Chapter 142: Three Joys Arrive Simultaneously

Those who passed the provincial exams were called xiucai, those who passed the regional exams were called juren, those who passed the imperial exams were called gongshi, and those who passed the final palace exams were called jinshi. From the establishment of the imperial examination system during the Sui and Tang dynasties to the Ming dynasty, these successive levels of exams formed a clear hierarchy. Although Emperor Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang, suspended the imperial examinations for over a decade, scholars across the land still regarded it as the proper path to officialdom. Even if one came from a poor family, as long as their writings pleased the examiners, passing the exams could be like a carp leaping over the dragon gate. Thus, the scale of the examination halls grew larger year by year.

Unless a gongshi was in mourning or ill, they were rarely rejected in the final palace exams. Therefore, making it onto the list of gongshi meant securing the title of jinshi. As long as no serious mistakes were made, one could enjoy a decent life until old age. For this reason, on the day the results of the imperial exams were announced, the area in front of the announcement wall was always crowded with people. Almost every candidate who came to take the exams did so in person, hoping to see their name on the list.

Today, Zhang Yue did not join the crowd but sat at his desk, lost in thought while studying a book. Zhang Fu had already done everything within his power—so what should he do now? Du Zhen should have been in Shandong for about a month now, yet not a single letter had arrived, which worried him greatly. As for becoming a gongshi, he didn’t really need to worry; Zhang Fu had assured him that even if he failed, he could wait another three years at most.

“Yue-er.”

Hearing this call, Zhang Yue looked up and saw his mother, Lady Sun. He quickly stood up to greet her. In his memory, Lady Sun had always handled household affairs and rarely entered his study. Her presence there today was truly unusual.

“If someone didn’t know you, seeing you so calm here might make them think you don’t care whether you pass this exam or not,” Lady Sun said, her tone slightly reproachful but her face smiling. Seeing Zhang Yue looking embarrassed, she added, “Your father said he wouldn’t go after breakfast, but in the end he still made his way to Chengtian Gate, saying it was better to see it with his own eyes than to hear others announce the good news. He spent the whole night last talking about whether you’d pass or not—more chatter than I, a woman!”

Zhang Yue had known that Lady Wang had sent a dozen family members to watch the results outside Chengtian Gate, but he hadn’t expected his father, Zhang Zhuo, to go in person. In comparison, he seemed too relaxed. Just as he was about to say something, a clear voice came from outside: “Madam, young master, Sister Lingxi from the old lady’s place has brought people here.”

As they spoke, the curtain was lifted high, and Lingxi stepped in, followed by several maids in their thirties, each carrying bundles of silk. She wore a moon-white satin armor top with a skirt of white silk edged in red, giving her a fresh and elegant appearance. After bowing in greeting, she signaled the maid to bring the items over.

“The old lady says that from the end of last year to this year, there have been continuous matters to attend to. The family only managed to cut those few sets of clothes earlier; not even the maids or the three wives have had time to make new garments. Now that all the necessary hurdles have been overcome, the silk brought here no longer looks fresh. We’ll use the better quality silk to make clothes for the wives and young masters, and the rest will be distributed among the maids in various rooms, so that everyone can be happy.”

Madam Sun was no longer a newlywed wife, so she wasn’t very concerned about clothes and jewelry. After asking Lingxi, she learned that Lingxi had come straight here, which filled her with great joy, and she no longer cared much about selecting items. She casually picked out two pieces of silk and some gauze, then suddenly thought that if her son passed the exams, he would need a blue robe for the imperial examination, so she added a piece of blue silk and left a piece of green satin for each maid.

Only after finishing these preparations did she realize this was her son’s private study, and it was inappropriate to do such things here. She quickly took the maids outside. Seeing Zhang Yue return to his desk to pack up, Lingxi pondered for a moment before stepping forward and whispering, “Third young master, if you have time these days, please go see the old lady alone. She seems to have something to say to you.”

Zhang Yue had thought Lingxi came only for those trivial matters, so he was stunned upon hearing this. Before he could ask further, Lingxi had already stepped out through the curtain. Hearing the cheerful laughter of the women as they left for the main house, he gave up on asking further, wondering whether it was Grandmother Gu’s wish or if Lingxi had noticed something and deliberately warned him.

A little over an hour passed. Zhang Yue was practicing calligraphy when suddenly he heard a strange noise—the door curtain was being pushed open with great force. It was Huobo. Usually rarely showing emotions, she was now filled with joy. She took a deep breath before bowing deeply.

“Congratulations, young master! You ranked 232nd in the preliminary exams, and your father ranked 213rd!”

“The young master passed! Your father passed too!”

