All the way there, Wang Qingchen had been speculating in his mind about what kind of people Elder Xia and Madam Xia would be, and how they would treat his son's friend. Would they look down on him because of his and Zhao Cheng’s humble origins, or would they put on a show of cordiality because he was Xia Wentao's close friend, or would they perhaps just offer a cursory greeting and then ask him to leave? Wang Qingchen had imagined many scenarios for the meeting, but he never expected Elder Xia and Madam Xia to be so genuinely amiable, showing no prejudice toward him and Zhao Cheng at all—it was just like any ordinary family where elders meet their son’s friends.

Still, this should only be a standard courtesy call, so why did he feel that Madam Xia and Elder Xia were being so enthusiastic? Was it his imagination?

Although Wang Qingchen and Zhao Cheng were visiting Madam Xia and Elder Xia together, it was clear that the parents' attention was focused most intently on Wang Qingchen. Elder Xia, having been an official for many years, maintained a degree of self-control. Madam Xia, however, was not so reserved. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't matter, but this time, she was scrutinizing potential suitors for her daughter, so naturally, she couldn't help but fix her attention primarily on Wang Qingchen.

Wang Qingchen endured Madam Xia's ardent gaze while responding to the occasional probing questions from Elder Xia. Though he felt the elder man was showing an excessive level of concern for his son's friend, he still held great respect for Xia Wentao's father given their close friendship. Therefore, he answered every question put to him that he could reasonably address.

Elder Xia nodded occasionally as he listened to Wang Qingchen’s replies, or exchanged glances with Madam Xia. This situation left Wang Qingchen, who knew nothing beforehand, utterly bewildered. He had initially assumed that in a prominent family like the Xia estate, even if they held no actual prejudice against people from small households like his, they certainly wouldn't be this solicitous. Yet, the current reality made Wang Qingchen doubt his judgment for the first time. Truly, Madam Xia and Elder Xia were rarely kind and possessed a benevolence that many lacked.

Of course, Wang Qingchen did not know that Zhao Cheng, standing nearby, felt the exact same way about the situation. Even though Elder Xia tried his best to be impartial, the more perceptive Zhao Cheng could sense the difference in how Madam Xia and Elder Xia treated him versus Wang Qingchen. It seemed the two authorities of the Xia household were far more eager where Wang Qingchen was concerned, though for what reason, he could not fathom. Zhao Cheng was naturally puzzled by this dynamic, yet he felt there was nothing improper about his own demeanor. Could it be that Wang Qingchen’s appearance was simply more pleasing to elders?

Zhao Cheng could not think of a reason. Meanwhile, Elder Xia continued to inquire kindly about Wang Qingchen's family situation and his future plans, interspersing occasional questions to Zhao Cheng.

Wang Qingchen was sweating under the intense focus. Being subjected to such excessive attention was quite stressful!

Just as Wang Qingchen felt he could bear the atmosphere no longer, Xia Wentao fortunately intervened: “Enough, Father, Mother! You’ve been asking questions for quite a while now. Your son and they still have some academic matters that require a thorough discussion!”

Hearing this, Wang Qingchen felt incredibly grateful to Xia Wentao. However, had he known that a significant part of the situation he was placed in was due to Xia Wentao’s deliberate orchestration, one could only wonder what his reaction would have been. But for now, he remained unaware.

Upon hearing their son, Elder Xia and Madam Xia seemed to realize they had been overly eager and might have unnerved their guest, so they asked no further questions, letting their son lead the visitors away.

Once out of the presence of Madam Xia and Elder Xia, Wang Qingchen breathed a huge sigh of relief and asked Xia Wentao, “Brother Xia, are your parents always this concerned about every friend you bring home?”

Xia Wentao chuckled inwardly at the question but maintained a serious expression outwardly. “Of course. My parents pay close attention to my friendships. After all, they worry I might fall in with bad company, so sometimes they have to vet my choices for me.”

“Oh, then your parents truly care for you. They are very kind to us younger folk too,” Wang Qingchen commented.

“Naturally!” Xia Wentao replied with a touch of smugness.

Zhao Cheng, following behind, thought differently. While inside, he had clearly perceived the difference in the attention Elder Xia and Madam Xia paid to him versus Wang Qingchen. Though he didn’t know the cause, he was certain there was some unknown reason for the Xia elders’ special focus on Wang Qingchen. But what could it be?

