Chapter Fifty-Nine: Boundless Wealth Beyond Imagination

Zhang Shi smiled bitterly and said, “When we spoke of Second Brother going to the capital to take the imperial examination, it was only to scare Deputy Zhao, so he would have scruples and not harm us. Now, no one knows Second Brother’s whereabouts. Don’t take it to heart.”

“If he didn’t pass the imperial exam, so be it. Perhaps by now he’s settled somewhere, living under an assumed name.”

Zhang Yue hesitated. “Brother, I heard from others that Second Brother may have gone to Suzhou to seek refuge with our Second Aunt’s family.”

“What?” Zhang Shi was startled and then nodded, “That makes sense. Besides our parents, Second Brother has always been closest to Second Aunt, and she treats him as her own. It’s not impossible he went to her. I forgot to send a letter to Suzhou to inquire.”

Zhang Yue said, “Second Aunt’s husband, our cousin uncle, is an official. If Second Brother joined his household, he could take the canal examination in Suzhou. This year, three out of ten are selected, and with Second Brother’s talent, it would be easy for him. If he then went to the capital for the provincial exam, wouldn’t it be…”

Zhang Shi replied, “You think Second Brother avoided the local exam and fled to Suzhou for the canal exam just because he didn’t want to marry? That’s impossible.”

“Why do you say so, Brother?”

“You don’t know Second Brother. He’s so proud that even if the local exam selects one out of a hundred, or even one out of a thousand, he’d still say, ‘Who but me?’”

Zhang Yue thought, indeed, he didn’t know Second Brother as well as his elder brother did. Others would have been intimidated by such odds, but Second Brother was fearless—truly not someone to judge by common sense.

“Enough, let’s not talk about this. Let’s go home together!”

Zhang Shi hurriedly drove his peaceful cart, with Zhang Yue and Zhang Qiu sitting at the back, and Scholar Guo and Guo Lin sitting inside with their knees drawn up.

Zhang Shi took a shortcut, and the cart passed through a crooked alley, muddy and filthy, with eaves barely taller than a person, cramped and low.

After the alley, the street opened up. Both sides were lined with lively shops and tall, colorful buildings—a bustling scene.

The mule cart joined the traffic. Guo Lin looked worried, while Zhang Shi kept flicking his whip.

Zhang Qiu, delighted by the city’s excitement, looked everywhere, tugging at Scholar Guo’s sleeve and asking questions nonstop.

Zhang Yue squinted, leaning against the cart rail. The spring afternoon sun was just right, the clamor of the busy street in his ears, and sitting in the swaying cart, he felt only peace.

No wild joy as he’d imagined, only calm and steadiness—since entering the county town, his heart had been suspended, and now it finally had a place to settle.

The mule cart left the city gate and crossed the Nanpu Bridge.

Here, the cart slowed. Zhang Yue looked up to see several creek gulls competing in flight, swooping past the eaves of the bridge corridor. A few children reached out to tease them, but as the gulls drew near, they shrank back in fear.

Zhang Yue watched the returning gulls with emotion. All of life is but experience; there’s no need to fret about the distant future or dwell on the past—the most important thing is this moment.

Then the gulls soared high and flew east, along with the unending waters of Nanpu Creek beneath the bridge. As the gulls disappeared, Zhang Yue withdrew his gaze, and when he looked to the other side of the bridge, he realized the sky was already aglow with red clouds.

The scenery was breathtaking!

Returning to the familiar Xin Street by the southern waters, he heard along the way:

“How did Third Son do today in the exam?”

“Did he pass?”

“Amazing, simply amazing.”

“He passed as a scholar at thirteen.”

“The Zhang family now has two scholars.”

“First Son, you’re impressive.”

“Master Guo, Third Son was taught by you—truly remarkable.”

“What Master Guo? Most people only pass six or seven subjects, but your student passed them all. That’s extraordinary.”

“Master Guo, where do you teach? My useless boy…”

“This is Third Son’s teacher. We know now, from now on we’ll send our children to him.”

“What, Ah Xi is also a scholar? Wonderful!”

“First Son, I always knew the men of the Zhang family are diligent and ambitious.”

“I never regarded Deputy Zhao highly from the start.”

“Third Brother is great, promising. Just don’t be like Second Brother, who grew arrogant after entering the county school.”

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“Third Son, when will you visit my home?”

“My second niece is quite the beauty…”

“Your second niece? She’s not better than mine. Third Son wouldn’t fancy such a misshapen girl. Third Son, listen, my…”

“What’s wrong with my family? They say a woman three years older is a golden brick—how about yours?”

“Where? Third Son, don’t look at theirs, look at my aunt’s. She’s lovely, and once you meet her, you won’t want to meet anyone else.”

“Hey, First Son, what are you saying? Third Son is still young, thirteen is excellent. At thirteen, everything’s grown, and next year he’ll surely have a son—he could be a grandfather before thirty.”

“Not thirty, twenty-eight!”

Zhang Yue sat in the cart, chin propped, shaking his head. So the matchmaking scramble has started already? The thought was truly headache-inducing, exceedingly vexing.

But in the end, Zhang Yue’s lips curled in a smile, his brows arched. If possible, let such troubles come more often!

All that talk of diligence and ambition is empty—having a beauty to warm one’s bed is the real thing!

The mule cart pulled up at the gate, and gossipy neighbors had already reported the news; Lady Yu was waiting by the fence.

Zhang Yue dared not be negligent upon seeing her, immediately dismounting and bowing. “Third Son greets Sister-in-law. I was fortunate to be chosen by the lord and admitted to the county school.”

Lady Yu, seeing Zhang Yue’s respect, smiled so widely even the corners of her eyes relaxed. “That’s good, that’s good.”

