It was rare for the entire family to be gathered at home, but Grandfather's funeral had unexpectedly brought everyone together. Having not seen each other for three years, Father and Mother had endless things to talk about. No matter where they were, the two of them would find opportunities to converse.
Dingge once thought his parents were just like everyone else's in the world. Only later did he realize this wasn't the case. To say nothing of others, just his father-in-law's household had several concubines, with husband and wife constantly scheming against each other. Not to mention his own relationship with Madam Wu; they merely didn't dislike each other, but he couldn't stand being glued together all day either.
But his parents were truly like this—with endless conversation. At their age, a husband and wife could still be so deeply affectionate.
Perhaps because of this, all the children loved coming home. Besides the love between their parents, Mother always made the home feel exceptionally warm and cozy. However, after the funeral concluded, he noticed his wife was getting up very early.
"Why are you up so early?" Dingge rolled over, wanting to go back to sleep. He wasn't fond of rising too early.
But Madam Wu said, "I was thinking about a kind of meat pie yesterday. Adding water chestnuts to the filling makes it especially chewy, so I wanted to go to the kitchen and try making it."
Dingge yawned. "Couldn't you just tell the kitchen? Do you really need to make it yourself?"
"I'd rather do it myself. That shows more sincerity."
With that, Madam Wu hurried off to the kitchen. Dingge felt utterly exhausted and immediately fell back asleep. By breakfast time, he was dressed and ready to go.
Goodness, it was quite the lively scene. Eldest Sister-in-law had prepared some kind of beauty porridge, his own wife had made the water chestnut meat pies, and even the little girl, Jiaojiao, had made spring pancakes. Even his father had gotten involved, making something like crispy fried peony petals.
Well then, he wouldn't say much. He just buried his head and ate a bit of everything.
He heard Eldest Sister-in-law explaining, "Lotus seeds, lily bulbs, Chinese yam, barley, and purple rock sugar. It's not only good for the complexion but also improves one's vitality."
His own wife, despite working hard all morning, was too shy to speak up, perhaps not wanting to seem like she was competing with her sister-in-law. Fortunately, Mother said, "I find this meat pie just the right size, about the size of a palm. Any bigger and I couldn't finish it. It goes perfectly with this beauty porridge."
Dingge drank another bowl of the beauty porridge, smacking his lips. It really was well-made. Then he saw his older brother, Jiang Ning, joining in: "Mother, you know, when I was in Xiangzhou Prefecture, I went out with others and tried a special kind of preserved kumquat. I'll make it for you sometime."
Fine, fine, you all cook. I'll be in charge of eating, Dingge thought to himself, deciding not to participate.
After the meal, Mother took the women to the garden for a walk to aid digestion. Eldest Sister-in-law wanted to collect dew, and even his own wife became poetic, going to gather fallen flowers.
With more people at home, affairs inevitably became more numerous. Household management had originally been handled by Madam Wu while Eldest Sister-in-law was away. Now that she was back, Mother arranged for each of them to manage one area. She assigned the tasks directly, with both submitting their accounts at the end of the month. This way, everyone had something to do, and it also made clear that Mother was still the head of the household.
A roster was first made of all the personnel, then reassignments were made, with everyone's responsibilities clearly stated.
When Madam Wu brought the papers back, she was studying them and said to him, "Look how meticulous Mother is."
"Naturally. My mother taught my sister household management from a young age, and taught us brothers how to manage shops and estates, always discussing and drafting documents properly. Even my sister's skill in writing plans in Wu County comes from what Mother taught her regularly. So, you must be very careful and diligent in managing the household. My mother usually doesn't say much, but if she does reprimand, it's always a serious matter," Dingge advised.
In these times, men and women were much the same. Before gaining authority, everyone was humble and low-key. Once it was easily obtained, they tended to become negligent, and their courage grew even larger.
If one lost Mother's trust, he himself wouldn't be able to smooth things over either.
Madam Wu nodded emphatically. "Don't worry, I certainly won't fail in my duty."
Although they were in mourning, with the family observing the mourning period, and he couldn't attend the Imperial College, his studies were still a matter of great concern to his parents. So, after breakfast, he went to the study to read.
