After obtaining the title of Xiucai (a degree in the imperial examination system), one could enjoy the rights of exemption from corvée labor and land taxes, exemption from kneeling before officials, leniency in punishment for crimes, and the right to travel and study. Some Xiucai who were valued by the imperial court also received the benefit of grain rations.
Moreover, the imperial court had certain expectations for scholars who had passed the imperial examinations: that they would continue to strive for success in the examinations and become pillars of the court in the future. Even if they failed the examinations, scholars could still serve as staff members in local areas. They would handle various tasks assigned by the authorities, such as collecting taxes and levying corvée labor, and they also needed to know how to appease the people and prevent them from rebelling.
Even if all else fails, a scholar can return to a private school to teach. Even if they are not particularly talented, it doesn't preclude them from producing good students.
For many ordinary people, scholars were also their helpful assistants. Because scholars were literate and knew how to cite classical texts and legal statutes, they could assist them in court cases. In the past, many legal documents were written by scholars.
In conclusion, this hidden "scholar" is quite substantial. Although she's a poor student among "scholars," it doesn't stop her from having fun.
The title of Ninth-Rank Lady was something she "exchanged" for with various new crops. It felt very different from everything she had earned through hard work and study; it was as if she had taken a crooked path.
Of course, she herself didn't leave, at least not voluntarily, since her main goal was to make some money.
So, whether she takes this imperial edict for a ninth-rank lady seriously or not is another matter. She still cherishes it, because if the emperor really wants to reward her in this way, she probably still has a chance to climb the ranks. After all, no one in her family can get her an imperial title, so she can only rely on herself.
If she were to become a sixth-rank lady or a fifth-rank official, she would be one rank higher than the county magistrate, and she wouldn't have to greet the county magistrate every time she saw him. It sounds pretty wonderful.
As for anything further up the social ladder, Yue Jiuyue really wasn't interested. She just wanted to retire peacefully here, be a respectable landlady, so that no one would dare to bother her, and she could live her quiet life in peace.
She didn't want to go to the capital, a place where a signboard falling down could be smashed by high-ranking officials, and where everyone was incredibly cunning! She feared that going there would be more than just losing a few pounds; in that place, she might lose her life before she even knew what was happening!
Many noble ladies don't even have an imperial edict, yet she, a country bumpkin from some remote mountain village, does. If she encounters someone petty or disrespectful, she might not even know how she died.
Having died twice, she cherishes this third life. Even though she is almost forty, she refuses to accept old age and wants to strive a little harder so that she won't have to worry about a single penny when she is old and frail.
Even a hero can be stumped by a single penny, let alone an old woman from a mountain village. She should take advantage of her youth to earn as much money as possible!
As Yue Jiuyue walked home, her mind wandered, and her mood suddenly became heavy.
If she really doesn't want to go to the capital, then the Lady of Imperial Decree shouldn't need to, right? Is it only Lady of Imperial Decree who has to go to the capital to express gratitude? Then should she restrain herself and behave herself after being promoted to the fifth rank and stop causing trouble?
"Grandma? What's wrong? I've called you several times, but you haven't answered. Is it because you're getting old and your hearing is gradually deteriorating? Sigh! Many grandpas and grandmas in the village are like this. As they get older, either their eyesight gets blurry or they go deaf. Sigh! Have you reached this point, Grandma? Does that mean I'll have to lean close to your ear and shout at the top of my lungs to talk to you from now on?"
Xiaoman'er expressed her worries. She had recently been learning from Zhou Daya and the others, and her voice had become much softer. Zhou Daya said that girls should be gentle, virtuous, knowledgeable, and courteous. Such a woman is a true woman and the kind of daughter-in-law that many families like.
Although she was still young, she wasn't a child who didn't understand anything. She knew that girls had to get married when they grew up, and if no one wanted them when they reached marriageable age, they would be laughed at. Of course, she had to work hard to be a daughter-in-law that many people would like!
But if her grandmother really is deaf, should she shout and yell, or continue her gentle and tender manner regardless of whether her grandmother can hear her or not? It's such a dilemma!
Yue Jiuyue had no idea what the little girl in front of her was struggling with. All she heard was the little girl saying "I'm too old," "I'm deaf," and "My eyesight is failing," which made her so angry that she wanted to vomit blood!
That unfilial son!
No, she's a wicked granddaughter!
She always says things that make her so angry she could vomit blood, making her really want to give this little girl a complete childhood!
In the end, she could only convince herself that she was not someone's biological grandmother, at most a stepmother, and that hitting someone's child was wrong! Only then did she manage to calm herself down.
This time, of course, is no different.
However, since we are family, we should share happiness and hardship together. That's what a close-knit family is all about!
I miss the old days! She could just ask, "Have you finished your homework?" and she'd instantly shut the other person down.
Right now, she does have some really hurtful things to say, but they're too hurtful to say!
Let's be more tactful then.
"Little girl, I'm not deaf, and my eyes aren't blurry. I was just so busy hiding from the sun that I didn't pay attention to what you were saying. Oh! This sun is so hot. I hope it doesn't turn me into someone as dark as you, so dark that you wouldn't be able to find me if I threw me under a pot."
Little Man'er: ~(′?︵?`)~
Little Man'er: ??(?≧□≦?)??
That's heartbreaking!!!
"Wow! I'm not dark at all! Zhou Daya said I'll be all fair-skinned by winter! I'll definitely be fairer than Grandma then! Humph! Waaah!"
The little girl ran away crying. To be honest, although Yue Jiuyue felt a little sorry for the child, she couldn't deny that she was also a little smug. This girl was always poking fun at her, and mutual teasing was the happiest thing, right?
Yue Jiuyue returned home in a good mood. She ate cold noodles made by Liu Shi for lunch. She usually has a poor appetite in the summer, but she ate two bowls in one go. Even Lin Chaonan raised his eyebrows in surprise, thinking that Yue Jiuyue was happy because of the emperor's reward.
By this time, Xiaoman'er's temper had mostly subsided. She only snorted at Yue Jiuyue while washing her hands, but by the time she started eating, she had completely forgotten about her unhappiness. She happily ate three big bowls of food, patting her bulging little belly and smiling contentedly...
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