Chapter 106 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 106

The official gazette from the authorities was always slow. Without ten days to half a month, it would never reach its destination.

Ji Xiu set out several days later than the gazette, yet he was still able to return to Shanglang County ahead of it.

By this time, a full month had passed since he left home to participate in the provincial examination. As time flowed on, news of Ji Xiu going to take the provincial examination gradually spread throughout the literary circles of Shanglang County. Those who should know, and those who should not know, all came to know that Ji Xiu had gone out.

Ever since failing the examination, Ji Xiu had been unwilling to interact much with his former classmates and friends, but that did not stop them from discussing him.

A fourteen-year-old xiucai marrying into the Su family had been a topic people talked about with relish back then in Shanglang County.

Those from wealthy families looked down on him for willingly degrading himself and becoming a live-in son-in-law.

Those from poor families envied his good fortune, envying that he could gain the favor of the Su family’s young lady.

Of course, if they once envied Ji Xiu for being able to marry into the Su family, then after Ji Xiu failed the examination four times in a row, that envy turned into schadenfreude.

Hearing that Ji Xiu had gone again to take the provincial examination, those scholars who lacked the ability to take part, or lacked the money to do so, could not help secretly laughing. With a mindset of watching a good show, they eagerly awaited his return in disgrace. When that time came, there would surely be something lively to see.

As a result, just when they were so expectant that they could no longer control their expressions, rejoicing day after day, the first batch of returning xiucai came back home.

Ji Xiu needed to attend the Luming Banquet, but the others who failed did not.

These people brought back a piece of news that was shocking and completely unimaginable.

Ji Xiu passed. Not only did he pass, he even took first place, becoming the Jieyuan.

The dark-minded onlookers: “!!!!!” How was that possible?

No one was willing to believe that Ji Xiu, who had failed four times in a row, could suddenly succeed in one stroke. To them, this was a tremendous blow.

They were stuck in an awkward middle ground, unable to go up or down. They could not even pass the xiucai examination, their families had neither money nor power, and they could be said to have achieved nothing.

They envied and resented Ji Xiu’s scholarly achievements and family background, and could only use his four failures as a point of mockery. Now, even this last point of ridicule was gone?

Ji Xiu had placed high in the provincial examination and become Jieyuan, while they were still standing in the same spot?

Several dozen scholars, as if by tacit agreement, all went to find the xiucai who had brought back the news. Again and again, they repeatedly questioned him about Ji Xiu’s situation.

The other party was extremely patient, answering tirelessly, his face full of excitement and exhilaration. “It’s true. Brother Ji really became Jieyuan. I alone might have remembered wrong, but this time five of us went together and returned together. Could it be that all five of us remembered wrong?”

Shanglang County was a small county town, unremarkable within Jiujiang Commandery, and had never experienced such a moment of glory. It was just like a provincial top scorer appearing in an obscure, eighteenth-tier county during the college entrance examinations. All the scholars of the entire county felt proud of this matter.

Of course, most people felt proud, while a small number with dark hearts only felt resentment.

Especially those dozens of scholars who could not even obtain the xiucai title. They felt as if the world had been turned upside down, as if they had been slapped hard across the face. No matter what, they were unwilling to accept reality. With ugly expressions, they took their leave with difficulty.

Walking out of the xiucai’s house, they looked at each other blankly, their smiles uglier than crying.

Even if Ji Xiu failed to become a juren, he was still a proper xiucai, and he still had the Su family as a fallback.

What about them? They only knew how to mock Ji Xiu, sinking into all kinds of dark thoughts.

Now that Ji Xiu had topped the list, they finally realized how laughable their behavior over these past years had been.

……

The outside world was so lively. As one of the parties involved, the Su family naturally heard this news as well.

The servants all found it unbelievable.

Even Su Xiangyu did not quite dare to believe it, afraid that others had spread the news incorrectly, that it was all a misunderstanding. If they celebrated happily only to later discover that the Jieyuan was someone else, it would be too embarrassing.

Within the entire household, only Su Ling’er, upon hearing this news, clapped her hands without the slightest hesitation. “I knew Father would definitely pass.”

The nanny’s mood was strange and complicated. She glanced at her and thought to herself, Little Miss, have you forgotten how your father failed year after year over the past ten-plus years?

However, Su Ling’er was in high spirits at the moment. The nanny did not want to dampen her enthusiasm and ultimately did not say it out loud.

