The Chen Liejiu family had gone to the capital. The villagers, bursting with excitement, had no outlet except to praise the Chen clan members: "You are so fortunate! Your clan produced a Liejiu and a Zhuangyuan who married into the family! The Chen clan is going to prosper!"
"This is also thanks to Liejiu's own good judgement!" The Chen clan members were also overjoyed. Since Xu Huaiqian married into Chen Liejiu's family, as long as he remained with Chen Liejiu, he was considered their clan's son-in-law!
The Chen clan leader decided to record both Chen Liejiu and Xu Huaiqian in the clan genealogy. Such an honor—a man marrying a Zhuangyuan into the family—had to be recorded for future generations to see; otherwise, he wouldn't sleep at night!
Not only were the Xinghua villagers excited about Xu Huaiqian becoming Zhuangyuan; other villages also rejoiced at the glorious return of the various Jinshi.
First was Meng Fangxun. After achieving success, he directly brought the betrothal gifts to Official Song's residence for the formal engagement. Then, taking his fiancée, he returned to his hometown to get married. As soon as he arrived home, he brought Song Weilan before his parents. "Father, Mother, I've brought Weilan back. You've worked hard all these years!"
Seeing her parents-in-law, Song Weilan followed her husband's lead and called them: "Father, Mother, you've worked hard!"
Old Man Meng and Old Lady Meng rubbed their eyes, hardly daring to believe that this celestial beauty of an official's daughter was their daughter-in-law.
"—Aiyah!" But the clear sound of Song Weilan calling them 'Father' and 'Mother' still echoed in their ears; it couldn't be fake. The old couple was so excited they nearly shed tears.
Their son had studied, achieved success, and elevated the family's status, enabling him to marry such a wonderful wife. Wasn't this the moment they had worked hard their whole lives for?!
After meeting his parents, Meng Fangxun brought Song Weilan before his elder brother and sister-in-law, sincerely thanking them: "Elder Brother, Sister-in-law, thank you."
If not for his brother and sister-in-law supporting him, he couldn't have pursued his studies.
"Elder Brother, Sister-in-law, thank you." Song Weilan also expressed her gratitude to them. Without them, there would be no Meng Fangxun today.
"Ah! It was worth it! Worth it!" Seeing this scene, Meng Fangxun's brother and sister-in-law also wept openly. People in this world never fear hardship; they fear hardship that ends in vain.
Their younger brother had succeeded, was grateful, and remembered to thank them. Their efforts for him in this lifetime were not in vain.
His ceremonial procession, along with the shipload of dowry brought by his fiancée's family, displayed in the Meng family's small courtyard, made the villagers green with envy.
What is true success? This is it!
A poor boy, through his own efforts, becomes Bangyan, and brings back a beautiful, celestial wife from a noble family! Rank, wealth, and a beautiful spouse—the pinnacle of life's satisfaction!
Next was Pei Wangshu, who had obtained the calming pills for his mother at the Qionglin Banquet. When his procession reached Yunmeng County, and his mother, Du Yuerong, learned her son had truly become a Jinshi, and one in the top ten of the Second Class at that, with neighbors flattering her for raising such a good son, she was so excited she nearly had a relapse of her heart condition.
Fortunately, Pei Wangshu had obtained the pills for her. He fed her one, which soothed her heart considerably.
"Mother! Your son is unfilial!" Seeing his mother's relieved and gratified smile after taking the medicine, Pei Wangshu felt a sudden pang of sorrow. He lifted his robe and knelt before her. "I've made you worry and work hard for so many years."
His father died when he was young, so his feelings for him weren't deep. It was his mother who raised him, bit by bit. Yet he was disobedient, often making her angry, even causing her to spit blood several times.
Young and unaware of his mother's suffering, he didn't even know she had a heart condition. If he hadn't been able to become a Jinshi and obtain the imperial medicine for her, he, Pei Wangshu, would have failed as a son!
"Seeing you so successful now, Mother doesn't feel any hardship was in vain!" Seeing her son, handsome in his Jinshi robes and matured so much, Du Yuerong felt both heartache and gratification. "My son, Mother has finally seen you grow up!"
Mother and son embraced and wept bitterly.
Similarly weeping together were Zhang Bingwen and his grandfather.
When the procession for the seventeen-year-old Jinshi arrived at Taoli Village, Instructor Zhang couldn't even continue his lessons. He stood outside his home, watching his accomplished grandson descend from the sedan chair, wearing the black gauze hat, Jinshi robes, and black boots, radiating confidence. Tears immediately streamed down his face.
"Xiao Wen, thank you, Grandfather thanks you," Instructor Zhang cried uncontrollably. "Thank you for fulfilling Grandfather's dream all these years!"
"Seeing you wear the robes Grandfather never dared to aspire to," Instructor Zhang touched Zhang Bingwen's crimson official robe and laughed heartily to the sky, "Even if Grandfather were to close his eyes now, he would be content!"
