Although Han Maode had lived a wealthy life over the years, his days had been clouded by several persistent shadows: Liu Jiahua’s infidelity, his son’s distance from him in favor of Han Xingwang’s family, and the fact that his only grandson was a “foolish mute.” These things had made his life far from ideal.
Often, when he strolled through the village and saw people gathered to chat and laugh, he would wonder if they were talking about his family—whispering about what sins he must have committed to have five granddaughters and only one grandson who was a fool. Every time he thought of this, even when eating white steamed buns and rice every meal, his heart felt heavy.
His son had been raised “crooked,” showing more affection to enemies than to his own father. Whose fault was that? It was his, as a father; he was useless, unable to even bond with his only child.
In the dead of night, he often wanted to slap himself dozens of times, hating that he had been so infatuated as to marry a selfish woman like Liu Jiahua. This was the reason his only son was not close to him.
But Heaven had been kind after all, allowing his son to discover the schemes of Han Xingwang and Liu Jiahua. He knew what kind of person his son was—the boy had inherited Liu Jiahua’s personality through and through. Since they dared to plot against him, he would just wait and watch them suffer his son’s wrath.
Then his son had said the “silly” grandson wasn’t actually a fool and could be cured. At that moment, it felt as if the gloom above his head had vanished; he felt as if he had come back to life. If his grandson could be well, he wouldn’t even mind the past schemes of Liu Jiahua.
He never imagined that the grandson would not only get better and speak, but even start studying. His son said the boy had a talent for learning and planned to send him to town for school.
When the villagers found out they were sending the boy to town, they whispered countless sour words behind their backs, thinking that since the boy was originally a fool, he couldn’t be that smart even if cured. They believed sending him to school was a waste of silver.
Han Maode didn’t care about that at all. His grandson was better now, and if there was one thing his family had, it was silver. In the future, he would just find a capable wife for his grandson, and the family would be fine. As for whether the boy could achieve great things through studying, he hadn’t cared that much initially.
However, once the grandson started school, he returned home every time with a reward from the teacher. Han Maode went from not caring much to gradually wondering: Could my grandson be a star of literature descended to earth? Could he really become a xiucai, a juren… and a high official?
Now that his grandson had taken first place in the entire county, how could he not be ecstatic? He wanted to announce it to the whole town.
Still, his son was right; the boy had only passed the County Exam, so it was best not to be too high-profile. Nevertheless, he put on the new clothes his son had bought him in the county seat, took the new tobacco pipe his son had bought him, wore the new shoes his wife had made for him, and strolled out of the house.
He knew exactly where the villagers liked to gather. With narrowed eyes and a faint smile on his face, he leisurely walked toward the crowd in a familiar manner. As he stood there, the chatting people fell silent, their eyes collectively snapping to the brand-new, navy-blue silk robe he was wearing.
One villager about his age teased, “Brother Maode, how come you’re willing to wear such bright, fancy clothes today?”
Han Maode glanced at him and patted his robe. “It’s nothing much. Han Ze took Shubuo to the county for the exam and brought me back a few sets of clothes, saying the styles in the county are better. You tell me, isn’t this just a waste of silver? But since he already bought them and I’m not doing manual labor today, I might as well wear them.”
The man gave a dry laugh. “Old brother, you are living the good life now.”
Han Maode gave a sigh. “What good life? I still have to pay for Shubuo’s schooling.”
Hearing this, the man asked, “How did your Shubuo do in the county exams?”
Han Maode took a few puffs from his pipe. “Nothing special. He just took first place—the so-called xian-anshou.”
“First place? That’s incredible!”
“It’s nothing. It’s only the county exam; there’s a long way to go. Later he has to go to the provincial capital for the departmental exams. Only after passing those can he be a xiucai. There are many talents at the provincial level; it’ll be difficult.”
“It’s fine, isn’t Shubuo only nine?”
“True. Han Xingwang’s two grandsons are older than my Shubuo, and they only ranked around 170th or 180th this time. If they aren’t worried, why should I be?”
“Han Chengming’s two children started school much earlier than Shubuo—how come they didn’t rank as well as him?”
