Chapter 109 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 109

Just like the provincial examination, before the formal exam, Ji Xiu and the others first had to go to the Ministry of Rites to register and provide guarantees.

Otherwise, no one would know exactly how many juren would be participating in this year’s metropolitan examination, whether some planned to take it again three years later, or whether some would be delayed on the road and fail to arrive in time. If examination papers were prepared according to the total number of juren nationwide, it would be a needless waste of manpower and material resources.

After registering and providing guarantees, Ji Xiu and the others waited at the inn for word from the Ministry of Rites. On the ninth day of the second month, they headed to the Gongyuan in the southwest of the capital, lined up, and entered the metropolitan examination hall.

The metropolitan examination was also called the spring examination, corresponding exactly to the provincial examination’s alternate name, the autumn examination.

There was a well known truth. No matter what kind of examination it was, the higher one went, the harder it became.

Naturally, the spring examination was a little more difficult than the autumn examination.

From entry to inspection, everything was strict and solemn. Even the items brought in were subject to rigid regulations. Anything that failed to meet the standards would be expelled from the examination hall, not even allowed to enter.

Yin Father had participated in the metropolitan examination once before and had some experience. Under his instructions, Ji Xiu had prepared everything in advance back in Shanglang County. Therefore, although they arrived late, they were not flustered and passed inspection safely.

There was only one problem. The capital was located in the north, where the weather was bitterly cold and the north wind was sharp and cutting.

In the early spring of the second month, even with the shelter of the examination cells, it was still hard to endure.

Ji Xiu wore five layers of thin clothing as he lined up to enter the examination hall. Before the papers were even distributed, he set down his exam basket and hurriedly took a sip of the deer antler wine he had brought in.

Deer antler wine was precious. It was something Su Xiangyu had specially prepared for him before he left.

At first, Ji Xiu had thought it unnecessary. Now that he thought about it, it was thanks to her insistence.

In weather cold enough to freeze dripping water, without medicinal wine to warm the body, it would probably be difficult even to hold a brush to write.

Because Su Xiangyu had obtained quite a lot of deer antler wine, he had also shared some with the Yin father and son. He did not know which examination cells they had been assigned to now, but he hoped they would be fine as well.

After one mouthful of wine, Ji Xiu’s body warmed considerably. He sat down and tidied his examination cell.

The examination cell was even more strict and enclosed than during the provincial examination. All four walls were sealed, leaving only a small opening used to pass in examination papers and food. Candidates did not need to bring their own food, thus avoiding the risk of fire in the examination hall.

The Ministry of Rites had sent people to clean up in advance, so the cell was fairly clean and did not require much effort.

After a quarter of an hour, candidates gradually entered. Once the allotted number in Ji Xiu’s section was complete, the chief and assistant examiners entered. The entire hall fell silent, and the examination papers were distributed row by row.

The number of juren participating in the metropolitan examination was large. This year there were roughly over three thousand people, divided into four examination halls. Four chief examiners were appointed, all officials of the third rank or above, nominated by the Ministry of Rites and personally selected by His Majesty.

In addition, there were fifteen co examiners, all from the Hanlin Academy, responsible for sealing, transcribing, proofreading, grading, and filling in the lists, assisting the chief examiners.

The chief and assistant examiners would not actually sit in the examination hall all day long. After making a round, they went to rest in the back, leaving rows of soldiers to stand guard and watch the examinees take the exam.

Ji Xiu calmed his mind, arranged his examination papers and draft sheets, carefully examined the questions, and answered them with composure.

Overall, the metropolitan examination questions were largely similar to those of the provincial examination, following the same routine. On the first day, the test was on classical exegesis, on the second day, policy essays, and on the third day, eight legged essays.

The difference was that during the provincial examination, the candidates around him were all xiucai. Picking the tallest among the short, relying entirely on comparison with peers, as long as one had a bit of ability, it was possible to obtain a good ranking.

But in the metropolitan examination, the entire examination hall was filled with juren of roughly equal level. There was not a single weak one. To obtain a good ranking now required even more effort, either by presenting unique insights and arguments, or by crafting refined compositions filled with elegant and brilliant phrasing.

Ji Xiu, as a monster who had lived for several hundred years, truly did not fear any of this.

…

The metropolitan examination differed somewhat from the provincial examination. The total duration was the same, nine days in all.

