Chapter 54: Chapter 54

"It's impossible... How could it be Sanwa..."

"How could it be him? Clearly..."

As if struck by a sudden realization, Second Ya's face turned deathly pale. She stumbled home unsteadily, shaking her head the entire way while muttering incoherently under her breath.

She remained completely oblivious to the abruptly shifting gazes of the villagers behind her.

Under the large locust tree, a fox-eyed young wife's eyes gleamed shrewdly:

"Looks to me Xie family's Second Ya probably didn't even know Sanwa was taking the exams!"

As soon as these words fell, several wives instinctively exchanged glances.

Seems the earlier village rumors were true after all - Second Ya really didn't get along with the Xie family's third branch. She probably wasn't valued much in the Xie household either.

Though the others didn't speak, their expressions showed clear agreement.

They all thought this Xie Second Ya truly wasn't very bright. Hadn't she noticed even the formerly mute Third Ya had been rushing to do her cousin's laundry these days?

Ignoring the villagers' gossip, Second Ya staggered home in a daze, only to be greeted by her mother Xia Zhaodi's radiantly happy expression.

Old Chen nearby was grinning so widely her teeth nearly disappeared. When Second Ya returned, the old woman didn't even spare her a glance. In the small courtyard, Old Man Xie sat imposingly at the center, his wrinkled face seeming to have smoothed out with pleasure as he received an endless stream of flattery from the surrounding men.

Xie the Third sat to the side in a daze, grinning foolishly.

The entire Xie household seemed immersed in joy - only she stood apart, an outsider.

Looking at Xia Zhaodi before her, Second Ya felt a momentary disorientation.

In all her memory, she'd never seen her mother look so happy. Even the perpetual worry lines between her brows had visibly relaxed.

All because Sanwa passed the child scholar exam?

"Second Ya's back! Come here quickly and help me see how to embroider this pattern better."

Hearing footsteps, Xia Zhaodi glanced up briefly before returning to the half-finished pale yellow embroidered skirt in her hands.

Delicately embroidered bamboo leaves adorned the hem.

Having worked at the embroidery workshop, Second Ya could tell this fabric wasn't cheap. She swallowed hard before finally speaking:

"Mother, is this dress for me and my sister?"

Xia Zhaodi's needle paused briefly before continuing without looking up:

"This color wouldn't suit you two at all. Only An Ning with her fair complexion can carry this color well!"

"So you'd rather spend on expensive fabric for Fourth Ya than buy cheaper material for your own daughters?"

Looking at her own frayed and wrinkled sleeves,

Thinking of all the nights she'd worked tirelessly to earn money for the family, Xie Second Ya's lips trembled, her dark eyes filled with disbelief.

Being questioned so sharply by her own daughter, Xia Zhaodi's expression darkened momentarily before softening again as she thought of something. She continued gently:

"Everything I do is for you girls, Second Ya. Working in town, you must know - ever since your cousin passed the child scholar exam, matchmakers from ten villages around have been coming for Eldest Ya!"

"Even families from town have come asking!"

Xia Zhaodi wasn't exaggerating. While a child scholar wasn't particularly impressive, a ten-year-old child scholar was rare even in the county town.

Barring accidents, he'd undoubtedly become a full scholar later.

Many families were eager to place their bets early.

Indeed, within days of Sanwa's return, matchmakers had nearly worn out their doorstep - all from well-off families owning at least ten acres of good land.

Far better prospects than what had been offered for Eldest Ya before.

Seeing such tangible benefits, Xia Zhaodi saw nothing wrong with being more attentive.

If they didn't build good relations now, by the time the family truly prospered, even this quality fabric might be beneath their notice.

Hadn't even the usually calculative eldest sister-in-law gone back to her parents to fetch a hen yesterday, worried Fourth Ya and Sanwa might lack eggs to eat?

But to Second Ya, this was something else entirely.

"So you think your daughter will never measure up to that Xie Fourth Ya, is that it?"

Xia Zhaodi remained silent.

But her meaning was clear - wasn't it obvious?