“How would I know that?”
“True…”
After boasting about his grandson to his heart’s content and making sure to spread the lower rankings of Han Chengming’s children, Han Maode returned home satisfied.
Within half a day, the entire village knew Han Ze’s son, Han Shubuo, was extraordinary for taking first place. Han Chengming’s two sons combined couldn’t beat him, ranking only in the 170s and 180s.
When Han Ze heard the village rumors, he didn’t need to guess to know it was the old man’s doing. He was a bit helpless but also felt a twinge of sadness; he understood the old man’s desire to show off. After all, there hadn’t been anything worth bragging about in the family for many years.
…
Meanwhile, Han Chengming and his sons had also returned home. Han Xingwang and Liu Jiahua already knew the boys’ rankings and had naturally heard the village gossip.
Liu Jiahua couldn’t help but sneer, “Small people getting their way.”
Han Xingwang said slowly, “Don’t blame Brother Maode. After all, while his family has been wealthy all these years, they truly haven’t had any outstanding events. A few years ago, when Han Ze’s son couldn’t even speak, Maode felt terrible. We should try to understand him.”
Thinking about how Han Ze went to the county and bought clothes and a pipe for Han Maode but didn’t even buy her a scrap of fabric, she couldn’t help but curse, “Understand my foot! If Han Maode hadn’t married me, he wouldn’t even have a son, let alone a grandson! Look at that Wang Lanhua—she’s been married to him all these years and still only knows how to birth girls.”
In her mind, she felt Han Maode had mistreated her. Even if she had done something wrong, he should have treated her well for the sake of birthing his only son. Instead, he treated her like an enemy; even with endless silver at home, he wouldn’t give her a single copper.
And yet, Wang Lanhua only gave him two girls, raised two sons from her previous husband, and even got a maid to serve her—how could Liu Jiahua be content?
But she was helpless. That black-hearted Han Ze would rather be filial to a stepmother than care for his own biological mother. What could she do?
Han Chengming sat in a chair, scratching his hair in frustration. “Dad, Mom, we can’t worry about Han Ze and the others right now. It’s almost April. I specifically asked the teacher at the academy; the Prefectural Exams require five village guarantors and one xiucai. Last time for the County Exams, the guarantee fees alone cost fourteen taels. This time, can we do it with less than fifteen?”
The County Exams alone had cost him twenty or thirty taels. The Prefectural Exams were held in the provincial capital; with travel, food, lodging, and guarantee fees, how could they manage without forty taels?
He now regretted paying for both sons to study at the same time. The Imperial Exams were too expensive. If he only supported one son, he could cut the costs by half. With this thought, he glanced at his two sons, a plan forming in his mind.
He said to them, “You two go out first. I have something to discuss with your grandparents.”
Han Jixue clearly noticed the change in his father’s expression. He walked out quietly, and once outside, he looked at Han Jiwen. “Go play. I’ll stay here and wait for Dad; I have something to tell him later.”
Han Jiwen suspected nothing and ran off. After the stress of studying and exams lately, he was exhausted and couldn’t wait to play.
Seeing him run off, Han Jixue quietly pressed his ear to the door.
…
Inside, Han Chengming said mockingly, “Dad, I’ve realized that it’s simply impossible for a farm family to support two children through the exams. Especially since we are outsiders with little land. My two brothers aren’t married yet; even with our savings, it’s not enough for two kids to go all the way.”
Han Xingwang also understood this. He looked at Han Chengming. “Then what do you plan to do?”
Han Chengming sighed. “We can only support one. It’s not that I’m heartless, but I’m truly powerless.”
Han Xingwang frowned, clearly disagreeing. “Though their rankings this time weren’t ideal, they are still young. They might become scholars or even juren in the future. How can you say ‘give up’ just like that?”
Han Chengming looked at him helplessly. “I don’t want to give up on either of them, but the family simply doesn’t have that much silver.”
Han Xingwang turned to Liu Jiahua. “Old lady, what do you think?”
Liu Jiahua naturally didn’t want to give up on either grandson. She said without thinking, “Of course both must continue studying.”
