Yu Mingyue felt that as a friend, she should still advise Luo Lingyi to reconsider, as this was not a personal vendetta but a gamble with the lives of the common people.
She had intended to write a letter, but feared it might not be safe. If the news leaked and the Emperor found out, it would implicate her.
Never mind, she would discuss it in person.
In the blink of an eye, nine days passed. Today was the end of Yu Erlang's examination. Early in the morning, the Yu family's servants were already waiting outside the Gongyuan.
When Yu Mingchuan walked out, the servant almost didn't recognize him. A handsome and dashing young man had gone in, and came out looking like a beggar, even carrying a foul odor. He looked like he could join the Beggar's Clan.
The Second Madam, upon seeing her son, first thought there had been a mistake. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was indeed her son, and ran out crying, "My son, you have suffered."
The Second Madam's reaction made Yu Mingchuan laugh. He couldn't help but snicker.
Cui Shi also felt the Second Madam was being overly anxious. For the past few days, she had been coming to her courtyard daily, talking about strange occurrences from previous years, which had made her quite nervous.
Now that the child was safely back, she was relieved. As for how well he did, it was already decided and no longer important.
After bathing, Yu Mingchuan ate a little something and collapsed into sleep, not waking until the afternoon of the next day.
The Second Madam had been worried sick for the past two days. News after news came from outside, saying how difficult this year's policy discussion questions were.
"It's alright if he doesn't pass, we can always try again," the Second Madam comforted herself, and then added, "Studying is indeed hard work. Even if our Duke's mansion's young master doesn't pass, he can still get a good position in the yamen through hereditary privilege."
Her husband had entered the yamen through hereditary privilege. Although his official rank wasn't high, he didn't have to wake up early and stay up late for morning court, which was quite easy.
In fact, it wasn't good for a child to be too successful. The eldest son was skilled in both civil and military arts, and at a young age, he was guarding Yumenguan. The Tubo people were so fierce, they ate raw meat and drank blood. Thinking this, the Second Madam felt it was perhaps for the best.
Cui Shi was unaware of how much she had thought in such a short time. She simply said she believed in Erlang's ability, and that the tutor had said he had a good chance this year.
Yu Mingchuan woke up late the next evening. Even the usually carefree Second Master Yu was concerned about his son.
Yu Mingchuan said he had performed well on the exam. Because the previous land reclamation case had caused such a stir, his sixth sister had reminded him to read books on agriculture and water conservancy. Unexpectedly, his sixth sister's prediction had been accurate, and he felt he had answered the questions very well.
Second Master Yu, being an old hand in officialdom, cautioned him, "Don't say these things to outsiders, lest it bring trouble to the family."
Yu Mingchuan noticed that his father had changed greatly since his sixth sister had taught the second branch a lesson last time. Now he knew to consider the family.
"Father, don't worry, your son understands."
Second Master Yu nodded, "Even though we are family, we still need to express our gratitude."
Although Second Master Yu was a scoundrel, he was more adept at social interactions than even the Duke.
Half a month later, the Hanlin Academy released the list of successful candidates, which was posted at the Ministry of Rites. The official announcing the names reported from last to first. Second Master Yu nervously kept asking the servant how far the announcements had reached. When he heard the servant say they had reached the twentieth, he felt a bit uneasy. It was already the twentieth, and his son's name hadn't been called. Would he not pass?
Third Master Yu, who had come from the imperial examinations, had the most experience. "Second Brother, don't worry. I've read Erlang's essay, and there should be no problem."
After a while, another servant rushed over, "Master, the announcer is heading towards our mansion."
The servant who had gone to the Ministry of Rites to see the apricot list also ran back and knelt with a thud, "Reporting to the Masters, Second Young Master has passed, he ranked ninth."
"Ninth, really ninth?" Second Master Yu was so happy he almost jumped.
"Yes, I saw it clearly."
"Then isn't that even better than Third Brother's year? Ancestors bless us, truly ancestors bless us." After speaking, Second Master Yu realized he had said something wrong, "Third Brother, I didn't mean it that way."
Third Master, with his good temper, said, "We are family, there's no need to be so polite. I know Second Brother is just too excited."
The announcer arrived with fanfare. Before he had finished announcing the rankings, Second Master had already stuffed a very large red envelope into his arms.
This was a joyous occasion, and the money was spent happily.
Ranking ninth in the Metropolitan Examination meant he was basically guaranteed a spot in the Imperial Examination. He would definitely become a Jinshi. When he entered the Hanlin Academy, their Yu family would have a future prime minister in the making.
Cui Shi was also happy. She was naturally pleased to see the children of other branches succeeding. For the family to prosper long-term, everyone needed to work together.
Now that Erlang had passed, the second branch would also have someone in the imperial court. Although the third branch's official rank wasn't high, they could still have access to the Emperor's ear, and things would only get better in the future. Their father and son, fighting on the front lines, wouldn't have to worry about being ambushed from behind.
"Open the ancestral hall and offer incense to the ancestors!" Cui Shi commanded.
This was a major event, and they had to inform the ancestors so they could bless Erlang to gain the Emperor's favor in the Imperial Examination.
...
Yu Mingchuan was not as nervous about the Imperial Examination. In the past few days, he had also read the essays of the top scholars and found them to be excellent. Honestly, he had been quite lucky this time.
It was a pity that Xu Shaoling was ranked third. He personally felt that Xu Shaoling's policy discussion was even better than the first-ranked scholar's. However, when it came to essays, beauty was in the eye of the beholder.
In the Imperial Examination, Yu Mingchuan fought his way into the top ten. He felt he had done his best, ranking tenth. Xu Shaoling ranked eighth.
After the Imperial Examination, the Jinshi from the first and second ranks would be assigned to various ministries. Of course, the best place was to enter the Hanlin Academy.
Since the previous dynasty, prime ministers had always come from the Hanlin Academy, which later led to the saying, "No Hanlin, no Grand Secretariat." This was a path to a bright future.
Yu Mingchuan had some thoughts of his own after passing this spring examination.
His sixth sister had always been opinionated, and he wanted to hear her thoughts.
Yu Mingyue was surprised and smiled, "My second brother is indeed in high spirits with this good news. This sister is just waiting to call you 'Your Excellency'."
"This time, it is indeed thanks to my sister's fortune," Yu Mingchuan said.
The most exciting news these past few days had been about the spring examination, and Yu Mingyue already knew about it. She hadn't expected her prediction to be so accurate.
With the power of the aristocratic families being reclaimed and land being redistributed, if the court wanted to make any changes, it would inevitably have to implement significant reforms in agriculture, besides farm tools, there was also water conservancy.
"Second Brother, don't underestimate yourself. I have always known you had the ability," Yu Mingyue said, not being polite at all. She directly opened the pastries Yu Mingchuan had brought and started eating, nodding repeatedly and saying they were good.
The second and third branches of the Duke's mansion had been in decline before. Although the second branch was the legitimate heir, the old madam disliked them, and there was much commotion within the household. Yu Mingchuan had indeed been somewhat insecure.
Later, his sixth sister's words had awakened him, and he finally had a great realization.
This spring examination indeed had many talented individuals. As Xu Shaoling had predicted, those two scholars from Luzhou were indeed the first and second ranked. Xu Shaoling ranked third, and the scholars from Jiangnan this time were all ranked somewhat lower.
He heard that this was intentionally done by the Emperor. Two years after the Jiangzhou official school was established, there would be a spring examination, and many scholars from Jiangnan would participate. At that time, the top ranks would be taken by them.
"Sixth Sister, I don't want to enter the Hanlin Academy. I want to join the Ministry of Works."