Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 42: Mrs. Xing's Test

The day came in a flash, and Chen Siyuan got ready to attend the meeting.

Xiangling hesitated to speak, and when she saw Chen Siyuan stand up, she warned him, "Master... don't drink too much this time."

The night before, Chen Siyuan came home drunk. Perhaps it was the high methanol residue in the stove that had been burning, which had caused him to get up and vomit twice. Xiangling was worried about him and hadn't slept well all night.

Chen Siyuan paused, turned around, and looked at Xiangling with a smile. Xiangling then lowered her head and whispered, "Master, you're not even twenty yet. Drinking too much can easily harm your health."

Chen Siyuan turned around, stroked Xiangling's pretty face, and then said with a smile: "Well, this is just an ordinary social event, just a few drinks."

Xiangling blushed again, and Chen Siyuan said, "Just wait patiently. I'll be back in the afternoon."

"Ah."

Without further delay, Chen Siyuan turned and strode away. Xiangling chased him to the door, secretly blaming herself for having forgotten something important in her momentary shyness. But seeing that Chen Siyuan had already left, she figured that since he would be back in the afternoon, it would be the same if she asked him then.

Chen Siyuan was indeed true to his word that day. He left at 9:00 PM and returned before 9:00 PM. He rode a large horse on his way out, accompanied only by Jia Yun; on his return, he rode in a blue woolen carriage, with Jia Yun still there, accompanied by a driver and servants.

Everyone in the outer courtyard of the Jia family saw that although the carriage was ordinary, the mule pulling it was very handsome. They were extremely curious about who had hosted Mr. Chen today.

Yu Liu tried to get some information out of Chen Siyuan, but was easily defeated by him. He had no choice but to go find Jia Yun in disappointment.

Jia Yun had just returned his horse and felt that he had broadened his horizons by accompanying Chen Siyuan. Yu Liu bowed and said, "Second Master, which master is treating Master Chen this time?"

Although Jia Yun was calm and composed, he couldn't help but feel a bit of youthful spirit after drinking. Hearing this, he said, "This time it's not a certain master... but an aide to Governor Yan of Zhejiang."

Yu Liu, somewhat knowledgeable, blinked and said, "Zhejiang... isn't that Yan Gengyao—" Yan Gengyao, known as the "Official Butcher," had been in charge of Zhejiang for several years, sending countless prefects and county magistrates to jail. Yu Liu, forcing himself to keep silent about the nickname of a second-rank official, then wondered, "Master Chen... actually knows Governor Yan?"

Jia Yun said, "That's not the case, but Uncle Yuan and Governor Yan's staff are old acquaintances."

Yu Liu pondered, "It's easy to be an official if you have connections in the court. Uncle Chen knows Governor Yan's aide, so he can get in touch with Governor Yan with just one word..."

Jia Yun smiled faintly, thinking to himself, "How can you, a person of your rank, possibly guess what Uncle Yuan is capable of?" Without another word, he strode out of the Rongguo Mansion and returned home.

Chen Siyuan pondered all the way. Sun Guangcheng was indeed quite capable. Today's banquet was attended by all the rich and powerful. Even the son of the Duke of Zhenguo was invited!
Sun Guangcheng had only been in the capital for a few days, so how could he possibly have gotten to know such a high-ranking official? Thinking carefully, I'm afraid there must be some external helpers who haven't shown up yet in this plan!

Seeing himself sinking deeper and deeper into trouble, Chen Siyuan thought to himself that time was running out and he might have to ask his three good brothers for help tomorrow.

While thinking, she arrived at her own courtyard. Hongyu went to the East Courtyard, and only the maids Yunxiang and Xiangling came out to greet her.

Chen Siyuan sighed inwardly, then walked in with a look of joy on his face. Yunxiang observed his expression and couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Master, did something good happen to you?"

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "That's hard to say, but if you plan it well, you might be able to make a small fortune."

"Huh?" Yunxiang blinked, biting her lower lip and asking, "This is a great thing. I wonder what good thing happened to me?" Chen Siyuan stopped and poked Yunxiang's forehead with his hand, then scolded her with a smile, "Don't talk too much. There are too many wolves and too little meat out there. If this gets out, how can you get any benefits?"

"Hmm..." Yunxiang pursed her lips and mumbled. After Chen Siyuan entered, Hongyu returned from the East Courtyard. The little maid Yunxiang rolled her eyes and said to Hongyu, "Sister Hongyu, there's nothing going on in the courtyard. I'll go talk to Mom."

Hongyu frowned and lectured, "Don't cause trouble, and don't gossip!"

"Know it."

Yunxiang turned around, stuck out her tongue, and left the yard happily.

In the main room, Xiangling helped Chen Siyuan wash his hands and, after he sat down, served him some strong tea. They exchanged a few words, and just as Xiangling was about to get down to business, Hongyu called from outside, "Master, the first mistress is here to see you!"

Chen Siyuan did not dare to delay and hurried out to greet him.

As soon as I arrived at the door, I saw Mrs. Xing and two maids approaching.

Chen Siyuan bowed and said, "Aunt is here. I'm sorry for not welcoming you..."

Before she could finish her words, Madam Xing waved her hand and said with a warm smile, "Brother Yuan, why are you being so polite? We are all family."

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "Then please come in and talk, auntie."

The two entered the room and took their seats. As the fragrant tea was served, Madam Xing said with a smile, "I've come this time because of Brother Yuan's matter... Your uncle has been going around a lot these past few days and has found two ways for Brother Yuan to enter the Imperial College."

Chen Siyuan was immediately delighted and said, "What method is it? Please give me some advice, aunt."

Madam Xing took a leisurely sip of tea before speaking, "This story... There's a Minister Wang in the Taichang Temple. He's over sixty and childless, and his family is very small, so he's thinking of adopting a son. My master briefly mentioned this to Minister Wang, and he's heard of Yuan'er's character and talent, so he wants to meet him. If he likes him, he might as well adopt him."

Mrs. Xing was a simpleton, and her eyes, scrutinizing and testing her, were evident in her words. Furthermore, Chen Siyuan had lived in this world for over ten years and was well versed in its customs and ways.

He immediately frowned and refused, "Does that mean I have to change my name? No, no, my father may treat me like dirt, but I, as his nephew, cannot abandon my ancestors!"

He spoke so decisively that Madam Xing blinked and let out a feigned sigh, saying, "What a pity... Since Brother Yuan doesn't want to go, there's another way." After a pause, she continued, "Master is a close friend of the governor of Ping'an Prefecture, and you know that every three years, local officials can recommend one outstanding student for admission to the Imperial Academy. If you're interested, then you can find a household registration card and Master will arrange for the governor to recommend you."

Chen Siyuan pretended to hesitate and said, "Uncle was talking about the Yin Supervisor..."

Jiansheng (academy) is divided into several categories: excellent students, students with hereditary status, selected students, and students with special status. The first two are self-evident. Selected students are those who are admitted to the Imperial College through examination. However, with the proliferation of academies across the country, there are only a few selected students willing to come to the capital to study.

The last example is what is often called "donating money to become a student". In the early years, one thousand kilograms of rice could make one a student. Now that the market price has risen slightly, they don't accept rice anymore, but directly accept about one hundred taels of silver.

Upon hearing this, Madam Xing said, "Master has been running around for quite some time, but even though we've given you a solution, your son refuses." She paused, then looked at Chen Siyuan and said, "Yes, your son probably doesn't have his household registration card with him. Master is about to write to Lian'er, so why not let him mention it and bring back your household registration card along with him?"

(End of this chapter)