The few people she cared about all passed the exam, and Lian Manman was especially delighted.

In these times, unless granted a special favor by The Emperor, provincial exams were held once every three years, unlike the Tongsheng exams. The passing of Old Master Lian caused Xiao Qi to delay taking the Tongsheng exam by a year, but it did not affect Wu Lang’s provincial exam. So, Wu Lang still took the exam together with Wang Youheng and Shen Qian.

After talking about the exams, everyone asked Wu Lang about his life in the Capital City and Mr. Loo’s situation. Wu Lang didn’t mind repeating himself and answered all the questions one by one. To Lian Manman’s family, the Capital City was a place of unrivaled novelty and longing; they listened to Wu Lang’s descriptions with great interest.

"Brother, now that you and Xiao Qi have both passed, have you written a letter to Mr. Loo to share the good news?" Lian Manman asked Wu Lang.

"I already wrote one," Wu Lang nodded and said, "When I learned about the exam results in the Prefecture City, I immediately wrote to Mr. Loo."

"Did you send anything along?" Lian Shouxin asked.

"Yes, I did," Wu Lang replied, "I sent some fine pelts and some local products from our village."

"That’s the right thing to do." Lian Shouxin nodded in approval, "Our family could achieve what we have today because we met Mr. Loo, who is a great benefactor."

"We will never forget the kindness of our mentor." Wu Lang and Xiao Qi both said.

Lady Zhang then asked Wu Lang if he had been eating well and was healthy during his time away and inquired about what he wanted to eat later. Because it was a long-awaited reunion, Lady Zhang even placed Wu Lang ahead of Xiao Qi, whom she usually doted on the most.

"... I miss the home-cooked meals you and Manman make, and the noodles Dad rolls out..." Wu Lang assured her that everything was well and told her not to worry, before adding with a smile.

Hearing Wu Lang say this, Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhang, and Lian Manman were happy, yet felt a tinge of sadness.

"That’s easy enough. After a while, we’ll have your dad roll out some noodles and make you some fried sauce noodles to eat. Then, I and Manman will personally cook a whole table of dishes for the two of you brothers." Lady Zhang said.

The family chatted on, getting more animated as they spoke. Suddenly, Lian Manman remembered another important matter.

"Brother," Lian Manman called Wu Lang’s name, then stopped.

"What’s up, Manman?" Wu Lang looked up at Lian Manman.

After pondering for a moment, Lian Manman dismissed the attendants in the room and only then resumed speaking to Wu Lang.

"The errands Sixth Master tasked you with, have they all been completed?" Lian Manman asked in a low voice when everyone else had left.

At that time, Wu Lang’s letter didn’t mention the specifics of what Shen Liu had instructed, which Lian Manman assumed was because it was inconvenient to say. That is why she dismissed everyone today to ask Wu Lang.

"I wouldn’t have come back with Xiao Qi if they weren’t done," Wu Lang said, after a brief pause, then also lowered his voice and roughly explained what Shen Liu had instructed.

"For such an important task to be assigned to you by Sixth Master, he truly values us. Wu Lang, you must be doubly diligent in the future, so you don’t disappoint Sixth Master and make him think he’s trusted the wrong person or that we’re unreliable." Lian Shouxin said after listening.

"Don’t worry, Dad, I understand." Wu Lang responded.

"Yes, I know. You, as a child, were more understanding than most from a young age. Now you’re studying and gaining experience outside, handling things better than even I can... I have no worries." Lian Shouxin said.

"Dad, don’t say that." Wu Lang quickly interjected.

"It’s the truth, I’m saying this because I’m pleased." Lian Shouxin said, "People say your mother and I are fortunate, and I feel we are. Not in other ways, but because you children are considerate and capable; that’s our blessing."

The family chatted for a while longer, and indeed, Lian Shouxin personally rolled out the noodles, while Lady Zhang and Lian Manman prepared the toppings and fried sauce. The family enjoyed a simple midday meal. In the evening, Lady Zhang and Lian Manman cooked a table of homemade dishes together. To make up for missing the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion, they even made mooncakes, and the family enjoyed a full Mid-Autumn reunion dinner.

With Wu Lang and Xiao Qi passing with high marks, relatives and friends from near and far, as well as officials and gentry from Jinyang County, came to offer their congratulations. Manman’s family took the opportunity to hold a three-day feast, inviting several famous opera troupes, renowned lead performers, and acrobatic troupes from Jinyang County to put on a big show beneath the archway, singing grand operas for three consecutive days.