LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 54 - If It Were Now, There Would Be Nothing to Fear
This time, Yun Chang also brought his son, Yun Guangyu, along to broaden his horizons. Yun Guangyu is now eighteen years old.
He has already passed the entrance exam for child students (Tongsheng), but he failed the previous government examination. He plans to take it again next year.
Time has undeniably passed quickly.
When Yun Shuyao first entered the Lin family’s gates, the eldest grandson of the Yun family was only three years old. Now, he is already eighteen.
This means that she has been in this world for fifteen years.
Without realizing it, so much time has passed.
Before Yun Shuyao went to visit the Yun family, she informed the elderly lady, who, of course, did not stop her.
Every time the elderly lady heard news about the Yun family, she would feel fortunate for her good luck back then.
Although the Mei family, where Concubine Mei comes from, hasn’t made much progress in the imperial examinations, their business has been doing quite well. They have kept to the rules and haven’t done anything improper.
Moreover, with many sons in the family, they have been expanding steadily over the years.
Money may sound vulgar, but it is something one cannot live without in this world.
As for the Yun family, there is no need to say much; even she didn’t expect the Yun family’s potential to be this great.
Although their family’s official rank is still quite low and they are unable to support their son, looking at the long term, this won’t always be the case.
Right now, it’s the son who is helping them, but by the time it reaches the grandson’s generation, they will be able to support each other in the officialdom.
The Lin family does not have many descendants, so she has made a deliberate effort to mend relations with the Lin clan. Isn’t this precisely to ensure that the next generation will not have to bear everything alone?
However, in the end, the blood ties within the Lin clan are somewhat distant.
But it’s different with the Yun family.
The two sons are direct siblings with Concubine Yun, and they have a close relationship. Over the years, her son has provided the Yun family with a lot of help. If her grandson encounters any difficulties, would the Yun family stand by and do nothing?
That’s why Yun Shuyao brought Luoyu back to the Yun family. She wouldn’t say much but would instead remind them to check if the gifts were prepared properly.
The Yun family’s residence isn’t large, and its location isn’t particularly ideal, but for the Yun family, it’s just right.
This small two-courtyard house exhausted the Yun family’s savings, but it was necessary.
The Yun family also hopes to establish roots in the capital. If one day they have to leave, there will never be a lack of opportunities to sell the house.
As Yun Shuyao sighed at how time flies, Yun Chang felt the same way.
So many years have passed, yet looking back, some events still feel like they happened just yesterday.
He remembered when his second uncle was thrown into prison, how he hurried back in panic to deliver the news, then went around seeking help only to be repeatedly turned away, all because people were afraid of offending Wu Peng.
If it were now, there would be nothing to fear.
But when comparing the past to the present, it’s hard not to feel emotional.
Yun Chang knew that the rapid development of their family over the years was largely due to this cousin. She had fast-tracked a process that might have taken several generations to achieve.
As long as no major mistakes are made, his younger cousin’s career could climb to high positions, bringing great honor to the family. But even now, the family has already gained considerable prestige.
In their village, they already have three plaques for successful candidates in the provincial exam (Juren) and one for the metropolitan exam (Jinshi).
He hopes that after next year, they can add two more Jinshi plaques.
Their goal was to make the Yun family a household name in the nearby area, but that requires generations of effort and accumulation.
His nephew, Yun Guangyu, was a bit shy. During their first meeting, he wasn’t very outgoing.
He had a strong build, and if no one mentioned he was a scholar, most people would likely believe he was a martial artist instead.
They brought a lot of news from their hometown, most of which was good. For example, the yield from their family’s farmland and the progress of the children’s studies.
In the past, only his eldest uncle owned a bit of land in the village, and their second branch had a small house in the prefectural city. But now, their family has become one of the landlords in the village, with several estates in other villages as well.
They also have shops that consistently provide rental income and profits.
They had taken over Yun Shuyao’s estates and shops.
When she left, Yun Shuyao asked them to manage her properties, and they naturally shared the profits. Once she was certain she wouldn’t return, Yun Shuyao sold and gifted half of those assets to her father. This is how they were able to save enough silver to buy a house in the capital.
Relying solely on her father’s modest salary as a minor official wouldn’t have earned much.
He wasn’t a corrupt official, so his income was limited.
