Wang Caixia’s accusations provoked the usually good-natured Wang Caiwei. Typically, those with gentle tempers rarely flare up, but once they do, not even the gods can easily reconcile them. This was exactly the case with Wang Caiwei; she was genuinely incensed. During the year-end gift-giving at her maiden home, she ran into Wang Caixia. In the past, she would have called out “Eldest Sister,” but this year, she simply turned her head and acted as if the woman didn’t exist.
Wang Caixia sneered, thinking that because her sister was now a Juren’s wife, her wings had grown strong. She went home and complained to Liu Xiucai. Liu Xiucai, however, could only laugh at himself. Her wings had indeed grown strong; Han Ze was now a Juren, and Wang Caiwei was no longer a commoner—she had no reason to endure their family’s attitude anymore.
The Han family’s status had changed abruptly, but they seemed to be adapting well. Looking at his own wife, Liu Xiucai realized she likely hadn’t adjusted yet. After years of being pampered, she didn’t know how to bow her head or flatter others, let alone stomach slights from her younger half-sister. It was hard on her, but it was his own lack of ability; if he had passed the exam, they wouldn’t be in this position.
He reflected on how, for years, whenever they visited the father-in-law, the whole family had coddled them. While they hadn’t openly belittled the Hans, the cold distance shown by the father-in-law and the eldest brother-in-law was obvious to anyone. How could Han Ze not have thoughts about it? It would be one thing if he stayed at the bottom, but the man was brilliant. As soon as his health improved, he became a Xiucai, and a Juren the very next year. Who knew if he would become a Jinshi in the upcoming spring exams?
Liu Xiucai sighed bitterly. When Han Ze first passed, he felt righteous indignation. Now, after a few months, he had to admit some people were simply born for scholarship. Han Ze was one of them. It was a gift from heaven that had nothing to do with family background, and jealousy was futile.
…
Han Ze was unaware of the Liu couple’s internal conflicts; he was already in the capital. Wang Caiwei didn’t accompany him, but the Han family wasn’t comfortable letting him go alone. As per tradition, Han Erlang accompanied his elder brother. Erlang had grown accustomed to traveling with Han Ze over the last two years and wanted to see the capital for himself—to see what made it so different from Yangcheng.
The capital was over two thousand miles from their county. Six scholars from the county were heading for the Metropolitan Exam, and they traveled together for safety and company.
For this trip, Han Ze carried a total of six hundred taels of silver. Given the Han family’s original circumstances, they couldn’t have raised that much even if they sold the house. Fortunately, the two hundred taels from the Wang family, along with one hundred taels from Zhao Zhengxiu and Liu Xiucai during the banquet, provided a base. The rest came from local gentry, villagers, and the sale of his paintings, totaling six hundred and eighty taels. He took six hundred to the capital, used twenty to pay off the medicine debt to Physician Wang, and left sixty for house repairs.
Han Youtian and his wife initially refused to keep the money, wanting him to have every possible safeguard on the road. But Han Ze insisted that six hundred was plenty, and if he ran short, he would find a way. Old Madam Han’s eyes reddened—what way could a son find in a place as far as the capital?
Han Ze comforted her: “Mother, I am a Juren at the very least. I won’t starve to death…”
Old Madam Han hurriedly covered his mouth and spat to ward off bad luck. “What nonsense are you saying?” To her, any ill-spoken word was a bad omen for his journey.
Knowing her worry, Han Ze pivoted: “Mother, if money runs short, I’ll just sell a few more paintings. I’ll always be able to make enough for the trip back.”
Old Madam Han sighed. Her eldest son was capable; her worrying might actually hold him back. She eventually deferred to him.
Despite her outward agreement, she spent her nights in cold sweats from nightmares. Even the new house couldn’t ease her heart until the news arrived that Han Ze had placed second in the Palace Exam as the Bangyan. The relief was so intense that she immediately fell ill from the sudden drop in tension.
