Nian Jiaojiao watched the constant stream of dishes being served, her hunger intensifying.
She looked around. Although they were outside the main courtyard, a thatched shelter had been erected overhead, and the sides were fully shielded with screens, preventing the food from cooling too quickly.
Many tables were already engaged in lively conversation and clinking glasses. Xu Xuan, without hesitation, picked up her chopsticks and began to eat. Her mother, however, was still moving between various tables, seemingly not returning anytime soon.
Nian Jiaojiao made an immediate assessment and picked up her chopsticks, reaching for the dish closest to her.
She took a bite.
Mmm… they must have hired a new chef. The taste was significantly better than during her last visit.
She said to Yu Chuan:
“Let’s begin our meal.”
Yu Chuan made no move, merely indicating he wasn’t hungry.
Xu Xuan, sitting opposite them, became displeased and said to Yu Chuan:
“What? Are you the only one showing filial piety to Mother? My husband and I are uncultured, dining before everyone else has arrived.”
Nian Jiaojiao put down her chopsticks, disagreeing:
“You’re not his stomach’s worm, why would you casually speculate about another person’s thoughts!”
Xu Xuan glanced at Nian Jiaojiao, pursed her lips, and said:
“I have always disliked hypocritical and pretentious men, yet my family members are all like that.”
Nian Jiaojiao was about to argue further but was stopped by Yu Chuan. Just then, Xu’s mother and the others began to arrive one by one.
Everyone took their seats, and a stranger’s face was noticed. Someone exclaimed in surprise and asked:
“Who is this?”
Xu’s mother looked at Nian Jiaojiao, then at Yu Chuan. She was somewhat astonished by the significant changes in her son’s spouse but didn’t inquire. She simply pointed at Nian Jiaojiao and introduced her:
“This is Lao San’s wife, Nian Jiaojiao.”
After speaking, she pointed to the woman sitting to Nian Jiaojiao’s right and said:
“You visited last time when Lao Er was absent. This is Xu Qing.”
Nian Jiaojiao nodded slightly at the person, who returned the polite gesture, but with a look of curiosity and scrutiny in her eyes.
Next, Xu’s mother pointed to the man opposite them and said:
“This is Lao Da, Xu Sheng, and beside him is his wife, Quan Yi.”
Nian Jiaojiao nodded at the couple.
Xu Sheng showed no particular reaction, merely giving her a fleeting glance. His wife, Quan Yi, however, lifted her head high, revealing a square jawline.
After introducing everyone, Xu’s mother left Nian Jiaojiao and Yu Chuan aside and began conversing enthusiastically with the others, especially Quan Yi, with whom she seemed to be enjoying a pleasant chat.
At this point, Quan Yi was no longer displaying the arrogance she had shown towards Nian Jiaojiao. She held her wine cup with both hands, bowing her head respectfully to Xu’s mother, her face etched with humility.
“Madame Gao, I wish my daughter-in-law could study as well as you.”
“Not at all, Yi’er’s studies are also quite good.”
“But they can’t compare to Madame Gao’s ranking as a Jia-bang Xiu Cai!”
Hearing Quan Yi say this, Xu’s mother seemed to recall something. Her gaze found Nian Jiaojiao, who was happily eating, and she frowned, saying:
“Jiaojiao.”
Nian Jiaojiao looked up, calmly swallowed the food in her mouth, and then replied:
“What is it, Mother?”
“Did you hear what I was saying to Yi’er earlier?”
“I heard,” Nian Jiaojiao replied.
Good heavens, who is this Quan Yi? Her flattery is even exceeding mine.
Xu’s mother didn’t pursue whether Nian Jiaojiao had truly heard their conversation, instead continuing the thread:
“You are also someone who will be taking the imperial examinations, Jiaojiao. You should learn more from Yi’er.”
Saying this, she turned to Quan Yi beside her and asked:
“Yi’er, you are 25 this year, aren’t you?”
Quan Yi nodded and replied:
“Yes, I just turned 25 this year.”
