After the Wang Youfu family returned from the ancestral home, Old Madam Yang and Madam Wu bustled about preparing a lavish meal to celebrate Wang Qingchen’s success in passing the Xiucai examination. Everyone in the family was overjoyed for Wang Qingchen, and the celebration was filled with genuine happiness. For Wang Qingchen himself, having the whole family gathered in such lively spirits was a wonderful thing, and he truly cherished these moments.

After dinner, Madam Yang drew Wang Qingchen aside for a long talk. After all, how much time had he spent with his family since his return? Most of his time had been monopolized by the Old Master. Now that they were away from the ancestral estate, Madam Yang naturally intended to keep her son talking for a good while longer.

Wang Qingchen showed no impatience, engaging in conversation with Madam Yang while the others listened nearby, interjecting occasionally. Later, Wang Qingchen remembered his intention to attend the County School and brought the matter up with his family.

Madam Yang, who had just been rejoicing that her son was home and wouldn't need to leave again for a long time, was suddenly confronted with the news that he planned to reside in the county seat for extended periods. This was hard for her to accept immediately. How could he think of leaving right after coming back?

Wang Youfu, hearing his son’s words, also felt a pang of resistance. How old was his son to be leaving them for so long? How could this be right? If his son stayed in the county seat from now on, who would look after him? If he ever developed a headache or a fever, there wouldn't even be anyone to call for a doctor!

However, after a moment of thought, Wang Youfu was not as adamantly opposed as he had been upon first hearing the news. He began to consider his son’s future prospects. His son was now a Xiucai, and with a respectable ranking too; he was almost certain to secure a place for the provincial examination (Xiangshi). If his son were to compete in the Xiangshi, attending the County School could only benefit him. Surely the education at the County School was far superior to the academy in their town! Given this, how could they, as parents, stand in the way of their son’s ambition?

Once Wang Youfu had made up his mind, he asked, "Qingchen, have you already decided to go to the County School?"

Wang Qingchen nodded. "Yes, Father. My main consideration is that the instruction at the County School should be better than at our town's academy, and going there will broaden my horizons and increase my knowledge."

Wang Youfu looked at his son, seeing such clear planning, and nodded. "That is good too. You will be able to learn more, which will give you a greater advantage when you eventually participate in the imperial examinations. When are you planning to leave for the County School?"

Wang Qingchen considered for a moment and replied, "Sister Caixia’s wedding day is approaching soon. I plan to leave just after she is married."

Wang Youfu nodded upon hearing this, but over on the side, Madam Yang had already picked up her handkerchief and was dabbing at her eyes. Having listened to the father and son, she knew her son’s mind was set. Moreover, attending the County School would ultimately benefit him, so what right did she, as his mother, have to stop him? Thinking of her young son leaving home to study so far away, Madam Yang could not hold back her tears.

Seeing Madam Yang so distraught, Wang Qingchen quickly went over to comfort her, offering reassurances and promises until she calmed down and worried less. Only then did Wang Qingchen feel truly relieved.

The rest of Wang Qingchen’s days at home were mostly spent contacting and celebrating with his classmates and friends in town. At the same time, Wang Qingchen deliberately inquired if any of them planned to attend the County School.

Li Yuntai and Liu Hao were both quite eager to go. Li Yuntai figured that since Wang Qingchen was going, he might as well follow suit. As for Liu Hao, his father was very strict at home; if he went to town, there would be no one to supervise him, so he was very happy to travel with them. However, convincing the families of Li Yuntai and Liu Hao would be the difficult part; they would have to persuade their parents first.

Wang Qingchen wasn't overly worried about this. After all, going to the County School could only help their future path in the examinations, and any reasonably understanding family ought not to object.

Then, the day of Wang Caixia’s wedding arrived.

Because the Zhao Jing family was quite well-off, and Zhao Jing himself was now a Xiucai, the wedding ceremony was conducted on a grand scale, which greatly pleased Madam Zhang. This not only brought considerable prestige to the Wang family but also indicated how highly the Zhao family regarded their new daughter-in-law.

On that day, Madam Yang arrived early to help, assisting Wang Caixia with her dressing and preparation. Madam Zhang also happily helped adorn her daughter, feeling a surge of joy thinking of how splendidly her daughter would marry into the Zhao family. But when Zhao Jing arrived to escort the bride, Madam Zhang could not hold back, tears streaming down her face. Although she wished for her daughter to marry into a good household, this was still a departure! From now on, her daughter would belong to another family, no longer her beloved treasure.