She found an excuse and sent someone out to inquire again.

Only when the person returned and repeatedly confirmed that the Jieyuan was indeed their family’s son-in-law did she, as if her soul had left her body, go to find Su Xiangyu in disbelief.

At this time, Su Xiangyu had also confirmed the authenticity of the news, yet she still could not quite believe it. Seeing the nanny come over, she forced a bitter smile. “I don’t know whether it’s true or false either.”

If it was true, of course it would be best.

But if it was false, what kind of mockery would Ji Xiu face when he returned?

Two months of time had quietly changed many things.

Just imagining that the man’s consistently gentle smile might disappear made Su Xiangyu feel inexplicably irritated.

The nanny, who was usually broad-minded and steady, was no longer calm at this moment. After hesitating again and again, she stammered, “Maybe it really is that the son-in-law passed. There’s no smoke without fire. Those scholars wouldn’t spread rumors casually.”

Yes. Judging by common sense, with so many people testifying, Ji Xiu passing the examination was almost ironclad.

But it was simply too shocking. There was no way to think rationally about it. Even Su Xiangyu’s mind was in a muddle, unable to sort anything out.

“Right, Miss,” the nanny suddenly thought of something and quickly said, “Should this matter be notified to Xinghua Courtyard? We still don’t know whether it’s true or false. If Xinghua Courtyard finds out, who knows whether there will be problems.”

Su Xiangyu was startled. With a grave expression, she shook her head. “No, don’t say anything yet. So as not to let Father and Mother rejoice for nothing. Have someone seal the mouths of the servants from Xinghua Courtyard. During this period, forbid them from going out, and forbid other servants from passing messages to Xinghua Courtyard.”

The nanny responded with a sound of acknowledgment, agreed, then turned and went down to get busy.

Left alone sitting in the study, Su Xiangyu’s expression was confused and complicated.

Could it be that he truly passed the examination?

A few days later, the sky had already darkened, and every household had shut its doors.

Ji Xiu returned to Shanglang County by carriage with his attendants, keeping a low profile all the way, going straight to the side gate of the Su residence.

“Quick, come help move the son-in-law’s luggage!” Xu An jumped down from the carriage and knocked loudly on the door.

The gatekeeper opened the door with a face full of irritation, originally intending to flare up. After seeing Xu An’s face, then following Xu An’s gaze toward the carriage behind him…

A hand with distinct knuckles lifted the curtain of the carriage. A head leaned out, revealing Ji Xiu’s familiar face.

The gatekeeper’s breath caught. He swallowed, forced down the words he was about to say, and instantly changed his expression, putting on an obsequious smile. “The son-in-law has returned.”

Xu An was confused. “…What’s wrong with you? Did you take the wrong medicine?”

Songtao Courtyard had always held a very low status. Along with it, Xu An had suffered quite a bit as well. Now that Ji Xiu had become Jieyuan, he finally felt proud and wanted to ride on that prestige to give the gatekeeper a bit of a warning.

Yet before he could even say the result of this provincial examination, the gatekeeper’s attitude had already changed?

Ji Xiu quickly thought of the reason. He glanced at the gatekeeper and asked calmly, “Someone returned early from Jiujiang Prefecture?”

The gatekeeper showed a flattering yet probing smile. “Yes, yes. Several xiucai have already come back. The news has spread everywhere. Son-in-law, you’re truly impressive.”

“What?” Xu An froze, his face full of disappointment. “That’s too much. Such great news should have been announced by us when we came back ourselves.”

Originally, they could have slapped faces in person, watching those who once looked down on Songtao Courtyard change their expressions.

Now that they knew the news in advance, although it was still a slap, the joy of it was instantly cut in half.

Huang Hu got down from the other side of the carriage and said solemnly, “Say less. Hurry and call people to move the luggage. The son-in-law is now Jieyuan. He can’t endure hard labor.”

Xu An snapped back to his senses and nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, yes. You…” He turned and pointed at the gatekeeper. “Go call more servants. Move the luggage back to Songtao Courtyard. We’ll first attend to the son-in-law and let him rest.”

The feeling of borrowing someone else’s power was wonderful. Xu An was somewhat excited.

From Xu An’s and Huang Hu’s words, the gatekeeper heard what he wanted to know. His expression froze, and his gaze shifted from Xu An to Huang Hu, then to Ji Xiu, shock filling his eyes.

