As soon as the results of the provincial examination were announced, the capital of Liang became lively. Which family would not hold a banquet to entertain the guests of the successful candidates? The guests who received the invitations also looked very proud. After all, there were very few people who could compete for the top positions in the imperial examination. Whether they were high-ranking officials or ordinary people, they were all very happy to be able to pass the examination.
In addition to Pei Che, Pei Shiyuan's two sons also entered the examination room. Unfortunately, Pei Che ranked eighth in the provincial examination, while the other two failed.
On the day when the list was posted, everyone in the second house was waiting expectantly and anxiously. Before the servant sent to check the list came back, the gatekeeper came to report that a team of people bringing good news were coming this way with drums and gongs.
Aunt Pei stood up immediately and shouted with surprise: "My son passed! My son passed! Was it Pu'er or Min'er? Or both of them?!" It was really God's blessing. It was worth it for her to get up early every day to burn incense and worship Buddha since the first day of the provincial examination!
Pei Shiyuan was also overjoyed. He was not good at studying back then and had planned to rely on donations from his family to get an official position. He didn't expect his two sons to be so capable!
Facing the eager eyes of the two, the concierge said a few auspicious words in a flattering manner. Recently, everyone in the mansion was talking about the provincial examination. He came in to report when he heard the gongs and drums, but he had not yet asked which young master it was. He naturally hoped that both young masters would pass, so that he could receive two bonuses.
"Call Pu'er and Min'er, and let them go with me to take a look." Pei Shiyuan straightened his clothes and walked out in high spirits. The frustration of having plotted against Pei Che for the past six months but being outwitted was about to dissipate.
When they reached the door, the person announcing the good news said, "Congratulations, Duke. Your son has passed the provincial examination and ranked eighth. I came here to congratulate you."
Pei Shiyuan's smile froze on his face: "Say it again? Who got hit?"
The person who brought the good news thought that he was so happy, so he repeated it again in an especially loud voice, and emphasized the words "young prince of your family".
Pei Shiyuan felt as if a group of wild horses were running through his heart, and he tried hard to control the expression on his face so as not to break. He ordered the steward to give them the reward money, and just as he was about to go in, the second and third reports came again. A large group of people blocked the door, and every congratulation was like a knife cutting a wound on Pei Shiyuan's body. But he couldn't do anything, so he could only order the steward to give them the reward money with a wooden face.
"Call those two evil creatures in!" Pei Shiyuan walked to the study room with heavy steps, his face full of anger, looking a little ferocious.
Pei Pu and Pei Min walked in trembling. Before they reached the desk, a cup fell to the ground in front of them. The flying fragments almost scratched their hands, which scared them both.
"What did you say before the exam?" Pei Shiyuan had still held out some hope, but the servant who had just been sent to check the list came back with a bitter face and said that he couldn't find the names of the two young masters, but the prince did see them.
Pei Pu remained silent. Pei Min said in a trembling voice: "Dad, we are not ready this time. We will definitely pass the exam next time!"
"Next time? How come Pei Che can win this time?" Pei Shiyuan was very dissatisfied.
"Who made him be in the Imperial College..." Pei Min retorted in a low voice.
Pei Shiyuan sneered and said sarcastically: "It's not like I haven't sent you to the Imperial College before. They stayed there based on their abilities. Why can't you stay there too?"
Pei Pu's face was livid, and Pei Min also bowed his head and said nothing. Facing Pei Shiyuan's sarcasm, the two were very unconvinced. His father blamed them for not living up to expectations, and they wanted to blame his father! Pei Che's father and mother were both famous talents in Liangjing, so how could their children not be smart? What about them? Although he was the son of a duke, he was often laughed at by others because his parents were both illegitimate.
Especially half a year ago, the position of the Crown Prince, which was originally within their grasp, fell into Pei Che's hands. Otherwise, how could they be so uninterested in their studies
Pei Shiyuan was still cursing. Aunt Pei, who had rushed over after hearing the news, was also very angry. However, she was not angry at her two sons, but at Pei Che's good luck. How come he always got all the good things? It was really unfair!
"Master, calm down. Pu'er and Min'er know their mistakes. They will definitely pass the exam next time. Pu'er and Min'er, why don't you go back to your room and read?" Aunt Pei said.
Since she had already said that, Pei Shiyuan couldn't refute her in front of others, so he could only pour a cup of tea into his mouth and temporarily suppress his anger.
"It's so unfair! How could Pei Che pass the exam? Did the old lady come up with a plan, or did the old man from the Feng family do something behind the scenes?"
Pei Shiyuan scolded: "Shut up, cheating in the provincial examination is a serious case. If others hear it, I will charge you with slandering the court officials. Let's see what you can do!"
Second Aunt Pei closed her mouth unwillingly. She was just talking. Anyway, she didn't want to admit that Pei Che was really amazing.
When the two were angry, there was a knock on the door. The maid's voice came from outside the door: "Madam, the old lady wants you to come over."
Second Aunt Pei's heart skipped a beat. It didn't make sense that the bad words she just said would reach the old lady's ears, right? She went to Grandmother Pei's courtyard nervously, but saw that the old lady, who had been unfriendly to her for so long, smiled and said, "I called you here today because I have a few things for you to do."
Aunt Pei forced a smile and said hurriedly, "Mom, just tell me if you have anything to say."
"Che'er passed the provincial examination, which is a great thing. Give orders to give three months' worth of monthly allowances to everyone in the mansion, so that everyone can share in the joy."
