Normally, the person delivering good news should go to the Xiao family's village. However, it was well-known in the county that Xiao Qingming studied in the county town and had opened a shop there.
It takes two days on a fast horse to go from the capital city to the Xiao family's village, while it only takes half a day to reach the county town. Which option do you think they would choose?
Upon learning this news, Nanny Dong's heart was filled with shockwaves.
She knew that her son-in-law was talented, but she never expected him to be this remarkable. She had only judged him based on his appearance, thinking he was a steady person who could focus on his studies. She would have been satisfied if he passed the provincial exam as a scholar. Whether he would become a top-ranked scholar was beyond her speculation.
Unexpectedly, not only did her son-in-law pass the provincial exam, but he also ranked first.
The difference between passing the exam and achieving the top rank was considerable; it could be described as a vast chasm.
Nanny Dong was well aware of what it meant to become the top-ranked scholar.
Even in prestigious households like the Marquis's residence, passing the exam alone would be cause for celebration, ancestral worship, and gratitude towards the ancestors. This was because it signified that the offspring had entered the official career path.
But if someone from a family could become the top-ranked scholar, it would not be as simple as a burst of joy at the ancestral gravesite.
The pleasant surprise came too suddenly, and Nanny Dong was momentarily overwhelmed. However, she managed to maintain her composure when facing the people who came to congratulate her, smiling and responding to them.
Late at night, in the silence, Ji Wan'er also looked at the man sitting at the table reading a book.
She couldn't figure out how Xiao Qingming had suddenly become so exceptional.
She remembered that the book mentioned Xiao Qingming's academic achievements before he became the top-ranked scholar were not as outstanding. So when he achieved the top rank in the capital, there were many people gossiping behind his back.
Some said he became the top-ranked scholar solely because of his good looks, while others claimed he achieved it through flattery and sycophancy. There were even those who believed he had an inappropriate relationship with certain influential figures in the court.
Before, she had worried about it. In the book, Xiao Qingming studied hard because of his hatred. Now that the hatred was gone, would he lose his motivation to study?
But the reality proved to be quite the opposite. Without hatred, Xiao Qingming studied even better.
This also proved that Xiao Qingming was indeed capable of studying and had a sharp mind. In the past, he had failed repeatedly, but now he suddenly succeeded. Could it be that he had a sudden breakthrough?
So what was the trigger for his breakthrough?
Ji Wan'er propped her chin on her hand and quietly watched Xiao Qingming.
Unable to hold back any longer, Xiao Qingming paused his writing and looked at Ji Wan'er, who was earnestly staring at him.
"Wife, if you keep looking at me like this, I won't be able to finish this article tonight."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wan'er suddenly realized that she had been staring at Xiao Qingming for so long and quickly snapped out of it. Had she disturbed Xiao Qingming's studying?
She hastily flashed an embarrassed smile at Xiao Qingming and said, "You continue, you continue. I... I'll go to sleep first."
Xiao Qingming chuckled and shook his head as he watched her quickly get into bed to sleep.
While lying in bed, even though she was no longer looking at Xiao Qingming, Ji Wan'er still pondered the question from earlier.
She remembered asking Xiao Qingming multiple times before if she had influenced his studying. And each time, his answer was no, and he even mentioned a few times that she was his motivation for studying.
Could it be true? Was it really because of her?
The original protagonist in the book had stimulated Xiao Qingming, and as a result, Xiao Qingming studied hard. Now, Ji Wan'er hadn't provided any stimulation, yet she was also studying hard. Moreover, she was studying even better than in the book.
Doesn't this indicate that love is more important than hatred?
Just the thought of the significant impact she had on Xiao Qingming made Ji Wan'er unable to sleep out of excitement.
When Xiao Qingming finished writing an article and lay in bed preparing to sleep, Ji Wan'er was still awake.
Every time Xiao Qingming got into bed, his first action was to embrace Ji Wan'er. This time, without him doing anything, Ji Wan'er voluntarily snuggled into his embrace.
Seeing Ji Wan'er take the initiative, Xiao Qingming felt touched.
"Husband, I have a question to ask you."
"Yes, wife, please go ahead."
Ji Wan'er licked her slightly dry lips, grabbed onto Xiao Qingming's clothes, and earnestly asked, "Are you really studying so hard because of me?"
Xiao Qingming's eyes dimmed slightly as he held the person in his arms. Looking at the expectant eyes, he asked in a deep voice, "Does my wife not believe the things I said before?"
Filled with anticipation of validation, Ji Wan'er felt delighted and quickly said, "I believe, I truly believe in you."
Xiao Qingming kissed the rosy lips in front of him and said, "But your words just now sounded like you didn't believe."
"You heard it wrong. I don't believe in anyone except you."
"It's better that way." With that, Xiao Qingming deepened the kiss.
After the kiss ended, Ji Wan'er held onto Xiao Qingming's clothes and murmured, "I didn't dare to believe before. Husband, you are so excellent. How could it be because of me?"
Xiao Qingming squinted his eyes slightly and hoarsely said, "Oh? It seems that my usual behavior hasn't been clear enough. Tonight, I'll let you know just how important you are to me."
Normally, in such situations, Ji Wan'er would definitely push back, but today, upon hearing those words, her inner excitement and joy surpassed her shyness and nervousness. She grabbed onto Xiao Qingming's collar, urging him closer and deepening the kiss.
On this night, the two of them moved in sync, rising and falling together, indulging in each other.
It was the first time Ji Wan'er realized that such an act could bring such immense pleasure. Of course, afterwards, all that remained was exhaustion. She had no idea when she fell asleep or when it ended.
All she knew was that the next morning, she woke up at the hour of Si (9-11 am).
Xiao Qingming, who remained composed even after hearing that she had passed the examination, was still sleeping beside her.
Although she was somewhat angry at Xiao Qingming for going too far last night, the thought that his behavior was all because of her, and that her influence on him was far greater than she imagined, made her feel sweet.
With her eyes closed, she reached out and embraced Xiao Qingming, nuzzling against him.
This action woke Xiao Qingming up, and he looked at the person in his arms, raising his hand to touch her dark hair. With his eyes closed, he savored the memories of last night.
Nanny Dong arrived at noon, just as the two of them had gotten out of bed.
Xiao Qingming was busy attending to everything, while Ji Wan'er rested on the couch.
Seeing her daughter's appearance, Nanny Dong understood everything and smiled, her face gaining a few more wrinkles.
"Mother-in-law, please have a seat. I'll have someone bring some food."
Seeing her son-in-law's unchanged attitude from before, Nanny Dong felt relieved. She had come today to congratulate her son-in-law and also to gauge his attitude. Little did she know that many people, after passing the examination and becoming a scholar, would treat those around them differently.
Fortunately, her daughter's husband was not that kind of person and still treated them as before.
However, despite the happiness, as she watched her daughter's weak appearance during the meal, Nanny Dong couldn't help but feel a bit distressed.
Sometimes, having a daughter who is too beautiful is not necessarily a good thing.
After the meal, she quietly spoke to her daughter, saying, "You two are still young, so exercise restraint and be careful with your health."
Ji Wan'er's face turned red, and she shyly replied, "Yes, mother, don't worry. It's not like that every day, just occasionally... occasionally..."
Nanny Dong gave a few more instructions to her daughter before finally leaving.