MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 91

 Glossary

·Qin Yuan (秦鸢): The female protagonist, Marquise of the household.

·Sixth Madame Gu (六夫人): Wife of the sixth son, Gu Jingjun.

·Old Madame Gu (顾老夫人): Gu Jinghui's mother.

·Rong Mama (容嬷嬷): Old Madame Gu's trusted attendant.

·Xiao Hong (小红): A young maid from the main house.

·Cheng Ge'er (程哥儿): The twin boy.

·Yu Jie'er (玉姐儿): The twin girl.

·Gu Shiliu (顾十六): Gu Jinghui's personal attendant.

·Qin Siyuan (秦思远): Qin Yuan's cousin.

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Chapter 91: This 'Jinshi' is a Good Thing

Facing Sixth Madame Gu's probing look, Qin Yuan shook her head. "Shiliu still hasn't sent any word back. The Marquis just went to the camp; it's not good to disturb him over such a small matter. If you have any news, Sixth Sister-in-law, just let me know."

Sixth Madame Gu immediately smiled. "That goes without saying."

She waved her round fan, secretly wondering if she should simply buy some pepper to stockpile.

If nothing else, the fact that the price of pepper had been driven up so much in just a few days was tempting enough.

Rong Mama waited until the two of them stopped talking before gently pushing the two children's backs and whispering, "Go on, greet everyone."

Sixth Madame Gu acted as if she had just noticed Cheng Ge'er and Yu Jie'er and said with a smile, "Why are you two living in the Upper House now?"

Cheng Ge'er and Yu Jie'er paid their respects to Qin Yuan and Sixth Madame Gu.

Cheng Ge'er kept his head down, a flicker of dislike crossing his face.

Yu Jie'er made no effort to hide her dislike for Qin Yuan, performing her curtsy perfunctorily.

Qin Yuan didn't mind. She regarded them as passing guests; she wouldn't receive filial piety from them in the future, so maintaining surface propriety was enough.

However, Old Madame Gu's expression darkened slightly.

Xiao Hong glanced at her worriedly, while Sixth Madame Gu smiled and fanned herself, watching the scene with amusement.

Rong Mama said, "Zhao Niangzi is ill. The Old Madame was worried the children would hinder her recovery at Fengxuan Pavilion, so she's helping look after them for a few days. With the two children here, the Old Madame's place is much livelier."

Sixth Madame Gu smiled. "The Old Madame is the most kind-hearted. These two little ones are truly fortunate. Our Kang Ge'er and Fu Ge'er keep saying they don't want to go to the Imperial College to study, wishing they could serve their great-grandmother by her side forever instead."

This comment...

Old Madame Gu couldn't help but laugh. "Those two little monkeys! Missing me is just an excuse; they probably just don't want to go to the Imperial College to study. Sixth Son has a weak constitution. Back then, fearing the family line wouldn't prosper, we urged you to have children early. He still complains it delayed his studies. Now he's putting all that drive into the children. I think he's determined to whip them into becoming imperial examination graduates."

Qin Yuan smiled.

Sixth Madame Gu, now on the topic of her sons' studies, grabbed Qin Yuan to ask, "Third Sister-in-law, your family oversees the Imperial College. Tell me, what are the particular requirements for becoming a jinshi?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Yu Jie'er, sitting to the side, played boredly with her handkerchief.

Cheng Ge'er, however, pricked up his ears to listen.

Noticing this, Qin Yuan said with a smile, "Although my father manages the Imperial College, he cannot guarantee my brother will become a jinshi. He says my cousin has some potential. My cousin passed the provincial examinations in our hometown and only then came to the capital to test into the Imperial College."

Old Madame Gu said, "Exactly! If entering the Imperial College guaranteed becoming a jinshi, that would be something. Not just anyone can enter the Imperial College either."

Sixth Madame Gu sighed. "These children of mine were raised too delicately when they were young. We didn't dare let them fall or get hurt, and they never practiced martial arts. Sixth Master insists they enter the Imperial College to pursue literary studies, saying that since he never achieved an official rank, his sons must. I'm not afraid of you laughing, Third Sister-in-law, but if they don't become jinshi, I don't know what Sixth Master will do."

The sons and nephews of the Dingbei Marquis's household naturally had slots to enter the Imperial College, but no one could guarantee they would succeed in their studies. What if they ended up failing in both literary and military pursuits?