"...Yes." Aunt Pei lowered her head to hide her distorted expression. She could only comfort herself that the money was not hers anyway, and she would get a share.
"Also, find out when the previous families will hold banquets. Ours will be held after them, so remember to choose a good day. You can prepare the invitations, and invite all the close relatives."
"… yes."
"The weather is getting colder, and the people in the charity home are having a hard time. Sending some rice, flour and charcoal to the families in Liang Jing can be considered as a way to accumulate merit for Che'er."
"… yes."
After Grandmother Pei finished speaking, she asked Second Aunt Pei to leave, saying that she was tired. Second Aunt Pei looked respectful on the surface, but she started complaining as soon as she returned to the yard.
However, although I felt satisfied, I still had to do everything I had to do.
The mansion was planning a banquet, so naturally they couldn't leave out the main character. After Pei Che learned the news, he drew up a list and asked someone to take it back. The people on the list were the guests Pei Che wanted to invite. If anyone was left out, it would be very rude.
Jiang Miao was a little conflicted. Pei Che said that the mansion would send invitations to his relatives, but he was afraid that his uncle and aunt would feel uncomfortable in such an occasion. But it didn't seem good not to come.
"If you can't make up your mind, you might as well ask them. It should be their decision whether to come or not." Pei Che couldn't bear to see him frowning, so he gave him an idea.
"You're right. I'll go back and ask today." Jiang Miao made up his mind. "If I go back, I won't be able to come back today. Remember to pick up Xiao Shitou and Mu'er. If you want to eat, go to the big canteen. The food there is delicious and free. Don't go to the Essence Garden. Do you hear me?"
Jiang Miao explained. Pei Che originally wanted him to send someone back to ask, but he didn't expect Jiang Miao to go back by himself. He immediately refused: "Just send someone to pass the message. It's a long way to go back and forth. Why bother with such a small matter?"
Jiang Miao had already opened the cabinet to pack his things. Hearing this, he said, "It's okay. What's wrong with taking a carriage? I haven't been home for a long time. It's a good opportunity to go back and see them."
"Then I'll go with you." Pei Che said. Recently, because of the issue of results, the provincial examination class allowed the students who passed the exam to study at home on their own. It would not be too late to go back when they were free.
Jiang Miao refused without even turning his head: "Stop it, who will pick them up if you leave? How can you leave no one at home?"
"Then you have the heart to leave me alone and sleepless?"
Jiang Miao said bluntly: "Don't be so hypocritical, it's just one day, not ten days or half a month. If you continue like this, will I be able to pass the next exam?"
Pei Che: "..." His heart was broken. His tenderness was misplaced!
Jiang Miao didn't hear a reply, so he stopped and turned to look at Pei Che's hurt face, so he had no choice but to walk over and bend over to kiss him on the face. Soon, the two of them were hugging each other and kissing each other, and the kissing position also moved from the face to other places.
"A Miao, how come you are free to come back today? Where are your brother and others? Where is your brother-in-law?" After hearing the knock on the door, Second Aunt Jiang opened it and saw that it was Jiang Miao carrying a lot of bags.
"They are studying and didn't come with us this time." Jiang Miao said.
"That's right, Xin'er is also studying today." Aunt Jiang said, "Why are you bringing back so many bags? We have everything at home."
"Most of them are made by myself. They are not expensive and are given to my sisters and Xin'er to please them." Jiang Miao put the things on the table. "Xin'er can still keep up with his studies. If not, he can go to the city to study. My place is still empty. Sister Xiaoyu is all alone."
"He looks naughty, but he is good at studying. He has learned a lot of words these days! His father said that if he dares not to take it seriously, he will beat him up." Aunt Jiang laughed with pride on her face. If A Miao hadn't directly asked someone to enroll Xin'er in a private school, she and his father would never have thought of letting Xin'er go to school.
"Everyone in our Jiang family is very smart. Xin'er learns some words every day and comes back to teach them to the older sisters. There is no harm in knowing a few more words." Jiang Miao said. If girls were not prohibited from studying here, he would definitely send them to a private school.
Aunt Jiang smiled again: "He taught them. Not only did he teach them, he also pestered me and his father to teach him. How cost-effective is that? He pays one fee and the whole family can learn from him."
"That's right." Jiang Miao had sighed like this before.
"By the way, you haven't told me why you came back today. It's not a festival now, did something happen?" Aunt Jiang suddenly became worried.
Jiang Miao shook his head: "Nothing happened, it's just that the results of the provincial examination came out not long ago, Pei Che passed the exam, and his family wants to hold a banquet. They want you to come, but they are afraid that you are not used to it, so they went home to ask for your opinions."
Jiang Miao tried to explain it in simple terms so as not to confuse her.
Sure enough, his previous worries were reasonable. When Aunt Jiang heard that they were going to the Pei family, she was nervous. Since the marriage, they have also inquired about many children of aristocratic families. The more they inquired, the more afraid they felt. They were afraid that one day they would run into someone who bullied others and cause trouble for Jiang Miao.
"If we go, will people laugh at you?" said Aunt Jiang.
Jiang Miao felt warm in his heart. They had never thought about the situations they might face, but they were always thinking about him.
"Don't worry, it won't happen," Jiang Miao said, "Ache will make arrangements."
"Then let's go. Don't let people say that there is no one at your mother's house." Aunt Jiang said.
(End of this chapter)