Ch 76: Reborn to Raise My Husband

“It’s already this hour—why are you here instead of checking the list?”

Qi Beinan, after getting ready, had just reached the garden when he saw that Zhao Guangzong wasn’t heading toward the prefectural academy but was instead coming to his house.

“Didn’t the village headman and Madam Zhang come to town with you to see the list?”

Zhao Guangzong said, “Father and Mother wanted to come with me, but the village is busy with autumn work. I persuaded them not to make the trip for nothing. Once I know the result, I’ll go tell them myself.”

“Whenever the provincial exam results are posted, it’s packed to the point of suffocation. Only a few actually took the test, yet the spectators are even more than for the county exam. I didn’t expect to make the list this time anyway, so I figured I’d just stay here instead.”

“I’ll go take a look once the crowd thins out. At your place, at least I can still see the messengers who bring the good news—it’s more fun that way.”

Xiao Yuanbao had long wanted to go join the excitement of seeing the list, but Qi Beinan kept dawdling at home and wouldn’t go out.

Now Zhao Guangzong had come too, and from the sound of it he wasn’t going to check the list either—utterly maddening.

These scholars really were something; one couldn’t tell whether to call them calm or just indifferent about their own results.

They were making those who were anxious to see the list feel like eunuchs worrying more than the emperor himself.

“Brother Zhao, you make it sound as if Brother An is bound to pass,” Xiao Yuanbao said.

“The provincial exam is so harsh that even many scholars nearing forty still fail,” he went on. “If you all keep flattering him and he ends up not passing, won’t he be too upset to even eat lunch?”

Zhao Guangzong said, “Bao’er, it’s fine for you to help him stay modest, but could you spare a thought for me?”

“If even he doesn’t pass, then what chance would I have?”

Xiao Yuanbao blinked—he had to admit that made some sense—and pursed his lips into a line.

Qi Beinan came over and said, “Don’t bully Xiao Bao.”

Zhao Guangzong groaned, “I should’ve gone to check the list instead of coming here just to get scolded by the two of you taking turns!”

Xiao Yuanbao, feeling a little embarrassed, quickly changed the subject. “So are you two going or not? If not, don’t hold me up—I’ll go by myself.”

“I already sent Tienan to check the list early this morning,” Qi Beinan said, pulling Xiao Yuanbao back. “Let’s just wait at home for the result. Haven’t you had enough of the crowds the last few times?”

Hearing that, Xiao Yuanbao thought—so they do care after all. Pretending not to must mean they’re too nervous to go look.

Originally, Xiao Hu had also planned to come to town to wait for the results, but after thinking it over, he decided not to.

When Xiao Yuanbao asked him why, he said that if the whole family went to stare at the list and Qi Beinan didn’t pass, it would only make him feel worse—why add another burden?

And that, Xiao Yuanbao thought, did make sense.

The three of them chatted in the garden for a while, and when it was around nine o’clock, they moved toward the gate.

They planned to wait another half hour; if no bearer of good news came by then, they’d know how things stood. When they finally went to look, the crowd would have dispersed and it wouldn’t be so packed.

“Master Qi, congratulations! Congratulations!”

But before half an hour had passed—barely fifteen minutes later—a figure came rushing out of the alley, panting hard like an untamed animal, shouting blessings so loudly that passersby turned to look.

The first to bring good news to the Qi household was Bai Shitong. Even in the cool autumn morning, the young man had run himself into a sweat. When he saw Qi Beinan at the gate, he barely paused for breath before exclaiming:

“Congratulations, Master Qi! You’ve taken first place in the provincial exam!”

“You passed!”

Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes flew wide open. “You really saw his name on the red list?”

“My eyes may not be perfect,” Bai Shitong said, “but Master Qi’s name was right at the top—three big characters, Qi Beinan. How could I mistake it? The whole city already knows!”

Bai Shitong had stood in a high place, and when the red list was unveiled, the first name he saw was Qi Beinan’s.

Ordinarily, someone as well-connected as Bai Shitong wouldn’t scramble with those errand runners who fight to deliver the news for reward money. But he knew Qi Beinan personally and often worked with him, so seeing him pass filled him with genuine joy. He came in person to share the good news.

