The respite was brief; soon, Wang Qingchen and the others were facing the second round of the Provincial Examination. Having gained experience from the first session, the ordeal felt considerably less torturous for them this time.

After entering the designated examination cell, Wang Qingchen organized his few belongings, settled in, and waited calmly for the test papers to be distributed. With the previous attempt under his belt, Wang Qingchen’s heart was much steadier. He reasoned that he had already prepared extensively; everything necessary was covered, everything that needed to be studied had been learned. If success still eluded him, there was nothing more he could do.

Upon receiving the examination papers, the scholars plunged into another three-day trial of endurance.

While Wang Qingchen was engaged in the second stage of the Provincial Examination, back in Wang Family Village, the old matriarch was already making arrangements for Wang Qingtong’s betrothal.

After the Wang and Meng families exchanged their astrological charts, discussions commenced regarding the bride price, dowry, and the entire gamut of associated matters. Following days of negotiation, mediated by the matchmaker, both sides finally reached an agreement on all points. With terms settled, an official betrothal could proceed.

When Wang Qingtong learned he was to be betrothed to the Meng family's daughter, a mixture of nervousness and shyness gripped him. He simultaneously hoped the girl would be agreeable while fearing he might not meet her expectations. Consequently, in the days leading up to the event, Wang Qingtong paid meticulous attention to his appearance, even mentally scrutinizing his posture while walking to ensure he appeared steady and composed.

Wang Qingtong was not alone in his anxiety. Meng Xiaoping, the Meng family daughter, felt the same apprehension. Already possessing a naturally reserved disposition, the news of her impending engagement left her deeply unsettled, fearing any misstep on her part. Finally, it was Meng Xiaoping’s mother who stepped in, offering comfort and counsel that finally helped her daughter regain some composure.

News of Wang Qingtong’s engagement quickly reached the second and third branches of the Wang family. Wang Youfu and Wang Youtian, upon hearing the announcement, were genuinely delighted.

Yet, amidst their joy, Wang Youfu and Yang Shi began contemplating Wang Qingchen’s own marriage prospects. Wang Qingtong was only a year older than Wang Qingchen, and now Qingtong was close to being engaged—they wondered how long Qingchen would delay things.

Wang Youfu and Yang Shi had previously resolved not to interfere with Wang Qingchen’s marriage plans until after he completed the Provincial Examination. They feared that if he succeeded and earned the title of Juren, the matches they might arrange now would no longer suffice; a successful Juren could certainly marry into an official family. This caution had kept them from arranging anything for their son thus far. However, hearing of Wang Qingtong’s engagement made them feel a sudden urge to arrange something for Wang Qingchen as well.

“Husband, Qingtong is about to be betrothed; shouldn’t we start looking for matches for Qingchen ahead of time? After all, Qingchen is only a year younger than Qingtong!” Yang Shi inquired.

Wang Youfu considered this for a long moment before replying, “Let’s wait a while longer. If our son passes and becomes a Juren, he can secure a much better wife.”

Although Yang Shi understood the logic, she couldn't help thinking: becoming a Juren is far from easy. Their own Qingshan Town had produced barely two or three in many years. If their son failed to pass, wouldn't arranging his betrothal now be a missed opportunity? Reputable young women were quickly sought after by others.

This thought brought a wave of worry to Yang Shi: “Husband, what if Qingchen doesn’t become a Juren?”

“Bah! Don’t speak such nonsense. My son will certainly pass and become a Juren,” Wang Youfu insisted.

Hearing his firm conviction, Yang Shi knew she couldn't sway him and fell silent. But inwardly, she resolved to begin discreetly inquiring about suitable young ladies the very next day, lest all the good prospects be taken before her son found a suitable wife.

Wang Youfu was unaware of Yang Shi's private machinations. He was still pondering her recent question: what if his son failed the examination? With this thought weighing on him, Wang Youfu decided he would go to the ancestral shrine the following day to burn incense, imploring their ancestors to ensure Qingchen passed and achieved the Juren title.

While Wang Youfu and his wife fretted over their son’s exams, across town, Luo Qing watched Luo Yin’s belly swell day by day, growing increasingly frantic. When she had visited the temple previously, she’d drawn a fortunate lot, which had initially given her great confidence that conception would follow swiftly. But now, so much time had passed with no sign of pregnancy, causing her immense distress. If not for the entire family currently preoccupied with concern over the younger uncle's Provincial Examination, she would certainly be pressed about her own condition.

