Chapter 328 Passing the Imperial Examination
This day was the day the results of the imperial examination were announced.
The entire household was on edge, because the second young master of the family had participated in this year's provincial examination. If he made it onto the list, he would be able to participate in the palace examination.
Anyone qualified to participate in the palace examination would be a Jinshi (进士). There were only three spots in the first rank, so it was not something to be hoped for. However, one could try for the second rank, since the starting conditions and treatment of the second and third ranks were different.
Apart from the men in the family who were either on duty at the government office or studying at the academy, all three branches of the family gathered at Old Madam Gu's place. Gu Xiuhong was also present, waiting for the servants who had been sent out to check the results to return and report the news.
If someone makes the list, the Marquis's family will be honored. We are all from the same family. If one person is successful, everyone will be honored. If one person makes a fool of himself, the whole family will lose face. Gu Xiuming was an example before. The absurd things he did made the entire Marquis's family a laughing stock.
Seeing that her nephew was calmer than the elders, Zhang asked curiously, "Xiuhong, everyone is nervous, why aren't you nervous?"
Gu Xiuhong replied, "Aunt, there's no use being nervous at a time like this. If it doesn't work out, we can try again in three years. My older brother can also participate in three years. Maybe we brothers can pass the exam together, just like last year's autumn exam."
Upon hearing this, Madam Gu gave her grandson an approving look and said, "Xiu Hong has this kind of spirit. Even if he fails the exam this year, he will be on the list in three years."
“Xiu Hong has always been a very reliable child, and I reckon he’ll pass the exam this time.” Zhang said, offering compliments since they were free. She then turned to Chen and said, “Second sister-in-law, I think you should start arranging Xiu Hong’s marriage this time. If they get married by the end of the year, maybe he’ll be able to hold his big, healthy grandson next year.”
Madam Chen glanced at her son and said helplessly, "I also hope to hold my grandson soon, but these things are up to fate. If we fail the exam this year, we'll have to wait a few more years. Xiu Hong is a stubborn boy; he insists on waiting until he passes the exam before considering marriage."
Madam Gu said gently, "We, as elders, should support Xiu Hong's ambition. The saying 'establish a career before starting a family' can be reversed. He is only eighteen this year. It doesn't matter if we wait a few more years. Once he becomes successful, why worry about not having a good girl to marry him?"
When his marriage was mentioned in front of several elders, Gu Xiuhong's cheeks flushed slightly.
Chen agreed, "Mother is right."
Not long after, a maid came in and reported, "Madam, Xiao Liu who went to check the results has returned."
Upon hearing this, everyone present tensed up. Even Gu Xiuhong, who had been calm all along, couldn't help but clench his fists, revealing a look of nervousness.
Madam Gu hurriedly said, "Let him in quickly."
A moment later, Xiao Liu came in, bowed to his masters, and said with a smile, "Madam, the Second Young Master has passed, ranking forty-eighth."
Forty-eighth place?
Everyone was both surprised and astonished. These forty-eight people were not to be underestimated. The provincial examination consisted of candidates from all over the country. Gu Xiuhong was only eighteen years old, and it was already an outstanding achievement for him to rank forty-eighth. Many people could not pass the provincial examination even when they were old. If he ranked forty-eighth in the provincial examination, he would be a second-class Jinshi if he performed normally in the palace examination. Even if he did not perform well, he would still be a third-class Jinshi.
Ms. Chen was overjoyed. She looked at her son with excitement, tears welling up in her eyes. She cried tears of joy. She had seen her son's hard work over the years, and now he finally had a good result. It was worth all the hard work he had put in for more than ten years.
Gu Xiuhong was also surprised. He estimated that he might be on the list, but he did not expect to rank forty-eighth. This was unexpected and a pleasant surprise. Last autumn, he ranked eighteenth, which was a high ranking in the capital. However, when it came to the metropolitan examination, candidates from all over the country took the test. Even if he was on the list, he would be ranked outside the top one hundred.
