Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 171: Great News
After the secret-savings incident, Chen and Zhu Shouyi seemed even more affectionate than before. At dinner, Chen even served her husband food several times, a rare sight indeed.
The days at home were warm and peaceful. Every morning, Zhu Ping’an would practice calligraphy, which had never been interrupted. After practicing, he would go to a nearby place to read for a while, then return to enjoy the loving breakfast prepared by his mother. After breakfast, Zhu Ping’an would read, review, and copy books, and the day would pass quietly yet fulfilling.
In this way, three days passed. Zhu Ping’an had finished copying all the books he had borrowed from the Li family. After breakfast, Zhu Ping’an was about to return the books to Landlord Li’s house when there was a knock at the door.
Zhu Ping’an slung his bag over his shoulder and went to open the door. The moment he did, he could hardly believe his eyes.
“Master, you’ve returned.”
After the initial surprise, Zhu Ping’an immediately bowed deeply, saying, “Master, when did you arrive home? I, Ping’an, am unworthy and failed to welcome you.”
Standing outside was indeed his teacher, Master Sun. His face glowed with health, his spirits were high, and he held a cloth bag while smiling and stroking his beard. He looked a dozen years younger.
“No need, no need. I’ve always come and gone quickly,” Master Sun said with a wave, gently helping Zhu Ping’an straighten up from his bow.
“Master, please come in.” Zhu Ping’an insisted on bowing until he stood up with a hearty smile and opened the door wide.
Master Sun, holding his cloth bag, entered the house.
By then, Zhu Ping’an’s father had long since gone out with the ox cart, and his older brother had gone into the mountains. Only Chen was home.
“Your teacher is here! Please, sit. Zhi’er, entertain your teacher properly,” Chen said.
Chen brewed a pot of hot tea and carried it into the main room, then withdrew, leaving Zhu Ping’an alone with Master Sun.
“You’re too kind,” Master Sun replied politely.
“I’m very pleased with your performance in the Children’s Examination,” Master Sun said, stroking his beard with satisfaction.
“It’s all thanks to your excellent guidance, Master. I was just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time,” Zhu Ping’an replied with a humble grin.
“To take first place as anshou and still remain modest and calm pleases me greatly. Your performance in the Children’s Examination truly deserves praise,” Master Sun said. He was especially satisfied with the student he himself had discovered.
Zhu Ping’an could only smile awkwardly.
“I came today to tell you some great news,” Master Sun said with a smile, stroking his beard.
Great news?
What could the good news be? Perhaps, like in a novel, someone had seen Zhu Ping’an’s achievements at such a young age and wanted to arrange a marriage? But Master Sun’s granddaughter and great-granddaughter were already married, while his great-great-granddaughter was probably only learning to walk. That clearly wasn’t it.
For a moment, Zhu Ping’an wasn’t sure what the good news Master Sun was referring to might be.
Master Sun looked at his puzzled disciple with satisfaction. “This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of His Majesty’s accession, and officials have also reported auspicious signs. The Emperor is delighted and has issued a special decree for an additional provincial examination—a special examination.”
A special provincial examination?
The provincial examination was normally held once every three years, and the last regular one had taken place only the previous year. Zhu Ping’an had expected to wait another two years before he could sit it. But if the Emperor was ordering a special examination, he could compete this very year.
When would the special examination be held? Surely not in winter? The provincial examination was nothing like the Children’s Examination, where each stage kept candidates inside for a relatively short period. It meant being confined for days in the cramped examination cells of the Jiangnan Gongyuan. The thought of doing that in winter was enough to make anyone shudder.
Seeing Zhu Ping’an’s reaction, Master Sun thought he would be overjoyed.
“Don’t get too excited. You’re still young. For this special provincial examination, just do your best,” Master Sun advised, lifting his teacup, blowing across it, and taking a slow sip.
“Ah, thank you for the reminder, Master,” Zhu Ping’an respectfully thanked.
“Yes. You’re still young, but you’re the student I have the greatest hopes for,” Master Sun said with satisfaction.
After a while, Master Sun put down his teacup and pushed a cloth bag on the table toward Zhu Ping’an.
What’s this?
Zhu Ping’an was somewhat confused.
“Although you’re young, you took first place in the Children’s Examination as anshou, and I’m very pleased. Now there is also a special provincial examination coming. Barring the unexpected, you’ll be eligible to take part. So I’ve decided to perform your capping ceremony early. This bag contains the robe your teacher’s wife prepared for you. Wear it to my house tomorrow, and I’ll perform the ceremony.”
Master Sun explained the main purpose of his visit after pushing the cloth bag toward Zhu Ping’an.
The capping ceremony? So soon? Isn’t that something for adults?
The capping ceremony is a traditional ceremony of adulthood for Han Chinese males, marking their coming of age. During the Yuan Dynasty, the ceremony was nearly abolished, but the Ming Dynasty quickly restored the broken ceremonial system. The Ming Emperor Hongwu decreed the reinstatement of the capping ceremony in the first year of his reign. This ceremony applied to everyone, from the emperor to the common people, and became widespread during the Ming Dynasty.
Of course, the capping ceremony was mainly valued by the upper class, and people in the rural areas paid less attention to it. However, for scholars, the capping ceremony was very important, and it was usually performed by elders or teachers. There weren’t many who received this ceremony in Xiahe Village, and it wasn’t highly valued, which is why Master Sun took it upon himself to perform the capping ceremony for Zhu Ping’an.
“Thank you, Master—and please thank Madam for me,” Zhu Ping’an said, taking the cloth bag before standing and bowing deeply.
Master Sun stayed a while longer, discussing key points from the Four Books and Five Classics with Zhu Ping’an, then took his leave. Zhu Ping’an escorted him to the village entrance before returning home.
“Quick, tell me—what’s this special examination?”
As soon as Zhu Ping’an entered the house, his mother, Chen, grabbed him, curious and excited.
Eavesdropping is not good, Mother.
“Normally, the provincial examination is held once every three years. A special examination is an extra provincial examination decreed by the Emperor for some major celebration or auspicious event. So I’ll be able to sit the provincial examination this year,” Zhu Ping’an explained to Chen.
“What’s the provincial examination?” Chen asked, even more curious.
“It’s the examination taken by qualified shengyuan—xiucai like me. Those who pass become juren.”
“Are ‘juren’ high-ranking officials?” Chen was even more excited.
Zhu Ping’an had to explain further, but after hearing the explanation, Chen immediately started asking about the benefits of becoming a ‘juren’ and so on.
When she heard about the privileges that come with being a ‘juren,’ especially how close they are to becoming government officials, Chen’s eyes lit up, and she eagerly urged Zhu Ping’an to study.
“Go study! Study well…”
Without waiting for an answer, Chen pushed Zhu Ping’an into his room to study. Zhu Ping’an could only smile wryly, thinking he had intended to return a book to the Li family, but now he would have to do it later in the afternoon.