Chapter 55

The provincial exams, held every three years in the provincial capitals, were also known as the Autumn Exams because they took place in the fall.
Only those who had passed the children's exams and become scholars were eligible to take the Autumn Exams. If one passed, they would become a provincial graduate, which qualified them to hold an official position. Second Master Jiang, though not as accomplished as Lord Jiang, who had passed the imperial exams and become a palace graduate, had still passed the provincial exams and was a provincial graduate.
That's why he now holds a minor official position.
Both the first and second branches of the family had scholars eligible to take the provincial exams, along with Jiang Yi from the fifth branch. However, a few days earlier, Lord Jiang had removed Jiang Yi from the family register, yet still provided him with food and shelter. No one could understand why.
In private, Second Lady Jiang urged Second Master Jiang to step in. Since the first branch had disowned Jiang Yi and looked down on him, why not let the second branch take advantage and bring him back? Even though they usually disliked Jiang Yi, he was still a scholar, and who knew, he might achieve something in the future.
Second Master Jiang thought it made sense and deliberately avoided the first branch, instructing his son to approach Jiang Yi at the private school and invite him to visit their residence. But each time, Jiang Yi found some excuse to refuse.
Once or twice was fine, but after several attempts, anyone could see that Jiang Yi clearly had no intention of going.
Second Master Jiang was so angry he blew his beard, and Second Lady Jiang cursed Jiang Yi for being ungrateful. “Pah! That little bastard with a mother but no upbringing! He just got lucky passing the scholar exam, does he really think he's something special?”
Both Second Lady Jiang and Second Master Jiang believed that even Jiang Yi's scholar title was just a stroke of luck. Jiang Yi was only sixteen, did he really think passing the provincial exam and becoming a provincial graduate was that easy?
Meanwhile, Lord Jiang, perhaps considering Jiang Yi as a potential son-in-law, began to take an interest in Jiang Yi's studies. After just a few inquiries, he was astonished to find that despite his youth, Jiang Yi's knowledge and insights far surpassed those of his own son, who was already over thirty.
Comparing the essays written by his sons and Jiang Yi, Lord Jiang had to admit that Jiang Yi's work was far superior.
He fell into deep thought, regretting that he hadn't taken the opportunity to mentor Jiang Yi over the past two years. With only three months left until the provincial exams, it was already a bit late.
Seizing a chance, Lord Jiang visited Jiang Yi's residence. Seeing the bookshelves filled with volumes and the extensive annotations in the margins, he marveled at how widely read and insightful Jiang Yi was at such a young age. He casually asked a maid how late Jiang Yi studied each night.
The maid, finally having a chance to complain about Jiang Yi's relentless studying, exaggeratedly claimed that he hardly rested, practically living in the study. If it weren't for the young lady next door inviting him for dinner, he might even skip meals.
Hearing this, Lord Jiang felt a mix of emotions. Not only was Jiang Yi naturally gifted, but he was also incredibly diligent, no wonder he had achieved so much at such a young age. He felt both proud of Jiang Yi's efforts and frustrated with his own sons' lack of ambition. He resolved to lecture them sternly upon their return, each of them older than Jiang Yi, yet none as accomplished.
Finally, he thought of his daughter. She was doing well, often looking after Jiang Yi when he overworked himself, which was far more reassuring than his sons.
In a good mood, Lord Jiang stopped by Yan Yiming's residence. The more he saw of Jiang Yi, the more pleased he was, and when speaking to his daughter, his tone already acknowledged Jiang Yi as a future son-in-law.
“A’Ming, you're a few years older than Shaojun and live nearby. Since he's busy studying, you should visit him more often and take care of him.”
Yan Yiming couldn't help but complain about his quick change of attitude. “Father, wouldn't visiting him too often disturb his studies?”
Lord Jiang was taken aback for a moment before he grasped his daughter’s meaning. He stared at her in astonishment, when had his well-behaved but reticent daughter learned to speak like this!
Yet it seemed to make sense...
If a beautiful woman were by one’s side while studying, how could one possibly concentrate?
With that thought, Lord Jiang coughed twice and said seriously, “You’re absolutely right. In that case, you should visit less often these days. Studying requires undivided attention. Well, I should be going now. Rest well.”
“Yes,” Yan Yiming replied with a smile, standing up to see Lord Jiang out. Lan Xiu cautiously approached and asked, “Miss, do you really plan to avoid the young master for now?”
“Indeed,” Yan Yiming said. To make the act convincing, she had been feigning anger for quite some time, and Jiang Yi had been left in the cold for a while.
“But...” Lan Xiu thought to herself, the young master only meant well. Recalling how pitiful he had looked a few days earlier, eagerly coming to visit only to be turned away at the door, she felt sorry for him.
But she didn’t dare say more. Sighing, she left. Little A then sidled up and asked, “Host, how much longer do you plan to keep him waiting?”
“Until he can’t take it anymore,” Yan Yiming said calmly. “I suspect it’ll only be a day or two.”
By the time Jiang Yi returned, it was already past dinner. Lan Xiu, noticing his arrival, whispered worriedly, “Miss still seems upset.”
“I’ll go in and see her.”
Lan Xiu gasped in alarm, “What if she gets angry again?”
“Then I’ll let her deal with me as she pleases,” Jiang Yi replied with a smile as he stepped inside.
Early summer had arrived once more, and the room felt somewhat stuffy. Yan Yiming preferred the time just before dusk, when the sky was neither fully light nor dark. She would have her lounge chair moved into the courtyard to enjoy the evening breeze and listen to the cicadas, all while bickering with Little A in a way no one else could hear.