Xu’s mother turned back to Nian Jiaojiao and continued:
“See, Yi’er successfully became a Xiu Cai last year, at the age of 24. You can ask her if you have any questions.”
Quan Yi appeared demure:
“Madame Gao praises too highly. After preparing for several years, I only managed to pass as a Yi-bang Xiu Cai.”
After speaking, she turned to Nian Jiaojiao with a seemingly curious expression and asked:
“I wonder, at which stage of the imperial examinations have you reached?”
Nian Jiaojiao remained silent for a moment. Xu’s mother, not wanting the atmosphere to become awkward, was about to explain that the other person had only just begun preparing and hadn’t reached any stage yet. Unexpectedly, the person opposite spoke:
“Tong Sheng.”
This truly surprised Xu’s mother. She asked Nian Jiaojiao for confirmation, half-believing:
“Jiaojiao, you can’t just say such things. Although Tong Sheng is not a significant achievement, the dynasty’s control over this is strict. Impersonation is a taboo that can lead to severe consequences.”
Nian Jiaojiao smiled slightly:
“Madame Gao, as a wife of Da Yue, I naturally know how strict our legislation and enforcement are in this regard. Therefore, I would never speak carelessly. Moreover, whether or not I passed as Tong Sheng can be immediately verified at the county yamen. How could I utter such a easily debunked lie?”
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao’s logical and well-founded explanation, Xu’s mother finally believed she was telling the truth.
However, even now, she found the situation somewhat miraculous.
Just a few months ago, this person was an illiterate vagrant. After studying for three months, she passed as Tong Sheng?
If so, how high was her talent for reading?
Xu’s mother watched Nian Jiaojiao, her expression constantly changing.
Quan Yi, sitting at the same table, was somewhat confused.
It’s just Tong Sheng, why such a fuss?
Quan Yi looked at the surprised faces around the table, feeling uneasy.
She recalled that last year, when she announced her success in becoming a Xiu Cai, no one had reacted so strongly.
With a gutful of discomfort, she quietly asked Xu Xuan:
“Little aunt, is Nian Jiaojiao passing as Tong Sheng very impressive?”
Xu Xuan slowly closed her gaping mouth and nodded emphatically:
“Very impressive!”
After saying this, she vigorously prodded the food in her bowl with her chopsticks, as if venting her frustration.
Quan Yi: …
As there were many people and much chatter here, Xu’s mother found it inconvenient to say more. She simply asked Nian Jiaojiao to come to her study after the meal.
…
As the night deepened.
The study.
Xu’s mother gazed at the dim light in the study, lost in thought, until Nian Jiaojiao pushed the door open and entered, bringing her back to awareness.
After Nian Jiaojiao entered, Xu’s mother casually tested her with a few questions. Nian Jiaojiao answered all of them fluently, which finally allowed Xu’s mother to truly confirm that her son’s spouse was genuinely talented.
Xu’s mother slowly clapped her hands, her rhythm slow and tinged with admiration.
“Good! Good! Good! You, you are truly excellent!”
Then, she showed a look of regret:
“It’s just a pity. If I had known you had such talent for reading, even just one more year of study would have been enough for you to become Tong Shou.”
“Uh… this.”
Nian Jiaojiao hesitated to speak.
However, Xu’s mother remained immersed in her emotions and continued speaking to herself:
“But it doesn’t matter. Although Tong Shou has some weight, what is more important is the Xiu Cai examination, Jiaojiao!”
Xu’s mother’s face turned red, appearing somewhat excited. She continued:
“Jiaojiao! If you pass as Jia-bang Xiu Cai, our Xu family will have two Jia-bangs, and we will be truly famous in Shanshui Town! If, if you go a step further and pass as one of the top three, then becoming a Ju Ren would be a certainty!”
“Cough cough!”
Realizing she was too excited, Xu’s mother calmed down, coughed twice, and then asked Nian Jiaojiao:
“By the way, what were you about to say?”