Usually, the good news is first told to the family, since the examinee himself is often still by the list board. The household always learns eventually—it’s only a matter of timing.

But since Qi Beinan hadn’t gone to see the list, Bai Shitong got to be the one to deliver the happy news straight to him.

“First place! You said our An is first—did you see what rank exactly?” Zhao Guangzong, already overjoyed, seized on the key detail.

“Indeed, great joy!” Bai Shitong said excitedly. “Not only the top of the county—he’s first in the entire province!”

“First place!” Zhao Guangzong cried. “You mean the Jieyuan, the provincial first scholar?”

“What else would I mean by great joy!” Bai Shitong replied, bowing toward Qi Beinan. “Master, you truly are a star of literature descended from Heaven. I’ve run errands in this city for many years and seen countless exam lists, but since I can remember, our county has never produced a Jieyuan. Today we all share in your great fortune.”

“It wasn’t in vain that I took two shortcuts—managed to be the very first to deliver this great news!”

Qi Beinan smiled. “It had to be you—fleet-footed as always. Thank you for bringing the good news.”

He calmly took out a small piece of silver and rewarded Bai Shitong with it.

Bai Shitong accepted it joyfully and quickly added a few more words of congratulation.

It wasn’t only that Qi Beinan’s silver made him happy—being rewarded by the new Jieyuan himself was something he could brag about for days.

As soon as the money was given, the nearby onlookers, who had sharp ears for gossip, caught wind that the young master of the Qi family had passed the provincial exam. They immediately crowded forward, calling out, “Congratulations, Master Qi!”

“Such fine literary talent!”

Xiao Yuanbao was still half-stunned, unable to recover from his surprise. He had gone back and forth—sometimes thinking Qi Beinan would pass, sometimes doubting it.

The provincial examination was the most competitive of all. Across the entire province, only fifty or sixty candidates were selected, their papers reviewed at the prefectural level. Some counties might have over ten men pass, while others might not have a single name on the list.

So although Xiao Yuanbao believed Qi Beinan was one of the most talented men in the county, he truly didn’t know how his learning would measure up across the whole province. His heart had been uncertain all along.

Now hearing that not only had Qi Beinan passed but ranked at the very top, he was dumbfounded with joy.

Annan was a top scholar in their county—and even across the province, he still stood among the best!

He felt a rush of pride and happiness.

Seeing the crowd gathering to offer congratulations and seek lucky coins, he came back to his senses. Quickly taking out his own pouch, he tossed three handfuls of copper coins into the air, laughing as he said, “Thank you all for your congratulations!”

“Remarkable! Truly remarkable! What a glorious day for our county!”

Zhao Guangzong shook his head repeatedly in disbelief. He had suspected Qi Beinan would make the list, but never imagined he would become Jieyuan.

Just what kind of person had he befriended? Truly someone who never failed to amaze.

After a moment, he came to himself and bowed sincerely to Qi Beinan. “You’ve plucked the laurel in the Palace of the Moon and inscribed your name upon the Wild Goose Tower! Annan, congratulations!”

Qi Beinan’s expression remained composed. He had already experienced all this once before. Having gone through it again, he no longer felt the same elation as when he was a young scholar.

Besides, he had once been the Jieyuan of Jinling—a place where scholars were as numerous as carp in the river. To have won that title there was a far greater triumph than winning it here in Linzhou.

Still, with true-hearted friends beside him—Xiao Yuanbao and Zhao Guangzong sharing his joy—he was genuinely pleased. The happiness this time came from a different place.

“Thank you for your congratulations.”

Qi Beinan patted Zhao Guangzong’s shoulder and turned to ask Bai Shitong, “Did you happen to see Zhao Guangzong’s name on the list?”

“Master,” said Bai Shitong, “I only looked for yours. As soon as I saw it, I rushed here to bring the news and didn’t have time to glance at the rest. But with your achievement, within half an hour others will surely come to report more good news.”

Bai Shitong gave Zhao Guangzong an apologetic look. He didn’t recognize him—otherwise he would have checked the list for his name too.

Zhao Guangzong said, “No matter. Even if you had seen it, the result would still be the same.”

