Actually, it was because Xu Di had been following Xu Rao in Hexi, making it inconvenient for him to travel back and forth. In addition, Xu Di had been causing quite a bit of trouble in Hexi. If it were more convenient, Xu Di would have passed the preliminary examination for the imperial examination much earlier.

Zhang Zhaoci felt uneasy ever since she ran into Ning Shi in the old lady's courtyard that night. Although she hadn't done anything wrong, she felt that she had witnessed someone else doing something wrong. When Zhang Zhaoci mentioned this to Granny Lu, Granny Lu said, "It's not like you did anything wrong, so why are you feeling guilty? I think you're just bored. If you think you still have time to overthink things, go and see what kind of food Di Ge'er can eat during his exams."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "I wonder how our Di-ge'er did on the exam. I heard that if he gets first place, he won't have to take the prefectural and provincial exams and will become a Xiucai directly."

Granny Lu said, "There's no such thing as a free lunch. Even if you get first place, you still have to keep taking the exam."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhaoci said, "Isn't that right? I remember it being like this." Zhang Zhaoci quickly went to ask Xu Di, who sighed and said, "Mother, there's no such thing. If there were, how would the 'Little Three Scholars' and 'Big Three Scholars' come about? Don't worry, just focus on preparing my materials for the prefectural exam. Once I pass the prefectural exam, I'll take the provincial exam."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "Isn't there the provincial examination for those who pass the imperial examinations? How difficult is that?"

Xu Di said, "The great waves sift out the sand, do you think it's difficult or not? But I think I can still do it. After I pass the provincial examination, we'll go back to Hexi. I've really had enough of staying here. Nothing here suits my taste."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "I don't know how your father is doing now. We left him all alone in Hexi, and there's no one to keep him company."

Xu Di said, "With people cooking, doing laundry, and cleaning, how do you think he'll live?"

Zhang Zhaoci said, "Never mind, you should study now. I'll go check what you need to prepare. I heard this time the exam isn't being held in the government office, but in a special examination hall."

While Zhang Zhaoci was worrying about Xu Di's exams, Ning Shi was worrying about Xu Gao's dowry.

Ning Shi started saving dowries for her two daughters when they were very young, but the Yongning Marquis's mansion was never very wealthy. Even though Ning Shi was a shrewd and capable woman, a clever housewife can't cook without rice.

Looking at the rather meager dowry list, Madam Ning sighed and said to the head maid beside her, "Our eldest daughter is bringing these things with her when she marries into the Earl's mansion; it's a bit meager."

The old woman said, "Madam, there are eight more girls after the eldest daughter. We've prepared a generous dowry for the eldest daughter, but what about the girls who come after? The manor has prepared eight thousand taels of silver as dowry for each girl. Besides buying things, it would be better if we converted it into silver notes for the eldest daughter to keep herself."

Ning said, "I know that's how life is, but I can't let people laugh at my eldest daughter. She's the one my son and I have raised with our love. I've carefully taught her so that she can find a good family and not be laughed at."

The old woman sighed inwardly. This eldest mistress was good in every way, but she was a bit confused when it came to the eldest daughter's dowry. A few days ago, she even went to the old lady to ask for something. Fortunately, no one else in the mansion knew. If others had found out, it would probably have caused a huge uproar. The old lady didn't only have the eldest mistress as a granddaughter-in-law, nor did she only have the eldest daughter as a great-granddaughter.

The old woman said, "Madam, what are you saying? We should prepare a more practical dowry for our eldest daughter. Let's not look at others, but at our own Third Madam." Before the old woman could finish speaking, Madam Ning waved her hand and said, "Old woman, we can't let our eldest daughter follow in the footsteps of the Third Madam. Our eldest daughter comes from a marquis's family, while the Third Madam comes from a family of doctors. Our eldest daughter will be dealing with noble families in the future, while the Third Madam just stays in her own little courtyard. There's no comparison."

In fact, all the servants in the mansion felt that Third Madam lived a comfortable life. Although she didn't show off on a daily basis, the people in Third Madam's courtyard received high rewards, and the things Third Madam used on a daily basis were all of the best quality. If she didn't have money and lacked confidence, how could she afford to use such things?

Life is about feeling comfortable and at ease. If you focus too much on superficial things, life becomes meaningless.

Ning said, "Granny, what do you think about me going to discuss this with the old lady again?"

The old woman quickly stopped her, saying, "Madam, neither the Marquis nor the Heir Apparent knows about this. What will happen if they find out? You should think it over carefully."

Ning said, "But this is my eldest daughter. Her marriage must not be something that people will laugh at."

While Ning was troubled here, Xu Gao was also troubled in his own courtyard.

No secrets stay hidden forever. Xu Gao found out that Ning had gone to the old lady to ask for something. In fact, the old lady had secretly told Xu Gao this, just to see how Xu Gao would handle it. As a future matriarch, one must not only have skill, but also temperament, vision, and magnanimity.

After hearing what her maid had secretly told her, Xu Gao felt as if her face had been slapped, burning with embarrassment. Her face was flushed, and she sat in her embroidery room for a long time, holding her breath. She wanted to ask her mother about it, but then she thought that her mother had done such a shameful thing for her sake, and she had no reason to blame her. However, Xu Gao also felt that it would be wrong not to ask.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!