Ch 55: Reborn to Raise My Husband

When Qi Beinan and the other two returned from town, not only did both families know, but the entire village had already spread word of the joyous news.

Two scholars had emerged from the village at once—one of them even achieved the Triple-First distinction.

The village chief, local gentry, and elders all felt honored, and the villagers, eager for the excitement, flocked to the village entrance to welcome them.

With everyone bustling around them on the way home, the Xiao family couldn’t possibly avoid hosting a banquet to treat the villagers.

Although it had initially been said half in jest that they’d host a banquet if anyone passed the exam, the words had now come true. How could they not gladly follow through?

Xiao Hu was overjoyed. When villagers came up to congratulate him and mentioned drinking at his place, though he wasn’t much of a talker, he kept nodding and agreeing to host the feast.

It took over an hour before the crowd finally dispersed.

“Well done, well done. You’ve made such a great achievement. If your father were still here, he’d surely be proud.”

Xiao Hu looked at Qi Beinan’s scholar certificate with a face full of joy and relief. Though he didn’t know many characters, he could still recognize an official certificate.

“Back then, Scholar Qi had remarkable talent—that’s how he could teach a child as accomplished as you.”

Xiao Yuanbao sipped some tea. After receiving congratulations all along the road, his voice was almost hoarse from talking.

“If not for my father teaching me to read from a young age, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

His father had indeed been a learned scholar—Qi Beinan believed he had the talent to pass the imperial exams.

But with his mother dying early, his father had to raise him alone. He couldn’t bear to part with a young child or risk a long journey, so he never went to take the provincial exam.

Though Qi Beinan’s father never said it aloud, a talented man unable to advance because of worldly obstacles—not for lack of ability—was truly a regretful thing.

Xiao Hu said, “You should go burn some incense for your father. Let him know the good news so he can be at peace.”

Qi Beinan agreed.

Xiao Hu then brought up the banquet and asked how Qi Beinan wanted it arranged and whom he planned to invite.

“I’ll need to attend the county magistrate’s banquet in three days, and autumn harvest is right around the corner. With my name now on the board, there’ll be plenty of social obligations. The household will be busy. Why not hold the banquet after the Start of Winter? We’ll all have more free time then.”

Xiao Hu nodded. “That’s a good idea—gives us more time to plan without rushing.”

Listening in nearby, Xiao Yuanbao finally cut in:

“Leave the banquet to me. Once we check the almanac and pick a date, I’ll go invite Teacher Jiang to come and head the kitchen.”

Qi Beinan responded, “We’ll definitely need Jiang Fulang here. But since you’re inviting him, you can also ask him to set up the stove for you and try taking charge of the cooking yourself. We’ve got time to prepare. It’s rare to have the chance to host a banquet at home. If you don’t take this opportunity, getting the chance to cook at another’s banquet won’t come easy.”

Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes lit up. He instantly felt this was a great idea from his brother.

Even though he already knew how to cook an entire village banquet, he was still young.

People hosting events preferred seasoned cooks. They were afraid a young one might mess up the dishes and wouldn’t easily trust him to take charge of the kitchen.

But to become a true lead cook, he had to do at least one banquet himself—one where people would eat the food, try it, and spread the word.

Afterward, the elder cooks would introduce the new cook to the rest of the community. That’s how one officially became a recognized lead cook. Only then would villagers consider hiring him for future events.

Otherwise, even if he offered low prices, people still might not ask him.

And people outside the family—unless they were relatives or close friends—would rarely risk their important events on a rookie’s trial run.

But a banquet at home—that was the perfect opportunity.

“It’s just that this banquet is to celebrate my brother’s exam success… I’m afraid I won’t do it justice.”

Deep down, Xiao Yuanbao still lacked confidence.

“There’s no high or low when it comes to hosting a banquet. Sure, a celebration for ranking in the exams is important—but so is a birthday banquet, funeral feast, or a hundred-day celebration. Which one isn’t important?”

Qi Beinan said, “Even in the worst case, if we mess up a banquet at home, that’s still better than ruining someone else’s. And besides, it’s not like you’ll be handling it all alone. Teacher Jiang will be there with you.”

Xiao Yuanbao thought it over. That made sense.

