SGEIRS -Chapter 588 Top of the Autumn Examination List

The next day, the results of the autumn imperial examination were announced.

Gu Xiuwen had participated in this autumn examination. Since the Gu family had no officials required to report to government offices, all the men and female family members who didn’t have duties stayed in the courtyard of Old Madam Gu, waiting alongside her for the young servant boys to return with the news of the exam results. Everyone attached great importance to the outcome of Gu Xiuwen’s examination.

As for Gu Xiuwen himself, he didn’t feel anything in particular. He played with his fourth younger brother, Wanwan, and his little nephew, Yunxin. The two little ones were extremely adorable. However, it caused some amusement among the elders because the fourth younger brother insisted on calling Yunxin “brother,” which messed up the generational order. But when facing Gu Xiuwen, the fourth brother didn’t make a mistake—when told to call him “third brother,” he did so obediently.

Gu Xiuwen laughed: “Third Aunt, is the fourth brother so stubborn about calling Yunxin ‘brother’?”

Meng Jinyao replied helplessly, “This little fool started calling him that from the beginning. Your Third Uncle and I tried to correct him, but it didn’t work. When he grows older, he’ll understand on his own. There’s no point in telling him now; he’s just going to keep calling him brother. Let him be.”

Gu Xiuwen said, “Perhaps Yunxin is the only child in the family close to his age, so the fourth brother insists on calling him brother.”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly. “I guess so.”

Madam Zhang glanced at Wanwan and then turned her gaze to Meng Jinyao. “Wanwan’s older brothers and sisters are already grown up. Without companions of the same age, he’s a bit lonely. Third Sister-in-law, Third Brother, try and give Wanwan a little brother or sister. That way, he’ll have someone to keep him company.”

In front of everyone, Meng Jinyao couldn’t say that her husband didn’t want her to have another child. She lowered her head shyly and didn’t respond.

Old Madam Gu didn’t mind whether Wanwan had siblings. Having this precious grandson was already a delightful surprise. She didn’t insist on anything else and smiled: “A-Yao, don’t feel pressured. Let nature take its course.”

Madam Zhang quickly agreed, “Yes, let it take its course.”

Madam Chen felt that the topic was inappropriate to continue and subtly changed the subject.

The family laughed and chatted happily. Soon, the servant boy who went to check the list returned, bringing exciting news. When Madam Gu asked, he exclaimed, “Madam, Third Young Master has passed!”

At this announcement, everyone present showed delight, especially Madam Zhang, who burst into tears of joy. Her husband was useless, a complete scoundrel; she pinned her hopes on the children. Three years ago, Xiuyuan had passed the examination. Today, Xiuwen passed. Next year, Xiuyuan would participate in the spring examination, and Xiuwen would also take it. If both brothers succeeded next year, entering officialdom, she would truly have made it. Then she could find a suitable wife for Xiuwen and a good husband for her daughter—surely a match that would satisfy her daughter.

Madam Gu smiled and asked, “Third Young Master, what was your rank?”

The servant boy replied, “Eighth place.”

When he finished speaking, everyone was astonished. No one had expected that this child, once spoiled and lazy, could achieve such a high rank. For comparison, Xiuyuan and Xiuhong, who had always studied diligently, didn’t achieve such high ranks in the autumn examination three years ago. Back then, Xiuhong of the second branch had ranked eighteenth, which was already considered excellent. Xiuyuan of the main branch had slightly less talent, but through hard work, he ranked 120th, nearly failing. Among over ten thousand candidates, ranking 120th was still extraordinary.

Meng Jinyao was also surprised. She had heard her husband say that Xiuwen was very intelligent, not inferior to Xiuhong of the second branch, and the cleverest of the brothers. He had just been spoiled into laziness and hadn’t applied himself to studies. Now, seeing Xiuwen’s rapid progress, she finally believed her husband. Previously, when Xiuwen had passed the preliminary examination, she hadn’t been too surprised. But now, ranking eighth in the autumn examination, she was genuinely astonished. The period of studying abroad must have greatly benefited Xiuwen; his academic progress had been remarkable.

Suddenly, Meng Jinyao remembered her own younger brother and asked the servant boy, “My second brother also took this autumn examination. Did you see if he ranked at the top?”

Upon hearing this, the servant boy became excited: “Madam, your brother is also on the list and, in fact, he is the top scholar of this autumn examination!”

The top scholar of this autumn examination?

Meng Jinyao was both surprised and delighted. Her husband had mentioned that her younger brother could achieve a high rank if he performed normally; she hadn’t expected him to take the very top spot.

Madam Zhang, who had been overjoyed that her son ranked eighth, felt her excitement slightly dampened when she heard that her younger sister-in-law’s brother was the top scholar. Meng Chengzhang had been first in the preliminary examination, now the top scholar in the autumn exam. If he were to aim for the spring exam next year, he might even achieve the triple honor of first place in all three exams! And this boy was two years younger than Xiuwen, yet already so outstanding.

But the next moment, Madam Zhang’s mindset recovered. Her son and Meng Chengzhang were friends; having a promising friend like Meng Chengzhang would be beneficial in the future. As the saying goes, when making friends, seek virtuous and talented companions. It was better to have a capable friend than a useless one; the useless only served as company, providing no real help.

While everyone marveled at Meng Chengzhang being the top scholar, Gu Xiuwen exclaimed with delight, “What did you say? Second Uncle is the top scholar?”

The servant boy nodded: “Exactly.”

Gu Xiuwen was overjoyed: “I always knew Second Uncle had the talent of a champion. To enter the top three in this exam—just as I thought!”

Madam Zhang, seeing her son’s reaction, twitched her lips. She wasn’t sure what to say. Her son could call Meng Chengzhang “uncle,” but this wasn’t a formal uncle, and yet he was so excited. When he learned he himself ranked eighth, he hadn’t been so thrilled. Now someone else topped the exam, and he reacted with such excitement—there was no sense of being overshadowed. She didn’t know whether to call him foolish, but it was fine—having a good mindset meant he wouldn’t give himself unnecessary stress. Maintaining a positive attitude and befriending Meng Chengzhang would be very advantageous in the future.

Old Madam Gu, seeing this, was pleased that her daughter-in-law’s brother was so accomplished and simultaneously gratified by her grandson’s reaction. This child’s temperament was different from Madam Zhang and the eldest son: lively, cheerful, broad-minded, neither arrogant nor impatient. It proved that her original decision had been correct. Thankfully, she had previously sent Yaoling to find the headmaster of Lingshan Academy and enrolled Xiuwen there, letting the environment nurture his diligence and talents, so his abilities were not wasted.

Old Madam Gu rewarded the servant boy who checked the list and then kindly said, “Today we have a great joy in our household. Prepare a family banquet to celebrate. Eldest daughter-in-law, you will handle this.”

Madam Zhang smiled and responded, “Yes, Mother.”

Old Madam Gu then looked at Gu Xiuwen warmly: “Xiuwen, you achieved a good rank this time, and your grandmother is proud of you. But don’t become complacent. In a few months, there will be the spring examination. Keep striving.” She then looked at Gu Xiuyuan: “Xiuyuan, you too. Next year you will take the spring exam. Your grandmother hopes both brothers will succeed.”

Having such an accomplished younger brother, Gu Xiuyuan, as the elder brother, naturally felt some pressure. But after three years of dedicated study, occasionally seeking guidance from his third uncle, he was confident about next year’s spring examination. He smiled and replied, “Grandmother, rest assured, your grandson will do his best.”

Gu Xiuwen also said, “Grandmother, your grandson will redouble his efforts.”