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

As soon as he spoke, Chen Wanxing turned to look at Zhou Wenbo again.

Zhou Wenbo stood there with a smile on his face, but it was a different smile than usual. He noticed Chen Wanxing's gaze, nodded at her, and said in a flat tone, "I didn't pass."

Lin Wei lowered her voice as well, her tone filled with concern: "Bo didn't pass the exam this year, and he was sullen on the way back. I tried to persuade him, but he wouldn't listen."

Zhou Wenbo waved his hand and laughed, "Don't worry, I'm really fine. If I didn't pass, I didn't pass. I'll just take the exam again next time."

He spoke casually, but anyone could see the disappointment beneath his smile.

Chen Wanxing was happy for Lin Lang, then looked at Zhou Wenbo. This man was still the same, hiding everything behind a smile.

Lin Wei didn't want Zhou Wenbo to dwell on this mood, so she changed the subject, squatted down again, took Chen Shiyi's little hand, and asked with a smile, "Shiyi, what are you doing here? Keeping your mother company while she waits for others?"

Chen Shiyi nodded, then shook her head. Pointing in the direction of the city gate, she said seriously, "No, it's Mother who's with me waiting for someone. We're waiting for Brother Youcong. He went to take the imperial examination and will be back today."

"Youcong?" Lin Wei was taken aback. "Is he your uncle's older brother?"

"Yes, yes!" Chen Shiyi nodded vigorously. "Brother Youcong is amazing. He can memorize so many books. Even my dad says he's smart."

Lin Wei looked at Chen Wanxing, somewhat surprised: "Youcong has already gone to take the academy entrance exam? I still remember this child as a little kid, how come he's already taking the exam in the blink of an eye?"

Chen Wanxing laughed and said, "I'm nineteen this year, a big young man, and half a head taller than me. I passed the county and prefectural examinations this year, and I'm thinking of going directly to the academy to try my luck."

Lin Wei clicked her tongue twice and sighed, "Time flies so fast. The last time I saw him, he was only this short." She held up her hand to show his height. "He used to follow you around all the time, and now he's even passed the imperial examination."

Chen Shiyi chimed in from the side, "Brother Youcong doesn't like Mom anymore, he likes me the most. Every time he comes to our house, he tells me stories from books."

Lin Wei smiled and pinched her little cheek: "Then when your brother Youcong gets into university, he can give you a few more lectures."

After exchanging a few more words, Chen Wanxing said to Lin Wei, "You've had a long and tiring journey, go back and rest first, don't linger here."

Lin Wei nodded, then squatted down and hugged Chen Shiyi, whispering in her ear, "Auntie will go back first, and come see you again in a few days, okay?"

Chen Shiyi was a little reluctant, but she nodded and said earnestly, "Then you must come!"

"Definitely." Lin Wei stood up and looked at Chen Wanxing. "There will definitely be a banquet at home in a few days, so you have to come."

"Okay," Chen Wanxing replied.

Lin Wei took two steps, then turned back and called out to her, "Don't forget to tell Sister Amber to come too."

Chen Wanxing smiled and nodded, watching them get into the carriage and head towards the city.

Chen Shiyi stood there, waving his hand until the carriage turned the corner and disappeared from sight, then he lowered his hand.

Chen Shiyi nodded in satisfaction, then stood on tiptoe and peered towards the city gate: "Why isn't Brother Youcong here yet...?"

Chen Wanxing pulled her to sit down again at the tea stall and said, "What time is it? It's still early. If you're tired, let's go back first. Waiting at home is just as good."

"No." Chen Shiyi shook her head, her little face very serious. "I promised Brother Youcong that I would personally go to the city gate to pick him up, and I can't break my promise."

Chen Wanxing couldn't help but laugh when she saw her like that. She didn't try to persuade her anymore and just stayed by her side.

As the sun gradually moved westward, people came and went in waves, one after another, entering the city.

Chen Shiyi went from eagerly anticipating the moment to squatting on the ground picking up pebbles to play with, and then leaning against Chen Wanxing's leg yawning, looking like she was about to fall asleep.

Chen Wanxing looked down at her, worried that she might catch a cold, and was about to say that they should go back first when he suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves approaching from afar.

Chen Shiyi suddenly snapped out of it, jumped up, and stood on tiptoe to look in that direction.

The carriage stopped at the city gate, the curtain was lifted, and a young man jumped down.

Chen Shiyi's eyes lit up, and she ran over, calling out, "Brother Youcong!"

Zhang Youcong had just steadied himself when a little girl bumped into him. He looked down, smiled, picked her up, and lifted her high: "Shiyi, what brings you here?"

Chen Shiyi giggled and hugged his neck, saying, "Mom and I came to pick you up. We've been waiting for you for so long."

Zhang Youcong smiled and ruffled her hair, then looked up at Chen Wanxing who was walking over and respectfully greeted her, "Auntie."

Chen Wanxing nodded and was about to speak when he suddenly saw another person get off the carriage, his face filled with barely concealed excitement.

Chen Wanxing was taken aback: "Qian Wenbai?"

Qian Wenbai stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and smiled so broadly his eyes crinkled: "Miss Chen, it's been a long time."

Chen Wanxing looked at him, then at Zhang Youcong, somewhat confused: "Why did you two come back together?"

Before Qian Wenbai could speak, Zhang Youcong laughed, put Chen Shiyi down, took her hand and said, "Auntie, Uncle Qian also participated this time. We happened to run into him, so we came back together."

Chen Wanxing paused for a moment, then looked at Qian Wenbai with a hint of surprise in her eyes: "Didn't you stop taking the exam all these years? Why are you suddenly taking it again this year?"

When Qian Wenbai was asked this, he laughed a little embarrassedly, scratched his head, and said, "It's not that I'm not taking the exam anymore, it's that I'm embarrassed to say that I'm still taking it."

He paused, finally able to speak after holding this in for so long: "I failed the exams for several years in a row, and I was too ashamed to face anyone. When I went back to school, the teacher would sigh, and I felt embarrassed to face my classmates as well."

Later, I said I wouldn't take the exam anymore and would focus on my business, but I still couldn't let it go. I figured I'd go out a few times every spring anyway, so I might as well take the exam while I was at it. If I passed, great; if I didn't, no one would know.

As Chen Wanxing listened, she suddenly felt a strange mix of emotions. This person seemed to care about nothing, but it turned out that she hadn't let go of anything all these years.

"Look how excited you are! You finally made the list this year?" she asked.

Qian Wenbai nodded: "Yes, I've taken the exam for over ten years, and I've finally passed. It's a dream come true."

As he spoke, a smile spread from his eyes, impossible to suppress.

Zhang Youcong chimed in from the side, "Auntie, let's go back first. Uncle Qian also needs to go home to share the good news."

Chen Wanxing nodded, then looked at Qian Wenbo: "When are you having a banquet at home? We'll come over then."

Qian Wenbai waved his hand and laughed, "Why hold a banquet? I've taken the imperial examinations for so many years to finally pass the lowest level, how could I possibly have a banquet? Just a meal for the few of us at home will be fine. I'll definitely invite you all then."