The moment the three characters "Song Shi'an" were spoken, everyone at Song Estate was shocked, their eyes widening in disbelief.
Even Song Jing, who was always composed—only losing his temper that day when the ambush against Song Shi'an had failed—stood there dumbfounded, completely devoid of the dignified bearing expected of a Third Rank court official.
Why would that name be mentioned?
And what was that about "jieyuan" coming from the matchmaker's mouth?
This... it's impossible!
My son, my son...
Jiang-shi, who had been huddled in a corner all this time, heard her son's name and her eyes suddenly lit up with radiance.
Moreover, it seemed they had come to propose marriage to her son?
Could it mean he "passed"?
But she hadn't heard the word "jieyuan" clearly. She knew that simply passing the juren examination wouldn't make her husband easily forgive their son, so she restrained her excitement. Slowly, bit by bit, she secretly edged closer.
Seeing their expressions, the old man thought he had said something wrong and hastily said, "Since you don't know... then I'll take my leave."
They must know him.
But there's probably some grudge.
Otherwise, why would they all have such expressions?
"No, no." Song Jing snapped out of his stupor and asked in confusion, "What do you want with Song Shi'an?"
Upon being questioned, the old man explained, "Song Shi'an-daren achieved jieyuan... so I've come especially to propose marriage."
Bǎngxià Zhuōxù —Seizing a son-in-law beneath the examination rankings.
This was an ancient custom during imperial examinations where, when the results were posted, local gentry, landlords, merchants, or declining noble families would seize the opportunity to propose marriage, bringing home newly successful juren or jinshi as worthy sons-in-law.
To be the first to "seize a son-in-law," many people prepared in advance, even those from distant places.
For instance, the Wang family of Sui County—their ancestors had produced a Deputy Commandant. Though they had declined, they weren't considered a humble family. If they prepared a generous betrothal gift, they could dare to compete for a jieyuan.
Of course, it required speed.
A jieyuan was the type that got snatched up instantly.
"What did you say?" Song Jing asked in shock. "Song Shi'an achieved jieyuan?"
Song Qin and Madam Cui also looked utterly incredulous, hastily shaking their heads in unison: "How could that be possible?!"
Jieyuan?
That meant first place in the provincial examination!
When Jiang-shi heard this, she was instantly stunned.
Around them, silence fell for a moment.
Then, regaining her senses, she immediately shouted excitedly: "My son achieved jieyuan! My son achieved jieyuan!"
Madam Cui's face immediately flushed red as she roared, "Silence!"
"Stop talking." Song Jing also snapped at Jiang-shi, then seriously addressed the old man: "Why are you spouting nonsense? Fabricating such lies?"
"Aiya, daren!" The old man was exasperated, sighing forcefully. "How many heads do I have that I would dare fabricate such lies? The jieyuan-daren is a celestial star descended to earth—how would I dare blaspheme him!"
"You, you're telling the truth?"
Song Jing still didn't dare believe it and confirmed once more.
He knew Song Shi'an's capabilities.
The boy had the talent of a xiucai at best.
Talk of passing the juren examination, let alone becoming jieyuan, was absurd!
"Daren, the whole city knows by now. This old one wouldn't dare speak falsely!" the old man explained helplessly once again.
After glancing around the estate, he roughly understood the situation.
Song Shi'an was the son of this household, but apparently an illegitimate son.
Thus, he carefully broached the subject: "If this Song Shi'an-daren is daren's son... what do you think about the marriage proposal? If we can settle it, my master could personally visit to propose marriage in three days... no, tomorrow."
It's true.
For a moment, Song Jing felt dazed.
But with the marriage proposal delegation still at his gate, after a brief internal struggle, his expression darkened as he said, "No need. You should find someone else."
After being refused, the old man didn't persist. He simply smiled.
Then he left, waving his hand and saying to the delegation: "Let's go. On to the next family."
"The first among the sub-yuan is Minister Sun's legitimate son," someone beside him said quietly.
"Then the one after that."
Without wasting any time, the matchmaking delegation turned around, their destination clear.
"Master, Shi'an achieved jieyuan!" Jiang-shi rushed out excitedly, saying, "He achieved jieyuan!"
"I'm not deaf!"
