Chapter 31: Reward That’s Your Wife!

“This man is truly extraordinary.” Wei Fengling tapped his servant’s head with a fan. “Go, find out which inn he’s staying at. Have someone send over some fine wine and dishes. Hmm… he seems to have a child too. Buy some snacks children like, and get some other things as well. You can’t strike a smiling face—I’m determined to befriend him.”

The servant was momentarily stunned. Though it might just be the young master’s whim, this was the first time he’d seen him so enthusiastic about someone. It seemed this person truly couldn’t be treated lightly, so he hurried off to carry out Wei Fengling’s instructions.

When Lin Guilan returned to the inn, she discovered Jiang Qingshi wasn’t there. She slapped her thigh, suddenly remembering that today was the day the examination results were posted.

Putting down her notebook, Lin Guilan felt deep regret. This was such a significant day for her husband—how could she have forgotten? She should have accompanied him to check the results. If he truly hadn’t passed, having her there to comfort him would have been better.

Just then, Jiang Qingshi pushed the door open. Lin Guilan immediately gathered with Jiang Zhimiao around him. Seeing Jiang Qingshi’s heavy expression, Lin Guilan assumed he must have failed. She stepped forward and gave a hearty slap on Jiang Qingshi’s shoulder.

“Husband, it doesn’t matter! So what if you didn’t pass? We’ll try again next year!”

Jiang Qingshi had originally intended to tease his wife and son, but his wife’s slap nearly knocked his soul out of his body. Combined with having just endured Wei Fengling’s Iron Sand Palm strike earlier… Jiang Qingshi looked up with a pained expression: “Wife, could you please hold back your strength a bit next time… Actually, I passed the first stage and can continue to the next round.”

Dad’s acting was really convincing!

Jiang Zhimiao breathed a huge sigh of relief. Regardless, they had cleared this first hurdle—though he didn’t really understand the rules of the Imperial Examination…

Jiang Zhimiao thought his mother would share his relief, but instead she suddenly covered her face as if crying.

Jiang Zhimiao immediately panicked.

Since coming to this world, in his memory, his mother had always been a tough, resilient woman who never shed a tear no matter what hardships she faced. What was wrong with her?

Even more panicked than Jiang Zhimiao was Jiang Qingshi. He had only meant to tease his wife, never expecting she would actually cry.

The usually composed Jiang Qingshi lost his composure for the first time. Patting Lin Guilan’s shoulder, he looked to Jiang Zhimiao for help.

Jiang Zhimiao spread his hands helplessly.

Dad, why are you looking at me? That’s your wife!

“It’s nothing, husband. I’m just too happy.” Lin Guilan wiped her tears vigorously. “Others look down on you, thinking you spend all day reading trivial books. Only I know how hard my husband works, only I see how tired you are with your eyes red from late nights… Though the road ahead is still long, your efforts have finally been rewarded.”

Jiang Qingshi resembled a child who had done something wrong, unsure where to put his hands and feet. He glanced cautiously at Lin Guilan, his voice faint as a mosquito’s buzz: “Wife, I was wrong. I’ll never tease you like this again…”

“No, husband.” Lin Guilan shook her head firmly. “I’m genuinely happy for you.”

Lin Guilan wiped her tears. Though she was usually fierce and tough in public, she felt somewhat embarrassed to be caught crying now. She turned away to dry her eyes, and when she faced her husband again, a bright smile had already spread across her face. She gave Jiang Qingshi another heavy slap on the back.

“Husband, I believe in you!”

Jiang Zhimiao watched his father gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, secretly giggling in the corner.

“Excuse me, is Master Jiang staying here?”

Jiang Qingshi was taken aback, wondering who might be looking for him. Following his mother’s signal, Jiang Zhimiao had already toddled over on his short legs to open the door. They saw the inn attendant waiting at the entrance with two servants, who were carrying several baskets filled with an assortment of items—everything one could possibly need.

“Master Jiang, these are a small token of our young master Wei’s regard,” said one servant with an ingratiating smile, straining to place the large basket on a nearby table. “They’re for the young master and your wife.”

Jiang Qingshi had thought Wei Fengling was merely making casual conversation on a whim, never expecting him to track them down at the inn with such generous gifts. He cupped his hands in a polite gesture. “Young Master Wei and I are merely acquaintances. I’m truly unworthy of these gifts. Please take them back and convey my gratitude to him. While I appreciate his kindness, these items are unnecessary.”

The other servant, more quick-witted, thought about how exhausting it would be to carry everything back. Besides, if they failed to deliver the gifts, their young master might scold them.

“Master Jiang, our young master genuinely wishes to befriend you. He specifically instructed us to select lighter items, worried you might refuse. These are all for your wife and son. Our young master said, ‘The gift may be small, but the sentiment is great’—he simply wants to acknowledge your friendship! If you decline, it would be like rejecting his goodwill!”

Hearing this, Jiang Qingshi had no choice but to clasp his hands again. “Then please convey my thanks to Young Master Wei.”

Jiang Zhimiao had mostly grasped the situation—it seemed a wealthy young man had been charmed by his father’s character. He could already smell the delicious aromas wafting from the baskets… Tilting his little face up, he gave the servant an innocent, beaming smile.

“Uncle Wei… is a good man!”

The servant was momentarily stunned, then broke into a wide grin. “I will definitely relay the young master’s words!”

After the two servants left, Lin Guilan stared in amazement at the dazzling array of food.

“Husband, who is this Young Master Wei? How can he be so generous? These are all the delicacies I couldn’t bring myself to buy today! Such extravagance… Wait,” Lin Guilan turned to Jiang Qingshi, “The only prominent Wei family in Jiangping County is that one—could it be the wealthiest clan, the Weis?”

Jiang Qingshi nodded with a somewhat helpless smile. “Both Young Master Wei and I were recommended by Scholar Bu. At first, he seemed quite arrogant and looked down on someone like me from the village. But today, when the results were posted, for some reason he started talking to me. And now he’s sent all these gifts… I really don’t know how to handle this.”

“It must be because you’re so impressive, Husband! Young Master Wei must have seen that you’re no ordinary man!” Lin Guilan teased. “Husband, you’re like a piece of gold that went unappreciated in our village, but now you’re starting to shine here in the county town!”