Fortunately, his parents weren't excessively strict with him. Some of his classmates studied bitterly at home, truly driving themselves hard with "head suspended from the beam, awl pricking the thigh."
But he also remembered his mother's words: everything might seem beautiful now, but if that beauty cannot last, the future might hold even greater pain. His life might end up similar to Brother-in-law Wei's. Once the elders were gone, where would he go? He couldn't just rely on his brother forever.
Therefore, he still needed to study diligently.
During his study time, Mother forbade anyone from disturbing him and would even have someone check if he was studying properly.
Besides his parents, his older brother also took his studies extremely seriously, often coming to review his schoolwork. This sometimes made him feel a bit disoriented—a man in his twenties, yet one might think he had just begun his education.
After Brother-in-law Wei passed the Hanlin Academy selection, he worked on compiling texts in the Historiography Institute. Thus, his sister and her family were often in the capital and visited frequently. The couple had also had another daughter in the meantime.
Jiaojiao's marriage had also been arranged. It must be said, Jiaojiao was quite close to Mother, often coming to stay for ten days or half a month at a time. Her aunts all loved her cleverness, and even if she didn't come, they would send someone to fetch her.
The three-year mourning period passed. Father seemed to have no intention of returning to official service. However, Eldest Brother was appointed as the Transport Commissioner of Gansu and Shaanxi. Having passed the imperial examination at seventeen, his official career had been smooth sailing up to now.
As for him, he continued studying at home, preparing for the provincial examination next year.
After Father left his post, he became much more relaxed. Like today, while he had to study bitterly, Father and Mother went out to enjoy themselves—just the two of them alone, without any children or grandchildren.
"You really won't take me?" Dingge wailed. He didn't want to stay cooped up at home every day either.
But Mother said, "Such spring scenery would be wasted if we didn't go out. But you are still young. Once you've taken the examinations, even if you go out every day, I won't say a word."
He was truly on the verge of tears.
When his parents returned, they brought him a basket of strawberries, saying they were freshly picked. Dingge took it, feeling quite happy.
Mother even teased, "Someone asked us why we were picking strawberries. We said we were bringing them for our son. They probably thought you were a three-year-old toddler."
"Mother, you just keep bringing them. You can say I'm three years old, it's fine."
"Enough with the sweet talk. Focus on your studies. Whether you love being an official or not, I don't care, but when you're young, you must strive for yourself." After saying this, Mother spoke to him at length. "Look at me, your mother. If I knew nothing and could do nothing, would I still be the respected and beloved mother in your eyes? Everyone, including me, admires strength and capability. To make others truly look up to you, you must achieve merit in the imperial examinations. When you help me manage the shop's business, I always think my second son is the cleverest child. But if such a clever child goes out into the world and people only mention you as a commoner with no rank, looking down on you for it, how it would pain my heart." Mother advised him earnestly.
Dingge's smile faded as he seriously considered his own life.
Now that his elder brother had become a Transport Commissioner, a high-ranking third-grade official, he could once again be recommended for an official post due to his brother's influence. It seemed he had hope again. But Mother was right. Brother is brother, and I am myself. Someone as proud as I am cannot forever shelter under the wings of my brother and father.
He said to his mother solemnly, "Your son will strive hard."
Mother smiled. "You are a clever person. But being too clever, with shortcuts too readily available, easily leads to slackness. In this world, those who truly succeed find that cleverness is secondary; perseverance is most important. Alright, I won't prattle on anymore. I'll take my leave now."
That was just like Mother, possessing a great sense of propriety, knowing when to stop after making her point.
Perhaps encouraged by Mother's words, Dingge felt he should set a goal for himself. To be honest, he didn't like being an official; it was too troublesome. He was quite content managing some business and spending time with his parents.
But without an official rank, it was hard to hold his head high among relatives and former schoolmates.
Returning to the Imperial Academy this time, his old classmates had changed completely. Some had made no progress and returned home; others had passed the exams, their destinies now diverging.
Dingge thought to himself that he must succeed.
When he returned from the academy, he didn't see his parents. Madam Wu told him, "Father and Mother went to Luoyang to see the peonies. Father said when they served as officials in Luoyang before, they often went to see the peonies on their days off. They haven't been to Luoyang for a long time since being in the capital, so they left a couple of days ago."
