The next day, Jiang Shuyun's family of five, along with Jiang Qi's mother and two others, rode in a horse-drawn carriage back to Jiangjia Village.
Jiang Shuwen had been gone for half a year. He needed to check out the shop first, and also sell the goods he had brought back from the capital.
"Father, look, look! What a tall stone tablet!"
Unable to sit still, Shao Yun stuck his head out of the window and saw the newly built Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) memorial archway at the village entrance.
"Where is it? I'd like to see it too."
Chuyue wasn't one to stay still either. Hearing her second brother's commotion, she couldn't sit still any longer and had to peek out.
"Sit still, we'll be there soon. We'll see when we get off. Don't stick your head out, it's dangerous."
Mu Yi'an stopped the two mischievous kids. Shao Ming looked at his younger brother and sister and smiled. They really have energy!
"Master, Madam, we've arrived at the Jinshi Memorial Archway."
"Okay, park the car and let's go take a look."
Jiang Shuyun got out of the car first and reached out to hug the children. Shao Yun jumped out by himself, and Chu Yue also wanted to follow her second brother's example, but her father grabbed her and put her on the ground.
Jiang Qi also came down with the child, and the wet nurse also came down with An Ran.
"Second brother, this memorial archway is really tall and majestic."
"Father, when I grow up and pass the imperial examination, will you build a memorial arch like this for me?"
Shao Ming's eyes shone brightly as he looked at his father with anticipation.
"Yes, when Shao Ming passes the imperial examination with flying colors, there will be a memorial archway for him as a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination)."
"Father, if I become the top martial arts scholar, will I also have a stone tablet like this?"
Shao Yun also thought the stone tablet was good; it looked very imposing.
"There should be some."
"Then our family will have three stone tablets in the future, very majestic."
Shao Yun gestured and spoke, as if the stone tablet was already there.
"That's ambitious! I'll try to live a few more years so I can watch you build a few more stone monuments here!"
Third Grandfather happened to hear Shao Yun's words and was so happy that his beard stood on end.
"Third Grandfather, I'm back!"
"Great-Grandpa, we're back."
The children, imitating their father, greeted the clan chief.
"Shuyun, you have brought honor to our ancestors! Your third grandfather thanks you on behalf of all our forefathers!"
"Third Grandfather, this is what I should do. In the future, the descendants of our Jiang family will become better and better, and more and more clansmen will go out into the world."
Jiang Shuyun held her third grandfather's hand and felt his excitement.
"Great, that's great, it will get even better in the future!"
Third Grandfather patted Shuyun's hand, "This child has set a good example."
The group didn't take a car, but slowly walked towards the village.
"The scholar has returned!"
"Shuyun, congratulations!"
"Well done, young scholar Jiang! No, I should call you Lord Jiang now, right?"
...
The villagers were all excited to see Jiang Shuyun. She was still the same person, but something seemed different about her.
Jiang Shuyun spoke kindly with the villagers, answering their wildly imaginative questions.
"Shuyun, is the floor of the palace paved with gold bricks?"
"Have you seen the empresses in the palace? Don't they look like celestial fairies?"
"Is the capital city big? Are there no poor people?"
...
Jiang Shuyun walked and talked, answering questions he could.
"Alright, everyone disperse. Shuyun just got back, let her rest for a bit."
Third Grandfather waved his hand, signaling everyone to disperse.
"Father, Mother, I'm back."
Jiang Shuyun entered the courtyard, saw her parents, knelt down, and performed a grand salute.
"Get up, get up, you've lost weight."
Jiang's mother quickly pulled Jiang Shuyun's arm to help him up.
"Get up, you must be tired from your journey."
Jiang's father's eyes reddened; his son had accomplished what he himself had failed to do.
Jiang Shuyun got up, and the family chatted happily, with the occasional bleating of the toothless toddler.
"Shuyun, you've passed the imperial examination this time, bringing honor to the clan and making Jiangjia Village proud. Let's celebrate properly."
Third Grandfather thought that this time, Shuyun and the others couldn't treat everyone themselves; the whole clan should chip in. They couldn't just take advantage without giving back.
"Third Grandfather, you can make the arrangements. It's fine as long as it's just a lively event in our village. I've already received my offer from the academy, and I'll be going to teach in the prefectural city soon."
"It's settled, which is great."
My third grandfather's last hope was shattered, and he truly gave up on becoming an official.
"Yes, it's settled. I've already met with the headmaster of the academy. They've given us a month to settle things at home. We still need to go to the prefectural city to find a house and prepare to move."
Jiang Shuyun also knew that when he returned after passing the imperial examination, wealthy merchants and landowners in the town and county might take the opportunity to give him gifts.
"He who eats another's food is bound to him; he who takes another's money is bound to him." If he has no ability to repay you, don't ask for anything in return.
"Moving to the prefectural city? When are you moving?"
Jiang's mother looked reluctant to part with him, knowing that it would be even more difficult to see him again in the future.
"Mother, it will take some time. The house and everything else haven't been settled yet. We also need to take care of things with Yi'an."
Jiang Shuyun and Mu Yi'an have already made arrangements. In the next few days, they will have Butler Li set off for the prefectural city to consult with Uncle Mu and Aunt Mu about buying a house through a real estate agency.
Mu Yi'an had made up her mind. The location didn't need to be in the city center, but it should be close to Bailu Academy. Most importantly, the house needed to be large so that they wouldn't have to move again when their children grew up. Moving was too much trouble.
Jiang's sister-in-law listened from the side, her heart no longer stirred; Mu Yi'an had already reached a height that she could only look up to.
Jiang's father was already mentally prepared, knowing that once Shuyun passed the imperial examination, their family would move away.
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