A Maid's Survival Story in a Noble Family Mansion? Rich Landlords Are More Appealing.

Wang Yanning's fingers tightened slightly as she held the book.

Kaifeng Prefectural School.

That means better teachers, a broader perspective, and a greater chance of standing out in the provincial examinations.

He studied diligently for many years, all for the sake of one day being able to…

But deep down, a strong resistance was quietly growing.

Going to Kaifeng meant leaving home. The Kaifeng Prefectural School was strictly managed and had a heavy workload, with almost no long holidays throughout the year except for the New Year.

Even if she had a day off, it would take several days to travel from Kaifeng back to Ruyang, making the round trip difficult. What about her? Chen Wanxing's image suddenly entered her mind.

The thought had just crossed his mind when he was somewhat surprised. Had she become so important that she could directly influence his decision on matters concerning his future?

But when Wang Yanning thought of her calm eyes, gentle smile, unhurried tone of voice, and the soft glow on her profile as she looked up at the fireworks under the dim lanterns on the Lantern Festival, a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.

They had known each other for several months, but the number of days they actually spent together was very limited; most of the time they communicated through letters.

From their unexpected encounter at the Lantern Festival to her later escorting him to his exams outside the city, although they hadn't yet gone through the traditional customs, he had already considered her his wife in his heart.

The thought of being so far away from her for so long made Wang Yanning feel a tightness in her chest, a dull unease.

He couldn't help but start thinking about another option: what if he stayed in Ruyang?

Although the teachers at Ruyang County School are not as good, the two of them can meet every month during their days off. If I work hard, I might be able to make up for the lack of teachers.

"Yan Ning?" Zhou Wenbo couldn't help but call out again when he saw that Yan Ning remained silent for a long time and his expression changed.

Wang Yanning snapped out of her daze, suppressed the chaotic thoughts churning in her mind, and said in a lower voice than usual: "This matter is of great importance, please allow me to think about it carefully."

Besides, Kaifeng is far away, and if I really decide to go, I'll need to make arrangements for things at home first.

Lin Lang, being perceptive, vaguely sensed Wang Yanning's hesitation, but he didn't point it out. He simply said gently, "Indeed, we should be cautious. The matter of recommending books isn't urgent. Brother Yanning, you can take your time to consider it. However..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "The Kaifeng Prefectural School has a fixed number of students it accepts. If you decide to go, it's best to set off before the end of spring."

Wang Yanning nodded: "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Brother Lin and Brother Zhou. Please also convey my gratitude to my grandfather for his kindness."

Although Zhou Wenbo was somewhat disappointed that Wang Yanning did not immediately agree, he understood his caution and smiled, "It's alright, think it over carefully. I really hope to go to Kaifeng with you, to learn from each other and improve together."

Qian Wenbai also mustered up his courage and looked at Wang Yanning expectantly: "Brother Yanning, I'm a little scared to go alone. I want to come with you."

If you decide to go, I will go with you. Even if I don't pass the entrance exam for Kaifeng Prefectural School, there will definitely be many schools I can attend there.

"If you don't go, then we'll go to Ruyang County School together. With your abilities, even if you study in the county seat, you'll definitely pass next year's provincial examination."

Looking at the three sincere faces before her, Wang Yanning felt a mix of warmth and unease.

"Um."

He cherished this rare friendship and understood that Zhou Wenbo and Lin Lang were thinking of him.

But the lingering affection in his heart, born of someone else, almost made him complacent and unwilling to be too far away from her for too long, so he could only disappoint them.

The carriage sped along the official road, and in the distance, the outline of Ruyang County gradually became clear in the twilight.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Wang Yanning got up.

Having been away from home for over a month in the prefectural city, the inexplicable longing in his heart, like wildly growing vines in spring, entangled him, almost making him restless.

He wanted to see her immediately, to know how she had been doing over the past month, to tell her in person that he had passed the exam, and even more so, to see with his own eyes what her expression would be when she heard the news, and whether she would be proud of him.

But reason prevailed in the end. He went to the small courtyard where Liu had previously rented, intending to hand over the letter to Chen Wanxing to Han Feng as usual.

When they arrived at the familiar rented courtyard, they found no one there. They asked the neighbors and learned that the family had moved away a few days ago.

"They say the master's new house is finished, spacious, and they've brought all the servants to live there," the neighbor lady said warmly.

Wang Yanning stood in front of the tightly closed courtyard gate, stunned for a moment.

The new house was finished, and she was finally settled. He was happy for her, but this small change made his urge to see her even more difficult to bear.

If we send someone to deliver the letter now, we'll have to wait another day.

Like him, the yamen runners from Ruyang County who were not on duty today also got up early this morning to travel.

As dawn broke, the side gate of the Runing County government office opened.

A group of bailiffs dressed in their official uniforms, with red belts tied around their waists today, came out.

One half of them carried a gleaming bronze gong in their hand, while the other half had a roll tied with red silk tucked under their arm. Then they dispersed in pairs.

The two constables, heading towards Ping'an Town, chatted as they walked.

"This errand was great today." The younger constable rubbed his hands together; the spring morning breeze was still cool. "But it's still a bit of a pity."

This year, the son of Magistrate Zhou also passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, but unfortunately, I was unlucky and wasn't chosen to go to Magistrate Zhou's house to deliver the good news.

He sighed with some regret as he spoke, but then he realized that he wasn't on duty today and it was his turn to do this job, so he felt lucky.

"Fortunately, the young man from Ping'an Town who passed the imperial examination this year ranked quite high. With such a lucky job, the host family is sure to give him a generous red envelope."

Another elderly constable, around forty years old with a dark complexion, chuckled upon hearing this: "This is nothing. If you pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, that's what you call respectable."

However, to be fair, this young man from the Wang family in Ping'an Town is only eighteen years old, and he's already achieved such results. He'll probably be a shoo-in for becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

The young constable, who had been quite happy, suddenly became somewhat unhappy upon hearing this: "That's hard to say."

Every year, so many scholars pass the county-level exam, but how many actually become successful candidates? Many others squander their entire family fortune, fail the exam, and end up as poor, unsuccessful scholars.

The old constable glanced at him, shook his head, and didn't refute. "It's hard to say. These scholars have nothing to do with us. Let's go, let's get the good news out as soon as possible so we can collect our reward money sooner."

The gong struck with a loud "clang" in the quiet morning, its clear sound carrying far and wide.

"Good news!!"

They headed towards Ping'an Town, arriving at just past 9:45 AM. At this time, the road was gradually filled with early risers heading to the market or to the fields. Hearing the gong and seeing the red belts on the constables' waistbands, they all stopped to look and whisper among themselves.

"Is this someone going to deliver good news?"

"Judging by his attire, it must be him. I wonder whose son has made something of himself."

"I don't know, shall we follow them and see?"

"Oh my, if I really passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, that would be so prestigious!"

News travels fast, like it has wings. Before the constables even entered Ping'an Town, the news that someone in the town had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar this year was already widely known.

A few people gathered at the town entrance, peering around, waiting for a loud announcement of good news.

"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"

Prince Yanning of Ping'an Town, son of Prince Yanning, ranked twenty-seventh in the Runing Prefecture Examination!

Prince Yanning of Ping'an Town, son of Prince Yanning, ranked twenty-seventh in the Runing Prefecture Examination!

Prince Yanning of Ping'an Town, son of Prince Yanning, ranked twenty-seventh in the Runing Prefecture Examination!

When the loud clanging of gongs echoed in front of the Wang family's oil mill, the entire street was almost alerted.