"I wish I could have gone too. When I was little, I often went out with Father and Mother," Dingge said somewhat enviously.
But that very evening, his parents actually returned, bringing back many Luoyang cherries and peonies. He rushed to Mother's side, just like when he was a child, somewhat incredulous. "Mother, why are you back already?"
"Your father and I thought about your day off today, so we hurried back. It worked out perfectly," Mother said with a smile.
No matter how old you are, it feels wonderful to be remembered.
Madam Wu was quite envious of him. "Your parents are truly good to you, always thinking of you."
Madam Wu's own parents weren't like that. They were good to her too, but with many siblings, she was actually closer to her wet nurse. She often saw not only how her in-laws doted on their son, but also how well they treated their married daughters and how considerate they were even towards their daughters-in-law like herself.
Of course, this absolutely did not mean her in-laws were without methods or were simply pushovers. On the contrary, they wielded their authority with great magnanimity.
Seeing Madam Wu speak this way, Dingge quickly smiled and said, "Then come have some cherries with me."
"I'd better not. I've already washed up for the night, and I have to go to sister-in-law's place first thing in the morning," Madam Wu shook her head.
Sister-in-law, Lady Lv, hadn't followed elder brother to Gan-Shan this time either. She stayed home taking care of their two children. Madam Wu and Lady Lv managed household affairs together and got along very well, often visiting each other to chat.
Dingge thought that everyone seemed to have something to do. The women managed the household, looked after the children, and constantly engaged in social activities. The men in the family all pursued official careers through the exams. Except for him, it seemed everyone else knew what they were supposed to do.
After resting at home for a day, he returned to the Imperial Academy.
Even his roommate was surprised. "Young Master Jiang, back so soon?"
"Come back to study," Dingge said, sitting behind his desk, not looking up as he continued reviewing his books.
He usually studied anyway, just not with such intense effort. Over the past year, he had been exceptionally diligent. By the following year's provincial examination, he finally passed, letting out a sigh of relief.
Father encouraged him: "Strike while the iron is hot. With the second attempt, momentum wanes; with the third, it's exhausted. If you don't pass the metropolitan examination, you'll have to wait another three years. Your Brother-in-law Wei was like that, and later he directly took an inherited official post. If he hadn't come to our family and been pushed to study, he'd probably still just be an official by inheritance now. You've met your Uncle Zhang Jiu. Just the other day, a land dispute required your uncle and me to step in before it was settled."
Another three years? He really couldn't bear that.
Going to school already felt about as pleasant as visiting a grave. He still had to study properly.
Father looked over his essays. "You're a bit stronger than your brother-in-law was back then. After all, when I wasn't home, your mother still urged you to study. If you apply yourself diligently now, your future rank might not be lower than your brother's."
Brother passed at seventeen. He was already in his twenties, having studied for several more years. Dingge felt rather ashamed hearing this.
Mother also said, "If you pass, you won't have to toil at studying all day anymore. It tires me just to watch."
Dingge bit his lip and looked at his father. "Father, please teach me."
"Alright, but you must not slack off," Father said, looking at him with an amused expression.
Dingge inwardly groaned, but a gentleman's word is as good as his bond. He couldn't very well take it back now.
To be fair, Father's mind was indeed sharp. He probably guessed which officials in the court might be appointed as examiners, first gathering all the essays they were known for at home, then setting practice topics for him based on their preferences.
After that, he selected a few well-crafted essays and had Dingge personally visit those officials to seek their guidance.
Mother, along with Lady Lv and his wife, also took turns preparing delicious dishes for him in various ways. Dingge felt he was enjoying treatment fit for an emperor. But if he didn't pass after such treatment, he could hardly imagine whether his family would resent him.
So, he still had to study hard.
Mother did let him go out for some fresh air. The method of this "airing" was to go inspect the family hostel.
Because their hostel had a dedicated vegetarian chef cooking separately, monks and clergy flocked to it. Some even held Buddhist gatherings there. The business was getting better and better.
Dingge thought Mother was indeed right; these monks were truly wealthy.