When it comes to an official’s salary, it’s difficult for any official to maintain a respectable lifestyle on that alone. Most have some additional sources of income. For those serving outside their home region, they might receive gifts during holidays or birthdays, or they may invest in businesses seeking their protection and receive dividends. The greedier ones can acquire even more.
Of course, there are also some troublesome matters.
“When you’re poor in a bustling city, no one cares; but when you’re rich in a remote mountain, even distant relatives come knocking.”
For example, in Yun Shuyao’s father’s and uncle’s generation, there was also an aunt. However, by the time Yun Shuyao entered the Lin family, they had not been in contact for many years.
She had married into a merchant family against her parents’ wishes and had little contact with them afterward. But once Yun Shuyao’s father passed the Juren exam, she reestablished ties, and even some villagers started using their family’s name to cause trouble. Fortunately, these matters were discovered early and dealt with in time, preventing any major incidents.
Yun Shuyao’s uncle and father didn’t let her worry about these things. Few people could find their way to Yun Shuyao directly, and since she often traveled with Lin Ruhai, even if someone wanted to seek her out, they wouldn’t know where she was.
Yun Shuyao asked, “When is Guangyu getting married?”
He is eighteen this year, an age when most would already be married. However, because Yun Chang was focused on preparing for the provincial exam, he didn’t arrange an engagement earlier. Only after passing the exam did he secure a marriage arrangement for his son.
The bride-to-be is the daughter of a fellow scholar, and their families are well-matched in status. Although they haven’t set a specific date yet, they have begun the engagement process. Yun Chang personally favors dates in June or July for the wedding.
When the topic of his own marriage came up, Yun Guangyu’s face turned bright red.
It was because of this shy nature that Yun Chang decided to bring him out to see the world more. Otherwise, he would have stayed home focusing on his studies, preparing for next year’s academy exam. If he passed and became a Xiucai (a scholar), it would make his wedding even more respectable.
They also talked about the Mei family.
Since the Mei family established connections with Lin Ruhai, their business has continued to expand. The head of the Mei family is prolific, with many wives, concubines, and children.
After Concubine Mei became Lord Lin’s concubine, gave birth to a daughter, and enjoyed the benefits that came with it, the Mei family became even more eager to use this strategy to further their expansion.
Wherever Lin Ruhai was appointed, the Mei family followed, opening shops in those areas.
The Mei family also tried to pursue success through the imperial examination route, but so far, the highest rank they’ve achieved is Xiucai.
Their daughters, however, have married well. But to date, the one who has brought the greatest benefits to the family remains Third Miss, Concubine Mei.
As for the others, daughters given to officials could only become concubines, and for those aiming to be proper wives, it was more of a distant investment, marrying Xiucai or Juren (provincial graduates). However, passing the Jinshi (metropolitan exam) and walking that narrow path to high officialdom is no easy feat.
They still have a long way to go if they want to transform their business.
However, Yun Yan wasn’t very optimistic about the Mei family extending their business reach into the capital this time.
The last time he participated in the imperial examination with his older brother, they both failed. Afterward, they looked for a house in the capital, also considering ways to increase their family’s income there.
He had thought about buying a shop or starting some other kind of business to bring in some additional income for the family.
But after doing some research, Yun Yan gave up.
The successful shops in the capital were often backed by nobles and high-ranking officials. Even if those officials weren’t personally involved in the business, they had their retainers or servants manage it for them. Without some connections, it was nearly impossible to establish a business here, and even if they managed to open one, it would be hard to compete with others.
Buying a shop for rental income?
The prices of properties in the capital were beyond what they could afford. If they bought a house, they couldn’t even think about purchasing a shop.
In the capital, if a business doesn’t do well, it will lose money. If it does well, it will attract unwanted attention.
Many of the people doing business here are not to be trifled with.
Just remembering all the powerful people to avoid is a huge task in itself, and they didn’t have the time or energy for that.
If the Mei family acts recklessly after coming here, they could suffer a major setback.
This is indeed the case, so after arriving in the capital, the Mei family carefully assessed the situation before deciding to find a new patron. They managed to connect with the entourage of a certain prince, hoping this could help them gain a foothold in the capital.
Once you have money, who wouldn’t desire status?
The imperial examination is difficult, but there are other shortcuts one can take.
Old Master Mei, for instance, has now purchased a minor official title, though it’s mostly just for show.
