Wang Qingchen was utterly exhausted, but he had managed to suppress it, driven by the need to persuade Li Yuntai and Zhao Jing to join him for dinner first. Now that both men had finally agreed, the sheer fatigue overwhelmed Wang Qingchen. He rushed to bathe and then collapsed onto his bed, falling immediately asleep.

Just as before, Wang Qingchen slept soundly until the following morning. When he finally awoke, he noticed that Li Yuntai and Zhao Jing were in much better spirits; at least they no longer carried the dejection from the day before.

The three shared breakfast without much discussion and then immediately resumed preparations for the third session of the provincial examinations. Although Li Yuntai and Zhao Jing felt their chances for the exams had diminished after the results of the second session, they were determined to perform well in the third, viewing it as crucial groundwork for the next round of examinations.

Meanwhile, in the capital, Xia Wentao was experiencing a similar focus. After completing the first two parts of the provincial exams, he felt more composed. Satisfied with his performance so far, he knew he absolutely could not afford any missteps in the final session, which only intensified his drive and prevented any relaxation.

Madam Xia, already worried about the intensity of her son’s examinations, desperately wished he could eat well and rest fully during his brief intervals at home. Yet, her son never paused—one moment he was studying diligently, the next he was petitioning Master Xia for guidance. His relentless effort filled Madam Xia with a mixture of heartache and quiet pride.

Master Xia was equally pleased by his son’s diligence and hard work. Seeing Madam Xia’s anxiety, he comforted her: “My dear, you shouldn't worry so much. It is a good thing our son is so ambitious! After all, the future of our household will depend on him. The more successful he becomes, the more prosperous our family will be.”

Madam Xia certainly understood this reality. Though she worried constantly about her son’s health, she never interfered directly. If she found his pace unbearable, she would consult Master Xia first before attempting to persuade him. Since Master Xia supported his son’s intense efforts this time, Madam Xia, despite her concern, held her tongue. Instead, she instructed the servants to prepare many nourishing, restorative meals and even cautioned those attending her son, hoping these attentions would ease his burden.

Xia Wan Ting was well aware of how much her mother worried over her elder brother, so she spent her days keeping Madam Xia company and offering comfort, which successfully diverted some of her mother’s anxiety.

Later that day, after returning from Madam Xia, Xia Wan Ting picked up the embroidery she had set aside and resumed her needlework.

Her maid, Dong’er, watching her mistress return to the stitches, tried to interject, “Miss, perhaps we shouldn’t do embroidery today! You just finished helping Madam organize the household ledgers; you really should rest a bit more.”

Xia Wan Ting smiled at the maid’s gentle urging. “It’s nothing, Dong’er, I’m not that delicate. I only helped Mother review the accounts; Mother handled the bulk of it. I only dealt with the surface details; it was hardly tiring.”

“But…” Dong’er remained hesitant.

“Truly, it’s fine. How could Mother let me overwork myself? I was over there mainly to learn household management, not actually run things, so I wasn’t burdened. Besides, I’ve been working on this piece for several days now. I stopped the last couple of days worrying about Mother, so now that I have a moment, I want to finish it.” Xia Wan Ting explained.

Hearing this, Dong’er realized she couldn't argue with her mistress and fell silent, pouting slightly as she watched Xia Wan Ting work, lost in her own thoughts.

Xia Wan Ting had settled into her embroidery, but Dong’er’s intense gaze was impossible to ignore. She finally looked up, questioning, “Is there something you need to say?”

Dong’er hadn't realized she had drifted off while thinking until her mistress caught her staring. She flushed suddenly, startled.

Seeing Dong’er’s flustered reaction, Xia Wan Ting asked curiously, “Dong’er, what were you just thinking about?”

When her mistress asked again, Dong’er knew she had to answer. She glanced cautiously at Xia Wan Ting’s expression. “Miss, I… I was thinking that if the Master succeeds brilliantly in the provincial exams this time, he will surely stand up for you. Then, no one will dare look down on you anymore. Perhaps, by then, the number of suitors calling upon our estate will break down the threshold!”

Hearing the maid’s words, Xia Wan Ting became momentarily thoughtful. Indeed, after the entire affair with Fu Lan attempting to switch his betrothal to her half-sister, her perspective on many things had shifted, and her thinking was noticeably more mature than before.

