Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 928 - 474: Breaking Out of the Shell_2

Wang Youheng brought materials for exam preparation, including past exam papers and booklets of the current Lord Magistrate of Jinyang County, the topics he had proposed in the past, his poetry and essays collection, and even some "insider predictions" regarding potential exam topics.

Wu Yugui and Wu Jiaxing, the father and son, also used their connections at the County Yamen to help gather a lot of information. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Not only did Wang Youheng and Wu Lang carefully go through these materials, but Mr. Loo also reviewed them, and later provided an in-depth analysis for the two students.

Lian Manman sat in the outer room, listening intently, deeply impressed by Mr. Loo’s profound and experienced insights.

The three households all invited Wu Lang to stay, but Wu Lang declined each one. He had already agreed with three classmates to travel together to rent accommodation in the county town for the exam.

He even turned down Wang Youheng’s invitation, saying he had already made plans with his classmates.

One had to admit, despite Wu Lang’s relatively young age, he was quite determined and self-assured.

Still, Wang Youheng insisted on lending Wu Lang a small courtyard near the examination venue, fully equipped with everything needed, and staffed with reliable servants from the Wang Family.

Wu Lang discussed arrangements with Wang Youheng, ensuring that all expenses incurred during their stay would be covered by Wu Lang and his classmates themselves, such as tips for the servants and costs for food, which would be split evenly among them.

Wang Youheng was also participating in the county exam this year. He assured Lian Manman that he would look after Wu Lang. Yet Wu Lang firmly insisted that no family member should accompany him, and ultimately the family complied with his wishes.

Going to the county town for the exam surely required expenses.

"Brother, how much money do you need?" Lian Manman asked Wu Lang.

Wu Lang, being highly organized, had already calculated the costs for spending ten or so days in the county town. He gave Lian Manman an estimate.

"Three taels of silver should be enough," Wu Lang replied.

"Better to err on the side of caution, pack a bit more," Lian Shouxin advised.

"That’s right," Lady Zhang agreed with a nod.

Lian Manman thought it over and measured out four taels of small silver pieces, along with one string of coins. Additionally, she gathered five extra strings of coins and a small pouch of loose copper coins, handing it all to Wu Lang.

Since Wang Youheng had provided lodging for Wu Lang in the county town, the expenses for accommodations were waived. Meals would be shared with his three classmates, which wouldn’t cost too much either. One tael of silver would be more than sufficient. However...

"You mustn’t skimp on the tips for the servants; be generous with those. It’s still cold, and Mother is sending a brazier with you; you can bring it to the examination hall. Once there, buy coal separately. Spend a bit more on good-quality, smokeless coal," Lian Manman meticulously planned for Wu Lang, "There’s also expenses for horse-drawn carriage fares... Meeting up with new acquaintances, drinking tea, having some snacks; these all require money too."

"Although Brother Youheng’s family is right there, and you can turn to him if needed, you should still carry some emergency money with you. Even if you’re not staying with Brother Youheng’s family, you’ll need to visit his household to pay respect to the elders, which calls for preparing gifts... And Old Madam Song also sent someone to deliver a message; it’s a matter of courtesy, so you should visit her as well..."

"I’ve already considered all these expenses. Three taels of silver will suffice," Wu Lang responded.

Though Wu Lang said so, Lian Manman still gave him all the silver and money she had prepared. Additionally, she packed two small silver lockets in a lotus-leaf pouch for Wu Lang to carry on him in case of unexpected emergencies.

Lady Zhang checked over the clothes, shoes, and socks Wu Lang was taking with him, worrying that he might not pack enough warm clothing and suffer from the cold in the county town. Meanwhile, Lian Manman assisted in inspecting the pens, ink, paper, inkstone, and exam basket.

Everything was meticulously prepared. Once Wu Lang bid farewell to Mr. Loo, who naturally offered his final words of advice, the family finally relaxed as they saw Wu Lang board the carriage.

"...Don’t worry," Wu Lang called out reassuringly from the carriage window once he had settled inside.

As the carriage carrying Wu Lang disappeared into the distance, Lady Zhang turned her head away, and Lian Manman noticed her reddened eyes.

It was the first time her son was leaving home alone, not for a day or two, but for more than ten days. Lady Zhang wasn’t used to it and couldn’t bear it.

This was a phase every mother inevitably had to face; to see her child succeed, she had to learn to let go.

With Wu Lang heading off for his exam, Xiao Qi now had to go to school alone.

Lady Zhang expressed her concerns to Lian Shouxin, asking him to escort Xiao Qi to and from school daily.

"Previously, with his older brother around, we didn’t have to worry. Now that it’s just him, he has nobody to accompany him on the daily commute."

Without hesitation, Lian Shouxin immediately agreed.

However, Xiao Qi opposed the idea.

"I’m old enough now; if you both start escorting me again, my classmates will laugh at me," Xiao Qi protested, clutching Da Hua. "The school’s so close in town; it’s not far at all. With the busy streets, everyone knows who I am. Dad, Mom, what’s there to worry about?"

Having attended the private academy for over a year, Xiao Qi truly didn’t need to be escorted to and from school.

Lady Zhang’s insistence on escorting him stemmed from a mother’s growing realization that the children who once clung to her skirts would one day spread their wings and fly away—a day that felt closer than ever. It was a bittersweet mixture of tender longing and reluctant acceptance etched deep in her heart.

...

That morning, after breakfast, Lian Manman stepped out of the house and strolled through the family’s estate. Scattered points of fresh green dotted the landscape, announcing, unmistakably, that spring had arrived at their doorstep. The breeze that swept over her face had lost its biting chill.

Spring equinox had passed: daylight grew longer, nighttime shorter, and the world brimmed with vitality and renewal.

Lian Manman inspected the progress of the family business at Lian’s, checked the development of the fishpond excavation, and felt her spirits lift as she admired the flourishing green all around.

She walked briskly back to the inner courtyard, toward the center of the yard, where she overheard the laughter of Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi.

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First update delivered; another update will come tonight. Nearing the end of the month—your pink votes would be greatly appreciated. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian [qidian.com] to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)