AD (QT) Chapter 111

When the news of Han Ze passing the provincial exam arrived, the most shocked person was Han Daya. In her previous life, Han Ze hadn’t become a Juren until he was thirty-six. In this life, he had achieved it at twenty-seven—a full nine years earlier. Furthermore, he had placed third, whereas in her previous life, he had only ranked seventy-eighth. What was going on? Could it be that her rebirth had altered Han Ze’s destiny, making his mind even sharper than before?

She laughed at herself. Whatever happened to Han Ze’s fate no longer had anything to do with her. Since returning to Xiaohan Village, her own family treated her like a stranger, looking right through her. Even her three children looked at her with distant, alienated eyes. To live a second time only to end up so destitute and forsaken by everyone—the fates of both her past and present lives had been completely transformed.

Han Ze already knew Han Daya had returned to Xiaohan Village. Hearing that her life was difficult, he didn’t inquire further. Whatever happened to her was no longer his concern.

Han Youtian recalled that when his eldest son became a Xiucai, they hadn’t held a feast for the villagers. Now that Han Ze was a Juren—a momentous occasion—it would be inappropriate not to host a celebration. He sat down with Han Ze to discuss a date for the banquet.

Privately, Han Ze didn’t want to hold a feast. It wasn’t about the money; he simply found it troublesome. However, he knew that becoming a Juren was a major event not just for the Han family, but for Xiaohan Village as a whole. Everyone wanted to celebrate, and he couldn’t dampen their spirits just for his own preference.

After some thought, he said, “I don’t plan to return to the county school to study before the end of the year. I’ll head straight to the capital after the New Year. Any time for the banquet is fine; just pick a lucky day and let me know, Father.”

Han Youtian saw that his son wasn’t particularly enthusiastic, so he took the initiative. He consulted the respected elders in the village to select an auspicious date and set Old Madam Han and the daughters-in-law to work preparing the food.

While Han Ze was preparing for his own banquet, he received an invitation from Wang Ziwen to attend his celebration.

Wang Ziwen’s feast was scheduled six days before the Han family’s. Han Ze pondered what gift would be appropriate. Knowing his family was even more cash-strapped than the Wangs, sending silver seemed wrong. The original host of this body had studied painting with his teacher; although his skill had been average, it was a start. Han Ze went to town to buy paper and paint. He spent several days painting a “Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate” to offer his congratulations.

In one of his previous worlds, he had been a master carver. Before carving, he had to draw designs, and he had later specifically studied painting. In terms of art, he was naturally stronger than the original host. Combined with some modern techniques, the carp he painted were incredibly lifelike, appearing as if they might leap right off the paper.

Han Jinxiu fell in love with it instantly. She looked at him with wide, hopeful eyes. “Father, can I have this painting?”

Han Ze smiled at her. “This painting is a gift for someone else.”

Jinxiu’s little face dimmed, and her head drooped pitifully.

Han Ze’s heart softened instantly. “Since you like it, Father will paint another one just for you.”

Jinxiu thought for a moment and shook her head. “Father has to take the Metropolitan Exam next year. I shouldn’t take up your study time.”

Though she loved the painting, she didn’t want her father to overwork himself.

Han Ze laughed. “I can’t read books every second of the day. I’ll paint it for you in my spare time.”

Jinxiu beamed. “Just make sure you don’t get too tired, Father.”

“It’s just a painting. I won’t get tired.”

On the day of Wang Ziwen’s banquet, both Han Ze and Zhao Zhengxiu attended. Zhao Zhengxiu’s gift was more direct: one hundred taels of silver. When Wang Ziwen tried to decline, Zhao Zhengxiu said, “We are classmates and friends. I couldn’t find a rare gift, so I can only offer this vulgar item to show my intent. If you don’t accept, you’re looking down on me.”

With the words put that way, Wang Ziwen could only accept the gift, planning to return the favor in the future.

Han Ze then brought out his painting. “I also couldn’t find a rare gift, so I painted this myself. I hope you don’t mind it, Ziwen.”

Both Zhao Zhengxiu and Wang Ziwen were surprised. They didn’t know Han Ze could paint. Since Brother Han was willing to give his own work as a gift, his skill must be respectable. Curious, Zhao Zhengxiu urged, “Brother Han, open it and let us see!”

Han Ze handed the scroll to Wang Ziwen with a smile. Wang Ziwen took it and carefully unfurled it. The moment he saw the painting, he froze. Seeing his reaction, Zhao Zhengxiu leaned over to look. He was equally stunned, pointing at the paper. “These carp… they’re alive!”

It was a busy day at the Wang house, and many guests came over to see the commotion. They were all captivated by the sight of several carp leaping toward the Dragon Gate. Old Madam Wang praised, “If you don’t look closely, you’d think they were real. It’s painted so well!”

Wang Ziwen snapped out of his daze, looking at Han Ze with delight. “I had no idea Brother Han possessed such artistry.”

Han Ze smiled modestly. “As long as you don’t find it lacking.”

“How could I find such divine skill lacking?” Wang Ziwen said seriously. He carefully put it away, intending to appreciate it properly once the guests had left.

Zhao Zhengxiu was full of envy. “I must pass the next provincial exam! When I do, Brother Han, you must give me a painting as well.”

Han Ze found this amusing and promised, “If Zhengxiu becomes a Juren, I will certainly gift you a painting.”

