SGEIRS -Chapter 245 Seeking Doctors and Medicines

The results of the autumn imperial examination were announced, and as always, there were both the joyful and the disappointed.

The Changxing Marquisate once again became the topic of gossip and discussion. The reason was simple: both the eldest and second sons of the Marquisate had passed the exam, while the long-anticipated heir had failed.

The imperial examinations of the current dynasty were several times more stringent than those of the previous dynasty. Out of over ten thousand candidates, only 126 succeeded. On average, only one in a hundred would pass.

That two young masters of the Changxing Marquisate both succeeded naturally caused envy. They were only seventeen or eighteen years old, while many families’ sons, older and past the age of coming of age, still hadn’t passed, which was deeply embarrassing. Some scholars in their forties who had also failed were dealt yet another blow upon learning that teenagers had already succeeded.

As a result, many minds began to scheme, considering marrying their daughters to Gu Xiuhong. And these were daughters from respectable families—legitimate daughters of good standing—more than worthy matches for Gu Xiuhong, a legitimate son from a secondary branch of the family.

Madam Chen was tempted. If her son had a good father-in-law, his future career could be much smoother. However, Gu Xiuhong had no thoughts of marriage for the time being; he was fully focused on studying the classics, aiming to pass the jinshi examination at the beginning of next year. If that failed, he would try again three years later.

Madam Chen could do nothing about her son, so she politely declined the proposal. Marrying later was no problem; as long as her son studied diligently and succeeded, an even better match might appear in the future.

As for the failed Gu Xiuming, he naturally became the target of ridicule. The teahouse gathered quite a crowd, with people chatting and commenting on him.

“Wasn’t it said that the heir Gu had the talent of a top scholar? How come he didn’t even pass the provincial exam?”

“What top scholar talent? I think it’s just flattery because of his father’s status. His father was a prodigy in his youth, yes, but if he can pass the jinshi, that’s already enough.”

“If you ask me, you know what they say about ‘like father, like son.’ The heir’s father’s scholarly achievements aren’t exactly extraordinary either, right?”

“His father was among the top three of the jinshi. Even compared to this heir who can’t pass the provincial exam, he’s far more accomplished. And he’s an official too, serving as a county magistrate in his hometown, a prosperous county at that.”

“Really?”

“I have relatives working at the Changxing Marquisate; this kind of information is not hard to find out.”

“So, this heir is nothing but a silk-stuffed pillow. The eldest daughter of the Yongchang House refused to marry him, insisting on marrying his father instead. I think it’s not just because he fled, it’s also because he’s useless.”

“Exactly. If it were me, I’d choose his father too, not him.”

“Hahaha… come on, you rough-looking man, no way the Marquis would want you.”

“Right, and I heard the Marquis’s wife is quite beautiful, so go away.”

…

As luck would have it, Gu Xiuming himself happened to be there. About to climb the stairs, he overheard people talking about him. He knew they wouldn’t say anything nice, yet he couldn’t help stopping to listen. Every word sank into his ears.

Li Wan’er accompanied him. Seeing his dark, stormy expression and tightly clenched fists, she felt a little nervous, fearing he might confront those guests. She gently tugged at his sleeve and softly said, “Brother Xiuming, let’s go upstairs first. Don’t mind these gossips—they understand nothing.”

For the sake of reputation, Gu Xiuming endured, saying nothing as he went upstairs. Otherwise, tomorrow the teahouse would be abuzz with tales of the heir of Changxing Marquisate losing the exam and going mad, beating up commoners in a fit of rage.

Once in the private room on the second floor, Li Wan’er ordered a few of Gu Xiuming’s favorite snacks and a pot of tea.

The words of the people outside still echoed in Gu Xiuming’s mind. Their disdainful tone and mocking words made him both ashamed and angry. Not only strangers—his classmates at the academy, who once flattered him but whose family background was inferior to his, also mocked him behind his back. Even though they had failed too, what right did they have to ridicule him?

He snorted lightly. “Out of more than ten thousand candidates, I’m just one of the many who failed. Why does it seem like I’ve committed some grave crime by failing?”

Li Wan’er poured him a cup of tea, soothingly saying, “Brother Xiuming, we can’t control what others say. I firmly believe that you will pass the autumn exam three years from now. Don’t let them affect your mindset.”

Gu Xiuming picked up the cup and drank it in one gulp. The tea did little to quell the fire in his heart, so he refilled another cup from the teapot.

Seeing this, Li Wan’er dared not pursue the topic further, afraid of provoking him, and changed the subject: “Brother Xiuming, the doctor just examined me and said my body is fine. The earlier lack of results was simply a matter of timing. Now the doctor has prescribed fertility medicine. If I take it, perhaps next time we’ll have good news.”

She smiled gently, her lips curving warmly. “They say ‘sour boys, spicy girls.’ I heard the young madam enjoys spicy food, so it’s likely a daughter. Next year, if we have a son, he will be the first male in the Marquisate’s great-grandchild generation. The old madam will hold him, and her affection will naturally extend to you too. Your position as heir will be even more secure.”

Gu Xiuming’s expression softened. The next autumn examination was three years away; for now, his hope rested on the child. Ideally, Wan’er would conceive this year, giving birth to a son next year.

He said gently, “Wan’er, let’s start taking this medicine today.”

Li Wan’er nodded obediently, expressing no objection. As long as her body was healthy, with the help of the fertility medicine, she would likely conceive soon.

On one side, they sought doctors and medicine to ensure a son, striving to secure status through their child.

Meanwhile, Meng Jinyao was busy assisting her two sisters-in-law, paying no mind to the troublesome rebellious son.

Xuanling’s wedding was scheduled for the sixth day of the tenth month, less than a month away. Time was tight, and the three sisters-in-law busily prepared.

Old Madam Gu also spoke up, saying that although Xuanling was born of a secondary wife, the Marquisate had only two daughters. Both were treasures. The wedding could not be shabby; there was only one chance in a lifetime, and it must be grand, second only to the wedding of the legitimate daughter, Xuanyi.

The guest list would follow the example of Xuanyi’s wedding. Whenever Meng Jinyao had free time, she would write the invitations.

Madam Chen saw her writing and approached, admiring the elegant, flowing, and lively calligraphy: “Third sister-in-law, your handwriting is really beautiful.”

Meng Jinyao replied humbly, “Second sister-in-law, you flatter me. I’m just practiced—when I was in the inner quarters, I used to practice calligraphy in my spare time, so my hand is steady.”

Madam Chen shook her head, “You needn’t be modest. Without a certain level of understanding, even frequent practice results in rigid, lifeless characters. Yours are so spirited.”

She picked up one of the completed invitations and nodded lightly. “I originally planned to have a servant write these, but their handwriting is not presentable to distinguished guests. I was going to wait for the second young master to return from official duties to write them. Now, it seems unnecessary—your calligraphy is excellent.”

At that moment, Madam Zhang entered, her face somber.

Meng Jinyao noticed and asked, “Eldest sister-in-law, you don’t look well. What’s the matter?”