Xie Qiaoyu washed off the mud from his body and put the spices he bought from the County Town into the wooden tub, finally feeling fragrant. This box of spices was a treasure to Xie Qiaoyu, costing one tael of silver. 

At home, he received a monthly allowance of five taels of silver, which converted to five thousand wen. For ordinary folks, this might be a year’s savings, but for the Xie family, it was just Xie Qiaoyu’s monthly allowance. 

With these five taels, he also needed to buy some fabric. When traveling outside, he couldn’t buy cheap fabric, which often cost him another two taels. 

But buying fabric wasn’t a monthly necessity. Over the years, he had saved quite a bit, given some silver to Wei Bowen, indulged in some food at the restaurant, and bought a few decent hairpins. Other than that, he didn’t have many expenses. 

When he left, Xie Yuan gave him thirty taels of silver, which made Xie Qiaoyu quite happy. But at the village, there wasn’t much to spend on, leaving him both unsatisfied and content. He wanted to splurge but was forced to save. 

In the evening, he had dinner with Old Madam Xie. After eating, Old Madam Xie said, “Come with me to pay respects to Buddha.” 

The day’s schedule was clearly laid out. 

Xie Qiaoyu was very composed in front of the Buddha hall, which pleased Old Madam Xie. She was surprised, realizing she hadn’t intended to understand Xie Qiaoyu before, always treating him coldly like a concubine’s child. Now, after spending more time with him, she saw he was a good kid. 

The most promising child in the Xie family was definitely Xie Zhi. Xie Yuan was still a bit behind, having been a county magistrate of the eighth rank for five years without any progress. 

Xie Grandfather was once a county magistrate too, with a good reputation. If he hadn’t died early, he might have moved up the ranks. 

After half an hour of cautious worship, Old Madam Xie’s voice came from the front, “Alright, you can get up now.” 

“Yes, Grandmother.” 

Old Madam Xie looked at the weather, “It won’t be long before Xie Zhi goes for the provincial exam, right?” 

“The provincial exam is in August.” 

“Old people don’t fuss much. Your father and mother will handle it for your elder brother,” Old Madam Xie sighed. “It’s getting late, you should go rest.” 

Xie Qiaoyu returned to his courtyard and rolled on the bed. 

His elder brother worked so hard, he was sure to pass. 

Xie Mansion 

“Mother, don’t pack anymore. They have everything in Gu County. I’ll just buy it there. You should rest well,” Xie Zhi said, trying to ease Xie Furen’s worries. 

“Things outside aren’t as fine as those at home. The weather is getting cold, and I heard the exam lasts several days. If you get sick, how will you take the exam?” Xie Furen nagged. “Don’t take these things lightly. You go rest, I’ll pack for you.” 

“Mother, I heard you’re looking for a match for Weixia?” 

“Why are you worrying about that? You should focus on the provincial exam. I’m just looking around for Weixia. If you pass the exam and become a juren, the families we consider will be different,” Xie Furen said, pushing Xie Zhi out. “Go rest and stop thinking about these trivial matters.” 

Xie Zhi looked at Xie Furen’s stern expression, thinking how could this be considered trivial? 

He walked out, followed by his personal servant. Entering his courtyard, he handed the newly bought rouge to the servant, “After I leave, give this to Weixia, and secretly give a box to Qiaoyu.” 

Xie Weixia was very competitive. If she knew he bought this for Xie Qiaoyu, she’d start a fuss. 

“Yes, young master,” the servant was used to Xie Zhi’s instructions. 

Feeling satisfied, Xie Zhi went to sleep. The provincial exam was important, and it was his first time taking it. He hoped to achieve something, ideally being granted the jinshi title by the emperor. 

The next morning, the scholars of Ningjiang County began to leave one after another. Those who hadn’t passed the xiucai exam envied those who could take the provincial exam. 

Xie Jiuling, Xie Zhi, and Wei Bowen naturally went together, along with several other notable figures who chatted and laughed with Xie Jiuling. They were all from outside, studying at Dongtian Academy, and came from very prominent families. 

Even Xie Zhi was rarely acknowledged. As the legitimate son of a county magistrate, he wasn’t even worthy of carrying their shoes in their eyes, but out of respect for Xie Jiuling, they showed a bit less disdain. 

Xie Zhi neither liked nor resented this. On the boat, he continued to review his studies, while Wei Bowen felt indignant. 

He was determined to show everyone his capabilities! 

* 

The sun was shining brightly. Wan Mingji stretched his neck to look at the fertilizer pit on one side of the courtyard. The smell had dissipated quite a bit, not as stinky as before. At the farm, he had mixed the fertilizer according to a ratio, making the whole courtyard stink. Now, it seemed to have some effect. Wan Mingji used a bamboo stick to stir the fertilizer. 

It was all because of that sudden rainstorm; otherwise, the fertilizer would have been ready. 

“Time to eat!” Wan Xiuyue called out. 

Wan Mingji grabbed a white steamed bun and a mixed grain bun. One wasn’t enough for him, so he drank a bowl of porridge and ate three buns, feeling about seventy to eighty percent full. 

He had calculated the family’s silver, roughly fifty taels left. Li Yun was saving for his tuition. Studying at Dongtian Academy for three years cost twelve taels a year, not including meals, totaling thirty-six taels. So, the family had fourteen taels left for other expenses. 

He had earned some silver from hunting, and Li Yun let him keep some for himself. His private savings amounted to ten taels. Wan Mingji did a simple conversion, realizing he had ten thousand wen and felt quite happy. 

