Even if a scholar with the "same degree" was looked down upon in official circles—like a concubine compared to a proper wife—the title still contained the words "Advanced Scholar," lending it an air of nobility. Furthermore, serving as an academic official at the prefectural school sounded venerable. In the eyes of the common folk in a poor, remote place like Qingshui County, wouldn’t such a person belong to a prestigious scholarly family?

Xu Su Ying said, "I really didn’t know at first. Then I heard that when the Wang Family’s younger daughter-in-law came back to celebrate their matriarch’s birthday, she brought her two sons. They’re twins, seventeen this year. Apparently, they were ready to take the exam years ago, but the woman’s husband is ambitious. He wants one of them to win the ’Lesser Triple Crown,’ so he’s been holding them back, delaying their entry into the examinations."

"Then there’s the Chu family. They aren’t famous, but they have a powerful background. The head of the Chu family served a good master, an official of the fourth rank. The Chu patriarch was killed in the line of duty protecting his master, so that official freed his son from servitude. That young man of the Chu family had been an Attendant Student for the official’s own son. He’s very capable, and they say he’s also aiming for the top spot in this exam."

Xu Su Ying truly hadn’t expected that in the short time over the New Year, so many notable scholars would emerge in Qingshui County.

But she wasn’t afraid, no matter how many rivals appeared. She had faith in Jing.

"Even if Jing can’t take the top spot or become a government-stipended student, he will definitely pass the exam to become a Scholar. I believe in him."

The top scorer and the stipended students receive an annual grain ration from the court, and even a monthly allowance of silver.

With that income, the Zhao Family’s life would get easier, and her daughter’s life would be better as well.

But she had no control over others returning to their hometowns to take the exam. So, how could she not be worried?

Setting aside such discouraging talk, as the two were about to leave the county seat and head back to the Zhao Village, Xu Su Ying made a point of reminding Zhao Jing, "The county exam is almost here, Jing. You must be especially careful these next few days. Try not to go out, and don’t eat anything raw, cold, greasy, or spicy. In short, be careful with everything. We need to make sure nothing goes wrong before the exam."

Zhao Jing nodded. "Don’t worry, Mother-in-law. I’ll remember everything."

But Xu Su Ying turned to instruct Chen Wanqing, "You must be extra vigilant. Take the best possible care of Jing. You’ve come ninety-nine percent of the way; don’t let it all fall apart at the last step."

Chen Wanqing didn’t know what to make of her mother. It felt as if her mother was facing a formidable enemy, as if venomous snakes and savage beasts were lurking in the village, intent on harming Zhao Jing.

But the people of the Zhao Village were simple and kindhearted, and most were members of the Zhao clan. To them, Zhao Jing represented a new hope. Forget fierce beasts—even if there were any in the Zhao Village, the villagers would surely risk their own lives to protect him.

The Zhao Village was the safest place for Zhao Jing. She simply couldn’t understand what her mother was so afraid of.

’Or maybe I’m just getting it wrong. Is she just being concerned, not actually afraid?’

On the way back to the village, Chen Wanqing shared her concerns with Zhao Jing. "I get the feeling Mother wishes she could just keep us with her, so she could watch you every second. Jing, do you think I’m just imagining it?"

"I don’t know either."

"Mother is being so strange. Everything she says seems to imply that someone is out to get you. Where would she even get an idea like that?"

"I can’t figure it out either."

Though he said he couldn’t figure it out, Zhao Jing’s eyes narrowed slightly as he carefully mulled over his mother-in-law’s behavior.

’Her every action gives me the uncanny feeling that she’s already discovered the truth—that someone is plotting against me.’

’I only figured it out from Chen Wanyue’s crazed ramblings. How did Mother-in-law reach the same conclusion?’ 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Let’s hope Mother is just overthinking things," Wanqing said. "Otherwise, the very thought of someone trying to harm you makes my skin crawl."

"She must be," Zhao Jing said in a gentle, reassuring voice. "Why would anyone want to harm me? I haven’t made any enemies. Everything will be fine. Don’t worry about it, Wanqing."

Chen Wanqing’s mood quickly lightened.

But just as she had put the matter out of her mind, disaster nearly struck when she least expected it.

It was the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, and Chen Wanqing was already packing for their trip to the county seat.

But on this otherwise ordinary day, a knock came from the Zhao Family’s main gate. Outside stood a beggar dressed in tattered rags.

The beggar’s face was caked with grime and his hair was a mess. He dragged a crippled leg, leaning on a crutch with one hand and carrying a tattered burlap sack in the other. The mouth of the sack gaped open, revealing some cornbread buns and a half-eaten steamed bun inside.

This type of beggar went from house to house, never skipping one. Because the Zhao Village was so close to the county seat, plenty of them found their way here, so it was a common sight for the villagers.

Sure enough, as Chen Wanqing approached the main gate in response to the sound, she heard her neighbor from across the way remarking, "He says he’s from Qi County. We’ve no idea where that is, but I hear the snow disasters there were terrible. He couldn’t go on living there, so he begged his way here. Look at the frostbite on his face... Sigh, he hardly looks human anymore."