Zheng Baichuan’s face darkened as he said, “The imperial examinations are meant to select talents for the Emperor—it’s a matter of national importance. Especially in our dynasty, where the examination standards are stricter than ever before. Don’t speak such nonsense!”

Zheng Jingxian immediately found herself in an awkward position. Song Ke intervened, “Elder Lord Zheng speaks truly. Though I am unworthy, I wish to test my genuine knowledge and learning in the examinations. Your daughter is intelligent and surely understands the gravity of this matter—her previous words were merely in jest.” His words, delivered with a gentle smile and gracious manner, quickly dispelled the earlier tension.

Zheng Baichuan nodded slightly, thinking to himself: “Song Fang was a gentle scholar in his time, and now his son seems to have inherited his father’s temperament—young as he is, he knows how to read the room and speak appropriately. He currently lacks a foundation, but if he proves to be promising material, I might lend him some support. Building such connections wouldn’t be bad.” His attitude warmed noticeably as he smiled and asked, “With the autumn examinations approaching, you must have thoroughly studied the Four Books and Five Classics, haven’t you?”

Song Ke smiled and replied, “I wouldn’t dare claim thorough mastery, but I have spent considerable time contemplating the words of the sages.”

Zheng Baichuan said, “Share some of your insights.”

Song Ke responded, “Since ancient times, one cannot simply read blindly. Without understanding the three flavors within, it’s merely theoretical knowledge—whether you study for ten years, thirty years, or forty years, it would be futile. The key to reading lies in understanding. Take ‘The Doctrine of the Mean’ for example—one must use one’s entire being to verify, experience, and comprehend it to gain true understanding. One cannot merely seek logical connections. Once you truly comprehend it, the logic naturally reveals itself. When I was younger and ignorant, there were many things I didn’t understand while reading, largely because I hadn’t experienced enough of life and hadn’t deeply comprehended existence. Once worldly matters become clear and life’s meanings transparent, the Way naturally becomes evident.”

As Song Ke spoke eloquently, Zheng Baichuan stroked his beard with a slight smile appearing on his face. He asked Song Ke several more questions, to which Song Ke responded fluently. Zheng Jingxian remained quiet, standing aside serving tea. Though Zheng Baichuan signaled several times for her to withdraw, she pretended not to notice. Watching Song Ke discuss scholarly matters, she became increasingly impressed as if her feet had taken root and couldn’t move.

Zheng Baichuan silently sighed but could only let her be. He made a mental note to discuss Zheng Jingxian’s upbringing with Lady Wei and planned to request a proper etiquette instructor from the palace upon returning to the capital.

Song Ke’s scholarship and eloquence were evident to Zheng Baichuan from this brief test. He then changed the subject, saying, “It’s been over a decade since I returned home. Now that I’m back, I feel nostalgic, though ‘my accent remains unchanged while my hair has grayed.'”

Song Ke smiled, “Elder Lord Zheng is in his prime—why speak of aging? Jiangnan is a prosperous region, with its unique flourishing different from the capital. If one finds peace here, anywhere can be home. I have recently acquired some properties in Jiangnan—a few shops that earn even better than those in the capital.”

Zheng Jingxian interjected, “Sister Tan mentioned that you’re working hard now, not only studying but also managing household affairs. If you encounter any difficulties, please don’t hesitate to ask for help—as old family friends, we can offer some assistance.”

Though well-intentioned, her words displeased both Zheng Baichuan and Song Ke. Zheng Baichuan thought to himself: “Though the Song family is prominent, it was Song Fang who relied on the Marquis Xian’s household—how can they claim to be ‘old family friends’?” Meanwhile, Song Ke thought: “Before Marquis Xian, our Song family never needed to rely on anyone and lived peacefully. Though this Miss Zheng means well, she keeps suggesting I should ‘seek’ help from Marquis Xian, which only serves to shame me.”

However, he maintained a smiling facade. Zheng Baichuan raised his teacup to bid farewell, and Song Ke rose to take his leave.

After Song Ke left, Zheng Jingxian immediately pressed her father: “Father, what do you think of him?”

Zheng Baichuan glared at her, “You talked too much earlier!”

Zheng Jingxian frowned, “That’s because you were so cold to him.” She continued asking about her father’s impression, praising Song Ke’s scholarship, capability, and pleasant demeanor, insisting he was someone reliable.

Though Zheng Baichuan found Song Ke acceptable, he felt the Song family’s foundation was too weak. He didn’t want to engage with Zheng Jingxian’s questions, but his daughter’s persistence forced him to placate her with, “Let’s wait until he earns his degree.”

Zheng Jingxian frowned. Being clever, she understood her father’s disapproval of Song Ke. She also knew Song Ke’s current politeness toward her was merely a formal courtesy. She thought to herself: “Father has never refused anything I’ve asked for since childhood—I’ll just wear him down gradually. As for Song Ke… I must make him see me differently. The Song family may be declining now, but once he earns his degree, I’ll have Father help secure him a good position. Then he’ll understand the benefits of marrying someone like me. Even if he’s just grateful, he can’t remain so lukewarm!”

Meanwhile, after leaving the Zheng ancestral home, Song Ke took a deep breath in the autumn wind. Marquis Xian had earned his title through military merit early on, though it was a minor one. Later, he gained imperial favor by supporting the Eighth Prince’s cause. Song Ke disliked Zheng Baichuan’s character, though his family had once maintained good relations with the Marquis’s household. After his father’s death, while many old friends came to pay respects and offer help, the Marquis’s household merely sent routine funeral gifts and dispatched a concubine’s son for the burial, after which all contact ceased. When he wanted to separate from the family, his relatives circled like wolves, fighting over his branch’s property. He had sought help from Marquis Xian, but after several visits, he only sat waiting, with the doorkeeper always dismissing him with excuses that “the master is busy with court matters and hasn’t returned home.”