However, unlike the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination was held in sessions of two and a half days, with a full day in between to return and rest. It was more humane than the provincial examination.

After finishing the first session on the first night and submitting the papers, one could return home early on the third morning.

The examinees were all extremely excited. Before dawn had even broken, noise could already be heard all around.

For them, being able to leave the examination hall and see their families was an immense happiness. Ji Xiu, however, was alone. He had come to the capital with only four or five servants and did not have that kind of anticipation.

The only thing that interested him was probably being able to rest properly once he returned to the inn.

After daybreak, someone opened the door of the examination cell. He carried his belongings and left the examination hall, met briefly with the Yin father and son at the inn, and exchanged thoughts on how they had approached the questions. Before they could say much more, Yin Xiang’s wife stepped forward and gently reminded the Yin father and son to rest.

“Father, husband, there is no harm in discussing matters tomorrow. Why not rest first? You have not slept properly for two nights.”

Seeing Yin Xiang’s gaze soften instantly, Ji Xiu was taken aback. He tactfully took his leave and returned to his room to wash up and rest.

Before falling asleep, lying on the bed and gazing up at the canopy overhead, he could not help thinking of Su Xiangyu and Su Ling’er, far away thousands of li.

If they were by his side at this moment, perhaps he would look forward more to this day of rest.

…

After resting at the inn for one day, on the twelfth day of the second month, the second session of the metropolitan examination began.

The questions in the second session were slightly more difficult than those of the first, with more complex formats. Still, Ji Xiu handled them with ease, answering, submitting, and resting.

Three days later, the third session of the metropolitan examination began, much the same as before.

…

It was not until the morning of the seventeenth day of the second month that Ji Xiu and the other examinees left the examination compound, bathed in the rising sun.

It was a rare clear day. Although it was still early, the morning sun already hung in the sky, bringing with it a warm hint of spring.

Only upon leaving this time could they be said to have truly completed the metropolitan examination.

What remained was simply to wait at the inn for the chief and co examiners to grade the papers and for the red list to be posted.

Ji Xiu rested at the inn for two days, wrote a letter and entrusted it to the courier station to be sent back. Over the next few days, he did not idle either. He visited some friends he had met during the provincial examination, deepening their relationships and connections. He also attended several poetry gatherings and traveled around with the Yin father and son.

On the first day of the third month, the metropolitan examination results were announced.

There were no poetry gatherings that day. Everyone tacitly waited at their respective lodgings, planning to go to the Ministry of Rites to view the list as soon as the time came.

The Yin father and son had very high expectations for this metropolitan examination. They had stayed up all night without sleep, pulling Ji Xiu into discussions about the possible results.

Finally, when the time was about right, Yin Xiang stood up. “Let’s go.”

Seeing how expectant he was, Ji Xiu really could not bring himself to say that he planned to wait for news at the inn. With no other choice, he stood up and went out together with the Yin father and son.

When they arrived, the red list had not yet been posted, but the place where the Ministry of Rites customarily posted it was already packed with people.

Yin Xiang grew anxious and could not help complaining. “Jingzhi, you really are something. What am I supposed to say about you? I told you to hurry, yet you insisted on taking a carriage and got stuck on the road, wasting time.”

Ji Xiu was at fault. He touched his nose and did not retort, instead lowering his voice to console him. “Whether we arrive early or late, the result will not change. Relax. Do not be anxious.”

Yin Xiang sighed. Even so, he still wanted to see the result at the first possible moment.

No one knew how long they waited before excited voices rose from within the crowd. “It’s here, it’s here, the list is going up.”

Yin Xiang was instantly stirred, supporting himself with his father as they squeezed forward, wanting to get to the front to see the list.

Ji Xiu merely looked away for a moment, and the two of them vanished from sight.

He froze briefly, looking at the sea of people stretching as far as the eye could see. His brows furrowed slightly as he worried about a stampede. He immediately stepped forward, intending to chase after them. But once the red list was posted, the surrounding examinees lost all rationality. How could they remain as calm as before?

The street was filled with deafening noise. Heels pressed against toes, so crowded that even turning around felt terrifying, let alone chasing after the Yin father and son.

Ji Xiu quickly realized that his efforts were futile. He calmed down, looked around, and chose to withdraw with Xu An, making space for others.

It was difficult both forward and backward, but since the distance was short, they managed to squeeze out fairly easily.

Xu An was greatly puzzled. “Master, are we not going to look at the list?”

