Ye Panjiu was still riding a horse, but this time there were even more people riding horses.

There were still only two carriages.

Ye Ming also rode a horse. Since the county examination in February, he had listened to Ye Panjiu and started practicing martial arts for half an hour every day, which made him much stronger.

He was no longer the weak and scholarly man he used to be.

Those on horseback didn't wait for the carriages. Ye Taohua rode in the lead, followed by Ye Daniu. The group spurred their horses and headed straight for Shuzhou.

Upon arriving in Shuzhou, Ye Panjiu looked at the familiar scenery and a smile appeared on her lips.

Under Duan Jingcheng's governance, Shuzhou became even more prosperous.

We arrived at the Wang residence, which has now been renamed the Ye residence.

She disliked hiring maids and servants to guard the house, so she deliberately arrived a day early and hired odd jobs along the way to help clean the house.

When the carriage finally arrived at dusk, the house had already been cleaned and all the bedding had been replaced with new ones.

Old Man Ye and Old Woman Ye had only heard Ye Panjiu mention this house before, but they had never actually seen it.

After a day of riding in a carriage, their backsides were sore from the jostling, so they took each other's hands and began to tour the house.

This house is much more exquisite and larger than the houses in Qingshui Village.

Wang Hezhi's embezzled wealth was considerable; his mansion was large, with numerous wives and concubines, and over a hundred servants.

Sun has already taken the new clothes she made to Ye Ming.

Ye Ming was making the most of his time, trying to read as much as possible.

When Mrs. Sun saw that the room was a bit dark, she quickly added two more candles. "Your aunt said that it's too dark to read in, it's bad for your eyes."

Ye Ming didn't even look up, only replying, "Okay."

Sun pulled him up, saying, "Your aunt also said that you can't stay up late to study before the exam. Don't study so late."

Ye Ming could only look at her and said, "Mother, why did you light the candles first? Isn't that a waste?"

Sun glared at him, "Didn't you think of that too? Try on these clothes, you can wear them for the exam the day after tomorrow. If they don't fit, I'll alter them for you."

Ye Ming looked at the bright red undergarment with a look of resistance, "I don't want to wear this red, everyone will laugh at me."

Sun picked up the clothes and was about to put them on him, saying, "What's so funny about this? Red is so festive!"

Ye Ming's eyes darted around, and his expression turned sad. "If I pass the exam, then the celebration will be fine. But if I fail, who knows how many people in Shuzhou will laugh at me."

He sighed several times as he spoke.

For a moment, Madam Sun held the clothes without moving them, but in the end she put them away. "It was my oversight, son. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I have money now. Even if you don't pass the exam, I can still support you to continue your studies. Don't feel pressured."

Ye Ming smiled and said, "Mom, I know. Our family is doing fine now."

He didn't feel any pressure from his family. His family was very kind and supported him through both the county and provincial examinations.

But he wasn't without pressure either. He remembered his master's words before he left: "None of your previous nine senior brothers have fallen out of the top three. You mustn't tarnish the good reputation of your master and your senior brothers."

When the master said this, he didn't like him very much.

He also knew that none of his senior classmates had failed to achieve first place in the county-level examination.

Although the master held back and didn't say anything to him, he was still uncomfortable.

But the thought that all the scholars in Shuzhou would come to take the provincial examination, including women, put him under immense pressure.

Just getting through this is already a blessing, let alone being in the top three...

He shuddered at the thought.

Mrs. Sun nervously wiped his sweat, saying, "This child, he's perfectly fine, why is he sweating?"

Ye Ming sighed, "Mother, I'm fine. I've been traveling all day and I'm tired. You should rest early too."

He then turned Sun's shoulders with both hands and pushed her away.

Mrs. Sun picked up the bright red undergarment, ready to go along with her son's wishes.

Ye Ming took the clothes from the box and said, "My mother made these for me. I'll wear them later."

He cherished the clothes that Sun made for him, and he would be very upset if they got torn or dirty.

Mrs. Sun laughed again, "Alright, alright, but don't stay up too late! If I see any lights on in your room, I'll come in and blow them out!"

As she spoke, she took all the candles away.

Ye Ming's eye twitched; he really wanted to continue reading for a while longer.

After Sun left, Ye Ming looked alone in the dark room, sighed, and put down the book he had picked up.

Instead, he muttered to himself while reciting his book.

She fell asleep as soon as her mouth stopped moving and she collapsed onto the bed, her head hitting the pillow.

The next day was the sixth day of the fourth lunar month.

At dusk, Mu Gu discreetly entered the Ye residence through a small gate.

Ye Taohua was practicing martial arts in front of the small door when Mu Gu pushed the door open and walked in.

She raised her eyebrows high. "This is actually the Mu residence?"

Mu Gu was a little embarrassed. He scratched his head and bowed to her. "Please don't be offended, young lady. This key was left by your mother. I came here to see your mother on the instructions of Lord Duan."

Ye Taohua didn't mind and pointed to the right spot, "Go straight along this path, my mother is just ahead."

Mu Gu looked at her, thanked her, and hurried forward.

This little girl looks like she's grown quite a bit taller in just two or three months.

She's almost as tall as him.

Ye Panjiu was helping out in the dining hall, chatting happily with her eldest and second sisters-in-law.

Mu Gu was very familiar with the Ye family. After greeting them one by one, he went into the dining hall.

"Madam Ye, Lord Duan has a question for you."

Ye Panjiu looked at him, "Should I go outside to talk?"

Mu Gu shook his head. "It's alright. It's just that there are thirteen women coming to take the provincial examination tomorrow. Madam thinks it's extremely inappropriate to have them stripped of their outer garments and searched like men at the door."

Ye Panjiu nodded. "That's definitely not appropriate."

"Madam and Master have not come up with a good solution, so they have come to ask for your advice, Madam."

Ye Panjiu pondered for a moment, then asked the madam to take the maid to inspect the area and set up a small room in front of the door with a cloth to block out the view of others.

She knew very well that most of the women who would be coming to take the exam the next day would be from wealthy and prestigious families.

For aristocratic families, there is no reason not to cultivate women, as these are all resources for future marriage alliances.

Now that Empress Shengping has ascended the throne, many powerful families have naturally taken action, quickly realizing that women holding official positions may bring greater rewards than men.

After all, it was obvious to all that Sheng Ping favored Di Yunxin and Lin Menghuai.

Mu Gu pondered for a moment, "Madam is also a titled lady, why don't you go with her?"

This was the real reason he made this trip; Ye Panjiu's name was known to many in the true power center of the capital.

If you want to get closer to Su Yan or Sheng Ping, starting with her is a sure way to make a profit.

Ye Panjiu smiled and shook her head, "I have no interest in the court, so I won't join in the fun."

Mu Gu bowed and said, "Thank you, Madam. I will go back and report now."

Ye Panjiu added, "Please give my regards to Lord Duan."

Mu Gu smiled and nodded, then turned and left.