Chapter 104: Triple Blessings Arrive

Crackling firecrackers echoed outside the Hu residence even before the carriage had come to a halt.

Xue Rui lifted the carriage curtain and saw many of the Hu household servants gathered in the open space before the gate. The steward, Hu Youtong, was holding a bamboo pole with a string of freshly lit firecrackers dangling from it.

“Welcome back, Master,” the servants called out in unison.

As the carriage stopped, the servants immediately surrounded it and bowed.

Xue Rui leapt down and pointed at the firecrackers in surprise. “What’s going on here?”

By then, the firecrackers had finished exploding, and Hu Youtong briskly approached, smiling, “Today we heard that Master has retired from office, and Second Lord Xue has been appointed to a post. The entire household is overjoyed. Miss thought this a happy occasion and instructed us to welcome Master outside the courtyard.”

Hu Zhong stepped down from the carriage using a stirrup, glanced at the festive decorations outside, but wore a stern expression as he said, “The nation is in crisis. Putting on such a grand display will surely invite criticism. Let’s take it down quickly.”

The servants exchanged glances, expecting Hu Zhong to be pleased, but instead he scolded them.

“Indeed, this is no time for extravagance. We can celebrate quietly inside the residence. Pack up these things at once.”

Most of the decorations outside had been arranged by Hu Youtong. Seeing his awkwardness and stiffened posture, Xue Rui stepped forward to smooth things over.

Hu Youtong breathed a sigh of relief and quickly waved to the servants, “Hurry, pack everything away and clean up outside.”

In recent days, Hu Zhong’s gout had improved considerably, and he had little trouble walking, so Xue Rui supported him as they entered the residence.

At the inner gate, Xue Yuanhao and his wife, along with Hu Ying’er and Hu Cheng’an, siblings of the Hu family, and a dozen or so maids and housekeepers awaited.

Before Hu Zhong could reach them, Xue Yuanhao strode forward and knelt with a thud, bowing his head repeatedly.

“Congratulations, Master, on your release from your cage. Free from official burdens, may you live a long and peaceful life.”

The Ming Dynasty law allowed officials to retire at age sixty, but Hu Zhong had held on until seventy-four before successfully stepping down.

Over those years, he had endured the grief of losing a son, a grandson who had become mentally impaired, and the torment of chronic gout, leaving him utterly exhausted.

His early retirement was a blessing both for him and for his grandchildren. Naturally, Xue Yuanhao was pleased on his teacher’s behalf.

“Heh heh, Uncle Bai, please rise. To have such a grand send-off on retirement is thanks to you and your son. I should be the one thanking you.”

Hu Zhong bent to help Xue Yuanhao to his feet.

“This honor is well deserved, Master. Neither my father nor I would dare take credit.”

Xue Rui quickly added with humility.

After their exchange, Hu Ying’er took Hu Cheng’an’s hand and came forward to offer congratulations to their grandfather.

Though Hu Cheng’an did not fully understand the significance, he sensed the difference that day and followed his sister in respectfully bowing. The maids and housekeepers knelt as well.

Seizing the moment, Xue Rui leaned close to his father and curiously asked, “Father, how did you hear the news?”

“Didn’t you ask your Uncle Zheng to bring the news to the Hu residence?” Xue Yuanhao asked in surprise.

“Oh, it was Uncle Zheng,” Xue Rui realized with a sigh. “I had planned to surprise you all upon my return, but Uncle Zheng must have had official business and came early to inform you, so you would be prepared.”

“Your Uncle Zheng left in a hurry and wasn’t very clear. He said Master retired, and the Emperor personally issued a commendation?”

Liu Shi, holding her son’s hand, asked eagerly.

“You didn’t know?” Xue Rui was surprised. He had thought the household already knew for sure after the display outside, but they only had a vague idea.

“Uncle Zheng doesn’t read much. He probably didn’t understand the edict fully and spoke vaguely. Everyone inside is waiting for you to explain,” Xue Yuanhao said with a wry smile.

The nearby servants pricked up their ears, eager to hear the contents of the imperial decree.

“Master, since everyone wants to hear, I must tell you. Please sit for a moment while I show off a little!”

Xue Rui waved his hand as a maid brought a chair, helping Hu Zhong to sit.

Outside the inner gate, Hu Youtong and others finished tidying and gathered at the doorway, craning their necks to listen.

“Ahem,” Xue Rui cleared his throat without further suspense.

“I’m sure you’ve all heard that Master received an imperial edict. I can confirm it is true!”

The servants, who relied on hearsay, were uncertain about the truth until Xue Rui’s confirmation. Their faces lit with surprise and joy.