With a loud bang, Second Ya slammed the door and ran out without looking back.

Xia Zhaodi's hands stilled momentarily, but she ultimately didn't give chase. Just then, Third Ya returned from washing clothes. April river water remained chilly, and seeing Third Ya's reddened hands, Xia Zhaodi hastily set aside her needlework to cradle her daughter's hands worriedly.

"Third Ya, are your hands still cold?"

Third Ya shook her head obediently, then opened her palm to reveal several large red dates and two small pieces of malt candy.

"Fourth Sister gave me these just now, to thank me for washing her clothes."

"Since she gave them to you, keep them and eat them slowly." Xia Zhaodi glanced furtively outside: "Just don't let others see."

Only after Third Ya pocketed the treats did Xia Zhaodi return to her sewing, smiling fondly at her docile daughter:

"After I finish your cousin's dress, there'll be enough leftover fabric to make you a short jacket too."

Passing by the west room, An Ning raised an eyebrow at this scene, recalling her cousin's dramatic exit earlier.

Upon asking her system, she learned this cousin had gone to "coincidentally" meet that Liu Wencai again.

Speaking of which, this Liu Wencai was only twelve and hadn't even passed the child scholar exam yet! He'd attempted the prefectural exam this time but failed.

An Ning had assumed that after Liu Wencai's failure - performing worse than both Sanwa and Chubby Boy - her cousin might see him in a less favorable light.

Instead, she found Xie Second Ya flushed and lovestruck.

Pardon her poor eyesight, but was this Liu Wencai some peerless handsome man?

In reality, impossible. Had he possessed such looks, he wouldn't be available to a village girl.

At best, Liu Wencai could be called presentable. His years of study and slender build lent him some scholarly air.

Watching this Liu fellow subtly inquire about the Xie family - especially Sanwa's studies - while Second Ya desperately steered conversation away from any mention of An Ning was almost comical.

Liu's barely concealed frustration contrasted sharply with Second Ya's obliviousness, making An Ning's lips twitch in amusement.

Hmm, these two truly seemed made for each other!

Munching on freshly roasted chestnuts delivered by Chubby Boy's mother, An Ning watched for about fifteen minutes before decisively closing the surveillance feed.

For unattractive people, every prolonged look was an insult to one's eyes.

Second Ya's absence didn't dampen the Xie family's cheerful dinner. Old Chen unabashedly served the two plumpest chicken legs and most of the meat to An Ning and Sanwa.

Even the usually critical eldest aunt said nothing.

Since Sanwa's success, whether from newfound hope or recognizing the benefits, the Xie household had become noticeably more harmonious.

Especially after Eldest Ya became engaged to the youngest son of a town grocer, and prospects opened for Xie the Fourth's marriage.

"Aiya, it's An Ning! Your Uncle Dagen picked these wild grapes in the mountains yesterday - still fresh..."

"Ning girl, your Fourth Uncle caught these river carp this morning - a good half-catty each! I'll have your uncle deliver one to you later..."

"Don't be shy! We're all family - no need for formalities with your aunt!"

As a homebody who avoided the countryside's dirt, An Ning rarely went out. Yet she couldn't escape the villagers' "enthusiasm."

Every outing ended with her arms full of gifts.

Initially, her system had been puzzled:

"Host, what do they want? Are they hoping you'll teach their children too?"

"Impossible! In these times, how many can afford books and writing materials?"

An Ning shook her head wryly.

Even she and her brother had mostly used sand trays initially. Without Chubby Boy's financial help and later income from transcription work, they couldn't have sustained regular study.

The system was genuinely curious.

After all, it was Sanwa who passed the exam, yet people clearly favored An Ning more (though they still fussed over the ten-year-old child scholar too).

"Because villages have no secrets!"

Chewing on fresh jujubes someone had delivered, An Ning remained unperturbed. Villagers weren't blind - even if they hadn't realized initially, the village chief's recent attitude made it clear who truly drove this success.

"In truth, most people's first instinct toward capability is to curry favor."