Chapter 107 Passing the Imperial Examination (2)
The news of Meng Guanqi passing the imperial examination spread like wildfire through the capital, eliciting varying reactions from all sides.
In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince, holding a list in his hand, summoned Pang Shi and said with a glint in his eyes, "Meng Guanqi has passed the imperial examination. Proceed with the plan we agreed on earlier."
Pang Shi cupped his hands in greeting: "Yes."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Haven't you always wanted to win over Li Xiaoxiao? As long as Meng Guanqi comes to the capital, she will definitely come with him."
Pang Shi said, "I just feel that with her abilities, it would be a waste for her to be by Meng Guanqi's side. If she could be by the Crown Princess's side, protecting the Princess and the young master would be most appropriate."
The Crown Prince said, "Let's get her to the capital first. Li Xiaoxiao is a wild horse that has broken free of its reins; she's not easy to control."
Pang Shi said, "As long as Your Highness wins Meng Guanqi over, why worry that Li Xiaoxiao won't serve us?"
The Crown Prince said, "If that's the case, let Meng Guanqi go to the capital first. Go."
Pang Shi bowed and agreed, then turned and instructed his trusted confidant to deliver the message to Biyang County.
As soon as Pang Shi left, Wan Quan hurried over, looking worried: "Your Highness, the Third Prince is not well. The Crown Princess wants you to come over immediately."
A shadow crossed the Crown Prince's eyes: "Has the imperial physician come to examine him?"
Wan Quan said, "I've checked, it's still Dean Xiao who came."
Even the arrival of Chief Physician Xiao couldn't cure Xiao San's illness. A hint of pity flashed across the Crown Prince's face: "I'm afraid Xiao San is doomed."
Wan Quan said with deep sorrow, "Your Highness, please accept my condolences!"
The crown prince instantly seemed to age ten years, and wearily waved his hand: "I understand, I will go see him now."
The Third Prince is the Crown Prince's youngest son. He is only three years old this year. He is chubby and round, with a sweet mouth and a smile that makes him very popular with the Crown Prince. However, he caught a minor cold last month and has not recovered. The imperial physicians have been coming and going, and even the Empress and the Sixth Prince couldn't help but secretly come to visit him. But the child is getting weaker day by day and is now just skin and bones. Even the Imperial Physician Xiao himself was unable to save him.
That night, the three-year-old Crown Prince's third son died of illness, leaving the Crown Prince heartbroken. Meanwhile, during the reign of Emperor Taizu of the Great Wu Dynasty, natural disasters were frequent, and famine was rampant. Those who followed Taizu in conquering the world were mostly starving refugees, and almost every family had lost a child. Taizu himself lost his beloved five-year-old son during his campaigns. In his grief, Taizu wanted to hold a funeral for him and grant him bereavement leave, but his advisors hurriedly stopped him, saying, "The world is not yet settled, and almost every family of soldiers has lost a young child. Your Highness is not even eight years old. If this precedent is set, soldiers will follow suit, and there will be no one left to stand up in the court."
Emperor Taizu suddenly realized his mistake and personally decreed that imperial children under the age of eight who died could not be granted titles, could not be buried with state honors, could not be buried in the imperial mausoleum, and could not be given lavish funerals. Even the crown prince's own children were not exempt. This was because the infant mortality rate was extremely high in this era, and children under the age of eight could not be considered adults. They could only be placed in small coffins and hastily buried in a place.
Such are the laws of the court, and the Crown Prince, as the heir apparent, must set an example. In front of outsiders, he must appear calm and collected to show that he doesn't care, but in secret, his heart is being torn apart and bleeding.
Only by losing one's beloved child can one truly understand the cruelty of this imperial law. His youngest child, though only three years old, was so lively, adorable, and full of life. How could he pretend he never existed? He was his own son, whom he had cherished for three years!
For several days in a row, he was in a bad mood. Some censors had already begun to impeach him, saying that he was neglecting state affairs while indulging in private matters. The crown prince had to put on a smile and argue with the censors, denying that he was in a bad mood.
The news of Meng Guanqi's success in the imperial examination reached the second branch of the Meng family two or three days late. Madam Meng immediately sneered at Minister Meng, "Who is Fourth Brother guarding against? It's truly heartbreaking."
Minister Meng's face was even uglier than hers. His two legitimate grandsons, Meng Guanyun and Meng Guanfeng, went into the exam full of confidence, but both failed. Meanwhile, the son of his illegitimate son, whom he had driven away from the capital overnight, actually passed the exam and ranked ninth.
