SGEIRS -Chapter 585 Wang Jia Xuzhi

At the hour of the Rooster, Meng Chengzhang took his leave.

During dinner, Meng Jinyao placed a piece of fish on Gu Jingxi’s plate and then asked, “Husband, today you examined Second Brother and Xiuwen’s knowledge, and also read their essays. What do you think of them? If they were to take this year’s autumn imperial exam, how confident do you think they could be?”

Gu Jingxi answered honestly, “Second Brother is at a level now where passing the autumn exam shouldn’t be a problem. If he performs normally, he could even achieve a good rank. As for Xiuwen, that boy was spoiled by elder sister-in-law in the past, lazy and neglectful of his studies, but he is clever and quick-witted, with a natural talent. These past few years he’s worked diligently and had guidance from the renowned teachers at Lingshan Academy. Compared with Xiuhong at the same stage, he isn’t far behind. As long as he performs normally, he won’t do poorly.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao’s face lit up instantly. “So you mean, if nothing unexpected happens, Second Brother could pass the exam?”

Gu Jingxi nodded slightly, giving a soft “Mm.”

Meng Jinyao’s smile deepened, and the joy in her heart was about to overflow. Second Brother showing promise could uphold the Meng family’s reputation. If he passed the autumn exam and went on to succeed in the spring imperial exam next year, securing a minor official post in the court, arranging a marriage for him would be much easier—and she could help him find a good girl.

Seeing her bright and joyful expression, Gu Jingxi laughed softly. “They say the eldest sister is like a mother. It’s true—you worry over Second Brother as if you were his mother.”

Meng Jinyao replied, “I am married now and can’t care for him as I did when we were children. I only hope he succeeds, establishes his family, and finds a wife he’s compatible with. Then I can rest easy. When Grandfather was bedridden, he worried most about Second Brother and me. If we fare well, he can rest in peace in the afterlife.”

Gu Jingxi’s voice softened. “Don’t worry, Jinyao. Second Brother is talented and has the makings of a scholar. Traveling and studying with the teacher has broadened his horizons. His essays have improved greatly.” Saying this, he put another piece of food onto her plate. “Let’s eat first.”

Meng Jinyao nodded and continued her meal.

In the blink of an eye, the triennial autumn imperial exam had arrived.

Early in the morning, Madam Zhang took her youngest son to the exam hall. She had intended for her daughter Xuanyi to accompany him, but her daughter was still sleeping, and even sending someone ahead to wake her failed.

Madam Zhang was a little annoyed. “This girl has become more difficult since returning from her separation. She won’t even see her own elder brother off to the exam hall.”

Gu Xiuwen didn’t mind. “Mother, let Xuanyi sleep a little longer. You are already sending me off; that’s enough.”

“Fine, we’ll leave her be. Let’s go.”

Saying this, Madam Zhang let out a barely audible sigh. Xiuwen and Xuanyi were a dragon-and-phoenix twin. Xiuwen was becoming more sensible and ambitious, but why was Xuanyi growing more rebellious as she aged? Whatever Madam Zhang said, Xuanyi could retort threefold.

A few days ago, Xuanyi had even argued that the suitor Madam Zhang had picked for her was too old. She insisted the young gentleman was an old man. Yet he had never married before, and at only twenty—two years older than her—hardly qualified as “old.” Did she expect to marry a child? That would be more like getting a son than a husband.

Sometimes she suspected her daughter simply didn’t want to marry, deliberately saying such things. But Xuanyi said it so seriously and argued with her over it that she couldn’t be sure.

By the time they reached the exam hall, many students had already arrived, with relatives seeing them off.

Seeing the large crowd of examinees, Madam Zhang’s anxiety spiked, her desire for her son to succeed instantly rising. She reminded him, “Xiuwen, you must work hard. If our family is divided in the future, our main branch will rely on you and your elder brother to uphold it. Once you pass the exam, I will find you a good girl to marry.”

Gu Xiuwen deliberately ignored the first part of her advice, smiling instead. “Mother, my second brother isn’t married yet. Why should I be in a hurry?”

Madam Zhang shot him a glance. “Then why don’t you mention that your third uncle married at twenty-nine?”

Gu Xiuwen replied, “Even if I marry at twenty-nine, it’s fine. By then, I may have already made some name for myself in court. There will be more girls willing to marry me than now. Mother, don’t worry about this—your son has it under control.”

Madam Zhang was momentarily at a loss for words. She didn’t want to scold him at a time like this. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Children are really a headache. I thought you’d grown up and become sensible, but now I see you’re no different from your sister Xuanyi. We’ll discuss marriage next year. Right now, your focus must be on achieving success in your exams.”

Gu Xiuwen nodded. As he was about to bid his mother farewell, he happened to look up and saw his dragon-and-phoenix twin sister waving at him from not far away. He paused slightly, then returned a smile. She still cared about him—her absence earlier was clearly to avoid their mother. And that mother of theirs, fussing unnecessarily, had driven Xuanyi into rebellion.

Meanwhile, Gu Xuanyi quietly slipped away after seeing her brother and mother part ways, to avoid being caught by their mother and enduring another lecture.

The exam hall was crowded today, both with examinees and those seeing them off.

Suddenly, Gu Xuanyi was bumped, almost losing her balance. Fortunately, someone reached out to steady her. As she was about to thank them, she heard the voice of the one who helped her say, “Sister Xuanyi, watch out.”

Judging by the voice, he was a young boy.

Gu Xuanyi slowly looked up and saw before her a young lad of about fourteen or fifteen, wearing a pale moon-colored long robe. His skin was as white and smooth as jade, his features delicately sculpted, lips red and teeth white, with peach-blossom-shaped eyes filled with concern.

She didn’t recognize him, yet he called her Sister Xuanyi. Bewildered, she asked, “Young master, do you know me?”

The boy looked surprised. “Sister Xuanyi, you don’t remember me?”

Gu Xuanyi shook her head gently. When had she met such a handsome boy? He was so striking that one could never forget him. If she had known him before, she certainly wouldn’t have forgotten.

The boy said, “Wang Yingqiu is my sister.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Xuanyi was astonished. “You’re Yingqiu’s younger brother, Wang Xuzhi?”

She then looked him over again. She couldn’t associate this handsome young lad with the chubby little boy she remembered. Her friend’s younger brother Wang Xuzhi had been a pudgy little thing who always followed them around like a shadow. Later, he had been taken to his ancestral home to be educated in another branch of the family, rarely returning to the capital.

Wang Xuzhi smiled and nodded. “Yes.”

Gu Xuanyi clicked her tongue in admiration. Boys change a lot as they grow—this boy had grown into such a handsome youth. She gently smiled, “It’s been a few years, and Xuzhi has grown so much.”

She recalled that when her third brother Xiuwen had become a licentiate, her friend Yingqiu had also mentioned that her younger brother had passed the licentiate exam at thirteen—a remarkable youth. He was now fifteen and seemingly here for the autumn exam. She asked, “Are you also here to take the autumn exam today?”

Wang Xuzhi replied, “Yes, just to try, as a way to gain experience.”

Gu Xuanyi looked at him appreciatively. “Very good. You’re still young, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. By the way, are you here alone today? Didn’t your parents come to see you off?”

Wang Xuzhi answered, “They just went back.”

Gu Xuanyi nodded in understanding and didn’t delay him. “Then you’d better head into the exam hall quickly, don’t waste time. I need to go as well.”

Wang Xuzhi responded, “Alright, Sister Xuanyi, take care.”