Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examination Ch. 99

Chapter 99

In the courtyard, Cui Liangdong had already sent word to the Old furen about the arrival of the County Magistrate of Daxing County¹. At that moment, the paper pavilion was disassembled and pushed aside, and an elderly pozi² stepped out to welcome them, bowing and escorting County Magistrate Jiang inside. 

Upon entering, he discovered that the constructed paper pavilion had doors on all four sides, but the household members usually utilized only the front and back for access, with the ones on the sides tightly sealed to prevent the wind from seeping into the corridor. Although the paper pavilion blocked the main courtyard, the atmosphere inside was not stifling as one might expect. With the doors of the back hall and both sides open, a gentle breeze flowed in, carrying the sweet scent of burning apricot blossom incense, creating a pleasantly warm environment, which was not as cool as other places that were chilled by ice blocks.

While the Old furen was still dressing herself, Cui Liangdong invited County Magistrate Jiang to sit in the hall. Shortly, a maid brought in iced milk tea and pastries for him and his attendants to enjoy all the leftovers from the morning batch Cui Xie had not taken with him, which now served as perfect refreshments for their guests.

County Magistrate Jiang, hailing from Jiangnan (the South), was unaccustomed to dairy and always thought it had a fishy and gamey smell to it. When he drank the milk tea, he was pleasantly surprised by the rich and creamy flavor of the milk tea, its mellow bitterness distinct from the common brewed teas of other households, chilled with crushed ice for a refreshing touch. Having his curiosity piqued, he asked, “This tea is a taste I have never had before, surely it must be a secret family recipe?”

With a modest smile, Cui Liangdong replied, “There is no secret, your eldership flatters. This is just something the Young Master devised. Concerned about the family’s nourishment, he ordered milk to be delivered from Hui merchants to be brewed with tea leaves since it is not good alone. The perishable nature of milk requires it to be kept cool by ice.”

The double-skin milk pudding had a stronger flavor, which the County Magistrate found average, but his attendants who were natives of the Capital, relished the richness of the dessert, praising its texture over its more liquid suet counterpart (yogurt).

After a few more courteous exchanges, the County Magistrate inquired about Cui Xie’s return, “When will Cui jiansheng return? This County Magistrate specially visited during the Imperial College’s break. Firstly, it is to commend him for donating to the almshouse and secondly, I would like to meet this child prodigy.”

Only then did Cui Liangdong understand the purpose of the official’s visit. He had personally overseen the donation to the almshouse, a spectacle that had attracted half of Beijing!

The journey to the institute was marked by many praising the Cui family’s generosity and benevolence, believing good deeds brought blessings and good karma….hearing all this had made Cui Liangdong’s bones feel light, and at the almshouse, Cui Liangdong had almost signed his own name on the donation book. Fortunately, the person in charge of the registration process had commented, ‘Turns out your surname is Cui’, and his mind cleared and he corrected it in a timely manner to write ‘Cui Xie’.

The donated goods, a cart stacked full of dry goods, sweets, vinegar and sauces, was worth more than eighty taels of silver. Although not staple items, they were of good quality, nothing rotten or moldy and extremely vital for the kitchen, enough to provide additional meals for the attendants, elderly and children during festivals, or to be sold for several dozen dou of grain. If it were exchanged for coarse grains such as millet, sorghum, corn and beans, it could amount to over a hundred dan, which equaled tens of thousands of jin, sufficient to feed all those in the institute for quite some time.³

Such good deeds by good people, the County Magistrate of Daxing would naturally recognize such generosity.

Typically, such a commendation meant a few words of praise by the County Magistrate, three years of tax exemption and a symbolic amount of Ming dynasty banknotes. But as the current head of the Cui Residence was a fourth-rank advisor, no matter where his official position was physically located, the family would not need to pay taxes or grains. The residence was no longer required to pay for horse hay or the costs that came with raising horses, and the servants were exempt from corvee labor and conscription.

Cui Xie, having been honored by the Emperor and specially placed in the Imperial College, deserved more than just casual regard. Thinking about this, County Magistrate Jiang decided to give the Cui family due respect, taking a few thousand newly issued banknotes and commissioned a plaque inscribed with ‘Virtuous Household’, personally bringing it to the Cui Residence.

Unfortunately, Cui Xie was not home today.

Cui Liandong, cautious of the Jinyiwei after previous scares, dared not send for Cui Xie from Xie Ying’s residence and could only apologize on behalf of his absent Young Master because he was afraid the County Magistrate would be dissatisfied, “I am afraid it is an unlucky matter of timing today. When my Young Master comes back, this lowly one will persuade him to pay a visit to the county’s government office to pay his respects to the da-ren.”

