Do you know that my grandfather was entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple?

Chapter 3 Old Mrs. Wang's Disdain

Wang You saw his mother out of the courtyard gate before turning back into the courtyard.

"I was so busy sulking that I forgot about my grandmother."

If we're talking about who truly runs the Wang family, it's Old Mrs. Wang.

If things had gone according to plan, Madam Wang would have intended to marry Rulan to him in the future.

Given the Sheng family's situation at the time and Madam Wang's reaction, Wang Min and Madam Feng would definitely have agreed.

But in the end, it was snatched away by the Kangwang clan.

It was obvious that Madam Kang had pleaded with Old Madam Wang; otherwise, knowing his sister's character, how could Wang Min have chosen the Kang family instead of the increasingly prosperous Sheng family for a marriage alliance?

Since the Han Dynasty abolished the feudal system, all dynasties have governed the country based on filial piety.

Whether it's out of genuine filial piety or for the sake of one's own reputation and future, no one would disobey their parents.

If Grandma Wang agrees, Father will naturally agree as well.

Wang You smiled slightly: "My grandmother dotes on me very much."

…………

As evening fell, a carriage stopped in front of the Wang family's house, and Wang Min, dressed in a scarlet official robe, stepped off the carriage onto a stool.

"My lord!"

The gatekeeper trotted forward, bowed, and said, "The old lady requests that the master return to the manor and go to the Jingxin Hall."

Wang Min's expression changed, and he asked, "Has something happened at home?"

Usually, if Old Lady Wang wanted to see him, she would wait until he got home and changed into his official robes before sending someone to fetch him.

Even if there's something urgent, he'll just have someone wait for him in the front yard when he's almost home.

This was the first time he had directly informed the gatekeeper and had the gatekeeper inform him.

"I don't know!" the gatekeeper replied.

Upon hearing this, Wang Min hurriedly entered the mansion and headed straight for the Jingxin Hall where Old Madam Wang lived.

Because he was used to a life of luxury, Wang You was sweating profusely when he arrived at Jingxin Hall after walking so fast.

"My lord."

The servants who were busy in the courtyard stopped to pay their respects.

Wang Min ignored him and hurriedly walked into the main hall.

When Wang Min entered, the old lady Wang, who was sitting at the head of the table, put down her teacup.

"Mother!"

Wang Min bowed and said, "I wonder why Mother summoned me here in such a hurry?"

"Why won't you allow You-ge'er to participate in the prodigy exam?" Old Mrs. Wang asked.

"Mother should know that many officials in the court have submitted memorials saying that prodigies are merely seeking quick success and are not the proper way to cultivate virtue, and should be banned."

Although the government did not agree, the selection of child prodigies was never held again after that.

The Emperor is only holding this child prodigy ceremony because he is overjoyed at the birth of his son.

Some officials in the court will surely petition for its abolition, at which point the future of those who entered officialdom through the child prodigy system will be uncertain.

"Besides, You'er has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood. He could have entered officialdom through the imperial examinations, so why take this shortcut?" Wang Min said.

"You've been in officialdom for so many years, yet your mind isn't as clear as Brother You's."

Old Mrs. Wang sneered, "The Emperor had a prince last year, and this year he issued an edict to hold a prodigy test. Is it just because he is happy?"

The Emperor is selecting and cultivating talent for his sons. The prodigy exam is limited to students under the age of fifteen. These individuals will be the pillars of the nation when the princes ascend the throne.

Wang Min's mouth moved. He wanted to say that if the goal was to select and cultivate talents for the princes, the imperial examination would be just as effective. Why hold a prodigy examination?

He could tell that his mother had been persuaded by Wang You, so he dared not contradict her.

"What does Mother mean?"

"Your concern that entering officialdom through the prodigy exam will affect Youge'er's future is not without reason."

However, participating in the prodigy exam will not affect one's future participation in the imperial examination.

My friend Youge said to me, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," and I think that makes a lot of sense.

The imperial examinations are a matter for the future; who knows what the situation will be like then?

The most important thing is to seize the opportunity at hand.

"If he wants to go, let him go. Consider it a study tour to broaden his horizons," said Grandma Wang.

