Wang Qingchen and his companions arrived in the county town and continued their preparations for the county examination. Meanwhile, their families back home were consumed with worry. Their concerns extended beyond the success of the examination; they fretted over whether the young men might encounter trouble or suffer any hardship.

At Wang Youfu's house, ever since Wang Qingchen left for the county, Madam Yang had been steeped in anxiety daily. One moment she worried if anything untoward would happen to Qingchen on the road; the next, she fretted over whether he would eat properly during the journey, or even if he might be bullied upon reaching the county town.

Wang Youfu himself was initially quite concerned, but Madam Yang’s constant agitation eventually led him to focus instead on comforting her, urging her not to worry so much. However, such anxieties are not so easily calmed. Thus, after days of persistent worry, Madam Yang decided she must visit a temple to pray.

Wang Youfu and Wang Qinghua readily agreed upon hearing the news. It wasn't that they were particularly devout, but rather they were concerned for Madam Yang’s state of mind; if a pilgrimage would bring her some peace, they would support it wholeheartedly. Wang Qinghua even insisted that his wife, Luo Qing, accompany Madam Yang.

Luo Qing, of course, was delighted to go, as she too had long wished to visit the temple. Her reason for seeking divine favor was deeply personal: despite being married into the Wang family for so long, she had yet to conceive. Though her in-laws had never voiced complaint, Luo Qing felt a profound urgency; without a child, she felt her standing was insecure. She recalled how their young aunt had been divorced simply for failing to bear a son. Fearing a similar fate, she could only hope the Bodhisattva might grant her request.

Once the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law settled their plans, they set off the very next day for a temple rumored to possess great spiritual efficacy.

The temple was situated high on a mountain. Upon reaching the foothills, the two women noticed a small marketplace had sprung up below the ascent. However, neither felt inclined to browse at that moment; they were eager to attend to their important business.

They proceeded upward, step by measured step, until they finally reached the temple grounds. Inside the main hall, Madam Yang took out the incense she had prepared, lit it, and bowed deeply before the gilded statue, performing the rites with great devotion. Luo Qing followed her mother-in-law’s example, also bowing with equal piety, though their petitions were distinct.

After her prayers, Madam Yang picked up a divination stick container nearby, shook it vigorously, and down fell a single bamboo slip. She quickly returned the container to its place and held the slip, intending to seek out one of the temple masters for an interpretation.

The master assigned to interpreting fortunes was easy to locate; there was a designated line not far off, so Madam Yang quickly joined the queue. Luo Qing naturally followed close behind.

By the time their turn arrived, a considerable interval had passed. Madam Yang promptly handed the slip to the master, who took it, examined it briefly, and then inquired about the nature of her request. Madam Yang explained that her son was participating in the county examination and she wished to know if his journey would be smooth and if he would achieve his aspirations.

Upon learning this, the master spoke at length. Alas, Madam Yang understood little of the flowery language, but one crucial detail registered clearly: it was an auspicious Upper Grade slip. This assurance immediately eased the burden on Madam Yang’s heart. An Upper Grade slip surely signified that her son's path would be smooth and his desires fulfilled. Elated, Madam Yang generously offered an extra donation of incense oil to the temple.

Luo Qing, though she heard the pronouncement of the Upper Grade slip and felt happiness for her brother-in-law, had not yet addressed her own primary objective. Luo Qing had come hoping for a child, and seeing Madam Yang petition for her son, she had felt a strong desire to draw a stick for herself as well. Yet, she hesitated, worried that acting on such personal motivation might displease her mother-in-law. After all, the stated purpose of the trip was to pray for her brother-in-law; how would Madam Yang interpret her self-serving request? Thus, Luo Qing held back.

But now, with her mother-in-law so pleased by the excellent reading for her son, Luo Qing gathered her courage and delicately broached her own wish. It was only then that Madam Yang truly recalled that her daughter-in-law had been married for some time with no sign of pregnancy. Now that Luo Qing herself was anxious for a reading, how could she refuse? It concerned the matter of her future grandchild, after all.

So, Madam Yang accompanied Luo Qing to draw another slip. The two then waited in line once more, and after some time, it was their turn again.

The interpretation master registered slight surprise at seeing them return, but he displayed no outward reaction, calmly accepting Luo Qing’s slip. Upon learning that Luo Qing sought fortune regarding children, the master’s expression turned subtly complex, though he merely stated that what Luo Qing desired would indeed come to pass.

Both Madam Yang and Luo Qing were immensely pleased by this. Madam Yang, especially, felt assured that her grandson would not be long in coming.

Having both had their wishes granted for the day, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law left the temple in high spirits. Descending the mountain, they found the leisure to explore the small marketplace below.

