Chapter 385: First Uncle’s Calculations

The carriages rolled away, leaving only dust in their wake, while the people stood gazing westward, still remembering—still aching over—those hundred taels of silver.

　

As the First Uncle and the others stared blankly toward the gate, none of them could recover from the shock for a long while. A full hundred taels of silver—just like that, tossed out the door as casually as a handful of straw! That wastrel woman of the second household truly had no idea how to cherish good fortune. If they didn’t want it, they could have given it to him! The thought alone made his chest tighten. It felt as though his very heart were bleeding out, drop by drop.

Yet before long, both the First Uncle and the large aunt felt their gazes sharpening, their expressions firming with renewed resolve.

The imperial examinations… such a boundless road to wealth and glory!

This time—this time, they absolutely had to seize the opportunity.

First Uncle Zhu Shouren had come today with a very clear purpose. He intended to make the best possible use of Zhu Ping’an’s new status as the provincial champion of the county-level imperial exam. Though he had not personally come to the second household in recent days, he had been paying very close attention from the old ancestral home. One by one, people had arrived to offer congratulations—scholars, local gentry, and then, gradually, people of increasing weight and prestige. When the county magistrate himself came, followed by several notable figures from Anqing Prefecture… the heat that rose in Uncle Zhu Shouren’s chest was impossible to hide.

A Heaven-sent opportunity… truly Heaven-sent!

Since the second household, relying on the momentum brought by Zhu Ping’an’s achievement, could now interact with the county magistrate and other high-ranking officials of Anqing Prefecture… then why shouldn’t this chance be properly used?

The children’s exam (tongsheng examination) was fast approaching. If they could persuade Old Second to ask Zhu Ping’an to write a letter to someone in Anqing Prefecture on his behalf… then wouldn’t a licentiate degree (xiucai) be practically within reach?

Moreover, rumor had it that the education commissioner, Governor Zhao Wenhua, held Zhu Ping’an in exceptionally high regard. He had even wanted to recruit him as a son-in-law after the examination rankings. If Zhu Ping’an could speak a word—just one small word—on his behalf to Governor Zhao… hah! Then earning a xiucai degree would be no problem at all. And who knew—perhaps even the juren degree would no longer be out of reach!

But that nephew, Zhu Ping’an… he looked simple and honest on the outside, but in truth his cleverness bordered on the uncanny. Uncle Zhu Shouren had never managed to gain even a scrap of benefit from him.

And truthfully, even if the second household wrote a letter for Zhu Ping’an to deliver… there was no guarantee he would follow the letter’s instructions.

A better strategy—the safer, surer route—was this: use the identity of the second household as Zhu Ping’an’s parents, and himself as the boy’s elder uncle. If the second household could bring him along to visit the county magistrate and the big officials of Anqing Prefecture in person… then the trip would be worthwhile indeed.

The moment this thought formed, Uncle Zhu Shouren cast a glance at Zhu Father—one that practically gleamed green with anticipation.

What’s wrong with Big Brother today? Zhu Father wondered as he noticed that peculiar stare, utterly confused.

“Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law,” Uncle Zhu Shouren began, stroking the sparse beard on his chin as he put on a warm, easy smile. “These days I’ve been quietly staying home to review my books—truly haven’t had the time to visit. But today, the moment I heard of Zhi’er becoming the provincial champion, I was so overwhelmed with joy I simply couldn’t sit still! Hehe, this is a great honor for our Zhu family. You two have truly raised him well.”

Reviewing his books? He had been “reviewing” for twenty or thirty years now! Reviewing, reviewing—more like hiding from chores and avoiding farm labor. And he claimed he only learned of the news today? Who was he trying to fool? They had all seen him climbing up onto the roof of the ancestral home more than once, peering this way!

Normally, no one struck a man wearing a smiling face, but even so, Madam Chen couldn’t help turning her eyes aside at such shameless words. She let out a silent, expressive sigh before rolling her eyes outright.

“It’s all Zhi’er’s own hard work. We didn’t do much,” Zhu Father said honestly, scratching his head as he shook it.