Just as Bai Shitong predicted, before long other errand runners came to bring Qi Beinan the same news.

Although they weren’t the first, Xiao Yuanbao still rewarded them with money all the same.

It was a day of celebration—what was a bit of silver thrown about? Besides, with such a glorious result, being stingy would only make people talk.

The Qi residence soon bustled like a market, filled with laughter and cheer for quite some time.

“Look at that fool—he doesn’t even know where our house is, buzzing around like a headless fly,” grumbled Madam Liu.

At Xiao Yuanbao’s instruction, she had fetched a basket of copper coins from home to hand out as rewards.

As she shared coins with the messengers, she kept glancing toward the alley, wondering why her own young ones hadn’t shown up yet.

She had reminded them just two days ago: the provincial exam results were being posted today—if the young master passed, they were to come offer congratulations at once.

Not only could they show their faces in front of the young master, but they might even earn some lucky money.

As she was silently scolding those lazy brats, she saw two confused messengers squeezing out of another alley, muttering to each other.

Hearing their voices, Xiao Yuanbao looked up and saw that indeed—two men had lost their way.

He couldn’t help laughing.

The two messengers were frowning. “There wasn’t a soul in charge at that house—we ran all the way for nothing! No lucky money for us. Should’ve just gone to Master Qi’s place to say a few congratulatory words—at least he’s generous.”

Saying so, the two shamelessly squeezed forward again. “Congratulations to Master Qi—”

They stopped mid-sentence when they caught sight of Zhao Guangzong among the onlookers and widened their eyes. “Master Zhao! So here you are—we’ve been looking all over for you!”

Zhao Guangzong, startled, asked, “Looking for me? What for?”

“Why, on a day like this, what else would we be looking for!” the two messengers said, beaming. “Congratulations, Master Zhao—victory at the start! You’ve passed as well!”

Zhao Guangzong froze, completely unprepared. “You mean I passed?”

“Master, you mustn’t joke with us! A matter this big—who would dare make it up?”

One of the runners said eagerly, “Your name’s right there—sixth on the list!”

Qi Beinan and Xiao Yuanbao, hearing such joyful news, couldn’t help but exchange a smile.

Seeing that Zhao Guangzong was still dazed, Qi Beinan tugged lightly at Zhao Guangzong’s sleeve. “Happiness is one thing, but you still have to handle the present matter properly first.”

Zhao Guangzong quickly answered, fumbling at his clothes for money to reward the messengers, but after a long while, he found nothing.

He hadn’t expected to make the list at all, so he hadn’t prepared any reward money. Now he stood awkwardly, at a loss.

Xiao Yuanbao noticed and swiftly slipped a bit of silver into Zhao Guangzong’s hand.

“Thank you both for running all the way here,” Zhao Guangzong said as he finally gave the reward.

Xiao Yuanbao then scattered three or four handfuls of copper coins to the crowd. “This is from Master Zhao!”

“Congratulations, Master Zhao!”

“Master Zhao, may your future be bright!”

Once again the air was filled with cheerful voices.

After distributing the reward money, the three returned inside, and Madam Liu and Zhao Wuge helped disperse the onlookers.

If they kept handing out money at the gate, more and more people would gather to seek “lucky coins,” and no amount of silver would be enough. It was best to stop while things were still manageable.

“If you don’t believe it, you’ll know for certain once Tienan returns,” Qi Beinan said, noticing that Zhao Guangzong still seemed half in a daze.

Zhao Guangzong nodded. “Right.”

Ever since hearing the news, Xiao Yuanbao’s grin hadn’t faded. Now that Zhao Guangzong had also made the list, he looked even more delighted.

After greeting people outside for some time, Xiao Yuanbao was parched and fetched a pot of tea. The three sat in the garden waiting for Tienan’s return.

Even as he drank, Zhao Guangzong’s hand trembled.

Before long, Tienan came running, nearly leaping with excitement.

At the sight of him, Zhao Guangzong hurriedly set down his tea and stood up straight. “Well?!”

Tienan, breathless from the run, knew his masters had been waiting anxiously and wasted no words: “Both young masters are on the list! Our master is at the very top, and Master Zhao is sixth!”

