Chapter 179: Chapter 167: Pack Your Things and Get Out!
September 25th, the results of the county examination were announced.
Beijing was too far, so the government officials delivering the joyous news arrived three days later.
Song Wei’s ranking was beyond the fiftieth position.
He was confident in taking the top spot in the county and prefectural exams because of the smaller competition and his extensive study of past questions prior to the exams.
But the county exam was different, with all the scholars from the province competing; there were too many talented people. He was mentally prepared and considered it a great fortune just to pass, especially on the first attempt since it’s rare for anyone to succeed immediately.
After hearing his own joyous news, Song Wei asked, "Did Xie Zheng from Qingshui Bay pass?"
The government official, having congratulated Mr. Scholar, flipped through the list on the joyous news and smiled, "He passed, Xie Zheng from Qingshui Bay, Mr. Xie, ranked 135th in the county exam."
In their province, a total of 160 scholars were admitted.
Song Wei appeared gratified, "At last, hard work pays off."
Xie Zheng had said earlier that if he didn’t pass this year, he would return to raising fish and would never set foot in the examination hall again.
Whether as a relative, a close friend, or a former classmate, Song Wei did not wish for Xie Zheng to waste so many years of hard work only to return to farming.
Originally, Song Wei thought that if Xie Zheng didn’t pass, he would find a compromise to let him continue for another three years.
Now that he passed directly, that’s just perfect, saving a lot of trouble.
Granny Song had already brewed tea and invited the government officer in, served tea, and gave him a string of coins.
This was celebratory money that couldn’t be refused. The government officer smiled broadly, offering a series of congratulations and blessings before getting up to leave, saying that he still had to go to the Xie Family in Qingshui Bay to deliver the news.
——
"I never thought that the two of you cousins would pass in the same year." Granny Song beamed with joy.
Qingshui Bay and Upper River Village weren’t far apart. This year, both places produced a scholar, and soon it would become a sensational happy event in these ten or so villages.
Especially Song Wei.
Upper River Village hadn’t produced a scholar in decades, and now, it fell directly onto the head of Song Wei, who was least expected to succeed back then, and he passed in one go. The extent of his capability was evident.
The villagers heard the sound of firecrackers from the Song family and speculated that it must mean someone had passed.
Could misfortune-prone Song Sanlang have transformed from a mere scholar to Mr. Scholar?
Some were joyful, some were troubled.
There was joy because the Song family now had an exemption from taxes on four hundred acres, and they could benefit from it.
However, thinking about the years of rare interaction and underestimation with the Song family, they were troubled.
Now he was a newly minted scholar, a figure respected even by the wealthy merchants of the town. Would they, as simple villagers, be driven away if they approached him?
Someone spoke up, "Didn’t Song Wei say he’d be giving us fields for free? The promissory note is still with the village head, how could he go back on it?"
"What Song Wei? From today, he should be called Mr. Scholar!"
"Even as Mr. Scholar, he can’t default on his promises!"
...
Song Wei knew the matter of giving fields would be a hassle; he disliked procrastination, so before the Song family banquet, he efficiently dealt with it. In his village, Lower River Village, and Zhou Village, the total fields to give added up to less than four hundred acres. Extending outward, he even included fields for Aunt Jiang’s family.
Within two days of passing the exam, he had settled all these matters.
Now, apart from gratitude and admiration, the villagers had no other disputes or comments.
By the time the Song family held the feast, the attendees did not come empty-handed, each one offering at least a little gift.
Xie Zheng also passed the exam, and since the two families lived close, the feast was held together.
Seeing Song Wei, Xie Zheng looked exasperated, "Mr. Song, you enjoy giving people fields for free, but don’t you care about your brother here? I’ve almost been scolded into not daring to go out."
Xie Zheng and Song Wei were cousins. Song Wei gave fields without collecting taxes, while the Xie family did, causing people in Qingshui Bay to criticize Xie Zheng for not being charitable.
In previous years, Xie Zheng had focused solely on studying and not much on social interactions; only after being scolded did he realize that human nature indeed had no bottom line.
When he doesn’t manage the land for others, he’s scolded; if he does, he’s criticized for collecting taxes. So, unless he does it for free like Song Wei, he’s considered disloyal and ungrateful?
He just wants to use his scholar status to help manage some land and ease his family’s hardship, but he’s labeled a selfish person?
After earning the scholar title, to abandon his own parents and let them starve while freely managing land for others is supposed to be loyal and righteous?
If he had Song Wei’s conditions, he’d manage land for free too, but with so many mouths to feed in his family, how could he?
So trying to be filial to his relatives is wrong too?
Xie Zheng really couldn’t understand how he accumulated so many accusations within just a few days.
To be honest, he didn’t have any grand ambitions to serve the court; he just wanted to achieve a scholar degree to improve his family’s standing, so his parents could enjoy their later years without worry.
Now that he has become a scholar, isn’t it the time to honor his parents?