"Grandfather!" How could Zhang Bingwen not understand Zhang Jiming? Born in war-torn times, his grandfather had talent but no chance for the exams. Later, when chances arose, he had to struggle to support the whole family. By the time he was free, he was old, completely removed from official rank and wealth.
His grandfather had done too much for his father, for him, for the family, for the children nearby. The only regret he couldn't let go of was the missed opportunity of his youth, which he desperately hoped to realize through his grandson.
He understood! He understood completely!
However, their joy paled in comparison to the joy at Qinglian Academy!
When the news arrived, the Academy Head and instructors were still teaching. Learning that Xu Huaiqian and the others had all achieved success on the golden list, they nearly fainted from happiness.
"They all passed?!"
"Five Jinshi?! Xu Huaiqian is Zhuangyuan, Meng Fangxun is Bangyan, and Duan Youyan, Pei Wangshu, and Zhang Bingwen are all in the top ten of the Second Class?!"
Last year, Academy Head Zuo Zhengjian had anticipated that Xu Huaiqian would be this year's Zhuangyuan. But when the day actually arrived, he still couldn't control his expression. Especially with the huge surprises from Meng Fangxun and the others, he almost fainted from joy!
Five Jinshi from one academy!
Which academy nearby could boast such glory?!
Not just nearby—in the entire Changnan region, or even in Suzhou Prefecture, the most prosperous place for scholars, which academy could produce five Jinshi in the same year?
And not just any five Jinshi, but five genuinely ranked at the top of the First and Second Classes!
The prestige earned by Xu Huaiqian and the others would ensure Qinglian Academy's prosperity for a hundred years!
How could Zuo Zhengjian not be happy?!
He was almost crazy with joy!
But there were those even more crazy than him: his students. Since they were in class, the news wasn't hidden from them.
After hearing it, they all swarmed out of the school buildings and rushed towards the courtyard where Xu Huaiqian and the others had once lived as Xiucai.
After Xu Huaiqian and the others became Juren, Zuo Zhengjian had kept this courtyard locked, in case they needed to return after the Palace Exams, whether successful or not.
Previously, the academy students envied these five senior brothers who became Juren, but they could still control their reason.
Now, hearing that Senior Brother Xu Huaiqian was Zhuangyuan! Senior Brother Meng Fangxun was Bangyan! And the other three senior brothers were in the top ten of the Second Class!
What did this mean?!
This was a height they didn't even dare dream of! As scholars, who doesn't want to see their name on the golden list?
Right now, there were five such successful seniors, including a Zhuangyuan! If they didn't go and absorb some of this Zhuangyuan senior's literary aura, they would feel they had failed themselves!
They all went mad, disregarding academy rules, climbing walls to get into the courtyard where Xu Huaiqian and the others had lived, desperately wanting to absorb some of that literary luck!
Five Jinshi from one courtyard!
It must be a place with excellent Feng Shui!
They risked life and limb squeezing into the courtyard, making Zuo Zhengjian and Li Jinren extremely distressed!
"That's the Zhuangyuan's door! Don't touch it!"
"That's the Bangyan's bed! No sitting!"
"That Jinshi belt! Who stole it! Hand it over!"
The celebrations in Changnan and the frenzy at Qinglian Academy were matters for later. At this moment, after the ceremony, Xu Huaiqian was escorted back to the Chen residence by the procession.
Entering the house, still wearing his Zhuangyuan robes, Xu Huaiqian grabbed Chen Liejiu's hand and pulled him towards his own small courtyard. He spun around in front of Chen Liejiu and asked, "A-Jiu, do I look good in the Zhuangyuan robes?"
Chen Liejiu, unable to look away from the shiny pearl-adorned wings on his hat, nodded. "Very handsome!"
"It's just that I didn't keep my word," said Xu Huaiqian, the Zhuangyuan, looking less triumphant than outside. "I promised to aim for Tanhua, but ended up with the Zhuangyuan title!"
"It's fine!" Chen Liejiu said proudly, gently adjusting the beautiful Zhuangyuan hat on Xu Huaiqian's head. "Today's Zhuangyuan was much more handsome than the Tanhua!"
"But no one threw sachets for me!" Mentioning this, Xu Huaiqian felt wronged. He had been waiting for his beauty to attract a hail of gifts, but Shen Wennian got them all! "They all went to Shen Wennian!"
"That's because they cared for you!" Chen Liejiu comforted Xu Huaiqian. "I saw many people behind, thinking the sachets were too light to reach Shen Wennian, secretly stuffing stones inside!"
Mentioning this, Chen Liejiu felt relieved. He was glad his little husband had said those things, so no one threw sachets at him. Otherwise, one could imagine how badly his little husband would have been hit. Stones hurt!
"You're right!" Hearing this, Xu Huaiqian was satisfied. His eyes shone brightly as he looked at Chen Liejiu. "A-Jiu—"
"Today, I have my name on the golden list!"
"You said in front of everyone, 'I respectfully welcome Zhuangyuan Xu's grand marriage.' Now I've come to marry you!"
The implication was crystal clear: the day of success on the golden list calls for the night of the wedding chamber. How could the wedding night be missing?