Yun Shuyao visited the Yun family once, and afterward, she only occasionally sent food over without disturbing them otherwise.
The imperial examination is fast approaching, and they need to make the most of their time.
Not long after, the elderly lady’s grandnephew, Xie Zimo, also arrived in the capital.
He traveled on a convenient boat to get there, bringing only a small entourage of two attendants.
The Xie family hadn’t had anyone in the capital for many years and didn’t own a residence there, so Xie Zimo went directly to the Lin family to stay with them.
This was quite common. Not only was he the elderly lady’s grandnephew, but even people from the same hometown or clan would often come to borrow lodging when taking exams. The elderly lady always welcomed them with open arms.
This was a good thing.
Xie Zimo was Yingyu and Luoyu’s cousin. He was aware of the situation in the Lin family and knew that he couldn’t neglect his legitimate cousins, while also paying attention to the other two. However, he was very mindful of propriety, and aside from their first meeting, there were hardly any opportunities to meet again.
He was particularly cautious because both of his cousins were soon going to participate in the imperial selection. If any inappropriate rumors spread at this time, it could affect their entire future. Besides, he was already married with children.
Seeing her grandnephew being so considerate and sensible, the old lady was very pleased.
If it weren’t for the age difference, she would have considered marrying her granddaughter into her own family. Unfortunately, the ages didn’t match.
In her mind, her ideal grandson-in-law should be someone like Xie Zimo—modest, courteous, and ambitious. No matter how she looked at it, someone like Jia Baoyu would never be suitable for her granddaughter.
She had been keeping an eye on the Jia family’s affairs. Jia Baoyu had been spoiled too much, refusing to study diligently and using the excuse of illness to avoid attending school.
The old lady found his excuses insincere, yet others still believed him, which left her speechless. She wondered if Shi’s family and others had been blinded by something—how could they not see through such obvious falsehoods?
Jia Baoyu might be carefree now, but he would regret it later when reality hit.
When there are exam candidates in the house, the atmosphere is noticeably different. Two people from the Lin clan arrived one after another, also preparing to take this year’s examination. One of them was already over forty, still determined to keep trying.
This shows just how difficult the exams can be.
Each candidate had a different approach—some secluded themselves to focus on their studies, while others frequently went out to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow candidates, or even attend poetry gatherings.
The old lady didn’t comment on these differences, but she did tighten restrictions on the comings and goings of the women in the household. As long as the men staying in the outer courtyard didn’t affect the women inside, she didn’t mind what they did.
Snow fell softly, blanketing the ground in white, creating a beautiful scene—a perfect setting for scholars to express their talents.
Since arriving in the capital, Yun Shuyao had been growing flowers and plants, some of which could be sold. However, this time, everything was used internally. The old lady bought it all to use as gifts.
Though none of the flowers were particularly outstanding, they were still of premium quality, making them ideal for gifting.
Yun Shuyao hadn’t bought any shops to continue her old business, as Lin Ruhai’s position was still unsettled. If it became permanent, she could consider purchasing property. But if Lin Ruhai was quickly reassigned elsewhere, buying shops would be pointless.
The batch of flowers she cultivated was intended for Lin’s family to purchase, and sure enough, they made a good profit before the new year.
The old lady was generous with her money, and while Yun Shuyao supported her family, she didn’t do so recklessly.
No matter how much money she had, none of it would end up in the hands of outsiders. What needed to be given was given without any hesitation.
One day, a guest arrived at the Lin household—Zhao Yin, Jia Min’s close friend.
Daiyu still remembered this aunt. She used to visit often when Daiyu was young, and after her mother’s death, Zhao Yin would occasionally send letters and gifts.
Zhao Yin came to the capital because her husband was being reassigned there. His predecessor’s father had passed away, requiring him to observe a period of mourning, so he seized the opportunity to return to the capital.
Zhao Yin was aware of the Lin family’s situation and, frankly, she was often surprised by it.
One surprise was that Lin Ruhai had indeed not remarried. His reputation for devotion was well-known, and many felt a sense of envy toward Jia Min, who had passed away.
At the very least, if they themselves were to pass away, it was uncertain whether their spouses would remain single for even a year.
Upon visiting the Lin family and seeing Daiyu, Zhao Yin was struck by her resemblance to Jia Min. Seeing her standing there so lively brought tears to her eyes, and she wept as she held her head.
