The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 127: Wen Huiyang

Chapter 127: Wen Huiyang

Two days after the Grand Proclamation Ceremony, during the morning court session, the new champion of the imperial examinations led the other graduates into Chengtian Hall to present their memorial of gratitude.

Du Yunse’s memorial was resplendent in literary grace and sincere emotion. His mention of parental devotion and teacher-student bonds was deeply moving.

After reading it, Emperor Yuanhua asked about Du Yunse’s teacher, Wen Huiyang. Du Yunse took the opportunity to plead on behalf of his mentor, requesting that the Emperor lift Wen Huiyang’s confinement.

Yuanhua once again praised Du Yunse’s “pure filial piety” and, on the spot, decreed that Wen Huiyang be reinstated to his former post of Shijiang Xueshi¹ as an Imperial Lecturer.

Wen Huiyang was the most renowned scholar of the present age, with disciples and acquaintances spread across the realm, and had once served as tutor to the Crown Prince. His return to court was good news for the Crown Prince.

The Prince of Jin, who had long been striving to win over the scholar-official class, was somewhat displeased but could not oppose it.

After all, the request came from the unprecedented “Six Consecutive Firsts” champion, asking clemency for a great scholar, and under the name of “filial piety” — anyone who objected would be figuratively drowned in the spit of the scholars of the realm.

Standing in the front ranks of the civil officials, Grand Secretary Bi Yongshi betrayed no emotion despite the sidelong glances around him.

Bi Yongshi was the father of Consort Wen, maternal grandfather of the Second Prince. A veteran of two reigns, he had contributed greatly to Yuanhua’s victory in the succession struggle and was now the leading figure of the court’s literary ministers.

With Du Yunse entering the court in unstoppable fashion as Six-Consecutive-Firsts champion, and Wen Huiyang freed from confinement and returned to the Hanlin Academy, many courtiers keenly sensed that a new and vast struggle was about to unfold in the capital.

…

The Yu Dynasty’s ceremony of offering at the Confucius Temple was open to public viewing. Qiu Huanian had already agreed with Du Yunse the night before to arrive early after breakfast.

The Confucius Temple — honoring the great sage Confucius — existed in every prefecture and county, but the capital’s temple was especially grand, located beside the Imperial Academy in the northern city. Covering thirty mu², the district in which they stood was called Chongjiao Ward.

In ancient times, “Ten thousand occupations are base; only scholarship is high,” so the temple’s incense offerings had always been prosperous, with endless streams of petitioners praying for the examination success of their husbands, sons, or nephews.

Today, as the three hundred new jinshi were to perform the Offering of First Fruits (Shi Cai Li³), countless people came to join the festivities and bask in their good fortune.

Qiu Huanian explained his identity and was admitted into the temple, where attendants offered tea and snacks for him to rest a while.

The temple grounds were vast, with many courtyards and pavilions built around gardens. Qiu Huanian was placed in a side room near the Stele Gallery.

With some time before the graduates arrived from the palace, he did not hurry to the ritual ground but instead took Xingmi to view the steles.

After each palace examination, the Ministry of Rites erected a stone stele in the temple, carved with the names and native places of the three hundred jinshi. The gallery was lined with ninety-six such steles, many from previous dynasties.

The once high-spirited young graduates commemorated here had long since passed into history, but their names remained engraved in stone.

Soon, Du Yunse’s name would be on the newest stele — at the very top.

Qiu Huanian, moving from the oldest to the newest, quickly browsed the steles of the Yuanhua reign.

He noted that while many jinshi were commoners, the famous clans produced one every year or two — each with colleagues, friends, disciples — leveraging mutual support to climb higher, year after year. Their accumulated power at court ran deep.

To move against such behemoths, while avoiding harm to the state and the people, would be incredibly difficult.

He was musing when footsteps came from the side.

Turning, he saw a richly dressed woman in her early thirties, followed by a long retinue of servants.

Not knowing who she was, Qiu Huanian simply nodded and was preparing to move aside when the woman spoke.

“I have long heard of the Qishu Young Master’s⁴ name. May I trouble Young Master for a word?”

Qiu Huanian asked, “I’m newly arrived in the capital and not well-acquainted. Madam is…?”

The noblewoman smiled faintly. “I am the aunt of this year’s tanhua lang⁵, Xie Tanguang. Today I came to see the First Fruits ritual at the temple. My husband’s clan is the Yu family of Liaozhou — we may be considered fellow provincials. You may call me Madam Yu.”