Though these servants were not free men, they understood basic facts: their master was only a low-ranked eighth-grade official in the capital, where even a tossed stone could strike down a third- or fourth-grade minister—this rank was as low as it got.

Yet no one expected such a modest official to be honored by an imperial edict upon retirement. This was the highest honor for an official, and as members of the Hu household, they naturally shared in the pride.

“What exactly did the edict say? Tell us quick!” Hu Ying’er, impatient, tugged at Xue Rui’s sleeve.

“The edict covers a lot—longer than the appointment letters for all the officials at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau,” Xue Rui counted on his fingers. “But the key point is that His Majesty graciously promoted Master two ranks, granting him ‘official retirement with ceremonial attire’ and half-pay—half the salary of a seventh-grade official, about fifty shi of rice.”

Though the half-pay was not especially remarkable, the ceremonial retirement was unusual.

This meant that after retirement, the official retained special privileges in dress and protocol, attending official events with the status of an official, commanding respect even from lower-ranking officers.

Upon hearing this, Hu Ying’er was both surprised and delighted.

She had worried about her grandfather’s retirement because the Hu family lacked an adult male supporter. Without an official status, outsiders might cause trouble, or the servants might become unruly—it was uncertain.

Now, with the ceremonial retirement and promotion to a seventh-grade magistrate rank, her grandfather’s status had actually risen.

Xue Yuanhao, excited, said, “Master truly deserves this honor. His Majesty is wise indeed.”

“Anything else?” Liu Shi pressed on.

“Of course,” Xue Rui continued, “His Majesty also exempted Master and his eldest brother from corvée labor, ordered the officials to supply two laborers annually for their household, and decreed lifelong support.”

The crowd was momentarily unsure how to react.

Lifelong support meant the state would care for them in old age, fearing Hu Zhong might be left alone without filial descendants to tend his funeral rites. Even today, this would be considered a less-than-glorious situation.

Hu Zhong, however, smiled and said, “To receive such favor from the Emperor is the blessing of eight generations of the Hu family. We should be glad. Besides, with Uncle Bai and Brother Rui supporting the family, I don’t think the government will have to handle my funeral.”

“Master, rest assured, the Hu family’s affairs are the Xue family’s affairs. Even if we must cross fire and blade, we will not shirk our duty!” Xue Yuanhao promptly pledged in front of everyone.

“I’m not worried about such grand matters,” Hu Zhong said with a hint of melancholy, “Our family has studied astronomy and calendrical calculations for generations, but in my time, the lineage dwindled. The only male heir suffers misfortune. As the saying goes, among the greatest unfilial acts is having no descendants. If the Hu bloodline ends with me and our family knowledge is lost, how can I face our ancestors in the afterlife?”

The servants’ faces darkened. Though their master had been honored by the Emperor, he was old, and none could say how many days he had left. Should he pass suddenly, the Hu family’s glory would vanish like mist.

Without capable heirs, the household might fall apart, and the servants’ fates would be like rootless weeds, drifting helplessly.

Xue Yuanhao glanced at Liu Shi, who nodded, then spoke his thoughts.

“Master, though your eldest nephew’s mind is impaired, it is not congenital, and his body is otherwise healthy. In my opinion, he is of marriageable age. Perhaps we should find a suitable bride to continue the family line.”

“That’s true. Cheng’an is taller and more handsome than Rui’er. With a generous dowry, there’s no problem marrying into a prominent family,” Liu Shi agreed.

Since moving into the Hu residence, the Xue family had come to understand its wealth.

Beyond the vast library in the study, Hu Zhong owned several estates, each bringing in over two hundred taels of silver yearly.

Combined with years of savings from his official salary, accumulating several thousand taels was no problem. With such assets, many families would be willing to marry their daughters into the Hu household.

Hu Zhong looked at his grandson with concern. “I have thought about this. But with Cheng’an’s condition, even if he marries, I fear whether the family estate can be maintained.”

“Grandfather, don’t worry. With me here, our Hu family will not fail!” Hu Ying’er declared fiercely.

“Master, I think the most important thing in marrying off your eldest nephew is character. As long as she can support her husband and raise children, it need not be a wealthy lady.

“In my view, the wealthier the bride’s family, the harder she is to please. Marrying a rich miss might mean she leans on her family and treats Cheng’an poorly.

“I think it’s better to marry a simple village girl who can care for Cheng’an’s daily needs. With me and my father to help educate, the Hu family’s legacy can be passed on.”

Xue Rui expressed a different opinion.