He wanted to deceive himself by saying that the questions for the provincial examinations in the capital were much more difficult than those for the local examinations, so it was not surprising that his two grandsons failed. But when he thought about the educational resources his two grandsons had access to, and compared them with the educational resources Meng Guanqi had access to, it was like heaven and earth. Yet Meng Guanqi ranked ninth, while Meng Guanyun and Meng Guanfeng were even ranked very low on the list of candidates for the Juren degree.
The provincial examination in the capital is widely recognized as much more difficult than the local provincial examinations, but it is also quite different from the local provincial examinations. In addition to the 150 candidates on the main list, there is also a 150-person supplementary list. Those who make it onto the supplementary list are considered potential candidates for the next imperial examination and are closer in level to those on the main list. Meng Guanfeng and Meng Guanyun are ranked 100th and 148th on the supplementary list, respectively. They are only two people away from falling off the supplementary list. How could Minister Meng not be angry?
If Meng Guanqi had also failed the exam, it wouldn't have been so noticeable. The failure of these two grandsons, who had access to all the family's best resources, would have been less significant. But it was precisely because of these two disappointing students that Meng Guanqi was so outstanding.
Old Madam Meng's sarcastic remark struck a chord with him.
He personally drove Meng Guanqi out of the capital. He originally wanted to stay in the capital to continue his studies, but Meng Guanqi wouldn't allow it. He wouldn't even let him attend a regular school. He just wanted to completely separate himself from Meng Ying's family so that he wouldn't have any leverage left in other people's hands. But he never expected that Meng Ying would actually trick him.
Meng Guanqi could not have suddenly become so good at his job; he must have been hiding his true abilities before.
If he knew that he had the ability to pass the imperial examination... A glint of light flashed in Minister Meng's eyes. If he were to let him choose again, no matter how much he looked down on Meng Ying, he would never drive a grandson with the ability to pass the imperial examination out of the capital.
He immediately ordered Meng Guanyun and Meng Guanfeng to be summoned. Accompanying them were several of his legitimate sons and wives who had heard the news, and the entire Qishou Hall was filled with people.
They had obviously already learned that Meng Guanqi had passed the imperial examination.
The eldest son, Meng Rong, is the successor carefully cultivated by Minister Meng. He currently serves as the Vice Minister of Works. If managed properly, the position of Minister of Works is his next goal.
But ultimately, it was the result of his connections that made it possible. Meng Rong herself was always somewhat lacking in talent. Minister Meng knew that his son was not capable enough, which is why he was anxious to send his grandsons into the court to help Meng Rong while he was still alive.
Meng Rong was furious that both her son and nephew had failed the imperial examinations. She felt she had too few helpers. These two boys hadn't even passed the provincial examinations, so how could they possibly pass the metropolitan examinations? And if they didn't pass the metropolitan examinations, how could she help him? He was already thirty-eight years old. If he couldn't be selected as the Minister of Works before he turned forty-eight, he would be stuck as a Vice Minister of Works for the rest of his life, and might even be transferred to a lowly government office to retire due to his age. How could he be willing to accept that?
The two lads don't have much time left. The provincial examination and the metropolitan examination are held every three years. They haven't even passed the provincial examination, so what are they going to do about the metropolitan examination? But how many more three-year periods does he have left to wait?
So when he heard the news that his son had failed but Meng Guanqi had, he shared the same thought as Minister Meng: Meng Guanqi must have been hiding his true abilities.
As for why he hid his skills, is that even a question?! Someone must have been bullying him, scaring him into hiding his strength. He kept concealing his abilities until he was sent away with his father, when no one dared to bully him anymore. That's why he passed the exam so easily, and even ranked ninth. With such a high ranking, he'll probably be able to win the imperial examination in three years!
Meng Rong was furious. Such a promising student had slipped away right under her nose. So what if Meng Ying was born out of wedlock? As long as they hadn't separated their families, they were still one family. Her own nephew was her support in the imperial court. Wasn't that more reliable than those from several different branches of the family?
Now look what's happened! Meng Ying's whole family has been separated from the family, and not in a respectable way at that. They were basically given nothing and then kicked out. How could he possibly expect Meng Guanqi to help him? He should be grateful if Meng Guanqi doesn't complain about his family.
So before Minister Meng summoned them, Meng Rong had already ordered the family discipline to be applied and had Meng Guanyun beaten. Now Meng Guanyun walks with a limp.