Really, truly Jieyuan?

Ji Xiu glanced at him, walked past him, and led the two attendants back to the courtyard first. The gatekeeper took a deep breath and hurried to see them off. Once their figures disappeared, he immediately went around beating gongs and drums to announce the news to the entire Su household.

“The son-in-law has returned!!”

The Su residence, which had already quieted down and was preparing for nightfall, instantly became like it was on fire. Lamps were lit everywhere, and it became noisy.

Ji Xiu led the attendants back to Songtao Courtyard first. Seeing that Songtao Courtyard was neat and tidy, not covered in dust despite the lack of servants, a trace of surprise appeared in his eyes.

However, he also knew that times were different now. With the Su family knowing the news of his success, it was no longer possible for them to ignore or treat him coldly as before. He quickly calmed down, had people bring water for bathing, changed into clean clothes, and planned to go to the main courtyard to find Su Xiangyu, to tell her about what he had experienced over the past month and put her mind at ease.

Unexpectedly, just after finishing his bath, before he could even head out, a group of people arrived at the entrance of Songtao Courtyard.

Su Xiangyu was prominently at the front.

“You’re back,” Su Xiangyu said. She glanced at the gatekeeper and servants who were moving luggage inside and lightly frowned. “Send a few more people. Move faster. Don’t disturb the son-in-law’s rest.”

Among the servants who followed her, several immediately stepped forward upon hearing this, their expressions attentive as they helped carry the luggage.

Very quickly, the few pieces of Ji Xiu’s luggage were all properly arranged.

Ji Xiu swept his gaze over them, withdrew it, and looked at Su Xiangyu. “Shall we go inside and talk?”

Su Xiangyu nodded. Her heart was pounding. Watching Ji Xiu’s back as he turned and went inside first, tall and straight, with a gentle and refined bearing, she could not help but space out. Only after quite some time did she press her lips together and follow his steps.

“The matter is just as you see. I succeeded.”

As soon as Ji Xiu entered the room, he got straight to the point, directly turning around and saying what he wanted to say.

Su Xiangyu choked. She did not expect him to be so direct, but her anxious and subtle mood calmed down considerably. She nodded. “I know.”

Ji Xiu smiled. “Now you should be willing to believe what I said before.”

Su Xiangyu lowered her head. “I believed it long ago.”

Ji Xiu struck while the iron was hot and took a step forward. “Then you won’t drive me out anymore, will you?”

If he left the Su family like in the previous life and could not intervene in Su Ling’er’s matters, then everything would be in vain. Now that he had become a juren, he knew this was almost impossible, but he still wanted to obtain a definite answer from Su Xiangyu’s own mouth.

Su Xiangyu was startled. Her face instantly paled a few shades. “You know…” Know that she intended to send him away?

Ji Xiu narrowed his eyes. “Hmm?”

Su Xiangyu was suspicious. She stared into his eyes for a moment, then immediately steadied herself.

It seemed that Ji Xiu should not know. He had merely stumbled upon it by coincidence.

She relaxed, let out a breath, and said awkwardly, “Of course not. What are you thinking? Now you are Jieyuan. All the scholars of Shanglang County take pride in you. My Su family is just a small merchant household. We would not dare to offend scholars.”

A scholar’s pen was a blade. Most of the time it was nothing, but at certain moments, it could kill.

The Su family conducted business honestly and valued their reputation greatly. They did not want to invite trouble, nor would they ever oppose scholars.

A smile appeared on Ji Xiu’s face. Out of habit, he reached out and rubbed her head. “I knew you couldn’t bear to part with me. You’re always stubborn with your words, liking to use other excuses to keep me.”

Su Xiangyu’s ears turned slightly red. She did not deny it.

She was used to having Ji Xiu accompany her at dinner. After being apart for a month, even eating no longer felt appetizing.

Previously, wanting to send Ji Xiu away had been for her daughter’s reputation. In truth, she harbored no dislike toward Ji Xiu as a person.

If she truly disliked him, she would have divorced him long ago.

Over the past two years, Master Su and Madam Su had urged her countless times to divorce, yet she had never paid them any mind.

……

The two spoke for a while longer, mainly with Ji Xiu recounting what he had gone through on this trip. By the time he had roughly finished, the night was already deep. Su Xiangyu had not been close to Ji Xiu for a long time. Checking the time, she once wanted to stay in Songtao Courtyard.

