Zhao Cheng and his mother, Madam Huang, had stayed at the accommodations of Wang Qingchen and the others in the county town during the New Year period. Once Wang Qingchen's group arrived, the two parties reunited.

The group gathered again. After exchanging greetings, Madam Huang bustled about preparing a lavish meal to celebrate their reunion. However, by the very next day, Wang Qingchen couldn't help but focus his attention and energy back onto his studies. After all, although he wasn't entirely confident about the Metropolitan Examination, nor was he going into it with an attitude of guaranteed success, he was certainly willing to use any time before the exam to broaden his knowledge.

Because he had been at home during the period leading up to the New Year, Wang Qingchen hadn't paid a visit to the Headmaster in quite some time. He had, however, asked Zhao Cheng to help send the books he had left in the county town back to him, so while at home, he had managed to read a considerable amount on his own. As a result of this private study, he had accumulated quite a number of questions.

Wang Qingchen considered the matter, deciding not to approach the Headmaster immediately, but rather to first discuss things with Zhao Cheng. On one hand, Zhao Cheng was academically superior to Wang Qingchen and had previously been able to consult the Headmaster frequently. On the other hand, since he had only just arrived back in the county town, while he had many points he wished to raise with the Headmaster, he preferred to organize those questions first before seeking an audience. Besides, he wasn't even certain if the Headmaster was currently in the county school.

With that thought, Wang Qingchen sought out Zhao Cheng for a discussion.

Zhao Cheng was somewhat surprised when Wang Qingchen came to him to discuss academic matters. Such a request was rare; this was the first time Wang Qingchen had approached him with such seriousness regarding these topics. Nevertheless, Zhao Cheng found the prospect novel and readily agreed to the discussion.

Though they termed it a discussion, it mostly involved Wang Qingchen posing questions, followed by joint exploration. Even so, Zhao Cheng didn't feel disadvantaged, as Wang Qingchen articulated his own viewpoints, some of which proved beneficial to Zhao Cheng as well.

After going over things with Zhao Cheng, Wang Qingchen felt genuinely relieved, glad he hadn't rushed straight to the Headmaster. Through the discourse with Zhao Cheng, several of his outstanding issues had been resolved. As for the remainder, he could now organize them properly before presenting them to the Headmaster.

Just as Wang Qingchen finished organizing his notes and was preparing to seek out the Headmaster, he unexpectedly received a letter from the capital. The letter was from Xia Wentao, addressed to both him and Zhao Cheng. Beyond the usual greetings, it inquired when they planned to travel to the capital. Xia Wentao also expressed his hope that Wang Qingchen and Zhao Cheng could arrive early, offering them lodging at his own residence. This way, not only could they acclimatize to the capital's environment sooner, but Xia Wentao could also show them around the city and help them cultivate valuable connections. Both Wang Qingchen and Zhao Cheng were deeply grateful for Xia Wentao's generous offer, yet it seemed they couldn't depart just yet; they needed a few more days.

Accordingly, the two collaborated on a reply to Xia Wentao. Besides customary salutations, they stated their approximate date of travel to the capital and expressed thanks for Xia Wentao's gracious proposal.

After sending the reply, Wang Qingchen finally found an opportunity to call upon the Headmaster. The Headmaster had already heard from Zhao Cheng about Wang Qingchen's absence during the county proceedings, but now Wang Qingchen offered his own explanation. The Headmaster nodded, indicating he understood the situation. Only then did Wang Qingchen begin presenting the problems he had encountered for guidance.

Since the inquiries were more numerous than the usual one or two questions, they conversed for quite some time before all the matters were clarified. When every question had been answered, Wang Qingchen realized with a start that a long time had passed well beyond the usual meal hours.

Realizing this, Wang Qingchen felt deeply apologetic and expressed his regret somewhat self-reproachfully. The Headmaster, however, seemed unconcerned, instead expressing admiration for Wang Qingchen's intense focus. Wang Qingchen, naturally, was unaware of the Headmaster's thoughts; knowing them might have only deepened his shame. His concentration stemmed from the proximity of the Metropolitan Examination and the limited time they had before having to travel from the county town to the capital, forcing him to maximize his learning during this brief window.

After taking his leave of the Headmaster, Wang Qingchen did not relax. Upon returning, he first consolidated the concepts the Headmaster had just explained, then resumed reading the books he hadn't finished. When he encountered points of confusion or ambiguity, he would note them down, plan to discuss them with Zhao Cheng later, and if they remained unresolved, he would seek the Headmaster's counsel again.

