Ch 54: Reborn to Raise My Husband

This result didn’t bring much surprise to Qi Beinan, nor did he feel that retaking the exam gave him any unfair advantage.

In his past life, he had also been a Triple-First, and that was in Jinling, a place filled with the most outstanding talents.

Back then, he was still young and full of spirit, proud and ambitious.

But now, even if he felt joy, it couldn’t compare to the feelings of that time—he was far more composed.

He turned his head and saw the dazed expressions on Xiao Yuanbao and Zhao Guangzong, then said, “Guangzong, aren’t you going to check your result?”

“Oh, right… right…”

Zhao Guangzong slapped his forehead, clearly too excited to think straight. Even if the top score wasn’t his, he was overjoyed.

To have a friend who became a Triple-First was already something to brag about, enough to earn the envy of others.

After speaking, he quickly squeezed into the crowd to check his own result.

Xiao Yuanbao, while still thrilled, didn’t just stay caught up in the joy. He followed along to help Zhao Guangzong check the board.

“I passed! I actually passed!”

Just as Xiao Yuanbao squeezed through, he heard Zhao Guangzong shout with joy.

When checking results—especially his own—he always looked from the bottom of the list up.

This time, he saw his name right away.

Only twenty-eight people in Ling County passed the exam this round, so it didn’t take long to scan through.

Zhao Guangzong’s name was the third from the bottom, making it easy to spot.

Though the ranking was low, what mattered was making the list. Once someone passed and became a xiucai, they entered the gentry. Compared to that, the exact ranking didn’t matter at all.

In the future, people would simply call him Zhao Xiucai—no one would ask what rank he had. Rankings below the top tier were all roughly the same.

Zhao Guangzong was still young. On this sweltering summer day, with people packed tightly and the air hot and thin, the excitement overwhelmed him. His mind went blank for a moment—he nearly fainted from heatstroke.

Fortunately, Qi Beinan and Xiao Yuanbao had made their way to him and quickly supported him, saving him from making a scene.

“I told you to eat before we came. You wouldn’t listen. What will you do if you collapse from heatstroke later and still have to attend the celebration banquet?”

Qi Beinan spoke sternly.

Zhao Guangzong, a bit weak, said, “I was just too happy. I couldn’t catch my breath for a moment.”

It was understandable. For someone from a farming family in a small county like Ling, becoming a xiucai at just fifteen or sixteen was something worth celebrating.

Many of those who passed were in their thirties, some had taken the test several times, and many came from scholarly families.

Now Qi Beinan had claimed first again, and both of them had passed together—it was as joyous as it could be.

Xiao Yuanbao said, “It’s really crowded and stuffy here. Since we’ve seen the results, let’s go outside and get some fresh air.”

Qi Beinan said, “You two go ahead. I see there’s a notice next to the list. I’ll take a look to see if the county office says anything. Better not miss any important announcements.”

“Alright.”

Qi Beinan looked at the notice. It stated that, in recognition of the scholars’ accomplishments, the provincial examiner and county magistrate would host a banquet in three days for all twenty-eight newly named xiucai.

It was something like the deer cry banquet usually held for those who passed the provincial exam.

It also required the newly listed scholars to visit the county office within three days to process their official certificates.

Qi Beinan thought it was the usual stuff, nothing out of the ordinary.

Seeing the crowd still pushing and shoving to get a look at the top scorer, he quietly pulled out two strings of coins and discreetly tipped the town crier, avoiding attention, then left the crowd without a fuss.

Now that he was past fifteen, if people spotted him, he’d inevitably attract trouble.

He still remembered how back in the day, when Jiang Tangyuan saw him get the Triple-First, he grabbed him in front of the board and bragged to everyone he saw, causing a group of merchants and staff to swarm him, asking for his birthdate and time.

It had frightened him so much he ran back to the academy to hide.

Leaving the bulletin board, Qi Beinan saw that their vegetable cart had also drawn quite the crowd.

“Today’s vegetables—take whatever you like. All half-price! Eggplants that were ten copper are now five, two jin of bok choy for just three copper!”

“Why such a good deal? Are you only here for today?”

Xiao Yuanbao hugged a bunch of bok choy and laughed. “Both my brothers passed the exam and became xiucai. We’re celebrating! Everyone gets to share in the joy. Thanks for supporting our family’s business!”

“Wow, what good fortune.”

“Congratulations, congratulations!”

A group of women and men offered their blessings as they scrambled for the discounted vegetables. In no time at all, the half-cart was completely cleared out.

Worried that the family might be anxiously waiting for news, they sent Tian Ken ahead with the ox cart to bring back the good news.

Since Qi Beinan and Zhao Guangzong were already in town, they went straight to the county office to process their documentation—better to get it done and avoid another trip.

“Xiao Bao, wait for us at the cold drink shop. Once we’re done, we’ll head home together.”

Xiao Yuanbao nodded. Selling vegetables under the hot sun had left him overheated.

The drink shop had ice and was far cooler than anywhere else—perfect for cooling off.

At such a happy moment, he wanted to stay with Qi Beinan, but the county office didn’t allow unrelated people inside, so he could only wait outside.

After seeing Xiao Yuanbao safely into the drink shop, the two of them entered the county office together.

“Just look at the grand doors and imposing halls here. This is my first time inside, and I’m honestly a little nervous.” Zhao Guangzong looked around at the layout inside the county yamen and said quietly to Qi Beinan.

