Chapter 29: The Provincial Examination

Shen Shilang pocketed the monthly stipend.

He owed General Wei a great deal and vowed to repay him if he ever achieved success in the future.

He didn’t pretend to be aloof by refusing the silver, as he lived off the Wei family for years and owed his life to General Wei.

***

Wei Jianming knew Shen Shilang would take part in this provincial exam and had already planned to outrank him. Now, having been beaten by Wei Zhaoxian because of Shen Shilang, he was even more determined.

He was set on healing his wounds to participate in the exam.

Fortunately, Wei Zhaoxian hadn’t struck his buttocks. After a few days, the wounds on his back began to scab over. Though still painful, he could at least move around.

On the eve of the exam, Madam Wei and Wei Ruyan visited Wei Jianming’s courtyard.

Madam Wei had prepared the necessities for tomorrow’s exam.

“It’s still unbearably hot in Chong’an,” Madam Wei worried. “It’s a shame the exam is held in this season. It’ll be torturous inside.”

“Fortunately, Second Brother’s wound has healed,” Wei Ruyan said.

“Are you still in pain? Will it affect your performance?” Madam Wei asked.

Wei Jianming moved his arm and said, “The wounds have scabbed over. It still hurts, but as long as I avoid big movements, I’ll be fine. I’ve tried writing while sitting, and it feels alright.”

“I’ve prepared thick, soft cushions for you,” Madam Wei opened the package to show him. “It might be a bit warm to sleep on in this weather, but it’s soft and won’t press on your wounds. Just bear with it until the exam is over.”

Wei Jianming felt the cushion, “Just looking at it makes me feel hot. I wish I could use a cool mat instead.”

“But that might aggravate your wounds,” Madam Wei said. “Just bear with it.”

Wei Ruyan chimed in, “Second Brother, you have to do well this time. Make sure to rank higher than Shen Shilang. We can’t let him outshine you!”

At the mention of Shen Shilang, Wei Jianming’s face darkened. He gritted his teeth, “Don’t worry. No matter how much Father likes him, he’s still useless. His studies aren’t good. He barely passed the county exam with an average rank, far worse than me. He might not even pass this time.”

“Brother, we’re counting on you!” Wei Ruyan turned to Madam Wei, “Mother, should we prepare something for Shen Shilang?”

Madam Wei coldly replied, “Didn’t your father ask Manager Yue to oversee the mansion? Let his trusted Manager Yue handle it. Why should I bother? If Manager Yue doesn’t prepare well, it’s not my fault.”

“You’re right, we shouldn’t care about him,” Wei Ruyan said, rolling her eyes.

Manager Yue did indeed bring a package for Shen Shilang.

“I specifically inquired about what’s needed for the exam. I’m not sure how much Young Master Shen has prepared, so I took the liberty to prepare some items,” Manager Yue respectfully placed the package on the table. “Please check if there’s anything missing, and I will procure it.”

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Manager Yue,” Shen Shilang expressed his gratitude and opened the package.

Manager Yue explained each item: “This is an ice silk headband. It cools down quickly when not in contact with skin. The weather is frustratingly hot, and you’ll need a clear mind for the exam. If you feel restless from the heat, wearing this will help a bit.”

Shen Shilang picked up the headband, surprised by its coolness. “This is a good item; it’s rare in the market. You must have put in a lot of effort to find it.”

“It wasn’t much trouble, please don’t feel pressured,” Manager Yue said. “As I manage the Northwest Trading Company, I’m more familiar with such items. I simply had one reserved where they’re commonly sold.”

“Thank you, Manager Yue,” Shen Shilang bowed.

“You’re too kind, Young Master. It’s my duty.”

Seeing Shen Shilang take out a soft mat, Manager Yue explained, “This mat works similar to the ice silk headband to keep you cool. The provincial exam lasts three days in the examination hall. You need good rest to perform well on the second day. I’ve prepared a soft cushion, and laying this cool mat on top will make it both soft and cool. A comfortable sleep will improve your exam performance.”

“Also, insects are still abundant this season,” Manager Yue continued, producing a small porcelain bottle. “This contains a special scented oil. If there are mosquitoes, open the lid and place it by your pillow to keep them away.”

“And this is for staying alert,” he presented another bottle. “If you haven’t rested well and feel drowsy during the exam, smell this. You can also apply a small amount to your temples, but be careful not to use too much, or it will irritate your eyes.”

Both bottles were carefully labeled to avoid confusion.

Shen Shilang hadn’t prepared any of these items. The cool mat and headband, in particular, were things he couldn’t get even if he had the money.

Shen Shilang sincerely thanked Manager Yue and saw him out of the courtyard.

The next day, Manager Yue arranged a carriage to take Shen Shilang to the examination hall.

At the Wei mansion’s gate, Shen Shilang saw Madam Wei and Wei Ruyan sending off Wei Jianming.

Seeing Shen Shilang, Wei Jianming coldly snorted.

“Brother, don’t mind him. Focus on your exam, that’s what matters,” Wei Ruyan said to Wei Jianming.

Shen Shilang ignored them and got into his carriage.

“Let’s go quickly,” Wei Jianming said.

Once in their carriage, Wei Jianming complained, “Mother, how could you let Manager Yue take charge of the mansion? He even arranged a carriage for Shen Shilang. How dare he!”

“Manager Yue is your father’s man. He’ll report everything to your father,” Madam Wei explained. “Your father just had a big outburst and punished everyone in the mansion. Who would dare provoke him now?”

“Let’s endure for a few days. Manager Yue won’t stay long. When the new steward arrives, I’ll see how they operate,” Madam Wei continued. “Your father hasn’t stripped me of my authority. Once things settle down, I’ll be in charge again. The new steward will be here long-term, unlike Manager Yue who’s just temporary. Manager Yue has no reservations and doesn’t need to consider my feelings. But the new manager, wanting to keep their position, will have to be mindful of me.”

Seeing Wei Jianming nodding and listening intently, Madam Wei said, “You don’t need to worry about these matters. Just focus on passing the provincial exam. Once you become a Juren^[1]Provincial examinations (乡试 xiāng shì): – Held in provincial capitals every three years – Highly competitive, typically lasting several days – Successful candidates earned the … Continue reading, you can smoothly proceed to the spring imperial examination in the capital.”