AD (QT) Chapter 110

Having seen his coveted disciple already formally apprenticed, Liu Xiucai’s friend, Hu Juren, was filled with regret. Being a man of status, he could not bring himself to use his influence to snatch another’s student, but he harbored significant dissatisfaction toward Han Ze. In his eyes, a mere Xiucai had no business taking on a student as gifted and quick-witted as Yan Hong. A potential Jinshi was surely going to wither in his hands. He decided that if he ever met this “Han Ze” from the county school, he would give him a piece of his mind for misleading such a promising youth.

However, before he could move past the regret of losing a star pupil, the county government received the official announcement from Yangcheng. Two scholars from Tongyang County had passed the provincial exams—one of whom was Han Ze, who had taken third place.

Upon hearing this, Hu Juren quietly inquired with his former classmate at the county school. Only then did he understand that his ignorance of Han Ze wasn’t due to the man’s lack of talent, but because Han Ze had only entered the school a year ago and kept a very low profile. He never attended the literary gatherings hosted by other scholars, focusing entirely on his studies. That was how he managed to seize the Jingkui title in a single stroke.

Hu Juren was overcome with shame. Remembering how he had intended to “reprimand” Han Ze just days prior, he felt a cold sweat of embarrassment. Fortunately, his classmate knew nothing of his inner thoughts, or he would have lost face completely. His shame, however, sparked a deep curiosity to see exactly what kind of man this Han Ze was.

…

Han Ze was currently on the road back from Yangcheng. Lacking clairvoyance, he had no idea someone had tried to steal his disciple, let alone that the person had intended to scold him but was now merely curious. Even if he had known, he would have likely met it with a dismissive smile.

In Xiaohan Village, the Han family received the joyous news of the victory. The villagers were in a frenzy; even the Village Chief personally visited to offer congratulations.

Han Ze had actually become a Juren! For many years, the village hadn’t seen so much as a Tongsheng, let alone a Juren. Han Ze was their first Xiucai, and it had been decades since anyone attained the rank of Juren. For a farming family, this was a rare and precious honor. Once again, the Han household was surrounded by a sea of people.

Interestingly, Old Madam Han wasn’t as shocked as she had been when Han Ze became a Xiucai. It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy, but when Han Ze became a Xiucai, he had just recovered from his illness—that was the turning point that changed their fate. Now, his becoming a Juren felt like the icing on the cake. In the old lady’s heart, her son’s scholarship was top-tier; wasn’t passing just a matter of course? What was there to be surprised about?

…

Old Master Wang naturally received the news that his second son-in-law had taken third place, while his eldest son-in-law, Liu Xiucai had failed. He stood up abruptly, narrowing his cloudy eyes and stroking his beard. He commanded his eldest son, Wang Dalang: “Prepare two hundred taels of silver. I am going to the Han family personally to offer my congratulations.”

“Father…” Wang Dalang called out hesitantly. Two hundred taels was no small sum, even for their family. He was loath to give it all to Han Ze.

Old Master Wang’s thick eyebrows shot up. “Utterly foolish! It would be one thing if Han Ze hadn’t passed, but now he is a Juren. If you’re still this indecisive and short-sighted, how can I trust you with this household?”

Wang Dalang bowed his head, offering no further argument. To him, every ounce of silver given away was an ounce he didn’t have. Even to flatter Han Ze, two hundred taels seemed excessive.

Old Master Wang shook his head, pointing a finger in frustration. “Muddled! Have you still not seen the truth?”

Wang Dalang looked at him blankly. He knew Han Ze becoming a Juren benefited them, but Han Ze was their son-in-law—that was an unchangeable fact. Even if they had to congratulate him, did they really have to be so desperate as to hand over two hundred taels?

Old Master Wang felt a surge of disappointment in his son. After a moment, he carefully explained: “Ever since Han Ze recovered, he took one year to become a Xiucai. He entered the county school for one year and became a Juren, taking third place. This isn’t just luck; he must be full of learning and extraordinary talent. It’s clear he will head to the capital for the Metropolitan Exam next year. Once he becomes a Jinshi and is appointed an official, we will have an official for a son-in-law. Forget the Town Head—even the County Magistrate will have to look at us with respect. By then, our cloth business might even expand into the county seat.”

Wang Dalang argued, “You are his father-in-law anyway; even if he becomes an official, he can’t refuse to recognize you. Besides, just because he’s a Juren doesn’t mean he’ll definitely become a Jinshi.”

Old Master Wang’s beard practically bristled with rage. “You will do as I say! You are slow-witted yet try to be clever—beyond saving!”

Seeing his brother’s defiance, Wang Erlang quickly chimed in: “Brother, looking at the events of the last two years and Han Ze’s personality, he either won’t go to the capital, or if he does, he will surely pass. By then, even if Father is his father-in-law, it will be too late to try and get close to him.”

In truth, Erlang wanted to say it was already a bit late. Who would have thought Han Ze could stand back up and climb so high? Fortunately, it wasn’t completely too late.

Old Master Wang nodded in satisfaction. “Erlang, you come with me to Xiaohan Village. Dalang, you stay and mind the shop.”

Wang Dalang had no choice but to obey. Old Master Wang thought for a moment and added, “Prepare some high-quality fabrics. Jinxiu and Jinye are growing up and are in school now; as their maternal grandparents, it’s only right we give the children some new clothes.”

Giving gifts in the name of the children was something the Hans couldn’t easily refuse.

…

After traveling for days, Han Ze’s group finally reached the county seat. The news of the exam results had already spread through every school. Han Jinxiu, Han Jinye, Yan Hong, and Han Xuewen were all beside themselves with excitement.

