After the Lantern Festival, Zheng Wu and Mrs. Wu returned to Wang Youfu’s household once more. The original arrangement had been for Mrs. Wu to look after the pregnant Mrs. Yang and assist her during her confinement period. However, even after Mrs. Yang was out of confinement, the family found themselves increasingly dependent on Mrs. Wu, so they never suggested she leave. As every extra day Mrs. Wu stayed meant an extra day’s wage, she was perfectly content not to bring up the matter.

After the New Year, the Wang family officially asked Mrs. Wu to remain permanently, assisting with household chores. This delighted Mrs. Wu; she had been worried the Wangs wouldn't require her services after the holiday, so this arrangement saved her the trouble of even asking.

Zheng Wu and Mrs. Wu’s son, however, had not visited since the Lantern Festival. Mrs. Wu explained that there was a highly skilled carpenter back in their village, and after much deliberation, the family had decided to send their son to apprentice under him. The term "hard-hearted" was appropriate because, in those ancient times, apprenticeship was grueling; it involved not only learning the craft but also serving as the master’s attendant. Furthermore, if the master was even slightly displeased, harsh words or beatings were commonplace. Despite this severity, many farming families overlooked the suffering involved, given the promise that once the skill was mastered, their child’s future livelihood would be secured.

Hearing this news, Mrs. Yang could only offer comfort to Mrs. Wu, saying that once the boy finished his training, their future would be assured. This eased Mrs. Wu’s mind considerably.

Meanwhile, Wang Qingchen had already entered the intense phase of exam preparation. The academy compiled a list of everyone planning to sit for the Tongzi Shi (Child Scholar Examination) that year, grouped them into a single preparatory class, and assigned a tutor deeply knowledgeable about the exam procedures to instruct them.

Wang Qingchen had initially been quite indifferent, but his casual attitude vanished the moment the tutor began discussing test-taking strategies and the specific areas the examiners favored. For those who had never faced the Tongzi Shi, this information was invaluable! The other students clearly felt the same way; the entire class sat bolt upright, listening intently, terrified of missing some crucial detail.

This tutor evidently possessed knowledge beyond mere exam specifics; he knew the required textbook material just as well, if not better, than the previous instructor. Consequently, the students’ gaze toward this tutor became infused with renewed awe.

Before taking the Tongzi Shi, there was one final prerequisite: securing recommendations. For the first stage of the examination, the County Test (Xian Shi), five recommenders were required: four ordinary commoners and one Xiucai (successful scholar). Finding a Xiucai was easy enough; scholars like Qi Jintang and Zhao Jing currently held that rank. The four commoners, however, presented a greater difficulty for Wang Qingchen, as he rarely socialized with the village elders and truly didn’t know whom to approach for such favors. In the end, Wang Qingchen decided to ask Wang Youfu to handle this crucial task for him.

Upon learning about the recommendations, Wang Youfu immediately took charge without a second thought. His son taking the County Test was a monumental event for the entire Wang family, one that could not be treated carelessly. After accepting the responsibility, Wang Youfu began scouting candidates in the village, selecting four respectable commoners and then personally visiting each household to request their endorsement, which included the village headman (Lizheng).

The households approached by Wang Youfu were exceedingly willing to oblige. They viewed it as a great honor; to recommend someone for the County Test meant they shared in the eventual glory if the candidate passed.

The Lizheng was particularly pleased, not only because it was an honorable duty but because this was a scholar from their own village. If he passed, their village would gain another Xiucai, conferring significant face when dealing with the headmen of other villages in the future.

Furthermore, since the Lizheng himself held the title of Xiucai, his endorsement alone meant Wang Qingchen no longer needed to seek out another scholar. At most, Wang Youfu would only need to find one more household to provide the final commoner recommendation.

Wang Qingchen was thoroughly satisfied with Wang Youfu’s efficiency. Not only had he secured the four commoners, but he had also found the necessary Xiucai, saving Wang Qingchen considerable effort.

Wang Youfu was also delighted, telling Wang Qingchen, "The recommenders are all arranged. Now, the rest rests entirely upon you!"

Wang Qingchen nodded firmly. "Yes, I will do my utmost."

Wang Youfu listened and felt deeply gratified.

Meanwhile, ever since Zhang Wenbing learned of Wang Youliang’s current prosperity, resentment had festered within him. For days, he had been plotting how to cause trouble for Wang Youliang, unwilling to accept being the only one suffering misfortune; someone else simply had to share his burden.

After much thought, he realized he only knew one secret about Wang Youliang, and he wasn’t even certain if Wang Youliang was still involved with that widow. If they were no longer together, spreading the rumor might not be believed, especially given Zhang Wenbing’s already tarnished reputation in the village—people might assume he was fabricating things to frame Wang Youliang.

Initially, Zhang Wenbing considered using the secret to threaten Wang Youliang again, especially now that Wang Youliang was earning good money. But then he reasoned: even if he got money, what good would it do? His eyes were still blind; even if he acquired wealth, he lacked the means to enjoy himself in the market town. It would be far more satisfying to use the secret to destabilize Wang Youliang’s household! If he couldn't be happy, no one else should be too comfortable.

He began wondering if he needed someone to confirm the situation, but who could he ask? In his current state, even going out was difficult. His mother was an option, but Zhang Wenbing held little hope for her; she was hardly the sharpest tool in the shed. His father, though clever, would likely refuse, perhaps even advising Zhang Wenbing to extort a sum of money from Wang Youliang. But again, what good was money now? Causing chaos for others sounded much more amusing.

Zhang Wenbing considered and rejected candidates one by one until he finally landed on a suitable person—someone he had overlooked entirely: Wang Youliang’s wife, Tian Shi.

Why Tian Shi? Zhang Wenbing reasoned that if Wang Youliang had truly ceased contact with the young widow, then if he told Tian Shi, she would likely dismiss it as a baseless fabrication, further worsening her opinion of him—a consequence Zhang Wenbing didn't care about. However, conversely, if Tian Shi investigated and discovered Wang Youliang was still involved with the widow, that would be spectacular! The Wang household would erupt! Considering that Wang Youliang’s wife was the niece of the Wang family matriarch, not only Tian Shi but also the old woman herself would never tolerate such a scandal. Wang Youliang would know no peace!

Moreover, choosing Tian Shi had another advantage: Wang Youliang was her husband. Upon hearing such news, he would certainly investigate, and he would likely do so meticulously and thoroughly. Once the widow was confirmed, a magnificent drama would unfold.

Despite this plan, Zhang Wenbing faced the most crucial hurdle: how to approach Tian Shi? She rarely interacted with his family these days. At this point, Zhang Wenbing remembered his mother.

Thus, that day, Zhang Wenbing uncharacteristically stopped rejecting his medicine and even eagerly agreed to drink it. Not only that, but he initiated a conversation with his mother, which made her overjoyed. Since losing his sight, Zhang Wenbing had only cooperated with taking his medicine for the first half-month before refusing entirely and often flying into fits of rage. Seeing him so pleasant and conversational today was overwhelming for Zhang Yunzhu's wife; she couldn't fathom why her son's temperament had suddenly shifted. Still, if her son wanted to talk, that was fine; she could use the opportunity to remind him of the importance of taking his medicine.

Zhang Wenbing wasn't interested in discussing medication. As soon as Zhang Yunzhu’s wife opened the topic, he interrupted and brought up the matter of Wang Youliang opening his shop. Clearly, Zhang Wenbing’s mother enjoyed this subject, so she began to converse about it with her son...