Minister Meng asked everyone to sit down and then asked Meng Guanyun and Meng Guanfeng, "You've heard about Qi'er passing the imperial examination, haven't you? Tell me, why was he able to pass, while you two failed?"
Meng Guanyun and Meng Guanfeng lowered their heads in shame.
Minister Meng shifted his leg slightly: "How were Qi'er's studies before? With the talent of a scholar who has passed the imperial examination, he couldn't possibly be quiet in class, could he? Is it because you secretly bullied him and didn't let him steal the spotlight, which is why he has always kept a low profile?"
Meng Guanyun and Meng Guanfeng hurriedly denied it: "Grandfather, please forgive us, we grandchildren would never dare to bully our sixth brother. He used to be a well-behaved student at school, neither making friends nor causing trouble. He was very obedient. We really don't understand how he suddenly became so powerful..."
"Standard and conventional?" When Minister Meng thought of Meng Ying's doctrine of the mean, it was like a lump in his throat. Meng Ying was always cautious and only knew how to seek stability. He didn't know how to scheme or make progress. He was content with the status quo and was completely different from his own style of doing things. That's why he disliked this son so much.
Who would have thought that this mediocre illegitimate son, who was so ordinary that he was easily overlooked, would give birth to a genius?
Yes, a genius. Even Minister Meng had to admit that Meng Guanqi, who passed the imperial examination at the age of fifteen, was indeed a genius. Even he, who was once hailed as the family's genius, was already nineteen when he passed the examination, but Meng Guanqi was four years younger than him.
If he passes the imperial examination again in the next session, he will be the youngest Jinshi in the entire Meng clan in a hundred years. Once the news gets out, the clan will probably be unable to contain themselves.
Meng Rong suddenly said, "Father, I heard that Qi-ge'er didn't go to the prefectural school in Lin'an Prefecture, but went to Wanshan Academy in Luzhou. This academy has been very popular in recent years. Do you think they have some inside story or secret? Otherwise, how could Qi-ge'er have passed the imperial examination after only half a year?"
Minister Meng, with his eyes half-closed, seemed to be in deep meditation: "Although Gu Henian is a graduate of the Imperial Academy, he doesn't have the supernatural power to teach every student to become a Juren or Jinshi. Studying for the imperial examinations is three parts teacher and seven parts self-study. Even if he has good connections, how can they compare to the Imperial Academy? You two were sent to the Imperial Academy with the full support of your families, and now you've both failed. If the clan asks you to give up your places to Qi-ge'er, I have no argument. Go back and think about it yourselves, who should step down..."
Meng Guanyun and Meng Guanfeng were shocked: "Grandfather!"
Minister Meng waved his hand, signaling them all to leave.
Minister Meng's words were like imperial edicts in the mansion, and no one dared to disobey them.
But less than an hour later, Meng Guanyun's mother, Nie, and Meng Guanfeng's mother, Ye, came hand in hand to Qishou Hall to see Old Madam Meng.
Madam Meng said coldly, "Bring them all in."
As soon as Madam Nie and Madam Ye saw Old Madam Meng, they burst into tears: "Mother! Please help your own grandson."
Madam Meng said coldly, "Now you know how to ask for help? Where were you before?"
Nie asked anxiously, "Mother, is what Father said true? Could it be that either Guanyun or Guanfeng is really going to give up their place for Qige'er?"
Madam Meng remained expressionless: "When has your father ever joked with you? Could anything he says be false?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Nie and Madam Ye became anxious: "Please, Mother, help Guanyun and Guanfeng! No matter what, they are your own grandsons. Can you bear to watch a son of a concubine take our children's place? Besides, this is Guanyun and Guanfeng's first time participating in the autumn examination. They lack experience. Even if they don't pass this time, they will surely pass in three years. Why is Father in such a hurry to transfer the Imperial Academy's place to Qige'er? He has already been assigned to another school. How can he still be on our side?"
Madam Meng slammed her hand on the table and said angrily, "If we had known this would happen, they should have worked harder every day. You two mothers don't know how to discipline your children. Guan Yun keeps spending money on the horse farm every month, and Guan Feng keeps having one female confidante after another. This situation is all because you spoil your children."
Madam Nie and Madam Ye knelt down together and wept, saying, "Your daughter-in-law knows she was wrong. Please help Guanyun and Guanfeng, Mother."
