Lian Shouxin returned to the house, drank a bowl of hot soup to sober up, and leaned against the pillow, grinning foolishly while speaking. Lian Shouxin’s alcohol tolerance was quite good, and he knew how to control himself well, never getting too drunk. But now, he was indeed drunk.

The words Lian Shouxin spoke at this time had no real significance; his central sentiment was simply two words: happiness.

"I wonder how Wu Lang and Xiao Qi did in the exam?" Lian Shouxin’s words still carried a sense of amusement.

Lady Zhang and Lian Manman found Lian Shouxin’s state rather amusing. Despite being drunk, he still cared about Wu Lang and Xiao Qi, and Lady Zhang was even more concerned.

"It’s quite chilly at night now, I wonder if your brother and brother-in-law wore an extra piece of clothing? And I’m not sure what they ate today..." Lady Zhang said a long string of worries, but didn’t mention how Wu Lang and Xiao Qi’s exams went, or whether they passed or not.

As a mother, Lady Zhang’s focus of concern was never on that.

"Mother, don’t worry. Even if my brother and Xiao Qi forget, there are people around them to take care of it. I’ve given Xiao Xi and Xiao Qing thorough instructions. Mother, you forgot, as they were leaving, you also gave plenty of advice. Don’t worry, those two girls will definitely take good care of my brother and Xiao Qi." Lian Manman reassured.

"True," Lady Zhang thought for a moment and nodded, "Manman, we really owe you for this. Girls are different from boys; no matter how considerate a boy is, he doesn’t think as thoroughly as a girl."

Lian Manman had trained two considerate and smoothly usable girls to assist Wu Lang and Xiao Qi, and on this, Lady Zhang felt Lian Manman was especially attentive.

"Oh, it’s been more than half a year since I’ve seen your brother..." Lady Zhang put down the clothes she was folding, looked out the window, and murmured softly.

"Mother, you miss my brother, don’t you?" Lian Manman glanced at Lady Zhang and said with a smile.

Holidays always make one feel homesick, especially the Mid-Autumn Festival in August, which is originally a time for family reunions.

"Of course I miss him," Lady Zhang didn’t deny it, "He is flesh and blood from my body."

"...We’ll meet soon. After the exam, my brother will definitely come back." Lian Manman comforted.

"Yeah." Lady Zhang nodded.

Lian Manman was full of confidence that Wu Lang would return soon. However, things did not develop according to her expectations or Wu Lang’s plans.

After the exams, Wu Lang and Xiao Qi were unable to immediately return to Thirty Mile Camp. Mr. Loo sent a letter from the Capital City asking Wu Lang to help with something. Therefore, Wu Lang stayed in the Prefecture City, and Xiao Qi stayed as well, studying daily with Shen Qian under Master Chu.

In the blink of an eye, the end of August arrived. Lady Zhang was almost counting the days on her fingers, calculating when Wu Lang and Xiao Qi would return.

That morning, Lian Manman was feeding birds on the veranda while watching little maids trim the courtyard flowers and plants, when she heard a commotion outside, with the sound of a gong ringing.

"What’s going on?" Lian Manman was a bit startled and puzzled, so she quickly sent a little maid to the front yard to see what was happening. After a while, the maid ran back with a joyful expression.

"Returning to the lady, it’s great news." The maid seemed breathless, having run quickly and being excited, "It’s someone from the county coming to report good news, saying that Second Master has passed as a Scholar."

Lian Manman heard this and a joyful smile appeared on her face.

"I’ve been calculating; we should get news around these days." As Lian Manman said this, she turned to see Lady Zhang coming out of the house.

"Mother, did you hear? It’s Xiao Qi, he passed the exam as a Scholar." Lian Manman hurriedly greeted her.

Lady Zhang had been hearing snippets from the house but couldn’t quite believe it at first. Now hearing Lian Manman’s firm words, she fully believed it, and her eyes brimmed with joyful tears.

"Really? Is it true? Our Xiao Qi also passed as a Scholar Master?" Lady Zhang grabbed Lian Manman, repeatedly asking. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Yes, Mother, didn’t I tell you that Xiao Qi was surely going to pass?" Lian Manman said while instructing Ji Xiang to go to the front and fetch the congratulatory notice for her to see.

Ji Xiang hurried to the front yard, and soon, Han Zhong’s wife along with several steward wives came in, asking permission for how to entertain the messengers. Lian Manman issued instructions one by one, and as the wives retreated, Ji Xiang returned with the congratulatory notice.

"Master instructed that the lady should take a look and then it should be returned as it will be hung up properly later." Ji Xiang said to Lian Manman.

Lian Manman took the congratulatory notice and carefully read it. Lady Zhang, who knew some characters, also leaned over to look.

"Mother, Xiao Qi ranked second this time, even better than my brother did before." Lian Manman informed Lady Zhang.

Lady Zhang was so happy she could only repeatedly recite Amitabha.

"Returning to the lady, earlier the maid overheard the messenger say that the person who ranked first was more than ten years older than our Second Master, was an old Tongsheng who had taken the exam several times, and happened to have guessed the question correctly this time, otherwise, our Second Master would surely have been first." Ji Xiang smiled and explained.

"Don’t let them say those things, it’s just the messenger saying to please us." Lian Manman replied, because although Xiao Qi had succeeded, he was still young and should avoid arrogance.

"Second Master passed as a Scholar, it’s a great occasion; pass the word, saying that Master and Mistress declare that everyone will receive a reward!" Lian Manman further instructed.

"Yes." Ji Xiang agreed happily, about to deliver the congratulatory notice when another round of gongs sounded outside.

"Another round of messengers delivering congratulations?!"

...

Today’s update is a bit late, sorry for keeping everyone waiting.

Seeking pink votes. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)