“We can wait until the crowd disperses a bit before looking. Do not let anything happen.”

Quite a few people shared the same thought. A row of people waited outside the crowd. Thanks to their timely withdrawal, because not long after, a stampede actually did occur within the crowd. Fortunately, the level of congestion was relatively light, and the Ministry of Rites sent people out to maintain order. Nothing serious happened, otherwise the day of announcing results would have turned from a joyous occasion into a tragedy.

Ji Xiu waited outside for a while before Yin Xiang, hair disheveled, squeezed out from within. “Passed, passed, passed…”

He muttered to himself, his eyes blazing with light as he searched everywhere, like a madman.

Ji Xiu was startled inwardly. This would not be another Fan Jin, would it?

As he was thinking this, Yin Xiang’s gaze met Ji Xiu’s. His eyes lit up, and he lunged forward to grab Ji Xiu’s shoulders, his expression ecstatic. “Jingzhi, we passed. We all passed. I ranked fifty eighth. You are first. You are the huiyuan. Huiyuan!”

Ji Xiu was momentarily stunned, then quickly regained his composure. Satisfaction and a smile appeared in his eyes as he cupped his hands. “Shared joy, shared joy.”

Yin Xiang froze, studying him with a complicated expression. “Jingzhi, are you not a bit too calm?”

Ji Xiu curled his lips into a smile. “I had already more or less anticipated it.”

“Impressive, impressive. I cannot compare to you. When I saw that I passed, I was overjoyed to the point of madness.” Yin Xiang’s emotions were mixed. He shook his head, his expression helpless.

Ji Xiu touched his nose.

In truth, he was happy. It was just that he had experienced too much and had been confident of becoming huiyuan, so he appeared rather calm.

If he had not been huiyuan, that would have truly shocked him.

After all, having lived for several hundred years, losing to an ordinary person would have been a joke.

Ji Xiu quickly shifted his attention, looked behind Yin Xiang, and asked, “By the way, Mingrui, where is your father?”

Yin Xiang froze, slowly turned around, and looked at the empty space behind him, his face stiffening.

“I, I was too happy and ran with all my strength. I forgot about my father…”

Ji Xiu: “…”

He patted Yin Xiang on the shoulder. “Take good care of yourself.”

With the Ministry of Rites maintaining order, there would be no further stampede incidents, so at this point Ji Xiu was not too worried about the robust Yin Father. What worried him more was how Yin Father would discipline Yin Xiang once he came out.

The little brat Yin Xiang, upon hearing Ji Xiu’s consolation, did not feel any better. Instead, he wore an expression even uglier than crying.

…

As expected by Ji Xiu, after reuniting with Yin Father, Yin Father indeed gave Yin Xiang a sound scolding.

Yin Xiang obediently admitted his fault and accepted the reprimand, not uttering a single word in rebuttal, apologizing sincerely.

After scolding him for a couple of sentences, Yin Father felt it pointless and sighed. “Forget it, forget it. It is not your fault. If my name were on the list, I might have abandoned you too, you little brat.”

In this metropolitan examination, Yin Father had failed again.

Fortunately, Yin Father was someone who had weathered storms. Even after failing the metropolitan examination twice, his mindset did not collapse.

In fact, examinees like Yin Father were extremely common. Failing two or three times was perfectly normal.

The reason the original owner had given up on himself was, first, because he had gained fame at a young age and never experienced setbacks; second, because of ridicule from those around him; and third, because of impatience and eagerness for quick success, wanting revenge. With all three factors combined, those behaviors had occurred.

On the way back to the inn from the Ministry of Rites, Yin Father had already calmed down. He even had the leisure to comfort Ji Xiu and Yin Xiang, telling them not to take it to heart and to perform well in the palace examination, striving for a place on the golden list.

Ji Xiu nodded and thanked him.

This body of his had no elders left. Su Old Master and Su Madam were not people who understood great principles and had never spoken to him about such things.

Yin Father’s earnest instruction, though not particularly useful, was a sentiment that Ji Xiu accepted.

Not long after returning to the inn, swift riders came to deliver congratulations. Ji Xiu and Yin Xiang each became the center of attention in turn.

By the time those offering congratulations dispersed, night had fallen, and there was nothing more to say.

A few days later, Ji Xiu and Yin Xiang, along with the other two hundred Gongshi, went to the Ministry of Rites to register and participate in the re examination.