Han Xingwang gave a faint smile and said gently, “As for the silver…”
Liu Jiahua paused and looked at him. “The silver? What way would an old woman like me have? We can only rely on Chengming to earn it. They are his sons—if he doesn’t earn it, who will?”
Han Chengming gave a bitter laugh. “Mom, even if I had ten pairs of hands, I couldn’t earn that much silver.”
Han Xingwang lamented, “It’s because we offended Brother Maode and Han Ze too deeply. If we hadn’t, we could have leased at least a hundred mu from them. Our family wouldn’t be in such poverty.”
Mentioning Han Ze, Han Chengming suddenly thought of the courtyard in the county seat. “Dad, Mom, exactly how much did Big Uncle leave Han Ze? Over the years he’s bought land, a house in town, and even a large courtyard in the county seat. Where did the silver come from?”
Han Xingwang said heavily, “Not much; only about two hundred mu and a few hundred taels. After all these years of spending, how much could be left?”
Liu Jiahua’s eyes sparkled. “Then where did the money for the land and houses come from?” Her eyes widened. “Could he have done something illegal?”
Han Chengming’s eyes lit up too. If he had done something bad, could they use it to threaten him and make him give them some money?
Han Xingwang snorted. “What kind of illegal thing do you think Han Ze could do to get that much silver?”
The other two immediately deflated. “Then where do you think it came from?”
Han Xingwang knit his brows in thought. Suddenly, his pupils dilated slightly. “Han Ze has been raising flowers these past two years; he even built a manor for it. If those flowers weren’t useful, would he go to all that trouble?”
Han Chengming realized: “Dad, you mean Han Ze’s silver might have all come from selling flowers?”
Han Xingwang nodded. “It’s not just ‘might be’; I’m certain. I didn’t think of it before, but now the more I think, the more it makes sense. I’ve seen people driving several carriages to pick up flowers a few times; those must be the wealthy people buying from him.”
Hearing that Han Ze was making a fortune, Liu Jiahua didn’t feel happy; she only felt rage, frustration, and resentment. She hissed, “No wonder I’ve seen Wang Lanhua in new clothes so often lately. It’s all because Han Ze earned silver! What a white-eyed wolf! He makes money and doesn’t give a cent to his biological mother, but buys clothes for a stepmother and dowries for sisters who don’t share a mother with him. Truly wonderful!”
Han Xingwang said, “Han Ze is indeed in the wrong. By rule, his uncle’s estate belongs to the Han family. You’ve remarried, so if he doesn’t give you that, so be it—but for the silver he earned himself, he ought to show some filial respect to you.”
Liu Jiahua stood up abruptly. “No, I have to go find Han Ze.”
Han Xingwang pulled her back down. “What’s the rush? You know Han Ze’s temper. We have to plan this out. If you just rush over there, will he listen to you?”
Remembering the things Han Ze had said to her during past visits, she felt her impulse fade.
…
Outside the door, Han Jixue stood up straight and quietly returned to his room. He clenched his fists. His grandparents and father were blinded by silver, but he wasn’t. He knew Big Uncle’s character better than anyone. Even if the silver was his own, if he didn’t want to give it, no one could pry it from his hands—not even his grandmother.
Since Grandma couldn’t get silver from Big Uncle, it was inevitable that either he or Jiwen would have to stop studying.
Han Jiwen!
He narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t expected Jiwen to rank higher than him this time. It seemed the boy’s scholarship wasn’t much worse than his own. With their father’s temperament, the decision of who would continue and who would farm would be based purely on exam rankings. He clenched his fingers, his face grim. If Han Shubuo was the major obstacle on his road to success, then Han Jiwen was the minor one.
Since they were obstacles, he would have to remove them one by one. Otherwise, how could he smoothly achieve fame and fortune?
…
Unaware that Han Jixue had heard everything, the others continued discussing how to “move” Han Ze. Han Chengming suggested, “How about we prepare a table of food and wine and invite Han Ze over for a drink? Once he’s drunk, won’t he be at our mercy?”
Han Xingwang added, “Even if he isn’t ‘at our mercy,’ eating and drinking together can bridge the gap. You are his mother; with a few kind words, even if his heart is like stone, it will soften a little.”
