Chapter 79: Informing Li Su of His Success in the Imperial Examination

The man holding the wooden bucket was visibly startled, thinking at first that the distinguished guest had knocked on the wrong door. But to his shock, it was his eldest sister and brother-in-law.

“Elder Sister!” Uncle Feng, the second uncle, cried out excitedly, as if only now recognizing that it was Feng Cuicui.

“Yes,” Feng Cuicui replied.

“Elder Sister and Brother-in-law are here!” Uncle Feng immediately set the wooden bucket down on the ground, clearly having lost all interest in fetching water.

“What are you shouting for just to fetch some water?” An energetic old lady came out, scolding Uncle Feng.

When the old lady saw the three people at the door, she did not recognize them at first either, frowning slightly. Why were these three standing at her door so early in the morning?

“Mother,” Feng Cuicui called out first.

Only then did the old lady recognize her. “Cuicui?”

“Mother, how could you not even recognize me?” Feng Cuicui walked over to her, leaning in so her mother could get a good look.

Grandmother Feng was silent. It wasn’t her fault; the last time she’d seen her daughter, she’d looked nothing like this.

In fact, the Cuicui before her now was quite different from the one in her memory.

“Daping?”

Li Daping nodded.

Grandmother Feng then turned her gaze to Li Su. “Little Su?”

The sight of Cuicui’s family left her almost unable to recognize them.

“Grandmother,” Li Su said softly.

Grandmother Feng quickly responded several times, thinking how this boy was nothing like the wild lads in the family. They’d sent him to study at the county academy, and indeed, a learned child was different.

But it must have been hard on Cuicui and Daping. Education was expensive.

“Come, come, good children, come inside and sit,” Grandmother Feng said, stepping aside to let them in.

Uncle Feng glanced at the bucket on the ground and decisively turned to follow them into the house.

Now that the whole Feng family was gathered inside, and having learned it was Cuicui and her family, they exchanged a few pleasantries, their gazes curious as they settled on the three.

Feng Cuicui spoke up. “Mother, today I’ve come to share some good news!”

Seeing the state her daughter was in, Grandmother Feng knew the family’s situation must have improved.

Uncle Feng immediately chimed in, “Elder Sister, what good news?”

Feng Cuicui announced at once, “Little Si has passed the exam to become a scholar!”

The room fell into a heavy silence, so quiet the drop of a pin might have been heard.

After allowing her family a moment to react, Feng Cuicui continued, “Today, we’ve come to invite everyone to the scholar’s banquet at our house on the fifth day of the seventh month.”

Grandfather Feng was the first to react, fixing his gaze on Li Su. “You passed?”

Li Su nodded. “Yes, this year I passed.”

Grandfather Feng was overjoyed, repeating “Good, good, good” several times.

Few farming families sent their children to study, and now his young grandson had become a scholar. Grandfather Feng’s smile seemed to smooth the wrinkles from his face.

“Li Su passed the scholar’s exam? Heavens!” exclaimed the third aunt, her eyes filled with astonishment and respect as she looked at him.

The second aunt, her eyes darting, declared, “We’ll certainly attend the scholar’s banquet!” This was not an occasion to be missed!

She warmly grabbed Feng Cuicui’s hand. “Elder Sister, come sit.”

The smile on Feng Cuicui’s face faded slightly. Every time she’d returned home before, this woman had never missed a chance to sneer at her, both openly and behind her back.

Now, with Little Si a scholar, her attitude had changed completely.

Uncle Feng, unable to contain his excitement, slapped Li Su on the shoulder. “Good lad! You’ve brought honor to your parents!”

Grandmother Feng immediately brushed his hand away, her voice full of concern. “You and your bull strength—what if you hurt him? Could you afford to make it right if he’s hurt? Li Su, come sit by Grandmother.”

Li Su was speechless. He wasn’t quite so fragile.

Uncle Feng realized, “Mother’s right, as always.” He did tend to use too much force—what if he hurt his nephew?

The second aunt, almost absentmindedly, probed whether Li Su had an eye on any girl, frequently mentioning her brother’s daughter.

The whole Feng family’s faces darkened. Grandmother Feng’s expression soured. “Second daughter-in-law, it’s one thing if you like to help your own family, but your brother’s girl? How could she ever be a match for Li Su?”

The second aunt was indignant. Why not?

“She’s hardworking and sensible, not bad at all,” she said, turning to Li Su. “What do you think?”

Li Su was silent. Why were they always meddling in his marriage?

“I don’t think much of it,” he replied coolly.

Feng Cuicui’s expression turned displeased. “Don’t make me scold you on a day like this. That girl of your brother’s—she’s dark, ugly, and shrewish. She dreams of being our Little Si’s wife? Let her keep dreaming!” The girl’s temperament was just like her aunt’s—she looked down on her.

Li Su quickly added, “I still want to continue my studies and take the higher exams. I’m not thinking of marriage yet.”

The second aunt wanted to protest, but Uncle Feng tugged at her, thinking his wife was being foolish.

With Li Su’s status now, what kind of match in ten villages wouldn’t want him? Did she really need to meddle? And the girls she picked—was she trying to harm her own nephew?

Her words had soured the mood for everyone present.

Grandfather Feng, face stern, addressed her gravely, “That’s enough from you. Li Su has his parents to see to his marriage. Why would his aunt need to interfere?”

Still simmering, the second aunt felt the family looked down on her, but she said no more.

With the subject closed, the atmosphere lightened and the family began to chat cheerfully again.

Feng Cuicui told the story with vivid detail, and as they listened, the Feng family marveled in their hearts—Little Su truly was remarkable. When he passed the scholar’s exam, even the county magistrate had come in person to deliver the good news.

Li Su, hearing his mother’s embellishments, felt his face grow hot. Was it really so exaggerated?

When lunchtime approached, Grandmother Feng called out, “Second son, go slaughter a chicken. Third daughter-in-law, go pick some vegetables.”

“Yes, Mother,” they replied, rising to do as she instructed.

The Feng children clapped joyfully. “Wonderful! We get to eat chicken today!”

At that moment, Feng Cuicui remembered the things in the ox cart. She clapped her hands. “Daping, go fetch the things from the cart. I’ll stay and talk with Mother.”

She wanted to chat about family matters with her mother.

“I’ll go with Daping. Really, you two, just coming is enough—why bring things?” Grandfather Feng said, heading out with Li Daping.

But seeing the heap of goods in the ox cart, Grandfather Feng was dumbfounded.

“Why… why did you bring so much?”

Li Daping smiled. “They’re all for you, out of respect. Cuicui and I can’t come often, so we brought a bit more this time.”

The things they bought for the Li family usually went to the eldest and second uncles, since Grandfather and Grandmother Li lived with the eldest uncle, so they got the lion’s share.

But the Fengs lived farther away, and they couldn’t send things as often as to the Li elders, so they brought more this time.