As the autumn examination results were announced, joy and sorrow were felt in each household.
Congratulations were sent from house to house, with the sound of firecrackers going off one after another.
In West City, Yan Zisheng took the congratulatory letter and gave a reward, then turned to see his mother and sister embracing each other, shedding tears of joy. Suddenly, he lifted his robe and knelt down.
"Mother, Yu’er, I have finally lived up to the ten years of hard study, and I haven’t let you down with your days and nights of embroidery and sewing shoes. I’ve fulfilled it." Yan Zisheng’s throat choked with emotion.
This third place is not just his achievement, but also that of his mother and sister, who tirelessly embroidered to exchange for silver to support him becoming a Scholar.
Madam Li burst into tears, hurriedly came over to help him up, and cried, "Silly child, it’s all thanks to yourself, entirely your own doing. Now I can face your father, face the Yan Family, I can die without regret."
"Mother, don’t say such things. From now on, just enjoy being the Old Madam." Yan Zisheng held her shoulder and then beckoned to Yan Ziyu, saying, "Yu’er, you’ve been wronged all these years. Brother will definitely find you a good husband."
Yan Ziyu was both joyful and smiling, saying, "Brother, I trust you. But we should tidy up quickly, as the neighbors will soon come over to congratulate us."
"Yes, yes, we need to prepare the congratulatory money and candies."
Just as the words left their mouths, a commotion was heard at the door; neighbors from left and right were arriving with gifts to offer their congratulations.
Old Madam Wei hugged the blushing Wang Qiuman, cheerfully accepting the gifts, her eyes almost laughed into creases.
"Man’er, you truly are someone with great fortune. Third place, if the Palace Examination goes well, the first rank won’t elude you." While speaking, Old Madam Wei wiped the corner of her eyes, "Once you marry, you’ll be an Imperial Decree Madam. Excellent, truly excellent."
Wang Qiuman said, "Grand-aunt, this is all the fortune bestowed upon me by you and Old Madam Song."
"Good child, you’re truly lovable." Old Madam Wei pinched her chin and said, "Get yourself ready, and your grand-aunt will accompany you home to stay for some days."
The marriage between Wang Qiuman and Yan Zisheng had been settled long ago, and now that he passed as a Scholar, it was time to marry. Wang Qiuman intended to marry from her dowry house, and Old Madam Wei agreed. After all, the residence had three courtyards, big enough, and at most, she would go over to oversee things as an elder.
In fact, if not for fearing to hurt Yan Zisheng’s dignity, it would be fine if the family moved into the three-courtyard dowry house after marriage. After all, it was spacious, and the scenery was nice.
However, the Yan Family was small; with its two courtyards tidied up, they could live there. Once time passed, wouldn’t they easily replace it with a larger house?
Wang Qiuman nodded with a smile.
Wei Wenyan and Aunt Tong came in, with Aunt Tong smilingly congratulating Old Madam Wei, saying that Wei Cheng had placed fifth.
"Oh." Old Madam Wei’s smile faded, clearly showing disinterest.
Aunt Tong was secretly annoyed, thinking the Old Madam was biased. She looked towards Wang Qiuman and said, "Congratulations to Man’er as well. I heard Yan Scholar also passed. Oh my, Man’er will be an Imperial Decree Madam in the future. Truly worthy of celebration."
Wang Qiuman also replied lightly, with a slight smile, looking towards Wei Wenyan, "The same to you." The rightful source is NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Wei Wenyan twisted her handkerchief into a salted vegetable, feeling resentful. Why was it just the fifth place for him? But then she thought, Wei Cheng was a young lord of the Marquis Mansion and could inherit it in the future. That Yan fellow, even as third place, was still from a low-born Poor Family.
Wang Qiuman would always be a notch lower than her.
Thinking of this, Wei Wenyan puffed out her chest again.
Wang Qiuman’s eyes flashed, "Fool!"