Chapter 665 - 344: The Imperial Examination Approaches
Chapter 665: Chapter 344: The Imperial Examination Approaches
The news of Xu Su Ying recovering her memory spread throughout the Xu Mansion in less than a quarter of an hour. Everyone from the Xu family who was still in the mansion rushed over immediately. Mrs. Guo and Miss Huang came. Zhao Jing, Yanhe, Chang Yao, Changsi, and Chang Nian—every single one of them showed up.
Mrs. Guo’s hands trembled with excitement. Grabbing the nanny beside her, she instructed, "Hurry and send word to the palace. Tell my father-in-law about this. Send someone to the government office as well, and tell my husband to come home as soon as possible. Oh, right, Yan Lin. Don’t forget Yan Lin..."
Xu Yanlin should have been at home mourning. According to the dynasty’s customs, a granddaughter’s husband was considered an "outside relative" and didn’t bear the obligation of wearing full mourning attire, but he was still required to wear coarse hemp for a three-month mourning period. However, as a reserve force in the Royalist Party who had finally managed to enter the Ministry of Personnel, His Majesty was heavily relying on him. How could he be allowed to sit at home for three whole months? If he waited three months to return to the Ministry of Personnel, not only would the opportunity be long gone, but it would also visibly delay major matters. Because of this, Xu Yanlin’s mourning period was officially shortened. After returning to the Capital City and resting for two days, he resumed his post at the Ministry of Personnel.
After Mrs. Guo finished delegating these tasks, she looked inside and saw the mother and daughter still holding each other, crying their eyes out. Chen Wanqing watched anxiously. Just as she was about to go inside to comfort them, Mrs. Guo stepped in quickly and ushered her into Zhao Jing’s supportive hold.
"You’re heavily pregnant, so don’t go in there and get involved. Your grandmother and mother are so overwhelmed with emotion right now that they won’t be able to tend to you. Let them cry. The old madam has been bottling up so much in her heart over these years. Perhaps a good cry will do her health some good."
Not only was Chen Wanqing stopped by Mrs. Guo, but the other young women were also kept outside so they wouldn’t cause a scene. With Mrs. Guo taking charge, the maids and older female servants each went about their own duties, no longer crowding around the door.
Chen Wanqing didn’t want to leave, but it wasn’t appropriate for Zhao Jing to stay here either. After all, everyone present was either an unmarried female cousin or a married female cousin-in-law. She said to him, "The Imperial Examination is coming up soon. You should go back and study."
Mrs. Guo sharply caught these words and slapped her forehead. "I knew something felt off. Jing, why are you still here? Hurry back to your courtyard and study. Nothing will happen to your mother and grandmother here with so many of us keeping watch. Go attend to your own business."
Zhao Jing didn’t refuse. Before leaving, he simply instructed the nanny by Chen Wanqing’s side, "Sorry for the trouble, but please take extra care of Wanqing. She is heavily pregnant and shouldn’t stand for too long. Remind her to sit down and rest every now and then."
The nanny smiled and agreed, while Mrs. Guo added with a smile, "Don’t worry, I’ll keep that in mind. Qing’er won’t overexert herself."
Not long after Zhao Jing left, Xu Yanlin was the first to return. He was young and an excellent horseback rider. Upon hearing the news from the servants, he had rushed over without stopping.
When asked about his father, he explained, "My father can’t make it. The Royal Plowing and Sericulture Ceremonies are about to take place, so he left the city early this morning with the officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel. He won’t be back until after dark.
"My grandfather might not be able to come back either. His Majesty is having his crowning ceremony in May, and the Empress Dowager’s birthday also falls in May. Since it’s a milestone birthday this year, it must be celebrated on a grand scale. The neighboring barbarian nations sent envoys early on, saying they wish to pay their respects on this joyous occasion for His Majesty and the Empress Dowager. This was discussed during the morning assembly today. Right after it ended, my grandfather and the Six Ministers were invited into the Taiji Palace, and I’m afraid they still haven’t come out yet."
Hearing this, Mrs. Guo said, "It doesn’t matter if they can’t come back right now. Your aunt recovering her memory is a major event, so it was only right to inform your father and grandfather immediately. They might not say it out loud, but they’ve been worrying about her deeply. Your aunt’s memory loss has been a heavy burden on their hearts. Now that they know she’s recovered, they’ll surely be thrilled."
Contrary to Xu Yanlin’s expectations, Mr. Xu actually returned an hour later. By that time, Xu Su Ying and the old madam had stopped crying. A room full of female relatives sat in Xu Su Ying’s room, trying to cheer the mother and daughter up.
The moment Mr. Xu walked in, Xu Su Ying eagerly ran up to him. Staring at him with teary, aggrieved eyes, she complained, "What kind of father are you? All I did was break one of your inkstones, and you punished me by making me copy books. I’m already a fifteen-year-old young lady! Don’t I have any pride? How can you be such an unreasonable father!"
Mr. Xu’s somber expression suddenly faltered. His daughter was talking about something that had happened before she fell into the water. A few days before the incident, she had sneaked into his study, broken an inkstone, and been punished with copying books and grounded to reflect on her mistakes.
In the countless nights that followed, he had constantly regretted it, wondering if his daughter would have escaped that tragedy if he had only grounded her instead of making her copy books.