Chapter 56

The servant tasked with checking the results had run back in a frenzy, while the Jiang family waited inside, even more anxious.
Lady Jiang had taken the younger generation to wait for news at Old Madam Jiang’s quarters. Soon after, Lord Jiang and the other young masters of the family arrived as well, including Second Young Master Jiang and Jiang Yi, who had both taken the exam.
Old Madam Jiang had spent the day comforting the nervously trembling Second Young Master Jiang and hadn’t found an opportunity to criticize Jiang Yi. Lord Jiang glanced back at Jiang Yi, who remained silent but composed.
After the exam, Lord Jiang had summoned both candidates, asked about the questions, and had them recount their essays. His son hadn’t strayed from the topic, but his insights were shallow. In contrast, Jiang Yi’s writing was sharp, and the perspectives in his essay had even startled Master Jiang.
If the examiner grading Jiang Yi’s paper leaned toward radical views, it would be highly praised. But if the examiner preferred moderation, they might deem the essay too extreme. Though well-written, it was a gamble, it all depended on Jiang Yi’s fate.
After waiting nearly another hour, the servant who had gone to check the results rushed in from outside, his face flushed with excitement. He had run so fast that when he faced his masters, all he could gasp out was, “He passed!”
Lord Jiang and the others immediately stood up. The already nervous Second Young Master Jiang widened his eyes even more in tension, while even Jiang Yi, who usually wore a faint expression, involuntarily straightened his back.
“Wh-who passed?” Lord Jiang stammered excitedly.
“Young... Young Master Jiang passed!” The servant finally managed to get the words out completely. Before he could finish, Second Lady Jiang had already cried out in dismay, “What about my Chen'er?”
“I didn't see Second Young Master, nor Third Young Master from the Second Master's residence, only the young master...”
Second Lady Jiang and Second Young Master Jiang immediately lost their strength, slumping in disappointment. Though Lord Jiang and Lady Jiang were also let down, they weren't as disheartened. They all turned to look at Jiang Yi. Lord Jiang said with great relief, “It's good that he passed...”
The servant hadn't finished yet, his face flushed with urgency. Yan Yiming glanced at him and asked considerately, “Since the young master passed, what was his ranking?”
“Oh, miss, you finally asked!” The servant nearly wept with gratitude. Only when he saw everyone's questioning gazes fixed on him again did he straighten his back and exclaim excitedly, “Not only did the young master pass, but he also came in first...”
“What did you say!”
Everyone in the room was stunned.
If Lord Jiang had been pleasantly surprised before, now he was utterly astonished.
First place.
That was the top scholar!
Yan Yiming had known all along, but she still put on an exaggerated act, covering her mouth in feigned amazement. “Heavens, first place!” she exclaimed, then looked at Jiang Yi with eyes full of joy and admiration. “How are you so incredibly talented?”
Seeing her overly dramatic expression, Jiang Yi's heart, which had momentarily stilled in shock, relaxed at once. If there hadn't been others present, he would have been unable to resist showing her affection.
After the initial shock subsided, the Jiang family's younger generation seemed to finally snap out of it and hurriedly congratulated Jiang Yi. Lord Jiang and Lady Jiang exchanged a glance, both nearly moved to tears.
They had only hoped for Jiang Yi to pass the provincial examination and become a successful candidate in the imperial examinations at the provincial level. Who could have imagined he would achieve first place, the top scholar among all the candidates? Now they could even dare to hope for the metropolitan examination half a year later, and even the palace examination!
Within moments, messengers bearing the good news swarmed into the Jiang residence. The announcement slip was boldly inscribed: “Joyful tidings! The esteemed master of your household, Jiang Yi, has achieved first place in the Luoyang provincial examination, the top scholar. May he continue to succeed in the capital examinations!”
Though they already knew, the sight of the official messengers sent the entire Jiang household into another wave of celebration.
Whoever said the young master passing the imperial examination at thirteen was a mere fluke, what other youth could become a juren at sixteen, let alone the top scholar? Those who had previously whispered that Jiang Yi's status was illegitimate now dared not utter another word. The Jiang family might very well rely on the young master to rise to greatness in the future!
The news spread swiftly. Not only was he the top scholar, but he was also a descendant of the Jiang family. The prefect sent someone to invite Lord Jiang and Jiang Yi as guests.
The other Jiang family members couldn't hide their envy, though they didn't dare voice it aloud. They had once dismissed Jiang Yi's success in the earlier examination as luck, but now they didn't dare anymore. They could only murmur quietly about the unfairness of fate, wondering why they weren't born with Jiang Yi's brilliant mind.
This time, even Second Lady Jiang couldn't bring herself to say a single harsh word. Even though she knew little about politics, she vaguely sensed that the Jiang family's future might very well depend on Jiang Yi.
Old Madam Jiang's likes and dislikes came and went quickly. The title of Provincial Graduate instantly dispelled her dissatisfaction with Jiang Yi. Suddenly recalling that Lord Jiang had recently removed Jiang Yi from the Jiang family registry, she grew angry at her son's thoughtlessness.
“Why drive him out for no reason! Can our Jiang family not even accommodate a half-grown child?”
With Lord Jiang absent, Old Madam Jiang could only vent her anger at Lady Jiang. Lady Jiang glanced back, noticing the younger generation had already left, and smiled leisurely. “Even if he's removed from the clan registry, he's still a Jiang. What is there to worry about?”
Old Madam Jiang couldn't help but worry, “How is he still a Jiang? Who knows when that little rascal might hold a grudge against us...”
“He won't. Shaojun isn't that kind of person,” Lady Jiang said calmly. “Besides, the lord and I have already agreed that once Shaojun achieves an official rank, we'll approve his marriage to A'Ming.”
