The celebration for Gou Sheng’s first birthday quickly morphed into a congratulatory feast for the Wang Youfu family. Despite Luo Yin’s obvious frustration, the old master was so delighted that she could only endure the banquet until its end, steeped in her own vexation.

The old master was genuinely ecstatic. Wang Qingchen had passed the county examination; if he pushed himself a little harder in the subsequent prefectural and academy tests, he would surely earn the title of xiucai (scholar). The Wang family's standing would instantly elevate. The mere thought filled the old master with irrepressible joy.

News of Wang Qingchen’s success transformed the demeanor of Wang Youfu’s household. For farming folk, this was an occasion truly worthy of elation and immense pride. Hadn’t the villagers’ glances toward their home already shifted?

Following Wang Qingchen’s instructions in his letter, Wang Qinghua personally visited Li Yuntai’s home to deliver a message to his parents. This revelation stunned everyone: there were now two people from Wang Family Village who had passed the county examination! Suddenly, those families in the village who had previously shown no interest in sending their children to study became keenly interested.

When the village head learned the news, he was overjoyed. After all, having men from his village pass the county exam meant he could hold his head higher when facing the heads of other villages.

Meanwhile, Wang Youliang had certainly heard about Wang Qingchen’s success, as he had been present at the boy’s first birthday banquet. Upon learning the news, Wang Youliang immediately began wondering about Zhao Cheng’s results. However, seeing Huang Shi’s anxious expression, he realized that no word had yet arrived from Zhao Cheng. To avoid distressing her further, he refrained from asking.

A couple of days later, a close classmate of Zhao Cheng visited Huang Shi’s house, bringing the wonderful news that Zhao Cheng had also passed the county exam. The friend added that Zhao Cheng planned to remain in the county seat until the prefectural exam was concluded. Huang Shi was immensely relieved; her son had finally achieved his aspiration. Nevertheless, having her son so far away still worried her. She inquired about Zhao Cheng’s current condition from the messenger, who assured her that everything was well. Though she accepted the verbal assurance, Huang Shi remained deeply concerned. Nonetheless, she masked her worry and expressed profound gratitude to the messenger.

Wang Youliang learned of Zhao Cheng’s situation from Huang Shi and remarked with a smile, “Now you can finally stop worrying?”

Huang Shi managed a slightly embarrassed smile. “Cheng’er has never traveled far from home, and he is so young. That’s why I worried so much this time. Knowing he is well now brings me some peace.”

Wang Youliang soothed her, “He’s preparing for the prefectural exam now. If he passes the subsequent prefectural and academy tests, he will be a xiucai…”

As Wang Youliang spoke, a sudden thought struck him: If Zhao Cheng became a xiucai, would he and Huang Shi still be able to remain together? Once Zhao Cheng held the title, would Huang Shi, as a scholar’s mother, still risk her reputation by staying with him? Probably not. He realized that no matter how important he was to her, he couldn't outweigh her son’s standing. Thinking this, Wang Youliang felt a stab of fear. What would he do if Huang Shi were to leave him one day?

Huang Shi noticed Wang Youliang trailing off mid-sentence and staring into space, which she found both amusing and frustrating. “What are you thinking about?” she asked.

Wang Youliang turned and fixed a blank, intense stare upon Huang Shi, remaining silent until she grew unnerved. “What is wrong with you? Is there something on my face?” She even reached up to touch her cheek.

Wang Youliang shook his head. “Nothing.”

In truth, Wang Youliang desperately wanted to ask Huang Shi if she would leave him once her son achieved the xiucai status. But the question died on his lips. He could already guess the answer, and he couldn't bear to hear it confirmed. Remaining silent allowed him to maintain the illusion that Huang Shi would continue to stay by his side.

Huang Shi couldn’t fathom what had come over Wang Youliang. His current expression clearly signaled distress, yet he refused to confide in her. She puzzled over why he had suddenly become so withdrawn.

With his mind occupied, Wang Youliang did not linger long and soon departed, leaving a bewildered Huang Shi behind.

Wang Youliang returned to the back courtyard of his shop and lay down on the kang. He had been pondering for some time how to bring his relationship with Huang Shi into the open. His initial plan had been to take her on as a secondary wife (pingqi), but the anticipated opposition from the old master, the old mistress, and Tian Shi had made him hesitant to propose it. Now, he realized, even if he were to propose it and they agreed, Huang Shi herself might not consent. Especially if her son became a scholar—would he agree to his mother remarrying? That seemed impossible.

The thought that Huang Shi might leave him soured his mood. He had grown accustomed to her companionship over this long period; in fact, she had become more important to him than Tian Shi. If Huang Shi truly left, what would become of him?

