The day after Jiang Li's coming-of-age ceremony, she received a gift from the steward of the Zhang family. She hadn’t expected that Madam Chen would still remember her ceremony, and the gesture left her both surprised and deeply touched. Even Yang Hui Niang was taken aback.
"If it’s Madam Chen’s kind gesture, you should accept it. This afternoon, find some time to visit the Zhang residence and express your gratitude," Yang Hui Niang said, already preparing a return gift for Madam Chen. As she turned, she noticed the wooden hairpin in Jiang Li’s hair and raised an eyebrow. "Did Ying Ying give you that hairpin?"
Jiang Li’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly averted her eyes, deflecting the question. "Ah, Mother, do you think this hairpin looks nice?"
Yang Hui Niang’s attention was successfully diverted, and she examined the hairpin closely. Zhang Ying Ying’s family owned a jewelry shop that specialized in gold ornaments, so Yang Hui Niang had expected a gold hairpin. Instead, this was a finely crafted wooden hairpin made of high-quality sandalwood, with delicate and elegant carvings. Though understated, it exuded a refined charm, surpassing the appeal of ordinary gold hairpins.
"It’s beautiful. Ying Ying put a lot of thought into this gift. For her coming-of-age ceremony next month, you must prepare something equally thoughtful," Yang Hui Niang said.
Relieved that her mother hadn’t suspected anything, Jiang Li nodded. "I will, Mother."
In the afternoon, after finishing her work at the tavern, Jiang Li took the return gift prepared by Yang Hui Niang and headed to the Zhang residence. Upon arrival, she learned that Madam Chen and the lady of the house had gone to Wenchang Temple to pray for the eldest son, Zhang Heng, who was about to take the provincial exams.
The exams were just a few days away, and all the scholars who had passed the preliminary exams would head to the examination hall in Changzhou. Those who succeeded would earn the title of *xiucai* (scholar) and qualify for the autumn imperial exams in August.
Since Madam Chen wasn’t home, Jiang Li left the gift with Bi Hong.
Bi Hong, sharp-eyed as ever, noticed the new hairpin in Jiang Li’s hair and leaned in to read the characters engraved on it. "Jing... Jia? What does that mean?"
Jiang Li smiled slightly, feeling a bit self-conscious. "It’s... my courtesy name, taken from a line of poetry."
"Courtesy name?" Bi Hong’s eyes widened. It was uncommon for girls from ordinary families to have courtesy names; such traditions were usually reserved for noblewomen.
Bi Hong couldn’t help but think of the young man with the demeanor of a gentle breeze and bright moon. Teasingly, she asked, "I don’t even know which poem these characters are from. Be honest with me, did Huo Jue give you this name?"
Jiang Li hadn’t expected Bi Hong to guess it was Huo Jue’s doing. Her ears turned red, and she nodded awkwardly. "Yes, it was him."
"Huo Jue is taking the provincial exams in a few days, isn’t he? How thoughtful of him to remember your coming-of-age ceremony even with the exams approaching," Bi Hong teased, making Jiang Li blush even more.
The provincial exams were only four days away, and the examination hall was in Changzhou, a day’s journey by carriage. Since the inns near the examination hall were always fully booked during this time, most scholars left early to secure accommodations.
Huo Jue had indeed delayed his departure until this morning to attend Jiang Li’s ceremony.
Bi Hong glanced at Jiang Li’s radiant face, feeling a pang of envy. But then she remembered that once the eldest son, Zhang Heng, passed the exams, Madam Chen would arrange for a concubine to accompany him to the capital for the imperial exams.
In the Zhang household, the only candidates for this role were Bi Hong and Bi Lan. However, Bi Lan had already requested permission to leave the household next year when she turned eighteen.
That left Bi Hong.
Thinking about it, Bi Hong felt less envious. She had always admired the eldest son, and becoming his concubine would fulfill her long-held wish.
When Madam Chen returned that evening, Bi Hong showed her the return gift from Jiang Li.