This metropolitan examination admitted a total of just over two hundred people. Those who passed, except for Ji Xiu, were all called Gongshi. On the fifteenth of the month, they would participate in the palace examination to determine the final rankings.

Only those who passed the re examination could obtain qualification for the palace examination.

This was merely a minor measure before the palace examination to ensure that the candidates had not cheated. It was not formal. All candidates in this session of the metropolitan examination were genuinely capable, and no disturbances occurred, so it passed simply.

After the re examination, those who passed had to spend one day at the Ministry of Rites learning court etiquette for entering the palace. They were then issued a set of Gongshi robes, to avoid improper attire and offending the emperor when entering the palace.

On the fifteenth day of the third month, the day of the palace examination, Ji Xiu and Yin Xiang followed officials from the Ministry of Rites into the palace.

Generally speaking, as long as one could maintain a stable mindset, the palace examination was easier than other metropolitan or provincial examinations, because there was only one question. Once answered, the rankings would be determined on the spot, without enduring nine days of torment.

Moreover, as long as one’s ability had not declined too drastically and drawn the emperor’s attention, one would usually be conferred a title.

There was also an unspoken rule that had gradually become a habit. As long as no mistake was made, the first place in the metropolitan examination would usually become the top scholar in the palace examination.

The emperor attended to countless affairs daily and could not personally review the palace examination of two hundred people. On the surface, it was said that the Son of Heaven personally presided over the palace examination, but in reality, the questions were still examined by the Ministry of Rites and the Grand Scholars. It was even very possible that the examiners were the same chief examiners from the metropolitan examination.

There was no reason for the chief examiners to slap their own faces, having just awarded someone first place in the metropolitan examination only to demote him to the third tier afterward.

On the day of the palace examination, Ji Xiu’s mood was calm, his expression unchanged.

The final result matched his expectations. This palace examination did not alter anything. On the imperial list posted at the Taiji Gate, he was still that first place.

The rankings of all the Gongshi showed no major changes. Those at the top remained at the top, and those at the back remained at the back.

The palace examination results were divided into three tiers. The first tier had three people, known to all: top scholar, second place, and third place, all conferred the title of Presented Scholar. The second tier had several dozen to around a hundred people, conferred the title of Presented Scholar Origin. The third tier had several dozen people, conferred the title of Associate Presented Scholar Origin.

Regardless of rank, all could await official appointment.

Ji Xiu placed first, becoming the top scholar. After the conferral, he rode through the streets on horseback, enjoying boundless glory.

…

Ji Xiu stayed in the capital for some more days, waiting until the Ministry of Personnel assigned official posts before finally obtaining leave to return home.

On the journey home, he kept thinking about how to handle his relationship with Su Xiangyu.

To be honest, at the beginning, he had not intended to become an official. His persistence in the imperial examinations was merely to fulfill the original owner’s wish.

If the original owner had not existed, he might have stayed with the Su family, helping Su Xiangyu manage the business.

There were three hundred and sixty trades, and excellence could be achieved in any of them. Even in this era that looked down upon merchants, he was confident he could build a great enterprise.

However, the original owner had a final wish that could not be betrayed. Twenty years of bitter study could not be wasted. Thus, after some thought, Ji Xiu still participated in the imperial examinations and advanced step by step into officialdom.

Becoming an official was easy enough, but how to deal with Su Xiangyu became a difficult problem.

The Su family was the local power in Shanglang County, entrenched for a hundred years.

Su Xiangyu could not easily abandon all of the family assets and bring Su Ling’er with her to the capital.

On his side, it was also impossible to abandon the hard won official position, the opportunity to possibly realize the original owner’s wish, and cast aside everything to remain by Su Xiangyu and Su Ling’er’s side.

The county magistrate father and son had to die. Before they died, he would likely have to endure a long period of separation from Su Xiangyu and Su Ling’er.

…

After returning to Shanglang County, performing ancestral rites and hosting a banquet, Ji Xiu explained his thoughts clearly to Su Xiangyu and obtained her understanding. He then took Xu An and the servants and returned alone to the capital.

Not long after returning to the capital, he gained the emperor’s favor and was exceptionally promoted. After only one year in the Hanlin Academy, he entered an appointment within the Six Ministries.

Within the Six Ministries, Ji Xiu advanced three ranks in a single year, rising in office with a momentum that shocked others.