It was Qiuhen who rushed in in a hurry at this moment, her face filled with a joyful smile. She didn’t even bother to consider that Humo had already brought the good news, repeating it several times. Soon, she started shouting again, “Previously, it was either the eldest master getting promoted or the second master achieving merit. Now, both our master and young master have passed the examinations—what an extraordinary joy! The master isn’t back yet, but many people have already come to deliver the good news. Before the old lady could say anything, the Duchess of Yingguo already had people distribute top-quality congratulatory gifts one by one!”

At first, upon hearing he had passed, Zhang Yue was only slightly surprised. But when he learned that his father, Zhang Zhuo, had also passed, he felt genuine delight—this was certainly more reason to rejoice than when his father passed the imperial examinations four years ago. After all, a Jinshi was far rarer than a Juren. Hadn’t his mother been waiting for this day? With that thought, he dropped his pen and rushed outside. But just before reaching the main door, he remembered something and turned back.

“Where’s the robe you two made last time? Hurry and get it out so I can change into it—it’ll look even more festive!”

Qiuhen and Humo then remembered about it and were overjoyed. They quickly opened the wardrobe and found the robe. After helping Zhang Yue change into it and seeing him look energetic and refreshed, Qiuhen fetched a Huayang headscarf to style his hair again before following him outside. The three of them went to the Gu family’s main house, where Zhang Chao, Zhang Qi, and Zhang Jiu had also arrived. The brothers couldn’t help but congratulate Zhang Yue repeatedly before finally entering the house.

Mrs. Gu usually valued propriety and rules, and would never tolerate noise from the younger generation outside. But today, she paid no attention to such bad manners. When she saw Zhang Yue stepping forward to bow, she quickly pulled him up and, after saying a few words, noticed the pattern on his robe. Being experienced, she pondered it for a moment and understood its meaning, then smiled.

“This Younger Brother Yue is clever, and the maids working for him are clever too. Look at those three long halberds in the vase—doesn’t that represent rising three ranks? I guess this idea must have been conceived by Qiuhen or Humo. Those young maids certainly wouldn’t be this thoughtful.”

Zhang Yue hurriedly explained, “Grandmother is right. This robe was indeed made by Qiuhen and Humo, though not recently. They originally designed this auspicious pattern for the upcoming provincial examinations.”

Madam Wang glanced at Humble Amber and Autumn Trace, thinking of how, in her absence, these two young maids had managed the household affairs so efficiently, keeping everything in order, and later even maintaining clear records of all accounts. After handing over authority, they stepped back without interfering—such self-awareness was truly rare, so she spoke a few kind words in their favor as well.
“ auntie was indeed right. In my opinion, Brother Yue really knows how to manage people. Autumn Trace and Humble Amber are not only decisive in their work but also kind-hearted, never using their position to oppress those beneath them. Xi Yu and Bi Luo, who have been with me for so many years, may not even be better than them in some aspects.”
At this point, Madam Wang suddenly remembered that Humble Amber was someone from her own family who had been sent away before, which made her feel even closer to her. Since she was no longer under her control, she couldn’t decide on rewards or punishments, so she said nothing more.
Madam Gu was pleased, and since it was a joyous occasion, she instructed Lingxi beside her, “Today is a day of great celebration for our third master and third young master. When giving rewards later, award Autumn Trace and Humble Amber each a golden bracelet made of crabapple wood, as per the top-tier standard, just like those given before. Remember, in the future, if anyone serves their masters diligently and helps them improve, I will never hesitate to reward them. But those with malicious intentions will not be spared!”
On such a joyous day, no one expected Madam Gu to suddenly say such things. Not only did all the maids immediately bow in submission, but even the three wives—Madam Feng, Madam Dongfang, and Madam Sun—felt a chill in their hearts. Madam Wang, seeing how strictly Madam Gu managed the household and having her own childrenless home, couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions—too painful to describe.
Before long, Zhang Zhuo also returned home. After paying his respects to Madam Gu in the main hall, his voice rose slightly as he chatted with her. He had sweated profusely after pushing through the crowded Chengtian Gate, but at that moment, he felt an uncontrollable excitement. Although he had thought it wouldn’t matter if he failed while his son succeeded, the feeling of his heart almost bursting out of his chest while checking the results wasn’t just for his son—it was also for himself.

Zhang Fu did not return until evening. He had already heard the news and ordered a banquet to be held in the flower hall, where the whole family celebrated joyfully. Yet after all that excitement throughout the night, Lady Wang began to feel unwell in the middle of the night, and by morning she was too lazy to get up. Bi Luo and Xi Yu quickly informed Zhang Fu. Not daring to neglect matters, he immediately sent someone to Hui Chun Tang to summon a doctor. He himself went to court, fearing something might go wrong, and personally asked the Gu family to help take care of her.

To everyone’s surprise, the middle-aged, thin doctor arrived in a hurry. After gently feeling her pulse through the curtain, he pondered for a long time before smiling and saying something astonishing: “Congratulations! Lady Wang is pregnant!”