"I know, Mom. I'm not a child anymore. I know."

Pei Yunzhou was much more cheerful than Pei Yanzhi. Hearing his strong voice, Madam Wen beamed with joy.

"Good, good, you must study hard too, and this year you can pass the imperial examination with your mother and become a scholar."

"..."

The title of Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination) is not something that can be obtained simply by taking the exam.

Pei Yunzhou looked a little embarrassed, but he still nodded with a smile, which made Madam Wen's smile even brighter, and Old Madam Pei felt even more sorry for Pei Yanzhi.

The two brothers were born from the same womb, and Wen Shi made no attempt to conceal her favoritism.

Jiang Shuwan also curiously looked at Pei Yunzhou. Pei Yunzhou was a year younger than Pei Yanzhi, and he was a handsome young man with a strong middle school spirit.

The Marquis's family had a quota for those who were granted special privileges at the Imperial Academy. Pei Yanzhi passed the exam himself, so the quota fell to him.

However, his scholarship was clearly inferior to Pei Yanzhi's. Pei Yanzhi was in the top class, while he was at the bottom, even worse than Pei Lingyu.

Pei Lingyu disliked the imperial examinations and official career, but she was quite talented in poetry; otherwise, Jiang Yao wouldn't have taken such a liking to her.

Pei Yunzhou was just coasting through his time at the Imperial Academy. Compared to the classics like "The Great Learning" and "The Doctrine of the Mean," he preferred martial arts and swordplay. Jiang Shuwan would sometimes pass by the Marquis's garden and see him wielding swords and daggers there, clearly enjoying it very much.

She had also heard from Madam Pei that Pei Yunzhou wanted to join the army, but because Madam Wen refused, he ended up entering the Imperial Academy.

He hadn't originally passed the exam for a place in the Imperial Academy, but Lady Wen begged the old Marquis to use his connections to allow him to go as a student in the Imperial Academy.

This is a common tactic used by the powerful and wealthy. The legitimate study tour quota is for twenty students, plus one chief priest, and two teachers. A group of scholars who can't lift a finger or carry a heavy load will need a few pageboys to serve them. The powerful and wealthy with connections will divide up the pageboy quota.

Although I'll only be able to stand and serve them, I'll still be able to listen to the lessons and broaden my horizons.

In his previous life, Pei Yunzhou went on a study tour as a tutor, so Jiang Shuwan's reaction was not surprising.

Pei Lingyu's absence surprised her.

After all, in her previous life, Madam Bo had been boasting about Pei Lingyu's attendance at the tutoring session everywhere, and she was incredibly proud of it, as if Pei Lingyu could become the top scholar just by attending one class, and she would brag about it to her every day.

For the sake of the position of tutor, the eldest daughter-in-law of this generation disregarded all shame and made repeated trips to the Marquis's residence. She not only visited Old Madam Pei, but also visited Madam Wen several times, and each time she brought generous gifts.

With the Marquis's abilities, it would be difficult to secure another tutor position, but it's not impossible. It's likely that the old master's decision to become a monk really upset Madam Pei, making her extremely disappointed with the Marquis's family.

There was also the family farce at the aunt's birthday banquet. Although the old lady didn't attend, the news eventually reached her ears.

This only increased their disappointment with the Earl's Mansion.

Pei Lingyu's desired position as a tutor was naturally unavailable.

Pei Lingyu was quite disappointed by this. As the only son of the Earl's family, he had never traveled far from home, since his parents were alive and he was not allowed to travel far.

He would definitely be willing to go out and enjoy the scenery if he could.

Seeing the spot she had secured slip away, Madam Bo hated Jiang Yao even more. She felt that Jiang Yao was being unreasonable and had caused such a mess, not only losing face in front of the clan but also losing such an important opportunity as the study tour.

Pei Lingyu has been quite cold towards Jiang Yao lately. According to news from the Marquis's residence, the young couple hasn't shared a room for quite some time.

Jiang Yao also argued with Pei Lingyu every day, saying things like "You heartless man, you've wronged me," and then after cursing, she would fight with Pei Lingyu, screaming and tearing at each other, with deafening roars.

Qingxing was stunned, never expecting Jiang Yao to be so powerful.

In particular, Jiang Yao's beating of Pei Lingyu had a great impact on Qingxing.

In this day and age, it is very normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Even if the master of the house has an affair with a maid, it is the fault of the vixen.

The grandmother, who was the legal wife, only hit the vixen; very few dared to hit their husbands.

Jiang Yao is definitely the first woman in modern times to beat her husband.

Qingxing watched with amazement, while Jiang Shuwan was listless. She couldn't sleep well because of the noise and even wanted to move.

Of course, moving was out of the question; she just wanted Jiang Yao to keep arguing with her and not provoke her into a fight.

On the other side, everyone bid farewell to the brothers Pei Yanzhi and Pei Yunzhou. The third and fourth wives all came, and Pei Shushu was even whispering to Pei Yanzhi.

"Big brother, you must study hard and become the top scholar in the autumn examination when you come back. Then Madam will still think that your second brother will definitely pass. Let's see what Madam says then."

Jiang Shuwan's brow twitched: "..."

Little Shushu, you have great taste!

I was surprised to learn that your older brother could become the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Then, Jiang Shuwan noticed that everyone's eyes had turned to her.

Jiang Shuwan =_=: "..."

Why are you looking at me?

She paused for a moment, then belatedly realized that it was her turn, the young mistress, to say goodbye to Pei Yanzhi.

She sniffed and blinked hard, but even after squeezing twice, she couldn't squeeze out two crocodile tears—or rather, tears of parting. She could only wipe her eyes with a handkerchief that had been pre-soaked with a spicy scent.

Tears welled up instantly.

The girl's eyes were misty with tears, making everything blurry.

Through her teary eyes, she looked at the self-disciplined and upright young master. The girl's pure white tears fell like pearls, making even the servants watching feel that her sincerity towards the young master was truly genuine.

"My husband, you must take good care of yourself. There are many mosquitoes, snakes and ants in the south. This is a sachet I made, filled with many medicinal herbs, which can ward off snakes and insects."

"Young mistress is so thoughtful."

"No wonder the young master treats the young mistress so well. The young mistress has thought of things that the madam has not thought of."

The servants nearby whispered among themselves, and Old Madam Pei nodded in agreement, thinking that at least Jiang Shuwan was there, otherwise Pei Yanzhi would really have no one to care for him.

Pei Yanzhi narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping across Jiang Shuwan's face.

Jiang Shuwan's tears were genuine; it was just that when Pei Shushu was talking to him, he had inadvertently glanced at her, and at that moment she was clearly lost in thought and did not show any reluctance towards him.

Moreover, they themselves know the nature of their relationship, and there's really nothing to regret about parting ways with.

so.

Is it all an act?

He frowned, unable to articulate his emotions for the moment.

He had never seen a woman like Jiang Shuwan before; she was a natural performer with excellent acting skills.

But she doesn't harm anyone.

Jiang Shuwan was also a little confused.

What happened?

What was the young minister hesitating about? According to his personality, he should have accepted the purse, and then the couple would have said a few words in front of everyone, and then she would be the young mistress, and he would go about his studies, each going their own way, respecting each other as guests.

Why does Pei Yanzhi look like he wants to say something but hesitates...?