After collecting the hostel's profits and bringing them back, Mother, as usual, gave him one hundred strings of cash for his own use. It couldn't be helped. While Madam Wu was good in every other way, she wasn't as free-spending as Mother and Lady Lv when it came to money.
Once, Father wanted to buy a piece of calligraphy and painting costing five hundred taels. Mother didn't even blink before giving him the money.
If it were his own wife, she certainly wouldn't be like that. Her dowry was managed by herself, merely collecting some tenant rents. Mother had said he was good at managing shops and had long told him that when the family division eventually came, that particular inn would be allotted to him. Naturally, he had to be attentive to it, after all, the capital invested in that inn was not insignificant.
He was actually getting the better deal. Over these years, he should put some of the profits into the common family fund, so that when the time came, his elder brother wouldn't feel it was unfair.
He hadn't told anyone these thoughts. He and Madam Wu were not a couple who had weathered hardships together. Everyone has their own private considerations, and he saw no need to share these with Madam Wu, otherwise it would inevitably lead to many more words.
During the New Year at the end of the year, the family curtailed social visits, only receiving a few extremely close relatives like his maternal grandparents, uncles, and Brother-in-law Wei's family. No one else was welcomed.
This was also to avoid too much noise and commotion, as it made it very difficult for him to focus on his studies.
Brother-in-law Wei shared some similar experiences with him, so he came specifically to talk with him. However, Dingge felt there was still a difference between himself and his brother-in-law. He had also entered the Imperial College through his own examination, but compared to being an official, he was more inclined towards business.
Still, when someone offered comfort, he listened earnestly and absolutely did not argue.
Mother had told him: in matters of officialdom, listen more to father; in business matters, listen to mother. As he talked with his brother-in-law, he ended up listening to his brother-in-law complain about the difficulties of getting promoted in the Historiography Institute.
"It's a pity father is currently idle at home. Otherwise, with brother-in-law's talent and learning, you would naturally be able to achieve great things," Dingge said with a smile.
Wei the Seventh knew his own limitations. He was different from his elder brother-in-law, Jiang Ning. Jiang Ning aspired to be a renowned statesman with great ambitions, so he could endure the ups and downs of officialdom, whereas Wei himself might not.
As for this younger brother-in-law, he found him a bit hard to read. This young man, despite his youth, could handle affairs neatly and decisively, acted ruthlessly, yet spoke pleasantly. He was the type who could finish someone off and then smile while watching their funeral.
Though still young, he was already sharp and formidable in his methods, all while wearing a smile on his face. To deal with someone, he would act without the slightest change in expression.
"Ah, I'm afraid I'll also be assigned to a provincial post next year. When the time comes, your sister will have to stay home to marry off Jiaojiao, and we'll need your help," Brother-in-law Wei said with a laugh.
Dingge replied, "Of course, of course. We are all one family, no need for such formalities."
Brother-in-law Wei offered a few more words of comfort before leaving.
After the New Year celebrations ended, it was time for the Provincial Examination. The exam basket was prepared jointly by his mother and Madam Wu. His mother even specially dug out the fur-lined jacket his father had worn for his own Provincial Examination and gave it to him, hoping it would bring some luck.
"Good child, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just do your best," his mother said, looking at him.
Dingge actually already had everything well in hand, but it wasn't appropriate to show it in front of others, so he simply agreed.
After several days of the Provincial Examination, he emerged utterly exhausted. His parents didn't ask how he did. However, during his examination period, his father had been reinstated to his post, once again serving as Military Affairs Commissioner and Co-administrator of Affairs with the Secretariat-Chancellery.
Therefore, many people speculated that he passed the Provincial Exam because he might have written something like "my chancellor father" in his papers to gain favor. Dingge was angry, but since he had passed after all, he maintained a calm exterior.
Madam Wu also cried injustice for her husband: "A bunch of people who can't stand to see others do well! Now they gossip and slander, jealous that someone passed, and start hurling insults."
"Pay them no mind. The Provincial Exam is passed; the Palace Exam is just about ranking now. Should I stop taking exams because of these people? Not a chance," Dingge said. He wasn't originally very keen on being an official, but now he found it rather interesting.
He hadn't even entered officialdom yet, and the attacks had already begun.
