Chapter 461: Release of the Rankings
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In that case, Concubine Qiu was really a useful person.
However, Old Madam Yu frowned and said to Nanny Liu in private, “I originally thought that Concubine Qiu was a smart person, so I invited her over. In the future, when she visits the family, it’ll be logical to guide and take care of her. No one will underestimate our family just because she’s a concubine. However, not only is Concubine Qiu smart, but she’s also shrewd.
With her personality, I’m afraid she’s ambitious.”
Nanny Liu smiled and said, “I think Concubine Qiu’s status is a little low. Even if she’s a little shrewd, she’s still easy to manipulate.”
This was the truth. Old Madam Yu relaxed a little. “It’s just that Concubine Qiu is pregnant, so she can’t serve Eldest Son. It’s not good for Eldest Son to keep sleeping alone. This is against the rules. In the future, Concubine Qiu will have to help Yao Yao manage the household. The family is busy, so she can’t serve
Eldest Son wholeheartedly. We still have to find a good concubine for him.” At the thought of this, she couldn’t avoid taking in concubines.
Although there were a few potential concubines in the family and they were all decent-looking, their statuses were too low, and they did not have any children for Eldest Son, so it was naturally not appropriate for them to be concubines.
Concubine Qiu was an exception and was promoted because her ancestors were also from a poetic family.
In less than two days, Old Madam Yu looked for Yu Youyao and mentioned this matter.
Yu Youyao had long guessed this situation. She only smiled and said, “I don’t know much about this either. Grandmother has to step in.”
A mother knew her son best. Her grandmother had always known Yu Zongzheng’s preferences, so she would definitely choose someone that Yu Zongzheng liked.
Old Madam Yu nodded. “I’ll just choose the daughter of an official’s concubine. Her status can’t be too high. Otherwise, she’ll offend the main wife and others will think that our family dotes on our concubines and undermines the wife. It won’t be good for our reputation, but her status can’t be too low, lest we embarrass your father.”
Although her status would be greater than Concubine Qiu’s, Concubine Qiu was pregnant. No matter if it was a girl or not, she could still suppress a new concubine. Both of them were concubines, and neither of them was more dignified than the other. It was suitable.
However, this matter could not be rushed.
At the end of August) the palace examination that had been delayed finally released the rankings.
Early in the morning, the two families of the Yu Residence were dressed neatly and waiting in An Shou Hall to hear the news.
Yu Shande couldn’t wait to run out early in the morning to see the Imperial
Rankings.
The family waited anxiously.
Old Madam Yu couldn’t even hold it in anymore. Seeing that there was still no news from noon, she couldn’t sit still anymore. “Why aren’t our family members here yet?”
Madam Yao hurriedly said) “Old Madam, don’t be anxious. Every time the rankings are released, there are tens of thousands of people in the capital.
Even ordinary citizens have to see Imperial Rankings to watch the commotion. Perhaps there are too many people and they don’t fancy it for a moment. Wait a little longer.”
The servant who went out to look at the rankings at home went to Chang’an Street at dawn to wait for the Imperial Rankings to be posted.
If their family was like this, others would definitely be the same.
The Imperial Rankings venue was only so big. It couldn’t be seen from afar, and it wasn’t easy to get close when there were many people.
Every three years, Old Madam Yu had to experience this. How could she not know this? It was inevitable that she would be very anxious.
Yu Youyao handed her a cup of lotus seed tea. “Some people will wait for the Imperial Rankings until it gets dark. It’s still early. Grandmother, have some tea to calm yourself down.”
Old Madam Yu had yet to finish her cup of tea when…
The servant boy, who had been sent out by the family to look at the rankings, ran into An Shou Hall while panting. Perhaps because he was too anxious, he did not stop in time and knelt on the ground with a thud.
Old Madam Yu quickly put down her teacup and stood up from her chair. She quickly asked, “How’s our family’s examination ranking?”
The servant ran into An Shou Hall in one breath. He was panting heavily.
When he heard Old Madam’s question, he did not dare to delay anymore. “Reporting, reporting to Old Madam…”
As he was panting too hard, he started panting again before he could finish speaking.
Madam Yao was so anxious that she couldn’t help but stomp her feet. “Why are you panting? Old Madam is still waiting for you to speak.”
Although no one from the residence had participated in the imperial examination this time, four people from the clan had participated in the palace examination. This was also a joyous matter for the Yu Residence.
Anyone else would be anxious.
Yu Youyao quickly said, “Grandmother, Second Aunt, don’t be anxious. Let’s wait until he’s finished panting.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the servant was already panting. He hurriedly said, “Old Madam, Second Madam, Eldest Miss, our family did well. Young Master De is ranked 18th, Young Master Qing is ranked 76th, and Young Master Xing is ranked 97th in the second class.”
Even the worst was ranked 32nd in the third class!
Old Madam Yu was momentarily emotional and couldn’t help but tear up. ‘Good, good. Four people from the clan have advanced after the palace examination this time. It’s already a blessing. I didn’t expect that their rankings would be so high. Three of them are in the top 100. This is really the blessing of our ancestors…”
With Yu Shande’s ranking, he would definitely be able to be a scholar and enter the Hanlin Academy. Perhaps in the future, the Yu Residence would have another important cabinet minister.
The others’ rankings were not low either. Their futures would definitely not be bad.
Only when the younger generation was successful could they protect their ancestors’ foundation and help the aristocratic families prosper.
Madam Yao quickly comforted her, “It’s an auspicious day to receive the rankings. It’s a good day for our ancestors. Our Yu family’s future is bright!”
Old Madam Yu quickly pinched her handkerchief and gently pressed the corner of her eye. She smiled and said, “I’m too happy. I’m old and my eye sockets are shallow. I’m not as steady as you young people.”
The talents of the Yu Clan had withered. It was only after Second Brother had passed the examination that she had seen hope for the Yu Clan to prosper. That was why she had spared no effort to plan for Second Brother.
Everyone felt that she was too scheming. Her eldest son was separated from her, and her second son was also separated from her.
But how could they know?!
Before Old Master died, he held her hand and kept telling her to raise her sons well and bring glory to her ancestors. Only when she agreed did he take his last breath.
At that time, she did not know how heavy this last request and promise was.
When she became a widow and guarded a huge courtyard, no one in the family could answer the door. No one could support the family, so it was almost impossible for her to move forward.
At the most difficult time, there were even people in the clan who bullied her as a widowed mother, and wanted a share of her wealth.
She was the one who had carried Old Master’s memorial tablet to the Yu Clan’s ancestral hall and hung her neck in front of Duke Zhonglie’s memorial tablet. When she was saved, she was only left with half her life.
Only then did she scare the people in the clan and alarm a few old granduncles, finally saving the family business.
However, even so, the Yu Residence was still distant from the clan. Only she knew how difficult it was for a widow to not have the support of the clan..
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