WRONGLY ACCUSED

The clamor and excitement outside the teahouse had nothing to do with Yao Wenyin. She sat on her stool in a daze; a good while passed without her snapping back to her senses from that psychological blow.

“Elder Sister Yao, are you alright?” asked Tian Shan. Then she pushed Yao Wenyin’s favorite pastries toward said girl. “Come eat some of this to better your mood.”

“I was wrong.” Beside herself, Yao Wenyin picked up a piece of pastry and stuffed it into her mouth, almost choking on it. Following that, she drank half a cup of tea before she felt better. “Previously, I ran into Hua Liuli at the God of Literature’s temple and saw her praying for her elder brother’s success on the exam. I even mocked her for it.”

Upset to the max, Yao Wenyin continued, “If I had known that praying to the God of Literature was that effective, then let’s not mention donating to the temple; it would be fine even if I had to kowtow to the statue. No matter what, I would not allow Hua Liuli’s big brother to step on my big brother’s head.”

“Hold on, what did you say?!” Jiamin’s gaze fell upon Yao Wenyin, one of shock and sympathy. Just how much couldn’t she take it that she’d run over and offend Hua Liuli?

“I saw her praying for her big brother’s success in front of the God of Literature,” said Yao Wenyin, dispirited. “I must have offended the God of Literature, so Big Brother couldn’t get a good placement on the imperial exam.”

In a consoling manner, Jiamin said, “In the first place, things like ghosts and gods aren’t real. So why is it your fault? On the bright side, maybe this doesn’t have anything to do with Hua Liuli praying to gods. Maybe Hua Liuli’s elder brother is just more talented than Cousin Brother?”

To which Yao Wenyin stared at Jiamin without a word, a good while passing.

Can you really consider these words consoling?　　

“What I meant to say is, maybe Cousin Brother just happened to not perform normally back then. And this allowed Hua Liuli’s big brother to temporarily hold first place. Once it’s time for the Palace Exam, whose talent is higher can be easily seen.”

“Jiamin is right,” said Tian Shan, rushing to lighten up the mood. “Elder Sister Yao, your brother already has an incredible placement. The spring exam is held every three years. For him to get fifth place proves he is more talented than most people. We should congratulate him properly, not think about other insignificant matters.”

“You people are right. One must think of the bright side of things.” Yao Wenyin sucked in a deep breath. “Although my big brother didn’t place first, he snatched up fifth place, this great achievement. I remember that Lin Wan’s elder brother also participated in the imperial exam. What placement did he get?”

Both Tian Shan and Jiamin shook their heads. They had not paid attention to this at all.

Yao Wenyin had her servants ask around. When she discovered that Lin Wan’s elder brother only achieved seventh place, her mood rose.

Even though he couldn’t beat Hua Liuli’s brother, he had utterly beaten Lin Wan’s.

Just as the palace servants who were to escort Hua Liuli to the palace arrived at the Hua estate’s front doors, they heard the people who were to inform households of the exam results beating gongs and drums. In addition, they shouted, “Congratulations Young Master Hua for placing first.”

Placing first?　　

As in first in the imperial exam?　　

The female official leading the palace servants raised a hand, indicating for the carriage to yield the way. She watched as the Hua family personally invited the messengers through the front doors of the estate. Commandery Princess Fushou followed behind the generals, a smile across her entire face. She even seemed happier than usual when walking.

The crackle of firecrackers from the other side of the high walls. Such a sound caused cheer to enter the female official’s heart.

“Should we go in now?”

“Let’s wait some more,” replied the female official. “Let’s take another walk around the street and return in an hour.”

Once the messengers of the good news shut the door, Hua Liuli jumped from joy. “I knew that Third Brother is the smartest handsome man on the street. Third Brother, you’re amazing!”

“You also worked hard to have the kitchens change the cuisine for me at this time.” Hua Changkong noticed that Hua Liuli’s cheeks were red from happiness, warmth filling his heart.

That’s how family was. When he achieved great results, they would be happier than him. When he was upset or when things didn’t go his way, they wouldn’t blindly criticize him. Rather, they would accompany him. Console him.