Unable to conceive fueled Luo Qing’s anxiety, an anxiety she dared not voice to her in-laws. Thus, she frequently sought out Luo Yin to unburden herself.

Listening to her cousin’s complaints, Luo Yin found it difficult to fully comprehend. “Qing’er, honestly, your mother-in-law has such a kind disposition. Even if you haven't conceived yet, I believe she wouldn’t press you. And Qinghua doesn’t seem like the type to say anything harsh either. If that’s the case, what is there to worry about? Focus on nurturing your health—that’s what truly matters.”

“Cousin, I know what you mean, but the fact that I haven’t conceived, and that my firstborn was a daughter—do you think my in-laws might start pushing Qinghua to take a secondary wife?”

Luo Yin looked puzzled by Luo Qing’s suggestion. “Why would you think that? From what I’ve observed, your in-laws don't strike me as people who would do such a thing. Stop worrying.”

Despite the reassurance, Luo Qing remained deeply troubled. “Cousin, you don't understand. Since marrying Qinghua, and speaking honestly, I haven't known a day of true hardship, nor has anyone given me cause for grievance. Everything has been smooth sailing. But perhaps because life has been too good, too smooth, I am always afraid that one day this comfort will vanish. To be frank, given my husband’s family's standing, divorcing me and taking another wife isn't out of the question. What would I do then?”

Luo Yin was genuinely taken aback. She had never imagined her cousin would think this way. Luo Qing currently enjoyed a life envied by many: a kind mother-in-law who never troubled her, a loving husband, their own private savings, and even the birth of a daughter had not incurred any family displeasure. Such smooth sailing would make anyone content, yet here was her cousin enduring this internal torment.

Luo Yin paused before speaking again. “Why do you burden yourself with so many possibilities? You are frightening yourself with mere speculation, aren't you? Think about it—you haven’t conceived for a long time; have your in-laws ever questioned you about it or made you feel slighted?”

Luo Qing considered this and shook her head. “No, they haven’t. But that’s because they are all worried about my uncle right now—Uncle is taking the Provincial Exam in the capital, so the whole family is distracted. Who has time to worry about my pregnancy?”

“But bearing children is a major affair! How could your in-laws simply forget about it? They must be deliberately refraining from asking because they fear you will overthink things,” Luo Yin countered, privately marvelling that Luo Qing had such a good mother-in-law yet still indulged in such needless distress. She thought that if she were in Luo Qing’s position, she would wake up smiling from happiness.

Luo Qing pondered this but remained uncertain. “Cousin, is that truly the case? Are my in-laws avoiding the topic because they are afraid I’ll worry too much? I just fear that if I still don’t conceive, their attitude toward me won’t remain the same!”

Luo Yin sighed softly. “Luo Qing, you are thinking far too much. There is no real issue here, but you’ve managed to scare yourself with your own imaginings. Think about it—has your mother-in-law treated you any differently than before?”

Luo Qing thought hard, then shook her head. “No, she hasn't.”

“Then there you have it. All this worry is self-inflicted. If you live in constant dread like this every day, how can you ever conceive? Stop imagining these scenarios going forward. Try to calm your mind; perhaps once your mindset is more peaceful, you might become pregnant much sooner?” Luo Yin advised.

“It’s been so long already—will I ever be able to conceive now?” Luo Qing asked, desperately hoping someone could give her a definitive, reassuring promise that she would bear a child.

Luo Yin recognized the need for certainty and nodded reassuringly to Luo Qing. “Rest assured, you will have children. You and Qinghua are still young, and neither of you has any known physical issues. A child will definitely come.”

Hearing this, Luo Qing immediately brightened and laughed. “Cousin, you are right. I will certainly have children, and I won't be cast aside. I already had Nian’er; there’s nothing wrong with Qinghua or me, so we will surely have more below.”

“Exactly. You will have children in the future. Since that’s settled, why worry yourself sick? Stop scaring yourself needlessly. From what I observe, your in-laws are not the sort you fear them to be,” Luo Yin concluded.

Having finally reached a moment of clarity, Luo Qing smiled sheepishly at Luo Yin. “Cousin, you are right; I was overthinking everything. I will conceive again, and I won't be divorced.”

Luo Yin looked at Luo Qing, feeling a strange mix of emotions and shaking her head slightly. In the past, Luo Qing had been the object of everyone’s envy. To think that she lived in such self-imposed agony—and that this torment stemmed not from her in-laws, but from her own unfounded assumptions—eroded Luo Yin’s envy. After all, everyone had their own hidden struggles; there was no need to envy another’s outward appearance.