Zhang felt a pang of envy. Although Xiu Yuan from her family passed the imperial examination last autumn, he ranked 120th, seventh from the bottom on the list of successful candidates. Even if he participated in the spring examination this year, he would have no hope of passing.
Seeing how promising the younger generation was, Madam Gu was very pleased and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Good, very good!" After saying that, she gave a wink to the maid beside her.
The maid understood and immediately gave Xiao Liu the reward money that had been prepared beforehand.
Xiao Liu received the reward money, quickly thanked his master, and then withdrew.
Madam Gu praised, "Xiu Hong has once again brought honor to our Gu family. With such outstanding descendants as you, the Gu family will continue to prosper."
Gu Xiuhong was a little embarrassed by the praise and said modestly, "Grandmother, I was able to make the list this time thanks to my third uncle's help over the years. In addition, the exam questions were exactly what I was good at. It was just a lucky coincidence."
Madam Gu disagreed, saying, "That's because you're good at it. If you weren't, even with a great scholar as your teacher, you wouldn't do well. Besides, the imperial examinations depend on a certain amount of luck. If you encounter questions that you're good at, it increases your chances of passing with flying colors. That's thanks to our ancestors."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "There's still some time before the palace examination, so you can't let your guard down. You must continue to work hard and strive for a good ranking in the palace examination."
Gu Xiuhong hurriedly said, "Grandmother, don't worry, your grandson will continue to work hard and strive for even greater achievements."
Madam Gu smiled with satisfaction and said to Madam Chen, "Today is a day of celebration in our family. We will hold a family banquet tonight. As the mother, you will be in charge of preparing the banquet. We will open the ancestral hall after the imperial examination to inform our ancestors of the good news."
Madam Chen smiled and replied, "Yes, Mother."
With joyous occasions in the family, bringing glory to the household, Old Madam Gu's smile never faded.
The Gu family wasn't actually from a scholarly family. Their ancestor was an uneducated warrior who worked as a bodyguard for a security escort agency when the country was in chaos. As a result, the agency struggled to survive.
It just so happened that Emperor Gaozu was recruiting talented people. At that time, Emperor Gaozu was very famous and was regarded as the future wise ruler of the world. Many capable people followed him. The old ancestor and the other guards of the escort agency thought of trying their luck. If they succeeded, it would be an opportunity to make a name for themselves.
The gamble, wagered on their lives, was won. Emperor Gaozu overthrew the previous dynasty's tyranny, quelled various rebellions, ascended the throne, and established a new dynasty. Of the bodyguards who joined Emperor Gaozu's ranks with him, only two survived. One was the Marquis of Jiangning, but unfortunately, he lost his son in middle age, and his beloved wife had also passed away. He had no intention of remarrying, and ultimately died before his ancestor, leaving no heir. The other was their ancestor, who, as a meritorious official, was naturally ennobled and appointed as the Marquis of Changxing, a hereditary title.
Despite holding a high position, the Marquis of Changxing couldn't even write a memorial to the throne, and his behavior was rude. He was secretly mocked by civil officials as an illiterate and vulgar warrior.
Because his ancestor didn't have the opportunity to study when he was young and suffered from illiteracy, he used his martial arts skills to create good conditions for his descendants. He made sure his descendants studied and even hired famous teachers to instruct them. He didn't aim for them to become top scholars, but only hoped that they would no longer be laughed at as illiterate martial artists. He was extremely strict in educating his descendants.
Later, the Gu family gradually transformed from military officers to civil officials, producing three top scholars in the imperial examinations, the third of whom was Gu Jingxi. They also produced many Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), and thus slowly became a family of scholars.
As for military officers, of course there are some. There are men from the collateral branches of the Gu family who have taken up military service and are now serving in the army. However, their official positions are not high. In this peaceful and prosperous era, there is no war. It is not easy for military officers to make great contributions and get promoted. They can only slowly accumulate seniority in the army or look for opportunities to make contributions.
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