Having such lovely family members was his most fortunate blessing.

“You three can go ahead and be happy first. I’ll arrange to have people tell your two elder brothers the good news. And your maternal grandparents too,” said Wei Mingyue, looking at her husband and children who had become foolish with happiness. A smile tugging on her lips, she patted Hua Changkong’s shoulder, rose to her feet, and left the study.

Once she was gone, Hua Yingting searched through his pockets for a good while, before fishing out bank notes of different denominations. Following that, he placed them in Hua Changkong’s hand in an imposing manner. “Take this. It’s Father’s reward to you.”

“Wow! Daddy, you actually have a secret stash of a few hundred silver liang?” whispered Hua Liuli, extending her neck to look at the money. “If Mother finds out, then you’re done for.”

“What do little girls know?” Hua Yingting chuckled in a mischievous manner. “For a man to have a bit of a secret money stash is a married couple’s delight. What’s more, after I worked so hard to hide this money, aren’t I spending it on you people in the end?”

As a husband, every year he’d have to think of a way to give his wife a pleasant surprise. Where did that money come from?

Naturally, it’s from his secret stash of cash.

As a father, he’d have to buy presents for his children’s birthday or when they achieved something, so as to encourage them. Where did that money come from?

Also from his secret stash.

There was a  sense of satisfaction as one watched one’s secret stash of money grow.

When spending said money on one’s most loved people, one would feel a sense of achievement.

“You people are still too young.” Hua Yingting reached out and poked his son and daughter’s foreheads. “You think I’m scared your mother would find out? Let me tell you…”

Footsteps rang from the hall outside. Hua Yingting held Hua Changkong’s hand in place. Stuffed the bank notes into his son’s breast pocket. He blurted, “So what if a man is henpecked? That shows that he’s a good man. Changkong, you must remember this, alright?”

Translated by Sleepchaser at https://sleepchaser.wordpress.com/ If you read it anywhere else besides Sleepchaser’s wordpress, that copy was stolen.

“You’re never proper. What are you telling the children?” Wei Mingyue made her way to the doorway. “First, bring the children to burn incense for their ancestors. Come to the ancestral hall once you’ve washed your hands.”

A grin meant to curry favor spread across Hua Yingting’s face. “Alright, Wife.”

Hua Changkong and Hua Liuli turned their gazes to Hua Yingting, subtle smiles on their lips.

“Sure enough, Daddy isn’t afraid of Mother.”

“He’s just terribly afraid of her.”

The brazen Hua Yingting grew angry from his children’s teasing. He drove them out the door like he was driving away ducklings, saying, “Scram. Go wash your hands then burn some incense.”

A fit of laughter among brother and sister, and then Hua Liuli seized the opportunity to snatch two bank notes from Hua Chankong’s breast pocket, stuffing them into her own.

Compared to the lively Hua family, the Lin family was more cold and cheerless.

“You did well in the spring exam, but with your level, you should have no problem placing in the top three.” Lin Zhou’s gaze fell upon his son, Lin Sen, who was standing with his head hanging low. “Don’t grow arrogant or satisfied. Display your talents during the Palace Exam.”

“Yes.” Raising his head to look at his father, Lin Sen hesitated for a moment before saying, “After the imperial exam, the other exam candidates who passed want to share a meal at a restaurant…”

“With the Palace Exam so close, it looks suspicious if the successful exam candidates seem too close, as if they were forming factions.” Lin Zhou fell into a moment of pondering. “Try your best not to participate in such activities. Put more time into reviewing study material at home.”

“I will bear this in mind.” Lin Sen’s gaze grew a hint darker. “Father, I will return to the study to review material.”

“Mm.” Lin Zhou nodded, expression serene. Once his son had left, he revealed a satisfied smile.

Although he hailed from humble origins, as long as his descendants worked hard, a hundred years later his Lin family could barely be acknowledged as an influential and scholarly family spanning many generations.

An idea sparked in his heart, but he quickly suppressed it.

As a state official, one must never have such a thought.

The capital was too flourishing, to the point that if one were not careful, one would easily lose oneself.