But seeing Ji Xiu act as if nothing was out of the ordinary, she felt a bit embarrassed and ultimately did not voice that thought. She turned and left with her servants.

Ji Xiu escorted her out, then returned to his room to rest.

The next day, before dawn had even broken, the gate of Songtao Courtyard was knocked on.

Coincidentally, Ji Xiu was exercising in the courtyard. Being close to the gate, he opened it casually.

“Father!” Su Ling’er was full of excitement. Lifting her head and seeing Ji Xiu, she threw herself at him at once. “Father, you’re amazing!”

Ji Xiu caught her. “So happy?”

Su Ling’er was a bit shy. “Father passed the examination and became Jieyuan. Ling’er is happy for Father.”

Ji Xiu patted her head and smiled. “Have breakfast with Father.”

The father and daughter finished breakfast, then Su Xiangyu came to visit.

Su Xiangyu had cleared her schedule for the day, not going out to inspect the shops, planning instead to accompany Ji Xiu to the Ji family graves to pay respects to his ancestors.

With Ji Xiu’s name on the golden list, bringing glory to his ancestors, even though he was a live-in son-in-law, he was still of Ji blood. Such a joyous event naturally needed to be reported to Ji Father and Ji Mother beneath the earth.

When Ji Xiu mentioned this to her last night, she agreed immediately to go together.

“Let’s go. Everything is prepared. Don’t delay the time,” Su Xiangyu said, stepping aside to reveal a row of servants behind her, each holding items.

Ji Xiu looked over and nodded in agreement.

The family of three went out under the escort of servants, boarded the carriage, left the city gates, and arrived at a clan burial ground outside the city.

Ji Xiu got down from the carriage first, raised his eyes, and looked toward the two familiar graves, a dazed expression appearing on his face.

This was the original body’s heart knot.

Fifteen years ago, after the original body obtained the xiucai title, he was brimming with success and high spirits. By accident, he offended the county magistrate’s son, causing his parents to be imprisoned and suffer greatly in jail.

The original body, once so proud, for the sake of his parents, did not hesitate to marry into the Su family, selling himself, begging the Su family to step in and help.

Yet after Ji Father and Ji Mother were rescued, they did not live long. Because they had suffered too much in prison, their bodies weakened, and several years later, during a winter, they caught a chill and passed away.

That happened to be not long after the original body’s first failure in the examination.

The dual blow of losing his parents and failing the imperial examination made the original body make a painful decision. He moved out of the inner courtyard, hid himself in Songtao Courtyard, and studied hard.

As for why he would abandon his newlywed wife and newborn daughter to do this, it concerned a wish he had never told anyone else.

He wanted revenge.

It was clearly just a verbal dispute, yet the county magistrate’s son abused his power and framed his parents, throwing them into prison.

He accused the county magistrate’s son, but the county magistrate bent the law for personal reasons, did not investigate the case, and even wanted to throw him into prison as well.

If not for the fact that he held the xiucai title, allowing him to see officials without kneeling, and that there was no conclusive evidence to detain him, he likely would have died in prison together with his parents long ago.

He wanted revenge. He wanted to retaliate against the county magistrate and his son, to make them taste his pain.

However, after serving in Shanglang County for three years, that county magistrate had already been transferred elsewhere. If the original body wanted revenge, the only path was to participate in the imperial examinations and climb higher in officialdom than the county magistrate, only then might there be a chance.

The original body was impatient for quick success. In order to pass, his mindset became unbalanced, and thus he failed four times in a row.

This blow was far too heavy.

The original body wanted revenge but was lowly and powerless. The Su family, being merchants, could not help him either. On one hand, he resented his own uselessness. On the other, he felt he had failed his deceased parents. He gave up on himself, drowned himself in alcohol every day, escaped reality, refused to sober up, and ultimately walked down that path of the previous life.

Now, it had been three years since the last time the original body came here to pay respects.

Ji Xiu took two steps forward, stopping in front of the two familiar graves, staring at them steadily.

The servants beside him, very perceptive, presented yellow paper offerings and lit incense.

Ji Xiu gazed at the graves for a moment, took the incense, knelt down, bowed his head three times, and inserted the incense before the graves.

Su Xiangyu brought Su Ling’er up as well to pay their respects together.

The family of three all remained silent. Su Xiangyu knew that Ji Xiu must be feeling very uncomfortable at this moment. Holding Su Ling’er, she said nothing, glanced at the graves, and looked at Ji Xiu with concern.

