After hearing Xia Wanyu’s words, Chunlan tried to persuade her again, saying, “Miss, only a small number of people in our manor know about this matter, and the Master and Madam have already given strict orders not to spread it.”

“Hmph, even if they forbade spreading it, there are still some who know,” Xia Wanyu grumbled in dissatisfaction.

Listening to this, Chunlan thought to herself that it was already quite good that only a small number of people knew, and most of those who knew were servants. Even if they secretly mocked her, at least they wouldn't dare to do it to her face. If the people who knew were of similar standing to the masters, then the Eldest Miss would truly have cause for worry! For those people, it wouldn't be just silent mockery; it would be mockery right to her face. However, these thoughts, she dared not voice them aloud.

Xia Wanyu vented her temper by herself for a while, and then perhaps realized that what Chunlan said held some truth. Since neither Master Xia nor Madam Xia had agreed to anything, she didn't need to worry about not being able to marry Fu Lan, and so her anger began to subside slightly.

Meanwhile, in Madam Xia’s courtyard, Madam Xia scoffed dismissively, “Hmph, with the temperament of their family’s son, they still dream of marrying my Ting’er? That is truly wishful thinking. If I were part of their family, I wouldn’t even have the face to bring up such a matter. Did they ever consider that if it weren't for their son, how could our Xia Manor possibly downgrade the legitimate daughter to marry into their household? Now they regret it? Hmph, too late!”

Nanny Gu chimed in from the side, “Indeed, Madam. Is that family worthy of aspiring to the Second Miss? I truly didn't expect them to actually dare to come asking!”

The thought of the scene where she had just cornered Madam Fu made Madam Xia unable to stop laughing again. Madam Fu’s look of suppressed anger had been truly satisfying! However, it was a pity that her Ting’er’s reputation would surely be tarnished after this incident. When the prominent families in the capital look for wives in the future, they would likely not consider her daughter. Alas, wasn't this exactly the situation she had foreseen from the very beginning? Thinking back, she should have paid more attention to what the fortune-teller at Lingjue Temple had said, but even that might not have been possible, as the engagement between the two families was already settled then. Sigh, one could only say it was her daughter’s fate to endure this tribulation.

Nanny Gu, observing that Madam suddenly fell silent with a face full of melancholy, guessed that Madam was once again dwelling on the Second Miss’s affairs. Watching the deeply thoughtful Madam, Nanny Gu could only sigh. Who could have predicted such a thing would happen to the Second Miss?

At the County School, Zhao Cheng sheepishly mentioned to Liu Hao his decision to accompany them to the Provincial Capital. Zhao Cheng had expected Liu Hao to be surprised, perhaps tease or laugh at him a little after hearing the news. Who would have thought that Liu Hao would be completely unsurprised? Instead, he asked enthusiastically how Wang Qingchen had persuaded him to change his mind so quickly, saying he would learn Wang Qingchen’s persuasion methods for the next day.

Hearing Liu Hao’s question, Zhao Cheng realized that Wang Qingchen had not disclosed the matter of money, not even to Liu Hao and Li Yuntai. This realization made Zhao Cheng feel even more grateful to Wang Qingchen.

But even under Liu Hao’s direct questioning, Zhao Cheng found it impossible to bring up the real reason, so he could only laugh it off, saying, “It’s nothing much, if I go with you all, we can save a bit on the carriage hire.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Hao didn't doubt him at all. Instead, he slapped his forehead, “Ah, such a good reason! Why didn't I think of that? Qingchen got there first. Tsk tsk tsk, what a pity, I thought he had some secret technique he hadn't shared, turns out it was just this!”

Zhao Cheng was relieved that Liu Hao hadn't suspected anything. If Liu Hao had refused to believe him and pressed further, he really wouldn't have known what to say, after all, lying was also a skill!

Once Liu Hao learned Wang Qingchen’s supposed reasoning, his interest waned, and he changed the subject to ask if Zhao Cheng planned to bring his mother along to the Provincial Capital.

“Yes, I plan to bring my mother along. I’m worried about her being alone in the county town. Will you mind if my mother travels with us?” Zhao Cheng asked cautiously.

“Oh, you worry too much! What’s there to mind? It’s just one more person! Don’t worry, the carriage has enough room!” Liu Hao replied nonchalantly.

Hearing this, Zhao Cheng expressed his gratitude, “Then I thank you all here first!”

“Hey, we’re good friends, why be so formal? Isn’t that too distant?” Liu Hao teased.

Zhao Cheng smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed.