The Xue couple thought the Hu family was already prominent and wealthy. Even if Cheng’an was impaired, a generous dowry to a bride from a slightly lower-status family would not be a problem and would restore some dignity to the Hu household.

But Xue Rui was thinking beyond appearances, concerned about the potential problems after the marriage.

For example, if Cheng’an married and then Hu Zhong passed away, the vast estate would fall to Cheng’an, whose wife would effectively control the household. If her natal family coveted the Hu fortune and colluded with her, the family could be looted from within.

Moreover, given Cheng’an’s condition, a proud young lady might grow tired of him, and if she strayed, that would be disastrous.

Though Xue Rui spoke tactfully, Hu Zhong understood these concerns and nodded.

“That’s exactly it. When arranging Cheng’an’s marriage, the bride must be honest and dutiful. Continuing the family line is the priority; matching social status is just empty talk.”

“That makes sense,” Xue Yuanhao responded, agreeing with Liu Shi.

Hu Zhong looked at the Xue couple and then at Liu Shi.

“Cheng’an’s marriage needs your attention, Aunt. I think finding someone with decent looks, no male heirs in her family, and honest parents is enough.”

Hu Zhong considered more carefully: a family without male heirs would minimize the risk of collusion—an extra layer of security.

“Master, rest assured. My wife and I will take care of this. If all goes well, by this time next year, you’ll be holding a grandson.”

Xue Yuanhao smiled.

“To hold a grandson, I’d better live a few more years,” Hu Zhong chuckled.

With a major worry lifted, he was naturally pleased and waved to Hu Ying’er.

“Today is a good day. Go fetch some silver; everyone deserves a reward.”

Liu Shi smiled, “We’ve troubled the household for days. Since Rui’er’s father has received official rank again, I’ll distribute the rewards.”

She beckoned, and Su Su appeared carrying a tray filled with red envelopes of silver coins wrapped in red paper.

“Heh, having managed a household, Ying’er never thought of this. Since you’ve prepared everything, you should hand them out.”

Hu Zhong did not refuse; it was only some loose silver, insignificant compared to official rank.

Hu Ying’er blushed. She had been so excited by the news she hadn’t realized why Liu Shi had asked to borrow scissors earlier—it was to cut the silver!

Liu Shi was generous: the smallest envelopes contained five qian of silver, while those for indispensable servants like Hu Youtong and Jin’er were large, holding a full tael—almost equal to their highest monthly wage.

The servants happily accepted the gifts, repeatedly thanking the Xue couple.

Xue Rui roughly calculated that his mother had handed out over twenty taels of silver. It seemed his father had cashed the silver note from Chen Yi to get the ready cash.

“By the way, Uncle Bai’s official robe and seal are still in the carriage. Go fetch them so he can try them on.”

After distributing the rewards, Hu Zhong remembered and ordered someone to retrieve the items.

“N-no, that’s not proper,” Xue Yuanhao waved his hands. Wearing official robes before assuming office might be a bit boastful.

“Father, just try it on. I’ve already told the director you start duty at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau the day after tomorrow. If you don’t check the fit now, there won’t be time for alterations later,” Xue Rui reminded him.

“If that’s so, I’ll try,” Xue Yuanhao relented.

The official robes were not tailor-made and often needed resizing. Ill-fitting robes could undermine one’s authority.

When Xue Yuanhao appeared in the robes, everyone brightened.

He was already handsome and tall, and although the green robe was for an eighth-grade official, it gave him a more imposing air.

“Not bad. The robe fits well,” Hu Zhong praised.

Liu Shi looked a little dazed, murmuring, “Now that my husband holds an official rank and returns home tomorrow, who would dare look down on us?”

“Cough, what are you saying!” Xue Yuanhao was embarrassed and lowered his voice.

Realizing others were present, Liu Shi quickly changed the subject.

“I think the waist is a bit loose. We’ll adjust it later so you look more dashing.”

“Enough. The kitchen should have prepared the dishes. It’s a rare happy day. I want to have a few drinks with Uncle Bai!”

He did not address Hu Ying’er directly, but everyone looked to her as if seeking her consent.

She glanced around and finally sighed, “Grandfather’s gout has just eased, and Uncle Xue has only recently recovered from illness. If it’s just a few drinks, I’ll keep count.”

“Whatever you say,” Hu Zhong agreed. He had yearned for the autumn dew white wine stored away for a month. Now that his granddaughter agreed to a few drinks, he had no complaints.

After the meal and drinks, the Xue family of three retired to discuss the matter of separating from the Hu household and returning to their own residence.