Chen had been sipping tea from her teacup since just now. Now that she saw Li Wanzhao make Huang suffer a loss, she finally put down her cup and explained the purpose of summoning her today. 

She said, “Chao jie’er, there’s no need to be so angry. Bringing you out in the heavy snow today wasn’t intentionally to torment you. Yesterday, after you left Chongming Hall, your grandmother mentioned that she wanted you to sew two red garments for your younger brother and elder brother. When the time comes, before the county exam starts, take them to the Wenchang Temple to pray for good luck.” 

These two brothers, one was from the main house, and the other was from the second house. 

The one from the main house was named Li Hongyuan, and he was Chen’s son. He was fifteen this year. Although he was young, the family thought there was no harm in him participating in the county exam early, so they registered him. The one from the second house was Huang’s son, and he was Li Wanzhao’s cousin. He was nineteen this year, the same age as Wen Chen, and was the right age to participate in the children’s exam. 

The current emperor, Zhenyuan Emperor, attached great importance to the imperial examination. Whether you were from a humble family or a noble family, everyone was equal before the imperial examination. 

Therefore, the Li family also attached importance to this children’s exam. 

Moreover, if they passed the children’s exam this year, they could catch up with the triennial autumn exam. 

The children’s exam was divided into three stages. The first stage was the county exam, followed by the prefectural exam and the academy exam. Only by passing these and becoming a xiucai (a degree holder) could they participate in the autumn exam. 

After hearing Chen’s words, Li Wanzhao also knew why Huang had been praising her for being diligent just now. It turned out that she was thinking of finding something for her to do. 

It was just after the New Year, in mid-January. In another month, it would be the county exam. 

She hadn’t made a red garment for Wen Chen to bring good luck, but she was going to make it for those two unrelated brothers? 

Not to mention three garments, she also had to go to the Wenchang Temple… 

If it was for her own husband, she would be willing. 

But if it was for Li Hongyuan and her cousin, she was extremely unwilling. 

She wanted to decline, but she heard Chen speak first, “Don’t think that I’m deliberately making things difficult for you. It’s mainly because your embroidery is good, which makes people feel at ease. That’s what your grandmother said too. Moreover, you’re praying for blessings for your family. When the time comes, I’ll talk to your father, and he’ll also appreciate your filial piety and forgive you for those absurd things you’ve done.” 

Chen’s implication was that if Li Wanzhao agreed, she would intercede with Li Guan for her. 

Chen knew that Li Wanzhao would not refuse this condition. 

Sure enough, there was finally a change in Li Wanzhao’s expression, and in the end, she really agreed to this matter. 

Chen couldn’t help but sneer in her heart after seeing this, feeling that she was pitifully stupid. Since she had given her the task, she didn’t say anything more to her and let her go back. 

When they came out of Chen’s place, Zhixia said anxiously, “Miss, how could you agree! She must be lying to you. She’s agreeing so readily now, but how could she possibly be a lobbyist for you when the time comes? Besides, two red garments… You can’t possibly not make one for the young master either. When the time comes, that’ll be three. How can you handle that?!” 

Zhixia was afraid of being heard, so she tried her best to lower her voice, but because she was excited, it was still a bit loud. 

Chen wanted nothing more than for Li Guan to quarrel with her. Now that she was using Li Guan to coax Li Wanzhao, how could she believe her words? 

Compared to her excitement, Li Wanzhao’s reaction was relatively calm. 

She said, “I know. I’m not counting on her.” 

Zhixia didn’t understand, “Then what are you agreeing to do?” 

Li Wanzhao said, “I’m going to find my father.” 

Zhixia said, “But haven’t you looked for him before? The master won’t see you, Miss.” 

It wasn’t as if she hadn’t looked for him before, but his anger seemed to be unquenchable, and he wouldn’t see her no matter what. 

The two returned to Guining Courtyard. Li Wanzhao’s face was buried in her scarf, and her voice sounded a bit muffled. She said, “I have to find him even if he doesn’t want to see me. I can’t continue like this.” 

She couldn’t wait for Wen Chen to pass the imperial examinations first. She didn’t want to make red garments for Li Hongyuan and the others. 

In the evening, the snow not only didn’t lessen but became even heavier. The cold wind in the air was bone-chilling. 

Li Wanzhao waited at the screen wall at the entrance. 

At this time, Li Guan would be off work from the yamen and returning home, and he would definitely pass by here. 

She had originally wanted to wait at the hanging flower gate, but there were many servants coming and going there, and she was afraid that it would reach Chen’s ears. 

There was no one at the screen wall, and it was also suitable for talking. 

However, Wen Chen returned before Li Guan. 

He was stunned for a moment when he saw Li Wanzhao here. He was clearly surprised that she was here. 

Li Wanzhao was afraid of the cold. She wouldn’t go out if she could help it on weekdays. What was she doing standing in the wind at the screen wall? 

Before he could open his mouth, he saw Li Wanzhao smile at him. 

Her face looked even smaller in the scarf. Perhaps it was because of the wind, her lips and face were pale, so that the smile on her face looked very faint, as if it could dissipate in the wind in the next second. 

“Chen Lang, go back first. I’m waiting for my father here. I have some words I want to say to him.” 