His father and brother in the official world probably faced even more open and hidden arrows. He couldn't just watch them shield him from the storm while he remained utterly useless.
Before the Palace Exam, he didn't step out of his room even once. After the Palace Exam, he sat at home waiting.
His parents called him to the main hall to talk. His mother had just drunk a cup of chrysanthemum and goji berry tea and said with a smile, "Now that I'm getting older, I can't do needlework anymore; my eyes are dried out. I can only paint like this now. Our embroidery shop has hired a talented woman scholar who specializes in designing for the painting shop, so I have more free time."
"Mother, your son wishes to stay by your side forever, accompanying you," Dingge said.
But his mother waved her hand, "As long as you all live well, even if you're at the ends of the earth, mother will be happy. Let's wait and see what rank our second son achieves."
His mother truly understood what he was about to say with a single glance. He wanted his father to arrange a post for him near home, but his mother didn't take the bait. She always hoped that both his elder brother and he could first rely on themselves to carve out their own path.
His ranking was very high, even higher than his father's ranking in his year: fifth in the First Class, appointed as the Magistrate of Hefei County.
So soon he was to become an official—it was truly sudden. His father could only help him by hiring two private secretaries to accompany him. Even his elder brother sent a letter specifically to instruct him on the ways of being an official.
Yet, he still asked his mother like when he was a child, "What do you say your son should do as an official?"
"Naturally, serve the people. But not every common person will understand you, so don't be disheartened. One must live up to their own conscience. I don't know how to be an official, but I know that in life one must know when to stop. Once you crave power, money, or lust, you're not far from someone getting a hold on you," was all his mother said.
His father's instructions were even fewer: "To be an official, first learn to be a person. Don't be too audacious. For many things, just because you did them and others haven't exposed you, doesn't mean you covered them up skillfully, but that they are waiting to deliver the final blow."
Dingge thought that although his parents seemed to say different things, they actually meant the same thing: Kid, you're just starting out, don't stir up trouble. First cultivate yourself, don't give others a handle.
Given the Jiang family's current status, someone who doesn't know how to be an official might as well not become one. Otherwise, like Second Uncle who ruined the family, his four cousins, despite their immense talent, were unable to regain their positions.
Madam Wu would accompany him to his post, but the children would stay in the capital. His mother put it quite bluntly: "Now that I'm older, I can manage to have people take care of daily needs, but things like the children's studies can only depend on their own fortune. I wouldn't want it if the children turned out poorly and they ended up blaming us."
Such sharp words—Madam Wu hadn't heard anything like them since entering the household. Hearing them suddenly, she was somewhat taken aback.
But Dingge knew his mother wasn't joking. His elder brother was of the same temperament as their mother, so he either took his wife and children to his post or had his wife stay home to look after them.
Precisely because his mother thought this way, she absolutely would not raise children and then turn around and raise grandchildren.
Previously, she had thought her mother-in-law was sparing her eldest sister-in-law the trouble of morning greetings out of affection. Later, she realized her mother-in-law truly cherished solitude and did not wish for others to disrupt her life.
Therefore, Dingge'er said with a smile, "Mother, what are you saying? No matter what, your son is grateful to you."
Seeing her husband speak this way, Madam Wu chimed in her agreement.
The couple bid farewell to their parents and children and boarded the boat. Although Madam Wu knew it was improper to create distance between kin, her concern for her children compelled her to ask her husband, "You said your mother devoted immense effort to the studies of you three siblings. She won't neglect our sons, will she…"
"When I return to the capital for my official review, the children will be older. We can bring them along then," Dingge'er stated plainly.
As Madam Wu was about to say more, Dingge'er smiled and said, "Mother has a habit of stating the unpleasant truths upfront. If not for such decisiveness, how could our family have so few troubles?"
"That's true," Madam Wu replied with a gentle smile.
Dingge'er comforted his wife, "We should focus on how to achieve something in Hefei. We can't rely on Father and Mother forever."
Madam Wu nodded.
Standing at the bow of the ship, watching the surging river waters, Dingge'er made a resolution. He too must strive to follow in his elder brother's footsteps and accomplish something worthy, so that he might return to the capital with honor to see his parents.
