SGEIRS -Chapter 360 Passed the Provincial Exam

Two days later, the results of the county-level exam were announced.

Madam Zhang sent someone early in the morning to check the list to see if Xiuwen had passed.

Meng Jinyao did the same. After breakfast, she sent a servant to check whether her second younger brother’s name appeared on the results.

Around noon, the servant returned with good news: Gu Xiuwen had passed the provincial exam. The whole family rejoiced. Xiuwen was the cleverest and most quick-witted among the grandchildren, but also the laziest. He couldn’t endure the hardships of studying at first. After spending over a year at Lingshan Academy, he had completely transformed, applying himself diligently.

That year and more of tireless study had helped him catch up on knowledge. Coupled with his natural intelligence, he made remarkable progress. Passing the provincial exam on his first attempt was a major achievement. Had he studied seriously from childhood, even placing in the top three would have been no problem.

Aside from Gu Xiuwen, Meng Chengzhang also made the list—and he was the top scorer. This pleasantly surprised his older sister, Meng Jinyao.

However, the heir of the Yongchang Marquis, Meng Chengxing, fared far worse. He failed to pass and didn’t even make the last rank. Compared to the top-ranked Meng Chengzhang, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Madam Zhang had been smiling just moments ago, eyes crinkled with delight. The next moment, hearing that her third sister-in-law’s younger brother had topped the list, her smile dimmed slightly. Meng Xiuwen, her own second son, was two years younger, yet at such a young age, that boy had become the top scorer, while her own son hadn’t even reached the top ten. People compared themselves to others, and the more she compared, the more frustrated she felt.

Gu Xiuwen, however, didn’t feel anything amiss. He was already very happy to have passed. After all, even the teachers hadn’t guaranteed it—they only said that if he performed normally, he should pass. Learning that his close friend Meng Chengzhang had topped the list made him even happier. With a smile, he said, “Third Aunt, I bet with Second Uncle that he would be in the top three. He thought it was impossible. Now that he’s the top scorer, I won.”

Previously, he had called Meng Chengzhang “Second Uncle” along with Gu Xiuming. Now that Gu Xiuming had been exiled and removed from the clan, Xiuwen still called Meng Chengzhang “Second Uncle” in front of others, only using his personal name in private. The reason was simple: in the future, if Third Uncle and Third Aunt adopted another child, that child would be his brother. The brother’s uncle was a senior relative, so it was perfectly correct to call him “Uncle” along with his brother.

Meng Jinyao smiled and asked, “Xiuwen, what bet did you make with Chengzhang?”

Gu Xiuwen answered honestly, “I bet with Second Uncle that if I won, he would wash clothes for me for three days. If he won, I would wash clothes for him for three days.”

Meng Jinyao nodded, smiling. “I see. Then when you return to the academy, just make sure you get Second Uncle to wash clothes for you three days in a row.”

Xiuwen grinned. “With you saying that, Third Aunt, I’m not afraid at all, even if Second Uncle is an elder.”

Seeing her youngest son like this, Madam Zhang suddenly thought he was a bit simple-minded, calling someone “Second Uncle” so affectionately.

But then she thought, perhaps in the future, the Third Branch might consider having Xiuwen formally adopted there. After all, Xiuwen had been raised by his little uncle and knew the family well, unlike what had happened with Xiuming. That way, Meng’s second young master would truly have a legitimate “uncle.”

Even without adopting Xiuwen, his friendship with Third sister-in-law’s younger brother meant that in the future, Third Brother would surely help him. If Third sister-in-law’s brother succeeded, Xiuwen would benefit as well.

Thinking this way, Madam Zhang became happy again, believing her youngest son was clever and foresighted.

Passing the provincial exam was a cause for celebration. As per custom, the Gu family held a family feast, performed rituals at the ancestral hall, and reported the good news to their ancestors, so the spirits could rest assured that the descendants were doing well and the family’s honor remained intact.

Yongchang Marquis Residence

Old Madam Meng and Meng Dongyuan waited anxiously at home, looking out for the returning servant. With two children participating in this exam, the elders were naturally nervous.

Meng Chengzhang and Meng Chengxing, the examinees themselves, were also anxious, though for very different reasons.

Chengzhang wanted to become strong to support his eldest sister. Even though her husband now doted on her, he never knew what the future would bring. Having the backing of his natal family was essential. His profit-seeking father was unreliable; only by being strong could he ensure security.

Chengxing, on the other hand, thought of surpassing his elder brother. If he passed, the grandmother and father would focus on him. Even if he and his brother both passed, they would still favor him. But if he failed while his elder brother passed, their favor would shift to Chengzhang, and he would lose their attention.

When the returning servant ran back with a beaming face, Old Madam Meng and Meng Dongyuan knew good news was coming. Mother and son both smiled.

Even Madam Dong smiled. Whoever passed the exam, the husband would be pleased, and a happy husband was easier to deal with. Otherwise, he would be displeased, and she would have to tread carefully. Previously, when the stepdaughter had quarreled with the Qin family girl in the street, her husband had been furious, making her extra cautious for two days. Luckily, the marriage arrangement with the Xiao and Qin families hadn’t been broken, or he would have been even angrier.

Madam Meng asked, “How did the heir rank?”

The servant hesitated. “This…”

Meng Dongyuan thought his son must have ranked low. “Just say it. Even if the rank is low, it doesn’t matter. The heir is only thirteen. Passing the exam at thirteen is already impressive.”

The servant looked nervously at the heir and then at the second young master, stammering, “I… I checked the list three times… the heir… he’s not on the list.”

Not on the list?

These words stunned Old Madam Meng and Meng Dongyuan. They had never expected this. Even if Chengxing’s rank wasn’t at the top, he should at least appear on the list. He had been confident before the exam and said afterward that he had done reasonably well.

They quickly reassured themselves: Chengxing was still young, and he would surely succeed next time.

Chengxing, though disappointed, remained composed. At thirteen, he still had time. Next time, he would take the exam again, and as long as his elder brother also failed, his position would remain secure.

Seeing their expressions, the servant added hesitantly, “But… the second young master… he’s on the list.”

Upon hearing this, Chengxing’s gaze shot toward his elder brother. The earlier disappointment instantly magnified, crashing over him like a tidal wave, threatening to engulf him.

Old Madam Meng and Meng Dongyuan’s expressions immediately brightened. Chengzhang was their child, and passing the provincial exam was a cause for celebration.

Although Chengxing had failed, Chengzhang was only a year older, so he had had one more year of study. He probably barely made the list, but passing at fourteen was still excellent and brought honor to the Meng family.

Seeing her husband and mother-in-law smiling, Madam Dong also smiled and asked, “Second Young Master, what was his rank?”