In the Wang family village, Old Madam Yang sat embroidering while chatting with Old Madam Zhang, Caiyun diligently amusing young Qinghe nearby.
“It’s been so many days already; I wonder how Qingchen is doing in the provincial capital. Ever since he left for the city, I haven't had a single day without worrying, fearing he might be suffering in some way,” Old Madam Yang fretted, her face etched with concern.
“Second Sister-in-law, Qingchen went to the provincial capital to take the county examinations. Many people wish they could go but can’t. You should relax. Perhaps when Qingchen returns, he’ll already be an accomplished Juren!” Old Madam Zhang offered words of comfort.
“Sigh, whether or not he passes as a Juren isn’t the main concern. The most important thing is that he returns safe and sound. I just worry he won't take good care of himself over there. Besides, passing the Juren examination isn't easy; how many have emerged from our Qingshan Town over the years!” Old Madam Yang shook her head and sighed.
“Don’t worry so much. Qingchen is not a child anymore. When sons grow up, they naturally need to venture out on their own, don't you agree? When Qingyi grows up, it will be the same,” Old Madam Zhang remarked.
Old Madam Yang shook her head again. “I know that much is true, but I just can’t stop worrying about him! Alas, when Qingyi gets older, you will understand how I feel right now…”
As the two women spoke, Wang Qinghua burst in energetically. Upon seeing Old Madam Yang and Old Madam Zhang, he didn't even bother with pleasantries, shouting immediately, “Mother, Third Aunt, great news! Qingchen has passed the Juren examination!”
Old Madam Yang had just been discussing Wang Qingchen with Old Madam Zhang. Hearing her eldest son announce the news, she was momentarily disbelieving. “Qinghua, what—what did you just say?”
Wang Qinghua waved the letter in his hand, his face alight with excitement. “Mother, Qingchen sent a letter! The letter says he passed!”
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Yang was too overwhelmed with excitement to speak, but Old Madam Zhang burst out, “Oh, Second Sister-in-law, see what I said? I told you Qingchen would pass the Juren exam! I never thought that right after I said it, Qingchen would send a letter confirming it. This is a monumental event! Qingchen is now an esteemed Juren!”
Old Madam Zhang turned to the speechless Old Madam Yang and shook her arm. “Second Sister-in-law, you are different now! You are the mother of a Juren!”
Only then did Old Madam Yang come back to herself with a daze. “A Juren? Qingchen passed the Juren exam? He really passed? This is wonderful…”
As she spoke, tears streamed down Old Madam Yang’s face. “Qingchen has made something of himself. He has achieved something!”
Wang Qinghua, seeing his mother cry, was startled and quickly urged her, “Mother, please don’t cry! Qingchen passing the Juren exam is cause for great celebration; we should be happy!”
Old Madam Zhang also comforted her. “That’s right, Second Sister-in-law. It’s a wonderful thing when a son makes a name for himself. And Qingchen is so filial; your days of ease are yet to come!”
Old Madam Yang offered an embarrassed smile. “I am just too happy, I couldn’t hold it in.”
Wiping her tears, Old Madam Yang then heard Caiyun ask doubtfully, “Mother, are you saying Second Brother passed the Juren exam? What is a Juren? Is a Juren very impressive?”
Young Qinghe chimed in agreement with his sister’s question, “Second Brother, impressive!”
Old Madam Yang looked at her two young children, smiling as she walked over to pat their heads. “Yes, your Second Brother is now the esteemed Juren Master. That is a very, very impressive person to be!”
Caiyun’s eyes lit up. “Mother, as impressive as those Juren Masters who live in the town that Hongying talks about?”
Old Madam Yang smiled and nodded, then heard Caiyun’s cheerful shout, followed by her younger son’s voice, “Second Brother, Juren, impressive!”
Looking at Caiyun and Qinghe, Old Madam Yang felt an indescribable joy welling up inside her. However, she suddenly realized that her husband didn't yet know about this huge event. She quickly instructed Wang Qinghua, “Quick, go call your father home! This news will make him incredibly happy.”
“Yes!” Upon receiving the order, Wang Qinghua hurried off to find Wang Youfu working in the fields.
Just as Wang Qinghua stepped out the courtyard gate, Luo Qing walked in looking rather puzzled. Luo Qing had originally been doing needlework with Old Madam Zhang and Old Madam Yang, but shortly after, her daughter started fussing. Luo Qing had no choice but to first soothe her daughter. After finally managing to get her to sleep, she returned to Old Madam Yang’s side, intending to join the embroidery again. She hadn't expected to see a figure hurrying out just as she approached.
“Mother, that person I just saw—didn’t they look a bit like Qinghua?” Luo Qing inquired.
Before Old Madam Yang could answer, Old Madam Zhang laughed from over there. “Your eyes are truly sharp; it was indeed Qinghua! He was rushing back to deliver the good news.”
