Fu Lan listened to the man's teasing words, and in truth, she rather agreed. Putting aside the fact that Xia Wanyu was originally Xia Wentao’s biological sister, she was now registered under Madam Xia’s name, effectively a legitimate daughter, so her relationship with Xia Wentao was naturally not ordinary.

But while Fu Lan saw it this way, those aware of some of the truth did not concur. They knew that if such a situation happened to them, they would likely have wanted to give Fu Lan a good beating. Who goes about considering changing an engagement after it has already been set?

So, some who knew the situation couldn't stand it and started diverting the topic, speaking of other matters. Only then did Xia Wentao's expression improve slightly.

However, even if those who were unaware kept quiet, Fu Lan was not about to let up on trying to strike up a conversation with Xia Wentao!

“By the way, Wentao, are you confident about this provincial examination?” Fu Lan asked Xia Wentao with a smile.

Frankly, anyone unaware of the dealings between Xia Wentao and Fu Lan would look at Fu Lan like this and genuinely assume their relationship was quite amicable! But after what had transpired, the fact that Fu Lan could still converse with Xia Wentao as if nothing had happened stunned quite a few people. At the same time, they were eager to see how Xia Wentao would respond to Fu Lan. Thus, as Fu Lan’s words settled, the private room instantly fell silent. Even those who were unaware and had been about to speak were restrained by those next to them, causing everyone to fix their gaze upon Xia Wentao and Fu Lan.

Xia Wentao felt deeply annoyed seeing Fu Lan address him as if nothing had occurred, but with everyone watching him, and many people ignorant of the friction between them, he found it difficult not to reply. If he ignored her, those unaware might deem him haughty and arrogant.

“How can I possibly know that? Naturally, it depends on the reviewers,” Xia Wentao replied blandly.

Xia Wentao had assumed that with such a cool demeanor, Fu Lan would take the hint and stop bothering him. Unexpectedly, she completely disregarded his attitude and continued, “Wentao, why are you being modest with me? I know you too well. You must be very confident.”

Upon hearing this, Xia Wentao felt the veins in his face twitching, on the verge of saying something biting to Fu Lan, when his close friend chimed in with a cheerful attempt at mediation: “Oh, Fu Lan, we’ve finally survived the provincial exams; please don't bring them up again. Let us enjoy ourselves!”

When everyone heard Xia Wentao’s friend say this, they naturally agreed in chorus: “Yes, no more talk about the exams! Today is for merriment; let’s drink till we drop!”

Of course, some among them shared the same goal as Xia Wentao’s friend: to smooth things over, as they were aware of the affairs between the Xia and Fu families. Moreover, their perception of Fu Lan’s inability to read the room elevated to a new level. After what she had done, how could she still have the nerve to actively engage Xia Wentao in conversation like this? And to do so while acting as if nothing had happened! The fact that Xia Wentao hadn't simply walked away upon seeing her was already a display of considerable tolerance, yet she insisted on exchanging pleasantries, just to ease her own mind. What was her true intention? They refused to believe Fu Lan was ignorant of such social graces; they were convinced she was doing it deliberately. Some even resolved to distance themselves from Fu Lan henceforth, deciding that someone so ill-intentioned would not be a good ally in their future official careers.

The man who had hosted the banquet was even more incensed by Fu Lan. It was one thing for her to arrive uninvited, but to speak with Xia Wentao looking completely unperturbed! If Xia Wentao were truly provoked into doing something rash, would this entire banquet even be salvageable? The host would lose face spectacularly. Thinking of this, the host’s anger toward Fu Lan intensified.

Having finally endured the banquet, Xia Wentao returned to the Xia residence, seething with suppressed rage.

At the entrance, he encountered a young servant who informed him that Madam Xia required his presence immediately upon his return.

Xia Wentao had initially thought it improper to visit his mother while smelling heavily of wine. However, the servant relayed that Madam Xia had specifically instructed him to come straight away.

Hearing this, Xia Wentao had no choice but to proceed, carrying the strong odor of alcohol with him.

Madam Xia, upon seeing her son enter, scolded him mildly: “How much wine have you drunk this time?” Then she turned to instruct, “Nanny Gu, please have them prepare some sobering soup.”

“Mother, I am fine,” Xia Wentao said.

“Fine? You may be fine now, but you’ll have hell to pay tomorrow morning,” Madam Xia countered, glaring.