“If not for Sister-in-law’s nurturing, how could Third Son have come to this day? Without your thrift and allowing me to continue my studies, I could never have passed the county school today.”

Scholar Guo nodded repeatedly at these words—this child is sensible.

Zhang Shi was grinning ear to ear.

Lady Yu smiled, “Uncle, we’re one family, no need for formalities. If you can study and improve, Shi and I are already content.”

“An elder sister-in-law is like a mother. Please accept my bow.”

With that, Zhang Yue truly knelt and bowed.

Lady Yu protested, “No, no, you mustn’t.”

Zhang Shi helped Zhang Yue up and said to Lady Yu, “In the past, I let Third Uncle study, and you always had objections. But now, at last, we have endured to better days.”

Lady Yu replied, “I never forbade it; I just wanted Uncle to be prudent with the family’s money and strive to study.”

Zhang Shi laughed, “Yes, yes. This time, Third Brother’s achievement is mostly thanks to Lady Yu.”

“Oh, listen to you,” Lady Yu chided. “If you hadn’t squandered money and caused trouble over Second Uncle, how would our family have ended up like this? It’s Third Uncle who redeemed our reputation.”

Scholar Guo smiled, “Lady Yu speaks wisely. But just now, First Son said it best; at last our hardships have ended.”

“Indeed, hardship is over,” Lady Yu couldn’t help but wipe away tears.

Zhang Qiu tugged at her, “Mother, why are you crying?”

Lady Yu shook her head, “I’m not crying—these are tears of joy.”

Both Zhang Shi and Zhang Yue felt Lady Yu had suffered too much these years.

Zhang Shi hurriedly said, “Why are we all standing here? Let’s go in!”

He then called out to the neighbors gathered outside, “Friends, we’ve been busy all day. Tomorrow I’ll take Third Brother to visit you all, to thank you for your kindness over the years.”

“No need for such words.”

“First Son, you’re too polite.”

The neighbors dispersed, someone took the cart away, and Lady Yu had already prepared wine and dishes. Zhang Shi felt it wasn’t sumptuous enough and was only persuaded not to go buy more.

The wine was warmed; its fragrance filled the house. Scholar Guo’s appetite was already stirred.

Besides seven or eight vegetable dishes, there was a big fresh fish taking up an entire bowl.

“Brother, let’s open another shop. We used to fear Deputy Zhao’s trouble, but now it’s different. I’m a scholar—he won’t dare touch us.”

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Zhang Shi nodded, “If possible, it’s better not to be the eldest uncle. But where would we get the capital for a shop?”

“That’s true,” Zhang Yue nodded.

“We must take things step by step,” Lady Yu smiled. “Third Uncle just became a scholar and you’re dreaming of instant success already?”

Zhang Shi laughed, “Yes, I almost forgot about you. We should hire a servant so you don’t have to work so hard.”

Lady Yu replied, “Though Third Uncle entered the county school, there are still expenses. Later, Xi will attend the academy and need funds. Let’s hire a servant another time.”

Zhang Shi laughed, “You’re truly virtuous, Lady Yu. Earlier, I discussed with Master Guo that Xi will study with him in the future.”

“That’s good. If Master Guo teaches, I can rest assured,” Lady Yu was secretly unwilling, thinking this poor scholar would teach her son, but said, “But Wuxi is so far, I’d miss him.”

“We’ll see then,” Zhang Shi said warmly, “Tonight we must thank our teacher properly.”

Scholar Guo raised his cup, “First Son, I dare not take credit—it’s Third Son’s own effort.”

After drinking.

Zhang Yue scooped two big bowls of white rice for himself and Guo Lin. Zhang Shi scolded, “Why are you serving your senior rice?”

He then took a big piece of fish from the bowl with his chopsticks.

Guo Lin shook his head, “Thank you, First Son, but I’m not used to eating meat.”

Zhang Yue remembered Guo Lin had told him of Fan Zhongyan’s poverty—he ate only porridge for every meal. One day, a classmate bought him a lavish meal, and Fan refused, saying, “I am used to porridge; if I eat rich food now, how can I return to porridge later?”

Yes, Senior most admires Fan Zhongyan.

They argued politely over the fish.

As they spoke, suddenly there was a commotion outside, and a series of loud horse whinnies.

Looking out the window, lanterns lit up the night as bright as day—the whole street seemed to glow…

Bang, bang!

Soon, the door was knocked on urgently.

The family wondered what had happened.

Zhang Shi forced a smile, “Third Son, you keep our teacher company. I’ll see what’s going on.”

He opened the door, and Chief Cao nearly tumbled inside.

Zhang Shi complained, “Chief, you broke the door again. Last time Deputy Zhao kicked it, now you’ve nearly torn it off. Looks like it’s time to replace it!”

Chief Cao exclaimed, “Who cares about the door! I’m telling you, hurry outside! The lord has come—he’s come in person to offer congratulations!”

Zhang Shi was shocked, “Chief, don’t jest. Though Third Brother became a scholar, it’s not worth the lord himself coming to congratulate us.”

“Who said it’s for your Third Son? It’s for your Second Son, your Second Son…”

Chief Cao was breathless.

“What happened to my Second Brother?” Zhang Shi supported him and asked anxiously.

Chief Cao finally caught his breath, “Your Second Brother… passed the imperial exam! This is boundless wealth!”

Everyone in the house was dumbstruck.

Ps: Wishing everyone a happy New Year, may everything go well and prosperity flourish.

This book will be available for purchase after midnight tonight, with two chapters updated. I sincerely ask for your support with initial subscriptions and monthly votes. These are vital for the book’s future—please help!

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