When Jiang Yi entered, he saw Yan Yiming lounging lazily on the chair. Though the sunlight had faded, she still had a handkerchief draped over her face.
He walked over slowly and reached out to remove it, but Yan Yiming, as if she had known he was there all along, swatted his hand away. “Go away. I don’t want to see you.”
Jiang Yi took the opportunity to grasp her hand and said with a smile, “But what if I want to see you?”
“The maids are watching. Let go,” Yan Yiming retorted, pulling her hand back and snatching the handkerchief from her face. Her familiar features were now slightly flushed with annoyance, her light-colored glass-like eyes reflecting both anger and a hint of unease.
In that moment, Jiang Yi understood. Yan Yiming had been avoiding him all this time not just out of anger, but more so out of embarrassment.
Their relationship had suddenly changed, and it was only natural for her to feel unaccustomed to it.
After all, women tended to be more reserved in such matters.
Jiang Yi glanced back, and Lan Xiu, understanding the situation, promptly shooed the maids away. Jiang Yi sat on the small stool beside the recliner, gently rocking it as he said, “The maids are all gone, no one can see.” Then he chuckled, “Sooner or later, everyone will find out anyway. It's better to let them know early...”
Yan Yiming shot him a sidelong glance. Jiang Yi's eyes were filled with laughter, but he ultimately left the sentence unfinished.
His gaze was intense, and Yan Yiming seemed a bit embarrassed under his stare. She turned her face away and said with slight annoyance, “Why are you looking at me?”
“You're beautiful,” Jiang Yi replied. “A’Ming, does marrying me really make you so upset?”
“...”
Jiang Yi's slender fingers gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. No longer playful or teasing, he asked with utmost seriousness, “A’Ming, tell me the truth. Do you really not want to marry me at all?”
Even for someone as confident as Jiang Yi, he felt uncertain as he asked this question.
He had gradually drawn closer to her, cleared away all the distractions around her, and finally won her over. He thought that would be enough, but now he found himself wanting more.
He hoped that she felt the same stirrings and affection in her heart as he did.
He gazed deeply into Yan Yiming's eyes, but she remained silent. Jiang Yi's hope slowly faded, and a bitter taste filled his heart.
He should have known all along, she had always seen him as a younger brother, never harboring any other feelings...
Under the moonlight, Jiang Yi's handsome face wore a strained smile as he murmured, as if comforting himself, “It's alright, I can...”
Before he could finish, Yan Yiming suddenly stood up. Jiang Yi's pupils contracted sharply.
A warm kiss brushed against his lips, light as a dragonfly skimming the water, before Yan Yiming pulled away, rolled off the recliner, and walked off without looking back. “You're usually so clever. How come you're acting like a fool now...”
Jiang Yi remained seated on the small stool but swiftly grabbed her arm, pulling a startled Yan Yiming back into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing his cheek against her midsection as he looked up at her with wide, pleading eyes and said in a soft voice, “A’Ming, I haven't had dinner yet.”
Yan Yiming: “...”
Jiang Yi pressed further, “I'm hungry.”
Yan Yiming took a deep breath and glanced back awkwardly. Lan Xiu quickly averted her eyes, pretending she hadn't seen anything, though the curve of her lips betrayed a smile.
Yan Yiming forcefully pried his hands from her waist and hurried away. Watching her retreating figure and hearing her order the kitchen to prepare dinner despite her irritation, Jiang Yi felt as if his heart had been dipped in honey, and he smiled.
From then on, the two began their awkwardly sweet life together. Jiang Yi watched her feign indifference every day, yet he cherished every moment. It was as if a mischievous side of him had been awakened, and he took delight in teasing the stern-faced Yan Yiming.
Little A remarked in awe, “I never knew Jiang Yi had a sadistic streak.”
Yan Yiming wholeheartedly agreed. Compared to Jian Yuyan, who needed a bit of hardship to grow, exhibiting masochistic tendencies, Jiang Yi was undoubtedly a sadist.
Months flew by in the blink of an eye. Summer gave way to autumn, and finally, the triennial imperial examinations arrived.
Before setting off, Lord Jiang gathered the entire main household, young and old, to encourage Second Young Master Jiang and Jiang Yi, who were about to take the provincial examination. Lord Jiang knew his own son had little hope, so he placed his expectations on Jiang Yi instead.
After repeatedly giving the two some last-minute advice, just as they were about to depart, Lady Jiang shot her husband a glare and pulled him away. Couldn’t he see that Young Master Yi kept glancing at A’Ming? He truly had no sense of romance.
Jiang Yi even nodded gratefully at Lady Jiang before pulling Yan Yiming aside to a secluded spot, hoping to coax some sweet words from her. “Just say one thing, and I’ll surely return with an official rank.”
Yan Yiming gave him a light tap. “If you don’t earn that rank, don’t come back.”
Jiang Yi laughed again. He had never known A’Ming could be so adorably stubborn, and he couldn’t resist leaning in to nip her lips. Before Yan Yiming could react, he quickly jumped back, waved, and left, thoroughly satisfied.
Three days later, Jiang Yi and Second Young Master Jiang returned to the Jiang residence.
Another month passed, and the fragrance of osmanthus filled the air. The Jiang family servants had long secured a spot near the county office. As soon as the examination results were posted, the crowd surged forward. A servant scanned the list from bottom to top but found no Jiang family members, neither from the main branch nor the secondary branch. His heart sank with each passing name, but he persisted until he had read the entire list.
When his eyes landed on the name at the very top, he jolted as if struck by lightning. Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, he looked again and confirmed he hadn’t mistaken it.
Heavens! Wasn’t the top scorer, the provincial champion, their own young master?!