After going back and forth with some talk, in the end Dou Yuancheng didn’t want to beat around the bush and directly asked, “The results come out tomorrow, are you confident?”

“Half and half,” Yan Shian replied.

“Nonsense.” Dou Yuancheng scoffed, “Half the chance of success and half the chance of failure—that’s obvious, no need for you to say it.”

Yan Shian smiled, “Your question is unnecessary from the start. Whether I pass depends first on how well I perform, second on whether I answered the question correctly, and third on what the examiners value most. I can only promise I’ve done my best on the first two; the rest is out of my hands.”

“Then it’s definitely no problem,” Dou Yuancheng said.

Yan Shian glanced at him, thinking not only was the question unnecessary, but this whole visit was unnecessary.

“What’s with that look? I’m just worried about you. Zeng Xian also took the exam. If he passes and you don’t, won’t his tail be wagging all the way to the sky?”

“He’s not really any better than me.” Unlike Zhang Shijin, Yan Shian had a good impression of Zeng Xian. Although Zeng was a bit aloof and liked to compete with him, he could take a loss. If he lost this time, he would just work harder and compete again next time.

They’d been classmates for four years; their wins and losses were about eighty to twenty—Yan had eighty, the other twenty.

Besides, Zeng Xian’s father was Zeng Zheng, the Chief Justice of Dali, known for his upright and incorruptible reputation.

“You know, if you both go into official careers, you might not always beat him in the future,” Dou Yuancheng patted his good friend’s shoulder with a mischievous smile. “You really don’t want to find a powerful, respectable family for your marriage?”

Yan Shian brushed his hand away, “I already have a fiancée.”

“Marry a legitimate wife with power first, then marry your childhood sweetheart as a secondary wife, and enjoy the best of both worlds… Hey hey hey, don’t hit me!” Dou Yuancheng leaned back to dodge, laughing. “I’m just looking out for you, man.”

“I think you just can’t stand the peace in my house.”

“Only a brother knows me, knows what I’m thinking.” Dou Yuancheng laughed loudly, then called to Yan Ze, “It’s been a while since we had Grandma’s special bobo vegetable dish. Let’s have her make a few more dishes for lunch today and prepare a few jars of good wine.”

Yan Ze smiled and agreed. If the gentleman had any true friends, they were only Dou Yuancheng and the young master Zhuang from their hometown.

While Yan Ze was thinking this, Dou Yuancheng brought up that person, “Has Zhuang Nan written to you? That kid’s been home for over half a year now for ancestral worship. If he doesn’t come back soon, you’ll probably miss your wedding.”

“He wrote in July, said he’d rush back before the results come out.”

“I doubt it. Unless he comes back today.”

Dou Yuancheng’s visit wasn’t for anything else. He had known Yan Shian for many years and only met his cousin this year. Other than that, he’d never seen any of his family or Yan Shian return home. Every family has their own hardships. Dou Yuancheng never pried, just came to cheer him on before the results.

Yan Shian seemed close with everyone, but despite his lesser background, he had never seen him flatter or ingratiate himself with anyone. He appeared gentle but was very strong inside. Dou Yuancheng admired this personality and hoped Yan Shian’s path would go smoothly, so his years of studying away from home wouldn’t be wasted.

---

Shi Buyu heard there were guests. She hadn’t looked up from her storybook; she reminded herself, she was still a guest! But when she saw the word “fiancée” in the book, she suddenly realized: she was also a fiancée!

“A’gu!” Shi Buyu stuck her head out the window, seeing A’gu patting the quilt. “Guests are here. What should a fiancée do? Do I need to dress up nicely to show myself?”

Wan Xia suddenly remembered this useless identity. “No need to show yourself. Qing Shan, go ask if the guests will stay for lunch.”

While waiting for the answer, Shi Buyu propped up the window frame and spoke to A’gu, “Old White Beard’s birthday is coming soon.”

Wan Xia smiled, “Is the young lady reminding me to prepare a gift for you?”

“It’s not like I want to share a birthday with Old White Beard,” Shi Buyu chuckled. Unfortunately, this year she couldn’t keep Old White Beard’s share for herself.

Thinking of Old White Beard, Shi Buyu’s mood sank and she rested on her arms, silent.

Wan Xia came over and patted her head; the girl missed the old gentleman.

“Other elder brothers left. They kept sending letters back and forth, but why can’t I get a single letter? So secretive,” Shi Buyu grumbled. “If his fortune-telling body ended up like that, I should just bury all of his things.”

“The old gentleman is just getting old.”

“Don’t try to fool me, A’gu,” Shi Buyu snorted, “If fortune-telling was easy, he wouldn’t have to pretend to be a mystic all the time.”

Wan Xia patted her head and said no more. There were many reasons, but mainly the old gentleman was too old to even do a fortune-telling anymore. Back in his youth…

---

Qing Shan quickly came in: “Aunt Wan, the steward said Master Dou will stay for lunch, and they’ve prepared wine.”

Wan Xia turned and asked, “Is this Master Dou close to your young master?”

“Yes, the young master occasionally has classmates come visit, but the only ones who come regularly are Master Dou and Master Zhuang.”

“I see.” Wan Xia rubbed the girl’s head. “I’ll make two appetizer dishes to send over. The fiancée’s intention will be conveyed.”

Shi Buyu mumbled, “I want some too.”

“How about some fruit tea too?”

“That’s fine.” Though she pretended to be reluctant, the foodie on her face was definitely smiling.

The appetizer dishes were personally delivered by Wan Xia.

Yan Shian saw her come in and stood to call her “A’gu.” Dou Yuancheng saw this and stood up, calling too.

“Young lady heard your friend arrived, so I made two dishes to go with the wine,” Wan Xia took the dishes out of the food box and set them down, smiling as she said, “Master Dou, please drink more. Please come often to accompany our young master.”

Dou Yuancheng glanced at his friend. To say this in front of the master’s face, this A’gu must be someone special. He obediently answered, “We’ll come often, definitely.”

Wan Xia picked up her box, lightly kneeled, and left.

Dou Yuancheng followed to the door and after she was gone asked, “The cousin’s attendant?”

“My cousin!” Yan Shian grabbed a cushion and threw it at him. “A’gu grew up with her, like mother and daughter.”

“That’s impressive.” Dou Yuancheng put the cushion down and sat, “The aunts around my mother aren’t as good as her. Your cousin… no wonder even Princess Qinghuan had trouble with her but she could handle it.”

Yan Shian wore a look that said, “Keep complimenting her, I love to hear it,” then picked up the wine pot and poured him a cup.

“You, with a fiancée, are really different now!”

Dou Yuancheng laughed, unable to get angry. Seeing him like this made him truly happy. Raising his cup, he said, “Marrying the one you truly like is one of life’s great joys.”

They clinked glasses and drank deeply.

Dou Yuancheng poured more wine and asked, “When’s the wedding?”

“Not decided yet. The earliest would be next year.”

“Next year’s good! Passing the imperial exam and wedding night, two great joys at once, nothing better!”

Yan Shian lowered his head and smiled. He wanted to dream such a beautiful dream, but since it was a dream, it could only stay in the dream. If it came true, it wouldn’t be a dream anymore.

“One thing first, if that day comes, I want to be your best man.”

Yan Shian clinked cups with him and promised, “If that day comes, definitely.”