Chapter 100: My Family Does No Other Business!

“Your father is about to fill a vacancy?” Upon hearing this, Liu Wenyao’s face lit up with delight.

Everyone in the main hall, including the women in the side room, fell silent at these words.

In the Ming Dynasty, becoming an official was no easy feat. One had to endure years of hardship and study, then navigate the arduous imperial examinations. Only after passing as a Jinshi could one qualify for officialdom.

Moreover, the imperial exams were held every three years, with only about two hundred candidates selected each time out of all the scholars nationwide. This made the odds of becoming an official exceedingly slim, highlighting just how difficult it was to enter government service.

Among the top three ranks of Jinshi, those with the highest placements were appointed by the court to positions, while the rest awaited appointments from the Ministry of Personnel. Some were lucky enough to secure posts in the capital; others, less fortunate, were sent to remote, harsh regions to serve—this was quite common.

Years ago, Xue Rui’s grandfather had leveraged connections through Hu Zhong to secure a place for his second son, Xue Yuanhao, at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau as a student of astronomy. This was meant not only to secure him a stable government position but also to increase his chances of filling an official vacancy.

Xue Yuanhao had been at the bureau for over a decade, mastering his craft and supported by his teacher Hu Zhong. In theory, securing a position should have been easy. Yet, for several years, whenever vacancies arose, they were snatched by others.

Gradually, even the Xue family lost hope that Yuanhao would become an official. The matriarch, Lady Li, disappointed, pinned her hopes for family honor on the eldest son who had passed the lower imperial exam, naturally sidelining the second son.

Though the Yue family did not voice criticism, they likely thought that when the elder Xue had come to propose marriage, boasting that Yuanhao would have a chance at officialdom, it was probably an exaggeration.

No one expected, however, that after several major misfortunes struck the Xue family this year, fortune would turn dramatically. The father and son not only made a great name for themselves, but Xue Yuanhao was about to fill an official vacancy—one in the capital, no less.

For the Liu family, who had never had an official in the imperial court, this news was truly astonishing.

Lady Liu cast a glance around, taking in the astonished gazes, an unmistakable pride swelling in her chest.

She stepped into the main hall and with affectation said, “Ruier, why are you still keeping us in suspense? Tell your grandfather quickly—what vacancy is your father about to fill?”

Looking at his proud mother, Xue Rui complied, “Father is not filling just any low-level ninth rank post, but an official of the fifth department at the true eighth rank!”

“Eighth rank?” Liu Ren, the eldest uncle, exclaimed, jumping up.

Since Xue Yuanhao served at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, the Liu family was familiar with the situation there.

Normally, when an astronomy student filled a vacancy, it was as a lowly ninth rank official, such as a clerk or junior officer. Only with connections or extraordinary luck could one hope for a slightly higher ninth rank post.

To start directly at the true eighth rank was unheard of since the founding of the empire.

Upon hearing this, the Liu family was naturally stunned.

“Hahaha, well done! Yuanhao has truly come through after hardship!” Liu Wenyao laughed heartily. Having a son-in-law at the true eighth rank was no small honor for the Yue family, and he was naturally pleased.

In the side room, the Liu women looked on with envy at their sister-in-law. They had once thought her marriage into the Xue family meant poverty and hardship, far from the comfortable life of their own family. So, whenever Lady Liu visited her natal home, the sisters-in-law would openly criticize the Xue family.

But now, with her brother-in-law’s meteoric rise to an official of the true eighth rank in the capital, their sister-in-law was solidly an official’s wife. Meeting her now, the sisters-in-law would inevitably feel overshadowed.

After the initial shock, the Liu family offered congratulations to mother and son, showering them with compliments until they were overwhelmed.

“By the way, Ruier, you said the Prince of Cheng is about to ascend the throne—is that certain?” After the celebrations, Liu Wenyao asked anxiously.

Throughout history, imperial succession was a momentous event, and if the court had indeed nominated the Prince of Cheng, no one knew if complications might arise. Hence, Liu Wenyao’s concern.

Xue Rui whispered, “It’s almost certain. The Empress Dowager will likely issue an edict in the next few days. The Prince of Cheng will make a nominal refusal, a mere formality, and within two days, the coronation will be held.”

“That’s good. The empire cannot be without a ruler even for a day. Having an emperor will also reassure the people,” Liu Wenyao said, sharing the common sentiment.

After all, with an emperor there was a unifying figure. If the Wala people again raided the borders, the capital’s populace would no longer flee in panic at rumors of moving the capital, as before.