By the start of next year, he’d be twelve. Most cooks could fully take charge by thirteen. Using this banquet as a test run wasn’t a bad idea at all.

Since they were inviting the teacher to oversee it anyway, he could just steel himself and give it a try.

“Alright. I’ll start talking to people when I go into town these days to sell vegetables, and slowly work on securing the ingredients.”

A smile appeared on Xiao Hu’s face. Seeing both boys doing well brought him peace of mind.

“Oh, right.”

Qi Beinan pulled out a land deed stamped with an official seal. “This time, I also received a reward of ten mu of land.”

He showed them the document: “Five mu of paddy field and five mu of dry land. Right at the outskirts of the village, near that Da Wang Stone area.”

Xiao Hu took the deed, his face lighting up: “The land near Da Wang Stone is decent. Not the most fertile, but it’s well-situated. The terrain is flat, and the dry fields are connected. Whether for farming or other use, it’s convenient.”

“I was planning to buy more land after autumn harvest anyway—now there’s no need to rush.”

What’s more, passing the exam brought a timely benefit: the family’s tax burden this year would be reduced by ten percent, which meant ten percent more income.

Before this, no one in the family or among their relatives had earned a title. They were all outsiders to the world of officialdom. All they knew was that a xiucai held status and respect—they hadn’t realized there were so many real benefits too.

These fields are worth over a hundred yuan.

No wonder that once poor scholar families clearly lived better after one of them became a xiucai.

Truthfully, the court offered such real rewards to encourage scholars—if they didn’t provide tangible support, and families couldn’t even keep the pot boiling, how could scholars continue testing and contribute talents to the state?

Xiao Hu asked, “Everyone gets this much? All of it?”

“They all get something, but the rewards vary.”

Zhao Guangzong only received five taels in paper money, and six mu of land.

And he said the land wasn’t even near their village—it was half an hour’s journey away.

Still, he was very happy. He had earned it through his own efforts, and now had a bit of property to his name.

The reason Qi Beinan received so much more was because of his ranking—the county had added extra rewards.

That night, the family shut the door and had a hearty meal.

Xiao Yuanbao cooked a pot of tangy fish soup with soft tofu; stewed taro with a butchered rooster; stir-fried a crisp plate of wild rice shoots; and steamed eggplant served cold on the side.

The whole family held a private celebration.

While their house was warm and festive, the Zhao household was even more lively—they’d already set off firecrackers several times that afternoon.

Now there was another round of noise—likely another meal. The Zhao family had many members. Even without inviting guests yet, their direct kin alone could fill three or four tables.

After the meal, they took turns lighting incense and burning paper money to Qi Jinyan, Qi Beinan’s mother Madam Miao, and Xiao Bao’s mother Madam Sun.

They offered comfort to their departed loved ones, letting them know that the family still living was doing well, so they needn’t worry.

…

Two days later, Qi Beinan and Zhao Guangzong were to go together to attend the banquet in town.

The night before, Xiao Yuanbao snuck into Qi Beinan’s room to help pick out what he should wear for the banquet.

He turned over the whole wardrobe but couldn’t find a single piece that felt fitting.

Qi Beinan was holding a book and had turned ten pages already. As he rested his eyes, he noticed Xiao Yuanbao still buried in the wardrobe.

He said, “It’s just a banquet for scholars—not like I’m going to meet a matchmaker. No need to dress too finely.”

“That won’t do. You’re the top scorer. Shouldn’t you be looking extra radiant?”

“We’re just farming folks. No matter how we dress, it won’t compare to the sons of wealthy families in town. So long as we carry ourselves with confidence, there’s no need to flaunt with clothes.”

Xiao Yuanbao thought it over. That made sense—even their best clothes couldn’t match those silk and satin garments.

But he still wanted his brother to look his best in a moment like this.

Unfortunately, his brother just wasn’t one of those who cared for fancy things. Not even two decent outfits in the whole cabinet.

Every time he offered to make new ones, Qi Beinan always declined, saying it wasn’t worth the trouble. He mostly stayed in the village, and even when he went to town, two sets of clothes seemed enough.

But now that the banquet was truly happening, they found themselves scrambling.

