Chapter 52 Visiting Uncle

Liu Yuanmao was an old hand—he could tell from Su Mingyue’s expression that she was feeling guilty.

He shook his head helplessly. “As expected, girls don’t stay with the family once they grow up. You’ve already tossed this uncle of yours to the back of your mind.”

Su Mingyue quickly shook her head. “I didn’t! It’s just… just…”

Her eyes landed on Shen Xiuyan, and they suddenly lit up. Right!

“It’s just that I was busy accompanying my husband through the exams and had no time to write!”

“You—just like your mother when she was young—always trying to fob me off. Even your expression is exactly the same.” Liu Yuanmao twisted his body to knock her on the head lightly. Then, as if just remembering Shen Xiuyan’s presence, he said, “Busy with the exams? Then you must have passed to come to the Capital?”

Shen Xiuyan straightened his back under Liu Yuanmao’s scrutiny.

“Greetings, Uncle. I had the good fortune to pass this year’s provincial exam.”

Only then did Liu Yuanmao nod in satisfaction.

Although his brother-in-law Su Dazhuang wasn’t very reliable, he clearly had a good eye when it came to finding a husband for his daughter.

A provincial graduate—quite respectable.

Su Mingyue beamed with pride. “Uncle, my husband is just being modest! Let me tell you, he was top scorer in the county-level exam, and again in the provincial one! He’s amazing!”

“Oh? You’re this year’s Jieyuan (Top Scorer)?” This time, Liu Yuanmao finally gave him a proper look.

“Just lucky, that’s all.”

Liu Yuanmao was even more satisfied. The young man before him was composed and humble despite his achievements—a rare quality.

He studied Shen Xiuyan’s appearance more closely. Huh, not bad—he really did look like a perfect match for Mingyue.

Suddenly, he didn’t feel so disapproving anymore.

“Hahahaha, I heard my little darling has arrived~~~” came a hearty laugh.

Old Madam Liu was being helped as she walked out.

She was getting on in years and wasn’t in the best of health, so Su Mingyue quickly stepped forward to support her firmly by the arm.

She called out sweetly, “Grandmother~”

“Ai, good, good~ Let me have a look at my little sweetheart, see how she’s grown~”

Su Mingyue had only seen her grandmother twice before, but since they often exchanged letters, there wasn’t much unfamiliarity between them.

Old Madam Liu stroked Su Mingyue’s cheek gently. “Good girl, you’ve grown prettier and prettier—much better looking than your mother was at your age.”

“Hehe~” Su Mingyue giggled foolishly at the compliment.

As Old Madam Liu lifted her head, she noticed Shen Xiuyan. “And who is this?”

Liu Yuanmao grumbled, “That’s your grandson-in-law! Just look at what Su Dazhuang has done—Mingyue got married without telling any of us!”

“What! Mingyue got married???” Old Madam Liu was shocked. The last letter she received from Mingyue had said she hadn’t met anyone suitable yet, and now, barely a year later, she was married?

“You, come here.” She beckoned.

Shen Xiuyan quickly stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings, Grandmother.”

“Good, good. Stand up and let me have a look at you.” Old Madam Liu examined him carefully.

Well now, no wonder Mingyue suddenly decided to get married.

This was fate. Back in the day, she herself had been smitten by her husband’s looks—seems her little sweetheart was just the same.

She reached over and pulled their joined hands together. “Since you’re already married, then you must treat each other well. Communicate often and argue less, understand?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” / “He wouldn’t dare argue with me!” the two said in unison.

They looked at each other and smiled, unable to hide the affection in their eyes.

Old Madam Liu, like any mother-in-law admiring her son-in-law, found him more pleasing the longer she looked. The fact that they genuinely liked each other—nothing was more important.

“So what brings you to the Capital this time?” she asked curiously.

After all, they hadn’t even informed them of something as big as a wedding—surely they weren’t just here for a visit?

Su Mingyue pursed her lips into a smile. “My husband passed the provincial exam, so we came early to the Capital to prepare for next year’s metropolitan exam.”

“Good, good, good!” Old Madam Liu was delighted. It seemed Mingyue wasn’t like her at all—at least she had better taste!

Her own husband couldn’t even read!

Old Madam Liu asked, “Do you feel confident about next year’s exam?”

Shen Xiuyan replied, “I will do my best.”

Liu Yuanmao rolled his eyes. “Mother, don’t listen to him being modest. He’s this year’s Jieyuan—barring any surprises, the Jinshi title is practically in the bag.”

“Aiyo, didn’t expect my grandson-in-law to be so capable.” Old Madam Liu was overjoyed. That meant her granddaughter would soon be a government official’s wife—what wonderful news.

“This is a cause for celebration. Yuanmao, go have a table prepared—we’ll celebrate tonight.”

Hearing the word “celebration,” Su Mingyue quietly tugged at her grandmother’s sleeve. “Grandmother, I forgot to mention—you’re going to be a great-grandmother soon~”

“!!!”

Everyone was stunned.

Old Madam Liu recovered first. “Mingyue, are you expecting?”

Su Mingyue shyly nodded.

“This is wonderful news—double happiness! The child may not be born yet, but I can already tell it’s a little bringer of good fortune.” She lovingly stroked Su Mingyue’s belly.

On the side, Liu Yuanmao finally snapped out of it. His face turned dark.

He suddenly stood and cursed, “That damn Su Dazhuang! Not telling us about the wedding is one thing—but now there’s a baby and he still didn’t say a word? What, was he planning to wait until the child was born before telling us?!”

“Mother, I told you Su Dazhuang isn’t reliable! Mingyue should never have been raised by him!”

Old Madam Liu looked at the elegantly dressed Mingyue and chuckled. “Doesn’t she look well-raised to me? And do you have that kind of money—to give Mingyue such a good life?”

Liu Yuanmao fell silent.

Sure, he was in business too—an imperial merchant even—but with so many mouths to feed in a big household, wanting to pamper Mingyue like this was easier said than done.
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Jieyuan (解元) was the title given to the top scorer in the provincial-level exam of ancient China’s imperial examination system.