Moreover, from the tone and content of Meng Fangxun's letters, she could tell he wasn't a timid, fearful person. If he were, he wouldn't have written back to her in the first place.
"But that was last autumn! Countless candidates excel in the provincial exams each year, but only a handful pass the metropolitan exams! Maybe he's intimidated by the other Juren from all over the country?"
After all, the metropolitan exams pitted him against Juren from across the nation, all of whom had substantial scholarly merit. Meng Fangxun was good, but facing national talent was different.
"Have you forgotten? Last autumn's provincial exams were graded by the Emperor himself! His essays earned the Emperor's recognition—how could his talent be lacking?" Song Weilan had already considered this. She believed that since Meng Fangxun stood out last year, he couldn't be that bad.
But her friends weren't convinced. "What good are last year's results now? Don't forget the young masters from great families: Shen Wenshu from the Jiangnan Shen family, Fu Lingxiao from the Qixi Fu family, Zuo Qingqiu from the Yuandong Zuo family... which of them is lacking?"
"Exactly! Before, they didn't know how to approach the current affairs essays, so they didn't do well. Now that they've figured it out, how could they not excel?"
"I've heard these scions have been diligently studying current affairs at home. Even my brothers have grasped some insights! These young masters, with their families' support, must be even more impressive!"
"Your fiancé, with no power or influence, just caught the trend last year. Comparing him to these scions is unrealistic."
The young ladies weren't deliberately belittling Meng Fangxun; this was simply the reality. Commoners rarely outperformed the children of officials, who in turn rarely outperformed the scions of great families.
This had been the case since ancient times. This mindset was deeply ingrained in them and hard to change.
"Even if he can't surpass others, he wouldn't be too cowardly to come to the capital." No matter what they said, Song Weilan refused to believe Meng Fangxun would retreat without a fight. A person's expression could be feigned, their words could lie, but their literary talent couldn't be completely faked.
Two years, dozens of letters—if the literary skill in every one was fake, then she, Song Weilan, was blind, unable to discern true talent.
Seeing her so stubborn, her friends said little more, only muttering, "If his scholarship isn't bad, and he isn't afraid of the exams, why is he so late? Could it really be that he's too ugly to show his face?"
They were girls of sixteen or seventeen, the eldest barely eighteen. They didn't take the exams themselves, their families were well-off, and they would marry within their social circle. They weren't interested in the imperial exams; they were most interested in the future husband's looks.
In their minds, a country Juren was like those they'd seen before in the capital: while his clothes might no longer be patched or simple blue robes, having not grown up in an official's family in the capital, lacking exposure to its sophistication, he would inevitably carry an air of provincial narrow-mindedness.
Some were even outright rustic. This pettiness and rusticity couldn't be hidden by expensive clothes.
Hearing that Meng Fangxun came from a farming family, having worked the land under the sun, they dared not imagine how ridiculous a sun-darkened peasant would look in fine robes.
They certainly couldn't imagine spending a lifetime with such a person.
"Perhaps something delayed him." Song Weilan didn't care what they thought. Ever since her engagement was settled, many in the capital had mocked her.
Especially the two families her mother had previously considered for her—they were all waiting, openly or secretly, to see her make a fool of herself.
How could that not hurt?
But she had studied the Four Books and Five Classics with her father and brother since childhood. She had learned nothing of needlework or household management. The thought of marrying into a family of equal status, confined to the inner quarters every day, waiting for a husband who only wanted her to bear children and who was preoccupied with daily trivialities—that would also make her miserable.
Meng Fangxun was the only man whose rhapsodies had moved her, with whom she could correspond and exchange ideas, who knew she was a woman and didn't disdain her, but was willing to interact with her.
Finding such a like-minded fiancé, she was already content. Everything else was just fleeting clouds.
She couldn't marry someone she disliked just because of a few mocking words, condemning herself to a life of misery.
As the young women in the courtyard harbored their various thoughts, a maid arrived to announce: "Young Mistress! He's come! The future son-in-law has arrived!"
Song Weilan's heart relaxed, her eyes sparkling with unmistakable joy. "I told you he was delayed! Quick, help me dress!"