It showed—everything ought to be prepared early, or else you end up flustered when the time comes.

“Still, even if our fabrics aren’t as fine, we should make at least two more outfits. When brother starts attending the county academy, he can’t wear the same clothes every day. People will talk behind his back, saying he’s unclean.”

Xiao Yuanbao pulled out a plain green robe and laid it beside Qi Beinan.

Green robes were cool in the summer and favored by scholars. Not particularly flashy, but impossible to criticize.

“I’ll go buy two bolts of good fabric in the next couple days and make you two new sets. Don’t you refuse again.”

Qi Beinan smiled. “If you make them, I’ll wear them often.”

Hearing that, Xiao Yuanbao lit up with joy. “I’ll take them to the Fang family and ask Grandma Sun to help me sew them. I’m sure they’ll turn out great. Brother can wear them when he starts school at the county academy.”

“Alright.”

Truth be told, Qi Beinan wasn’t especially eager to study at the county academy. He preferred studying at home—it gave him more freedom and time for his own matters.

But the provincial exam only came once every three years, and there were still two to go.

If he didn’t study at the county academy in that time, and had no wise teacher to guide him, others would think he was arrogant—turning down an honor just because he had the chance.

He worried the academic commissioner or the county magistrate might think he was being prideful, which would harm his reputation. For those walking the path of officialdom, public opinion must be taken seriously.

So he decided he’d wait until this busy stretch was over, then go study at the county academy.

“By the way, if brother runs into the county magistrate’s daughter at the banquet tomorrow—that Miss Yun—you mustn’t give her much attention.”

Qi Beinan saw how puffed-up Xiao Yuanbao looked and asked, “Ah? Our Xiao Bao is all grown up now. How do you even know the county magistrate’s daughter?”

“Met her at the Ming family’s.”

Qi Beinan’s brows twitched. “What happened? Did she offend you?”

Xiao Yuanbao said, “I just don’t like those who flatter the high and step on the low. The Ming family’s third daughter looked down on my background and brought that official miss to toy with me.”

He told Qi Beinan everything that had happened at the Ming household.

Though he hadn’t really suffered any losses, he still lost his good impression of Miss Yun.

Qi Beinan heard how those two girls had made things difficult for Xiao Yuanbao and furrowed his brow. But hearing how his brother had preserved his dignity, he eased a bit.

“You didn’t let them bully you. That’s good.”

“Didn’t you tell me when you left? That I must take care of myself and not let anyone push me around. I did just like you said.”

Qi Beinan reached out, wanting to pinch Xiao Yuanbao’s cheek, but the boy dodged away.

Xiao Yuanbao said a bit awkwardly, “Brother, stop always pinching my face.”

Qi Beinan raised his brows. “Why not anymore?”

Xiao Yuanbao didn’t answer him and only said, “Just don’t talk too much with that Miss Yun.”

Qi Beinan replied, “At banquets like these, family members won’t attend.”

“But I’ll agree with you—if I do meet her someday, I won’t speak with her much.”

Xiao Yuanbao immediately brightened.

…

The next morning, Qi Beinan and Zhao Guangzong headed to the county seat.

The banquet was held at the official residence of the county magistrate. Officials stationed in their appointed districts generally resided in the official compound.

As for officials ranked below the county magistrate, such as assistant magistrates, they typically lived outside.

However, the court offered them preferential treatment. If there was a state-owned residence available locally, officials could rent it at a price much lower than the market rate.

If no such residence existed, they would be provided with additional funds for rent.

In the counties, there were far more clerks than ranked officials. Most provincial officials, aside from the prefect himself, rented homes outside the government compound.

The two got off their cart at the county gates and walked the rest of the way to the compound.

By then, several carriages and sedan chairs had already lined up outside, forming a long queue.

Carriages couldn’t enter, so those further behind dismounted and walked up on foot.

After their name slips were checked, the two entered the compound, where it was already lively.

There were many attendees—not just the twenty-something newly ranked scholars, but also various county officials.

These included the assistant magistrate, registrar, judicial clerk, academy instructor, disciplinary officer, and patrol commander, as well as respected gentry from within the county.