Seeing his mother’s stern gaze, Xia Wentao stopped refusing and instead asked, “Right, Mother, you called me over for…”

“It’s like this. I’ve been thinking that after the provincial exams, the Fu family will likely finalize the marriage arrangements between our two houses. I worry that if your sister is still here then, it will surely upset her. In that case, her mood, which has finally improved, will take a downturn again. So, I was thinking, perhaps having your sister go stay at the estate for a few days? But I certainly won’t be free then, and I worry about her going alone. If that’s the case, you would have to accompany your sister. At any rate, the Fu manor will wait until the exam results are out before discussing the marriage, so it shouldn't be an issue for you to visit the estate then, right?” Madam Xia inquired.

Upon hearing his mother’s words, Xia Wentao nodded. “Mother, rest assured, I will accompany my sister when the time comes. It’s been a while since I’ve been to the estate, and I will certainly take good care of my sister.”

Madam Xia looked at her son with great satisfaction. “It is best that you think that way. Truly, your sister’s reputation has been damaged; who knows where she will end up marrying in the future. So, as her brother, cherish the time you have with her now, because there may not be many opportunities later.”

“Mother, what do you mean by that? Are you planning to marry my sister outside the capital?” Xia Wentao asked, astonished.

Madam Xia nodded slowly. “Alas, I have no choice. Arranging a match for your sister within the capital will certainly be difficult. She cannot possibly marry into those prominent families. But if she marries someone of lower standing, people will inevitably whisper malicious gossip later. Therefore, I am thinking of sending your sister away from the capital; there will be far less trouble that way.”

Hearing his mother's plan, Xia Wentao desperately wanted to rush out and beat Fu Lan within an inch of his life right then. It was all that wretch’s fault, causing his sister to be unable to even remain in the capital. The thought that he might rarely see his sister in the future filled Xia Wentao with pain. He and his sister had always been close since childhood; he cherished her dearly. He could never have imagined that his sister would end up so far away from him.

Madam Xia saw the sadness on her son’s face and comforted him, “Don't be too upset. Mother will certainly find your sister a good match, so she won’t be wronged. Also, you absolutely cannot look heartbroken in front of Ting’er; if she sees you, won’t she become even sadder?”

Xia Wentao nodded. “Your son understands!”

Just then, Nanny Gu arrived with the sobering soup. Madam Xia quickly urged, “Drink this quickly, or you’ll have a splitting headache tomorrow morning.”

Hearing this, Xia Wentao took the bowl of soup from Nanny Gu and downed it in a few quick gulps.

Madam Xia watched her son finish the soup and then said, “It’s very late now; you should go back and rest!”

Xia Wentao agreed and then returned to his own courtyard.

The next day, Madam Xia saw her daughter presenting herself for morning greetings. Remembering the discussion she had with her son the previous evening, she said to Xia Wanting, “Ting’er, your brother told me yesterday that he intends to spend some time at the estate after the provincial exam results are out, just to relax a bit. I worry that your brother is usually careless and doesn't know how to look after himself properly, so I was thinking you could go with him then. Consider it helping Mother look after him, alright?”

Xia Wanting smiled and nodded at her mother’s suggestion. “Of course I can, Mother. But if big brother hears you say that about him, he’ll surely be sad.”

“Hmph, what is there to be sad about? Am I wrong? When has he ever taken good care of himself? If I don’t send someone over, I genuinely won’t be at ease!” Madam Xia feigned anger.

Xia Wanting found this amusing but didn't argue much, as she also believed that her brother, being a man, certainly lacked a woman’s meticulousness and would naturally struggle to care for himself.

“Mother, don't worry. I promise I will take good care of big brother then,” Xia Wanting assured her.

Seeing her daughter give her word, Madam Xia recalled her son making the same promise the night before—that he would definitely look after his sister. Madam Xia felt a degree of relief knowing the siblings were so close.

Just as Madam Xia was reflecting on this, a maid entered to report that a maid from the Eldest Miss’s quarters had arrived with a message.

Madam Xia halted her internal reflections and ordered the maid to be admitted.

The maid was Chunlan, who attended Xia Wanyu, and the message she brought was that the Eldest Miss, Xia Wanyu, was ill and requested a physician be summoned for treatment.

Madam Xia’s heart skipped a beat. Could the medicine have taken effect?