Zhao Yin felt a deep affection for Daiyu, saying, “If only your father were also serving as an official in the capital, then I could visit you more often.”
Daiyu sensed a similarity to her mother in Zhao Yin and silently nodded. She, too, wished she could stay in the capital.
Although her time in the capital had been short and her grandmother was different from what she had imagined, she had already met many people—sisters, friends, and now Aunt Zhao had also arrived. There were more connections here for her to cherish.
Another surprise for Zhao Yin was the situation in the Yun family.
With Jia Min’s passing, the status of the two concubines in Lin Ruhai’s household had naturally risen, especially since one of them had borne the Lin family’s only son.
While Lin Ruhai had no intention of remarrying, this concubine’s position became significantly advantageous. However, although the old lady was the nominal head of the family, the actual management of both major and minor affairs was handled by the several young women in the household.
Zhao Yin was astonished to find that the concubine seemed so unambitious. However, she had to admit that she was indeed a clever person.
As long as Lin Ruhai did not remarry, why should she compete for the fleeting moments?
Zhao Yin also met Yingyu and Luoyu.
Upon seeing them, Zhao Yin was momentarily stunned.
Compared to when they were children, they didn’t seem as striking, but they were still beautiful, and their demeanor was such that no one would mistake them for being of lower status.
Given her close relationship with Jia Min, Zhao Yin couldn’t harbor any ill feelings towards these two girls.
The old lady had indeed put a lot of effort into raising her children.
Because of Zhao Yin’s relationship with Jia Min, she had also sent an invitation to the Jia family, paying her respects to the matriarch.
Upon arrival, Zhao Yin couldn’t help but feel a pang of unease.
She had previously thought that some of the rumors she’d heard were baseless and not worth believing. But now, upon arriving in the capital and entering the Jia residence, she had to admit that the Jia family had indeed changed significantly from the past.
She still remembered visiting Rongguo Mansion before she was married.
Rongguo Mansion had always been affluent, with its ornate decorations and exquisite food, but it was not as unruly and superficial as it was now.
Moreover, while the saying “a seventh-rank official before the prime minister’s door” is true, the current Rongguo Mansion is no longer what it once was. Yet, the doormen still seem to be stuck in the past?
Grandmother Jia looked at Zhao Yin, filled with many emotions.
Back then, Min’er often held poetry gatherings in the garden with her close friends, composing poems and verses. Her reputation as a talented woman was well-known in the capital. Among her peers, Min’er had the best background, the most outstanding appearance, and the greatest talent.
Logically, she should have had the best life.
But years have passed, and Min’er left behind only Daiyu, making Grandmother Jia experience the grief of burying her child while others, with far less distinguished backgrounds, have healthy families.
Grandmother Jia introduced Zhao Yin to her several children. Zhao Yin complimented each one and had a clear sense of them. These three sisters seemed to be the daughters of the concubines in the Jia family’s current generation.
The Jia family’s attitude toward the concubine-born children didn’t seem to have improved much. However, these were Grandmother Jia’s own blood relatives, and they were certainly in a better position than Jia Min’s previous half-sisters.
As for the young master dressed in red, he was presumably Grandmother Jia’s beloved Jia Baoyu.
“I wonder if he has started studying now and what progress he has made?”
“From his appearance, he is sure to excel in the exams, achieve a high rank, and bring glory to the family,” she routinely praised.
Jia Baoyu, who had initially greeted her cheerfully, grew sullen upon hearing this. His face darkened with frustration as he muttered softly, “I am not one of those mediocre sorts.”
Zhao Yin was taken aback by this comment and couldn’t help but feel stunned.
How could he say such a thing?
Grandmother Jia heard him too and scolded, “Baoyu, you’re speaking nonsense again. Be careful that your father hears you.”
At the mention of “father,” his shoulders slumped.
“Grandmother, don’t scare me,” he pleaded, leaning into Grandmother Jia’s embrace and clinging to her.
Grandmother Jia, who hadn’t been truly angry, couldn’t help but laugh at his behavior. She hugged him and said, “Alright, alright, I won’t say anything more.”
Watching the affectionate interaction between the grandmother and grandson, Zhao Yin maintained a smile but felt a deep sense of weariness.
Things have changed so much. If Jia Min were still alive to see this scene, considering her nature, she would probably be quite unsettled.