Qi Beinan looked around the compound. It wasn’t as spacious as the Ming family’s residence, but the decor was much more refined.

“Who is that, with so many people gathered around him?”

Zhao Guangzong had spotted a young man in a pale moon-colored robe standing in the garden, surrounded by admirers.

Qi Beinan glanced over and saw that the scholar wore a jade hair crown and had a rather refined face, appearing around seventeen or eighteen.

He shook his head. “I don’t recognize him.”

“Classmate Zhao, you’re here.”

A few of Zhao Guangzong’s classmates from the county academy came over to greet him.

“You came early.”

“Not too far to come, so we arrived a bit early.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries and congratulations, Zhao Guangzong introduced Qi Beinan:

“This is my close friend, Qi Beinan, the Triple-First and top scorer of this year.”

“Ah, we’ve heard of you for a long time. Finally, we get to meet our county’s anshou (top-ranked candidate) person.”

Qi Beinan replied politely, “Once we begin at the county academy, I hope you’ll all take care of me.”

Upon hearing that the top scorer had arrived, more people came up one after another to greet Qi Beinan and make small talk.

The crowd that had gathered around the previously admired scholar now dispersed and began surrounding Qi Beinan instead.

That scholar looked over at Qi Beinan, who was chatting cheerfully with everyone. His hand tightened on the fan he was holding, then he stepped forward.

“The weather’s stuffy today, but it’s quite cool inside the compound.”

“Indeed, indeed.”

“I heard that Merchant Ming sent a whole cart of ice yesterday, just so guests at today’s banquet could stay cool.”

Just as Qi Beinan was conversing with the others, a voice suddenly rose and interrupted.

He turned and saw that it was the very scholar who had been surrounded earlier.

Qi Beinan smiled in a friendly manner.

“I’m Ma Junyi.”

Qi Beinan returned the greeting. “So it’s Scholar Ma—an honor to meet you.”

“You’ve heard of me?” Ma Junyi seemed slightly surprised.

Qi Beinan said, “I studied the red board thoroughly—I remembered Scholar Ma’s name, just never met you in person.”

A smile slowly formed on Ma Junyi’s face. He added, “This time, three of us ranked in the top tier of the exam. Since we’ve now met, has the third scholar arrived yet? We might as well all meet together.”

“If I recall, his name is Luo Tingfeng.”

Another scholar nearby laughed and said, “He came early—he and I arrived together.”

“Scholar Luo’s a true bookworm. Whether at home or out and about, he’s always glued to a book. Just a while ago, I told him today’s a great chance to meet many gifted students. He just said, ‘The Art of War is truly exquisite.’ He’s probably tucked himself somewhere quiet and already lost in his reading again.”

Everyone laughed at that.

“This Scholar Luo sounds like quite the character.”

“What are the young gentlemen laughing about? Perhaps you could let the academic commissioner and me enjoy it too.”

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw two officials walking in together.

One was fat and one was thin. The fat one was Lord Cheng, the current magistrate of Ling County. The thin one was Commissioner Yang from the educational office.

Trailing behind them was Assistant Magistrate Wu, a man who had bought his position. His rank wasn’t particularly high.

The gathered scholars quickly stepped forward and saluted the officials.

“No need for such formality. You are all fine students of this county—the future pillars of the court,” Lord Cheng said warmly. “You’ve toiled long and studied hard. No need to stand on ceremony today—feel free to relax.”

“Many thanks, my lord, for your kindness.”

“Which one is this year’s anshou? Let’s take a look.”

Lord Cheng scanned the group of scholars.

Qi Beinan stepped forward and saluted each of the three officials in turn.

“Student Qi Beinan, humbled and unworthy, greets the three lords.”

When Lord Cheng saw Qi Beinan, he stepped forward and warmly held his arm, helping him up with great affection. “At last, I get to see you in person today.”

“Lord Yang,” he turned to the education commissioner, “what do you think of our county’s Triple-First?”

Commissioner Yang stroked his beard and praised, “A talented youth with both virtue and appearance—very fine indeed.”

“Your praise is too generous, my lord. I am ashamed and at a loss for words,” Qi Beinan replied respectfully.

“Look at that—not only talented but also humble.”

