Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 469

Although Xu Qingchuan was born into a wealthy family, his family faced a decline during his youth. While other students may have excelled in literature, Xu Qingchuan’s unique strength lay in his understanding of the common people’s suffering. His ability to articulate this empathy, coupled with the alignment of his writings with Emperor Zhengyuan’s intentions, secured him the third rank in the imperial examination.

Gu Ye received the news early and, prior to the court announcement, coordinated with Duke Ying’s Mansion. Mrs. Wang, overjoyed, was eager to share the good news with Mrs. Xu. However, they opted for a more subdued approach, avoiding a grandiose display that might imply they obtained the information through palace connections.

Gu Yin and Mrs.Wang did not use their own carriages, and instead, Song Shiliu arranged for a donkey carriage for them. They quietly made their way to the back door of Duke Ying’s Mansion and proceeded to Xu’s House.

Currently residing in a small yard purchased, not too far from Duke Ying’s Mansion, Mrs. Xu and Xu Qingchuan received a surprise visit. The donkey cart slowly reached Mrs. Xu’s small courtyard after a quarter of an hour.

Song Shiliu, the first to hop off the cart, knocked on the door. Seeing her, Mrs. Xu greeted her warmly, noting her frequent visits for Mrs. Wang’s errands. Since Mrs. Xu accompanied her son to Beijing in January, she had been actively involved in Xu Qingchuan’s daily life, hesitant to focus solely on leisure. While Mrs.Wang occasionally tasked Song Shiliu with delivering books or treats, maintaining indirect communication and exchanges, so the surprise visit was a rare occurrence.

Mrs. Xu, affectionately holding Song Shiliu’s hand, invited her inside to talk. However, Song Shiliu revealed that she wasn’t alone, turning to unveil Mrs. Wang and Gu Yin following her.

Surprised, Mrs. Xu welcomed them in and inquired, “Why are you all here together?”

That small yard was about the same size as the house Gu Yin rented in Hanshan Town in the past, but it had been specially repaired, giving it a brand-new appearance.

“Hey, why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I don’t have anything good to entertain you,” Mrs. Xu said, heading toward the kitchen. “I’ll make two bowls of sugar water for you!”

Mrs. Wang hurriedly stopped her. “No need for that. We came here already full. And we wouldn’t dare ask the third ranker’s mother to make sugar water for us!”

Mrs. Xu laughed and playfully scolded her, “Did you come just to make fun of me before the list was released?”

Mrs. Xu, with a smile, was taken aback again and muttered to herself, “No, you definitely didn’t come here to make fun of me. This is… this is…”

She grew increasingly excited, her lips quivering. Unable to express herself further, the woman gazed at them with soft eyes and seemed on the verge of collapsing.

Gu Yin and Mrs. Wang immediately supported her by each arm and helped her into the main room.

“Fortunately, I came early to give you a thorough understanding; otherwise, when the good news person arrives, you might embarrass Qingchuan,” Mrs. Wang remarked, pouring a glass of water into the teapot on the table and offering it to Mrs. Xu.

At that moment, Mrs. Xu didn’t have time to argue. She quickly raised her sleeves, wiped her eyes, and agreed, “Yes, yes, I can’t embarrass Qingchuan.”

Tears continued to fall as she spoke.

Later, Mrs.Wang inquired and found out that Xu Qingchuan was not at home.

Before departing, Mrs. Wang left a pack of copper coins for Mrs. Xu to use as blessing money later. Of course, Mrs. Xu wouldn’t offer these copper coins to the person announcing good news; she would likely give one or two taels of silver instead. Yet, if the announcement pertained to something as significant as a third ranker, it wouldn’t just be the official messenger there; many others would gather to join the festivities, including nearby beggars seeking alms.

While a thousand copper coins held a value of only one tael of silver, the gesture saved Mrs. Xu from the hassle of going out to exchange them. Mrs. Xu, not one to stand on ceremony, accepted the gift.

After leaving, Mrs. Wang and Song Shiliu returned home. Gu Yin didn’t accompany them; she had her own matters to attend to.