Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 142: Every Family Has Its Own Problems
Actually, listening to Fatty’s Father shout “Fatty, turn over,” just feels oddly amusing.
As for Fatty’s Father’s praise, Zhu Ping’an smiled foolishly, repeatedly cupping his hands in humility, saying that he didn’t deserve it.
Afterward, Fatty’s Father sighed about how much effort he had put into educating Fatty and rambled on for quite a while. He was especially pleased that Fatty had managed to befriend the prefectural-examination anshou.
The fatty in the corner, upon hearing his father talk about the effort he had put into educating him, covered his backside, which had been slapped countless times, and said, “I didn’t see you putting in much effort.”
Actually, Fatty had another sentence he didn’t dare speak: “I didn’t see you putting in much effort; all you did was scold and beat me. When I couldn’t pass the exams, you had a child to pin your hopes on for the next generation.”
As soon as Fatty finished speaking, Fatty’s Father immediately got angry, gasping in fury, shaking his finger at Fatty and shouting, “You ungrateful child! I took a half-month leave just to come back and beat you for your education!”
Fatty’s Mother quickly stepped in to help Fatty’s Father calm down and signaled to Fatty to apologize quickly.
Reluctantly, Fatty apologized.
“Ping’an, forgive us for making you laugh. Although Fatty failed the examination, his good friend became the academy-examination anshou, which is still worth celebrating. Truly talented at such a young age. Come, let’s go to a restaurant and celebrate,” Fatty’s Father said. Despite his stern appearance, he was actually quite easy-going.
But this won’t do. Fatty had just failed the exam and was feeling down, so this would be like rubbing salt in the wound.
“Thank you, Uncle, for your kindness. However, Ping’an has already made plans with Uncle and a few other locals. I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint your generosity this time,” Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands and declined Fatty’s Father’s invitation.
“Why celebrate with them? Let’s go! Even though I failed, I can still pay for jiansheng status. Then we can take the provincial examination together,” Fatty said. His gloom lasted only a moment before he perked up again.
“Donate? I’ll make you donate!” Fatty’s Father became angry again, grabbing a thick stick, ready to teach Fatty a lesson.
“Why not donate? If you don’t spend the money, I will. That damn exam made my son so thin!” Fatty’s Mother stepped in front of Fatty, glaring at Fatty’s Father.
“An indulgent mother spoils the child!” Fatty’s Father was very displeased with Fatty’s Mother’s behavior. “Look at Ping’an.”
“You already donated before,” Fatty poked his head out from behind Fatty’s Mother and said weakly.
When it comes to hitting, you strike the face; when it comes to exposing faults, you reveal the sensitive ones. Fatty’s words struck Fatty’s Father right in the sore spot, causing his serious face to turn red and his breathing to become more labored. His hand, gripping the stick, was twitching with the veins bulging, as if he were about to sacrifice family for justice.
Paying for jiansheng status was a common route at the time.
The Children’s Examination was full of obstacles, but those who repeatedly failed still had another route into the examination system. Through na-su ru-jian—paying grain or money to obtain jiansheng status—a person could qualify to sit the provincial examination without first passing the full Children’s Examination. This practice became increasingly common in the Ming and continued into the Qing; many wealthy men obtained jiansheng status through payment even without actually studying at the National University.
Fatty had pleaded for this route for a long time, but Fatty’s Father had always refused to let him obtain jiansheng status by donation. No matter what Fatty’s Mother said, it had been useless.
But given Fatty’s nature, even if he tried a few more times, it wouldn’t work.
“Uncle, by rights Ping’an shouldn’t interfere in your family matters, but there is something I feel I must say. The academy examination and the provincial examination test different strengths. The academy examination places relatively little weight on policy discourse and focuses more on the Four Books and eight-legged essays, while the higher examinations place greater weight on policy and statecraft. Although obtaining jiansheng status by donation is sometimes looked down upon, there are exceptions. Luo Gui failed the Children’s Examination seven times, but after obtaining jiansheng status by donation, he went on to place first in both the provincial and metropolitan examinations. Brother Xue may not be strongest in the Four Books, but his policy writing has merit. Uncle, perhaps you could give him a chance. Who can say he won’t become another Luo Gui?” Zhu Ping’an said, cupping his hands and reasoning earnestly.
Upon hearing this, Fatty’s Father paused for a long while before finally nodding and saying, “Ping’an’s words are convincing, and he’s truly thoughtful. Fine, I’ll give this ungrateful child a chance.”
Upon hearing this, Fatty let out a loud cheer and jumped up high, his chubby face grinning like a blooming chrysanthemum.
“Brother Zhu, you are truly like a second set of parents to me!” Fatty was so excited that he spoke in a disjointed manner.
Second set of parents?!
Fatty’s Father’s face darkened upon hearing this, and he involuntarily tightened his grip on the stick he had just loosened.
What a chaotic day.
Unable to refuse the invitation, Zhu Ping’an was dragged to the restaurant Fatty’s Father had arranged. Fatty, now that his father had agreed to let him obtain jiansheng status by donation, was overjoyed—almost happier than if he had passed. He ate and drank freely and soon drank himself under the table. Fatty’s Father’s face darkened. If Zhu Ping’an hadn’t been there, Fatty would certainly have taken another beating.
Zhu Ping’an had also drunk a little too much. Fatty’s Mother had one of the strong servants escort him back to the inn where he was staying.
When Zhu Ping’an returned to the inn, he took a hot bath and then splashed his face with cold water. His head cleared up a little.
Sigh, I can’t drink like that again. It’s bad for my health. Adolescents are in their growth and development stages, and drinking can have a serious impact on normal physiological functions and development. It can cause memory loss, and even affect other basic functions.
So, for the sake of my future happiness, I must learn from this.
Zhu Ping’an, with a slightly dazed head, sat at the desk, spread out a sheet of rice paper, and wrote two large words: “Quit Drinking.”
It was just after sunset. Zhu Ping’an sat at the desk, watching the sun sink behind the western mountains, and couldn’t help thinking of his parents back in Xiahe Village. In a few days, the good-news notice should reach home. His father might remain calm, but Mother Chen would surely go around proudly bringing up, “My son is the anshou,” no matter what anyone was talking about. The thought made him smile. Still, he felt some sympathy for his grandparents. They had placed great hopes on Eldest Uncle. Before the academy examination, Grandfather had even declared that Eldest Uncle would surely pass this time. Unfortunately, Eldest Uncle had failed again.
Moreover, Grandfather had once protected Eldest Uncle’s reputation by taking the blame for the high-interest-loan affair, which ultimately helped force Zhu Shouyi’s branch out of the old household. Now the son he had protected had failed again, while the separated second son’s child had taken first place.
He wondered what his grandparents would think when they heard the news.
Every family has its own problems.