Wang Youliang tossed and turned on the kang, unable to devise any means of keeping Huang Shi with him. He sank into deep frustration, skipping dinner entirely.

The next morning, Wang Youliang went to Huang Shi’s place early to collect food. When Huang Shi saw his haggard appearance, his mood seemed even worse than the day before.

“What’s wrong? Is something troubling you?” she asked with concern.

Wang Youliang looked at her and shook his head. “Nothing’s wrong with me. I just didn’t sleep well last night. Don’t worry.”

“It’s good that you’re alright, but perhaps you should try to get a proper rest later today,” Huang Shi advised.

Wang Youliang nodded, though it was unclear if he truly registered her words. After Wang Youliang left, Huang Shi pondered the strange events of the past two days but found no answers. She couldn't understand what had afflicted Wang Youliang, and since he refused to tell her, she could only sigh in resignation.

While Wang Youliang struggled with keeping Huang Shi, the atmosphere surrounding Wang Qingchen and the others grew increasingly tense as the prefectural examination date drew nearer.

Wang Qingchen finished a morning of studying, stretched languidly, and then went to call Li Yuntai down for lunch.

Li Yuntai had also been reading until that moment. Seeing Wang Qingchen arrive, he stood up, rubbed his eyes, tidied himself, and followed Wang Qingchen to the main hall for their meal.

The inn had returned to its previous quiet state. Even during mealtimes, conversations were kept subdued, as everyone consciously lowered their voices so as not to disturb others.

Wang Qingchen noticed Li Yuntai’s lack of energy and knew he must have stayed up studying again.

“You didn’t sleep well last night? You look quite tired,” Wang Qingchen observed, looking at Li Yuntai.

“Oh, I studied a bit longer last night,” Li Yuntai replied casually.

“Even if you must study, you need to sleep early, or you’ll have no energy the next day—that’s counterproductive!” Wang Qingchen admonished gently.

“I know the logic, but I figured I’ll only be like this right before the prefectural exam. Once that passes, I can relax. So, I can manage to push through for now,” Li Yuntai said with a slight laugh.

Wang Qingchen sighed. He understood Li Yuntai’s situation perfectly. Li Yuntai’s desperate studying was likely fueled by the pressure from his county exam results. His ranking hadn't been particularly high, leaving him in a precarious spot where a single misstep in the prefectural exam could cost him his chance. This was why Li Yuntai was pouring his life force into his books now.

Though Wang Qingchen felt inclined to offer some advice, he recognized that he wasn't in Li Yuntai's position, making it hard to speak definitively. After all, if his own county results had been that poor, he might very well be studying with the same frantic intensity.

The two finished eating quickly. Wang Qingchen intended to take a nap, while Li Yuntai immediately returned upstairs to resume his studies. Wang Qingchen could only watch his retreating back and sigh, hoping Li Yuntai’s strenuous efforts would not be in vain.

Liu Hao, who generally got along well with both Wang Qingchen and Li Yuntai, had also noticed Li Yuntai’s condition in recent days. He quietly approached Wang Qingchen to inquire about it.

Wang Qingchen simply stated that Li Yuntai probably wanted a good rank in the prefectural exam. Upon hearing this, Liu Hao immediately grasped the situation. However, he strongly disapproved of Li Yuntai’s approach, considering it sheer self-torment. Liu Hao prepared to intervene and dissuade him, but Wang Qingchen stopped him.

“He already knows everything you’re about to say; the fact that he’s doing this anyway shows how determined he is. If we try to persuade him now, it might backfire. Think about it—if we were in his position, what would we do? Chances are, we’d be doing the exact same thing,” Wang Qingchen explained.

Liu Hao conceded that Wang Qingchen was right. He sighed once more. “Forget it, then. If he feels this is the right path, I won’t meddle where I’m not wanted.” With that, Liu Hao returned to his own room.

Wang Qingchen looked toward the closed door of Li Yuntai’s room and sighed again, deciding he would stick to his own usual routine. He admitted he couldn't endure that level of intensity. That method, he thought, was only suitable for exceptionally resolute people like Li Yuntai.

Soon, the prefectural examination was upon them. Those who had returned home after passing the county test trickled back, and the inn filled up with students once more. Yet, even at full capacity, the inn remained quiet; newcomers quickly absorbed the pervasive atmosphere of study.

The prefectural exam consisted of three sessions. Having the experience of the county test, Wang Qingchen remained perfectly calm as the day approached. After passing inspection, he entered the examination hall. When the test papers were distributed, Wang Qingchen swept all extraneous thoughts from his mind, focusing solely on the questions, dedicating his entire being to the examination material. Whether he passed the prefectural test now rested entirely on his answers.

For more novels, visit storyread.net.