Seeing that time was pressing, Xue Rui proposed taking his leave to visit the Zhao residence before mealtime.

Lady Liu was reluctant to let them go so soon after arriving at her natal home and insisted they stay for lunch.

Seeing this, Xue Rui suggested to his mother that she stay and spend time with her family, while he would go alone to visit the Zhao household and return to fetch her later.

Visiting the Zhao residence to express thanks was a matter of great importance. After several explanations, Liu Wenyao relented and said he would send a carriage to bring Lady Liu home later.

After bidding farewell, Xue Rui took a carriage to the Xiao Shi Yong neighborhood where the Zhao residence was located.

Xue Rui had recently gathered some rumors about the Zhao family in the capital.

The Zhao family mainly operated the ice cellar business, dominating the entire industry. During the scorching summer months, vendors under the Zhao banner selling “ice boys” could be seen on every street corner.

In any industry, to be the leader meant enormous income. The Zhao family’s ice business alone earned tens of thousands of silver taels in good years—truly a fortune.

This showed just how wealthy the Zhao family was in the capital.

Before arrival, Xue Rui had purchased a set of Ru kiln tea ware costing over twenty silver taels.

Though not as precious as jade, the set was exquisite, elegant, and practical—an affordable yet fitting gift for the Xue family’s status.

Upon arrival at Xiao Shi Yong, Xue Rui was utterly stunned by the Zhao residence.

If he were to describe it in one word: grand.

Judging from the surrounding walls alone, the estate was no smaller than that of the Duke of Yingguo, covering more than ten acres and encompassing an entire alley.

Truly the foremost aristocratic household in the capital.

Leaving his coachman outside, Xue Rui approached the vermilion gate and knocked on the lion-head door knocker affixed there.

Creak—

After a moment, a side door beside the main gate opened, and a head appeared.

To Xue Rui’s surprise, the gatekeeper was an old woman. She appraised him up and down and asked, “Young man, what business do you have here?”

“I am Xue Rui, here to pay respects to the master of your residence. Please inform the madam,” Xue Rui replied politely.

Though the gatekeeper was a mere eighth rank attendant and an old woman at that, Xue Rui still maintained courtesy to avoid offending her.

He expected that with respect, she would be accommodating, but she waved him off brusquely, “You may leave. My master does not receive visitors.”

She was already closing the door.

Xue Rui was dumbfounded. He had imagined many scenarios of speaking with the Zhao family’s master but never expected to be refused entry outright.

“Wait! I am a friend of your young lady. Your household helped me greatly before, and I’ve come today to personally offer my thanks,” he said hurriedly, blocking the door with his foot.

“A friend of the young lady?” That seemed to work. The old woman poked her head out again, scrutinized him carefully, then nodded slightly. “The young lady instructed that if someone slightly shorter than her, not unattractive, and claiming to be her friend came by, I should admit them.”

“That must be me, then.” Xue Rui’s face stiffened. Zhao Jinyu’s description of him felt almost insulting.

“Come in then. I will notify her, but whether the madam sees you is not for me to decide.”

She invited Xue Rui inside the gatehouse and went to inform the household, warning him in advance in case he was turned away.

“Madam, I do not wish to see Lady Wang, but to meet the master of your household,” Xue Rui said.

Since he had important matters to discuss, he needed to speak with the head of the house, not just the lady.

The gatekeeper glared at him and snapped, “My master is not home. If you don’t want to see him, then leave and don’t bother this old woman.”

Were the servants in this grand household always so irritable?

Without seeing the master, Xue Rui’s business could not be arranged.

He considered leaving, but if he was rejected again next time, how could he carry out his business plans?

After some thought, he decided to wait and meet Lady Wang first. “Please inform her. I will wait here.”

The gatekeeper glanced at him and leisurely walked toward the inner residence.

After a long wait, a maid in a green dress came with the gatekeeper to the gatehouse.

The maid bowed slightly and gestured politely, “Young Master Xue, our madam requests your presence.”

“Thank you, miss,” Xue Rui replied without looking away and followed the maid inside.

Entering the front courtyard, Xue Rui was amazed. Unlike the typical quadrangle layout, the Zhao estate resembled a Jiangnan garden.

He saw rockeries, ponds, arched bridges, pavilions, waterside towers—all meticulously arranged. Exotic flowers and plants filled the garden, lending a natural freshness that softened the artificial craftsmanship.

“A truly perfect place for cultivating health and tranquility,” Xue Rui sighed, captivated by the beauty.

“Heh—” The maid glanced at him and suppressed a smile.

