Wang Biyi stroked his beard and laughed, quietly enjoying the sight of everyone’s expressions souring.

"You all think the imperial examinations are just about studying from books? Without a strong body, you might not even make it to the end.

I hope that in the coming days, you will rely on your own physical strength and perseverance to make this round trip every day.

Remember how you look now. Come spring, take another look at yourselves. The change will be so great you probably won’t even believe it yourselves."

Wang Biyi shot a pointed look at a few of the more frail-looking scholars.

"Let’s go! Time to experience these mountain stairs." Seeing their faces still contorting, Wang Biyi just smiled and started walking ahead alone.

Deng Yuanhang regularly practiced with the dart masters from the escort agency, so he was not intimidated by these mere stairs.

As for Gu Wenheng, it went without saying. His legs had been well-trained during his flight from disaster, so he lifted them and followed right behind.

Zhou Ping and the others gritted their teeth and followed along.

Gu Wenheng and the others stood at the top of the stairs looking down, silently calculating how much longer it would take for the rest to reach the summit.

"Look at that. Stamina like this just won’t do. From now on, don’t just coop yourselves up in your rooms reading and writing all day. Without a strong body, it’s all for nothing, even if you become the top scholar in the exams."

Wang Biyi leaned against a rock, panting heavily, yet he still didn’t forget to point at the people below and lecture, "Back in my day, I could reach the top in one go. Now I’m old, and this body just won’t cooperate."

"Sir," Deng Yuanhang said, "your constitution is much better than our junior brothers’ below. Look at Zhou Ping—he’s one step away from crawling on all fours."

Gu Wenheng took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Thinking about making this round trip every day, he cast a sympathetic glance at the people still on the stairs.

The rest of the way felt like a handover. Wang Biyi passed them off to a teacher from Yingshan Academy, waved goodbye, and left, leaving instructions that they shouldn’t bother him again unless it was something they absolutely couldn’t handle.

"We’ve had some scholars arrive from other academies recently. Along with your group, it’s just enough to form a new class," the teacher leading them said as he guided them to a classroom. "You’ll have your lessons here from now on."

When the door was pushed open, everyone inside turned to look at them in unison. Standing at the very front, Gu Wenheng and Deng Yuanhang could only offer a small smile and a nod in greeting.

"Mr. Nan, these are the newly arrived students."

Nan Wenrui squinted. "Come in."

Nan Wenrui beckoned with his hand, motioning for them to come closer.

Once they were near, he squinted again, carefully scrutinizing each and every one of them.

"Is this everyone? They’re not going to send more over later, are they?" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

The teacher who had brought them shook his head. "This is all of them. We’ll be troubling you with them for the time being, Mr. Nan."

Nan Wenrui nodded and returned to his seat.

He immediately picked up a book and dove straight into the topic. Gu Wenheng and the others quickly sat bolt upright, and as they listened to the teacher’s voice, they too fell into the rhythm of the lesson.

* * *

"Little Hua, aren’t you a local?" Jin Qianqian asked as she walked down the street with Liu Xiaohua, noticing the girl looking around curiously at everything.

"I am, but my family lives in the countryside. I’ve only been to the local town twice, and this is my first time ever in the city."

At the mention of this, a flicker of sadness crossed Liu Xiaohua’s eyes. Though she had been sent to the brokerage before, she had been too consumed by grief and fear to pay any attention to the street scenes.

It was only after spending the last two days with her kind new mistress that she had slowly begun to let her guard down.

"If you had the chance to go home again, would you?" Jin Qianqian asked.

Liu Xiaohua shook her head. "I wouldn’t go back. My parents sold me for the sake of my eldest brother. If I went back, they would definitely sell me again for my second or third brothers.

Madam, I don’t eat much, and I can work hard. Please don’t send me back."

Although she hadn’t spent long at the brokerage, she knew that servants who were resold were never looked upon favorably by good families. In the end, they could only be sold off to do hard labor.

These past two days, eating well and living well with her new mistress, not getting beaten every few days—it was a life she couldn’t have even imagined before. Liu Xiaohua silently told herself, ’I must stick close to my new mistress. That’s the only way these good days will last.’

"I was just asking. I’m not thinking of sending you away," Jin Qianqian said. Though her words were casual, her eyes carefully watched Liu Xiaohua’s expression. "I asked to remind you that if you save up enough redemption silver, you could have other choices."

"Madam," Liu Xiaohua said, "these past two days have been the best days of my life. Even if I saved up enough silver to buy my freedom and go back, I’d either be sold again or married off by my parents for a betrothal gift. Since I’ll be sold off either way, I’d rather stay with you forever, Madam."

Jin Qianqian was a little startled. ’This child doesn’t look old, but she thinks more clearly than many people.’

"But you’ll have to get married eventually. If I keep you here forever, I’d end up making an enemy of you." Women in this dynasty married young. The original owner of her body, for instance, had married at fifteen. Liu Xiaohua was already thirteen, an age where she could be betrothed early in the countryside.

"You might laugh, Madam, but at the brokerage, they taught us. For servants like us, our masters can arrange a marriage for us. After we’re married, we can still stay and serve by our master’s side."

Jin Qianqian’s curiosity was piqued. "The brokerage teaches that too?"

"They do! They teach us how to serve our masters, what our duties are, and what not to foolishly desire..." At this, Liu Xiaohua’s eyes suddenly widened as she stared at Jin Qianqian. "Madam, I truly don’t have any improper thoughts!

You’re so beautiful, I wouldn’t dare..."

Seeing the rambling Liu Xiaohua, Jin Qianqian was amused. "Alright, don’t be so nervous. I was just curious. I know you don’t have those kinds of thoughts.

I think I see a jewelry shop up ahead. Let’s go take a look."

Upon arriving in South City, Jin Qianqian had realized she was dressed too plainly. Even the servant women here wore tassels on their clothes and donned some jewelry.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Besides getting some accessories for herself, she had also brought out a few Jade Pendants. She planned to have them strung together with silk cord for Gu Wenheng to wear at his waist or as an ornament on his chest.

"What can I get for you two?" The shop assistant at the door saw them and immediately led them inside.

"I’d like to look around first. By the way, do you help string Jade Pendants here?" Jin Qianqian glanced at the display cases. The shop was well-stocked, carrying not only gold and silver jewelry but also a wide selection of jade pendants and other ornaments.

"We can. Did you bring the items with you, miss? We have a special artisan here who can weave them for you on the spot according to a design." The assistant immediately led them to a corner where a middle-aged woman sat, her hands endlessly weaving silk cords.