Liu Jiahua stood up. “Then Chengming, go buy the food, and I’ll go call Han Ze.”
Excited by the prospect of incoming silver, Han Chengming gave an “Eh!” “I’ll go buy the food.” After a few steps, he turned back and held out his hand. “Mom, the silver?”
Liu Jiahua glared at him, but she took out some silver and gave it to him anyway. Han Chengming took the silver, weighed it, and walked off humming a tune.
Liu Jiahua walked quickly to the Han manor. Han Ze was in the garden planting and watering flowers. She walked over and said with a beaming smile, “Han Ze, planting flowers, are you?”
Han Ze looked up at her, gave a grunt, and continued watering.
Liu Jiahua laughed. “Planting flowers is good, very good…”
Han Ze kept his head down and asked while watering, “Why are you here?”
Liu Jiahua hurriedly said, “The children passed the county exam, and I’m preparing a celebration. Why don’t you come over for lunch?”
Han Ze glanced at her. “I’m busy; I won’t be going.”
Liu Jiahua grew anxious. “We’ve already prepared the food and wine for you! How can you not go?”
Han Ze set down his watering can. “Mother, what exactly is it you want? Can we just speak plainly? I don’t dare eat your family’s food.”
Liu Jiahua’s expression turned awkward. She said angrily, “What’s wrong with having a meal? Why the constant excuses? Can’t a mother make a meal for her son to eat?”
Han Ze said with a half-smile, “Mother, it’s possible you’d make a meal for Han Chengming and his brother, but I haven’t eaten a meal made by you since I was small, nor do I crave it. Besides, I have people to cook for me now; I’m not lacking that one meal.”
Liu Jiahua was rendered speechless, her face turning green. She truly had never cooked a meal for Han Ze.
Han Ze smiled and said, “Alright, Mother, don’t be angry. If you have something to say, just say it. There’s no need for these extra gestures.”
Liu Jiahua gritted her teeth, her hatred flaring, but she could only ask loudly, “I heard you earned a lot of silver selling flowers?”
Han Ze didn’t hide it. “I’ve earned some silver. I earned it through my own ability, not by stealing or robbing. Is there something wrong with that?”
Naturally, there wasn’t.
Liu Jiahua looked at him and said bluntly, “Since you’ve earned so much, and I’ve run out of silver, give me some to use.”
Han Ze laughed. “Mother, why are you asking me for silver? If you’ve run out, you should go to Han Chengming and Uncle Xingwang. Why come to me?”
Liu Jiahua looked at him. “You are also my son. I won’t touch Han Maode’s silver, but for what you earned yourself, shouldn’t you give me some?”
Han Ze hummed. “I can give you silver.”
Liu Jiahua said happily, “Really?”
Han Ze smiled. “As long as you separate from Uncle Xingwang, I will support you.”
“What did you say?” Liu Jiahua’s eyes went wide, and she pointed at him hatefully. “You want me to separate? What kind of heart do you have?”
Han Ze said helplessly, “Mother, you are currently Uncle Xingwang’s wife and a member of his household, not mine. Even if my silver isn’t from my father but earned by myself, it makes no sense to support another family’s member.”
Liu Jiahua’s eyes reddened as she hissed, “But you are my son!”
Han Ze countered, “But you discarded me back then and remarried.”
Liu Jiahua felt a blockage in her chest. If she had known Han Ze would turn out like this, she would have strangled him back then—how could he be so infuriating?
She pointed at him and threatened, ” I don’t care! You must give me silver! Otherwise… otherwise I won’t leave!”
Han Ze asked her, “Won’t leave? So you agree to the separation?”
Liu Jiahua clutched her chest and swayed.
Han Ze ignored her, turned to a house servant, and said, “Go to Han Xingwang’s house and tell Han Chengming to come here. Tell him to take his mother back. Otherwise, tell his mother to separate from his father. If she stays at my house without separating, what if my parents misunderstand?”
The servant: “…”
Han Ze glared. “Go, quickly!”
The servant scurried off.
Liu Jiahua’s face turned ashen.
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152