The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 548 Becoming Godparents (6)_1

Chapter 548: Chapter 548 Becoming Godparents (6)_1

Grandma Fang originally wasn’t too keen on the idea, and had it not been for Old Scholar Fang’s decision, she wouldn’t have agreed to acknowledge the Li family as sworn kin. Hearing that Pei Qin felt the same way, she immediately nodded in agreement, "Give them a little extra for the dowry."

Lady Yu thought about it and nodded her head as well, "Try to avoid any dealings with that family in the future." She then inquired about Fang Liuming’s studies, worried that these events would affect him and that he would not pass the imperial examinations in spring.

Fang Liuming had gradually adjusted, and through these events, his understanding deepened. The essays he produced were somewhat more profound than before.

The day of the spring exams was approaching rapidly, and Lady Yu had made him shoes symbolizing ascent in rank and a purse, while Grandma Fang prayed and made offerings at home.

Accompanied by Feng Wei and joined by Old Scholar Fang and Fang Liyi, Fang Liuming went to the county town to participate in this year’s spring examinations.

From the county, prefectural, to the capital examinations, he took them all in stride.

Some with weaker constitutions were struggling to hold up.

Since Fang Liuming had practiced martial arts with Pei Qin, his body had become much stronger. He did not feel overly fatigued after completing the exams, but instead he breathed a sigh of relief and felt relaxed.

After reviewing his examination papers, Mo Heng said, "There’s a seventy percent chance."

Lady Yu, Grandma Fang, and Fang Li were all overjoyed, as there was a very good possibility that he had passed.

The Li family had not yet agreed to Zhang Shiqian’s marriage proposal. Everyone had returned to their homes, with only Sun Xiujin waiting for news at her maternal home.

Having finished his exams, Fang Liuming temporarily put aside his books, donned a simple short coat, and joined Pei Yuan and Pei Qian, Pei Wendong, Chang Yonglin, and others in the fields, cutting sweet potato vines and planting them.

They had erected the Sweet Potato Plaque Building here, and naturally, over a hundred acres delineated for this purpose were to be planted with sweet potatoes. Even if they didn’t plant the entirety, the majority would be sown with it.

When the government officer bearing good news arrived, Fang Liuming was working vigorously in the fields with a bunch of hired workers.

"I’ve never seen such a Scholar who gets so enthusiastic about working in the fields!" the officers laughed jovially.

"Did my cousin pass the exams!?" Pei Wendong ran over to ask.

"He passed! And he’s one of the top ten scholars eligible for the imperial stipend! From now on, he’ll receive a yearly allowance of grain! Congratulations to Scholar Fang!" the joyous officer congratulated with a smile and a bow.

"This is fantastic! Now Grandpa’s house has three Scholars!" Pei Wendong exclaimed. Everyone working in the fields chuckled and turned to congratulate Fang Liuming.

Even though Mo Heng had predicted a high chance of success, actually passing the exams still allowed the weight in Fang Liuming’s heart to fall away. He was elated.

The entire Pei family was overjoyed.

Old Pei’s House could only watch enviously, silently seething with resentment, as the Pei family gained another academic title. With three Scholars in one family and Fang Liuming earning an imperial stipend, the Pei family now decidedly overshadowed them.

The Li family was equally displeased, having hoped Fang Liuming would fail. They planned to raise the matter of marriage once more if he encountered difficulties. After all, Li Baoxiang had taken a beating on his behalf, and with Li Baolian now in distress, it was time for Fang Liuming to show some gratitude. Yet, suddenly becoming an imperial stipend holder, marriage was out of the question. With regards to the sworn kinship, ever since the incident with Zhang Shiqian, they hadn’t mentioned it again.

But soon, Grandma Li changed her mind and visited Sun Lizheng’s family once more, asking Pei Qin to pass a message to the Pei family. They would acknowledge as sworn kin not Li Baolian but Li Baoxiang. With three Scholars in the Pei family, acknowledging Li Baoxiang would mean they could not lose out.

While they could refuse to acknowledge Li Baolian, it was different with Li Baoxiang. At a time when Fang Liuming achieved academic honors and was basking in glory, Li Baoxiang, who might have achieved similar success, suffered an injury because of him and could not compete, forced to watch Fang Liuming’s success.

Their proposal having been made, the Pei family couldn’t refuse. To do so would mean the Li family, driven to a desperate action, would see them as unkind and heartless. The reputation that Fang Liuming had let a good friend suffer misfortune on his behalf while he himself succeeded but was ungrateful would be impossible to shake off.

But acknowledging Li Baoxiang and his sister Li Baolian was not the same. Li Baolian merely required a generous dowry, and once married, at most they’d socialize during holidays, just enough to save face and keep up appearances. Acknowledging Li Baoxiang would almost be like gaining another son. His arm was yet to heal, and the future held uncertainties.

After weighing the options, Old Scholar Fang decided, "Acknowledge him!"

Seeing the stern, resolute look on his face, with the lines of his face now deeper, both Lady Yu and Grandma Fang understood there was no further discussion on the matter. They could only swallow their resistance and comply with the Li family’s request.

It wasn’t long before Old Scholar Fang made preparations, and had Fang Li and Lady Yu formally acknowledge Li Baoxiang as their sworn son.

Li Baoxiang presented tea and kowtowed, and Sun Xiujin joined in, changing her address to them as godfather and godmother.

Lady Yu provided him with writing materials and cloth, a silver hairpin for Sun Xiujin, and a silver lock for their daughter. Her son had not yet wed, yet she was already being called grandmother.

As the news spread, everyone congratulated the Pei family on their double joy. Elsewhere, people said the Pei family was truly honorable; although Li Baoxiang’s arm was broken, and not by Fang Liuming, the Pei family paid for his treatment, offered compensation, and even acknowledged him as sworn kin. Once Li Baoxiang recovered, they would surely help him achieve scholarly success as well.

With no other choice, the Li family reluctantly agreed to marry Li Baolian to Zhang Shiqian, consenting to the union.

Zhang Shiqian happily secured his engagement to Li Baolian, and the strategy taught to him by Zhao Junchao remained unused, as he could now easily marry the woman he desired.

For a time, all of Taiping Town talked about the Pei family acknowledging the Li family as sworn kin and the Li family forming a marriage alliance with Zhang Shiqian’s house.

Meanwhile, Mo Heng’s reputation spread among the students. Everyone at the local school knew that it was through studying under him that Fang Liuming easily passed the spring exams and achieved the title of Scholar eligible for the imperial stipend.