“What’s Second Brother being modest about? Your big brother isn’t blind. Even our family’s ancestors in Heaven can see the truth. Zhi’er’s success didn’t come from nowhere—you and Second Sister-in-law have great merit in it,” Uncle Zhu Shouren replied, pushing the sincerity in his voice to the very limit.

The words were honeyed, but even so, hearing them made the sun-darkened face of Zhu Father soften into a shy, pleased smile.

Seeing this, Uncle Zhu Shouren pressed the advantage, launching another wave after another wave of verbal praise. With Old Master Zhu, Old Madam Zhu, and the large aunt chiming in from time to time, even Zhu Father—so steady and reserved—could no longer keep the grin from spreading across his face. Madam Chen was better at maintaining composure, but even her eyes held a few concealed sparks of pride.

“Second Brother,” Uncle Zhu Shouren said casually, as though the thought had only just occurred to him, “I heard that the county magistrate visited your home recently, and that the prefect even sent his people. Is that true?”

“Yes, yes,” Zhu Father nodded earnestly. “When they came, I was so nervous I didn’t even know where to put my hands.” And he went on—in all seriousness—to describe his awkward, fumbling mistakes.

Madam Chen immediately rolled her eyes again.

“Second Brother has never seen such a grand scene before, so it’s understandable. But with Zhi’er being so promising, you’ll get used to such things soon enough. No need to worry about making a fool of yourself,” Uncle Zhu Shouren said with a comforting laugh.

Zhu Father nodded in his simple, honest way, and at the mention of her son’s accomplishments, Madam Chen’s face glowed faintly with pride.

“But what you said just now does remind me of something.” Uncle Zhu Shouren’s eyes narrowed, the glint sharp yet concerned. “Zhi’er’s official career will only rise higher from here. We can’t let our family fall short of his status.”

“Yes, that’s true,” Zhu Father said, nodding again.

Seeing him agree, a burst of delight flashed across Uncle Zhu Shouren’s heart. He leaned forward eagerly. “Second Brother, in my view, why don’t we choose a day to visit the county magistrate and the prefect? First, since they lowered themselves to come to our humble Zhu family, it is only proper that we return the courtesy. Second, you’ll gain experience and broaden your horizons. In the future, when Zhi’er becomes an even greater official, our Zhu family won’t embarrass him.”

“This…” Zhu Father hesitated, though the idea had clearly stirred him.

“What’s there to hesitate about?” Uncle Zhu pressed immediately.

“Shouyi should also see the world a bit,” Old Master Zhu added, lending weight to the suggestion.

Hearing his father speak, Zhu Father almost agreed—almost—until Madam Chen stealthily pinched him hard under the table, forcing the words right back down into his stomach.

“We’re just simple common folk,” Madam Chen said sharply, glaring at her husband. “What business do we have visiting high officials? Better to think about what crops to plant and how to work our fields. We earn our food with our own hands—we don’t steal, we don’t rob. What’s there to be ashamed of?”

“Sister-in-law, you can’t say that,” Uncle Zhu Shouren tried to persuade again. But no matter how he spoke, Madam Chen remained unmoved, her expression firm as a wall. Under her relentless pinching, Zhu Father also dared not voice support.

Finally, the large aunt spoke up, somewhat anxious. “Enough, Second Sister-in-law. We’re all one family. And besides—we’ll cover all the gifts and silver needed for the visit.”

Madam Chen immediately narrowed her eyes, staring suspiciously at the large aunt. Then she looked over Uncle Zhu Shouren again. The more she looked, the more certain she became. That large aunt of hers was a stingy iron rooster who wouldn’t pluck a single feather—yet suddenly she was willing to spend money? If there wasn’t something fishy going on, she’d eat her own shoe.

Not afraid of godlike enemies… only afraid of piglike teammates. Uncle Zhu Shouren stared at his wife in sheer exasperation. He truly wanted to snap, Could you just stop talking?!

Seeing no other choice, he finally revealed the real reason. “The children’s exam is about to begin. Visiting the county magistrate and the prefect is also an opportunity for me and Jun’er. I’ve heard the education commissioner holds Zhi’er in high regard. This is the blessing of our ancestors—a Heaven-given chance. And besides, the official world is treacherous. Zhi’er is young and alone. If Jun’er and I can support him even a little… wouldn’t that be best for everyone?”