Whatever her fiancé looked like, for their first meeting, she must face him at her best.
While the rear courtyard was busy adorning itself, Song Daren Official Song in the front courtyard also breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Meng Fangxun had finally arrived.
According to the agreed time, Meng Fangxun should have been in the capital much earlier. His delay of several days had inevitably caused some anxiety.
This was especially true for Song Furen Madam Song, who had many criticisms about her daughter and husband rashly settling the engagement: "There are so many prominent families in the capital you could choose from, and you pick someone from a remote county! You even allowed Weilan to exchange letters with him! As a father, you are truly muddled, ruining your daughter's life!"
"The student I recognize will not harm her!" Initially, Song Yunfan was also furious upon discovering his daughter was exchanging letters with an outside scholar. But when he learned it was Meng Fangxun, his attitude changed.
Meng Fangxun's rhapsodies were works that he and the retired official Jiang Hehai had praised unreservedly.
Furthermore, he heard from Jiang Daren's fellow townsmen that those rhapsodies were widely circulated in Jiang Daren's hometown. If the author's identity were known, he would surely be famous there.
Such a talented and promising individual, who also happened to be deeply compatible with his daughter—why not facilitate this excellent match rather than play the villain who separates lovers, causing pain to both his daughter and making a talented scholar resentful?
Song Daren was extremely satisfied to have found Meng Fangxun as a son-in-law before he rose to prominence. Perhaps once Meng Fangxun gained fame, his daughter might not even be considered a good match for him!
But Song Furen didn't understand these things. When choosing a son-in-law, she looked at character, family background, and wealth. For Song Daren to settle on a poor scholar without a word—someone with nothing to his name, whose appearance was unknown—infuriated her!
Moreover, this scholar didn't even follow etiquette. He failed to arrive on the agreed-upon date, further fueling her dissatisfaction. She was convinced he was an ill-mannered country bumpkin.
Hearing he had finally come, but not as a future son-in-law, rather as a student paying respects, gave her pause.
"See? I told you the person I recognize wouldn't have poor character," Song Daren, being astute, immediately understood Meng Fangxun's intention upon hearing his approach. He was delighted. "Quickly, invite him in!"
Song Furen couldn't stand Song Daren's smug expression and retorted stubbornly, "Perhaps he's just putting on a show."
"Someone willing to put on a show can't have terrible character," Song Daren dismissed her concern. He was already highly satisfied with Meng Fangxun before; now he was even more pleased.
Meng Fangxun didn't pretend to be wealthy. He bought gifts appropriate to his status, wore one of his usual new robes, clean and presentable, and made his visit.
The moment he stepped into the main hall, Song Furen's eyes lit up.
It wasn't that Meng Fangxun was exceptionally handsome—living in the capital, she had seen plenty of good-looking nobles. But his scholarly, refined bearing was strikingly noticeable.
One look told you he was well-educated.
He didn't disappoint Song Furen. Upon entering, he respectfully bowed to her and Song Daren with the salute of a student to his esteemed teachers. "This student pays respects to Honored Teacher, Honored Lady."
"Hmm, take a seat," Song Daren said, granting him a seat, then asked, "Why did you only come to visit today?"
Although Meng Fangxun acted as a student, Song Daren's question pertained to son-in-law matters.
"Matters on the journey caused delays. I beg Teacher and Lady not to blame me," Meng Fangxun explained, detailing the reasons.
While he spoke, Song Furen observed him closely. His demeanor wasn't frivolous or timid. After being seated, his eyes didn't wander like others'; he answered questions properly, as if he were truly visiting his teachers, not his future in-laws.
For a country Juren to possess such unassuming yet confident bearing was impressive. What was even more valuable was hearing that his literary talent and scholarship were also excellent?
Having been married to Song Daren for years, Song Furen knew that students with poor scholarship couldn't catch his eye. Only then did Song Furen temporarily set aside her prejudice, waving her hand to summon a servant to add tea.
Adding tea, of course, wasn't just about the tea. It was an opportunity for Meng Fangxun and Song Weilan to see each other.
Sure enough.
Shortly after the servant left, Song Weilan, dressed in her finest, entered carrying a teapot. "Father, Mother, your daughter has come to refresh your tea."
