After traveling for several days, Mo Qian and her group returned to Qinghe County.

As soon as the carriage stopped in front of the Mo residence, the servant waiting at the gate recognized the driver and suddenly his face lit up with surprise. He then shouted and ran into the residence!

"Young Master is back! Young Master is back!" As the servant's shouts rang out, the mansion immediately became lively!

A short while later, Master Mo ran out of the door, and standing behind him was the servant who had been waiting at the door!

Some of the servants from the mansion also came out to greet him along with Master Mo, all with smiles on their faces.

"Qian-ge'er, you're finally back! I've missed you so much! How was your journey?"

When the original owner's father saw Mo Qian, he took a big step forward, then patted Mo Qian's arm, his tone filled with longing!

“I didn’t go with you this time. I was so worried at home, afraid that something might happen to me on the way!” Then, the original owner’s father said with a worried tone and a concerned look on his face.

"Father, I'm fine, everything's alright, don't worry, I'm back safe and sound." Mo Qian said to the original owner's father with a smile, her voice reassuring.

"Yes, yes, it's good that you're alright and safe. I'm relieved." The original owner's father continued, his voice filled with warmth.

"Come on, let's go inside first. This isn't a place to talk! Come on, let's go into the mansion!" The original owner's father seemed to suddenly realize that they were still on the street!

He quickly said to Mo Qian.

"Okay, Father, let's go in." Mo Qian said, supporting the original owner's father's arm, and then they entered the mansion together.

After entering the manor, the original owner's father did not immediately ask Mo Qian about what she had seen and heard along the way, but instead ordered people to boil water and prepare food!

Only after Mo Qian had washed up and eaten did he inquire about her.

"Qian-ge'er, this is the first time you've been away for so long in your life. Did you encounter any dangers along the way?" The original owner's father asked Mo Qian with a nervous expression as he sat in the chair.

"Father, it's alright, the journey was quite smooth." Mo Qian concealed the Black Wind Stronghold incident from her father so as not to worry him!

Before returning home, Mo Qian specifically instructed Mo Yu and the others not to mention it to anyone, including the original owner's father!

I just don't want more people to know about Black Wind Stronghold!

I also didn't want the original owner's father to overthink things and worry!

"Before I came back, I specially brought some local specialties. The tea there is quite good. I know Dad likes tea. After I pack it up, I'll have Moyu deliver it to Dad's room!"

Mo Qian said this while looking at the worried expression on the original owner's father's face, her voice filled with affection.

"Alright, alright, then I'll have to savor it properly." Upon hearing that Mo Qian had specially brought him tea, the original owner's father's face was full of smiles, and his voice was filled with joy!

"Qian-ge'er, you've really done us proud this time! Two days before you even returned, a yamen runner came to deliver the good news!"

When the original owner's father got to this point, his face lit up with ecstasy, and his voice involuntarily grew louder!

"They say you passed the imperial examination and became a Juren! You even came out on top in the provincial examination! You were the first to pass!" The original owner's father continued, his hands trembling with excitement! His voice echoed throughout the room!

"Even the county magistrate sent an invitation to our household, wanting to host a banquet for the students from Qinghe County who have achieved the title of Juren!"

"The time is in three days!" the original owner's father said to Mo Qian, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Hmm, it's alright, I understand." Mo Qian said calmly when she heard the original owner's father mention the banquet.

However, seeing how happy the original owner's father was, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Yes, this is the first time our Mo family has been appreciated by an official! Qian-ge'er, your father is so happy!"

"Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—even my Mo family can change its social standing!" The original owner's father said this with a glint in his eyes and a firm tone.

"Father, you wait and see, I will definitely live up to your expectations! I will make the Mo family prosper in my hands!" Mo Qian looked at the original owner's father and made a firm promise with a solemn expression on her face!

"Good, good, good! You truly are a descendant of the Mo family! You are my good child!" The original owner's father blinked hard and then smiled at Mo Qian, his face filled with satisfaction.

Three days later

"Master Mo is truly a young talent! This time he has even won the top spot in the examination, bringing honor to our Qinghe County!"

At the banquet, the county magistrate, sitting in the main seat, spoke to Mo Qian with a smile on his face and a voice full of joy!

"Your Excellency is too kind. This time it was just good luck for me. I don't deserve such praise," Mo Qian said modestly, cupping her hands in greeting to the magistrate.

"Scholar Mo, you are too modest!" the magistrate then said to Mo Qian.

He then greeted the other scholar sitting beside him, who had also passed the provincial examination and earned the title of Juren, in the same manner.

"Scholar Zhao also performed exceptionally well this time!"

"Not only did they make it onto the official list, but they also achieved an impressive fifteenth place!"

"And Scholar Li is also on the list this time!"

...

"Very good, very good! You are all outstanding people of Qinghe County!" the magistrate concluded, a satisfied smile on his face.

The newly appointed scholars, seated in their seats, exchanged glances, then raised their wine cups and addressed the county magistrate in unison,

"Thanks to the magistrate's effective governance, we toast you!"

"Good! Cheers!" Upon hearing the crowd's words, the magistrate raised his wine cup and downed it in one gulp!

The others drank it too!

The banquet did not end until 7 PM!

"Young Master! Are you alright? Let me help you down." This was said as Mo Qian left the county magistrate's office.

Mo Yu, who had been waiting outside, quickly got off the carriage and ran to Mo Qian's side when he saw his young master come out.

Upon seeing Mo Qian's flushed face, suggesting she might be tipsy, he quickly said something, his face showing concern.

His words conveyed a sense of concern!

“Young Master has never liked alcohol since he was a child, and he drinks very little even after he grew up. He actually drank so much this time. Master will be worried when we get back.” Mo Yu looked at Mo Qian with eyes full of heartache.

"I'm fine, just a little flushed. I didn't drink much," Mo Qian replied, her expression softening.

Indeed, there weren't many; the vast majority of them were sent into Mo Qian's spatial storage!

Afterwards, the two boarded the carriage and headed towards the Mo residence.

Meanwhile, the original owner's father, who usually went to bed early, was also sitting in the main hall waiting.

There was still some worry on his face!

Then he stood up again, glanced outside the door, and after seeing that there was no movement, paced back and forth in the lobby, his face showing anxiety!

He muttered to himself, "Why isn't he back yet? It's so late!"

"Why hasn't Mo Yu brought them back yet! If I had known it would take this long, I would have gone to pick them up!"

...

After about half a cup of tea's time, a commotion came from outside, and the original owner's father suddenly walked towards the door!