The officials all chuckled, and Qi Beinan smiled along politely.

“Junyi, how is your father’s health?”

After praising Qi Beinan, Lord Cheng noticed Ma Junyi standing to the side and asked with concern.

“Replying to Lord Cheng, my father is in good health. I recently wrote him a letter, and he told me to send his regards to you and to Lord Yang.”

Lord Cheng nodded. “Now that you’ve placed on the list, he must be very pleased.”

After chatting for a while in the garden, they were called to move to the hall for the banquet.

Qi Beinan and Ma Junyi were summoned to sit on either side of Lord Cheng at the main table, where they drank and conversed with important county officials.

Although Qi Beinan didn’t find such banquets particularly enjoyable, he was seasoned in the ways of officialdom and handled himself with ease, which made the county officials all the more fond of him.

“Xiao Qi, what are you looking at?”

Qi Beinan turned back and smiled to Lord Cheng. “I spotted an old acquaintance—I’d like to offer him a toast.”

Lord Cheng patted his hand. “Go on then, it’s a roaming banquet after all.”

Qi Beinan took a cup of wine and stood, walking toward the end of the hall.

“Master Chen, don’t go hiding from the wine again. Let’s see how many cups you’re trying to avoid this time.”

“I won’t drink with you lot. You all tricked me into coming.”

Master Chen was playing coy, dodging drinks. The others at his table drank like fish. If he so much as took one cup, he’d be forced to drink endlessly. Just as he was about to sneak away, someone appeared in front of him.

He looked up and found it was Qi Beinan.

“Master Chen, why are you sitting in such an inconspicuous spot? Luckily, my eyes are sharp, or I wouldn’t have noticed you.”

Qi Beinan smiled. “Let me offer you a toast.”

Master Chen looked at Qi Beinan, momentarily speechless—especially seeing his smiling face, which unnerved him.

He laughed dryly. “To think the anshou himself would offer me a drink—how could I deserve that?”

“Come now, who doesn’t know your abilities, Master Chen? It’s only proper that a junior like me offer you a toast.”

The clerks at the table didn’t quite understand what was going on. They only knew Master Chen had refused to drink, so they said:

“Master Chen, now that’s unfair. You avoid drinking with us lowly fellows without titles, fine—but here’s Young Master Qi, coming all the way from the head table to toast you, and you’re still acting lofty?”

“Come on now, drink it up!”

A clerk from the military office poured a full, bowl-sized cup of wine and handed it to Master Chen.

Looking at that huge cup, Master Chen could only steel himself and drink it down, the spice burning his stomach.

He’d sat at this tail-end table with the rougher folks just to avoid Qi Beinan, but the boy still found him.

He cursed his luck silently. If he had known, he wouldn’t have come to this banquet at all.

Seeing sweat bead on Master Chen’s forehead, Qi Beinan said, “It’s hot today—luckily there’s ice to cool us off.”

Master Chen forced a smile. “Indeed, Anshou is right.”

“I don’t hold my liquor well. Please, Master Chen, make yourself comfortable.”

Qi Beinan turned to the table with a polite smile and said, “I’m needed back at the head table with the county magistrate and education commissioner, so I’ll leave Master Chen in your good hands—please keep him company with a few more drinks.”

“Qi Anshou, you’re too polite. Don’t worry—we’ll take good care of him.”

Qi Beinan then returned to the main table.

By then, Master Chen wasn’t just uncomfortable—he was downright rattled by Qi Beinan.

He tried to slip away, but the clerks from the criminal and military offices held him back.

“Where are you going, Master Chen? We all saw it—you can drink.”

“Have a few more with us. Refusing would mean you’re looking down on us uncultured men without titles.”

Master Chen said, “Of course not—I just need to use the latrine.”

“Perfect—three more cups, then you can go.”

The clerks held him down and made him drink several more cups.

After the banquet, while exiting the county compound, Master Chen couldn’t hold it in and threw up right at the main gate.

He made quite a mess, and Lord Cheng furrowed his brow, while Commissioner Yang’s expression darkened.

“Send him home at once—he’s a scholar and still acts like this?”

That day, in front of all the county’s scholars, Master Chen completely lost face.

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