Teacher Shen at the private school, knowing Han Ze was Jinye’s father and Yan Hong’s Master, became noticeably more enthusiastic toward the boys, his gaze softening considerably.

Once they had rested in their rented courtyard, Han Ze began testing the children on their studies. After the evaluation, Yan Hong glanced at Jinye and said expressionlessly, “Master, Junior Brother Jinye has doubted my character.”

Han Ze looked at Jinye. The boy’s eyes went wide. Yan Hong, you despicable, shameless… you’re actually snitching!

Yan Hong kept his eyes on his nose, looking like the picture of serenity.

Han Ze narrowed his eyes. Jinye immediately checked his expression, stood up straight, and defended himself: “Father, Yan Hong is talking nonsense.”

“Tell me exactly what happened,” Han Ze said calmly. “I will judge for myself if it’s nonsense.”

Yan Hong spoke slowly. “Teacher Shen’s classmate wanted to take me as a disciple. Junior Brother Jinye then accused me of wanting to betray my Master and apprentice myself to someone else.”

Truly despicable Yan Hong!

Jinye was fuming. “The day Hu Juren came to the school, you were practically competing to show off in front of him! If that wasn’t wanting to be his disciple, then what was it?”

Yan Hong explained, “Hu Juren was testing our knowledge. Since I knew the answers, it was only natural to provide them.”

Jinye snorted. Since you didn’t actually agree to the apprenticeship, of course you have all the excuses.

Han Ze looked at Yan Hong with approval. “You did the right thing. Since you know the material, there is no need to hide it.” Then he turned to Jinye, his tone becoming stern. “One should never take things out of context. You have wronged Yan Hong. As punishment, you shall write five hundred pages of calligraphy.”

Jinye’s face turned pale. Five hundred pages? Would his hand even survive?

Yan Hong spoke up from the side: “This matter started because of me. Since Jinye and I are brothers of the same sect, we should share both blessings and hardships. I shall also punish myself with five hundred pages.”

Jinye: “…”

Like I care! You’re playing both the hero and the victim. If you’re so talented, why don’t you just fly to heaven?

…

Once Han Ze stepped out, Jinxiu asked Yan Hong, “Snitching to Father… that doesn’t seem like you. Why did you do it?”

Yan Hong looked at her. “Someone wanted to steal Master’s disciple. Master ought to know.”

Jinxiu: “…”

So your way of ‘letting him know’ is just to tattle? Aren’t you afraid of offending Jinye so badly he’ll keep making trouble for you?

As if reading her mind, Yan Hong said, “I am serving the punishment with him. He should feel more at peace.”

The corner of Jinxiu’s mouth twitched imperceptibly. Yan Hong’s lips curled up slightly. Five hundred pages was just normal practice for him, but for his Junior Brother, it was a massive punishment.

Jinxiu said wryly, “Weren’t you afraid Father would hit him with the ruler?”

Yan Hong said with certainty, “Master wouldn’t.”

Jinxiu admitted her father wouldn’t physically strike them; Yan Hong saw things clearly. She added, “Jinye needs to learn that a mistake is a mistake, and he must accept the punishment. It’s a lesson for him so he doesn’t speak so recklessly next time. It’s fine within the family, but if he’s that blunt out in the world, he’ll offend everyone.”

Hearing the words “within the family,” Yan Hong felt a warmth in his heart. Was Jinxiu considering him part of the family now?

“That was my intention as well,” he said with a smile. Jinye was impulsive, but since they were family, Yan Hong wouldn’t hold a grudge; others might not be so forgiving.

…

After visiting the teachers at the county school, Han Ze prepared to head back to the village. Jinye, Yan Hong, and Xuewen all took leave from their school to accompany them.

Since moving to the county seat after the New Year, Han Ze hadn’t returned home to focus on his studies. Now it was September. Old Madam Han hadn’t seen her eldest son in months; seeing him now as a “Lord Juren,” she cried for joy and wouldn’t let go of his hand.

The family home was still the same old thatched house. The quilts were new and the rooms were scrubbed clean, but the place still looked desolate.

Han Ze looked at the dilapidated courtyard and sighed. For the past two years, he had been focused solely on the exams. All the money he earned went toward paper, ink, books, and travel. He hadn’t thought to renovate the house. But this couldn’t be rushed—next year’s Metropolitan Exam would require a large sum of money. The house would have to wait.

Han Youtian noticed his son’s thoughts and remembered something. “A few days ago, when the news of your victory arrived, the Wang family sent over two hundred taels. I didn’t want to take it at first, but Old Master Wang said it was a supplement to Wang shi’s dowry, so I couldn’t say much more.”

If a father wanted to give his daughter more dowry, what could a father-in-law say?

Han Ze gave a meaningful smile. “If they gave it, just keep it.”

Han Youtian looked at him in surprise. “I remember you refused their money when you became a Xiucai?”

Han Ze picked up a teacup and said softly, “Times change. Even if we didn’t take their money, would the Wang family not benefit from having a Juren for a son-in-law?”

The weight of a Juren was entirely different from a Xiucai. As long as Old Master Wang told people his son-in-law was Han Ze, the Juren, business partners would naturally lean his way. The benefits he would reap were immeasurable. In that case, why should Han Ze be so “noble” as to refuse the money?

Han Youtian thought about it and realized his son was right.

Han Ze teased, “Father might want to casually ask around—has the Wang family’s business been even more booming than usual lately?”

Han Youtian: “…”

This brat… that is your father-in-law after all.