Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 178

“What’s this now, another ‘Master Mu’ shows up?” Chen Qin said bitterly. “Just the other day it was some Master He. Who knows what kind of luck the Yu family has stumbled upon, getting connected to one big shot after another!”

Chen Rou, hearing this, recalled the handsome young proprietor she’d seen speaking with Yu Jiao and Yu Qizhe at Huichuntang. A faint jealousy crept into her heart. That Yu Jiao, just by knowing medicine, had managed to befriend so many wealthy families. “If only I knew medicine too,” she thought wistfully.

Chen Gensheng, however, was more concerned about Yu Qizhe going to sit for the provincial exam. Thinking back to how his own son Zhiqing had once been outshone despite earning a licentiate title, he felt a complex swirl of emotions. 

“Looks like Fifth Young Master Yu has truly recovered,” he muttered. “If he actually passes the provincial exam this time… the Yu family’s fortunes could change completely.”

Chen Rou fell into a daze for a moment, silently wishing that Yu Qizhe wouldn’t pass. Yet she couldn’t help but wonder, “What if he really does become a Juren? What would that mean for me?

Meanwhile, Madam Qin packed the neatly folded clothes for Chen Zhiqing into a bundle and said, “That Yu boy has been sick and on medicine for the past three years, how could he have had the energy to study? He hasn’t been to the academy at all. Our Zhiqing will definitely do better than him.” 

“The teachers at the academy always praise his essays. As for the Yu family, sure, they’re sending four sons, but three of them only became students by donating money. If none of them pass, that’ll be the real joke!”

Just then, Chen Zhiqing came in from outside, holding his satchel filled with ink and writing supplies for the exam. “Mother, are the clothes all packed?”

“All ready,” Madam Qin replied quickly. She took the satchel from him and placed it on top of the bundle, then tied it tightly.

Chen Gensheng pulled out a pouch and handed it to Chen Zhiqing, instructing, “There’s over twenty taels of silver in here. Part of it is from Ah-Rou’s betrothal gift. Buy whatever you need once you get to Qingzhou. Your grandmother’s illness needs someone to care for her, so I can’t go with you this time. Be cautious, don’t be the first to speak up if trouble arises. And once you get to Qingzhou, stay away from those classmates who want to visit brothels.”

“I understand, Father.” Chen Zhiqing took the pouch, then turned to Chen Rou with a smile. “Ah-Rou, once I have money in the future, I’ll pay you back.”

Chen Rou laughed lightly. “Why do you talk like that, brother? If you pass the exam, I get to bask in your glory, don’t I?”

Chen Zhiqing smiled and patted her head. He was genuinely fond of his younger sister.

After chatting a bit more, Chen Zhiqing said, “I’m going to bid Grandmother farewell now.”

Seeing that he was keeping the silver pouch tucked inside his robe, Madam Qin grew anxious. “Keep the money in different places. Carry some small change on you, and hide the rest. I’ve heard of thieves who target examinees just for their money. Be careful out there. If… if you really run into something bad, it’s better to lose the money than—”

“Don’t say such ominous things!” Chen Gensheng interrupted with a frown.

Looking seriously at Chen Zhiqing, he said, “Do your best on the exam. I hope you can bring honor to the Chen family.”

Chen Zhiqing bowed and replied with steady confidence, “Your son will do his utmost. Please don’t worry.”

Chen Gensheng patted him on the shoulder. “Go say goodbye to your grandmother, and don’t keep your future brother-in-law waiting too long in town.”

“Yes, Father,” Chen Zhiqing replied, then made his way toward Old Madam Chen’s room.

Chen Gensheng had to stay behind to fulfill his filial duties at his mother’s bedside, so he couldn’t accompany his son to Qingzhou. Since Li Qiu, the scholar betrothed to Chen Rou, was also taking the provincial exam, and his family had a carriage, Chen Zhiqing had arranged to travel with him.

Upon entering his grandmother’s room, Chen Zhiqing noticed the phlegm-stained floor and wrinkled his nose as he tiptoed to her bedside.

Old Madam Chen’s condition had worsened. She spent most of the day unconscious, and when she was awake, she coughed constantly. Sometimes she couldn’t even wait for someone to bring a spittoon and would spit on the floor. Though Madam Qin and her second daughter-in-law cleaned daily, the mess would return in no time. Occasionally, even the bedding got soiled.

It’s often said that even the most filial children grow weary before a long-sick parent. Naturally, Madam Qin and the younger wife had begun to slack off, and the stench in the room was hard to ignore.

Softly, Chen Zhiqing called out, “Grandmother, are you awake? Your grandson is here to say goodbye.”

Old Madam Chen weakly lifted her eyelids. When she saw her eldest grandson, she gave a raspy cough and reached out to touch him.

Her body emitted a strange, aged smell, perhaps the scent of impending death. Skin like bark hung loosely from her frail bones, covered in age spots and deep wrinkles, a rather terrifying sight.

Chen Zhiqing instinctively wanted to pull away, but catching a glimpse of his father entering the room, he quickly took his grandmother’s hand and said, “Grandmother, I’m off to Qingzhou for the exam. Please take care of yourself. When I return, I’ll bring you pea cakes.”

Old Madam Chen grinned, her mouth revealing a few yellowed, rotting teeth. “Such a good grandson,” she said kindly. “I’ll be waiting for you—waiting for you to come back as a Juren.”

Watching this touching moment, Chen Gensheng felt deeply gratified. Of all the virtues, filial piety comes first, he thought. He was proud of the way he had raised his children, each one understanding the importance of filial duty.

Chen Zhiqing gently placed her hand back under the quilt and tucked the blanket around her. With a faint smile, he said, “Li Qiu is waiting for me in town. I must go now, Grandmother. Don’t worry about me.”

Old Madam Chen nodded, trying to offer more words, but another coughing fit overtook her. She waved him off instead.

After leaving the room, Chen Zhiqing let out a long sigh and accepted his travel bundle from his mother. “Father, Mother, I’m off.”

Outside the courtyard gate, Chen Genfu stood waiting with the borrowed donkey cart to take Chen Zhiqing into town. Chen Gensheng and his wife walked their son to the gate, only turning back once the cart had rolled far down the road.

A woman from across the street saw them and called out, “Sister Qin, is your boy headed to Qingzhou for the exam too?”

Madam Qin smiled and nodded.

The woman continued, “How come he didn’t go with the Yu family boys? All four of them left for Qingzhou earlier, and what a sight it was! Three whole carriages came to fetch them, some grand noble, I hear! If your Zhiqing had gone with them, maybe he’d get looked after by that nobleman too.”

Hearing this, Chen Gensheng felt a wave of discomfort and turned back into the courtyard without a word.

Madam Qin’s smile faded slightly. “We didn’t want to trouble them. Zhiqing had already arranged to travel with a classmate. The carriage is waiting for them in town.”

The woman hadn’t meant anything malicious, it was just something she blurted out. Realizing that the Chen and Yu families had once had a falling out over a broken engagement, she quickly tried to smooth things over with a compliment, “Well, I’m sure your Zhiqing will come back as a Juren! And when you become the mother of a Juren, Sister Qin, we villagers can bask in your glory too!”

Madam Qin’s expression finally softened, and she replied with a smile, “Becoming a Juren isn’t so easy. But thank you for your kind words. If he really passes, I’ll send over red eggs to celebrate!”