Xia Wan Ting’s view of Fu Lan had quietly changed, too. While she couldn't initially accept his attempt to redirect the engagement, as time passed and her mother offered counsel, she felt significantly better. Just as her mother had said, Fu Lan was not someone worthy of trust. If he were truly reliable, why would he engage in private flirtations with another woman while already betrothed, even disregarding her own reputation and, indeed, the standing of the entire Fu family, just to marry that woman—her half-sister? Reflecting calmly, Xia Wan Ting had considered things deeply, and her assessment of Fu Lan had shifted considerably; she no longer dwelled on him as she once had.

As for her own marriage prospects, after this long period of calm reflection, Xia Wan Ting understood her current situation very clearly. The truth was, even if her brother excelled in the provincial exams and later shone brightly in the metropolitan and palace examinations, the prominent families in the capital would likely not seek her hand in marriage. After all, reputation was paramount in this world. Though few knew the details of her situation with Fu Lan, those prominent families could certainly investigate, and once they discovered it, they would never allow their sons to marry a woman rejected by another—great families could not afford such public embarrassment.

Thinking this, Xia Wan Ting sighed. She suspected her mother wouldn't even look for a match for her in the capital anymore. Given that some people in the capital were aware of the matters concerning her family and the Fu family, her mother, true to her nature, would likely marry her off outside the capital to shield her future life from endless gossip.

“Don’t ever bring that up again, understood?” Xia Wan Ting instructed.

Dong’er, seeing that her mistress looked even more downcast after hearing her words instead of rejoicing, immediately knew she had spoken incorrectly. She dared not say anything more, nodding quickly. “Yes, Miss, I promise never to speak of it again.”

Only then did Xia Wan Ting relax, lowering her head to resume her embroidery.

Meanwhile, back in Wangjia Village, Wang Qingtong and Meng Xiaoping, the daughter of the Meng family, were preparing for their betrothal ceremony. The Elder Master and Elder Madam summoned Wang Youliang and Tian Shi to discuss the matter and to deliberate on the appropriate amount for the betrothal gifts.

The thought that her younger son was marrying a girl she wasn't entirely pleased with caused Tian Shi immense internal discomfort. Consequently, when it came to the betrothal gifts, she had no intention of preparing anything substantial.

“Father, Mother, the Meng family isn't particularly wealthy either. We can decide on a suitable gift amount ourselves,” Tian Shi said dismissively.

The Elder Master and Elder Madam were somewhat displeased by Tian Shi’s remark, but since they had called Wang Youliang and Tian Shi over specifically to confer, they refrained from scolding her immediately.

The Elder Master turned his gaze toward Wang Youliang. “Eldest son, what is your opinion? How much do you think is appropriate for the betrothal gifts?”

Wang Youliang was still half-drunk, so it took him a long moment to process the question, finally responding groggily, “Father, are you… asking me?”

Seeing his eldest son in such a state, the Elder Master felt a mixture of anger and pity, which quickly boiled over into fury. “This is your son getting married; of course, I am asking your opinion! Look at you—what kind of state are you in? Drunk every day! I think you might as well just live at the tavern!”

Wang Youliang took a considerable time to fully grasp what the Elder Master had said. Then, as if with great effort, he managed to reply, “Father, Mother, it's just about the betrothal gifts. You two elders can decide; you don’t need to ask us. I have no objections to whatever you arrange.”

This response only fueled the Elder Master’s rage. He snatched the teacup nearest him and flung it toward Wang Youliang. “Look at the nonsense you’re speaking!”

Before Wang Youliang could even register his father’s movement, the teacup struck him squarely on the head, sending him tumbling to the ground, where he let out a series of startled yelps.

The Elder Madam, seeing her eldest son struck by his father, felt immediate pain and concern. She started to rise, intending to check his injury and perhaps remonstrate with the Elder Master, but before she could stand, the Elder Master barred her way. “No one is to help him up! Look at him—constantly drunk like this, neglecting everything else. What can he do now? He can barely stand steady! I intend to teach him a lesson today!”

The Elder Madam knew the Elder Master was right, but seeing her eldest son in such a condition, her instinct to protect him outweighed her desire to reprimand him. After hearing her husband, she pleaded softly, “Old man, a stern talk is enough. Our son will surely change!”