He needed to earn more money. 

“I’m going to check the fields today.” 

“I’ll go with big brother,” Wan Xiuyue said. 

“Then I’ll stay home to wash the dishes and then go up the mountain to cut chicken grass,” Wan Xiubai, who also did some physical work, said. After all, he wasn’t a young master from a wealthy family anymore and couldn’t just eat and drink for free at home. 

Li Yun nodded, “I’ll go up the mountain with Xiubai to pick some wild Sichuan pepper and soap pods.” 

Each of the four family members had their own tasks. If there were more men available, Li Yun wouldn’t have needed Wan Mingji to farm. Wan Mingji was meant to study. 

Wan Mingji went to check their fields. He had kept the best land for himself, and after sowing the seeds earlier, he and Wan Xiuyue were there to weed. In about a month, they could harvest. The fertilizer was made too late, so it could only be used for a month. 

“Wan boy and Xiuyue are here to farm too.” 

“Yes, Uncle Zhang,” Wan Mingji replied cheerfully. 

When they first settled in Linshui Village, the villagers were quite hostile towards them. But after Wan Mingji played with their children a few times, the relationship eased. 

Moreover, Wan Mingji was naturally approachable and could chat with anyone, quickly blending in with the villagers. 

Wan Xiuyue kept her head down, weeding, while Wan Mingji, after finishing, measured the distance between the fields with a hoe, acting mysteriously. 

“Big brother, what are you doing?” 

Wan Mingji replied, “Grown-up stuff, kids shouldn’t worry about it.” 

Wan Xiuyue: “…” 

Most of the fields in the village were planted, and during the farming off-season, the farmers would go to town to find short-term work or go up the mountain to collect firewood to sell. They couldn’t just go up any mountain; they could only go to the village’s public mountain, not the private ones, as those were privately owned and trespassing would be considered theft. 

Wan Xiubai and Li Yun went to the public mountain. The wild Sichuan pepper on the mountain was very fragrant, different from ordinary Sichuan pepper. When Wan Xiubai and Wan Mingji went up the mountain together, Wan Mingji had once crazily thought of uprooting the wild Sichuan pepper tree. 

“Forget it, I’ll be a decent person,” he had said. 

Even now, thinking back, Wan Xiubai was still startled, feeling that Wan Mingji could really do such a thing. 

Li Yun skillfully picked the Sichuan pepper, while Wan Xiubai went deeper to pick soap pods. Soap pods could be used for washing clothes and hair, though a bit rough, they were free. 

Free things were the best. This was also something Wan Mingji had said, and Wan Xiubai silently remembered it, reaching out to pick the soap pods. 

“Ah,” Wan Xiubai exclaimed, stepping on something. He looked down to find a small basket hidden in the grass. It must have belonged to some child. Wan Xiubai dusted off the basket, feeling a bit apologetic. Seeing no one around, he continued picking soap pods. 

Xie Qiaoyu carried a hoe to dig the ground. After digging for a while, he needed a break. He found a tree and threw his basket there, resting under the tree when he got tired. 

After digging for a while, Xie Qiaoyu hurried to rest, only to find a young man picking long, pea-like things from a tree nearby. 

Seeing his basket still there, Xie Qiaoyu felt relieved. 

“Sorry, I accidentally stepped on your basket earlier,” Wan Xiubai noticed Xie Qiaoyu and apologized. 

The two hadn’t met before. Wan Xiubai often stayed at home, and Xie Qiaoyu only knew Wan Mingji had two younger brothers, Wan Xiuyue and Wan Xiubai, but couldn’t match faces to names. 

Seeing Wan Xiubai’s good looks, Xie Qiaoyu waved his hand, “It’s fine, it’s my fault for leaving the basket here.” 

Wan Xiubai noticed Xie Qiaoyu’s beautiful face and his understanding demeanor, leaving a good impression. He smiled shyly. 

“I’m here to pick soap pods,” he said, noticing Xie Qiaoyu’s curious gaze on the soap pods in his hand. 

Xie Qiaoyu asked, “What are soap pods?” 

Wan Xiubai found it odd but explained, “Soap pods can be used for washing hair, clothes, and the body. We all use them.” 

Xie Qiaoyu nodded, “I see.” He stepped forward, and Wan Xiubai showed him the soap pods in his hand. 

Xie Qiaoyu bent down to sniff them, finding them indeed fragrant and quite magical. 

“I’m Xie Qiaoyu, recently digging in that field over there.” 

“Hello, I’m Wan Xiubai,” Wan Xiubai was happy to make a new friend. Besides Wan Mingji and Wan Xiuyue, this was his first time making a friend, and this person was very good-looking and polite. 

Xie Qiaoyu: “!!!” 

Could it be such a coincidence? 

Xie Qiaoyu’s eyes lit up, his gaze intense. 

Wan Xiubai felt a bit uneasy and even a little scared. 

“Nice to meet you,” Xie Qiaoyu said sincerely. 

Wan Xiubai smiled shyly. 

Wow, Wan Mingji’s brother is also good-looking, and he’s a shy beauty, hehe. 

“Your water bottle looks nice,” Xie Qiaoyu said, envious of the water bottle that could be carried on the back, though he had brought a water pouch himself. 

“It’s fruit juice inside. Do you want some?” Wan Xiubai offered. 

Xie Qiaoyu took a sip, finding it very sweet and refreshing, his eyes sparkling.