When the covers beside her were lifted, Chen Wanqing instinctively scooted further in.

It didn’t seem that long ago that she started sharing a blanket with Zhao Jing, but she’d already developed muscle memory for it. She had even grown used to the scent of paper and ink on him, and her heart no longer pounded in alarm when he drew near.

"Big Sis, I’m turning off the lamp."

"Okay."

The room was quickly plunged into darkness.

The moon was hidden by dark clouds tonight. After the lamp was extinguished, the room was so pitch-black you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.

The absolute darkness seemed to heighten her other senses. Chen Wanqing could now hear Zhao Jing’s breathing right beside her, and even the THUMP-THUMP of his heart.

"Big Sis, are you still cold?"

"I’m not cold anymore. It’s spring now, so it’s a little warmer than before."

"But I’m still cold... Big Sis, come a little closer."

"Can’t you move closer?"

"I suppose I could do that."

Zhao Jing pressed himself tightly against her. He even turned onto his side and wrapped an arm around her slender waist. Going even further, he buried his head in the crook of her neck and, as he often did, gently inhaled her scent.

Whenever he did this, Chen Wanqing would feel a tickle and try to pull away. "I haven’t bathed in days. I must smell awful. Aren’t you worried about the stench?"

"Big Sis, you always smell sweet. Not bad at all. Don’t pull away, Big Sis. I’ll just hold you for a bit, nothing more."

Chen Wanqing gave him a light pat.

’He’s really getting more and more brazen,’ she thought. ’He dares to say such suggestive things now.’

’Before we were married, he said he would respect me and give me my freedom. Looking back now... it’s better not to even think about it.’

Perhaps Zhao Jing was simply exhausted, because he began to snore softly after a short while. But when Chen Wanqing felt her body stiffen and tried to shift her position, he spoke up immediately, his voice so clear it was as if he hadn’t been asleep at all.

"Big Sis, I will pass the exam and become a Scholar. Trust me."

"Of course I trust you."

"I will shoulder the family’s burdens. I won’t let you be weighed down."

"I don’t feel like our family is a heavy burden."

"Big Sis, just give me time. Let me grow into a great man worthy of you."

Chen Wanqing’s movements faltered for a moment. Then, she whispered, "Then I’ll wait for you."

The night was black as ink, and all was silent.

When the morning star rose and the eastern sky turned a pearly white, a new, bright day had begun.

That day, after breakfast, Chen Wanqing was getting ready to open her incense shop. Before she left, she looked at her younger brother and Zhao Jing. "Will you two be all right going by yourselves?"

De’an thumped his chest with a loud THWACK. "The county government is like a second home to me now! Forget the old man at the gate—even the uncles inside all know me. Sis, don’t you worry. With me leading the way, nothing can go wrong."

"You should get to work, Big Sis," Zhao Jing said. "Father-in-law is there too. We’re just registering. What could possibly happen inside the county government?"

Hearing this, Chen Wanqing still wasn’t at ease. "How about I go with you?"

Xu Suying spoke up, "You have incense to sell, so hurry up and go. I’m not doing anything at home, so I’ll go along with them."

De’an was speechless. "We’re seventeen or eighteen years old! If you still come along, anyone who doesn’t know better will think we haven’t been weaned yet."

Xu Suying raised her hand. "You’re asking for it! I dare you to say one more word of that nonsense!"

De’an didn’t dare say any more nonsense and shut his mouth.

With Xu Suying going along, Chen Wanqing’s mind was set at ease. She immediately slung the basket onto her back, left the house, and went to open her shop for business.

Meanwhile, after Chen Wanqing had left, Xu Suying saw that De’an and Zhao Jing had also finished eating. She tossed the bowls and chopsticks into the washbasin and hurried the two of them to their room to get their things.

Once they had all the necessary documents, the three of them left together and headed straight for the county government.

Yesterday was the Lantern Festival, so there had been a lantern fair in the county town at night, and the curfew had been lifted for the evening.

The streets had been crowded, and worried about potential trouble, Chen Song and the other constables had all been assigned to patrol the streets and alleys. They still hadn’t returned.

Fortunately, by the time they arrived at the county government, Chen Song was already waiting for them at the entrance.

They had arrived early, so there weren’t many people in the Rites Office of the county government yet. When Chen Song saw them, he quickly led them over to register.

The person in charge of registering information for the county examination was an old clerk.

The man was nearly sixty, with a full head of white hair and a white beard. He was one of the county government’s semi-retired personnel. But because he had excellent calligraphy, there were still some matters where he was indispensable.

When the old clerk saw Chen Song leading a beautiful woman and two young men, he immediately broke into a smile.

The beautiful woman, needless to say, was obviously Chen Song’s wife.

Although he had never met her, the constables who had returned from Xiaoao Mountain all said Chen Song must have had some dog-shit luck to marry such a stunningly beautiful wife. Her character, appearance, and demeanor made her seem completely out of place in their small county town. They had even teased Chen Song, asking which river he had rescued her from, and joked that they should go check it out themselves—maybe they could find a wife for one of their own sons.