“Qi Beinan—it’s true, it’s really true! I actually made the list!”

“I actually passed!” Zhao Guangzong repeated in disbelief.

Qi Beinan chuckled. With his guidance, how could the student have done poorly?

“Good, good. Now you can be at ease. Just don’t get so happy you lose your senses.”

Xiao Yuanbao was grinning ear to ear and poured a cup of tea for Tienan, who downed it in one gulp.

Qi Beinan then asked for more details.

This time, fifty-eight students from Linzhou had made the list; six of them were from Ling County.

First was Qi Beinan, the Jieyuan of all Linzhou; second was Luo Tingfeng, ranked ninth in the province.

Tienan didn’t know the three in between—they weren’t students from the county school but older scholars from past years.

Zhao Guangzong was the last of the six, not only the lowest in the county but also fifty-eighth in the province.

“That was close,” Zhao Guangzong said with a shiver. “If I’d scored even a fraction lower, I would’ve missed my chance entirely this time.”

He added, “If it hadn’t been for those bandits on the road delaying some of the other examinees, I might not have made it at all.”

Qi Beinan said, “When it’s fated that you’ll pass, you’ll pass—regardless of rank. In any case, your years of study haven’t been wasted.”

Zhao Guangzong smiled. “This result was far beyond anything I expected. I don’t dare wish for a higher rank.”

Xiao Yuanbao said, “Zhao Guangzong’s rank isn’t bad at all! Don’t just look at the names on the list—think how many scholars went to the prefecture to take the exam. Zhao Guangzong is among the top sixty!”

“Indeed,” Qi Beinan agreed. “That’s already an excellent result.”

He added, “Now then, joy is joy, but it’s not over yet. Soon the official messengers from the yamen will arrive to deliver congratulations. This is an honor the court bestows upon scholars—you mustn’t neglect the ceremony.”

“Go home quickly and wait for the officials there. Do you have reward money ready?”

“I have silver,” Zhao Guangzong said, “but not much in small change.”

“Then take some copper coins with you. When you hear the drums and gongs, the common folk will follow the messengers to ask for lucky money. You’ll need to toss at least a few handfuls.”

“Also, prepare two good pots of tea and some pastries and fruit to serve the messengers. Whether they eat or not is their business—but offering it is yours.”

“Yes, yes! I really wasn’t prepared. Without your reminder, I’d have forgotten the proper etiquette.”

When Zhao Guangzong had left home that morning, even if he’d thought he wouldn’t pass, he should still have prepared some reward money and told his servants how to handle visitors. That way, the messengers wouldn’t have come in vain.

Still, it wasn’t entirely his fault—he was a farmer’s son, with no family precedent of passing the exams. How could he have known all these formalities?

Qi Beinan, however, had experience. He had already instructed Tienan to exchange silver notes for plenty of copper coins earlier that morning.

A little later, Zhao Guangzong took a basket of coins and hurried home through a shortcut.

Not long after, about half an hour after the results were posted, they heard the distant beat of drums coming down the alley.

Xiao Yuanbao quickly straightened Qi Beinan’s robe and posture before going out to meet the officials.

“Congratulations, Master Qi, on taking first place as Jieyuan! Your talent not only brings honor to your family but glory to the entire county!”

The congratulatory officer clearly meant to flatter Qi Beinan, his words smooth and pleasant. “It’s truly my good fortune to be the one reporting the success of a Jieyuan today.”

Qi Beinan said, “You’ve worked hard to come all this way. Please, come inside for some tea and a short rest.”

The congratulatory officer replied, “I would love to taste the tea of Master Qi the Jieyuan, but the prefectural academy and the county office are short-staffed this autumn. I still have two more visits to make today.”

“Master Qi’s tea must be excellent. I’ll have to come shamelessly another day to try it.”

Qi Beinan smiled. “I’m afraid if you don’t come, I’ll end up waiting with the tea prepared.”

Seeing how courteous Qi Beinan was, the congratulatory officer felt quite pleased.

It wasn’t his first time serving as a congratulatory officer—he got the duty once every three years, and he had seen his share of new scholars.

Some of them, the moment they passed, acted as if they’d become emperors—lofty and arrogant, looking down on everyone. In front of minor officials like him, they carried themselves as if they outranked even the county magistrate.