“Good news?” Luo Qing was puzzled. What good news could there be at home right now? Could it be…?
“Isn't it good news? Qingchen passed the Juren examination! How about that? Isn't this a joyous occasion!” Old Madam Zhang said, beaming.
“A Juren? Third Aunt, is this true? Has my little brother-in-law truly passed the Juren exam?” Luo Qing asked excitedly.
It was understandable why Luo Qing was so worked up. In Qingshan Town, even passing as a Xiucai was a grand event. A Juren was something many people dared not even dream of. Who would have thought that the Wang family would now boast one, and at such a young age? Moreover, the difference between a Xiucai and a Juren was immense. A Juren Master could be appointed directly to an official post. Officials were completely different from common folk like them; they entered the ranks of the literati! If Wang Qingchen had truly passed as a Juren, the standing of the entire Wang family would change.
Old Madam Zhang feigned anger. “Such a major event, do you think I’d joke with you? If you don’t believe me, ask your mother-in-law!”
Hearing this, Luo Qing turned her gaze to Old Madam Yang, and upon seeing her mother-in-law nod in confirmation, she gasped, “This, this is truly a pass! So, my little brother-in-law is now officially a Juren Master?”
Old Madam Zhang chuckled at Luo Qing’s shocked expression. “Yes, he is now a Juren Master! Oh, since you’re here, keep your mother-in-law company and share in the joy. I must hurry off now. I need to spread this wonderful news to the villagers!”
With that, Old Madam Zhang left cheerfully, leaving the excited mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to discuss Wang Qingchen’s achievement.
Meanwhile, Wang Youfu was busy in the fields when he saw his eldest son approaching, looking extremely agitated. “Father, Mother is calling you back!”
“What is it? I’m busy here in the fields!” Wang Youfu asked.
Wang Qinghua exclaimed excitedly, “Father, Qingchen sent a letter! It says he passed the Juren examination!”
“What?” Wang Youfu could scarcely believe what he was hearing.
“Father, Qingchen passed the Juren examination!” Wang Qinghua repeated.
Realizing he hadn't misheard, Wang Youfu was so thrilled he almost dropped the rake onto his foot. “Hahahaha, Qingchen passed the Juren exam! This is absolutely wonderful! Ah, Qingchen is so promising! I knew he would pass! Hahahaha, our Qingchen is now a Juren Master! How many Juren Masters are there in total in Qingshan Town? Our Qingchen is one of them! Truly worthy of being my son, so accomplished…”
The hired hands and day laborers working nearby overheard the news and were also overjoyed. They were now working for the household of a Juren Master! They all rushed to congratulate him. “Congratulations to the Master, a great day for the Master!”
“Hahahaha, congratulations to all!” Wang Youfu replied happily.
Wang Qinghua watched as his father’s mind seemed consumed only by excitement, so he quickly interjected, “Father, let’s hurry back! Mother is waiting for us!”
Hearing this, Wang Youfu realized he was still out in the field. He quickly agreed, “Right, right, I almost forgot you mentioned it. We must hurry back! Such magnificent news calls for proper celebration. Let’s go quickly. Later, we need to tell your grandfather so he can also rejoice. Our Old Wang family has produced a Juren…”
On the way back, though father and son walked quickly, it did nothing to dampen Wang Youfu’s excitement. He spent the entire journey recounting Wang Qingchen’s life from childhood onward, always concluding with, “I saw from a young age that this child would amount to something.” Wang Qinghua listened with a smile, nodding occasionally, clearly in full agreement with his father’s assessment.
When the father and son arrived home, Wang Youfu’s loud voice boomed, “Wife, prepare a grand feast today! We must celebrate properly tonight!”
Hearing Wang Youfu’s announcement, Old Madam Yang hurried out to meet him. “Ah, I was just discussing with Qing'er whether we should hold a proper celebration! I was just wondering if we should invite the First Branch and the Third Branch to join, and I needed your opinion, husband!”
Wang Youfu didn't think too long about it, simply waving his hand. “Tonight, we celebrate just within our immediate household. As for the First and Third Branches, we’ll invite them when we host relatives and friends another day.”
Old Madam Yang quickly agreed and then pulled Luo Qing away to start preparations.
Wang Youfu set his rake aside in the utility room, then took Wang Qingchen’s letter from Wang Qinghua. Though he couldn't read it, he carefully examined every part before holding it up to his eldest son and declaring, “Come, let’s go to the Old House. Such wonderful news cannot be kept from your grandfather and the others!”
Not long after Wang Youfu and Wang Qinghua left for the Old House, villagers began arriving at Wang Youfu’s home to offer congratulations. These few families knew about Wang Qingchen passing the Juren examination thanks to Old Madam Zhang. After hearing her announcement, they rushed over to offer their felicitations, understanding that a Juren Master was an extraordinary figure. They were already planning how to establish a good relationship with the Juren Master’s family.