Meanwhile, back inside the room, Elder Xia and Madam Xia were discussing their impressions of Wang Qingchen.

“Our son’s judgment is quite good; the person he has chosen is indeed quite promising,” Elder Xia remarked after the guests had departed.

Madam Xia sighed, “Alas, even if the young man looks promising, you must consider his family’s status. They are farmers who toil in the dirt! What kind of family are we? Our daughter has been pampered her entire life. Can you really bear the thought of her marrying into a family where she will suffer hardship?”

“What hardship? Our son said their family is full of kind people! Besides, with our family’s standing, even if her in-laws didn't mistreat her, wouldn't they hesitate to treat her poorly out of consideration for us?” Elder Xia countered.

“Master, I am not speaking of their family members, I am speaking of their social standing. With such a background, even if her in-laws are not harsh, our daughter will still suffer indignities! Think about it—our Ting’er is accustomed to the finest things in food, clothing, and adornments. Can she maintain that standard after marrying into their household? Can her daily necessities surpass those of her mother-in-law and father-in-law? No household operates that way. So, if our daughter truly marries into their family, won't she inevitably feel wronged!” Madam Xia insisted anxiously.

“Those are merely external things. I think you are unduly worried because the young man is already a Juren. If he strives hard in the upcoming Metropolitan Examination and manages to become a Gongshi, then directly participating in the Palace Examination, where I can give him some help, his future prospects will be limitless. Alas, you know that finding a good match for our Ting’er in the capital city is difficult these days. If we can secure a good match for our daughter early on this time, her future life will not be bad.” Elder Xia reasoned.

Madam Xia was not as optimistic after hearing Elder Xia's plan. “Master, your idea is sound, but we don’t know what the result of his Metropolitan Examination will be right now. If he does poorly in the exam, won't our Ting’er have suffered for nothing?”

Elder Xia sighed when he heard his wife’s words. “Do you think I haven't considered that? But have you considered that if we wait until after his examination, there will be countless families competing for him? What if we miss the opportunity then?”

Madam Xia seemed stubbornly resolved upon hearing her husband's concerns. “If we miss him, we miss him. We can just find another good family for our daughter. I only have this one daughter, and I absolutely will not let her suffer.”

Elder Xia knew Madam Xia’s temperament; whenever matters concerning their children arose, she became extremely stubborn. He decided not to press the issue further, reasoning that it was still early, and they could observe the young man more closely for a while longer.

After returning from the Xia estate, Wang Qingchen and Zhao Cheng were still shaken by the intense hospitality of Elder Xia and Madam Xia. Both decided that in the future, they would avoid visiting Xia Wentao at home and would simply invite him out instead; they certainly did not wish to experience that atmosphere again.

In the following days, Wang Qingchen and Zhao Cheng hired a housekeeper to help with cooking and laundry, and after that, they rarely went out, mostly staying home to read. However, Zhao Cheng decided to go out on a trip—to visit the Provincial Education Commissioner who had been the chief examiner for their prefecture examination. The Commissioner had been very supportive of Zhao Cheng, but he had since been transferred elsewhere. While at Xia Wentao’s house, Zhao Cheng had heard that the former Commissioner had been transferred to the capital this year and appointed as a court official, so Zhao Cheng thought it appropriate to pay a visit, given the Commissioner’s past guidance and favor toward him.

Wang Qingchen did not accompany him. After all, even if he went, the Commissioner probably wouldn't recognize him, as the official had shown him no particular attention before. Moreover, since Wang Qingchen had not yet participated in the Metropolitan Examination, making a formal visit now—aside from the risk of being accused of currying favor—might result in him being labeled as the Commissioner's protégé. Although he had no intention of pursuing an official career, he certainly didn’t want to invite unnecessary trouble. As for Zhao Cheng’s visit, he had a legitimate reason: the Commissioner had shown him grace, so his visit was entirely appropriate.

With Zhao Cheng away visiting the Commissioner, Wang Qingchen was alone in their rented residence. As usual, Wang Qingchen prepared to spend the day reading. Being unfamiliar with the capital, he felt disinclined to go out, and besides, even if he did go out, the city wouldn't offer much new excitement. While he might have been fascinated when he first arrived, after a few trips to the market, the novelty had worn off; having seen most of it, it all seemed rather ordinary now.

However, just as Wang Qingchen settled down with a book as usual, a visitor arrived. To Wang Qingchen's surprise, the person at the door turned out to be Xia Wentao.