Meng Fangxun was speaking with Song Daren when he suddenly heard a clear, crisp voice. He instinctively looked up. Catching a glimpse of the young lady, he realized the situation and quickly averted his gaze, his face flushing red.
"Serve the guest first," Song Furen said, amused by his reaction, instructing Song Weilan to pour tea for Meng Fangxun.
"Yes," Song Weilan responded. She carried the teapot to Meng Fangxun, refilled his cup, and addressed him openly, "Guest, please enjoy your tea."
Touching the slender jade-like fingers offering the cup, Meng Fangxun took it, drank some tea, and then, having regained his composure, looked at her. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." After pouring the tea, Song Weilan picked up the teapot and withdrew.
Her friends, waiting for her in the rear courtyard, grabbed her as soon as she returned. "Well? What's he like? What does he look like?!"
Song Weilan, still tightly clutching the teapor, her face flushed red, her hands trembling slightly, exclaimed, "Sa-satisfied! I'm very satisfied!"
Her eyes shone brightly as she said this.
She had thought it would be good enough if Meng Fangxun simply had a scholar's demeanor. She never expected his bearing to be so excellent!
When she entered with the tea, her first glance caught Meng Fangxun sitting politely in the official's chair, conversing happily with her father like a graceful pine tree.
Although the face he raised when accepting the tea was ordinary, without earth-shattering handsomeness, his features were regular and proper, without any crookedness or unpleasantness.
He was much better than she had imagined!
Coupled with their existing secret affection, she now saw him through the lens of a lover's eyes, finding everything about him good!
Song Weilan's excited expression couldn't be fake, piquing her friends' curiosity. "He's really that good?!"
"We have to see for ourselves!"
Having seen her beloved, Song Weilan was no longer nervous. "Go ahead and look! He'll definitely surprise you!"
So, while Meng Fangxun spoke with Song Daren and Song Furen in the main hall, a group of young ladies hid in the side chamber waiting for him.
The Song residence's layout was simple: from the courtyard gate, one entered directly into the main hall. There was nowhere safe to hide except inside the side room, peeking through the door crack when he left.
Fortunately, Meng Fangxun's visit today was purely a courtesy call. Formal betrothal gifts would have to wait until after he passed the Jinshi exams. After meeting Song Weilan and speaking briefly with Song Daren, he took his leave.
As soon as he stepped out, the young ladies hiding by the side chamber door peeked through the crack.
They were all stunned.
Song Weilan said triumphantly, "I told you he was good, didn't I?"
He was more than just good; he was excellent!
Indeed, Meng Fangxun lacked the innate nobility of scions or officials' sons raised in the capital since childhood, but his scholarly aura was undeniable.
His every movement proclaimed he was a man of outstanding literary talent, no ordinary person.
Although his looks weren't as striking as his bearing, he certainly wasn't ugly!
That was already good enough! The capital wasn't full of handsome officials' sons either. Many were pleasure-seeking youths who frequented brothels and kept numerous concubines at home. Finding one who wasn't ugly and had ambition required fighting over him!
The young ladies finally grasped it: Song Weilan had effortlessly found herself an excellent husband!
Facing her friends' gazes, Song Weilan's cheeks flushed crimson. "I was just lucky! Please don't follow my example!"
There were countless stories out there about poor scholars deceiving young ladies from wealthy families. She had fallen for Meng Fangxun's talent and didn't mind his background. But when seeking a match, they should still find someone truly suitable.
The young ladies certainly understood this. They had been warned since childhood not to interact with unfamiliar men outside. Seeing Song Weilan's boldness had made them anxious for her.
Hearing her say this now, they gradually snapped out of their envy over her easily finding a good husband and retorted somewhat competitively: "Let's still see the results of the Metropolitan Exams."
"A good demeanor can't put food on the table. If he fails the exams, his good demeanor won't matter."
"The Imperial Exams—only after passing the Jinshi level does one truly enter the scholar-official class."
Facing their renewed skepticism, Miss Song remained steadfast in her support for Meng Fangxun. "I can't speak for other things, but I believe in him! He will definitely pass the Jinshi exams!"