Why can other scholars do it, but it’s not allowed for him?
Song Wei had heard about Xie Zheng’s situation and said to him, "With your talent, you have space for advancement, so there’s no need to be fixated on just four hundred mu."
Xie Zheng understood Song Wei’s point, but still felt indignant, "I’ve just wanted to be filial to my parents, how is that wrong?"
Song Wei smiled softly, patting his shoulder, "If you work hard in the exams next March, win two thousand mu back, you can honor them however you wish."
Xie Zheng sighed. He had no choice but to agree.
As a scholar, he couldn’t truly argue or fight with those troublemakers, or it would ruin his reputation and affect his career. It’s better to endure for now, wait to achieve success, and then move the family away from here for peace of mind.
——
Inside the house, Aunt Xie was also discussing this with Granny Song.
Wen Wan, the Second Lang’s wife, Yang, and Xie Tao’s wife sat nearby, listening.
The Second Lang’s wife suggested, "What’s the point of wasting words with those people, just kick them out. It’s not like anyone owes them anything, why should we tolerate them?"
Granny Song gave her a look, "That’s why people say you two are shortsighted. If you dare kick them out, they’ll dare spread rumors about you bullying them. When that happens, Xie Zheng won’t be able to attend the spring exams in Beijing next year."
"Isn’t that the truth?" Aunt Xie sighed, "If it weren’t for our eldest needing to go to Beijing next year, I wouldn’t let these people walk all over us no matter what!"
The Second Lang’s wife muttered, "So what should we do? Just because we have a scholar in the family, we have to let others bully us? Who has ever seen such a spineless scholar?"
Granny Song turned to the Second Lang’s wife, "Since you’ve spoken up, let me tell you, if you hadn’t gone around spreading rumors about our Third Son being born to harm his relatives, would outsiders dare to bully him so blatantly? If they weren’t excessive, the Third Son wouldn’t have been forced to promise to manage land for free, and without the Third Son doing it for free, Xie Zheng wouldn’t be scolded.
In short, today’s mess is all because of your big mouth, and now you’ve got ideas when the village starts criticizing us? Why didn’t you stand up then?"
Being reproached in front of so many people, the Second Lang’s wife’s face turned red, "Mother～"
"Don’t blame me, as your mother-in-law, for not saving face for you." Granny Song sneered, "When I saved face for you, you didn’t want it. Now that it’s ruined, you want to mend it, wanting both the benefits and the good name of the Third Son’s family. Do you think you can have everything in the world? It’s enough to tire me out!
"I’m already working on being better, aren’t I?" the Second Lang’s wife said, "I was wrong before, for defaming the Third Son. Now that he’s gained fame, our family’s tax exemption on land depends on him. Third Son’s goodness is remembered by both Erlang and me!"
"Just saying it is useless!" Aunt Xie was furious, "If I hear you gossiping again, your mother-in-law may not have time to deal with you, but I will!"
"Exactly!" Xie Tao’s wife snorted sarcastically, "If it weren’t for second sister-in-law, our family could’ve posted those four hundred mu, earning dozens of silver in grain every year. Now, thanks to you, it’s gone. Will you compensate for it?"
It was true that the Second Lang’s wife caused trouble to both the Song and Xie families with the land issue, and Granny Song couldn’t acquit her, so she directly stated, "Now if any of you hear the Second Lang’s wife badmouth Third Son or damage his reputation, just let me know, and I’ll have her pack her things and get out!"
These words shocked Aunt Xie, her daughters-in-law, and Wen Wan.
The Second Lang’s wife, incredulous, looked at her mother-in-law, seeing her unwavering attitude, not joking at all. She suddenly burst into tears.
"Don’t try to play the victim here." Granny Song said, "When you suggested splitting the family, I endured it. All these years without giving Old Song family a son, I’ve endured it too. I thought you’d at least have some shame to see that as a childless woman, how dare you act high and mighty at your in-laws? I didn’t expect you to do me wrong and go around ruining Third Son’s reputation, causing him to be scolded by the villagers and nearly unable to marry.
Tian Sufen, I’m telling you clearly today, my patience with you is not out of fear; it’s the grace a mother-in-law should have. But one day, if you cross the line, I’ll slap you, not out of arrogance, but as the lesson you should learn from an elder.
If you don’t believe me, keep acting up, and see if I dare throw a Divorce Letter in your face and have you leave the Song family!"
In all the years since she married in, the Second Lang’s wife had never been so seriously admonished by her mother-in-law, each word cutting into her like a knife slicing her flesh.
Terrified, her body trembled, and tears fell drop by drop.
"On such a joyous day, go cry at your own home!" Granny Song said impatiently, "If you feel wronged by my words today and want to seek your mother’s intervention, go ahead, I’ll be waiting with my doors open."
The Second Lang’s wife cried even harder, unable to stay any longer. She stood up abruptly, tears streaming, and ran back to the neighboring courtyard.