"Mother is right. It was my oversight that I didn't consider things thoroughly enough. I will add You'er's name tomorrow," Wang Min said, bowing.

"Um."

Grandma Sheng nodded and said, "By the way, in about a month, it will be your second sister's daughter Hualan's coming-of-age ceremony. You should have your wife take Youge to attend."

Wang Min was taken aback and said, "If You'er is going to participate in the prodigy exam, he needs to prepare properly. Besides, didn't Mother say before that sending someone to deliver a gift would be enough?"

Girls reach the age of fifteen when they are of marriageable age, and boys are of age of twenty when they are of capping age.

This means that adults can marry.

A man's coming-of-age ceremony is usually attended by elders from the same clan, and at most, some close relatives are invited.

A woman's coming-of-age ceremony is relatively much more elaborate.

If a family has a daughter, a hundred families will seek her.

The coming-of-age ceremony for girls is a grand affair, signifying that the daughter has reached adulthood and is ready for marriage.

Since the man is the one proposing marriage, there is naturally no need for such a grand ceremony.

But in the end, it's just that. Shouzhou is not close to Yangzhou, so it's not worth making a long trip.

He had previously asked his mother what she thought, and Mrs. Wang said that sending someone to deliver a coming-of-age gift would suffice.

He was truly puzzled by the sudden change of heart and the fact that Wang You was being asked to come along.

Old Mrs. Wang glanced at her son and said, "In terms of being an official and dealing with people, you are far inferior to your second son-in-law. The prodigy test is similar to the imperial examination; in the end, the official will personally conduct the assessment."

The second son-in-law had participated in the imperial examination years ago; with his guidance, You'er's chances of success would be much greater.

"..."

Wang Min felt somewhat aggrieved, but didn't know how to refute it. After a long silence, he finally said, "Mother is indeed very thoughtful."

…………

Inside the study in the courtyard on the right.

Wang You is practicing calligraphy.

In essence, the prodigy test and the imperial examination were not much different.

The only difference is that the age limit is lowered, and the difficulty of the exam is reduced significantly.

Whether it was the prodigy exam or the imperial examination, there were certain requirements for calligraphy.

As the saying goes, one's handwriting reflects one's character. If one's handwriting is poor, the examiner will have a bad impression when grading the paper.

In ancient times, those who passed the imperial examinations with flying colors were not necessarily all great calligraphers, but their calligraphy was generally quite good.

The requirements for prodigy tests have been lowered, but there are still limits.

Although Wang You had a good memory, his handwriting was somewhat...unremarkable.

He can't be considered ugly, but he's only average-looking among his peers, which is only because he's practiced a lot.

Now that I've settled things with Grandma Wang, I should have no problem participating in the prodigy exam.

Wang You was not worried about the prodigy test. At his age, it would simply involve having him recite the Four Books and Five Classics, and testing his understanding of the classics.

The imperial examination depended entirely on the emperor's mood, so candidates had to perform well on the spot.

Wang You plans to spend one or two hours each day reading to solidify his memory, and use the rest of his time to practice calligraphy.

"Young master."

Xia He entered the study, bowed, and said, "My lord has sent someone to summon the young master for dinner."

"understood."

Wang You responded, finished writing the last few words, and placed the pen on the pen holder.

Xia He was left to tidy up, while Wang You went to the main hall of the central courtyard.

"Second brother."

Wang Mu, who was sitting next to Madam Feng, simply greeted Wang You and obediently sat down next to his mother.

As the only daughter in her family, Wang Mu was very much loved.

However, it's fine to be a little playful in private, but you still need to follow the rules in formal occasions.

"Your son greets Father and Mother!" Wang You bowed and said.

"snort!"

Wang Min snorted coldly, clearly annoyed that Wang You had complained to the old lady.

"alright."

Madam Feng tugged at her husband, then looked at Wang You and smiled, "Quickly, sit down and eat."

"yes!"

Wang You responded and sat down.

Only after Wang Min started eating did the others begin to eat.

"Get up early tomorrow and come with me to the residence of the Confucius Institute Director," Wang Min said.

"Hmm?" Wang You looked at his father with some confusion.

"You're going to take the prodigy exam, how can you do it without writing?" Wang Min said calmly.

"Thank you, Father!" Wang You said happily upon hearing this.