Since their previous session, Zhao Cheng had not disliked this method of joint study; at times, he even engaged with enthusiasm. When both of them reached a point of puzzlement, they would jointly approach the Headmaster for clarification.

In this manner, several weeks passed until the two finally mastered the material from the books the Headmaster had recommended, building a measure of confidence for the Metropolitan Examination. Following this, they began deliberating on whether to head to the capital sooner.

If Zhao Cheng were to go to the capital, Madam Huang would likely not remain alone in the county town. Therefore, when discussing this matter, they included Madam Huang in the deliberations.

To their surprise, as soon as Zhao Cheng mentioned the timeframe for their departure to the capital, Madam Huang stated, "Cheng'er, you and Qingchen are going to the capital this time, but Mother will not accompany you. You two go by yourselves!"

Madam Huang's words startled not only Wang Qingchen but Zhao Cheng as well, as his mother had never before expressed such an intention in his presence.

"Mother, why aren't you coming with your son?" Zhao Cheng asked cautiously.

In fact, previously, whenever Zhao Cheng participated in imperial examinations, Madam Huang had always accompanied him. This was not only because she was Zhao Cheng's only living relative and they had relied on each other for a long time, but also because Zhao Cheng, having been frightened by relatives from the extended family during his childhood, feared that if he and his mother were separated, someone might bully Madam Huang. He could not rest easy leaving her alone. Thus, wherever Zhao Cheng was, Madam Huang had always stayed with him.

But now, Madam Huang suddenly saying she wouldn't go to the capital made Zhao Cheng feel a pang of anxiety.

"Mother is thinking, it's fine if you go with Qingchen. You are not a small child anymore, and you can take care of yourself. Mother will wait here in the county town for your good news," Madam Huang explained.

"But... but Mother, you never told your son you weren't coming to the capital before?" Zhao Cheng pressed urgently. "Besides, I worry about leaving you here alone."

Madam Huang laughed upon hearing this. "What is there to worry about? Mother isn't a child anymore. Furthermore, Mother won't be entirely alone here; Yun Tai and Liu Hao will still be around! Rest assured, Mother will take good care of herself."

Zhao Cheng started to say more, but Wang Qingchen interjected. Although Wang Qingchen didn't know Madam Huang's true intentions, he sensed that letting Zhao Cheng go to the capital alone might be beneficial for him. Perhaps due to their shared hardship in childhood or some undisclosed event, Zhao Cheng, despite appearing composed in other aspects, displayed an immediate dependence when it came to Madam Huang. Perhaps Madam Huang had noticed this very issue now.

Wang Qingchen spoke up, "Zhao Cheng, going to the capital this time is not like going to the provincial city. It’s a very long journey; it will take many days by carriage. If Auntie were to come along, she would have to endure that shaking and hardship too. Think about it, can Auntie's body withstand that back and forth journey? Auntie is not as tough and resilient as we are; we cannot afford such rough treatment."

Zhao Cheng was about to retort, but hearing Wang Qingchen's soothing words, he hesitated. Wang Qingchen's reasoning was sound, and he needed to consider it.

Seeing Zhao Cheng's conflicted expression, Wang Qingchen added, "Moreover, the capital is such a large place, full of all sorts of people. It wouldn't be proper for Auntie to be seen everywhere, exposing herself, would it? What do you think?"

After Wang Qingchen finished speaking, he noticed Madam Huang cast him a glance filled with gratitude, which made Wang Qingchen feel unexpectedly honored.

As for why Madam Huang chose not to accompany her son this time, it was inspired by the recent marriage of Li Yuntai. She felt her son was reaching the age for marriage; marriage signaled adulthood, and as an adult, he should be allowed to handle matters independently.

Zhao Cheng fell silent then, and the discussion about the departure date was concluded. As for what Madam Huang told Zhao Cheng after he and Wang Qingchen left, Wang Qingchen remained unaware. He only knew that the next day, Zhao Cheng appeared as composed as ever to discuss the schedule for traveling to the capital.

Although Wang Qingchen was slightly surprised by the change in Zhao Cheng, he wisely refrained from asking further questions, instead proposing an earlier departure for the capital.

Zhao Cheng offered no objection to this suggestion, and having reached an agreement, the two quickly began packing their belongings in preparation for their journey to the capital.