Madam Meng, panting heavily, said, "Now that it concerns the honor of the family, I'm afraid Guanyun and Guanfeng will have to give up a spot for Meng Guanqi no matter what. Otherwise, the eldest and third branches of the family will not let it go. You two should discuss who wants to withdraw from the Imperial Academy and give up their place to him."
Both Madam Nie and Madam Ye's expressions changed drastically. Old Madam Meng said coldly, "Now you know you're in a hurry? It's too late! If your two sons are capable and both pass the provincial examination in the next imperial examination, and Meng Guanqi fails the metropolitan examination, they might be able to win back their spots. Otherwise, the person who left the Imperial Academy will never have a chance to go back in."
The Nie and Ye families exchanged a glance, and their alliance immediately crumbled. The Nie family spoke first: "Guan Yun's spot was obtained through his father's favor and he did not take advantage of the clan. No matter what, Guan Yun should not have withdrawn."
Ye's expression changed and she said, "Sister-in-law, that's not how it works. My uncle's position as Vice Minister was achieved through the collective efforts of the entire clan. How could his favor be reserved only for his own son and neglect others? Besides, Guanfeng's ranking on the supplementary list is more than forty places higher than Guanyun's. In the next provincial examination, Guanfeng has a much greater chance of passing than Guanyun. Why should Guanfeng have to give up his spot?"
When it came to their own children's future and fate, the two dignified wives turned on each other without hesitation, neither willing to give in. In the end, they even started pulling each other's hair in front of Madam Meng, completely abandoning their usual sisterly relationship. Madam Meng was so angry that she almost fainted.
It was only after Madam Meng's nanny, fearing that Madam Meng might get seriously ill from anger, invited Minister Meng to come, which finally ended this farce.
When Minister Meng arrived, his two daughters-in-law each grabbed one of his clothes, weeping bitterly. Madam Nie had a valid reason: Meng Guanyun was the eldest grandson, and his father was the Vice Minister of Works. He could have obtained a special privilege through his father's official position. Moreover, the eldest grandson's status was naturally more prestigious than that of other grandsons. There was no reason to ask the eldest grandson to give way to the second grandson. Otherwise, wouldn't that disrupt the clan's etiquette?
Not to be outdone, the Ye family had no reason to abandon Meng Guanfeng's better grades to give way to a son who was about to fall out of the second-ranked list. According to past practice, the probability of the lower-ranked students becoming successful candidates was very low. Even if Meng Guanyun took a place in the Imperial Academy, it would be a waste. On the contrary, her son Meng Guanfeng had a good chance...
This not only angered Madam Meng, but also Minister Meng himself. Seeing his two sons, who had come upon hearing the news, remaining silent, he understood that their attitude mirrored that of Madam Nie and Madam Qi. The two brothers showed no brotherly affection in this matter, but instead fought over it relentlessly.
Minister Meng closed his eyes: "Guan Yun and Guan Feng don't need to leave the Imperial Academy. As for Qi Ge'er, I'll figure something out."
If this matter is allowed to continue, the family will be torn apart because of the quota for the Imperial Academy. No matter which of Guanyun and Guanfeng stays in the Imperial Academy, they will become a thorn in the other son's side, which will be a devastating blow to the unity of the family. He cannot tolerate such a thing happening.
Madam Nie and Madam Ye were overjoyed. Their father-in-law was always a man of his word; once he promised something, he would do it. This was perfect. Neither of their children had to leave the Imperial Academy. Their father-in-law could then arrange another position for Meng Guanqi at the Imperial Academy. Everyone was happy.
But their smiles had barely blossomed when Minister Meng sternly declared, "I disregarded clan rules this time to protect Guanyun and Guanfeng's spots, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If they fail the provincial examination again, they must honestly step down and let other children in the clan with a better chance take their place. Just because you are my grandsons doesn't mean you can take all the advantages. Otherwise, how can our branch of the clan maintain its standing in the clan?"
Nie and Ye's faces turned pale instantly, and they were trembling uncontrollably. Meng Rong and Meng Fang immediately stepped forward to stand in front of their wives and promised Minister Meng, "Thank you, Father, for being willing to help your son. Your son will definitely discipline Guan Yun/Guan Feng strictly, and they will surely pass the provincial examination with flying colors."
Minister Meng waved wearily, dismissing them all.
Madam Meng personally served him a bowl of tea: "How are you going to explain this to the clan?"
Minister Meng said, "No need to explain, just prevent Meng Guanqi from enrolling in the Imperial Academy."
