Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Chapter 2018: Green Smoke From the Ancestral Grave

In such circumstances, Shao Liulang seemed inconsequential. While living in the capital held some significance, making a name for himself appeared unattainable.

Yet, Shao Yunduan found himself unexpectedly longing for him, despite their time apart.

Word swiftly spread to the village that Shao Liulang had ascended to the rank of Advanced Scholar and secured a position at the prestigious Hanlin Academy.

With the finesse of the Spring and Autumn Brush, he penned a letter bearing auspicious tidings.

Of course, he omitted his own achievement as an Advanced Scholar; such humility was customary.

To the villagers, the distinction of an Advanced Scholar might have been unfamiliar, but the stature of scholars was widely known. He couldn’t risk losing face.

In his missive, he merely conveyed his success in the Advanced Scholar examination and his commendation by esteemed figures, leading to his tenure at the Imperial Forest Academy in the capital.

He casually remarked on the exclusivity of Hanlin Academy, where only a select few, numbering no more than twenty, were admitted each spring examination — all of them notably exceptional.

Initially intending to return to his hometown to honor his ancestors, he explained that his duties at the apex demanded his undivided attention, leaving no room for a homecoming. Official matters, after all, took precedence.

Shaoding Village erupted into excitement once more.

“The Shao Family is truly blessed!”

“Yes, their luck knows no bounds!”

“Who would have thought Shao Liulang would rise to the ranks of an Advanced Scholar?”

“And to stay in the capital as an official, esteemed by both leaders and nobles! His future is boundless, surpassing even Mr. Primus.”

“Indeed, once he’s an official, the comparisons will shift. Many Advanced Scholars have brighter prospects than Primus.”

“Third Uncle and Ms. Ma are already dreaming of a prosperous future.”

“Comparisons can be infuriating, indeed.”

“…”

Meanwhile, Third Uncle and Ms. Ma practically floated with pride, their happiness palpable. They practically skipped along, grinning from ear to ear.

They were extremely ostentatious in the village and kept saying:

“I always knew our Liulang would make us proud. He’s truly a success now, haha!”

“Our Liulang has had wits since he was a child. Even back in the academy, Master often sung his praises! That’s no exaggeration.”

“It’s a shame, really. I miss our Liulang dearly. If only he could come back. But with the nobles and higher-ups valuing him so much, they’re keeping him for something big. Sigh! Business takes precedence!”

This time around, they were more cunning. They extolled their own virtues without dragging Shao Yunduan into it. Yet, their haughty demeanor spoke volumes.

They had no desire to compete with the main branch of the family or Shao Yunduan.

After all, Shao Yunduan couldn’t hold a candle to them. Who else had they heard of being esteemed by the leader?

When Taotao married Zhao Shu, they weren’t as envious or resentful. Their son was already a high-ranking official in the capital, with a far brighter future than Shao Yunduan’s. They had no need to worry about Xiaozhi’s family.

Xiaozhi was marrying into an official’s household. Being an official’s wife wouldn’t be easy.

Thankfully, they hadn’t let go of Xiaozhi’s family affairs in the past.

And they couldn’t afford to do so now. They needed to swiftly dispatch a letter to Liulang. Finding a suitable family for Xiaozhi in the capital was paramount…

The second section of the family of the Shao Family was so annoyed. Ms.Niu and Second Unle kept scolding their son and daughter-in-law, but they did not like them at all.