As the departure date from the county town drew near, Wang Qingchen and his group not only had to pack their belongings but also decide whether to continue renting their residence. After all, they would be away from the county town for quite a long time. But if they terminated the lease, and they didn't pass the provincial examination, they would have to return to the County School. Would they then have to find a new place? The residence they currently occupied was not easy to find!

After discussing for a long time, the group finally decided to continue renting the house. Although it meant spending a little more money, it would be much more convenient later on.

Next was packing a portion of their belongings to take to the Provincial Capital. Besides clothes, they needed the things they were accustomed to using daily—the books they often consulted, the pens they frequently used, and so on. After this process of packing, Wang Qingchen and the others realized they had quite a number of things to bring. However, thinking about the fact that their destination was the Provincial Capital for the provincial examination, none of them complained, and they dutifully packed their belongings.

Madam Huang was also busy packing. She and her son had more things, and unlike Wang Qingchen and the others, they couldn't simply leave things they didn't need in the house. For the trip to the Provincial Capital, Madam Huang and her son planned to terminate their lease, as they didn't want to waste money. Therefore, anything they could take, they certainly would. But as Madam Huang looked at the piles of belongings filling the room, she was reluctant to discard this item and that item. For a moment, she truly didn't know what to do; she couldn't possibly take everything, but that was also unfeasible!

Seeing his mother looking so conflicted, Zhao Cheng could only approach Wang Qingchen and the others shamelessly, especially since he had heard that Wang Qingchen’s group was not planning to terminate their lease.

Wang Qingchen and the other two were quite surprised by Zhao Cheng’s arrival, especially at this particular time.

“Are you telling me you and your mother have already finished packing? No way, that fast?” Liu Hao asked Zhao Cheng, looking doubtful.

Zhao Cheng shook his head, looking rather sheepish, “No, no, how could it be that fast?”

“Huh? Then why are you here at this time? Is there something you need?” Liu Hao inquired.

Zhao Cheng nodded, “There is something I wanted to ask for your help with.”

“Go ahead!” Liu Hao asked, while secretly wondering what help Zhao Cheng might need, as in his impression, Zhao Cheng rarely required assistance.

“Uh, it’s like this. My mother and I have too many things, and we can’t take a lot of it with us. I heard you aren’t breaking your lease, so I was thinking, could we possibly leave the things we can’t bring at your place? Of course, if it’s inconvenient, just say so,” Zhao Cheng said somewhat awkwardly.

Seeing Zhao Cheng’s shy demeanor, Wang Qingchen spoke up before Liu Hao could tease him, “Of course you can. We have spare rooms over here. You can just bring your things over then. Oh, you have a lot of things—do you want us to help move them?”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Cheng quickly shook his head, “No need, no need, my mother and I can manage. It’s not that much stuff.”

Wang Qingchen didn't press the issue. “Oh, that’s good then. Well, tell us when it’s convenient for you and your mother to bring the things over!”

Zhao Cheng nodded gratefully, “Thank you all so much.”

“Ah, you’re being formal again!” Liu Hao laughed.

Zhao Cheng also looked a bit embarrassed.

Afterward, Zhao Cheng and Madam Huang used a borrowed small cart to bring over the items they couldn't take. After everything was placed inside, Madam Huang thanked the three of them once more, which made the three feel a little awkward.

After several days of sorting and packing, everyone’s belongings were ready. On this day, the group boarded the carriage they had reserved in advance and set off in the direction of the Provincial Capital.

Looking at the county town receding behind them, Madam Huang felt a touch of nostalgia, but it didn’t last long. Just like when they left Qingshan Town previously, for the sake of her son, these feelings counted for nothing; as long as her son was well, that was all that mattered.

Back in Wang Family Village, Wang Youfu and Madam Yang listened to Wang Qinghua read Wang Qingchen’s letter, their hearts filled with worry. This was the same anxious feeling they had when their son first went to the county town. Later, the family finally came to terms with the county town being just fine. Now, their son was going to the Provincial Capital, and the family was worried all over again.

“Husband, that Provincial Capital is so far, isn’t it? It must be much farther than the county town, right? Qingchen is going to the Provincial Capital; there shouldn’t be any trouble, right?” Madam Yang worried.

Wang Youfu was also very concerned, but he couldn't stop his son from going; after all, his son had to attend the provincial examination, which required going to the Provincial Capital. Of course, although Wang Youfu believed his son had to go, he was still extremely anxious for him. He was certainly afraid something might happen to his son on the road, but at this moment, he couldn't show it. He could only comfort Madam Yang, saying, “It’s alright, Qingchen is a grown man now. He can take good care of himself, and this time they are traveling with several others; nothing bad will happen. Think about it, when our son first went to the county town, we were just as worried, but in the end, nothing happened, right?”

Hearing this, Madam Yang could only nod.