Song Jing's emotions were extremely complicated right now.
Among these complex feelings, there was a flash of delight.
However, he also felt that rejoicing over this matter was utterly shameful.
How could he put his warm face against that boy's cold ass!
Madam Cui, who completely disbelieved this matter, spoke through gritted teeth with sarcasm: "How could he pass? I'm afraid there was cheating..."
"Silence!"
Before she could finish, an enraged Song Jing pointed at Madam Cui, his vigilance fully aroused.
Hastily covering her own mouth, Madam Cui also realized she had misspoken.
Even as the First Madam, she didn't dare talk back at such a time.
To say Song Shi'an cheated would drag the entire Song family down with him.
When people are angry, their words don't go through their brains.
"Master... Shi'an has already achieved jieyuan. Let him come home." Jiang-shi pleaded.
And this time, her tone of pleading was completely devoid of its usual humility and trepidation.
In fact, there was even a hint of negotiation in it.
"So what if he achieved jieyuan?"
Song Jing clenched his fists, feeling Song Shi'an's misdeeds were too numerous to record: "Even if he achieved zhuangyuan, without the slightest respect for his father, without any propriety, and with corrupted private virtue, I will never acknowledge him. If he thinks he can just come home like this, not a chance!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the chief steward behind him quietly reminded: "Master."
Song Jing slowly turned around to see several young men in official robes standing at the gate.
One of them held a wooden tray with a spotlessly clean set of black official robes neatly arranged on it.
On the robes, a brand-new black gauze cap gleamed.
The leader was a Sixth Rank Reader-in-Attendance from the Imperial Academy. After saluting, he said with a smile: "Congratulations, Song-daren, Madam. Both sons have passed the juren examination. The marriage proposals will probably break down your doorstep, won't they?"
Though the man's rank wasn't high, he was from the Imperial Academy, so Song Jing also smiled and returned the courtesy: "Thank you."
"Please come in."
Then Song Jing extended his hand.
The Imperial Academy officials all entered Song Estate through the main gate.
Hearing that her son had passed the juren examination, Madam Cui's expression relaxed somewhat.
However, seeing Jiang-shi standing foolishly to the side with that silly grin, she was filled with rage.
"Sit in the main hall?" Song Jing suggested.
"No, no, this subordinate still has to rush over to Minister Sun's residence." The Reader-in-Attendance said.
"Sun Qian achieved sub-yuan?" Song Jing asked curiously.
The Reader-in-Attendance smiled mysteriously, saying quietly, "Second in both subjects, just behind Song-daren."
Hearing this "Song-daren," Song Jing was confused for a moment before the other party hastily explained: "The younger Song-daren."
"Haha."
Song Jing laughed dryly.
Madam Cui's face turned green.
Jiang-shi's head gradually lifted higher.
"It's like this—juren are to report to the Imperial Academy in three days to register and receive their assignments," the Reader-in-Attendance said. "As for the jieyuan, he must report to the Secretariat for assignment at the hour of chen seven days from now."
"Understood." Song Jing nodded.
"These are the younger Song-daren's official robes." The Reader-in-Attendance extended his hand, and the scholar beside him stepped forward with the cap and robes.
Seeing this, Jiang-shi hastily came forward with a beaming smile: "Thank you, daren."
Then she withdrew to the side.
Carefully stroking the black gauze cap with her hand, the corners of her mouth overflowing with happiness.
"Is the younger Song-daren present?" The Reader-in-Attendance craned his neck and asked.
"..." Song Jing froze, then said, "He is, he's just not at home right now."
"Then when will he return?" The Reader-in-Attendance pressed.
He had just heard some of their conversation earlier.
It seemed Song Shi'an and his father... had some kind of falling out?
"That's still uncertain..."
Song Jing furrowed his brow.
"Is he in the city?"
"Naturally he's in the city." Song Jing said without hesitation.
Sensing something slightly off, the Reader-in-Attendance reminded him: "Song-daren, if he doesn't report to the Secretariat seven days from now—that is, on the twentieth of the sixth month—it will be treated as abandoning his official position."
"Please rest assured, Scholar."
Hearing this, Song Jing didn't dare be negligent and hastily repeated: "He will definitely be there. He will definitely be there."