Qin Yuan heard a rare note of genuine concern in her words and answered seriously.

"Sixth Sister-in-law, if children can grow up healthy, not become wastrels, and not be disobedient, that is already excellent. Parents will always find ways to plan for their children's futures later. There's no need to be stubborn about this. Those who become jinshi by age thirty-five are still called 'young jinshi.' In previous dynasties, there were several in their seventies and eighties still taking the jinshi exams. Not just jinshi; I've heard of many in their fifties and sixties still taking the preliminary county-level exams."

"Oh, heavens!" Old Madame Gu was the first to exclaim, slapping her thigh. "Just thinking of Kang Ge'er and Fu Ge'er with white beards, still taking exams alongside little children, makes me feel awful. Let them achieve whatever level they can. For our family's children, if they don't have the natural talent, it's enough if they study to understand principles. Sixth Son shouldn't push them too hard. Isn't it quite common for fathers and sons to take the exams together? Sixth Son should set an example for his sons, settle his mind, and study with them."

Sixth Madame Gu burst out laughing.

"If our Sixth Master could peacefully stay at home and study for the exams alongside his two sons, that would truly be wonderful."

Qin Yuan also laughed.

Old Madame Gu asked, "Is what I said wrong?"

Qin Yuan said, "No, it's right. What you said is similar to what my father says. He always says my brother isn't very quick at his studies and doesn't expect him to achieve great literary success, but he must be literate and understand propriety; otherwise, he's no different from an animal. If natural talent is insufficient, diligence in study can still help one find a place to make a living. He restricts him strictly now, afraid he might learn bad habits and develop a warped character. There isn't a parent who doesn't worry about their child. It will be better when they grow up."

Old Madame Gu, feeling her perspective aligned with Chancellor Qin's, was immediately pleased.

Cheng Ge'er listened, stunned.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Back in the northern frontiers, no one had ever told him these things. After entering the Marquis's household, neither his mother nor the people around her ever spoke of this.

Only his godfather recently kept saying he should go to the Imperial College to study.

Should he study?

Cheng Ge'er strained his ears to listen to Qin Yuan but awkwardly avoided looking at her, afraid she would notice.

After chatting with Qin Yuan for a while, Old Madame Gu asked about Qin Siyuan's age and preferences. Learning he was still unmarried, she said, "Does he intend to wait until he becomes a jinshi to marry?"

Qin Yuan said with a smile, "My Second Aunt says my cousin is handsome, became a provincial graduate at a young age, so it's better to wait a few years. If he becomes a jinshi before settling a marriage, he can secure a better match. My father says there's a custom in the capital of 'snatching a son-in-law from under the posted results list.' With my cousin's qualities, if he doesn't settle on a marriage early, he might truly get snatched away. By then, if Second Aunt is dissatisfied, it will be too late."

This was indeed true.

Old Madame Gu, now determined to meet Qin Siyuan, said, "When your cousin comes next time, let us meet him. Let's see just how handsome he is."

Qin Yuan knew Old Madame Gu intended to prepare a proper greeting gift and said with a smile, "Certainly. He will come again in the next couple of days."

Sixth Madame Gu listened with keen interest, also wanting to meet him.

She had two nieces from her maiden family; perhaps she could get the advantage of proximity.

Cheng Ge'er and Yu Jie'er had never heard these kinds of domestic chats and social exchanges before and were momentarily spellbound.

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After Qin Yuan and Sixth Madame Gu left, Cheng Ge'er quietly asked Xiao Hong, "Is studying really that important?"

Xiao Hong also whispered, "Naturally. Those who can study are the upper class. I learned some characters, taught by my grandfather at home. Those who came with me and couldn't read could only be assigned to sweep the courtyards. I was chosen to serve by the Old Madame's side. Is it the same?"

Cheng Ge'er asked again, "What kind of person can marry a jinshi?"

Xiao Hong was stumped. After a long pause, she said, "You'd have to ask Rong Mama. I think it should be a noble young lady."

Cheng Ge'er said, "Since you can read, could you help me write a letter? I want to tell my godfather that I'll listen to him and go to the Imperial College to study. I want to take the jinshi exams."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

This jinshi was a good thing.

He wanted it too.

His sister should also marry a jinshi.

Let those who looked down on them see properly.

(End of Chapter)

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