“To whom?” Old Madam Jiang didn't react immediately. After a pause, she exclaimed, “To Fifth Girl?”
Lady Jiang smiled faintly. “Yes. A'Ming recently lost her engagement, and Shaojun personally came to me saying he wished to marry her. Seeing his sincere attitude, I naturally agreed.”
Old Madam Jiang stared at Lady Jiang in stunned disbelief for a long moment. She couldn't understand how siblings could become husband and wife, then remembered Jiang Yi wasn't actually a Jiang by blood and was no longer part of the Jiang clan. But now he was a Provincial Graduate after all...
Old Madam Jiang truly couldn't comprehend it. “Why would he take a fancy to Fifth Girl, that sickly child? Isn't he afraid...”
She stopped mid-sentence, remembering she was speaking to Lady Jiang. Suddenly realizing they could recruit Jiang Yi as a son-in-law, Old Madam Jiang's eyes shifted craftily as she exclaimed with sudden delight, “Fifth Girl is in poor health. I have a grandniece who's just reached marriageable age this year.”
“Heh,” Lady Jiang sneered. “Then you can tell Shaojun yourself.”
Old Madam Jiang glared. “What elders say goes. Since when can one decide their own marriage?”
That her own granddaughter ranked lower than some grandniece made Lady Jiang so furious she nearly spat in Old Madam Jiang's face. Completely losing her mood, she stood up. “Shaojun is no longer a Jiang. What kind of elders are we to meddle in his marriage? If you have the ability, make him marry your grandniece. The master and I won't stop you.”
Old Madam Jiang was left speechless. Lady Jiang rolled her eyes hard, remembering how Jiang Yi had personally promised they would treat A'Ming well for life. With another cold sneer, she ignored Old Madam Jiang completely, lifted the curtain, and walked straight out.
Left behind, Old Madam Jiang fumed for quite a while before finally instructing the servants to have Jiang Yi come see her when he returned.
Jiang Yi returned around noon. Lord Jiang had spoken with him delightedly, and hearing that Yan Yiming happened to be chatting with Lady Jiang, the two went to Lady Jiang's quarters together.
Upon entering, she saw Lady Jiang fuming with a livid face. When Lord Jiang casually asked what was wrong, Lady Jiang, reminded of Old Madam Jiang's smug expression, redirected some of her anger toward him. “Our old lady said A’Ming has a short life span, what a pity it would be for her to marry Shaojun. Her grandniece, just sixteen, is as lovely as a flower, gentle and virtuous, and at the perfect age for marriage.”
Even though Lord Jiang respected his mother, his face darkened at these words.
Wasn't this an outright curse on their daughter? And that grandniece? Her coarse words were as vulgar as a market shrew's, and her looks couldn't even compare to the maids in the mansion, what kind of “lovely as a flower” was that?
Lord Jiang had been holding in his anger since returning home. When a maid came to announce that the old lady had summoned the young master, he slammed the table and stood up. “I'll go speak with the old lady.”
Jiang Yi glanced back at Yan Yiming, who smiled and blinked. A warmth spread in Jiang Yi's heart. “I'll go with you, sir.”
After a moment's thought, Lord Jiang nodded in agreement.
Watching the two walk away, Lady Jiang finally let out a long sigh. She grasped her daughter's hand earnestly. “My child, Shaojun's future isn't just about being a provincial scholar. He may take the imperial exams and stay in the capital. Once you marry him, you should move to the capital with him. I'll visit you there when I can, so you won't have to endure your grandmother's temper here.”
Indeed, he would take the imperial exams, not just that, but he would become the top scholar, personally selected by the emperor, returning home in glory and splendor.
Only, she was destined not to see it.
Yan Yiming didn't know what Lord Jiang and Jiang Yi said to Old Madam Jiang, but according to the maids, the old lady claimed to have fallen ill after meeting with them. Later, Jiang Yi told her that she had clearly been infuriated by him.
After being sternly reprimanded by Lord Jiang, Old Madam Jiang was already furious but pretended to remain calm, keeping Jiang Yi behind to praise her grandniece as if she were a fairy. Jiang Yi leisurely asked if the grandniece resembled Old Madam Jiang. Thinking he was flattering her, the old lady nodded.
Then, in the next breath, Jiang Yi said lightly, “In that case, Shaojun absolutely dare not accept her.”
Old Madam Jiang, still confused, foolishly asked, “Why?”
Jiang Yi's thin lips parted slightly as he uttered a few words: “Too frightening.”
Finally enraged beyond reason, Old Madam Jiang rolled her eyes and fainted.
Yan Yiming clicked her tongue and applauded. Jiang Yi's skill at infuriating others was just beginning to show its edge. Lady Jiang nearly doubled over with laughter upon hearing this and later rewarded Jiang Yi with many gifts. Then, she discussed with Lord Jiang when the two should marry.
Lord Jiang thought for a moment. “He's passed the provincial exam, and the metropolitan exam is next spring, six months from now. With another half-year of preparation, he might pass. I'm worried that marriage might dampen his ambition. We've waited this long; what's another six months?”
Lady Jiang agreed it made sense but couldn't help worrying. If he really succeeded and went to the capital, it wasn't that she distrusted Jiang Yi, but she feared some noble in the capital might take a liking to him and want him as a son-in-law.
That was a valid concern. After pondering, Lord Jiang said, “Then let's have them engaged first.”
Next year, whether he passes the imperial examination or not, this marriage is settled. If he succeeds, it will be a double blessing; if he doesn’t, it’s still fine. In any case, we can’t let our daughter delay any longer.
After discussing it with Jiang Yi, although he felt a bit regretful, he didn’t oppose the decision.
Only Yan Yiming, in the stillness of the night, sighed softly with Little A.
If she didn’t cherish the opportunity before her, she couldn’t blame anyone else once she was gone.