"Yes, I plan to go tomorrow." Lian Shouxin nodded.

Lady Zhang looked at Xiao Qi, feeling a bit reluctant. Xiao Long and Xiao Hu also didn’t want to part with Xiao Qi.

This spring’s Tongsheng exam, Xiao Qi had already passed smoothly and obtained the qualification for the prefecture exam. Seeing that the prefecture exam was about to start, Xiao Qi needed to go there two days in advance.

"Who from the family is accompanying him?" Lian Zhizhi asked.

"There’s a house over there, everything’s in place. Wu Lang is also there, and with Wu Lang watching over him, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s just the journey there..., so many things to do in the fall, we’ve discussed it and plan to send a seasoned steward with more people to escort him." Lian Shouxin said.

"Xiao Qi will first go to the county town tomorrow. Brother Youheng is also going to participate in the autumn exam, and it’s just right that the two of them have company. Brother Youheng can stay at our house once he arrives in the prefecture city." Lian Manman said with a smile.

"That’s good." Lian Zhizhi nodded.

Only Lady Zhang was still a bit uneasy and kept thinking about letting Lian Shouxin accompany him.

"Mother, I’m already an adult. Look at my brother, he takes people everywhere successfully, and I can go by myself. Besides, Brother Youheng is there." Xiao Qi said.

"...I happen to be free these two days, why not, I’ll escort Xiao Qi." Wu Jiaxing, seeing Lady Zhang worried, said.

"Yes, let his brother-in-law escort him, then everyone can be at ease." Lian Zhizhi quickly added.

Lady Zhang was very pleased.

The family discussed for a while and finally decided to accept Wu Jiaxing’s suggestion. Although having a seasoned steward escort him would also be reassuring, having Wu Jiaxing accompany them added an extra layer of security.

Moreover, Lady Zhang had another thought in her heart. Although the person who sent the message back had already detailed Wu Lang’s situation, if someone like family, like Wu Jiaxing, could go take a look and explain it well upon return, that would be even better.

"Wu Lang has to finish the autumn exam before coming back, right? Has he sent any letters home in the past two days?" Lian Zhizhi asked with concern.

"Yes. He’ll come back with Xiao Qi after the autumn exam." Lady Zhang said, "Just yesterday, a letter was sent home."

"Sister, let me show you." Lian Manman had Ru Yi retrieve Wu Lang’s letter for Lian Zhizhi to read, "He really misses Dabao and said he’ll bring back lots of little things for Dabao. Because he was in a hurry to send the letter home, he didn’t have time to pack them, so he’ll bring them when he returns."

"Dabao also misses his uncle." Lian Zhizhi said with a smile after taking the letter.

In the past two years, Wu Lang’s days at home have decreased, while the time spent in the Capital City has increased. One reason is the need to prepare for the autumn exam, studying under Mr. Loo; the second is to be close to manage the affairs of opening a branch of the Shunde Store.

Currently, aside from the branch in Jinyang County Town and the branch in the Liaodong Prefecture City, Shunde Store has successfully opened two more branches, one being the Capital City’s branch, the other in the Prefecture City of Hejian Prefecture.

These two branches adopt the same business model as the prefecture city branch. The Lian Family holds sixty percent of the shares, while the remaining forty percent is distributed to local stakeholders. Additionally, Lian Manman’s family has acquired farms in both locations, specializing in raising fattened ducks to supply the two branches.

This business model largely ensures the smooth operation and profitability of the two branches. It can be said that ever since these two branches got on track, they’ve continuously generated revenue.

The reputation of Shunde Store has now spread across the country.

Now, several prefectures have approached, requesting to invest and inviting the Lian Family to open branches of Shunde Store in their areas. Lian Manman has already sent a chief steward to engage with these people. If nothing unexpected happens, the next Shunde Store will open in the prefecture city of Datong Prefecture at the beginning of next year.

Some time ago, Wu Lang was originally in the Capital City. Because the autumn exam started in August, he rushed back. Lian Manman received the letter, the family discussed, and decided to let Wu Lang stay in the prefecture city instead of returning to Thirty Mile Camp first. This way, Wu Lang could have more time to prepare for the autumn exam, and it would save him from some of the travel stress.

Xiao Qi’s prefecture exam is also in August, staggered with Wu Lang’s autumn exam. Tomorrow they will send Xiao Qi to the prefecture city, where the two brothers will meet and participate in their respective exams.

"Xiao Qi, are you confident?" Wu Jiaxing and Lian Zhizhi asked Xiao Qi.

"I am!" Xiao Qi answered without hesitation.

"Xiao Qi is young, and his teachers are optimistic about him. It doesn’t have to be this year or next, just take it one step at a time." Lady Zhang quickly said, fearing that Xiao Qi might overexert himself and become anxious.

Truth be told, Lady Zhang could be considered a "mother with little ambition." She didn’t have high expectations for her children, nor did she aspire to rise to prominence through them. As long as her children could live peaceful and prosperous lives, Lady Zhang was content.

"Is it Dabao waking up?" Xiao Qi listened carefully and asked.

"It should be, he’s been asleep for half the day, he should be awake." Lian Zhizhi said, and was about to go bring Dabao over.

Xiao Qi hurried ahead of Lian Zhizhi, as he was very fond of the little chubby Dabao.

"I’ll go get him." Xiao Qi said.

"Go ahead, just remember," Lian Zhizhi laughed, "Dabao just woke up, don’t let him pee all over you."

"Big sister, I know." Xiao Qi went out with a smile and soon returned with Dabao in his arms. Behind him followed Xiao Mei. Dabao had already changed into a clean set of clothes, and his diaper was changed too; it was apparent that Xiao Mei had tidied him up just now.

Xiao Mei, serving Lady Zhang at the Wu family, was very attentive in helping to take care of Dabao.

Lian Manman was very pleased, thinking silently in her heart that having arranged for the right people to accompany Lian Zhizhi was indeed the right choice.

Wu Jiaxing and Lian Zhizhi, with Dabao, stayed at the Lian family until dusk before returning to the town. The next day, Lady Zhang and Lian Manman prepared Xiao Qi’s luggage, and Lian Shouxin took Xiao Qi to bow with incense in front of the Imperially Bestowed Archway, and then, with Wu Jiaxing leading the steward and others, set off in carts and horses towards the prefecture city.

...

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