Madam Chen nodded in satisfaction, her expression kind. "That child is truly well-mannered."
Bi Hong agreed. "Indeed. I dare say, now that she’s come of age, her family’s doorstep will soon be crowded with matchmakers."
Madam Chen glanced at Bi Hong. "Is her family arranging a marriage for her?"
"Not yet, but it’s likely soon," Bi Hong said, pouring tea for Madam Chen. Unaware of the older woman’s scrutinizing gaze, she added with a smile, "There’s a young man next door who’s quite fond of her. I suspect their engagement is imminent."
Madam Chen hummed thoughtfully, sipping her tea. "You may leave now. Send Steward Lin to me later."
---
The provincial exams consisted of two sessions, lasting two days and one night, and concluded on the 14th day of the sixth lunar month.
Huo Jue returned to Tong’an City on the 15th. As soon as he entered the city gates, he saw Shen Ting waiting with a carriage.
Huo Jue paused briefly, nodded to Shen Ting, and boarded the carriage.
When they arrived at Ruyi Garden, Wei Huan was in the courtyard with several maids, making incense.
"Finished?" Wei Huan set down the incense hammer, took a handkerchief from a maid, and wiped her hands. "How did it go?"
"Not bad," Huo Jue replied.
Wei Huan nodded, unconcerned about Huo Jue’s exam results. Her brother had always been exceptionally intelligent, and she had no doubts about his academic abilities.
"Come with me," she said, leading him through the corridor to the main hall. Once there, she asked, "A Jue, when do you want me to propose the marriage?"
Seeing how eager his sister was, Huo Jue smiled. "The exam results will be announced in a few days. You can propose after that."
Wei Huan thought it best to prepare early, so she said, "Alright. You’ve been exhausted these past few days. Rest for a while; there’s no need to rush back to the pharmacy. Uncle Su has Zhao Qian to assist him, so nothing will go wrong."
With that, she left to discuss the marriage proposal with Nanny Tong.
Huo Jue, having barely slept for days and confined to the examination hall for two days, was indeed tired.
After resting for a while in an armchair, he took out a letter and called Shen Ting in. Handing him the letter, Huo Jue said, "Deliver this to Xue Wu, then return to White Water Village. With Xue’s guards in Tong’an, nothing will go wrong here. I’m giving you a year. Can you make the people of White Water Village obey you?"
Shen Ting took the letter and bowed respectfully. "I will do my utmost to fulfill your expectations, Young Master."
Huo Jue patted Shen Ting’s shoulder gently. "Your adoptive father treated you like his own son. Once I go to the capital, I’ll have Zhao Qian visit White Water Village."
At the mention of his adoptive father, Shen Ting was momentarily stunned, then lowered his head. "But Zhao Qian is Xue Wu’s man..."
Huo Jue looked at Shen Ting. "In the past three years, the court has sent troops twice to suppress the bandits in White Water Village, and both times they failed. Do you really think it was luck that saved the village?"
Shen Ting’s eyes widened in realization. The two times the court had attacked, White Water Village had received advance warnings, allowing them to prepare and survive. Otherwise, how could they have grown so strong?
But now, thinking back, the timing of those warnings had been suspiciously precise, and they had always come through him. He had always felt something was off but could never figure out who was behind it.
Hearing Huo Jue’s tone, Shen Ting gasped. "Was it Xue Wu?"
"Yes. Your rise in White Water Village over the years was largely due to him," Huo Jue said, his voice firm. "Xue Wu is someone you can trust."
---
Shen Ting left Tong’an City under the cover of night. As he passed through the city gates, a luxurious carriage marked with the character "Zhang" entered the city.
He glanced at it, recognizing it as the carriage of the Zhang family, Tong’an’s wealthiest household.
Inside the carriage, Zhang Heng was resting with his eyes closed.
Upon arriving at the Zhang residence, he was immediately summoned to Madam Chen’s quarters.
