First watch, asking for pink.

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

If Lian Shouxin hadn’t mentioned it, Lian Manman would have almost forgotten about Lian Jizu.

"Right, how did Jizu’s exam go, did he take it?" Lady Zhang looked at Lian Shouxin and then asked Wu Lang.

"Jizu came for the exam... It seems he didn’t do well, didn’t pass." Wu Lang replied.

Everyone in the room fell silent for a while; no one was surprised. There was a history of failure; Lian Jizu not passing again wasn’t surprising. Lian Manman didn’t know what others thought at home, but she believed Lian Jizu didn’t really like studying; he just saw it as a way to avoid labor, a means to proclaim a higher status. Lian Jizu didn’t even care if he passed or not, as long as he maintained his status of being provided for to study.

"Anyway... life’s comfortable for the Upper Room now, just keep taking the exams, he’ll pass eventually. Maybe it’s just not the right time yet." Lady Zhang said, somewhat insincerely. She was trying to comfort Lian Shouxin.

"Jizu’s a good kid, not bad at heart, just spoiled by being taken care of. Alas." Lian Shouxin didn’t seem to be as concerned as Lady Zhang thought, "How was Jizu’s exam situation? Did you chat about it? Aren’t your grandpa and grandma doing well in Taicang?"

"Jizu arrived earlier than I did, he had servants and arranged everything well for eating and lodging. I asked, and Jizu said my grandpa and grandma were fine, everything’s good in Taicang. After the exam results were posted, he went back to Taicang." Wu Lang briefly explained the situation, making it clear that he and Lian Jizu were not close when they were in Prefecture City.

Lian Manman had no thoughts on this; they weren’t close to begin with, mismatched personalities and environments, plus the various issues between their household and the Upper Room created a barrier. The younger ones and Lady Zhang could talk about the Upper Room calmly because of their gentle nature, not bearing grudges, and caring about appearances.

"Why worry about others? Didn’t you hear Wu Lang say they’re now officials, with people attending to their every need?" Lady Zhang glared at Lian Shouxin.

"I’m not worried about him. I know it’s not my place to worry; I was just asking about his grandparents." Lian Shouxin quickly explained.

The topic shifted again, and everyone chatted about Wu Lang’s experiences in Prefecture City. Seeing that it was getting late, Wu Lang showed some fatigue, Lady Zhang, despite being reluctant, called it a night.

"Wu Lang left Prefecture City before dawn, traveled all day without resting. Wu Lang, I’ve heated water for you, go take a bath and get to bed early." Lady Zhang stood up and said, "No need to wake up early tomorrow, have a good rest."

"Yes, let’s talk more tomorrow." Lian Shouxin added.

"Yeah, brother, go rest early." Lian Manman said too.

"Alright then." Wu Lang, feeling a bit tired, stood up.

The night passed quietly; the next morning Wu Lang woke up refreshed, and everyone had breakfast together before opening the luggage Wu Lang brought back. Since there were many people the day before and Wu Lang was tired later that night, they hadn’t opened his luggage yet.

"Brother, did you deliver all the lotus seeds and such?" Lian Manman asked.

"Yes, all delivered." Wu Lang nodded, taking a ledger from his book box and handing it to Lian Manman, "I kept records of most interactions in Prefecture City."

Wu Lang was thoughtful; no matter how good one’s memory is, it’s limited, but records on paper can always be referred to. Thinking this, Lian Manman took the ledger and started flipping through it. Wu Lang had kept detailed records, with brief introductions about the people involved in almost every transaction.

As Lian Manman looked at the ledger, she also checked the gifts Wu Lang had received, asking him a question or two when something was unclear.

These thin pages of records shouldn’t be underestimated; it’s the beginning of Wu Lang’s network building.

After checking everything against the ledger, Lian Manman flipped through it repeatedly, surprised not to see records of interactions with the Shen Family.

Before she could ask, Wu Lang had Lady Zhang open two other bundles, while he took out a letter and a gift list from the book box.