Chapter 337: The New Jinshi

“The Baishan Hall has only been operating for three months, and it’s already showing promising results. Over a thousand patients have been cured. At the beginning, there were a few people who pretended to be impoverished locals to get treatment. After the local officials found out, the village chiefs who vouched for them were stripped of their positions. Those individuals not only had to pay for their consultations but were also sentenced to half a month of hard labor. It served as a warning to others. Since then, there haven’t been any similar incidents in the past two months.”

Su Wan set the account book aside and gently rubbed her belly. “There are only two Baishan Hall right now. The profits from the military and palace contracts are more than sufficient. But the Great Zhou is vast. If we’re to establish a hall in every prefectural and county city, I fear my own strength alone won’t be nearly enough.”

She wanted to draw from the concept of modern charitable foundations, encouraging the wealthy to donate funds specifically for helping poor citizens get medical treatment through the Baishan Hall. Part of the funds would also be used to establish private academies, ensuring that even children from impoverished backgrounds had access to education.

When the country is strong, the people are strong. When the country is wealthy, so are the people. And in turn, a strong and educated populace brings wealth to the nation.

After listening to Su Wan’s plan, Qi Min nodded in agreement. “It’s a good idea. Very practical and feasible.”

Su Wan rubbed her chin in thought. “The wealthy won’t do charity for nothing. I’ll need to discuss it with His Majesty. If charitable donations can be used to offset a portion of their taxes and also help build their public reputation, it might attract quite a number of people.”

Qi Min said, “You should talk it over with Huaizhi first.”

“Huaizhi is already overwhelmed. The Grand Chancellor has likely grown too old. Since last winter, he’s been bedridden and never recovered. He’s planning to retire and has the intention of recommending Huaizhi as his successor. First, because he’s young, and second, because he didn’t come through the orthodox imperial examination system, which his political opponents are using against him.”

He himself didn’t care much for the position. The Minister of Personnel was about to retire, and that was the post he was determined to take.

He had the ability, but not having the credentials of a successful candidate through the imperial exams made others reluctant to support him. These days, he had been out socializing late into the night just to build support.

Just the other day, he stayed in the palace for the reexamination. Today was the palace examination, and only then did he decline his social engagements.

How could Su Wan trouble him with her trivial matters?

“Didn’t he participate in the grace examination? He was top scorer in the metropolitan exam. Today’s the palace examination—if he places on the Golden Roll and his identity is revealed, who would still dare to criticize him for not being a proper jinshi^[1]Jinshi (進士): The highest degree awarded through the imperial examination system in imperial China. Candidates who passed the metropolitan exam (會試) and palace exam (殿試) earned this title … Continue reading?”

Qi Min was completely unimpressed. “If he wins first place overall, that would make him a triple laureate. That would be a solid slap in their faces.”

Su Wan laughed, feeling thankful that Gu Huaizhi had the foresight. Even though his other identity already held high office, he still chose to take part in the imperial exams. Now it was paying off.

“Let’s wait and see. Today is the first day of the third month. The day after the palace examination, the top ten successful candidates will be summoned, and the results will be officially posted four days later.”

Su Wan held her belly in both hands, her brows furrowing with worry. “I did the math. I conceived this little one at the end of the fifth month. On the fourth day of the third month, the baby is due.”

Qi Min glanced at Su Wan with concern. She had been well cared for by Mother Gu. Her face had filled out, and though her limbs remained slender, she had put on some weight, looking noticeably more full-figured.

She said anxiously, “It won’t come early, will it?”

“Probably not?” Su Wan couldn’t help but feel nervous. The baby had already dropped into her pelvis some time ago. “I’ll walk around more these next few days, so labor will go a little more smoothly.”

“All right.” Qi Min pushed the plate closer to her. “Hurry and finish eating.”

Su Wan held the plate and ate bite after bite, quickly finishing it.

Just then, Mother Gu walked in with a beaming smile and said, “Wanwan, your father sent some spring goods from Xinghua Village—bamboo shoots, fiddlehead ferns, mushrooms, cured meat and such. What would you like to eat tonight?

How about stir-fried bamboo shoots with cured meat, or chicken stewed with morels? He even sent over twenty black-boned chickens, knowing you’re about to give birth, so you can have them during your postpartum confinement.”

