Do you know that my grandfather was entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple?

Chapter 47 Good News and Arrangements

When Wang You sent the letter, there was a one-day difference in time.

However, the Song Dynasty used the imperial court's official channels to deliver letters, which were not cheap, hence the saying that a letter from home was worth a fortune.

This channel can be fast in some ways, but slow in others.

Official documents needed to be sent to the vicinity of Shouzhou before letters would be brought over along.

Therefore, the letters sent by Wang Youxiang, one day apart, eventually arrived in Shouzhou together.

"Two letters?"

Madam Feng didn't understand why Wang You had sent back two letters at once, but she was too lazy to think about it. She quickly asked her maid to bring the letters over and opened them to read.

"Great news! You'er passed the exam!"

After reading the first letter, Mrs. Feng exclaimed with delight.

Madam Xu, who was standing nearby, quickly offered her congratulations and then inquired about Wang You's reward.

"You'er being granted the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) truly brings me honor."

Madam Feng said happily, "Go quickly and find your husband. Also, prepare some things for him to offer sacrifices to our ancestors when he returns."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xu immediately and methodically made the arrangements.

Madam Feng picked up another letter, opened it, and began to read. When she saw the contents, she jumped up and headed to Jingxin Hall.

It was already late autumn, but the weather was lovely today.

Grandma Wang was lying in a rocking chair, sunbathing in the yard.

Wang You commissioned the making of a rocking chair, which Wang Min repeatedly criticized as unsavory, and the scholars also rejected it after word got out.

In etiquette, standing properly and sitting properly are the most basic requirements.

But some wealthy businessmen and women liked it very much.

Grandma Wang's favorite time was in spring and autumn, when the sun was gentle, when she would lie in her rocking chair and bask in the sun in the yard.

Upon hearing from her maid that Madam Feng had arrived, Old Madam Wang stood up, holding onto the armrest, and the maid quickly stepped forward to help her.

"Mother-in-law!" Madam Feng greeted.

"Um."

When Madam Wang saw the paper in Madam Feng's hand, she asked, "Is the list of gifts for the additional dowry ready? Let me see it."

"Mother-in-law, the gift list is not yet ready; it's You'er who sent the letter."

Madam Feng said excitedly, "You'er passed the exam! The Emperor has granted him the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) and the position of Hanlin Academician. He even intends to take him on as a student. He wrote to ask his mother and husband what they think."

"Okay, okay!"

Upon hearing this, Grandma Wang excitedly cheered repeatedly.

Although Wang Min is about to be promoted from the lower fifth rank to the upper fifth rank, he will be eligible to grant his sons hereditary titles.

Wang Min had a father who rose to the rank of Chancellor and was honored with a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. However, due to his hereditary privilege, his official career was not smooth, let alone that of his descendants.

At best, a family member holding an official position can guarantee that someone in the family will become an official, but their future prospects are very limited.

Only those who passed the imperial examinations could lead the Wang family to prosperity.

Whether Wang Zhuo can pass the exam is unknown. Although Wang You was known as a child prodigy, it is hard to say whether he will be able to pass the exam with flying colors.

The reason why the eldest son of the Sheng family married off his daughter to Sun Xiucai was because he valued Sun Xiucai's early success in passing the imperial examination.

As a result, he failed the provincial examination for a long time.

Old Mrs. Wang followed her husband as he served as an official in various places, and even settled in Bianjing (Kaifeng) for many years. She had seen this kind of situation far too often.

This is also why she agreed when Wang You told her he wanted to participate in the prodigy exam to try his luck.

Now that Wang You has passed the exam and been granted the title of Jinshi, how could she not be happy?

Grandma Wang took a deep breath, suppressing her excitement, and said, "You just said that You-ge'er also said that Scholar Hai intended to take him as a student?"

"That's right."

Madam Feng nodded and said, "That's what You'er said in his letter. I can tell that he also intends to become a student of Scholar Hai."

He then handed over the letter.