Half a month later, a letter arrived from Han Ze via a classmate, containing three hundred and fifty taels in banknotes. Only then did she recover.
Her son was now a Jinshi, a Bangyan, and an official in the capital. He had even bought a house and wanted them to move there. Hearing this, her illness vanished instantly, but looking at the banknotes, her heart ached for his wallet again. “He left with six hundred and sent back three hundred and fifty. Between their travel, food, and buying a house, it must have cost a fortune. Even an illiterate old woman like me knows houses in the capital must be incredibly expensive. Where did he get the money?”
Wang Caiwei was also worried. The letter mentioned the house and the promotion to the Hanlin Academy but lacked specific details on his finances. Even selling paintings shouldn’t bring in that much, right?
Regardless, they wouldn’t know the truth until they got there. Old Madam Han ordered Wang Caiwei to pack immediately.
…
Moving wasn’t simple. What would happen to the home? Erlang hadn’t returned, meaning he was staying in the capital, so his wife and children had to go. Han Sanlang and his wife wanted to go too, but after years of trying, she was finally pregnant and suffering from severe morning sickness. The journey involved water travel, which was impossible for her in that state. Han Youtian decided Sanlang would stay to mind the family home while everyone else went.
Before leaving, Wang Caiwei took the children to see her parents. Old Master Wang was so excited he could only repeat the word “Good!” over and over, giving her another two hundred taels. Wang Caiwei accepted it this time. Why wouldn’t she? Their relationship wasn’t as close as outsiders thought, but the outsiders didn’t need to know that. Because of Han Ze’s success, her father’s business had grown by twenty percent in six months.
As for Yan Hong, now twelve, Han Ze’s letter instructed that he should also come to the capital. He wasn’t in a rush for the Xiucai exam. Yan Hong was worried about his mother, but Lady Yan was firm: “Once you achieve your studies, you can bring me to your side. A man should be broad-minded and ambitious, not hesitant like a young girl.”
“Mother, don’t worry. I will be just like Master.”
Before leaving, Grandma Lu told Han Jinxiu with a smile, “You are the cleverest girl I’ve ever seen. In two years, I’ve taught you all I can. The rest is up to your own intuition.”
Jinxiu didn’t want to leave her. “Once I am settled in the capital, I will come back for you, Master.”
Grandma Lu just patted her head. “The scenery here is beautiful and the people are kind. I am old and can’t handle long journeys. I’ll spend my final years here. If you have the heart, just come back to visit.”
…
The money for the house had indeed come from Han Ze’s paintings. He sold four in total for two thousand taels. Before the exam, he put two up for sale in a gallery. The shopkeeper was stunned by the quality. Within five days, “Pine and Crane for Longevity” sold for 500 taels, and “Success at the First Attempt” sold for 450.
Since it was an exam year, the capital was bustling. Han Ze spent his time studying and adjusting his mindset. In March, the Metropolitan Exam took place. After nine days of grueling exams and a few days of rest in bed, the results were posted: Han Ze was fourth.
In the subsequent Palace Exam, Han Ze took second place, which meant an immediate official appointment. In this dynasty, the Zhuangyuan became a Hanlin Compiler, a 6th rank official, while the Bangyan and Tanhua became Hanlin Editors, 7th rank officials.
The brothers bought a house in a slightly remote area for 1,800 taels. It had a main house for the elders and wing rooms for Han Ze and Erlang. When the family arrived and worried about the cost, Erlang proudly explained that it was all from Han Ze’s paintings.
Life settled into a rhythm. Han Ze went to the Hanlin Academy daily and taught the children in the evenings. On rest days, they would hike or visit temples.
After a few months, Han Erlang got restless. He missed the village. He wanted to start a small business but didn’t know anything except farming. Han Ze didn’t want him to leave, as Han Xuewen needed to stay for his studies. Han Ze sold more paintings and bought a small manor with 200 acres outside the city. He sent Erlang to manage it. Han Youtian and Old Madam Han, who weren’t used to city life, also moved to the manor, returning to the city only occasionally.