Fortunately, the Old furen, now properly attired, emerged with her servants and daughters-in-law to greet the Magistrate. As a recipient of an Imperial edict, she performed the necessary formalities and the County Magistrate also had to bow to her. At this point, this spared Cui Liangdong from further attendance and he went to help push the Old Patriarch into the inner courtyard and urged the kitchen to prepare lunch.

County Magistrate Jiang explained his reason for visiting to the Old furen, who expressed regret over her grandson’s absence, “He prepared these refreshments to give to his benefactor and went straight there after he was finished with his duties at the Imperial College. I was unaware of your planned visit, or I would have advised him not to leave.”

The County Magistrate smiled magnanimous, “Your family’s benefactor is indeed priority number one. My visit was merely to deliver the plaque and his presence is not necessary, no need to call him back.”

Standing, he gestured to his attendants, who lifted the red silk off the plaque, revealing the inscription, ‘Virtuous Household’. He stroked the red silk and said, “Since your grandson is not here, asking the pleasant elder to receive it. I will hand over this plaque to the pleasant lady and aged gentleman then.”

The Old furen beamed with joy and immediately ordered servants to light more incense in the house to freshen the air and helped her husband sit up, personally guiding the esteemed County Magistrate Jiang into the courtyard.

County Magistrate Jiang asked, “Heard that the Old Patriarch was exposed to the wind, afraid that he will have trouble sitting up. Tell him to lie down and rest, there is no need to help him up.”

Contrary to his expectation of seeing servants supporting the Old Patriarch or seeing the man supported by a pile of bedding, or sitting on a wheelchair, upon entering the inner chambers, he was greeted by the sight of a half-lifted bed with four pillars, ingeniously hoisted by maidservants pulling ropes at each end, lifting the old man up.

This bed, an object of marvel, captured County Magistrate’s full attention after he exchanged greetings with the Old Patriarch. He sighed in admiration, “Just what artisan made this, it is ingenious craftsmanship.”

He mused that such an invention, if widely adopted, could significantly enhance the comfort of many who were bedridden from illness, offering them the option to sit up or recline as they please.

A sense of pride shone on the Old Cui Patriarch’s face as the Old furen smiled to explain, “It was all thanks to our eldest grandson’s thoughtfulness. He devised these contraptions to ease his grandfather’s discomfort. As a wife, I did not even think of this, but a child showcases such consideration.”

Despite not having met Cui Xie, County Magistrate Jiang already held a favorable impression of him and did not mind the young man’s absence on his day off at all or that his visit had been in vain. He praised Cui Xie for his thoughtfulness and then proceeded to unveil the plaque he brought, inscribed with ‘Virtuous Household’ in his own handwriting. He proclaimed with a smile, “A family that accumulates good deeds is sure to be blessed with abundant joy and fortune in the future. Your family’s generosity and care for the elderly and orphaned will undoubtedly bring great blessings, ensuring the Old Patriarch’s swift recovery and the prosperity and success of future generations.”

The most important thing to the Old furen was her husband and her grandchildren. After hearing these words, she was so deeply touched that  tears threatened to escape. She received Buddha’s name a few times, quickly blessing and thanking the County Magistrate for his words. She then gratefully accepted the plaque to be displayed outside the main courtyard.

As the plaque was being mounted, Teacher Lu, the family’s tutor, arrived dressed in formal attire along with his young student. When he came in, he encountered County Magistrate Jiang observing the plaque mounting and promptly paid his respects, bringing his young charge, He-ge to do the same and then took him into the hall to sit down.

The County Magistrate was fondly impressed by He-ge’s familiarity with the proper etiquette, despite his tender age. With a gentle hand, he helped the boy to his feet, rewarding him with a fragrant sachet, a token for the child to cherish and play with. He-ge, with impeccable manners, expressed his gratitude and stood respectfully behind his teacher, clutching the precious sachet.

Teacher Lu, the family’s tutor, observed every word and action of his young pupil, correcting whenever necessary. His dedication to the boy’s education surpassed even that of his own parents, a testament to his commitment as a teacher. County Magistrate Jiang admired such devotion and attentiveness on Teacher Lu’s part. Noticing Teacher Lu’s traditional attire of a rounded collared robe with wide sleeves, a square gauze cap and soft sashes hanging gracefully, upon learning he was a successful candidate in the Imperial examinations, his respect grew for the other man. He engaged in warm conversation with Teacher Lu, inquiring about his name, background and the specific examination in which he had succeeded.