This market was much like the one Madam Yang and He Shi had visited near the previous temple—it offered numerous brightly colored trinkets, small ornaments, and various kinds of snacks.

The small charms and trinkets sold briskly. Partly because they were genuinely well-crafted and vividly appealing, and partly because many were marketed as having been blessed or consecrated, they were particularly favored by the young women.

The pair admired the wares greatly, eventually purchasing sachets for everyone back home. These sachets were not only attractively colored with long-lasting fragrance, but crucially, they claimed to be blessed. Even if the blessings weren't verifiable, a good omen was welcome.

They browsed to their heart’s content before heading home. Arriving just as lunch was being served, Madam Yang was immediately drawn away by the crying of little Qinghe before she could even sit down. Seeing he had captured her attention, Qinghe stretched out his little hands, tearfully begging to be held. Madam Yang’s heart instantly melted. She quickly took the child from Wu Shi’s arms and hurried inside to feed him, certain the little one must be famished after being away all morning. Qinghe was indeed hungry, gulping down the milk and clutching tightly to Madam Yang’s garment with his small hands. When Madam Yang tried to pull back, Qinghe whimpered in protest, clearly unwilling to let her leave, which left Madam Yang both exasperated and amused.

Meanwhile, in Wang Qingchen’s quarter, days passed, and the inn steadily filled with more guests, most of whom were scholars preparing for the county examination. Before the exams, everyone devoted themselves to serious study, ensuring the inn remained remarkably quiet. Any scholar who dared to be boisterous would quickly draw glares from the roomful, silencing them—after all, who would willingly alienate such a crowd? Consequently, those who truly enjoyed making noise relocated outside the inn, keeping the interior largely tranquil.

This unprecedented quietude astonished one of the inn’s young waiters, who was new that year, as the previous one had not returned after the New Year. This waiter had never witnessed such a phenomenon.

“I say,” the waiter remarked, “if I hadn’t seen with my own eyes how many people are staying here, I’d think our inn was empty! Look how silent it is.”

The older man busy heating water in the kitchen chuckled proudly. “Ah, youngster, you wouldn't know. I’m telling you, these are all scholars who came down for the county examination. Since the testing hasn't started, they naturally have to study hard. Who dares to be careless before the county exam? The difference between passing and failing is immense; it forces them to focus. Moreover, I’ll tell you, it’s not just our inn; it’s like this at every other inn this time of year. They’re mostly scholars, and they’re quiet every day.”

The heating water uncle adopted the air of a seasoned mentor, while the young waiter gazed at him with undisguised admiration. “Uncle, you truly know so much!”

The older man waved a dismissive hand. “It’s nothing. Once you see it a few more times, you’ll know naturally. Boy, if you ever have questions in the future, come find your Uncle here. I’ll gladly enlighten you.”

After their brief exchange, the uncle returned to his water heating. Once he was gone, the young waiter sneered, “Hmph. Just a water boiler, acting like he’s somebody important!”

Upstairs, Wang Qingchen was engrossed in reading. He no longer pored over the texts with frantic intensity as he had before. He felt that everything his tutor had taught him had been absorbed, and now he approached the books with a more relaxed demeanor, even analyzing them according to his own understanding.

By the time Wang Qingchen finished reviewing all the books he had brought, the county examination was fast approaching.

Meanwhile, back at Wang Youfu’s house, Luo Qing picked up a piece of meat at the dinner table. As she brought it to her mouth, a wave of nausea rolled up from her stomach. She tried desperately to suppress it, but the harder she fought, the stronger the sensation became. Ignoring the questioning looks from those at the table, Luo Qing bolted out of the room, running only a short distance before she began to retch violently.

It was midday. Wang Qinghua had not yet returned, so only Wang Youfu, Madam Yang, Wu Shi, along with Caiyun and little Qinghe, were present. Seeing Luo Qing’s distress, Madam Yang and Wu Shi suspected a possibility, but dared not speak of it until it was confirmed, lest they celebrate prematurely.

Thus, Madam Yang quickly instructed Wang Youfu to fetch Physician Li. Wang Youfu, assuming Luo Qing was suffering from a sudden illness, wasted no time in running to fetch the doctor, while Madam Yang rushed to help Luo Qing onto the heated brick bed (kang).

When Physician Li arrived and examined her, he indeed confirmed that Luo Qing was pregnant. This news sent the entire Wang Youfu household into a frenzy of joy, and Luo Qing herself was deeply happy.

At that moment, Madam Yang recalled something else: the temple they had visited truly was efficacious! Since Luo Qing’s wish had been granted, surely Qingchen’s endeavor must also be proceeding flawlessly!