Xue Rui blushed. If an elderly gentleman had said such a thing, it would be fitting, but coming from a young man like him, it sounded somewhat old-fashioned.

After a brief walk, he was led to the main hall.

Though still young, as an outsider and with the master absent, he was not invited to the inner chambers, so Lady Wang could only meet him in the main hall.

“Madam, Young Master Xue has arrived,” the maid announced outside the door.

A soft, gentle female voice came from within, “Please, have him enter.”

Following the maid inside, Xue Rui quickly glanced around.

Seated in the main hall was a woman of exquisite beauty, richly dressed.

She appeared to be in her early thirties. Her posture and demeanor suggested a dignified, virtuous, and elegant noblewoman.

Without a doubt, she was Lady Wang, the mistress of the Zhao estate.

Xue Rui dared not be rude. He bowed and explained his purpose: “I am Xue Rui, paying respects to madam. I have come today to express my gratitude for the assistance your household extended to my family.”

“Please sit, Young Master Xue,” Lady Wang said, her curious gaze fixed on him until he spoke, then she looked away, signaling a maid to pour tea.

After he sat, Lady Wang smiled, “Recently, rumors have spread in the capital about how you braved the imperial prison alone to rescue your father at great personal risk. I was deeply astonished when I heard it. Seeing you now, I find it even harder to believe.”

Lady Wang’s words bore no malice; she simply felt that the slender Xue Rui did not seem like the fierce warrior rumored to have single-handedly taken on dozens of imperial guards.

“Madam, you flatter me. Rumors in the capital are often distorted. I succeeded only by seizing favorable circumstances, bluffing with borrowed authority, and using others’ strength. Without fortunate chance, rescuing my father would have been much more difficult,” Xue Rui humbly replied.

“That is already remarkable. Our Ming Dynasty has seen countless brave and clever men in nearly a century since its founding, but you are the only one who dared such a feat. It shows you are both courageous and resourceful,” Lady Wang sincerely praised.

“I am humbled,” Xue Rui said.

Though he had come for business cooperation, a modest reply sufficed—there was no need to deny everything or seem overly self-effacing.

Any discerning person could see his talent, and excessive humility might be mistaken for insecurity.

Thinking of earlier matters, Lady Wang curiously asked, “Young Master Xue, I hear you wish to see my husband. Is there something you wish to discuss with him?”

“Well, not anything urgent. Your household helped the Xue family before, and I am not ungrateful. I heard your family runs businesses in the capital. I am not very capable, but I might offer some ideas to increase your income,” Xue Rui explained frankly.

The Zhao family was a profit-driven enterprise, so Xue Rui’s directness was not improper.

Lady Wang’s expression turned somewhat melancholy, and she shook her head. “My husband passed away many years ago. I’m afraid you won’t have the chance to meet him.”

“P-passed away?” Xue Rui’s face froze, stunned.

Only now did he understand why the gatekeeper had been so angry when he asked to see the master; the master was dead, and mentioning him was like rubbing salt into a wound.

Embarrassed, he quickly stood and apologized, “Madam, forgive me. I was unaware and spoke out of turn. I am truly ashamed.”

“Those who do not know are not blamed. Though our family has some business, not everyone in the household knows all the details. It is understandable that you did not know,” Lady Wang graciously replied.

“So, madam, you manage the household’s business affairs?”

Xue Rui relaxed and sat back down, turning to the main topic.

“The ice cellar business is simple enough. The servants handle the operations, and I only oversee the accounts,” Lady Wang smiled.

“There are several profitable ventures at night. I wonder if madam might be interested?”

Seeing that she was the decision-maker, Xue Rui came straight to the point.

“We do not engage in other businesses!” Suddenly, a clear voice interrupted from outside the hall.

Startled, Xue Rui turned to see a woman standing there.

She was beautifully dressed in a delicate butterfly-embroidered dress, overlaid with a sheer silk robe with flowing sleeves. Her face bore a light peach blossom makeup, making her appear enchanting and graceful.

“Zhao Jinyu?” Xue Rui stared several times before recognizing her, his heart pounding.

Not long ago, he had met Zhao Jinyu disguised as a boy and remembered her well.

Now, in elegant female attire, so beautiful he almost failed to recognize her.

He stood dumbly until Zhao Jinyu gracefully stepped inside, upon which Xue Rui lowered his head and clasped his hands, “Greetings, Miss Zhao.”

“We do not engage in other businesses!” Zhao Jinyu repeated sternly, standing before him without returning his greeting.