Lu Baichuan smiled sincerely as he watched his wife get along with everyone.

It's no wonder these kids like her; she really understands children's minds so well.

While it's good that Leizi is becoming more sensible, there are many things that don't require their concern now. Therefore, it's best for them to maintain a childlike heart and grow up happily.

Today's meal was exceptionally lavish. All the servants came to greet the master and mistress of the house. Lu Baichuan and his wife were both approachable people, so they naturally didn't make things difficult for them. They gave them a few instructions and then told them to go eat as well, before going off to their own business.

The kids who run the business don't come home for lunch; they eat at the shop. So for now, only the kids who are on break from school are here.

Knowing that He Jiuniang had brought them gifts again, they were all just as happy and conflicted as Lei Zi. They knew in their hearts that they shouldn't accept gifts from He Jiuniang anymore, but receiving gifts was truly a joyful thing!

For a moment, the children looked at each other, wanting to laugh but not daring to, unsure how to express their emotions.

He Jiuniang found it amusing and said, "Laugh if you want to. We're all family, why have you started hiding your true intentions?"

The children lowered their heads guiltily. He Jiu's mother felt it was necessary to explain things properly, so she cleared her throat and said, "I brought you gifts because I felt it was worth it. You are all children in our family, and you are all sensible and good children. It's a good thing that you are liked by us elders, and that makes me want to bring you gifts no matter where I go. Just accept them with peace of mind. If you feel bad about it, when you grow up and become successful, wherever you go, just think of bringing us some gifts too."

The children in the family are all very well-mannered. They never feel that it is their duty to bring back gifts for them when she goes out. They are always grateful. For this reason alone, He Jiu Niang is willing to spoil them.

The children listened attentively to He Jiuniang's words, and felt a little secretly pleased when she praised them for being worthy.

Nothing is more joyful than receiving praise from elders.

"Auntie, we understand!"

Lei Zi took the lead in responding, and the other children nodded with smiles. Gou'er said in a childish voice, "Because my older brothers and sisters are very nice to me when my parents aren't around, right, Mommy?"

How could He Jiuniang say that was wrong? She pulled her son into her arms and kissed him. Seeing Lu Baichuan next to her, she added, "By the way, these gifts weren't just from me. Your third uncle also went to pick them out."

"Hehe, Uncle and Aunt are the best!"

The children said nice things, and everyone ate the meal in a harmonious atmosphere. He Jiu Niang had some local specialties she had brought from the capital prepared and then prepared to go see Scholar Kang.

"Since Mr. Kang arrived in Jingzhou, he has been renting a place in a small alley next to the academy. Because there are many students living there and the prices are very high, Mr. Kang shares a small courtyard with others."

The group sat in a carriage. Although it was a bit crowded, it was lively. Lei Zi also began to tell Lu Baichuan and He Jiuniang about Kang Xiucai's current situation.

He Jiuniang listened quietly. School district housing is of course expensive, no matter when.

Although Kang Xiucai has been able to earn money by teaching all these years, he has also been spending a lot of money on medicine. Even if he were to share an apartment now, he would probably still be under a lot of pressure.

Adding to this, he was framed during the exam and didn't perform well, so it's easy to imagine that Kang Xiucai is in a bad mood right now.

Lu Baichuan asked, "Has Mr. Kang told you about his future plans?"

“I know that!” Gou’er interjected. “Mr. Kang said that we should wait for the results first. If he can pass the exam, he will prepare for the provincial exam next year no matter how difficult it is. But if he doesn’t pass, he will study for another three years and prepare for the next provincial exam.”

From this perspective, it seems that Kang Xiucai was desperate to take the imperial examination.

He Jiuniang shook her head. "It's not easy to hold onto a secure job!"

However, she still had high hopes for Kang Xiucai. A person with such strong will couldn't possibly have such bad luck forever.

"What happened to Mr. Kang being falsely accused of cheating? Who was the other party involved?"

"We're not too sure about that. The teacher didn't say anything specific. We asked the new teacher, but he doesn't know much about it either. This matter has been covered up. The only thing we told everyone at the end was that Mr. Kang was innocent and could still take the exam."

Lei shook his head. This matter hadn't even caused a big stir. If it weren't for the fact that they knew Mr. Kang, they probably wouldn't have even heard about it.

Lu Baichuan and his wife exchanged a glance. Such a serious matter was not being made public, which was definitely suspicious. It seemed they should ask the prefect.

The two knew what the other was thinking with just a glance. He Jiuniang spoke first, saying, "I had mentioned before that I wanted to hold a banquet at home and invite the ladies and young women of Jingzhou to come and get to know each other. I think it would be in the next few days. I'll have the invitations sent out tonight, and then at the banquet, I'll find an opportunity to ask the Prefect's wife."

Although she had a past conflict with the prefect's wife, He Jiuniang didn't think it was a big deal. She could just give her some benefits at worst. There are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

Lu Baichuan nodded and said, "Then I'll leave this matter to you."

"no problem."

Logically speaking, his position was higher than that of the prefect. If he wanted to know the details, he could have gone directly to the prefect to ask. However, this involved some privacy, and it was inconvenient for a grown man like him to use his official position to suppress others. Letting He Jiuniang inquire about the information through a banquet was the most tactful and convenient way, saving face for everyone.

Once he finds out the details of the matter, if it really involves some sensitive issues, he can use his official position to pressure Kang Xiucai and give him an explanation. But if it's just a misunderstanding, then he hasn't revealed any intentions and naturally won't be too embarrassed.

In officialdom, one cannot help but pay attention to these interpersonal relationships.

Just then, the coachman Fang Da said, "Sir, Madam, we've arrived."

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the alley, but the alley was too narrow for the carriage to pass through, so they had to walk.

Lu Baichuan got out of the car, carrying the gift box himself, and the other person said, "Find a cool place to sit and wait."

Fang Da agreed and watched them leave.

He Jiuniang underestimated the congestion in this school district. The alley was full of people, but most of them were servants, doing things like washing clothes for their masters.

These things should have been done in the courtyard, but the courtyard was too small, and the masters also needed to read, so they had to move them outside.

He Jiuniang and her group almost had nowhere to stand. The servants who were washing clothes nervously made way for them, for fear of offending the noble people.

Fortunately, the boys were already used to it and easily avoided the obstacles, stopping at the entrance of the third courtyard to wait for the couple to come over.