This was not her first time paying respects here.

Back then, when Ji Xiu’s parents passed away suddenly, he suffered a heavy blow and could not quite come to his senses. He was utterly despondent. It was entirely thanks to Su Xiangyu leading the Su family servants to handle the funeral that it was completed in time without delaying the burial.

It was also because of this that the original body always held an unbreakable affection and guilt toward Su Xiangyu.

His feelings toward the Su family servants and Master Su and Madam Su were complicated. He felt that they fawned on the powerful and trampled on the weak, being overly utilitarian.

Only toward Su Xiangyu did he feel no aversion.

This woman had accompanied him in sending off his parents. During his most painful and unbearable days, she stayed by his side.

Yet he could not accept his own incompetence. Becoming a xiucai at fourteen, yet unable to pass the provincial examination. Seeing Su Xiangyu being so outstanding only made him feel more useless. Thus, he avoided Su Xiangyu, hid in his own world, and under the corrosion of alcohol over two years, degenerated, throwing himself into the arms of courtesans.

Ji Xiu sighed for the original body, shook his head, stood up, then helped Su Xiangyu and Su Ling’er to their feet.

“Let’s go. Let’s head back.”

At this point, the original body should already be reunited with his parents. He would come from time to time to see them and offer a stick of incense. But for Ji Xiu to feel sorrowful for several hours like the original body did was unlikely.

Rather than staying here, it was better to return earlier.

Su Xiangyu nodded, held Su Ling’er, and followed his steps. The family of three boarded the carriage and returned.

The Ji family had been single-line descendants for generations, with no other relatives to visit. After paying respects to Ji Father and Ji Mother, Ji Xiu and the others returned to the Su residence.

Upon arriving at the Su residence gate, Ji Xiu turned around and helped Su Xiangyu down from the carriage.

The nanny hurriedly ran out. Seeing them, she slapped her thigh. “Miss, son-in-law, you’ve finally come back.”

Su Xiangyu’s expression sank. “What’s wrong?”

Could it be that after only being away for a day, something had happened at the shops?

“It’s not that something happened at the shops.” Seeing Su Xiangyu’s expression, the nanny knew she had misunderstood and hurriedly explained, sighing. “Miss, have you forgotten? A few days ago, when the news of the son-in-law passing the examination came back, you were afraid it was hard to tell the real from the fake., so you strictly ordered everyone not to tell Xinghua Courtyard.”

“Just now, when you went out, the servants were too excited and were discussing it in a corner. A servant from Xinghua Courtyard passed by and reported it to Master and Madam. They were very angry and told me to wait here for you to come back, asking you to go to Xinghua Courtyard.”

Su Xiangyu’s expression stiffened. Only then did she realize that she had felt all day as if she had forgotten something. It turned out it was not an illusion.

She had forgotten to inform Xinghua Courtyard about Ji Xiu.

“I’ll go over now.” Su Xiangyu took a deep breath, got down from the carriage, straightened her clothes, calmed her expression, and prepared to leave with the servants.

“Wait, there’s me as well.” Ji Xiu picked up Su Ling’er and said unhurriedly, his expression casual. “I’ll go with you.”

Su Ling’er looked left and right, then showed a tentative expression. “I’ll go with Father and Mother.”

Su Xiangyu froze. Looking at the father and daughter, a warm current surged in her heart.

This pair of father and daughter were clearly the ones who disliked Xinghua Courtyard the most, yet at this moment, they were willing to accompany her there.

Although she did not think her parents could do anything to her, having someone accompany her still felt different.

“Alright, we’ll go together.”

Su Xiangyu relaxed and showed a faint smile. “Let’s go.”

The family of three, escorted by servants, arrived once more at Xinghua Courtyard.

The servants of Xinghua Courtyard were all guarding the courtyard, not daring to enter the room, as quiet as cicadas in winter. An invisible pressure permeated the air.

Seeing Su Xiangyu, they revealed relieved expressions. “Miss, you’ve finally come. Master and Madam were furious.”

Su Xiangyu’s face turned cold. “Isn’t it because you don’t know your place, reporting everything to Master and Madam? If you didn’t meddle, nothing would have happened now.”

The servants knew they were in the wrong and immediately lowered their heads.

Su Xiangyu snorted coldly and led Ji Xiu and Su Ling’er inside.