Chen De’an wasn’t happy about that.

Why was he being called childish?

He was the same age as Jing, yet Jing had already been married to his sister for three months while his own marriage was nowhere in sight. And from the sounds of it, his parents were planning to postpone it even further.

It wasn’t that he wanted to get married, nor did he think it was a good idea to have someone else bossing him around.

But not wanting to get married and not being *allowed* to get married were two completely different things.

The latter practically screamed that he couldn’t handle responsibility. How could he be okay with that?

De’an had always loved to argue, so he retorted, "Father, Mother, everyone says you should build a family before establishing a career. I’ve already established my career, but I’m not married yet. Doesn’t that seem a bit backward?"

Xu Su Ying shot back sarcastically, "Placing thirteenth has really gone to your head, hasn’t it? How dare you call that ’establishing a career’? If you’re so capable, then go earn a scholar or Advanced Scholar title for your mother. When that happens, forget just getting married—if you wanted to marry a fairy from the heavens, I’d make it happen for you."

De’an immediately backed down, shrinking so much his neck nearly disappeared into his stomach.

"I was just saying! Why’d you have to take it so seriously? Get married? I’m still a kid myself, I can barely take care of myself. If I married a wife, wouldn’t I just be holding her back? I think I’ll just stay single."

Seeing his wimpy look, everyone in the room couldn’t help but laugh.

Only De’an, who was grinning on the outside, was crying enough bitter tears on the inside to fill the entire Qingshui River.

’I’m supposed to be the legitimate eldest son of this family,’ he thought. ’I should be entrusted with great responsibilities, my status revered. But in reality... The more I think about it, the sadder it gets. Best not to mention it.’

In the end, the overly salty sweet and sour pork ribs were rinsed and re-cooked. Along with four large steamed buns and the red chili peppers hanging from the rafters, they all found their way into Chen Song’s stomach.

His thirst quenched and his belly full, Chen Song went off to his duties, completely satisfied.

Chen Wanqing and her mother, Xu Su Ying, continued making incense, while Zhao Jing and De’an went back to bed for a nap.

Soon, the setting sun lit up half the sky as evening fell. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The evening glow gradually faded, and the sky turned from inky blue and deep purple to ocher and brown, until at last, it settled into a deep, profound black.

Night fell, and the Chen family’s courtyard quieted down early.

Those who were meant to be resting had gone to their rooms, and those who needed to wash up had finished.

As Xu Su Ying went outside to throw out the basin of foot-washing water, she saw her daughter still sitting at the kitchen entrance, scrubbing clothes.

She recognized the garment in the basin at a glance as the one her daughter had worn during the day. It had only been worn for one day, so it wasn’t even dirty. Yet she had been scrubbing it for the time it takes half an incense stick to burn. Any more and she’d scrub the clothes to pieces.

Xu Su Ying said, "Hurry up and hang the clothes to dry. They’re old clothes you’ve been wearing for two years. The fabric is already thin. If you keep scrubbing, you’ll turn them into a raggedy old cloth."

Hearing this, Chen Wanqing sheepishly stopped. "I’ll hang them up now."

"Be quick about it. As soon as you’re done, go back to bed. The exams are finally over, so we can all get a proper rest for a couple of days."

"Okay, I’ll go to sleep right away. You should get some rest too, Mother."

Xu Su Ying shuffled inside, and after closing the door, her chattering voice could still be heard as she spoke with Chen Song.

Meanwhile, Chen Wanqing let out a soft breath. She hung the clothes, washed up again, and then slowly made her way to the back courtyard.

She had just rounded a corner when she saw a handsome young man on the path to the back courtyard, walking toward her under the moonlight.

"What are you doing here?"

Chen Wanqing asked as she lifted her skirt and jogged over to him. "Did you want some water? I filled the waterskin in the room with hot water. It should still be warm if you drink it now."

"I don’t need water. I came to get you, A-jie."

Zhao Jing didn’t stop but continued walking toward her at the same pace.

They moved toward each other and soon met.

Zhao Jing lowered his voice. "I thought what I said today might have scared you, A-jie. So much so that you wouldn’t even dare to return to our room."

At his words, Chen Wanqing couldn’t help but glare at him.

’The Jing of the past wasn’t like this,’ she thought.

’The Jing of the past was refined, quiet, and gentle. He was courteous and polite to everyone.’

’He was known throughout the surrounding villages as a solemn and elegant young master, as graceful and upright as a stalk of green bamboo.’

’But looking at the Jing of today, he was slowly shedding his disguise in front of her, revealing his true nature.’

’The real Zhao Jing was aggressive and possessive. He wasn’t a gentleman at all, but a rascal who was a bit smoldering, a bit willful, and a bit obsessive.’

And this rascal, as if to prevent her from running away, gripped her hand tightly and led her toward the back courtyard. "A-jie, are you hiding from me?"