While several families discussed marriages, only Duan Youyan's family had no need.
When Duan Youyan's parents learned that Sheng Yunjin was also going to the capital, they were so worried about any mishaps on the journey that they practically moved their entire stock of medicinal herbs to the Sheng residence, as if the herbs cost nothing.
"Father, that's enough," Sheng Yunjin said, feeling a headache coming on as he looked at the piles of herbs Duan's parents had brought. "I can't possibly take this much on the boat."
"Then let me sort through them and pick the essentials," Old Man Duan said, seeing Sheng Yunjin's distress. He squatted down to start selecting.
"No need, we'll take it all," Duan Youyan interrupted. "If our cabin can't hold it, I'll talk to Xu Huaiqian and see if we can squeeze some into his space."
Sheng Yunjin felt terribly embarrassed. He was just pregnant, yet it seemed like every was making way for him. "Wouldn't that trouble others too much?"
"It's fine," Duan Youyan shook his head. "A lot of these herbs are actually for Xu Huaiqian himself. We can all manage to fit them in."
Before Chen Liejiu left for the capital, he had specifically visited Duan Youyan and placed a large order for various medicinal herbs, all intended for his little husband. He was worried about Xu Huaiqian's comfort during the journey and had even instructed Duan Youyan to check his pulse daily to catch any issues promptly.
Thinking about how preciously Chen Liejiu treated Xu Huaiqian, Duan Youyan shook his head inwardly. What a truly treasured little husband. But then again, Xu Huaiqian deserved it.
"Sigh," Old Man Duan, satisfied that no sorting was needed, sighed. With Duan Youyan going to the capital for the exams, there was little the family could do to help. The only thing they could offer was these herbs. "Take good care of Xiao Jin on the journey. Don't let anything happen to him. Being with child is different from usual."
"I know," Duan Youyan nodded. "Don't worry, I will take good care of him."
After Old Man Duan finished his instructions, Magistrate Sheng also came out to speak. "Don't be nervous when you get to the capital. If the Sheng family wants to see you, let them. You are a Juren now; you won't bring any shame to Xiao Jin."
This was why Magistrate Sheng insisted that Sheng Yunjin, despite his pregnancy, accompany Duan Youyan to the capital. The Sheng family had been intensely curious ever since they heard that their Xiao Jin had married Duan Youyan. Now that Duan Youyan was going to the capital for the exams, it was time for Sheng Yunjin to take him to meet the Sheng family and make an appearance.
Magistrate Sheng had been a key figure cultivated by the family in his youth. However, after marrying his wife and having Sheng Yunjin, his only son, his health suffered. His refusal to take a concubine led the family to gradually marginalize him. There was no helping it; a man wasn't considered as valuable as a son.
But his son had married a talented man. If Duan Youyan could go to the Sheng family and compete for their resources, why shouldn't he?
Duan Youyan nodded, though he couldn't help feeling a bit nervous. He wasn't afraid of the Sheng relatives. He was somewhat apprehensive about Sheng Yunjin's close friends. He'd heard they were all married into powerful and influential families in the capital.
As a Juren, and determined to study medicine, would he gain the approval of Sheng Yunjin's friends?
Regardless, once the first month of the new year passed, the five Juren gathered in Taoyuan County and boarded a boat bound for the capital to take the exams.
As their boat traveled the river, a group of people in the capital awaited their arrival.
First, in the rear quarters of Song Yunfan, a seventh-rank Compiler in the Hanlin Academy, a rather extraordinary-looking young woman was showing her betrothal jade pendant to a group of her sisters.
"What's this? Just a jade pendant worth about a hundred taels? It's not precious at all. Is a man like this really reliable?"
After examining the pendant, her friends unanimously expressed their disbelief. It was too cheap; they suspected he hadn't put any real thought into it.
"His family circumstances aren't good. This was the most expensive he could afford," Song Weilan explained, unconcerned. "And he knew my name is Weilan 'Tiny Ripples'. Look, the pattern on this pendant is like water waves. He was very thoughtful."
But her friends still didn't agree. "This is too rash. If his family is poor, won't you have to endure a hard life after marrying him?"
"Exactly, Sister Weilan. With your father's current promising situation and your own talent and beauty, you could easily marry into a fifth or sixth-rank official's family, even a third or fourth-rank is within your reach. Why settle for such an obscure Juren?"
Song Weilan smiled. "His literary talent is excellent."
"Literary talent can't put food on the table."
"And you got engaged without even seeing what he looks like! What if he's old and ugly?"
The young ladies from official families couldn't understand what was going through Song Weilan's mind. She had merely seen an essay collected by her father in his study, dared to write to the address on the essay, started a correspondence, and even privately pledged herself for life. The most unbelievable part was that Official Song, upon finding out, hadn't refused but had actually helped formalize the betrothal. It was simply outrageous!
"He won't be," Song Weilan shook her head. "I've seen his registration details; he's only twenty-three, very young. At most, his looks might be a bit plain, but he won't be old."
"But what if he has a crooked mouth, a flat face, and a face full of pockmarks? What will you do then?"
Poverty and hardship were thing, but if he was truly hideous, how could live with that?
"Then I'll accept it," Song Weilan lowered her eyes. Unlike these other young ladies, she didn't care for fine clothes and jewelry; she loved reading rhapsodies fu. But after years of reading them, n had ever moved her heart. Meng Fangxun's rhapsody was the only that had touched her. She had wanted to try contacting him to see if his other works would move her similarly. Unexpectedly, their correspondence flourished, and unconsciously, both found themselves deeply involved.
Fortunately, her father hadn't opposed it when he found out; otherwise, she wouldn't have known what to do. But this was the path she had chosen herself. No matter what her fiancé was like, as long as his talent was genuine, she would accept it!
Secondly, there was Chen Liejiu. He had originally come to the capital to buy a house for Xu Huaiqian and, on the side, do some business. But he never expected that he would accidentally stumble into a major venture. If his little husband didn't come to the capital soon, it seemed Chen Liejiu might achieve a life of wealth and honor without his husband even needing to take the exams.