Qiu Huanian nearly raised an eyebrow. A daughter of the Xie clan of Jinzhou married into the Yu family of Liaozhou, and at that age… likely the elder sister-in-law of Yu Min — the principal wife of the current generation.

She was the very same woman who had covertly maneuvered, sending a nanny from the palace to torment Min Leyi, causing him much suffering.

Sensing his doubt, Madam Yu said softly, “My husband, Yu Wen, was appointed to the capital just this past month, as Minister of the Imperial Household Department (Guanglu Si). I came with him.”

Though smiling throughout, her smile never reached her eyes — like a painted clay statue, with natural-born arrogance in her bones that made Qiu Huanian uncomfortable.

The Imperial Household Department managed palace provisions, banquets, and sacrifices — not a post of real power, but with much profit. The minister’s rank was cong-sanpin⁶.

Judging by Madam Yu’s age, her husband Yu Wen was also in his early thirties. To hold a cong-sanpin ministerial post at that age in the capital meant the Yu clan’s influence was not to be underestimated.

They happened to be standing before the stele of Yuanhua’s seventeenth year. Following Madam Yu’s gesture, Qiu Huanian saw Yu Wen’s name:

Second Class, thirty-fifth place — a jinshi chushen⁷, a mid-upper rank placement.

Six years prior, Yu Wen passed the exam, served three years as a Hanlin shujishi, was assigned to an outer post in Liaozhou, and with family backing gained enough merit to return to the capital in only three years as a cong-sanpin minister.

Many First-Class jinshi could not rise so quickly.

Qiu Huanian now understood Madam Yu’s pride. Du Yunse might be champion, but from a farming background; without ties to the Crown Prince and Emperor Yuanhua, his official career would not be as smooth as Yu Wen’s.

The Yu clan had clearly invested all present resources in Yu Wen, their legitimate eldest son.

Madam Yu smiled. “Last year in Xiangping Prefecture on business, I heard of Young Master, but sadly had no time to meet. Now that we’re both in the capital, we’ll surely see one another often — so it’s good to get acquainted.”

Qiu Huanian looked at the steles before him and said slowly, “Madam knows that Principal Min was Yunse’s teacher, and that I am close to Leyi. So you mean for me to ‘let bygones be bygones’?”

Madam Yu chuckled. “Young Master’s words are heavy. I merely happened to meet you today, and, wishing to avoid future awkwardness, offer some friendly counsel.”

“Just look — these ninety-six steles, from the previous dynasty on, every one has names connected to the Xie and Yu families. Your husband may be a champion, but his name will be just one more on a single stele.”

“If you cannot take good advice, I needn’t waste my tongue further.”

Qiu Huanian turned and regarded her in silence, a faint smile in his eyes that left her unsure of his intent.

“You—”

“What an arrogant scent you carry,” Qiu Huanian said slowly. “Compared to you, Yu Min was child’s play.”

He lifted his chin toward the endless steles, the farthest worn and mottled by time.

“What’s carved in stone is only the past. For a thousand years, how many princes and ministers’ descendants have vanished without trace? The family behind Madam is no more guaranteed to endure forever.”

“What is not yet carved — the future — is what Madam will truly have to live through.”

With that, Qiu Huanian turned to go, Xingmi hurrying after him.

Only after leaving the gallery did Xingmi say softly, “Young Master, you were amazing! What you said was so reasonable — you shut her down instantly!”

Qiu Huanian laughed. “Enough of that. It’s nearly time — let’s get to the front to watch the ceremony, or we’ll lose the good spots.”

The ritual was held before the main hall honoring Confucius. The new graduates offered the various vegetables and fruits mentioned in the Zhou Li⁸ to the Sage.

Many items were long unfamiliar to the public, their names obscure enough that Qiu Huanian couldn’t read them at a glance.

With only Xingmi accompanying him, they could move flexibly, and soon found a front spot to watch Du Yunse lead the graduates through the ritual.

As the final bell sounded, rows of incense sticks smoldered in curling smoke. The celebratory events begun with the proclamation now drew to a close.

Back in the carriage waiting for Du Yunse, Qiu Huanian didn’t have long to wait before he arrived.

“How was it?”

“His Majesty has lifted my teacher’s confinement. Huanian, let’s go visit him.” Du Yunse’s voice carried rare urgency and excitement.

To Du Yunse, the man who had taught him for nine years and watched him grow was as his own father.

“That’s wonderful. I’ve prepared the gifts — it’ll be just right for dinner.”

Qiu Huanian was very curious about Wen Huiyang. From what he’d heard, he didn’t sound the least like a narrow-minded pedant.

