SGEIRS -Chapter 240 A Heavy Blow

Shou’an Hall.

Today was the day the autumn exam results were announced. The younger members of the Gu family had all gathered at Shou’an Hall. After paying their respects to Old Madam Gu, the family sat together, chatting and laughing, while also waiting anxiously for the good news to arrive.

Not long ago, Old Madam Gu had asked Madam Zhang to send a servant to check the list to see if any of the Gu children had their names on it.

Gu Xiuyuan, on his way to report to the Gongyuan, had already been reminded by his mother to study hard and pass the exam. The pressure had been intense. Even after finishing the test, he hadn’t relaxed much, still afraid of failing. At this moment, his palms were sweating from nervousness, yet he still held onto a glimmer of hope. He had studied day and night with all his might, praying for a good result.

It wasn’t just him— even normally composed Gu Xiuhong felt a twinge of anxiety.

Gu Xiuming was the same. His heart raced, his thoughts were a jumble, and he had imagined countless times how his elders would react if he passed. Today, he wanted to finally earn their recognition and have his father take him seriously again, cementing his place as the heir apparent.

Old Madam Gu saw all three grandsons sitting rigidly, waiting for the servant to return with the results. None of them were yet twenty years old, and passing the autumn exam was no easy feat, so she didn’t dare to expect too much. If they passed, it would be wonderful; if not, they could try again.

With a gentle smile, she said, “There’s no need to be too nervous. Treat it with a calm heart. You’re all still young; there will be plenty of opportunities later. Even if you don’t pass this time, you can try again in three years.”

Madam Zhang, who longed for her sons’ success, also dared not add pressure at this moment, worried that if they failed and felt crushed, they might give up entirely. She softly said, “Yes, your grandmother is right. You’re still young men under twenty. There will be many opportunities ahead. If you pass this time, it will be cause for celebration—announce it to the ancestors at the ancestral hall. If not, don’t be discouraged.”

Madam Chen added teasingly, “Xiuhong, don’t worry. Even if you don’t pass, mother won’t force you to marry. Your sister will wed next month; I can hold my grandsons a little later.”

Gradually, the tense atmosphere began to relax, and the three young men felt their nerves ease slightly.

Before long, a maid came in to report: “Grandmother, Xiao Liu has returned from checking the results!”

At this, everyone froze for a moment, then tensed up again.

Old Madam Gu hurriedly said, “Quick, go bring him in!”

Soon, they saw the servant, Xiao Liu, walking in with a beaming smile. Immediately, they knew it was good news, and the tension dissipated in an instant.

Gu Xiuyuan, Gu Xiuhong, and Gu Xiuming all stared at Xiao Liu, waiting for him to announce the results.

Old Madam Gu asked, “Well? How is it?”

Xiao Liu respectfully replied, “Grandmother, this year’s autumn exam in Shuntian Prefecture had 11,250 candidates, but only 126 passed. The eldest young master is on the list, ranking 120th. The second young master is also on the list, ranking 18th…”

What wonderful news!

Old Madam Gu’s face lit up with joy. Before Xiao Liu could finish, she spoke excitedly: “Good, good, good! Today we will hold a ceremony at the ancestral hall to share this happy news with our ancestors. Eldest daughter-in-law, you go prepare a family feast so we can celebrate properly.”

Madam Zhang quickly responded, “Yes, Mother.”

The members of the first and second branches were overjoyed, their hearts filled with pride and happiness.

In our dynasty, the imperial examinations were extremely strict. The selection rate was very low. Out of 11,250 candidates in Shuntian Prefecture, only 126 made the list.

Such fierce competition made it no small feat for their young sons to be among the successful candidates. Passing the exam meant a chance to become an official; being a juren was the first step onto the bureaucratic ladder.

Of course, in a family like theirs, with the means to support their children’s studies, they wouldn’t stop at juren. They would continue striving for higher degrees, aiming to become jinshi, which would open even greater opportunities.

Xiao Liu looked at the smiling faces of his masters and hesitated. The words he was about to say could dampen the mood.

Gu Xiuming had only heard the ranks of his two elder brothers. The rest had been cut off by Old Madam Gu, and he was anxious to know his own rank. Yet he restrained himself, waiting for the elders to ask first; otherwise, it would seem immature.

Meng Jinyao noticed the subtle change in Xiao Liu’s expression and quietly guessed what was coming. She asked gently, “Xiao Liu, what rank did Xiuming get?”

Old Madam Gu also regained her composure and hurriedly asked, “Yes, what rank did Xiuming get?”

She thought to herself, the eldest and second grandsons had passed, so surely the third grandson wouldn’t do too badly.

The first and second branches were also curious. Since being released from house arrest, Gu Xiuming had changed completely—polite to Meng Jinyao, diligent in his studies, frequently consulting his father. With Gu Jingxi personally guiding him, his results shouldn’t be bad. If he failed, it would mean he wasn’t smart enough.

Xiao Liu stammered, “The heir… the heir did not pass.”

At once, everyone froze.

As the one involved, Gu Xiuming felt as if a thunderclap had struck his head. His face filled with disbelief. He had thought he performed well and was certain he would pass the autumn exam. But reality delivered a crushing blow. Gu Xiuyuan and Gu Xiuhong both passed, but he didn’t. How could this be?

Old Madam Gu felt a twinge of disappointment, but considering that two out of three grandsons had passed, the family was already honored. Xiuming was only sixteen, younger than his brothers; if he didn’t pass this time, he could try again in three years.

On the surface, Meng Jinyao appeared momentarily surprised, but beneath that, she secretly felt a sense of schadenfreude. She was not that magnanimous—when it was time to be cruel, she would be. Only a fool would wish for an enemy to succeed in the exams. Someone as hypocritical as Gu Xiuming didn’t deserve an official post; otherwise, who knew if he might one day become a rot in the state?

She thought this, but outwardly maintained her dutiful role. She immediately furrowed her brow and spoke in a serious tone: “How is that possible? Did you misread? Our Xiuming worked so hard—how could he fail? This morning, Husband even said he was so diligent, he might pass.”

Although her words seemed to express disbelief that her son failed, in reality, they struck like a sharp sword straight into Gu Xiuming’s heart, delivering yet another heavy blow to a mind already reeling. One could even call it psychological assassination.

Hearing this, Gu Xiuming was overwhelmed with humiliation, as if a tidal wave were about to drown him.

Gu Jingxi glanced at his son, then silently at his young wife. This girl truly held grudges; when she could stomp on someone, she never held back, always striking at the heart.

He thought to himself that he would need to be careful in the future—never give this little troublemaker a chance to poke at his own heart.