Although Madam Yang had never married off a daughter herself, she could understand Madam Zhang’s feelings and quickly went to comfort her. Madam Zhang naturally knew that on this joyous day, spirits should remain high, so she quickly suppressed her tears. She took a final moment to give her daughter one last round of strict instructions before reluctantly letting go of her hand.

Wang Youtian, though usually reserved and not overly expressive with his daughter, held deep affection for her. Seeing her about to leave home, he felt an immense reluctance. But every daughter must eventually marry. Wang Youtian had no choice but to suppress his sorrow, stammering a few words of instruction to his daughter—mainly about filial piety towards her in-laws. Once finished, he yielded to the matchmaker’s urging and let her depart.

Wang Caixia, thinking about leaving home to live at her husband's house, felt a deep reluctance to part from her parents and younger siblings, and she too began to weep. This almost made Madam Yang, who was already susceptible to the scene, start crying, forcing her to rush over to wipe Wang Caixia's tears and fix her makeup before finally breathing a sigh of relief.

After her makeup was redone, Wang Caixia knelt and kowtowed several times to Wang Youtian and Madam Zhang, then turned to prepare for the sedan chair.

According to the customs of the Great Yin Dynasty, the bride had to be carried to the sedan chair by a brother from her natal home. Since Wang Qingyi was too young, a paternal cousin stood in his place, with Wang Qingshan ultimately taking on the task of carrying Wang Caixia to the bridal carriage. Meanwhile, Zhao Jing dismounted, kowtowed to his new in-laws, and spoke words assuring them he would treat Wang Caixia well before remounting his horse. After Wang Caixia’s sedan chair departed, the family rushed to splash a basin of water behind it, symbolizing that a married daughter is like spilled water—she now belongs entirely to her husband’s household.

Watching the bridal sedan disappear into the distance, Madam Zhang felt another wave of tears coming on, but she managed to hold them back, conscious of the many guests present, and turned instead to attend to them.

After the wedding came Wang Caixia’s formal return visit (Huimen). Wang Qingchen was home that day and accompanied the family to the ancestral home.

Zhao Jing brought his new wife, Wang Caixia, back. Seeing that Wang Caixia appeared radiant and showed no signs of being mistreated, everyone was relieved. Afterwards, Madam Zhang pulled Wang Caixia aside for a private talk, while Zhao Jing engaged with the elders of the Wang family. Zhao Jing’s propriety and tact greatly pleased the Wang family members. After the entire return visit, the Wang family had no complaints whatsoever about Wang Caixia’s husband, and worried much less about her future happiness.

Now that Wang Caixia was married into the Zhao family, it was time for Qingchen to head to the county seat. Although Wang Youfu's family was deeply reluctant, they managed to suppress any plea for their son to stay, and instead began packing the everyday necessities he would need.

The branch families at the old house and the third household, upon hearing the news, also tried to persuade him, worrying about how such a young boy would manage alone if anything unforeseen should happen. However, Wang Qingchen’s resolve was firm, and he had ready answers for every concern. In the end, no one else in the Wang family opposed the departure.

Originally, Wang Youfu had intended to escort his son all the way to the county seat, but Wang Qingchen declined. Firstly, Qingchen had been to the county seat twice now and was familiar with the route. Secondly, he had arranged to travel with Li Yuntai and Liu Hao, meaning the three of them could look out for one another, easing the worries of their families.

Wang Youfu reflected that though his son was young, he could handle many affairs independently. Thus, he did not insist further, only driving his son to the town in the ox cart.

In town, Li Yuntai and Liu Hao had already hired a carriage and were waiting for Wang Qingchen. When Wang Qingchen arrived, Wang Youfu helped him load his luggage onto the carriage. After giving him numerous final instructions, he reluctantly allowed his son to leave.

As soon as the three of them departed, Liu Hao began enthusiastically detailing how he had argued with his family and managed to convince them to let him come to the county seat alone. He then turned to ask Li Yuntai and Wang Qingchen about their own experiences. They offered brief replies, seeming rather uninterested.

Liu Hao naturally knew these two weren't keen on recounting such things; truthfully, he wasn't either. He had only intended to lighten the mood since they seemed somewhat subdued. Since they still showed no interest, he decided to move on to the main topic.

"Right, have you two thought about where you plan to live once we arrive in the county seat?" Liu Hao inquired.

"Can't we just stay at the County School?" Li Yuntai asked.

"I say, you aren't seriously planning to stay at the County School, are you? They put two people in one room there! Are you truly going to live like that?" Liu Hao exclaimed in surprise, then turned to Wang Qingchen. "Qingchen, after you get to the county seat, are you also planning to lodge at the County School?"