On the day the results were posted, the officials in the capital would personally deliver the news first.
Only the top three candidates—those with the potential to become the Zhuangyuan (top scholar), Bangyan (second place), or Tanhua (third place) in the Palace Exams—received such notifications.
“Grandmother, it must be my eldest brother,” Ye Jin stepped forward, taking the Old Madam’s arm. “Jin’er offers her early congratulations to Grandmother and Mother.”
“Rewards! Hand out generous rewards to all!” Lady Ye also spoke joyfully, instructing servants to open the gates for the officials and prepare the reward money.
The Ye residence was in a flurry of activity. No one paid any attention to Concubine Mei. Some were busy setting up the incense altar, while others hurried to congratulate Ye Shao Ming.
Passing by Concubine Mei, Ye Jin glanced at her but didn’t stop, continuing forward to support the Old Madam.
The official messenger wore an official robe and carried a gong adorned with red silk. “Congratulations, Old Madam! The Fourth Young Master of your esteemed house has once again achieved first place in the Metropolitan Exams! Congratulations!”
The smile on Lady Ye’s face instantly froze.
Ye Shao Ming stood there, mouth agape, stunned.
The Old Madam was also taken aback for a moment. But even though it wasn’t Ye Shao Ming, it was still a descendant of the Ye family. Clasping her hands together excitedly, she said, “Excellent! This generation of the Ye family has truly produced talent! Steward, reward him! Sir, please stay and join us for a celebratory feast?”
Although somewhat bewildered, the steward still handed over the prepared, hefty purse of money to the messenger.
The official weighed the purse in his hand and roughly gauged the amount inside. He smiled, “Thank you, Old Madam. However, I must proceed to the next household.”
Achieving first place in the Metropolitan Exams meant that, at worst, one wouldn’t fall below the top tier in the Palace Exams. The final ranking was essentially already set.
Therefore, these officials would eagerly announce the results for both exams, going from house to house.
“Wait, Official Sir,” Seeing that the messenger had only mentioned Ye Shao Hua and was now about to leave without another word, Lady Ye anxiously asked, “Aren’t there any others? Have you perhaps forgotten someone?”
The official messenger was puzzled. “Madam, is there someone else…”
“It’s nothing, my daughter-in-law is just overjoyed and a bit flustered,” the Old Madam gave Lady Ye a look, then addressed the official. “Sir, you may proceed to the next house.”
The official nodded, cupped his hands in salute, and left.
Lady Ye watched him go, still unwilling to give up hope. But as he departed, the official said nothing further.
The surrounding sisters-in-law were all offering congratulations. Lady Ye pretended to be delighted, but in reality, her heart felt twisted into knots.
An old nanny who had served her for many years immediately noticed something was off with Lady Ye’s expression. She quickly stepped forward to support her, patting her chest to help her breathe.
Seeing this, the Second Madam of the Ye family couldn’t help but sneer coldly.
She had long been displeased with the main branch. Back when the family divided the estate, Lady Ye hadn’t spared a single copper coin. Later, when Ye Shao Ming was accepted as a disciple by a Tanhua scholar, Lady Ye had been overjoyed, boasting all day long about Ye Shao Ming being a reincarnated Literary Star.
And now look? Even a concubine-born son had outperformed that so-called “Literary Star”!
Although the Second Madam disliked the main branch, seeing Concubine Mei’s son infuriate Lady Ye like this gave her a certain amount of satisfaction.
The Old Madam also frowned, shooting a glance at Lady Ye. She usually seemed decent enough; why was she acting so strangely now?
“Concubine Mei, you truly gave birth to a remarkable son,” she withdrew her gaze and, with condescending grace, took Concubine Mei’s hand, her face beaming like a chrysanthemum. “Quick, send someone to fetch the Master back home. Today is an event of the utmost importance!”
Just moments ago, Concubine Mei had been surrounded by ridicule and mockery.
Now, upon hearing that Ye Shao Hua had achieved first place, the Yuan (top scholar) of the Metropolitan Exams, those same sisters-in-law and collateral relatives who had been finding fault suddenly changed their tune.
They were practically falling over themselves to curry favor.
In recent times, Concubine Mei had grown accustomed to the cold, sarcastic attitudes of those around her, especially the sisters-in-law. The fickleness of human relationships was nothing new to her.
Faced with this sudden, excessive flattery, she merely curled her lip in disdain.
However, she herself hadn’t expected her daughter to achieve first place again?
To be honest, she was happy about scoring the top rank once more, but… what worried Concubine Mei even more was the fact that her daughter wasn’t actually a man! What if she passed the upcoming Palace Exams and became the Zhuangyuan, and the Emperor decided to bestow a marriage upon her? What would they do then?
Concubine Mei was deeply troubled.
Meanwhile, Ye Jin, still standing in the main hall, was utterly bewildered.
Chun’er pressed her lips together. “Third Young Miss, the Fourth Young Master achieved first place…”
This wasn’t like last time’s Jieyuan (provincial first place); this was Huiyuan (Metropolitan first place)! The gap between the Metropolitan and Palace Exam results was usually small. And with the Fourth Young Master being so young, securing a spot among the top three in the Palace Exams was practically a foregone conclusion.
The Third Young Miss would very likely be the younger sister of a Zhuangyuan.
If she were the blood sister of a Zhuangyuan, her status would be almost indistinguishable from that of the legitimate eldest daughter.
If Chun’er could realize this, how could Ye Jin not?
Ye Jin’s fingernails dug sharply into her palms. Last time, she had had a chance to reconcile with Concubine Mei, but initially, Ye Jin had resented Concubine Mei for being timid and weak.
Since childhood, she had despised Ye Shao Hua and Concubine Mei the most—both were cut from the same cowardly cloth, knowing only how to cry when faced with trouble.
Especially Ye Shao Hua! What kind of man studied things like the “Classic for Women”?!
That’s why Ye Jin had been determined to distance herself from them.
But who could have imagined… this fourth brother she had looked down upon would stage such a comeback? Not only had he turned the tables, but he had also consecutively achieved first place!
“Young Miss, you need to think this through carefully,” Chun’er said, having just returned from gathering some news outside. “This concerns your future marriage prospects. And considering what you said to Concubine Mei before… I’m not sure if she’ll even agree to see you…”
Chun’er started off trying to persuade Ye Jin but ended with a sigh.
Forget about whether the Third Young Miss would come to her senses. Given the things Ye Jin had repeatedly said to Concubine Mei, the bond between mother and daughter was likely already severed.
Ye Jin sat in her room, thinking for a long time. Finally, she decided, “Chun’er, bring the newly acquired crystal glassware. We’re going to visit Concubine Mei.”
Ye Jin still assumed that Concubine Mei and Ye Shao Hua remained the most insignificant and pitiable figures in the residence, just as they always had been. But the moment she arrived at Pear Garden, she was completely stunned.
