September, and the roadside Sweet Osmanthus trees were in full bloom, tiny blossoms hidden among the leaves, releasing a rich fragrance.
Every year on the second day of the ninth lunar month was a day all the scholars of Great Chu eagerly awaited.
The scent of osmanthus, red silk dancing, the beating of drums and gongs—each year’s imperial examination results were announced amidst the osmanthus fragrance, hence called the Guihua List.
On the day the results were released, the entire Sifang Town and even Nanmíng Commandery would come alive with excitement.
The Fu Family was no exception. Though they didn’t truly expect Fu Tian to pass the Xiucai exam, Fu Youqin had seen how hard Fu Tian had worked recently.
Early that morning on the day of the announcement, she sent servants to wait for news in Nanmíng Commandery.
The servants tasked with gathering information were late returning, and both Fu Youqin and Fu Shuyue anxiously glanced toward the main gate repeatedly.
The three of them—mother and two children—sat in the pavilion enjoying the cool breeze and tea, but Fu Tian was the only one who truly savored his cup.
“You’re not worried at all,” Fu Shuyue teased, lightly tapping him with her fan.
Fu Tian curved his lips into a calm smile, completely composed. “The exams are done. Worrying won’t change whether I pass or not.”
Fu Shuyue scoffed softly, “You’re so carefree, but your mother and I are the ones anxious.”
Listening to his two siblings’ lighthearted banter, Fu Youqin smiled as well. Just as she was about to say something, Fu Ji burst in hurriedly, calling out excitedly, “Madam! Young Master! He passed! He passed! Young Master passed!!!”
“Passed?!” Fu Shuyue jumped to her feet, still in disbelief. “Really passed?!”
Fu Ji was equally thrilled. He had witnessed the young master’s hard work firsthand and barely catching his breath, he said, “Really! He ranked eighth! Laifu saw it with his own eyes, and even brought a copy of the list here.”
Fu Youqin quickly took the handwritten paper and looked at the name “Fu Tian” listed eighth. Just as her lips curved into a smile, her eyes welled up with tears.
“You’ve made us proud, Youling!” Fu Youqin laughed through tears, pulling the still stunned Fu Tian into a tight embrace.
“Let me see.” Fu Tian couldn’t quite believe it himself. He had indeed studied hard these days but never dared to hope he would pass on his first attempt. Now, this news hit him like a wave, leaving him dazed.
He had really passed!
While the family was celebrating, a servant came to announce that the official messenger bearing the good news had arrived at the door.
In the main hall, the messenger was dressed with festive red silk and, upon seeing Fu Tian, immediately offered congratulations.
Fu Ji understood and handed over a red envelope. The messenger politely presented the official document.
After delivering the document, the messenger quickly left, as he still had other families to notify.
The document was tied with a red ribbon. Every candidate who passed the Xiucai exam received such a certificate as proof of their status.
Fu Youqin instructed Fu Ji to bring a wooden box to carefully store the certificate. “Offer this up in the Ancestral Hall.”
The Fu Family had been merchants for generations. Though they held countless assets, Fu Tian was the only one who had passed the exam. It was only right to let the ancestors share in this joy.
“It’s just passing the Xiucai exam.” Fu Tian’s expression was helpless. Although rare in a small town like Sifang, in the grand scope of Great Chu, passing the Xiucai was not particularly remarkable.
Fu Youqin was delighted but shook her head in disagreement. “But you’re the only one in the Fu Family.”
“For such a big celebration, we need to hold a three-day Dining Banquet, and Blessing Rice must be distributed. Doing more good deeds will help ensure you pass the Juren next time.”
Fu Youqin, usually calm and graceful, was chattering nonstop to Fu Ji. “Don’t scrimp on expenses. This is a major event, so it must be grand.”
Fu Tian:
News of the Fu Family Young Master passing the Xiucai exam spread quickly. Many had seen the congratulatory official enter the Fu Family gate.
***
Previously, Fu Tian had been low-key, and no one outside the family knew about this. Now that the results were out, it was like a pebble dropping into a still lake, sending ripples far and wide.
Visitors came to offer congratulations and inquire about marriage prospects… all sorts of strange people showed up.
Fu Tian shut himself indoors, but Fu Youqin was unusually gracious, able to chat with the ladies of other families for a while.
If they praised Fu Tian, even better; sometimes, they might be invited to dine at the Fu Family.
However, joy aside, when faced with the matchmakers and ladies probing about marriage, Fu Youqin neither outright refused nor easily agreed. She simply said it depended on fate.
In the Shu Fang, Fu Tian listened to Dai Fu imitate what he’d heard: which girl looked like a flower, which was skilled in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, which was gentle and wise… Dai Fu loved a lively atmosphere and had been following Fu Ji on errands to gather all the gossip.
Fu Tian felt his head buzzing.
He was only seventeen this year, not in a hurry to marry, and… truthfully, he did not want to marry. The thought of taking another woman as his wife made him uneasy everywhere.
He rolled over on the couch with a sigh, while the entire mansion buzzed with happiness and activity. Yet, he—the main character—felt most at leisure.
No more exhausting study or memorization. The shop, the Zhuangzi Steward, and servants managed things well. Fu Tian was left with nothing to do, not even a pastime.
Leaning half against the couch, he flipped through a few pages of the book beside him, then tossed it aside bored.
The pages fluttered noisily in the breeze from the Ice Fan. Glancing at the spinning fan, Fu Tian’s thoughts drifted to someone who still hadn’t returned.