Su Wan’s mouth instantly watered, her eyes sparkling. “Stew the chicken until the meat falls off the bone!”

“Of course!” Mother Gu turned to Qi Min and said, “In-law, would you stay for dinner?”

“Not today. I’ll head back soon,” Qi Min replied.

“All right. I’ll pack some mountain goods for you to take home,” said Mother Gu as she bustled in and out.

During dinner, Su Wan looked at the bowl of golden, glistening chicken soup before her. The rich aroma was irresistible. She drank two full bowls in a row. Then, with a plate of stir-fried bamboo shoots and cured meat, she finished another two bowls of rice, eating so much she could barely sit straight.

“Wanwan, aside from the black-boned chickens, there are also twenty yellow-feathered hens. They’ve laid quite a few eggs along the way. How about I steam you a couple of red date poached eggs later?” Mother Gu was full of energy, seeing how well Su Wan was eating.

Su Wan waved her hands quickly. “No need, I’m stuffed. If I eat any more, I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

“Shall I walk with you for a bit to help with digestion?”

“Yes, please.”

Su Wan walked two laps along the edge of the courtyard wall. Only when a faint ache pressed against her ribs did she return to her room to rest. After a bath, she lay down on the bed.

The room door opened and then closed.

Su Wan looked up and saw Gu Huaizhi entering, dressed in his inner garments, his hair still damp.

“You bathed in the room next door?” Su Wan pushed herself up, preparing to get out of bed.

Gu Huaizhi gently pressed her shoulder down and laid her back onto the bed. “I’ll take care of everything. You just rest.”

“You just left the palace after the exam? Wasn’t it supposed to finish at you hour (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)^[2]You hour (酉時): A traditional Chinese time unit corresponding to 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.? It’s already the end of xu hour (7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)  now.” Su Wan wrapped her arms around his neck and took a sniff of him. “Did you drink?”

“After the exam, a few classmates pulled me aside for a couple of drinks.” Gu Huaizhi had a smile in his eyes. “I’ve washed thoroughly. Can you still smell it?”

“It’s very faint, and it smells nice,” Su Wan murmured, burying her face in the crook of his neck and taking a deep breath. She licked her lips. “I want to drink too.”

“I’ll let you have a sip or two after your confinement.”

“But I’ll still have to nurse the baby.”

“Then wait until you’re done nursing. I’ll drink for you.”

“You’re so annoying!” Su Wan kicked him with her foot.

Gu Huaizhi caught her foot and tucked it back under the blanket. “Don’t catch a chill. If you really want to drink, we can hire a wet nurse…”

“I want to feed the baby myself,” Su Wan cut him off, speaking pitifully. “You drink it for me. I’ll just smell the scent.”

Gu Huaizhi’s gaze darkened. He lifted her chin and lowered his head to kiss her, gently capturing her lips and softly licking them, slowly deepening the kiss and slipping past her teeth. Their breaths mingled, warm and close.

In his deep eyes surged a tide of passion as he watched her slowly succumb. Her fair, delicate cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and her eyes shimmered with moisture. His breath grew uneven, and he held her tightly in his arms, pausing beside her neck to steady himself. “Did you taste it?”

Su Wan was dazed and didn’t react at first. Then she gradually realized her mouth was filled with his taste, and a faint, mellow scent of wine lingered. Her cheeks turned scarlet.

She reached out and pinched his waist. “Go to sleep. You have to enter the palace early tomorrow morning!”

Gu Huaizhi let out a low laugh. “Only the top ten need to enter the palace.”

“How could my husband possibly not be in the top ten?” Su Wan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Gu Huaizhi, pleased by her words, kissed the corner of her lips. “Sleep now.”

Su Wan snuggled into his arms, resting her head on his arm as she drifted off. In a sleepy mumble, she said, “Not only must you make it into the top ten, you’d better win the top spot. That’ll slap their faces good. All that wine you drank these days shouldn’t be for nothing.”

“Yes, just as my wife says,” Gu Huaizhi replied, gently patting her back. “I’ll get you a noble title.”

In her dreams, Su Wan curled her lips into a smile, as if she were having a beautiful dream.

Early the next morning, Gu Huaizhi received notice to enter the palace as one of the newly appointed successful candidates.