“Master Qi, these are your official documents,” said the congratulatory officer. “They were sent directly from Linzhou by the government courier—no one at the county office has opened them.”

He gestured for the courier behind him to hand over a large red-sealed chest bearing Qi Beinan’s name.

“After you’ve checked the contents, if there’s any issue, you may report to the county office.”

“My thanks,” Qi Beinan said. He nodded slightly, and Tienan stepped forward to receive the chest.

“Since you’re too busy to stay for tea, once you finish your rounds, please take your men to a teahouse and have a pot of tea on me.”

Qi Beinan handed the congratulatory officer a palm-sized embroidered sachet.

The officer discreetly squeezed it—felt the weight—and his smile widened. “Much appreciated, Master Qi. We’ll head to the next household now.”

Once the officials left, beating their drums and gongs, another wave of townsfolk surged forward to offer congratulations.

Xiao Yuanbao quickly scattered silver coins, and while many plainly dressed commoners eagerly stooped to pick up the copper coins, a few better-dressed men mingled among them, offering congratulations that sounded more like attempts to strike conversation with Qi Beinan than to seek lucky money.

He thought to himself, truly, there are all kinds of people in this world.

After tossing the customary handfuls of coins, Xiao Yuanbao grew tired of scattering money—not from stinginess, but because his attention was caught by the chest the congratulatory officer had delivered. His thoughts had already flown to it.

He handed the basket to Madam Liu, then tugged Qi Beinan back into the house.

Before going in, Qi Beinan instructed Tienan to send someone to the estate to deliver the news.

Only then did he calmly follow Xiao Yuanbao into the study to open the chest.

“Go on—open it. You do it,” Qi Beinan said.

Seeing Qi Beinan’s gaze on him, Xiao Yuanbao’s lips curved, his eyes crinkling as he smiled shyly. “Anyway, what’s yours is mine too.”

Qi Beinan laughed softly, indulgent. “Everything of mine is already yours.”

Xiao Yuanbao’s smile deepened as he gently lifted the lid.

Inside, the papers were neatly stacked: certificates verifying Qi Beinan’s scholar status, an official examination token bearing the imperial seal, and the formal edicts granting privileges to newly ranked scholars.

Among the privileges were exemptions for Qi Beinan and his family from labor and tax duties, the right to remain standing before local officials, representation by legal clerks in court, and protection from corporal punishment—

There were also three scrolls listing the duties and codes of conduct expected of a successful candidate: to study diligently, to strive for higher office, to serve the court loyally, to remain humble, and to be a moral example for the people.

All these edicts served to elevate social standing. Xiao Yuanbao didn’t bother reading every line—he was too eager to see what rewards were inside.

Sure enough, there were tangible prizes as well: a property deed for a residence in Linzhou, fifteen mu of farmland on the outskirts, and a note of exchange for fifty guan in silver.

“Read out where the house is,” Qi Beinan said when he heard Xiao Yuanbao listing the contents.

“It says ‘Nantianmin Alley, two-entry courtyard,’” Xiao Yuanbao read aloud.

“I haven’t been to Linzhou,” he said curiously. “Is that a good location, Brother Qi?”

Qi Beinan nodded. “It’s quite a fine neighborhood.”

In fact, Linzhou’s rewards seemed even more generous than those in Jinling.

Back when Qi Beinan passed in Jinling, he had only been given twelve mu of suburban land and a single-entry courtyard in a remote area, though the cash prize had been higher—sixty guan.

But considering Jinling’s higher prices, the value was about the same.

“How wonderful—so many new properties gained in a single day!” Xiao Yuanbao said, beaming.

He felt deeply pleased. Property in the prefectural city was worth far more than anything in the county, and though they still lived in the county, knowing they owned land and a house elsewhere filled him with pride.

“What about the monthly stipend?” Qi Beinan asked.

“One guan of money per month, plus two dan of grain, six jin of meat, and eight bolts of fine cloth a year,” Xiao Yuanbao replied.

“That’s a great deal more than when you were a xiucai,” Qi Beinan noted.

