The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 621 Heading to the Imperial College (1)_1

Fang Liuming, a young Scholar, was immediately approached by the Master of the Aristocratic Families to become their son-in-law, to the envy of many. Matchmakers thronged the door, vying to propose marriage on behalf of Fang Liuming.

There was still no news from Pei Qin’s end, and neither Lady Yu nor Grandma Fang dared to respond; they all smiled and politely declined, leaving it to others to find Fang Fang a suitable match.

Before, when Fang Liuming did not speak of marriage, it was said he was waiting for the result of the imperial examination. He had first become a Scholar and then passed as a Graduate, and now at eighteen, he should have been considering marriage. Yet he showed no intent to do so, leading everyone to speculate that the Fang family had already favoured a particular family and was simply waiting for Fang Liuming to pass the examination before formalizing the union.

Pei Qin sent two gifts to offer congratulations: one for Fang Liuming and another for his cousin, Fang Fu, who had not passed the examination.

Since Fang Liuming had not yet spoken for marriage and the Fang family had a good reputation, there were many who came to offer their congratulations.

Fang Fu did not pass the examination, and his nephew, several years his junior, had his name inscribed on the Golden List. Watching the guests come to offer their congratulations and clamoring for the family to hold a feast in celebration, he felt a bitter taste in his heart. After more than a decade of diligent study...Looking at the inkstone Pei Qin had given him, his smile was tinged with bitterness.

"Not everyone is suited for the imperial examination or for entering the court as an official. Everyone has weaknesses and strengths. Perhaps your strength, Uncle, does not lie in book learning or taking exams," Pei Qin said as his gaze followed the guests arriving at the gate to offer congratulations with gifts.

Fang Fu felt somewhat lost; he was already twenty-three, and he had barely passed the spring examination. He knew his scholarship was weak, and he had been studying fiercely for the past two years. Despite giving it his all, he still failed the provincial examination. His parents consoled him, telling him to try again in three years, but what if he failed again three years later?

"Life is so long, just try again!" Pei Qin said, turning his head to look at him.

In his heart, Fang Fu wanted to try again, but he feared wasting another three years and still failing, so he was unsure which path to take now.

Outside, Fang Liuming declined to throw a celebration feast, "What have I achieved so far? I’ve only passed the provincial examination. To hold an extravagant feast now, what would I have to do next spring when I sit for the higher exams—ascend to heaven?" Moreover, he and his uncle had gone to the examination together; he had passed, but his uncle had not. Celebrating at home would only make his uncle feel worse.

Fang Fu knew his nephew’s refusal to celebrate was also out of consideration for his feelings, "I’m truly happy for you being successful! For both of us, whoever passes brings glory to our family name. However, I feel somewhat ashamed. Pei Wenli from Old Pei’s House has passed, but I have failed, dragging our family name down."

"You will surely pass if you try again in three years, Uncle!" Fang Liuming said, holding his hand tightly.

Fang Fu glanced at Pei Qin and then at his father, pressing his lips into a smile, "I really need to think it over, whether to try again in three years or to do something else!" He wasn’t an ignorant child anymore; the family needed glory, but likewise, they needed support from behind.

They did not invite outsiders, just a few relatives sat together for a meal, to celebrate, and to observe the Mid-Autumn Festival on the fifteenth.

The villagers all praised Fang Liuming for his sensibility and the Fang family for their humility and modesty, unlike those who flaunted their little bit of success for the whole world to see, not being arrogant but rather a truly grounded family.

At Old Pei’s House, Pei Wenli had passed the provincial examination, and the whole family was extremely happy, with Lady Chen thoroughly enjoying her moment of glory. She clamored to find a marriage within the aristocratic families for her daughter, so that she could marry with grace and honor, and to find a knowledgeable and sensible wife for her younger son.

The villagers all came to offer congratulations, and Old Pei’s House held a feast with more than twenty tables.

Pei Wenli, too, wore a finely made silk robe, radiantly welcoming classmates and guests who came to congratulate him.

Upon hearing that the Fang family had also had a candidate pass the provincial examination but decided against holding a feast, Lady Zhu revealed her teeth in a huff and laughed mockingly, "They probably don’t dare to celebrate with a feast, right? They sent two candidates to the examination, one passed, and the other didn’t. Should people go to congratulate them, or to offer them sympathy?"