Although Teacher Lu was a few years senior in age, he acknowledged his lower status in the hierarchy of scholarly merit compared to the County Magistrate, who was a jinshi, a distinguished candidate of the highest level. With due respect and a formal bow, he introduced himself: “I am Lu Boshan, known also by my courtesy name Dayong. I ranked 92nd in the Henan provincial examination in the sixteenth year of the Chenghua reign. For some time now, I have been serving as the tutor for the young masters of the Cui family. Today, with our Young Master absent, I have come to attend to the needs of the Magistrate.”

Upon hearing that Teacher Lu was a juren and also that he was the Cui Residence’s teacher, the County Magistrate was reminded of some rumors and asked, “How long have you been teaching at the Cui Residence. Have you taught all the Young Masters?”

Teacher Lu stood firmly, responding with a sense of pride and steadiness, “Indeed I taught Cui Xie for two years before his return to Qian’an, but alas, our teacher-student bond was not profound enough to bring out his full potential at the time.”

County Magistrate Jiang was suddenly struck by the realization that this was the same tutor who had been associated with Cui Xie’s delayed academic progress! He wondered how Teacher Lu, having encountered such a setback, still remained in the Cui Residence,  now entrusted with the education of the younger brother.

Observing Teacher Lu’s demeanor and the attention he devoted to his younger disciple, it was evident that he was not a tutor who led his students astray. The children he tutored were well-versed in manners, demonstrating a keen understanding of etiquette and propriety. Such an observation did not escape the notice of County Magistrate Jiang, who found himself puzzled and intrigued by such a person.

Intrigued, yet puzzled, County Magistrate Jiang engaged in discourse with the scholar, testing his knowledge. To his surprise, he found Teacher Lu was not only proficient in history and literature, but also adept at answering even the most obscure questions from the Song dynasty Confucian texts. Clearly, Teacher Lu was a scholar of considerable learning.

However, a question lingered in his mind, prompting him to ask, “I see your knowledge is profound and your demeanor disciplined. How then, did you fail to foster a strong teacher-student bond with Cui Xie, unable to draw out his true potential?”

Teacher Lu, unable to find fault in himself and considering the current promising Cui Xie, shifted his blame elsewhere, no longer blaming Cui Xie’s unpromising self. He speculated, “I heard that his stepmother was jealous and perhaps had a hand in hindering his studies. In my time teaching him and his younger brother, they were inconsistent in attending, coming for half a day only or missing entirely, but I did not notice much at the time. How could one expect significant progress under such circumstances?”

As he spoke, he gently pulled Cui Xie’s younger brother, He-ge closer, patting his head affectionately, “Since returning from his ancestral home, Xie-ge has indeed shown remarkable improvement, even becoming strict in supervising his younger brother’s studies and not permitting him to skip lessons lightly. However, I wonder if his younger brother, after his own journey, will show similar progress.”

County Magistrate Jiang had almost forgotten about the existence of the younger brother due to the overshadowing presence of Cui Xie. Due to Teacher Lu’s reminder, he recalled such a previous furen and lowly signed, “A kind mother often spoils her child, but a stepmother who is unkind seeks ways to sabotage the children from previous marriage. It is a challenge too great for any single tutor ro overcome.”

This line of thought led County Magistrate to a deeper understanding and he sympathized with Teacher Lu: Cui Xie had been under the tutelage of two different instructors: Teacher Lu having only taught him for two years, couldn’t be solely blamed for any lack of progress. It was likely that the stepmother interfered with her stepson’s education, preventing him from studying peacefully. Perhaps the tutors hired before Teacher Lu were not effective in their methods either, laying a poor foundation. How could Teacher Lu, in just two years, be expected to make significant improvements under such circumstances?

County Magistrate Jiang offered words of comfort, ‘The bond between a teacher and a student is up to fate, as is success in the Imperial Examinations. Perhaps back then, your destinies were not yet aligned. But now, things have changed. He is willing to study and you are continuing to teach his younger brother. Maybe, in the coming years, your shared destiny will flourish. Perhaps both student and teacher might ascend the ranks of the Imperial examinations together, creating a remarkable story.”

A smile blossomed across Teacher Lu’s lean face, radiating a rare warmth. He bowed respectfully and gratefully said, “I am deeply thankful for your honor’s auspicious words. I shall devote myself wholeheartedly to guiding my students, striving earnestly to achieve the distinguished rank of jinshi.”

County Magistrate Jiang chuckled and said, “I had previously heard some rumors outside, but meeting you in person has shown me that not all whispers can be trusted. You have been unfairly burdened by these. I will speak to my colleagues about this matter to prevent future troubles caused by unfounded gossip.”