He grew even more restless.
At first, when the person left, he was angry—Chu Xiangtian had deceived him for so long without a word of explanation before leaving.
He had held so much hope when seeing him off; discovering he was gone filled him with anger and resentment.
But the person who could make him angry and willing to be soothed was absent. Over time, the sharp emotions softened.
At first, Fu Tian planned to ignore Chu Xiangtian for days to show his anger once he returned, but after waiting anxiously for days with no sign of him, Fu Tian started doubting.
Is he really not coming back?
Every time this thought crossed his mind, it felt like his heart was being gripped by a pair of hands—no longer angry, only abandoned and hurt, with a trace of fear.
The emotions were too complicated. Fu Tian sighed deeply, realizing waiting idly was pointless. He got up, tidied his clothes, and for the first time in a while stepped through the guest courtyard gate.
Though he hadn’t been receiving lessons recently, Zhou Chuanqing shamelessly still lived at the Fu Family residence.
Since Chu Xiangtian’s departure, Fu Tian couldn’t even look at Zhou Chuanqing properly, so as to avoid trouble, Zhou Chuanqing now purposely avoided him.
Seeing Fu Tian approach was a moment of surprise for Zhou Chuanqing.
Fu Tian came up and pressed his lips together, quietly apologizing. No matter how unhappy he was, he shouldn’t have taken it out on Zhou Chuanqing.
“No need to be so formal,” Zhou Chuanqing said. “We were at fault for hiding the truth first anyway.”
The two sat under a tree. After a moment’s thought, Fu Tian finally asked, “Are you… people of the court? Officials?”
Zhou Chuanqing nodded without hesitation. “Yes.”
Fu Tian was silent for a while, as if digesting the information. Zhou Chuanqing thought he might ask about matters in the capital, but instead he hesitated and said, “Then… will he come back?”
They weren’t from Sifang Town. Fu Tian couldn’t think of a reason Chu Xiangtian would return. His worst fear seemed confirmed, and his expression showed a mixture of confusion and unease.
He was worried.
Zhou Chuanqing carefully studied his expression, making sure he wasn’t mistaken. Fu Tian wasn’t angry—he was worried that Chu Xiangtian might never return.
The heavy weight in his chest made it hard to breathe. Zhou Chuanqing, who had been ready to watch the drama unfold, couldn’t understand how people could be so different.
All the good luck seemed to come to Chu Xiangtian, which was maddening.
But in times like this, he didn’t dare hinder Chu Xiangtian and instead earnestly replied, “He will definitely come back.”
“If he can’t return right away, maybe something’s delayed him in Qingyang. Once he finishes, he’ll definitely come back.” Because there is someone he likes here.
The certainty in those words steadied Fu Tian’s anxious heart somewhat. He smiled faintly and softly responded, “Mm.”
After Fu Tian left, Zhou Chuanqing sighed for some time, envious and resentful of Chu Xiangtian’s treatment. He wondered when he could bring a bride home for the Old Zhou Family.
***
Exiting the guest courtyard, Fu Tian’s heavy expression lightened. He wanted to go out and clear his head.
When he had been in a bad mood, Li Qingnian had come to see him several times, all of which he had declined.
Now that he felt better, he remembered Li Qingnian’s sorrowful looks after being rejected multiple times.
With nothing else to do, he took Dai Fu and went to the Li Family.
Mr. and Mrs. Li welcomed Fu Tian warmly. The whole town was abuzz with news: the Fu Family Young Master had passed the Xiucai exam at such a young age.
Someday he might become the top scholar, the Zhuangyuan. They even heard that so-and-so’s family’s Zhuangyuan had passed Xiucai at sixteen!
If he really passed someday, the Li Family could bask in the glow of the Zhuangyuan’s fame!
The couple had three sons. The eldest two were smart but not academically inclined, while the youngest, born late and doted upon, spent his days dawdling with a rough crowd.
At first, when Li Qingnian said he was friends with the Fu Family Young Master, his parents didn’t believe it.
Their own son knew better, and although Li Qingnian frequently visited the Fu residence, Fu Tian hadn’t really spent much time with him.
The couple was just discussing whether to hire a strict tutor to educate Li Qingnian when Fu Tian arrived.
Li Qingnian looked at Fu Tian as if he were a savior, clutching him tightly.
“Youling, please tell my parents that studying requires brains. The Li Family hasn’t had a scholar for generations—why do they insist I study and pass Xiucai?!”
Li Qingnian’s mother scolded him, patting his back. “You child! How can you say that?”
After Li Qingnian failed to find Fu Tian twice, his parents locked him inside the house, treating him like an unmarried daughter.
The main gate was not to be opened, the side door not to be stepped out. Being lively and playful, Li Qingnian was suffocated.
He kept signaling to Fu Tian with his eyes. Fu Tian twitched at the corners of his mouth and smiled. “Auntie, I have something to discuss with Qingnian.”
Mrs. Li was very kind. “Good, good, you two chat. I’ll have the servants bring you some snacks. What flavors do you like?”
Fu Tian politely said anything was fine, and Mrs. Li left with a beaming smile.
Li Qingnian hugged Fu Tian pretending to cry, “You don’t know what kind of days I’ve been living these past few days!!
Why are people so different? It’s one thing to not let me go out, but now they won’t even let me eat snacks, saying I’m too fat. Do you think I’m fat?” Li Qingnian sadly held his little belly. “Am I fat?!”
Fu Tian:
“Seems… I might be a little fat.”