefectural city, distracting them so Duheng could have a moment to himself.
Then she sent the attendants to announce the good news and arranged everything for Duheng’s homecoming.
With such news, visitors were bound to come offer congratulations. Duheng would not be burdened with receiving guests today.
After handling these matters, Qin Xiaoman checked the kitchen; seeing plenty of hot water left in the pot, she carried two more buckets to the bathing room.
Inside, behind the folding screen, Duheng sat by the large bath tub, hair long and loose, eyes closed amid the rising steam.
Enveloped by the warm water, the grime and fatigue of travel seemed to flow away through his pores.
The past few days had been rushed and sleepless. During the day, he could nap in the carriage, but never fully rested. Now, he felt entirely comfortable.
Suddenly hearing the buckets set down, he opened his eyes reluctantly, instinctively trying to submerge himself to preserve modesty. He was never accustomed to being attended while bathing.
Seeing Qin Xiaoman enter, he relaxed again.
“Why did you carry the water yourself? Isn’t it heavy?”
“I come from a farming background. Two years in the city and my bones are still soft. This is nothing,” she said, adding some hot water to the tub after testing the temperature.
Watching the faintly visible collarbones and fair skin reddened by the warm water, Qin Xiaoman suddenly understood the phrase she had read in books: a whole pool of springtime beauty.
He rolled up his sleeves. “Come on, let me help Lord Du bathe.”
Hearing this, Duheng quickly wrapped his arms around himself and lowered his gaze slightly, looking pitiful. “After several days of travel, I’m indeed quite tired.”
Qin Xiaoman pressed gently on the back of Duheng’s neck. “What do you take me for? I’m just going to scrub your back.”
He pinched Duheng’s earlobe. Though Duheng was quite handsome, Qin Xiaoman wasn’t coldly taking advantage—he was just concerned for him.
Duheng’s eyes held a smile as he tilted his head to nuzzle against Qin Xiaoman. He draped his arms over the edge of the bath tub. “Go ahead.”
Qin Xiaoman hummed softly, pouring water over Duheng’s smooth, reddened back and rubbing with his fingertips. He then took out the loofah net.
Duheng closed his eyes slightly, enjoying the sensation as the slightly rough loofah scraped from his back down to his waist. It didn’t hurt, only tickled, sending tingles down to his lower back and abdomen.
He shifted slightly, bent his legs, keeping his expression calm.
“There’s not much to scrub. It’s already quite clean,” Duheng said.
Qin Xiaoman remarked, “You’ve always been fond of cleanliness, but after traveling I thought your body would need a good scrub. Still, you’re remarkably tidy.”
He set aside the loofah, picked up the remaining water bucket, and poured it in.
Water rippled, and Qin Xiaoman noticed a flicker on Duheng’s brow. He pursed his lips; men really were…
“Get out soon, and I’ll make the bed for you. After you wash and rest, you can wake refreshed and have dinner properly.”
Hearing this, Duheng immediately reached out and grabbed Qin Xiaoman.
Suddenly standing, with the bucket at their waists, he pulled Qin Xiaoman into his embrace.
“You’re not—”
Water splashed everywhere as Qin Xiaoman fell in with Duheng.
The bathing room door opened over half an hour later. Qin Xiaoman, drying his hair, glanced sideways at Duheng.
“I’ll dry you off,” he said.
Duheng sat beside him, taking another cloth to dry Qin Xiaoman’s damp hair. Seeing the red marks on Qin Xiaoman’s wrist, he looked slightly apologetic.
He rubbed the bruises gently, knowing the small, hard bath tub made bumps unavoidable.
“Aren’t you going to rest?” Qin Xiaoman asked, watching the one drying his hair.
“I’ll dry your hair and then rest with you. It’s been so many days since we’ve shared a bed; you’ll sleep better beside me.”
Qin Xiaoman said nothing, but inwardly he felt content.
The next day, they both woke a little late and had a simple breakfast. Relatives from nearby households came one after another to offer congratulations.
Once Duheng departed for his post, such gatherings would be rare. Today was both to celebrate his official appointment and to enjoy a family reunion.
The eldest, second, and third sons of the Qin family each brought their families, and Qin Zhiyan’s descendants all came as well. With three or four tables just for the Qin family, the gathering was lively.
“I know you’re appointed to Qiuyang County. I’ve already sent a letter to my father-in-law. All arrangements will be fully coordinated—just focus on your duties,” said Qin Zhifeng.
Duheng was deeply grateful. Arriving at a new region as the chief magistrate was no easy task. The worst fear was being isolated, with subordinates paying only lip service, making it impossible to manage affairs properly and leaving him vulnerable to mistreatment.
Qin Zhifeng’s father-in-law was the county’s patrol inspector, in charge of the county’s officers and constables—much like a general controlling troops. If the emperor needed enforcement, he needed manpower.
With this connection, Duheng could be more confident in managing his staff. When he issued orders, the inspector would provide support, making governance far easier.
“Thank you for your concern. You’ve been busy with your studies and still worry about me,” Duheng said.
Qin Zhifeng replied, “I can’t help much beyond these small matters, but at least I can assist in this way.”
The Qin family had sent as many gifts as possible, hoping Duheng would settle well in Qiuyang County. This gesture of care meant that in the future, any requests could be easily voiced—a clan looking out for one of its own.
The appointment deadline was May 15. The court had calculated the travel time from Luoxia County to Qiuyang County, which wasn’t far—just a two-day journey.
Duheng and Qin Xiaoman finished packing and planned to depart on the eighth day of the first month. They aimed to arrive a few days early, prepare the county offices, and settle the residence, so his first days in office would be smoother.
Early on the eighth day, several carriages were hitched at the gate, ready to depart.