The following February, during the spring imperial examination, Dafu returned to the county after a break from the academy. After a hurried New Year, he had gone to the capital in January to take the exams.
With everyone’s high expectations, the results were announced in March. Dafu’s name appeared prominently on the list—though he hadn’t made the top tier, he ranked near the front of the second tier.
Having passed the provincial examination, he needed to stay in the capital to await the palace examination. By the time the county received the good news, he was already at the palace exam venue.
“Young Master Fan truly is the chosen star of the scholar’s heavens; the good news arrived so soon, Father and Mother are both delighted. The young master is sewing his wedding clothes at the academy, but I suppose he doesn’t know that Mother’s elder sister-in-law came by. Originally, she intended to play matchmaker between the young master and Cousin Lin. Mother’s elder sister-in-law was so excited—wouldn’t hear otherwise and even spoke rather rudely.
“But then Mother agreed to the engagement with Young Master Fan. Since Young Master Fan passed the imperial exam as a jinshi, he’s definitely promising. The engagement was arranged quietly. Mother’s elder sister-in-law didn’t know, but now she’s come again to plead with Mother.”
Wu Heguang had no interest in this idle gossip at first, but when it came to Zhongyang, he was eager to listen.
Hearing Gu’s words, he stopped his needlework and asked, “What does Aunt want Mother to do?”
“It seems it’s for Cousin Lin. Since Mother refuses to bring up the engagement, the anxious aunt hurried over and spoke of how marriage is a great joy. But Mother didn’t care to listen and only told her that the young master’s engagement had been settled.”
Gu repeated this to Wu Heguang: “Aunt thought Mother was bluffing, trying to show off, saying no one outside compares to a family member who knows one’s roots, and that even the entire family had their eyes on Cousin Lin.”
“Mother didn’t want to hear any boasting, so she told Aunt about Young Master Fan’s jinshi success. Aunt was left speechless and left right after lunch, though Mother invited her to stay.”
Wu Heguang smiled faintly, “Mother and Aunt are just like that.”
He said no more, looking at the soft wedding clothes in his hands, calculating how much longer it would be before he returned to the county.
Meanwhile, Madam Wu arrived.
In good spirits, he compared the wedding clothes with Heguang, saying they looked fine, then praised Heguang’s discerning eye with a double entendre.
“He passed the palace exam and now just awaits appointment from the Ministry of Personnel. Father and Uncle have written to him; he’ll naturally receive some guidance and hopes for a better position upon arrival.”
Wu Heguang felt touched inside. “Thank you, Father and Mother, for all your care and consideration.”
“Parents only want the best for their children; there’s no need for thanks.”
At the end of April, Dafu passed the palace exam and ranked in the second tier. After the banquet and waiting for his appointment, although officials were not immediately assigned, his success was guaranteed. He immediately wrote a letter home.
His provincial exam rank was steady, and with the Wu family’s support, things went smoothly. He was among the first batch appointed by the Ministry of Personnel.
Though he didn’t enter the Hanlin Academy to serve the emperor directly, he was appointed magistrate of Lancong County under Baixi Prefecture.
Lancong County was a prosperous and sizable county—not a remote or desolate place—and, in fact, better than his native Luan County in many ways.
After receiving his appointment letter and handling all formalities, Dafu did not dare to linger in the capital.
His appointment was due in October. Now it was already May; after returning home to thank his parents, he still had important matters to handle. Time was tight.
With a heart full of joy, he had been busy for almost half a year. By late May, he finally returned to Luan County.
“The family set the wedding date for August 27. I’m on the road and haven’t discussed it with Mother. Do you think that’s too rushed?”
After a half-day’s rest, Dafu hurried to see Wu Heguang, carrying some small trinkets he’d picked up in the capital. Seeing Heguang’s good spirits, his heart settled.
Wu Heguang was very happy to see him. The engagement was set; no more separations. After the exams, this was the last time he would be away.
Unable to contain his joy, he told Dafu the wedding date.
Then, a bit bashful and belatedly realizing his own embarrassment—as if afraid Dafu might run away—he seemed anxious to get him married quickly.
Dafu laughed, “How could it feel rushed? I sent a letter to the family while in the capital, urging them to choose a date quickly and settle it. If we waited for my return to set the date, that would be tight.”
He tapped Heguang’s nose lightly, “Did they not tell you?”
Wu Heguang’s face reddened slightly. “Why would they tell me in detail? They only informed me of the date. I thought the family decided on their own, fearing Mother might not be pleased without Father’s consent.”
Dafu said, “Even if they didn’t consult me, setting my wedding date still makes me happy.”
He exhaled softly. “Fortunately, this exam went well: I passed the provincial exam and was appointed. I can now return home in glory. Seeking a wife with a firm position in hand, I won’t have wasted Father-in-law’s teachings.”
Wu Heguang lifted his eyes to look at him. “What if you hadn’t passed? What would you have done then?”
“What else? I would shamelessly ask for help from Uncle.”
“It’s a pity you didn’t see such a scene. Has Young Master Fan ever shamelessly begged? How could there be such a…”
Before he finished, he felt his cheek flush. What? He looked at him blankly through the night.
“Do you see it now?”
Dafu looked at Wu Heguang’s clear apricot eyes and rose-colored cheeks and found him utterly adorable.
He had thought of him many times during his months away taking exams.
Wu Heguang’s heart thumped loudly. He lowered his gaze, his cheeks burning as if boiling.
It seemed he also had his shameless moments.