Teacher Lu responded, “I appreciate your concern, your Honor. As for the rumors, I am not perturbed by them. Currently, Cui Xie is studying poetry under my guidance. Although he may not possess extraordinary brilliance, his lofty aspirations and noble spirit shine through. I believe he has the potential to craft fine poetry in the future. Should he succeed, it will naturally clear my reputation. There is no need for Your Honor to trouble yourself over this matter.”

He carried a sense of arrogance within him, determined to rise from where he had fallen. Committing to nurture a unique talent in Cui Xie that would highlight his own teaching capabilities, he was unwilling to accept anything less.

Observing the determination in Teacher Lu’s demeanor, County Magistrate Jiang smiled warmly and said, “In that case, I extend my best wishes to you for your early success in mentoring him.”

While his main purpose for the visit had been to see Cui Xie, since the young scholar was not present and the plaque had been successfully installed, County Magistrate Jiang decided it was time to return to the yamen. Teacher Lu tried in vain to persuade him to stay longer. He then instructed someone to inform the elders in the inner chambers about the situation. The Old furen, unable to detain her guest any longer, instructed her servants to prepare a box of chilled desserts and a jar of fine wine, a gift from Xie Ying, and personally handed them to County Magistrate Jiang, urging him to take them home for tasting.

County Magistrate Jiang, however, graciously declined the offer, expressing a different request, “I do have a rather presumptuous favor to ask of you, Madam. Could you kindly tell me where to find the artisan who made the adjustable bed? I am considering having a few made for the residents at the almshouse, to provide some comfort to the elderly and impoverished there.”

The Old furen, with a gentle murmur of a Buddhist mantra, graciously responded to the request, “When a person of your stature undertakes such benevolent acts, our family is more than willing to assist. The artisan who had the bed has worked for us for many years, he resides near the southern gates. I will have someone guide your attendants to his workshop. In addition to the adjustable beds, he also crafts narrow beds with sturdy backrests, spacious wardrobes and soft feather-filled cushions. Though they appear simple and unadorned, they are highly practical and functional.”

The narrow beds and feather-filled cushions sounded familiar to County Magistrate Jiang and he asked, “Are these kinds of furnishings popular in Qian’an? I have heard from a colleague who hails from there about this trend in their region, where even wealthy families opt for such furniture. However, I have only heard of it and never seen it myself. If the artisan is capable of creating such items, and they are affordable and practical, I would consider ordering several sets.”

It was my grandson who drew those blueprints and gave such instructions.

The Old furen’s heart swelled with pride, her face radiant with glory and honor, as she reflected on the County Magistrate’s visit. Even after his departure, she continued to chatter about the day’s events, eagerly anticipating the moment she could share the details with her grandson. Meanwhile, Teacher Lu, motivated by the Magistrate’s encouraging words, felt a renewed sense of purpose. He pondered over Cui Xie’s recent lukewarm interest in poetry, realizing the youth was still far from becoming a true poet. Determined, he mentally prepared himself to redouble his efforts in tutoring Cui Xie into a learned scholar.

As the day wore on, both sides waited with growing anticipation—from morning to late afternoon. Finally, nearing evening, with Teacher Lu having assigned three extra essays to He-ge in his impatience, Cui Xie finally returned. He arrived in a dazzling green outfit, his hair damp, his demeanor vibrant and lively, marking his return to the Cui Residence in a carriage.

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1. It should be noted that Daxing is the highest office of Magistrate there and it is part of the capital (Beijing). ↩︎
2. pozi: middle aged or elderly woman servant ↩︎
3. Dou: around 10L
   Dan: around 100 L
   Jin:  around 600 g or 1.3 catties ↩︎

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TN: Hope you are all doing well! I have received some acceptances for grad school! And some of them are my top choices too, it really feels like a weight has been lifted off my chest. But yet many exciting things happening now that spring is coming and I plan on releasing a few extra chapters around Valentine’s Day since I have been gone so long

Huge Announcement: We have set up a kofi and patreon account! If you would like to support us or get early access to advance chapters for Blood-Sucking Empress OR TMD, those options are available for you (in support us page)! I have just added a patreon tier for Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examinations in which patreons can have access to a google document with ALL of my advanced translated chapters for the novel. Since I am a college student, there should usually be at least 10 advance chapters in the document at a time, but depending on my schedules, there may be fewer or more. I’m currently extremely busy, but I have translated out some new chapters for you all! But, I will still post each week with the same schedule. Thanks!

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