Madam Chen had a warm towel brought for him to wipe his face and ordered the kitchen to prepare some hot soup and snacks. Once Zhang Heng had finished eating, she asked cautiously, "How did the exams go?"
Zhang Heng smiled gently. "It went well. Grandmother, there’s no need to worry. The results will be announced in a few days, and I’m confident I’ll be in the top ten."
Madam Chen was delighted. "Wonderful! You’ve surpassed your father. He didn’t earn the title of *xiucai* until he was thirty, and it took him four attempts to pass the provincial exams. Prepare well for the autumn exams!"
Zhang Heng nodded with a smile.
After chatting for a while, Zhang Heng left Madam Chen’s quarters.
Madam Chen watched her grandson’s tall figure disappear, then turned to the maid beside her. "If Heng passes the exams, have Steward Lin go to Yang’s Tavern and secure A Li’s hand in marriage. We can’t let her get engaged to someone else before Heng becomes a *juren* (provincial scholar). That would be unfortunate!"
The maid chuckled. "Even if she’s engaged, it’s not a problem. Engagements can be broken. Our Zhang family is the wealthiest in Tong’an, and the young master is both talented and handsome. I doubt Yang Hui Niang would pass up the chance to marry her daughter into our family!"
Madam Chen smiled, not finding the maid’s words inappropriate. In her eyes, it was indeed a great fortune for A Li to be chosen by Zhang Heng.
---
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the day of the results announcement.
The results were posted at the Confucius Temple in the east of the city. Early in the morning, Jiang Li dragged Jiang Ling along to see the results.
While Jiang Ling was calm, Jiang Li was a bundle of nerves.
Jiang Ling looked at his sister helplessly. "A Li, Huo Jue will definitely pass. The only question is whether he’ll come in first."
Jiang Li knew that, but she couldn’t help feeling anxious.
When they arrived at the temple, the area around the results board was already packed with people, all pushing and shoving to get a glimpse. Before Jiang Li could squeeze through the crowd, she saw a scholar Jiang Ling knew walking out dejectedly.
The young man burst into tears when he saw Jiang Ling. "Jiang Ling, I failed!"
"It’s alright. You can try again in two years," Jiang Ling comforted him. Once the scholar had calmed down, Jiang Ling asked, "Did you see Huo Jue’s ranking?"
The scholar looked up, tears streaming down his face. "Of course he came in first! County first, prefecture first, and now provincial first. Just as our teacher said, he’s the undisputed 'Little Triple Crown' winner! How can there be such a gap between people born of the same parents?"
---
Jiang Li handed Jiang Ling a string of coins to take his despondent classmate for a meal to lift his spirits, then left the temple with a spring in her step.
As she reached the entrance, she noticed a familiar figure—Steward Lin from the Zhang residence. The steward looked elated as he hurriedly boarded a carriage.
It dawned on Jiang Li that Zhang Heng had also taken the exams. Judging by Steward Lin’s expression, he must have done well.
As she pondered this, someone called her name in a deep, familiar voice. "A Li."
Jiang Li turned around, her face lighting up. "Huo Jue, you came in first!"
Huo Jue nodded calmly. He had gone to the academy early that morning to see the headmaster, who had informed him of his top ranking.
While he wasn’t particularly excited about the achievement, seeing Jiang Li’s joy made him smile.
"Huo Jue, you’re a *xiucai* now," Jiang Li said happily. In truth, Huo Jue’s status as a scholar had been all but guaranteed since he topped the county exams, but it was only after the provincial results that it became official.
On their way back to Zhu Fu Street, Jiang Li chatted excitedly, while Huo Jue listened quietly, a faint smile on his usually stoic face.
As they neared the tavern, Huo Jue suddenly stopped and looked toward the entrance. "A Li."
Jiang Li paused mid-sentence and followed his gaze. A familiar carriage was parked outside the tavern.
Huo Jue reached over and gently plucked a stray petal from her hair. "My sister is here to propose the marriage."
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