Though it hadn't been long since Wang Qingchen's last return, his arrival this time still brought immense delight to Madam Yang. Seeing her son, Madam Yang immediately showered him with the familiar inquiries she made every time he came home, pressing him until she had asked everything she wished to know.

Listening to Madam Yang’s string of questions, Wang Qingchen could only manage a wry smile. "Mother, it hasn't been that long. What sort of trouble could I possibly be in!"

"And you still say you're fine! I can clearly see you’ve lost weight!" Madam Yang insisted.

Lost weight? Wang Qingchen paused, genuinely surprised by the comment. He hadn't felt any different, thinner or otherwise. Could it be the after-effects of his last bout of illness? Thinking this, Wang Qingchen quickly laughed it off. "Mother, how could I have lost weight? I’ve been eating like a horse lately!"

"Really? But I distinctly see you looking thinner?" Madam Yang said, examining Wang Qingchen again with serious eyes.

"Mother, you don't see me every day, so of course, you might misjudge sometimes," Wang Qingchen replied, quickly steering the conversation elsewhere. "Oh, right, Mother, has my youngest aunt's family named the baby cousin yet?"

"Your youngest aunt’s family? Not yet. Your uncle-in-law asked the Old Master to pick a name, but your paternal grandfather suggested a few names your grandmother promptly rejected, saying they weren't grand or resonant enough. She told your grandfather to come up with a few more, so he’s probably still racking his brain over it now!" Madam Yang explained.

Wang Qingchen wasn't surprised by this. Among the Old Mistress’s children, her youngest daughter was undoubtedly the one she cherished and doted on the most. Furthermore, considering how unhappy her aunt’s life had been in the Liu family previously, the Old Mistress felt endless heartache for her. Even now that her aunt’s circumstances had improved, the Old Mistress instinctively put her daughter first. She treated anything concerning her aunt with utmost seriousness, determined to ensure everything was handled perfectly.

"Grandmother is just worrying over my youngest aunt!" Wang Qingchen remarked.

"That’s true; your aunt did suffer before. A few days ago, when your youngest aunt’s family held the full-month banquet, your grandmother saw they were short-handed and went over to help out diligently, exerting herself greatly. It wasn't until your eldest aunt, your third aunt, and I arrived to assist that your grandmother finally stopped," Madam Yang sighed. "But it is true that your youngest aunt’s family lacks help. It was only right for us to pitch in. Besides, whenever our family had an event, your uncle-in-law would always come to help without us even asking. Now that they have something, it’s our turn to lend a hand."

Wang Qingchen nodded. His current uncle-in-law, Li Wu, was genuinely a good man, not only treating his youngest aunt well but also being unfailingly good to her family on his wife's side. Whenever there was an issue on this side, he would show up to assist without a second thought.

As Wang Qingchen was thinking this, he heard Madam Yang ask, "Qingchen, now that you’re back, will you be heading to the county seat again?"

Hearing this, Wang Qingchen seemed slightly puzzled. "Of course, I have to go back to the county seat. Why, Mother?"

"It’s about Qingtong’s marriage. Your eldest uncle’s family and the Meng family hadn’t settled on a wedding date, so it’s dragged on until now. The Meng family preferred their daughter to enter the household next year, but your eldest aunt and uncle wanted to bring her in sooner, since Qingtong is getting older. Eventually, the two families agreed to finalize the marriage before the New Year," Madam Yang explained.

Upon hearing this, Wang Qingchen understood immediately. With the New Year approaching quickly, Qingtong’s marriage being set before then meant the date would fall around this period. If Wang Qingchen weren't home for his cousin’s wedding, it would indeed seem improper. After all, he was home now, and even specifically returned for Li Yuntai’s wedding. Surely, his friend's marriage couldn't be considered less important than his cousin's? But if Wang Qingchen stayed, once Wang Qingtong’s wedding was over, it would be almost time for the New Year. Would he still leave for the county seat then? It hardly seemed right to leave after being home for only a few days.

Wang Qingchen pondered. Passing the Imperial Examination wasn't strictly mandatory, but Wang Qingtong’s wedding would likely be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Better to stay home for now!

Therefore, Wang Qingchen told Madam Yang, "Mother, I think I’ll stay home. We can discuss other matters after Qingtong’s wedding is settled."

Upon hearing her son agree to stay, Madam Yang was instantly overjoyed. "Ah, I’m so glad you consented to stay. He is, after all, your cousin, and especially since you returned for Yuntai's wedding, if you weren't here for Qingtong's, your eldest uncle's family would surely start gossiping. I was actually planning to persuade you myself, so it’s better that you figured it out on your own."

"Mother, where did that sentiment come from? While the Imperial Examinations are important, family members are just as crucial! I understand that much," Wang Qingchen said with a smile.