Wang Ziwen glanced at Zhao Zhengxiu. “Who just asks people for gifts like that?”

Zhao Zhengxiu was thick-skinned and laughed. “That’s because Brother Han is so skilled. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be asking!”

After the banquet, Han Ze invited them both to his own celebration. They promised to be there on time.

…

On the day of the Han family banquet, not only did Zhao Zhengxiu and Wang Ziwen show up, but to Han Ze’s surprise, Liu Xiucai and Wang Caixia appeared as well. Seeing them arrive with Old Master Wang and Lady Xu, Han Ze understood—Old Master Wang must have made them come.

All who come are guests, and Old Madam Han greeted everyone with a smile. So many guests arrived that day; even local gentry who hadn’t been formally invited sent messengers with generous gifts. Old Madam Han’s hands grew tired from receiving gifts, and she felt a bit uneasy. She didn’t know many of these people and had never associated with them before, yet they were sending tributes. She pulled Han Ze aside to ask if they should even be accepting them.

Han Ze smiled. “The gifts have reached our door; there is no reason to send them back. If we did, we would only offend people.”

Old Madam Han pondered for a moment. “You are a Juren now. Is it bad to take gifts like this?”

The smile in Han Ze’s eyes deepened. “The local gentry are smart people. These gifts are just to congratulate me and show goodwill. They won’t ask me to do anything for them, and they likely won’t send anything again. You just need to keep a mental record; don’t worry.”

Old Madam Han breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good, then.” With her son suddenly achieving such high status, she was afraid people would use money to entice him into doing something illegal.

Han Ze said helplessly, “Mother, don’t you know your own son? Am I the kind of person who would disregard the law for money?”

Old Madam Han beamed with pride. “Of course my son isn’t that kind of person.” She paused, then added, “We are simple country folk. Even if you become an official in the future, you must be a good one who thinks of the common people.”

Han Ze laughed. “If an official doesn’t act for the people, he might as well go home and plant sweet potatoes. I’ll either not be an official at all, or I’ll be a good one.”

Old Madam Han patted his arm playfully. “Where did you hear such nonsense? Plant sweet potatoes? You’ve been frail since you were a child; we never even let you step into the fields. Do you even know how to plant a sweet potato?”

Han Ze: “…”

Old Master Wang privately assumed that since Han Ze had accepted his silver, the old grievances were buried. But arriving at the Han house today, he found Han Ze’s attitude toward him was exactly as it had always been—perfectly polite, yet impossible to fault. Han Ze wasn’t as close to him as his eldest son-in-law, but he didn’t neglect him either.

This left him feeling quite dejected. Thinking about how his own business had improved lately simply because Han Ze became a Juren, he felt even more conflicted. Such an outstanding young man, yet he wasn’t his own biological son.

Since he wasn’t a biological son, a son-in-law was the next best thing, but this son-in-law had become distant due to past neglect. As Han Ze climbed higher and higher, the Old Master’s regret grew. No matter how hard he tried to restore the relationship, Han Ze’s heart remained like iron, refusing to yield.

Wang Caixia looked at her father’s dejected face, and her own feelings were a tangled mess. If her own husband had passed, why would her father have to lower himself to flatter Han Ze? The fact that Han Ze didn’t even seem to care infuriated her. She felt Wang Caiwei was being too arrogant and unfilial. With this in mind, she found Wang Caiwei washing vegetables and said expressionlessly, “I have something to say to you.”

Wang Caiwei looked at the vegetables and frowned. “The stove is waiting for these. Can it wait a moment?”

Wang Caixia said impatiently, “Hurry up.”

Han Jinxiu walked over. “Mother, I’ll wash them. Go attend to Eldest Aunt.”

Wang Caiwei hesitated but stood up. As soon as they entered the inner room, Wang Caixia snapped, “Now that you’re a Juren’s wife, you don’t even recognize your own father?”

Wang Caiwei was stunned, then annoyed. “When did I ever not recognize him? Even if you are my sister, you shouldn’t talk such nonsense.”

Wang Caixia snorted. “Nonsense? Han Ze looks down on his father-in-law just because he passed. It’s truly unfair that someone like him could become a Juren.”

Wang Caiwei’s face darkened. “When did Han Ze ever look down on Father?”

Even if their relationship wasn’t warm, these words were unreasonable and unkind.

Wang Caixia sneered. “He isn’t enthusiastic toward Father. If that’s not looking down on him, what is?”

Wang Caiwei looked at her and questioned, “What counts as ‘enthusiastic’? I don’t see any difference in how Han Ze treats Father compared to the past. He always behaved this way when we visited. Han Ze isn’t as outgoing as Brother-in-law and doesn’t know how to flatter Father. If you’re comparing him to your husband, you’re being far too difficult.”

Wang Caixia was momentarily speechless. She hadn’t realized her sister had become so sharp-tongued. She said forcefully, “In any case, the Wang family is your maiden home. One day, when Han Ze becomes a Jinshi, you cannot forget your family.”

Wang Caiwei looked at her and said, “The Wang family is my maiden home. How things were before is how they will be in the future.”

If they were close before, they would stay close. If the relationship was distant, it wouldn’t change.

Wang Caixia’s face fell. “You…”

Wang Caiwei added, “A daughter married out is like water splashed away. I know how to deal with my maiden home; Eldest Sister doesn’t need to worry.”

Wang Caixia glared at her with a dark expression and turned to walk out.