After a long separation, Jiang Mingzhu and Bao'er both insisted on sleeping with Gu An'an at night.

Bao'er, being carefree, fell asleep as she talked, while Jiang Mingzhu, full of energy, asked, "Mother, did the trip to the capital go smoothly?"

The question was asked with a hint of caution.

Gu An'an said with a smile, "It's alright, nothing serious happened. Our doll shop has made a name for itself. Many young ladies from noble families like our little dolls. Do you have any new ideas? Tell me about them later. Maybe your doll designs will be popular with them too."

"Really?" Jiang Mingzhu's beautiful eyes sparkled.

"Why would I lie to you?" Gu An'an rubbed her head, for some reason recalling the small portrait she had taken from the zither.

That must be a portrait of Princess Jinse, left by the painter.

This was one of the few things Jiang Mingzhu's biological parents left her, and it ended up in her hands by such a twist of fate.

"Mother, has something bad happened?" Jiang Mingzhu felt that she saw that familiar gaze again, as if she were looking at someone through her.

What exactly happened in the capital?

"It's nothing," Gu An'an smiled. "I've just been really busy lately, so I'm a little tired and a bit out of it."

This argument was indeed clumsy, but it shouldn't have much trouble convincing Jiang Mingzhu.

...

Sun Hanzhou felt that his students seemed to be acting differently lately.

It's not that he wasn't serious about his studies, but rather that the young man seemed preoccupied with something on his mind.

Seeing that his young disciple was sleeping soundly, Sun Hanzhou called Jiang Mingyi outside, but unexpectedly, snowflakes began to fall.

"What are your orders, sir?"

"You are still young, so it doesn't matter if you don't do well on this exam." Sun Hanzhou is a child prodigy who has passed the imperial examinations at a young age and is a well-known outstanding person in Anzhou Prefecture.

But so what?

Now he's just a down-on-his-luck schoolteacher?

Jiang Mingyi nodded, but his gaze was fixed on the gate of the small courtyard.

The first snow of early winter didn't come too suddenly. Gu An'an stood there wrapped in a goose feather cloak, making her look extremely petite.

Sun Hanzhou followed the students' gaze and saw the person standing there, "Mrs. Gu."

He originally thought Gu An'an had come to pick up the child, but unexpectedly she instructed Jiang Mingyi to take the little girl away first, saying, "I have a few words to say to my husband."

Jiang Mingyi didn't say much, and left with Bao'er in his arms.

Sun Hanzhou, however, seemed a little unsure of Gu An'an's purpose in coming, and cautiously asked, "Does Madam Gu have any advice for me?"

"No, I just wanted to ask about Princess Jinse. How much do you know about her, sir?"

Sun Hanzhou looked at Gu An'an with a hint of surprise, but quickly said, "I don't know much, and I keep my promise not to tell anyone about her."

Gu An'an didn't ask further questions about who the promise was made to, things that required careful examination.

Since I can't even tell myself, I won't tell anyone else. "Thank you."

Sun Hanzhou watched the person leave in a goose feather cloak and felt a pang of regret.

It wouldn't be a problem to tell her, would it?

Madam Gu is a magnanimous person who trusts him so much; he could have easily told her.

He hesitated for a moment and did not chase after her, thinking that it would be better to wait for another opportunity. However, Gu An'an became busy and he did not see her again until before the children's examination.

Jiang Mingyi's first hurdle was passing the county-level examination.

Although one of Gu An'an's acquaintances, Du Shen, the magistrate of Anping County, was among the proctors, the examiners could not help with the questions.

Gu An'an was still a little nervous. Before sending Jiang Mingyi to the examination room, she repeatedly reassured him that it was just a small exam and it wouldn't matter if he failed.

But those waiting outside the examination hall were still filled with anxiety and tension.

So much so that Sun Hanzhou was so focused on comforting people that he forgot the words he had prepared beforehand.

“Mingyi’s studies are very solid, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

“I know, I’m just thinking about when to go to Anzhou Prefecture and where it would be more appropriate to buy a house.”

Because of the marriage of the Chen siblings, Gu An'an abandoned her original plans, and this delay caused her to miss the entire year without going to Anzhou Prefecture.

Gu An'an thought that she might as well wait until the results came out and then talk about it when Jiang Mingyi went to Anzhou Prefecture to take the prefectural examination.

Sun Hanzhou was surprised by her words and didn't know how to respond.

...

The county examination was held in mid-February, and the results were announced in early March. Those who passed the county examination would then take the prefectural examination in early April.

This is a bit rushed in terms of time.

Fortunately, although Gu An'an did not go to Anzhou Prefecture, she had already asked someone to inquire and asked real estate agents there to select several houses for her.

While waiting for the county examination results to be released, he went to Anzhou Prefecture ahead of time.

Bao'er followed her sister as they packed their things. "So, will we be living in Anzhou Prefecture from now on?"

She actually quite likes this place; the master treats her very well, as do Jiu Niang and Youyou.

Bao'er didn't really want to leave Anping County.

“The main reason for this trip is that my brother is taking an exam. If he passes, he will probably have to stay in Anzhou Prefecture. Bao’er, are you reluctant to leave here? It’s okay. Tell your mother later, and we’ll let Youyou come with us to Anzhou Prefecture.”

"I can't bear to part with you, Master, Jiu Niang and Xiao Wu, and I can't bear to part with Mei Niang and Man Niang..."

Seeing her little sister counting on her fingers, Jiang Mingzhu quickly stopped her, "I know you're reluctant, but how about we bring them over after we've settled down in Anzhou Prefecture?"

"Really? Sister, you're not lying to me, are you?"

Jiang Mingzhu felt immense pressure. "That depends on whether my brother is capable or not. If he fails the prefectural and provincial examinations, we'll have to come back. Bao'er, do you hope my brother passes the county-level examination or not?"

I originally thought this would be a very difficult question for Bao'er, but the little girl answered very decisively, "Of course I will pass the exam. My brother works so hard, he would be very sad if he didn't pass."

"You really know how to care for him." So much so that you don't even care about yourself.

Bao'er laughed, "My brother loves me too."

“That’s true.” Jiang Mingzhu laughed. “When your brother finds a wife for us, even more people will dote on you.”

Bao'er was stunned by these words. At first, Jiang Mingzhu didn't notice, but when she realized that the little chatterbox had suddenly become unusually quiet, she leaned over to look and saw that Bao'er had started to cry. "Why are you crying?"

Was there anything wrong with what she just said?