Seeing Heguang’s blush, Dafu took his hand, “Though feelings start naturally and end with propriety, consider this a little reward.”
Wu Heguang flexed his fingers. “You sure know how to reward yourself.”
Dafu felt a deep sense of contentment.
He held Wu Heguang’s hand tightly and slowly began to recall the past. “Heguang, did you get lost when you were little?”
“How do you know that?”
Wu Heguang was still immersed in embarrassment, but hearing Dafu’s words tightened his chest.
That was a family secret never to be spoken of. If not for his frail health, he might have forgotten about it over the years.
Dafu gently stroked him. “Don’t be nervous. I didn’t know either until I asked Father, and he told me.”
“Last year, when I confessed to the family my wish to marry, I overheard Father happily telling Uncle that we were destined and accidentally revealed what happened back then. When I asked Father, he was secretive and refused to say anything until the engagement was settled.”
“I later found out that Uncle had captured a trafficker and handed him over to the county government. The officials tracked down a whole gang. It just so happened that you were the unfortunate child abducted, and you were rescued by fate.”
“Father said the trafficker had also targeted me, but Uncle scared him off before he could succeed; otherwise, we might have ended up imprisoned together.”
Wu Heguang was shocked but also found it unbelievable. “I never knew there was such a connection. No wonder when the family moved here, Father said the Fan family was trustworthy but wouldn’t say why.”
“Now hearing from Father, perhaps this is what he meant.”
Dafu embraced Heguang gently. “Fate in this world is difficult to explain.”
Wu Heguang’s lips curved slightly. What once was too painful to recall was now not entirely bitter.
Nothing in life has only one side; he could finally look back calmly.
He leaned on Dafu’s chest. “Today the breeze is gentle and pleasant. Let’s take the kite from home and fly it together.”
Fragile as a child, he had only been allowed to fly his paper kite in the courtyard before. Now he wanted to fly it with Dafu…
When Xiaofu turned sixteen, the little nephew was already running around the garden, giggling.
The chubby little bundle was adorable—soft and clingy.
His father was doing well in local government. While ordinary officials had five-year terms before promotion, he had risen in only three.
Uncle also accompanied Father on his posts, often busy handling affairs in the new district. The little one stayed at home under Kanghe and Fan Jing’s care. After things settled, they would take him along.
Xiaofu enjoyed this, spending his days teasing the little fellow.
“So lively and energetic, just like you when you were little.”
Shiw looked on as the child played in the garden for a long while without tiring and smiled at Xiaofu.
Two years ago, Shiw had passed the provincial exam and, recommended by Dafu, studied at Yueheng Academy for two years. He was preparing for the upcoming imperial exam, but the grandmother’s passing forced him to observe mourning.
Having resigned from the academy and been at home, he often visited the Fan family when not studying.
Hearing this, Xiaofu said, “You sound like such an old man, as if you’re much older than me, knowing all about my childhood.”
“I’m not wrong. I am indeed three years older, and I even held you when you were a baby.”
Xiaofu cast a sidelong glance at Shiw. “You really like children, huh? Seems you started a family early, having a big chubby kid to hold all day.”
Shiw’s face reddened slightly at this. He wasn’t sure if Xiaofu was teasing or hinting.
He said, “During mourning, don’t joke around.”
Xiaofu understood and kept quiet, respecting the sadness of losing an elder.
Seeing the little nephew’s eyes fluttering, he guessed he was sleepy and called a servant to carry the child inside to sleep.
Shiw said, “Such a cutie. When Brother Dafu comes back, I must ask him to make Dabao my godson.”
“You just want to take advantage of my family.”
Xiaofu laughed and said, “I’m heading out now. Do as you please.”
As he was about to leave, Shiw hurried to stop him. “Where are you going this time?”
Xiaofu looked at Shiw, a young man of fresh years, refined bearing, dark brows, and morning star eyes—a handsome jade-like face.
The Xu family had no other heirs for generations, and Shiw had inherited the good looks of his little father Yuan, earning a reputation as a handsome young gentleman in the county.
Xiaofu raised a hand, teasingly scratching Shiw’s chin like a playful cat. “Naturally, I’m going to the martial arts school.”
Shiw grabbed Xiaofu’s hand, “Let me come along.”
“What’s a scholar doing at the martial arts school?”
Xiaofu said, “Some students come from other towns to study here. It’s not easy. I must go; I won’t cause trouble.”
“Though I’m a scholar, I’m not purely a weak bookworm. I can ride horses and shoot arrows, not expertly, but well enough.”
Seeing Xiaofu refuse him, Shiw was slightly displeased and retorted, “And what trouble would I cause?”
“They’re all female students and little boys. If you stand there, who can concentrate on studying?”
Shiw fell silent.
Taking advantage of his pause, Xiaofu slipped away quickly, calling out from a distance, “If I don’t come back, go home with me and bring Uncle Qiu’s marinated goose and smoked fish.”
Shiw came to his senses and thought of how Zhang Dalang always stayed with Xiaofu at the martial arts school. They were very close. He said, “I’m going home now. I’m not eating!”
“That Xiaofu is no longer a child, but still so carefree.”
Kanghe stood under the garden corridor, watching Xiaofu and Shiw, sighing to Fan Jing nearby.
“Poor Shiw—such a good boy, being fooled by that one spinning around him.”
Fan Jing said nothing, but Kanghe’s words were true. That boy still hadn’t developed his own resolve.
His older brother, at this age plus a year, already knew to take charge of his own marriage.