WSMTATMC C179

Chapter 179

After hosting the grand banquet celebrating the new zhuangyuan, Wang Ying began preparing for a return trip with the entire family.

The imperial court had granted a four-month leave for family visitation and resettlement. Only after the Mid-Autumn Festival would Chen Qingyan officially begin his post at the Hanlin Academy.

Now that Chen Qingyan held an official position—appointed as Editor of the Hanlin Academy, a seventh-rank post—it might not seem high in name, but in reality, the Hanlin Academy was the cradle of imperial talent. Few ever stayed long there; most were promoted or transferred within three years.

As long as he made no grave mistake, his official career was virtually secured.

Before leaving the capital, Minister Liu Yaozhi had invited him for a private discussion, asking what path he wished to take in the bureaucracy.

Since Chen Qingyan lacked powerful family connections or political backing, securing a stable foothold at court would be challenging. Hence, he sought the elder’s counsel.

After all, through marriage, the two families were now kin, which allowed for greater candor between them.

Liu Yaozhi advised thoughtfully, “If you wish for a steady life in the capital, then after three years, seek a position in the Ministry of Rites or the Ministry of Works. Advancement there is slow but steady—just a matter of enduring. Wait for those above you to retire or fall out of favor, and you’ll rise naturally.”

He paused before continuing, “But if you refuse to let your talent waste away, then aim for the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Personnel. However, those are fierce waters, my boy. In those two ministries, one’s rise and fall depend entirely on ability—and one misstep could mean demotion or exile.”

As for the Ministries of War and Justice, the minister did not even mention them. Those departments demanded influence and military ties—skill alone would never open their doors.

After some silence, Chen Qingyan replied respectfully, “I must discuss this with my husband before I decide. Thank you, Uncle, for your guidance.”

“No need for thanks,” Liu Yaozhi said warmly. “You and Qinghuai are both fine men. I have faith you’ll accomplish much in court.”

Upon returning home, Chen Qingyan brought up the matter with Wang Ying. “What do you think would be best for me?”

“That’s obvious,” Wang Ying said without hesitation. “Go for the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Personnel. But it’s too early to decide now. We can talk more once we’ve settled in the capital.”

After three or four days of preparation, the Chen family set out in three carriages, bound for Longquan County, Qingshui Town.

This homecoming was truly one of honor and glory. After traveling for over half a month, they finally reached Longquan County.

More than a year had passed since their last visit. The county had changed little—its weathered gates, its old guard standing lazily by the entrance—all looked just as they remembered.

They handed the gatekeeper a string of coins and were waved through without much inspection. Even Chen Rong had no idea they were returning today.

Wang Ying chuckled. “We’re dropping in without warning—Third Aunt is going to be beside herself with surprise.”

Madam Li smiled. “Well, it’s only been a few months since we left the prefectural city. She probably won’t expect us back so soon.”

A “whoa!” sounded from the front as the carriage drew to a halt outside the Cao family’s gate.

Ershun jumped down and knocked.

A moment later, Lin Qiu’s voice came from inside. “Who is it?”

“It’s me, your cousin! We’re back!”

Recognizing the voice, Lin Qiu immediately called out, “Mother! Auntie’s family is back!”

Inside, Chen Rong was weaving cloth. At the sound, she dropped her shuttle and hurried outside. Seeing the group stepping off the carriages, her face broke into delighted disbelief.

“Heavens above, you’ve really come back! I heard our Qingyan passed the imperial exam—did he truly become zhuangyuan?”

Madam Li laughed. “It’s true! Seems word travels fast even here.”

Indeed, peddlers who frequented the prefectural city had already spread the news far and wide by the time of the zhuangyuan banquet.

Chen Qingyan and Chen Qingsong stepped down from the second carriage. “Third Aunt.”

“Oh, my precious nephews!” Chen Rong exclaimed, clapping her hands in joy. “Our family’s ancestors must be smiling from the heavens—never did I dream we’d produce a zhuangyuan!“

Lin Sui followed, carrying little Qing’er. “Mother.”

“And our sweet girl’s here too?”

Qing’er still remembered her grandmother. In a soft, trembling voice, she called out, “Grandmother…”

Chen Rong froze, eyes wide. “She… she can speak now?!”

Lin Sui smiled and nodded. “It’s a long story—I’ll tell you all about it later.”

“Come inside, quickly! Everyone, come in!”

The group crowded into the courtyard, where the old dog began barking with excitement.

Wang Ying grinned. “That’s Wangwang, isn’t it? The same dog we brought from home?”

Lin Qiu nodded. “That’s right! Smart as ever, and a fine watchdog too. Xiaomai! Come out and see who’s here!”

Xiaomai ran out and squealed with joy upon spotting Yuanbao and Qing’er. “Brother Yuanbao! Sister Qing’er!”

The three children immediately began hopping around, laughing and playing together as though no time had passed.

Inside, the adults settled in. Lin Qiu went to reserve a private room at the inn—they were too many to cook at home—and also sent for Cao Kun to come home.

Madam Li and Chen Rong sat chatting warmly on the kang bed, catching up after so long apart.

Meanwhile, Lin Sui cradled little Erbao, cooing over him. The boy was nearly a year old now, chubby and bright-eyed, already able to stand holding the edge of the bed and take a few wobbly steps.

“He takes after Lin Qiu when he was young,” Chen Rong said proudly. “Though the older he gets, the more he resembles the Cao family. Such an eater too—he can finish a whole bowl of millet and two eggs in one sitting!”

Wang Ying laughed. “That’s twice what Yuanbao eats in a meal!”

In those days, a hearty appetite was a blessing—healthy children were precious in a world where illness claimed so many young lives.