So she was waiting for Li Guan. 

Rather than waiting, it was more like catching him. 

Wen Chen nodded and didn’t say anything else. He just looked at her terribly pale lips. Perhaps out of his own upbringing, after thinking about it, he still took off his cloak and wanted to hand it to her. 

How could Li Wanzhao want it? 

He wasn’t wearing much either. If he gave it to her, he definitely wouldn’t be able to bear it. 

She hurriedly made him put his clothes back on, stopping him, “Don’t be silly. The snow is so heavy, and the county exam is in a few days. It won’t be good if you catch a cold again.” 

She saw that there was some snow on his head, so she tiptoed and wiped the snow from his hair. 

He was tall, a whole head taller than her. She had to strain her toes to reach him. 

She also instructed the servant beside him, “Hold an umbrella for the young master, and don’t let him get wet again.” 

Zhongji was also a bit surprised to see the intimate behavior between the two. 

His Highness used to hate others touching him the most, but now, Li Wanzhao was like this, but His Highness didn’t have any reaction, as if he was used to it. 

He had never seen the way the two got along before. This was his first time seeing it. 

Li Wanzhao saw that Zhongji was distracted and called out again. 

Zhongji came back to his senses and hurriedly agreed. 

Just then, Li Guan came in from outside. 

His figure appeared in front of her. 

Li Wanzhao was stunned and then gave Wen Chen a look. 

Wen Chen understood her meaning, greeted Li Guan, and then went to the inner courtyard. 

However, he didn’t walk far before he heard Li Wanzhao cry out “Father” in a miserable voice. He stopped in his tracks as if possessed, standing on the back of the screen wall, where they couldn’t see him, listening to their conversation. 

Li Guan heard Li Wanzhao’s “Father” and still didn’t want to pay attention to her. He raised his foot and was about to go inside. 

Li Wanzhao directly knelt at his feet, hugged his calf, and wouldn’t let him go. 

“You… bastard! Get up, let go of me!” 

Li Guan was forty years old and looked quite dignified. When he glared, his eyebrows stood on end, which was even more intimidating. 

Li Wanzhao was most afraid of this kind of father when she was a child. 

If it were before, she would probably let go immediately after he intimidated her, but now she didn’t have time to be afraid. 

She looked up at him, and tears came out as soon as she said it. Her eyes were red, forming a sharp contrast with her pale lips. She cried and said, “I won’t let go… I won’t let go! Didn’t Father still want to give me a New Year’s gift? Why don’t you want to pay attention to me now?” 

If it were a son, Li Guan would kick him now, but she was a daughter, and her face was so pale. He was afraid of kicking her to death with one kick. 

He didn’t want to look at her anymore, afraid that he would soften his heart. He looked elsewhere, but he also replied to her, “I have to give you a New Year’s gift every year. This is what I promised your mother before she died.” 

Children have lucky money during the New Year, but Li Wanzhao was different. She also had a New Year’s gift. This was something Li Wanzhao had since she was born. Her mother left when she was very young. Before she died, she asked Li Guan to take on this task. 

Speaking of her early-dead mother, Li Wanzhao cried even more sadly, “Father gave the gift to Grandmother, but Grandmother didn’t give it to me for a whole half month. If Uncle Man hadn’t told me, I would have thought that Father was angry with me this time and didn’t even want to give this to me.” 

“Stop acting pitiful and using the word ‘charity’!” 

“Daughter didn’t say anything wrong. I went to ask Grandmother for the wolf hair brush, and Mother was also there. I took back what Father gave me, but Mother’s words implied that I was reaching for too much!” 

Li Wanzhao did have the suspicion of deliberately acting pitiful, but there were no lies in what she cried and said. 

But how could Li Guan believe it? Chen was fine. He knew that her tolerance was indeed not great, but what about the Old Madam? How could his mother be so narrow-minded as to play tricks with her children and grandchildren? 

“You unfilial child who goes against the grain, you dare to slander your grandmother?!” 

Hearing him scold her, Li Wanzhao cried sadly, looking like she was about to suffocate. 

Li Man, who had watched Li Wanzhao grow up since she was a child, saw her crying like this, and his eyes gradually became wet. He raised his sleeves and touched his eyes, and then said, “Miss didn’t lie. That thing was really pressed at the Old Madam’s place for more than half a month…” 

It was pressed for half a month, which meant that she didn’t want to give it to Li Wanzhao. 

The air was quiet for a moment. Hearing this, Li Guan’s face became even more livid. 

Li Wanzhao knew that Li Guan was filial and didn’t want to involve the Old Madam anymore. She hugged him even tighter, afraid that he would leave. She continued to cry, “Father, I didn’t mean to say bad things about Grandmother. Grandmother probably really doesn’t remember. But what about Mother? She clearly doesn’t want to be my mother.” 

Hearing her so wronged, Li Guan still said, “Who said she wasn’t your mother?! Who said she wasn’t? Didn’t she recognize you on the first day she came through the door? It seems that you still resent me, resent me for remarrying. She only said a few words to you, so why do you have to be so hung up on it?” 

Chen came through the door when Li Wanzhao was still in her swaddling clothes. It hadn’t even been three years since his deceased wife died, and he remarried.