Madam Meng was taken aback: "What? Didn't you just say—"
Old Master Meng said expressionlessly, "You saw it just now. If I force one of them to give up their position, this family will fall apart. In any case, Meng Ying has already separated. If Meng Guanqi has great talent, he can pass the imperial examination even if he stays at Wanshan Academy. He doesn't necessarily have to go to the Imperial Academy."
Madam Meng frowned: "Then how are you going to explain this to my eldest brother and third brother?"
Minister Meng folded his hands and said, “I don’t need to explain. Just write a letter to Meng Ying and tell him to refuse. Just say that Meng Guanqi voluntarily stayed at Wanshan Academy to study and refused to go to the Imperial Academy. It has nothing to do with our branch.”
That's a good idea, but Meng Guanqi has the opportunity to study at the Imperial Academy. Would he give it up so easily? I'm afraid he'll fight tooth and nail for that spot.
Minister Meng said, “The capital is nearly a thousand miles away from Biyang County. It takes a month for a letter to come and go. If we are perfunctory, three to five months will pass. If he really wants to pass the imperial examination in three years, he will cherish every day and will not waste his time waiting for such a thing. If it drags on, the matter will fall through.”
Madam Meng's expression softened considerably. If Meng Ying had refused on her own initiative and Meng Guanqi had given up, that would have been the best outcome.
She couldn't help but smile with relief: "If Meng Ying agrees, I have a few goldfish here that I can ask someone to bring to him. After all, it will cost a lot for Qi Ge to study for another three years. His meager salary will definitely not be enough to support his family. Let's find some time to send them to him."
Since we can't give him more resources, we should at least offer some compensation. Otherwise, the people from the first and third wives' families might think they've been targeting him all along.
Minister Meng did not object: "Give us another twenty items, that will be enough. The household expenses are not small."
Madam Meng was even more satisfied. She had originally planned to give fifty goldfish, each one worth one hundred taels of silver. Twenty goldfish would amount to two thousand taels, just the same amount of money as the cash she had given Meng Ying when the family divided the property.
Using this little bit of money to exchange for a spot in the Imperial Academy for one's own grandson is the best deal imaginable.
But then she suddenly remembered something: "Isn't Qi-ge'er fifteen this year? Has his marriage been arranged? Should we ask the clan what their plans are?"
Minister Meng glanced at her and said, “Since we are not going to give up our place in the Imperial Academy to him, we can no longer interfere in this marriage. Otherwise, the little father-son bond that Meng Ying has left with me will be completely destroyed.”
Madam Meng was somewhat disappointed. She had two lovely grandnieces in her family who were in their prime. She had originally intended to use this opportunity to mention them to the clan, but Minister Meng was right. Since the family had cut off his path to studying at the Imperial Academy, it was not appropriate to interfere in his marriage. Otherwise, not only would they offend people, but the marriage might not even go through.
Forget it, I'll just pretend I don't know.
That very day, Minister Meng wrote a letter, along with the twenty small goldfish sent by Madam Meng, and summoned his most trusted confidant: "Go to Biyang County in person, give this box to the fourth prince, and bring back a letter written in his handwriting."
The attendant responded and summoned two skilled servants, and together they rode towards Biyang County.
The eldest and second branches of the Meng family learned of Meng Guanqi's success in the imperial examinations later. By the time the clan leader and Third Grandfather Meng arrived at the residence of Minister Meng, Minister Meng's letter had already been sent out two days prior.
Clan Chief Meng and Third Grandfather Meng came specifically to discuss Meng Guanqi's enrollment at the Imperial Academy. Before they could even speak to Minister Meng, Minister Meng said, "I have already sent a letter to Meng Ying to inquire about the arrangements for Qi-ge'er. If there are no other arrangements, then we will bring Qi-ge'er to the capital to study at the Imperial Academy."
Clan Chief Meng and Third Grandfather Meng exchanged a glance, utterly astonished. They had thought it would take a lot of persuasion to convince Minister Meng to give up a spot in the Imperial Academy, but unexpectedly, Minister Meng was so understanding this time and took the initiative to bring Meng Guanqi over.
Minister Meng said, "I was just making a suggestion. After all, Meng Ying has already been assigned to a different school. It's hard to say whether he'll let Qi Ge'er come over. After all, Wanshan Academy helped Qi Ge'er pass the imperial examination in just half a year. And Gu Henian is a graduate of the Imperial Academy. His knowledge is no less than that of a doctor from the Imperial Academy."
Chief Meng dismissed it: "No matter how loudly Wanshan Academy boasts, how can it compare to the Imperial Academy?"
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