After some cheerful reminiscing, Chen Rong asked more quietly, “And how is the Marquis? I recall the wedding was planned for June… I suppose that can’t happen now.”

At the mention of Li Mu, the smile faded from Lin Sui’s face. “We haven’t heard much. The war at the northern border is fierce. It may be some time before he can return.”

Chen Rong’s expression clouded. “May Heaven protect him. Blades and arrows have no eyes.”

Lin Sui nodded silently, unable to tell her the truth—that the Marquis of Wuping had fallen in battle. He could not bear to burden his aging mother with more grief.

Sensing the tension, Wang Ying quickly changed the subject. “Speaking of good news, Qingyan not only passed but was retained in the capital as an official! We’ll be heading there after building a small ancestral shrine back home.”

Chen Rong sighed with emotion. “That child has always been bright. I remember when he was three—your father taught him The Thousand Character Classic, and after only a few reads, he could recite it all! I joked then that our Chen family would someday produce a zhuangyuan. Seems I was right!”

Their father had only studied for two years before taking over the family trade due to their grandfather’s poor health. Of the four brothers, the second—Chen Biao—had passed the licentiate exam, though he didn’t pursue further study, while the fourth—Chen Jing—became an imperial scholar and entered government service.

Wang Ying thought to himself, Seems scholarship really runs in the Chen family’s blood—generation after generation of gifted minds.

“How about Qinghuai?” Madam Li asked. “We haven’t heard from him. How did he fare in the exams? Is he well back in Shanzhou?”

Chen Qingyan replied, “Second Brother placed seventh in the second tier and was also appointed to the Hanlin Academy as a bachelor-in-training. He’s doing well in Shanzhou, though the frequent border skirmishes do affect the region. Our Fourth Uncle has already dispatched men to support the front lines.”

Chen Rong sighed, pressing her chest. “It’s terrible how the wars keep spreading. Even our small county has been filling up with refugees lately. Outsiders have been buying up homes, and rent has nearly doubled.”

Madam Li added, “Speaking of that, Aying also bought several houses in the prefectural city recently. When refugees arrived, he rented them out—all of them taken right away. Made quite a bit of silver too.”

“Wang Ying has always been sharp,” Chen Rong praised. “He can earn money, manage a household, and keep everything together. Without him, the family wouldn’t be what it is today!”

Wang Ying flushed red from the praise. “You give me too much credit, Aunt. I only try to do right by those who’ve always treated me well.”

Just then, Cao Kun and Lin Qiu returned. In just a few months, Cao Kun had grown a beard, making him look several years older.

“Eldest Cousin, Younger Cousin, Sister-in-law, Aunt,” he greeted everyone respectfully, then turned to Chen Qingyan. “So it’s true—you’re our county’s very own zhuangyuan?”

Chen Qingyan nodded modestly.

“Incredible!” Cao Kun grinned. “The first zhuangyuan in all of Longquan County! No doubt the magistrate will be sending his congratulations soon.”

Indeed, the county magistrate had already spoken with him, instructing that if Chen Qingyan returned home, word must reach the yamen immediately. The county would not dare slight a zhuangyuan.

Chen Qingyan smiled. “Then I shall gladly meet him when he comes.”

Though they were both seventh-rank officials on paper, a Hanlin Editor far outranked a mere county magistrate in prestige. Many magistrates would never set foot in the capital in their entire careers—while Chen Qingyan began his there.

As the saying went: Some toil a lifetime and never reach Rome; others are simply born there.

After chatting awhile, Lin Qiu clapped his hands. “Come, let’s eat first! You’ve been on the road for weeks—must be exhausted.”

“Right, right, let’s go eat,” Chen Rong agreed, lifting her grandchild as they locked the door and headed to a restaurant in town.

Their old haunt had closed, so they went to a newly opened one run by a friend of Cao Kun’s. The moment they entered, the shopkeeper greeted them with a grin.

“Brother Cao! We’ve kept a large private room upstairs for you—everything’s ready.”

Cao Kun whispered a few words to him, and the man’s eyes widened. “Say no more! I’ll bring out my best cellared wine right away!”

Upstairs, they took their seats around a large table. After three rounds of wine, Cao Kun leaned forward and asked, “Sister-in-law, you’ve been running businesses in the prefectural city for years now. How are shop rents these days?”

“They’ve risen a little, but not too badly,” Wang Ying replied. “Why, are you thinking of moving your business there?”

“I am,” Cao Kun admitted. “The courier business here has reached its limit. I’ve practically monopolized all local deliveries. To grow further, I’ll need to expand into the prefectural city.”

In truth, he’d been thinking about it for a while. He was a clever man, but before, with his aunt and her family still finding their footing in the city, he hadn’t wanted to add to their burdens.

Now that his cousin was a zhuangyuan, his cousin’s wife was connected to officials, and Lin Sui was engaged to the Marquis’s family—moving to the city seemed far more feasible.

“That’s a wise choice,” Wang Ying said. “Though there are already a few courier houses in the city, competition’s not too fierce. It might be slow to build a name at first, but once word spreads, business will follow.”

“That’s no problem,” Cao Kun said confidently. “Every courier starts from scratch.”

Wang Ying thought for a moment. “If you’re serious, I’ll ask around once we’re back. You don’t need a prime location—just a decent storefront off the main street. It’ll be cheaper and still convenient for trade.”

Cao Kun’s eyes lit up. “Then I’ll trouble you, Sister-in-law!”

“Nonsense,” Wang Ying said with a grin. “We’re family. Besides, once Qingyan and I leave for the capital, it’ll be good having you nearby to look after my mother and Qingsong.”