The hundred officials raised doubts, but the emperor trusted and favored Ji Xiu. He ignored them entirely and insisted on showing him favor.

Three years later, Ji Xiu became Vice Minister of Personnel. He exposed a major corruption case in Jiangnan, pulling down a group of Jiangnan officials. His actions were swift and ruthless, using harsh measures to intimidate the court. From then on, no one dared to question the emperor’s judgment.

The emperor was greatly pleased and intended to bestow further rewards upon Ji Xiu. It was at this moment that Ji Xiu submitted a memorial requesting leave for mourning.

Su Old Master had passed away.

Unlike in the previous life, where Su Old Master died only after the Su family encountered trouble, in this life, perhaps because Su Xiangyu’s temperament had changed, Su Madam became humiliated and enraged, frequently throwing tantrums in Xinghua Courtyard, which stimulated Su Old Master’s already frail health.

On the surface, Su Old Master seemed fine, but he became depressed and ill. No matter how many precious medicines were used to nourish him, his health still weakened little by little.

As the Su family’s live in son in law, equivalent to half a son, with his father in law passing away, Ji Xiu naturally had to observe mourning.

He raised this matter with the emperor. The emperor felt regret and reluctance, privately cursing Su Old Master countless times for dying at such an inopportune moment, but could only agree to Ji Xiu’s request.

However, fearing that his favored minister might suffer any grievance, when Ji Xiu departed, the emperor actually issued a special edict, granting him a guard of two hundred soldiers to escort him home.

Ji Xiu naturally had no reason to refuse.

In the eighth month, Ji Xiu returned to Shanglang County.

Before he left, the emperor had insisted on promoting Ji Xiu again and declared that this post would remain vacant until his return.

Thus, although Ji Xiu bore no official seal, every county magistrate he passed along the way dared show no disrespect.

Upon arriving in Shanglang County, the county magistrate with whom he had several years of acquaintance even came out personally to welcome him.

Who did not know that Ji Xiu was now the emperor’s most trusted minister? Once his mourning period ended and he returned to the capital, he would immediately enter the Central Secretariat and become a powerful official.

Benefiting from his influence, the Su family’s development over these years had been extraordinarily smooth.

After achieving top scholar honors and attaining the three highest distinctions, Ji Xiu did not conceal his background.

At first, the emperor had some reservations about this. Later, after learning why Ji Xiu had become a live in son in law, he instead felt great sympathy.

This year’s Jiangnan corruption case had been specially reserved by the emperor for Ji Xiu. That was because the county magistrate who had framed Ji Xiu’s parents and sent them to prison back then had now become the prefect of a Jiangnan city. If the emperor had not handed this case to Ji Xiu, he might have missed the chance to personally avenge his parents.

What the emperor likely did not expect was how well Ji Xiu would handle it, uncovering more than two hundred corrupt officials in one sweep and fiercely shocking the court’s corrupt tendencies.

With the emperor’s praise, Ji Xiu’s background as a live in son in law was no longer a stain on his record. Not a single court official dared utter a word.

Only when they were oppressed too harshly by Ji Xiu would they vent in their quilts, cursing him as a lowly live in son in law.

Naturally, those words were never dared to be spoken in front of Ji Xiu, unless they did not want their official hats anymore.

With Ji Xiu enjoying such splendor and firmly within the emperor’s favor, the county magistrate felt no shame in currying favor with him.

Seeing the Imperial Guards behind Ji Xiu, he could not help praising his own foresight. With the emperor valuing Ji Xiu so highly, once Ji Xiu returned to court in the future, even a small county magistrate like himself would benefit just by association, enough to lie back and win for a lifetime.

Returning to the Su family.

It had been three years since Ji Xiu left. Su Xiangyu devoted herself wholeheartedly to managing the family business. Only late at night would she occasionally think of him, asking herself whether she would regret having insisted on staying in Shanglang County instead of following Ji Xiu to the capital.

After all, the Ji Xiu of today was already someone she could only admire from afar.

But after thinking it over again and again, she felt she did not regret it.

The Su family was her responsibility.

From her maiden years, she had worked toward taking over the Su family in the future. Every word and action, until now, over twenty years of time, half a lifetime of entanglement, the Su family had already become the most important meaning of her life.

To abandon everything and lose herself for a man was something she could not do.

Until Su Old Master passed away.

There was no denying that this incident truly struck her hard.

She suddenly, desperately hoped that Ji Xiu would appear as soon as possible.