“You passed the exam and are now one of the county’s recognized scholars. When entering the county yamen, you should walk in with your chest out and back straight. It’s not like you’ve committed a crime. Respect is fine, but there’s no need to be afraid.” Qi Beinan continued, “In the future, you may be the one standing here to uphold justice. Better to get used to it early.”

Zhao Guangzong, still basking in pride from his recent success, immediately felt a rush of pride and expectation from Qi Beinan’s words.

He straightened his back and said, “You’re absolutely right. I should carry myself with confidence—not like some shrinking violet.”

Just as he said this, an official clerk walked up to them, and Zhao Guangzong immediately shut his mouth.

“Young gentlemen, are you among those who passed this year’s exam?”

“That’s us.”

The clerk smiled politely. “Please come this way to the clerical office to process your scholar’s certificate.”

As he led them, the clerk praised them with the usual compliments: young and accomplished, fine in both appearance and talent, truly outstanding.

Then they entered a room with a sign that read Clerical Office.

Inside were three clerks: one to verify the candidate’s identity, one to record information, and one to issue the certificate.

“You must be Qi Beinan? The Triple-First top scorer, Scholar Qi?”

Qi Beinan had let Zhao Guangzong go first to process his paperwork. Once Zhao was finished with the procedures, he gave his name. The three clerks all paused at once.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Hurry! Bring Scholar Qi a cup of tea!”

They had already been polite to Zhao Guangzong, but when they heard that Qi Beinan was the Triple-First scholar, they became even more courteous.

They asked him to sit, brought him tea—Zhao Guangzong even got another cup just by sitting beside him.

Qi Beinan’s registered origin was Ling County, though he had moved to Qiu County in Jiangzhou as a child. Returning to take the local exam posed no issue.

The paperwork was completed quickly.

He glanced at it and saw that in addition to his scholar’s certificate, there were also special privileges listed for scholars.

For example: a ten percent reduction in taxes, no need to kneel in court, and so on.

Additionally, he was awarded a paper currency voucher worth ten taels of silver, and a land deed—ten mu of land. He didn’t look too closely at where it was located, so as not to appear greedy.

“Scholar Qi, everything is in order.”

The scribe recording the information said, “I’m Miao, a registrar in the clerical office. If you ever need anything, just come find me.”

“Our magistrate values scholars. He originally wanted to personally issue the certificates today, but he’s swamped with duties. Three days from now, Scholar Qi, please attend the banquet early. The magistrate has mentioned you several times.”

“The magistrate is thoughtful to care for us scholars even with his busy schedule. I will certainly arrive early at the banquet to pay my respects.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Qi Beinan excused himself.

When he stepped out of the clerical office, a few more people had gathered outside.

They were likely other clerks from the six departments, having caught wind that the Triple-First scholar had come in person to process his certificate, all curious to catch a glimpse.

“Uncle Bai.”

Qi Beinan spotted a familiar face among the group and walked over to greet him politely. “How have you been?”

Bai Die was standing off to the side. He’d actually just come to see the excitement.

His department, the Public Works Office, wasn’t particularly glamorous—mostly rough laborers. When a xiucai came to process paperwork, clerks from all six offices liked to meet them and maybe strike up some connections.

If the scholar was friendly, he might exchange a few words with them. But usually, those with official titles only engaged with clerks from the more prestigious departments like clerical, tax, or rites.

The county hadn’t produced a Triple-First in years—such a brilliant figure—and yet here he was, walking right up to Bai and greeting him.

Bai Die froze for a moment. The name Qi Beinan sounded familiar, and the boy did look vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t quite remember when they had interacted.

“Uncle Bai, my younger brother hasn’t had a chance to visit Sister Gui lately. He told me if I came to process documents and ran into you, I must pass along his greetings.”

Qi Beinan guessed Bai Die might not remember him clearly.

They had only met once, and years had passed—young people change a lot as they grow.

After hearing this, Bai Die immediately understood.

Though he hadn’t seen the young man often, he did remember that his daughter had been close with a young boy from a village family.

He remembered the family’s surname was Xiao. Every so often, they would bring over home-cooked dishes and meat.

Even during this year’s drought, they had sent good vegetables a few times.

Since he didn’t manage household provisions, he hadn’t paid much attention to those exchanges.

Bai Die drew in a quiet breath and quickly smiled warmly at Qi Beinan. “My daughter Gui Jie’er really enjoys spending time with your younger brother. She talks about him often. Scholar Qi must visit with him when you have the time.”

“Certainly,” said Qi Beinan. “It’s just been busy lately. Once the weather cools, I’ll bring him over.”

After that, he also introduced Zhao Guangzong.

Bai Die was delighted and praised the two young men’s talents, offering congratulations and inviting Zhao to visit as well.

After chatting for a while, Qi Beinan and Zhao Guangzong took their leave. Bai Die even escorted them out of the county office.

When Bai Die returned, his colleagues from the sixth office immediately swarmed him.

“Old Bai, you’ve been hiding this well! Already acquainted with the Triple-First scholar, and you didn’t say a word to any of us!”

Bai Die had just enjoyed a moment in the spotlight and was feeling quite pleased inside, though his expression remained modest and unassuming. “It’s nothing more than the children of our two families being on friendly terms—Scholar Qi is simply courteous by nature.”

“Oh, come off it, you’ve been hiding this from us all along. The way he talked to you, so familiar, chatting for ages—everyone saw it.”

Bai Die chuckled along with his colleagues, thinking to himself that Qi Beinan was truly remarkable.

Back then, he hadn’t tried to use the connection between the children to curry favor. And now that he had achieved success, he still gave Bai face in front of everyone.

˙✧˖°🎓 ༘⋆｡ ˚