…
When Yan Hong was thirteen, Han Ze sent him back to the village for the Tongsheng exam. Jinhe, five years younger, wanted to go too, but Han Ze stopped him. Erlang accompanied Yan Hong back, and even the elders went for a visit since Sanlang had recently had a son.
Yan Hong eventually became a Xiucai at fourteen, placing first in the institute exam. He was hailed as a boy genius. He stayed in the county school for two years before returning to the capital.
Later, Jinhe and Han Xuewen also returned to take their exams. Both passed and became Xiucai, though their grades weren’t as high. They also chose to stay at the county school for two years. Old Master Wang, seeing his grandson Jinhe studying in the county, bought him a courtyard house there as a gift.
While Han Ze’s family flourished, Liu Xiucai was struggling. He had failed the provincial exam again. Meanwhile, Han Ze’s friend Zhao Zhengxiu had passed and become a Juren. Seeing Han Ze’s son and nephew now studying at the county school while he, the “Uncle,” was still stuck there, Liu Xiucai was humiliated. His own sons were even worse; the eldest was taking over the business, and the youngest, Liu Meng, was sixteen and hadn’t even passed the Tongsheng exam.
When he found Liu Meng flirting with a maid, Liu Xiucai kicked him in a rage. Wang Caixia defended her son, but Liu Xiucai shouted, “Han Ze’s son and nephew are both Xiucai! Your son can’t even pass the first level!”
Wang Caixia hatched a plan. She wanted to marry Han Jinxiu to her son, Liu Meng. She thought that with Han Ze’s power and the Liu family’s money, it would be a perfect match. But Liu Xiucai laughed at her. “Our son doesn’t even have a title. Why would a 4th-rank official marry his daughter to a merchant’s son? You’re dreaming.”
Wang Caixia didn’t listen. She went to her father, Old Master Wang, who also shot her down. “If Han Ze wanted to marry into the family, I have grandsons of my own. Why would he pick Liu Meng?”
…
In August, Yan Hong took the provincial exam and placed first. When he arrived in the capital, he heard a rumor that the Marquis of Dingan’s household had sent a proposal for Han Jinxiu.
That night, Yan Hong knelt before Han Ze in his study.
“What is this for?” Han Ze asked.
“Master, if I become the Zhuangyuan in the Palace Exam, will you grant me one request?”
Han Ze already knew what was coming. “Speak.”
“Master, I want to marry Junior Sister Jinxiu.”
“Presumptuous!” Han Ze barked.
“Master,” Yan Hong said firmly, “I believe no one in this world can give Jinxiu the life she wants besides me. These noble young masters in the capital have concubines before they even marry, and their rules would stifle her.”
Han Ze scoffed. “And you think you’re the only one who knows what my daughter wants?”
“Is your request to marry her only valid if you win first place?” Han Ze tested him.
“It is my show of sincerity,” Yan Hong said.
“And if you don’t win, you’ll just let her keep waiting?” Han Ze laughed, leaving Yan Hong confused. Han Ze waved him away. “We will talk after the Metropolitan Exam. I’ve already rejected the Marquis’s house. Do you think a penniless Zhuangyuan is better than a Marquis’s son? Don’t talk to me about rankings; I don’t want to hear it.”
Yan Hong left with a smile. He knew Han Ze didn’t care much for status, and as long as the Marquis was rejected, he had a chance.
That night, Han Ze told Wang Caiwei about the proposal. Wang Caiwei wasn’t surprised. “I’ve seen the way that boy looks at her for the last two years.”
Han Ze grumbled, “That brat… and you just let them meet?”
“Yan Hong is a good boy,” Wang Caiwei said. “He’s your student; we know his background. Jinxiu wouldn’t be bullied by in-laws if she married him.”
Han Ze sighed. “Go ask Jinxiu what she thinks.”
He knew in his heart that his daughter had already made clothes for Yan Hong in the past. “This girl… her heart is already leaning toward the outside before she’s even married.”
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152