Chapter 631 The Early Death of a Scholar's Daughter (6)
There is usually a recusal system for officials' appointments, which means that officials cannot serve in their place of household registration or ancestral home. This system is called recusal or kinship avoidance. It is to prevent officials from using their power to seek personal gain for their families or local forces, and to ensure the impartiality of officials and the stability of centralized power. Therefore, it is possible for people from the south to serve in the north, and vice versa.
When Jiang's father set off from the capital to return home, the news had already reached the county town. Although Jiang's father did not pass the imperial examination with top honors, the county magistrate was already very happy. How could he complain about such a free achievement? He waved his hand and personally went to the village to deliver the good news. Thinking about it, he also ordered someone to bring some gifts. Who knew what Jiang's father's future would be like? It was worth it to make friends in advance with some material things.
So when the Jiang family was taking a midday break, the front door was suddenly pushed open. The person who came in was out of breath and shouted as soon as they saw them coming out, "Quick, the messenger has come with good news again! Your Master Jiang has passed the exam again!!!"
"What!"
"Hurry! Quickly, tidy up the yard, the messenger will be home soon."
While they were talking, they heard the crackling sound of firecrackers. Grandpa quickly directed everyone to tidy up, and the family followed his instructions and got busy. They swept the floor and put away the hoes, dustpans, brooms, and other items. The people who came to deliver the good news also started to help with the cleaning.
Just as he finished cleaning and reached the front gate, the messengers arrived with good news. This time, the procession was different from the previous two. In addition to having more people than before, there were also ceremonial teams such as dragon and lion dancers. They marched along, beating drums and gongs, creating a very festive atmosphere. No one had ever seen such a scene before, and they surrounded his house completely.
Afterwards, the yamen runners announced the ranking of Jiang's father in the examination. The county magistrate praised Jiang's father for his good parenting. But this was not the end of the story. The rest had to wait for Jiang's father to return. Although the third-ranked scholar could not be as proud as the first-ranked scholar in the capital, he could still tour his hometown after returning home. Moreover, such an important event required a large banquet to celebrate.
There are ancestral worship ceremonies and temple visits, name inscriptions, and visits to teachers and elders. Local officials, educational administrators, and former teachers should be given "thank-you gifts." However, these are all things that Jiang's father will have to worry about when he returns. Others just need to take care of the hospitality for the next few days. Some people who come to give too much money should be refused. Not all money can be accepted. Jiang Yue's grandfather said that everything will be discussed when his son returns. He is just an old farmer and doesn't understand these things.
Jiang's father arrived many days later than the messenger. When he returned, he was riding a horse, wearing a red robe and a court dress, and was surrounded by local gentry as he toured the countryside before returning to the last village.
Of course, Jiang Yue didn't know what happened after that. She was a little girl who was 'busy' all day and was so tired that she fell asleep while her father was entertaining guests. She was woken up by her father because it was time for dinner.
"Yue'er~, Yue'er, get up and eat."
Jiang Yue was half asleep when she heard someone calling her. She struggled to open her eyes and saw her father's big face. She called out "Dad" and instinctively reached out her hand. Her father smiled and picked her up, carrying her directly to her grandparents' room. She only woke up after her mother wiped her face with a cool towel.
During the meal, Jiang Yue sat next to her father, listening to their conversation while eating. When her father answered her grandparents' questions, he would even add some food for her.
"How many days should we hold this banquet?"
"Let's display it for three days, everyone's displaying it for three days."
"Who told you to set it up for three days?"
"Isn't that how it's always said in plays?"
"What do you think, third brother?"
"Let's do it for three days, as Mother says."
"Then let's display it for three days. When would be a good time to start?"
"Let's start the day after tomorrow. My son will visit his teacher tomorrow."
"Okay, then Dad will contact the chef tomorrow."
Because everyone was quite excited after dinner, they weren't sleepy and chatted until 11 p.m. before getting ready to go to bed. Jiang Yue and her younger brother were taken to their grandmother's room to sleep, giving their parents some private space. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all.
The next day, Father Jiang went out early. Everyone was busy these past few days, and the children were being looked after by their grandmother. Everyone else had their own things to do. Then came the three-day banquet, which was held according to established customs.
Three days later, Jiang's father had visited all the people he needed to visit. After the family genealogy was repaired and the memorial archway for the successful candidate in the highest imperial examination was erected, Jiang's father had been at home for almost a month, and there was not much time left for him to take office.
This time, Jiang Yue's family was supposed to go with her. Originally, her parents wanted her grandparents to come along and enjoy their retirement, but her grandparents had concerns. Since Jiang Yue's father hadn't taken office and things weren't settled yet, they were afraid that if they went, he would be distracted and would have to take care of them. So, they didn't plan to go this time. They would wait until things were settled before bringing them over.
In fact, the Jiang family's life has really improved. Because of the tax exemption policy, many people have registered their land under the Jiang family's name, and the family can collect rent without doing anything. In addition, the gifts that many people gave this time, Jiang's father basically kept at home.
All of my older brothers have been sent to school. My grandparents are planning to build a new house. If they weren't still not used to being waited on, they probably would have already bought servants.
On the day they left, the sun shone brightly and the wind was gentle. Jiang's father, along with Jiang Yue and Jiang's mother, kowtowed to their grandparents, asking their uncle and aunt to take good care of them and to write to them if they needed anything. The family hugged each other and cried for a while. No matter how reluctant they were, the time for parting had come.
"Father and Mother, please take care. I will bring you here to enjoy your retirement once I have settled in."
"Don't rush, don't rush. Remember that important matters are the most important. Be a good official and serve the people. Your parents have your older brothers to support them, so they won't suffer. We are destined to enjoy happiness. Don't worry about us. Take good care of your wife and two children. They've never been far from home, so you need to keep a close eye on them."
"Don't worry, Third Brother, we'll take care of Father and Mother. Be careful there, you won't know anyone."
“I have noted down my eldest and second eldest brothers. Please remember to write to me if you need anything. I have made arrangements for the children. I will have my teacher take care of them. If there are any children who are academically gifted, please send them to me and I will teach them personally.”
"We understand. It's getting late, let's set off."
Jiang Yue and her mother were saying goodbye to her grandmother, aunt, and second aunt. The men were alright, but the women were crying their eyes out. These days, who knows when they'll see each other again? Just in case, Jiang Yue left a copy of Bai Ze and some pills at home, in case something happened and she wouldn't be able to get back in time.
Even after walking a long way, Jiang Yue could still see her grandmother and the others looking in her direction until she could no longer see them after the next turn. Even though Jiang Yue had experienced countless separations, she still felt sad every time.
After leaving the county town, they arrived at a post station. The family planned to rest there, as they had enough time and did not intend to travel overnight. They just wanted to arrive before the deadline for registration.
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