Madam Yang nodded in satisfaction. "I am very pleased you think that way. I was worried that spending too much time away might make you distant from your family and relatives, but it seems I worried needlessly."

Afterward, Wang Qingchen enjoyed a lavish midday meal at home and chatted with his family for a while longer before returning to the town residence, much to Madam Yang’s reluctance. After all, he couldn't simply leave Zhao Cheng alone there.

When Wang Qingchen returned, Zhao Cheng was still deeply engrossed in reading. Observing him, Wang Qingchen felt a wave of admiration: Truly a diligent child, reading whenever he had a spare moment without a break.

After watching for a while, Wang Qingchen decided not to disturb him and instead went to ask the servants whether Zhao Cheng had eaten lunch.

From the servants' report, Wang Qingchen learned that Zhao Cheng had already finished his meal and hadn't left his room since. Zhao Cheng must have been reading the entire time he was inside—unbelievably focused!

Later, Wang Qingchen retreated to his own room. He needed to seriously consider the matters at hand. Since he couldn't return to the county seat immediately, perhaps not even before the New Year, many of his essential books were still there. Moreover, if he remained at home, he couldn't frequently visit the Headmaster for guidance, which would be a significant disadvantage. Thinking this, Wang Qingchen felt it was necessary to carefully contemplate and plan how to spend the coming days.

For the next couple of days, Wang Qingchen would visit home briefly each day before returning to the town residence. Soon, the day of Li Yuntai’s wedding arrived. Wang Qingchen and the others who came for the occasion had no crucial tasks to assist with, as most arrangements had been taken care of by Li Yuntai’s main family branch. Outsiders like them were kept out of the main preparations, so they simply settled down to chat and enjoy the spectacle.

Li Yuntai was marrying the youngest daughter of the Wu family, a prominent household in town. Consequently, the scale of the bride-fetching ceremony was considerable, and the Li family dared not lower their standards, ensuring everything was executed perfectly.

Not long after Wang Qingchen and the others arrived, they saw Li Yuntai depart with two kinsmen from the Li family to welcome the bride. Meanwhile, Wang Qingchen, Zhao Cheng, Liu Hao, and Qi Jintang remained, chatting amongst themselves.

While Wang Qingchen conversed with his friends, Wang Youfu and Madam Yang also arrived. Since the Wang Youfu family and the Li Qiang family maintained friendly relations, they naturally had to attend such a significant event as the wedding of Li Qiang’s son.

Li Qiang and Li Yuntai’s mother were genuinely pleased to see Wang Youfu and Madam Yang arrive. The Wang Youfu family was far different now than before, maintaining connections with several major town families. Their attendance now lent considerable prestige to the occasion.

However, Li Qiang quickly reminded himself that Li Yuntai also had two fellow scholars who had recently passed the Provincial Examination attending today—that was a source of great honor in itself.

The Li family welcomed Wang Youfu and Madam Yang inside. They didn't seek out Wang Qingchen but instead mingled with villagers of similar age or those they already knew.

Soon, the bride was brought back, followed by the timely arrival rites and the bowing to heaven and earth, which gave Wang Qingchen quite a spectacle to watch. Yet, the thought that he, too, would eventually undergo such rigorous procedures dampened his interest somewhat.

Afterward, everyone was seated for the banquet. Wang Qingchen, Zhao Cheng, and the other scholars sat together, providing a good opportunity for them to converse.

Before the feast was fully served, Wang Qingchen overheard Liu Hao, seated next to him, mention something secretively. "Did you know, Yuntai’s brother-in-law—that is, Wu Juren’s eldest son—also participated in the Provincial Examination this time? Unfortunately, he failed to achieve the Juren rank. Wu Juren had placed immense hope on his son, never expecting him to fail this session. I heard that this news made Wu Juren so angry he fell ill!"

Wang Qingchen was somewhat surprised. "No way, getting sick just over that?"

Seeing Wang Qingchen’s apparent disbelief, Liu Hao pouted. "Don't dismiss it so easily; it's true, I heard it from my father. Wu Juren used to hold an official post. If he hadn't had to return home for mourning duties, he wouldn't be without office now. But precisely because he is currently unappointed, he pinned all his hopes on his son. I heard his son’s scholarship is exceptional; everyone assumed he would pass as a Juren, but for some unknown reason, he didn't this time."

Wang Qingchen secretly shook his head. "Whether one passes the Juren examination isn't solely dependent on good scholarship. Perhaps he wasn't feeling well during the Provincial Examination? If so, one can’t perform well."

Liu Hao nodded in response. "You have a point, but Wu Juren doesn't see it that way; he’s deeply disheartened!" (To be continued.)