Xiao Yuanbao nodded. “A xiucai only received two hundred eighty coins per month, one dan of grain per year, and four jin of meat—no cloth allowance at all.”

Qi Beinan said, “The leap from xiucai to juren isn’t a small one.”

“When there are vacancies, a juren may stand for selection and be appointed directly to office. A xiucai, though respected, still isn’t qualified to serve as an official.”

“The empire is peaceful, and the treasury remains full. Naturally, the court does not wish to mistreat its scholars.”

Qi Beinan continued, “If scholars lived in hardship, unable to study or take the exams, they’d all be forced to find ways to make a living instead. Then who would remain dedicated to learning and serving the court?”

“For now, the court still prizes scholars highly. But give it a few more years—once bureaucracy grows bloated, the benefits won’t be as generous as they are today.”

The rewards and stipends for those who passed the provincial and county exams had been shrinking year by year—cutting them in half now would hardly be an exaggeration.

Even the salaries of officials in the imperial court had been reduced, let alone the stipends for scholars who had yet to enter official service.

At that time, minor degree-holders were worth almost nothing; impoverished scholars were everywhere, and it was a common sight to see xiucai working as accountants in teahouses and restaurants.

Even among the current crop of provincial graduates, there were some who still had to make a living by copying books or keeping accounts for others.

Xiao Yuanbao knew nothing of this, of course. For now, all that mattered was joy.

His elder brother was now a provincial graduate, a Jieyuan—the top scholar of the provincial exam.

There were barely a handful of provincial graduates in the entire county, let alone a Jieyuan. He was bursting with pride.

Seeing Xiao Yuanbao so happy, Qi Beinan felt that all the exhaustion and effort from traveling and sitting for the exams had been completely worth it.

“Are you satisfied with my ranking?” Qi Beinan asked.

Xiao Yuanbao said, “Even if I weren’t, there couldn’t be a better one than this.”

Qi Beinan smiled. “You really are greedy.”

“But since I’ve earned this rank,” he added, “aren’t you going to give me a reward?”

Xiao Yuanbao thought for a moment. “I should, yes.”

But he really had no idea what to give. Ink, brushes, paper, and inkstones—Qi Beinan lacked none of them, and he didn’t even seem to care much for those scholarly luxuries as other men did.

Come to think of it, Xiao Yuanbao had never really noticed anything Qi Beinan particularly liked. Preparing a gift for him was always difficult.

“Is there something you want?” Xiao Yuanbao asked. “If you say it, I’ll prepare it.”

Qi Beinan’s eyes glinted with amusement as he leaned close to Xiao Yuanbao’s ear and whispered a few words.

At once, Xiao Yuanbao’s cheeks flushed bright red as he looked at Qi Beinan’s flawless profile so close to his own.

He pushed Qi Beinan back slightly, stammering in a mix of embarrassment and indignation. “No!”

Qi Beinan blinked. “Why not?”

Xiao Yuanbao stumbled over his words but lifted his chin stubbornly. “Because—we’re not married yet, and we can’t do that sort of thing.”

Qi Beinan clicked his tongue softly. Not even a kiss allowed—stricter than an old Confucian teacher.

Still, he didn’t press further. He sat back, his tone faint and tinged with visible disappointment. “All right then.”

When Xiao Yuanbao saw Qi Beinan sit back down quietly, making no other move, he finally relaxed a little.

But inside, he fumed—this man was really bad!

Qi Beinan leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. “Be happy while you can. I have to rest well—looks like there’s still another hard battle ahead.”

At that, Xiao Yuanbao panicked slightly. “W-what battle?” he asked.

Qi Beinan opened his eyes. “Now that I’ve passed, there’ll be endless visits and congratulations. Even if I don’t wish to make a show of it, I can’t refuse to see anyone. If I turn away friends and acquaintances, won’t people think I’ve grown arrogant after passing the exam?”

“Ah… oh.” Xiao Yuanbao stammered his reply.

“Then what did you think I meant?” Qi Beinan asked knowingly.

“I didn’t think anything!” Xiao Yuanbao blurted out, flustered. “I—I’m going out to see if Father’s here yet!”

Qi Beinan watched him hurry toward the door and said lazily, “Even if you bring your father into it, I won’t be scared.”

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