Chapter 1046: Chapter 1045: Seal

Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by Song Chongjin’s gaze, Wang Yongzhu spat at him, “Alright, it’s getting late, and we’ll be busy tomorrow. Let’s rest early.”

Saying this, she went to the adjacent room to wash up.

Song Chongjin rubbed his face, looked around the familiar room, took a deep breath, and finally relaxed completely.

After they both washed up and turned off the light, they were too excited to fall asleep.

They simply started discussing plans for after passing the examination.

“Tomorrow we should first host a feast for guests, then pay respects to the County Magistrate, the Dean of the Academy, and the Teacher. That will take three days.”

“Once that’s all done, we need to visit the village to offer incense to Mother and tell her the good news. She’ll surely be very happy down there,” Wang Yongzhu reminded.

Song Chongjin felt warmth in his heart, as if soaked in warm water. Only Yongzhu would think of everything for him like this.

Unable to resist, he embraced Yongzhu, giving her a restrained kiss on the forehead, feeling what more could a husband ask for with such a wife?

Yongzhu naturally sensed Song Chongjin’s restrained yet cherished kiss, and, feeling her face heat up, leaned closer into his embrace.

After some affectionate moments, they began chatting warmly again.

Wang Yongzhu recounted the follow-up events regarding Yingzi Gully to Song Chongjin, such as the Tea Mother Tree and matters with the Rouge Shop.

Song Chongjin, looking at Wang Yongzhu’s proud demeanor under the faint moonlight, couldn’t help but give her another kiss, “My wife is the best! In the future, I’ll rely on you to provide for us!”

Wang Yongzhu nodded generously, “Don’t worry! You just focus on your studies, strive to pass the Imperial Spring Examination as a Scholar next year, and then we’ll buy a house in the Capital City and enjoy its splendor.”

Song Chongjin chuckled softly, “Yes, I will study hard and not let my wife down!”

With that, they both laughed.

After the laughter, Wang Yongzhu whispered, “When it’s time for the Imperial Spring Examination next year, Mother and I will accompany you to the Capital City. This time, you were in the Provincial Capital, and Mother and I missed you every day at home. Anyway, we’re not short on silver now, and Ninth Master Lee said the tea dividends could be settled for us this month. Also, the Rouge Shop will have enough supplies ready by the end of the year, just waiting for news from Ninth Master Lee.”

“Don’t worry, even if we reach the Capital City, I won’t let you suffer!” Wang Yongzhu promised.

Song Chongjin, filled with tender emotions, held Wang Yongzhu, speechless for a long while.

Yongzhu had given him so much, yet, in return, he had merely become a Graduate—far from enough. Even if he becomes a Scholar in the Capital City, he would still be insignificant there.

Yongzhu worked hard to earn money, so he too had to work hard. Someday, he hoped Yongzhu wouldn’t have to tirelessly worry about this and that, and could live freely!

The couple talked until midnight, finally succumbing to slumber.

The next morning, the Du family’s Steward had already booked the banquet at the restaurant.

Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang stayed home and invited Lady Qi over. The people who came to congratulate yesterday had all sent valuable gifts.

Although everything was recorded yesterday, the exchange of favors was uncertain for Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang, who lacked experience.

Thus, they invited Lady Qi to consult her.

When Lady Qi stepped in, she indeed demonstrated her extraordinary skills, as the register was densely filled with notes on who gave what.

To be honest, Wang Yongzhu recognized only a few names, while most were utterly unfamiliar to her, leaving her completely puzzled.

Lady Qi’s personal Maid took the register, reading aloud and explaining each entry, detailing who was related to whom and what connections existed.

For example, she explained those complex relationships that might make one dizzy, such as who was a cousin’s brother-in-law’s maternal uncle.

For instance, she revealed who appeared amicable on the surface, though their families hadn’t interacted for a long time.

For example, she pointed out who was the brother-in-law of which county Official.

Listening to this, Wang Yongzhu was full of admiration.

Finally finding a small break while the Maid paused for breath, Wang Yongzhu looked at Lady Qi in awe, “Teacher’s wife, how do you know all this?”

Lady Qi took a sip of tea and replied calmly, “Why is that difficult? All these years, your Teacher and I have been in the Capital City, but we have elders at home. Furthermore, your Teacher’s senior brother is a local elder. As doctors, we often visit private homes, encountering these convoluted relationships and domestic secrets frequently.”

“Particularly the disciples under Senior Brother Qin, who, when visiting patients, must understand which families are connected. Without clarity, any mistake could range from being scolded as a Quack Doctor to losing their livelihood. So they just…”

Wang Yongzhu immediately understood, feeling these were insights shared internally to avoid unknowingly hitting a dead-end.

Lady Qi revealed these secrets without reservation, deeply moving Wang Yongzhu to tears and prompting her to flatter her.

But Lady Qi interrupted, “These relationships are simple. Memorize them well in the few days you have, and don’t mix them up!”

“What? Memorize them?” Wang Yongzhu felt suffocated, suddenly sensing that Song Chongjin’s success as a Graduate had somehow made her life more challenging.

This morning, she practiced medical techniques, in the afternoon studied as a Steward, and at night memorized the genealogical relationships of the wealthy and powerful families in Jing County. It was relentless.

“Of course, memorize them. This is just a few people! When you eventually reach the Capital City, with those aristocratic noble families and the connections within the imperial palace, won’t you have to memorize them as well?” Lady Qi raised an eyebrow, speaking matter-of-factly.

Wang Yongzhu decided she would tell Song Chongjin that either he memorized them himself, or he shouldn’t take the Scholar exam. It seemed like the examination was targeting her instead!

Despite her thoughts, Wang Yongzhu knew Lady Qi meant well and could only begrudgingly study them.

What else could she do, was divorce from Song Chongjin an option?

After several bustling days, dealings with the outside world finally concluded.

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin found time to visit the village in the suburbs, burn incense and bow at Qi Huan’s grave, telling her about Song Chongjin’s success, assuring her peace in the afterlife.

After paying respects to Qi Huan, Wang Yongzhu remembered something. When she collected Qi Huan’s remains, she found a small seal-like object near the abdomen. Because of hair entwining the remains and the age and the darkness of the seal, it wasn’t noticeable unless touched.

At the time, she absent-mindedly placed the seal in a storage box.

Amidst many subsequent affairs, she felt like she had forgotten something but couldn’t recall it for a long time.

Now standing again before Qi Huan’s tomb, she remembered.

Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, Wang Yongzhu pulled Song Chongjin close and whispered in his ear. Song Chongjin immediately changed his expression, “A seal?”