Today’s visit, though prompted by Zheng Jingxian’s words, was partly motivated by his desire to show Zheng Baichuan that he shouldn’t be looked down upon—the son of an old friend once turned away at the door now lived respectably and would never again need to humble himself seeking favors! Yet Zheng Jingxian had repeatedly caused trouble despite her good intentions.

He had noticed Zheng Jingxian’s childish feelings. If she weren’t Zheng Baichuan’s daughter from a noble family, he might have considered it… He had originally been interested in the Lin family’s second daughter, Lin Dongqi, and had subtly hinted to his sister Song Tanchai, but Madam Qin was shrewd and had other plans. They had exchanged vague implications and let the matter drop. Moreover, now he had Chen Xianglan…

Xianglan reminded him of his deceased wife Madam Shen from his previous life, stirring deep feelings of familiarity. In his previous life, he and his wife had been close companions, staying together through exile until death. Though their time together was brief, it left an indelible mark. He had originally loved his cousin, but after Madam Shen secretly saved her food rations for him, sold all her jewelry to seek medical treatment for him, and cared for his family, his heart filled with gratitude and ineffable tender affection. After some time, his cousin became just a vague shadow. Now seeing Xianglan, he felt an urge to compensate for all the love he owed to Madam Shen.

He thought that after freeing Xianglan from her registry, he could elevate her to be his honored concubine, and they could spend their lives together. But Xianglan was unwilling. Sometimes when troubled, he thought, “Perhaps I should just let it go.” But whenever this thought arose, it felt like his heart was being repeatedly stabbed with a sharp knife, causing unbearable pain. Sometimes he would think harshly, “I’ll just keep her close—what can she do if she doesn’t want to be a concubine?” But remembering Xianglan’s fierce spirit, he would abandon such thoughts. Moreover, he truly didn’t want to hurt her.

Now with this matter concerning Zheng Jingxian, Song Ke suddenly felt some clarity—in his previous life, when he married Madam Shen, he had secretly glimpsed her behind a screen and found her dignified and refined with noble bearing, which made him willing. After marriage, Madam Shen proved to be gentle, accommodating, steady, and graceful, leading him to believe that marrying a noble lady had great advantages. But what about Zheng Jingxian? Song Ke shook his head slightly.

Without realizing it, he had ridden to the back street of the Song residence, stopping in front of the Chen household. He looked up at the window again. Thinking of yesterday when a scholar had stood below peeping at Xianglan’s chamber, Song Ke felt his anger rise—he hadn’t slept well all night, and today he was determined to question Xianglan about it.

Just as he was about to dismount, the door creaked open, and Madam Xue emerged carrying a bamboo basket. Seeing Song Ke, she froze as if a living dragon had fallen from the sky, and hurriedly invited him in, “Young Master Song, please come in! Please come in!” While entering, she called upstairs, “Xianglan! Young Master Song is here!” She smiled broadly at Song Ke, saying, “Young Master Song, please sit inside. Our humble home is too messy to properly receive such an honored guest.”

Song Ke dismounted and handed the reins to Shi Mo, suddenly realizing he hadn’t brought any gifts when coming to Xianglan’s home. Shi Mo, guessing his master’s thoughts, whispered, “There’s a package of pastries in the saddle bag, originally brought in case you got hungry along the way.”

Song Ke quietly laughed, “You clever monkey, I’ll reward you when we return,” and took the pastries inside.

Meanwhile, Madam Xue was bustling about, quickly wiping down the table and chairs with a cloth and arranging fresh fruits. Song Ke smiled, “Aunt Xue, don’t trouble yourself. I’m here on business and just stopping by to see Xianglan.” While speaking, his eyes kept glancing up the stairs.

Madam Xue smiled apologetically, “Yes, I was just saying she should return to her duties at the manor.” She hurried to the back to boil water for tea.

Just then, footsteps were heard, and Xianglan gracefully descended. Her hair was arranged in an elegant style with two or three jade hairpins. She wore a safflower-colored jacket embroidered with white plum blossoms, paired with a crimson dress and handkerchief, her slender waist delicate and graceful. Her expression was serene as she curtsied to Song Ke, “Greetings, Young Master.”

Song Ke felt that after just two or three days apart, Xianglan seemed more distant from him, which made him uncomfortable. He blurted out, “I’ve come to take you back today.” Immediately he felt regretful—he was still undecided, so how could he explain bringing her back? But his heart was anxious as if Xianglan would leave him if he didn’t keep her by his side.

Xianglan quietly looked at Song Ke for a moment before softly asking, “Have you made up your mind?”

Song Ke smiled bitterly, seemingly unable to meet Xianglan’s eyes, and shook his head, “Not yet.”

Xianglan said, “Then why did you come…”

Song Ke stared at Xianglan intently and said, “I can’t bear it anymore!”

Xianglan was startled.

Song Ke continued, “I can’t bear it anymore. These past two days, I couldn’t focus on my studies or sleep peacefully. I keep wondering what you’re doing if you’re thinking of me. About what you said… I haven’t made up my mind, but if I can’t see you, I feel like I’m going mad.”