"Let’s get started; we have all the ingredients at home, and there’s enough manpower. We’ll have these tables prepared in no time," said Lady Zhang, feeling happy and wanting to personally cook a few dishes and set the tables.

"Mom, I just counted the number of people, and I estimate that more may come later. How about we prepare for three tables?" suggested Lian Manman.

"I estimate, yes, three tables should be enough," Lady Zhang nodded. In such occasions, Lady Zhang, her daughters, and the women who helped wouldn’t sit at the table; they would wait until the main guests finished eating before they started.

Lady Zhang called Lady Wu Wang, Yuchang’s Wife, and Lady Zhao to come over and discuss what dishes to prepare.

Three chickens will be slaughtered, each table will have a dish of chicken stewed with mushrooms. We’ll also need three big carp, one dish of sweet and sour carp per table, and three pig’s knuckles, one Dongpo knuckle dish per table. Also prepare boiled shrimp, lotus root stewed with ribs, braised pork, steamed pork, fried eggplant boxes, fried sweet dumplings, scrambled eggs with wood ear, pork strips fried with garlic scapes, dry-fried green beans, plus four cold dishes of mixed three-slivers, fried peanuts, braised pig ears, and sauced pig liver.

For the staple food, we’ll prepare dried rice and steamed buns made from newly harvested wheat.

When the banquet was set up, more guests arrived to congratulate them. Each brought gifts, and those who came first also brought congratulatory presents. The three tables were full, and Lian Shouxin took out three jars of wine, placing one on each table, and encouraged everyone to drink freely.

Mr. Loo was invited to sit at the head of the first table. As the banquet started, Wu Lang toasted Mr. Loo, thanking him for his patient guidance. Then everyone exchanged cups and drank merrily.

After Lian Manman and the others had their meal, the guests dispersed, and a waxing moon hung high in the sky.

Mr. Loo, slightly tipsy, went to the study to rest, giving the family time to sit together and warmly chat.

Before anyone could speak, Lady Zhang pulled Wu Lang into her arms, her eyes red.

"My good son," Lady Zhang said, choked with sobs.

After a long while, the family managed to comfort Lady Zhang.

"Mom, you’ve cried several times today," Lian Manman teased Lady Zhang, then turned to Wu Lang saying, "Brother, you’ve worked hard."

"This hard work is nothing. I wanted to study before but couldn’t; now that I can, no matter how hard it is, I’m willing to do it. Manman, to have today, our family, is all thanks to you," Wu Lang replied.

If Lian Manman hadn’t found someone to save Lady Zhang earlier, if she hadn’t helped them separate from the upper room’s control, if she hadn’t led the family to work diligently for prosperity, today would have been a dream the whole family couldn’t dare imagine.

Lian Manman smiled with her eyebrows arched; she contributed greatly to the good life today, but without the family’s united effort, it wouldn’t have been possible.

Just by looking at her current living environment, the satisfied, happy smiles of her family, especially the growth of Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi, Lian Manman felt that all efforts and sacrifices were worthwhile.

"Brother, you’re now a Scholar Master, and from now on, the family’s burdens will be entrusted to you," Lian Manman said with a smile.

Wu Lang now had a title, meaning not only were they the Imperially Bestowed Archway Lian Family but also the Scholar Lian Family. With Wu Lang’s success, the family’s status leapt from farmer to the threshold of officialdom.

From now on, Wu Lang could fully represent the family in social interactions and affairs. No one would doubt the decisions made by him on behalf of the family, including Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, because of his young age.

"Yes," Wu Lang nodded solemnly. Wu Lang didn’t know if Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin fully understood Manman’s meaning, but he himself understood completely. The siblings had talked about this issue before.

The family then asked Wu Lang about his life and exams in Prefecture City; most of this Wu Lang had told the people in the front room, but he felt no impatience, answering one by one, more thoroughly with each response.

"Brother, did Brother Youheng also pass?" Lian Manman had heard this news while cooking but wanted Wu Lang to confirm it.

"Yes," Wu Lang nodded, "Brother Youheng did better than me. He was ranked forty-third." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Scholar Wang said at the dining table that their family would leave for the county tomorrow to congratulate Young Doctor Wang," Lian Shouxin said.

"And what about Brother Xiao Jiu, did he pass?" Xiao Qi eagerly asked.

Lian Manman couldn’t help glancing at Xiao Qi, thinking this little fellow still cares about Fatty Shen.

"Xiao Jiu also passed. He was ranked twentieth," Wu Lang said.

"Ah!" Lian Manman exclaimed in surprise, thinking it couldn’t be; Fatty Shen’s scholarship surpassing Wu Lang’s was too unexpected. Could Fatty Shen be a child prodigy?

No, she must not have fully understood Fatty Shen; for example, though he’s the same age as her, his birthday is earlier. It’s just because he looks chubby and unimposing that she always thought of him as younger, maybe even like the little kid Xiao Qi.

"Brother Xiao Jiu is really amazing," Xiao Qi applauded and then smiled at Wu Lang, "Brother, you are even more amazing than Brother Xiao Jiu. Brother Xiao Jiu studied for many years, while you started much later."

"Sneaked some honey, didn’t you?" Lian Manman laughed as she pinched Xiao Qi’s chubby cheek.

The kids laughed together.

"So, Wu Lang, did you see Jizu during the exams?" Lian Shouxin coughed dryly.

***...*****

Sending the second update, lately, the pink votes have not been strong; is everyone preparing for the New Year? Ruoyan is also preparing for New Year, squeezing in some time to write. For those still reading, if you have pink votes, throw one or two over O(∩_∩)O.

*****......***

Ruoyan’s completed farming novel recommendation:

Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Complete including extras) (There’s a direct link below, click to reach directly)

Summary: Transmigrated as an abandoned woman falsely accused of losing chastity, carrying a little bundle, and embarking on a sweet life with a financially suitable man. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote, your support is my biggest motivation.)