For Du Yunse, Wen Huiyang was teacher and father both; for Qiu Huanian, this meeting felt much like a first introduction to the family elders.

The thought made him a touch nervous.

“I’ve had several new outfits made, and chosen some fine stationery and ornaments from the gift lists we’ve received. I hope Master Wen will like them.”

Du Yunse gently took his hand. “With such care, Hua Ge’er, my teacher will certainly be pleased.”

Bai Quan knew his masters were eager, and drove quickly. Chongjiao Ward was not far from Mingzhao Ward; in just over a quarter hour, they arrived.

The imperial guards outside Wen’s courtyard had been withdrawn. As they alighted, Qiu Huanian noticed several other carriages already there.

As he was about to ask, a man emerged from the gate.

He wore a black leather mask lined with silver wire, only a pair of deep black eyes visible — but Qiu Huanian recognized Sixteen at once.

Before he could speak, Du Yunse discreetly tugged his sleeve.

Knowing that Sixteen’s identity and appearance were hidden from outsiders, Qiu Huanian pretended not to know him.

On seeing them, Sixteen’s steps paused; his voice, made hoarse and grim by disguise, said, “On the Crown Prince’s orders, I came to offer greetings to Master Wen.”

Du Yunse nodded; Sixteen said no more and left directly.

Watching his carriage track away, Qiu Huanian felt a sudden tightness in his chest.

“Master Du? You’re here! And this must be the Qishu Young Master — please, come in, Master has been waiting!”

The clear voice broke his mood.

Within the gate stood a round-faced youth of fifteen or sixteen, freckles on his nose, grin good-natured.

“My name is Rushi. Master Du knows me — these years I’ve been the one taking care of Master Wen.”

Rushi led them inside. Hearing movement, Wen Huiyang himself came out eagerly.

Meeting in the courtyard, Qiu Huanian finally saw the famed scholar.

At forty-five, Wen Huiyang was lean and spry, with a handsome mustache, his features refined and graceful — one could easily imagine his youthful brilliance.

After three years apart, Du Yunse saw his mentor again, a tide of feeling rising. Stepping back half a pace, he knelt.

“Your student Du Yunse pays respects to his teacher.”

Moisture shone in Wen’s clear eyes. The boy barely to his waist on their first meeting was now world-famous, surpassing the master.

“Good — good! I have heard of your results. Six Consecutive Firsts — unheard of before — my heart rejoices!”

“Without your teaching, teacher, I could not have today’s success. Master, I—”

Wen smiled and shook his head, raising Du Yunse up with both hands.

“Between teacher and pupil, there’s no need to say such things. I hear you returned home and married — will you not introduce me to my disciple’s spouse?”

Turning, his gaze fell on Qiu Huanian — and at the sight of his face, shock flashed in his eyes.

Wen’s mouth opened, and suddenly two streams of tears fell down his cheeks.

“Master Wen?”

“No, I… just…” Wen raised a hand to show he was fine, bowing his head slightly. “Only — seeing Yunse’s marriage so happy, I am overjoyed.”

Du Yunse frowned faintly.

Wen brushed aside the moment, bidding them into the house, and asked casually, “Yunse is from Liaozhou — is the Young Master as well?”

“Please, Master Wen, call me Huanian. I’m also from Liaozhou — from Shangliang Village, next to Du Village.”

Silent for a beat, Wen smiled lightly.

“Huanian… Huanian…” His voice carried the slightest, almost undetectable bitterness. “Yunse is a fine lad I raised with my own hands. You must grow old with him.”

notes:

1. 1. Shijiang Xueshi (侍講學士) – A Hanlin Academy post: Imperial Lecturer-Scholar.

1. 1. Mu (畝) – Traditional unit of area; 1 mu ≈ 666.5 m².

1. 1. Shi Cai Li (釋菜禮) – “Offering of First Fruits”; a Confucian ritual presenting vegetables and fruits to the Sage and worthies.

1. 1. Qishu Young Master (齊黍鄉君) – Title for Qiu Huanian as the formal spouse of the champion.

1. 1. Tanhua Lang (探花郎) – Third place finisher in the Palace Examination.

1. 1. Cong Sanpin (從三品) – Rank just below full third-rank in the imperial hierarchy.

1. 1. Jinshi Chushen (進士出身) – A degree status indicating having passed the highest imperial exam in the second class.

1. 1. Zhou Li (周禮) – “Rites of Zhou,” an ancient Confucian classic describing bureaucratic and ritual systems.