Grandma Wang took the letter, read it carefully, and pondered for a moment before saying, "The Hai family has produced five Hanlin scholars and two prime ministers. It would be excellent if You-ge could become their student. However..."

The phrase "five members of one family served in the Hanlin Academy" refers to the fact that five members of the family held positions in the Hanlin Academy, rather than representing the end point of the family's history.

The Hanlin Academy can be said to be a place where civil officials cultivate their prestige. There has always been a saying in the court that no one who has not passed the imperial examination can enter the Hanlin Academy, and no one who has not entered the Hanlin Academy can become a prime minister.

Of the four Hanlin scholars in the Hai family before, one was a prime minister, one was a vice prime minister, one was a minister, and one was a vice minister.

When Madam Feng saw that Old Madam Wang also agreed, she was overjoyed and started thinking about what kind of apprenticeship ceremony to prepare.

The gift of "shuxiu" is a traditional apprenticeship gift that has been passed down for a long time. Originally, it referred to ten strips of dried meat. Although it has been modified later, it is not considered a big deal for wealthy families.

Many people feel that the tradition has become somewhat lacking over time.

However, this is an ancient ritual that has been passed down to this day. Following the ancient ritual to worship the master is also a beautiful story.

Therefore, no one made a fuss about the tuition fees.

However, I can't make a fuss about the tuition fee, but I can send an extra one, that shouldn't be a problem, right?

After all, it's never wrong to be overly polite.

Seeing her mother-in-law suddenly stop, Madam Feng pressed, "But what?"

"I've been reflecting on what my second son-in-law said when you came back from Yangzhou last time."

As a woman who has been away from Bianjing for many years, I am indeed unaware of the situation there.

"Whether becoming a disciple of Scholar Hai is a good or bad thing is hard to say for the time being," said Old Mrs. Wang, frowning.

"This…"

Madam Feng knew that Madam Wang was referring to Sheng Hong's warning to Wang You not to become Ouyang Xiu's apprentice.

She was the one who actually told Grandma Wang about this.

At that time, Sheng Hong reminded Wang You that only Wang You was present.

She asked Wang You about it afterward.

Ms. Feng actually disagreed with this, as she came from an official family and her husband was also an official.

Having witnessed and observed these things firsthand, I have gained some understanding of the ways of officialdom.

Not to mention Bianjing, even in the local areas, officials were not all on good terms.

The fact that Ouyang Xiu was reinstated by the emperor shows that the past is the past.

Being able to become an apprentice to a high-ranking official of the third rank is a rare and desirable opportunity.

However, she did not tell Wang You any of this, but told Old Mrs. Wang after returning to Shouzhou.

Unexpectedly, after listening to her, Old Mrs. Wang scolded her, agreeing with what Sheng Hong said.

It might be difficult for others to target Ouyang Xiu, but it's quite easy to target his students.

Therefore, upon hearing what Old Mrs. Wang said, he was at a loss for words.

After a moment's hesitation, Madam Feng asked, "Then what should we do about this?"

"Even if we want to take a master, Min'er should go in person and take You-ge'er with him, so there's no rush."

I've arranged a marriage for my granddaughter, and the betrothal ceremony will be held in about a month.

The imperial court would grant some time to return home and settle family affairs after bestowing an official title. However, Youge'er is still young, and even if he is granted an official title, he will not take office until next year.

Send him a letter, asking him to return as soon as he is granted an official position to attend his cousin's betrothal banquet.

We'll discuss the specifics when we meet. It'll also be a good opportunity to hear his second aunt's husband's opinion then.

Although Mr. Feng was somewhat reluctant, he dared not object because Old Mrs. Wang had always been in charge of important family matters.

After an incense stick had burned, Wang Min hurriedly returned.

Now that his promotion is confirmed, he will suppress matters concerning Shouzhou as much as possible, unless they are particularly urgent.

At this point, the more he does, the more mistakes he makes; the better he does nothing, the better. He leaves the problems to be handled by the succeeding officials.

Although it's somewhat irresponsible, that's how it is in officialdom.

Back home, Wang Min didn't object to his mother's arrangement.