The lotus seeds in the pond ripened, and Yang Mengchen had them picked to brew lotus seed wine, which, like other fruit wines, sold out as soon as it was released.

At the beginning of August, the first season's rice matured, and the people of the entire county followed the command to hurry and harvest, then immediately planted the second season's rice.

The Yang family had many hands, and in just one day's time, they finished planting the rice.

Seeing Yang Mengchen, who had clearly lost much weight, Old Lady Luo, who had just returned, felt distressed, "What has been keeping Mengmeng so busy these days? How could she have lost so much weight?"

Old Master Luo's gaze darkened slightly, filled with a trace of worry and tenderness.

The members of the Yang family remained silent, each feeling a mixture of heartache and self-reproach; it was their fault for not being able to help Jiujiu shoulder the burden.

"Grandpa Luo, Grandma Luo, don't worry, I'm in good health. I'm just dieting, so I can be slender and graceful," Yang Mengchen hurriedly explained.

"Nonsense!" Old Lady Luo scolded sternly, "You're at the age where you should be eating more to grow. What dieting? What if you ruin your health?"

Old Master Luo also showed a face of disapproval.

A flustered and absurd excuse had angered Grandpa Luo and Grandma Luo; filled with regret, Yang Mengchen hurriedly acted coy to make amends, "Grandma Luo is right to teach me, from now on, I will take care of my health and not diet like others. Please don't be mad at me anymore, Grandpa Luo, Grandma Luo."

"You child." As soon as Yang Mengchen put on a charming act, no one could resist, including Old Master Luo and his wife.

Yang Mengchen's playful banter elicited hearty laughter from everyone, and the dining room was filled with joyful laughter, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Even though only Yang Mengchen, Yang Chengrong, Yang Chengyou, and Yang Chengbin were home, the four siblings still insisted on practicing martial arts by the river for half an hour after dinner every day. After coming back, Yang Mengchen simply washed up and fell asleep on her bed, completely exhausted from the past days.

Sister Jin and the others felt very distressed for her. Hai Tang stayed to watch over her for the night while the other eight moved quietly and left.

On the seventh day of August, Yang Mengchen, accompanied by Hai Tang, Shan Cha, and Yang Chengyou, along with three cousins, bade farewell to the families of the four siblings and headed to Qinghe Prefecture to participate in the provincial examinations.

The provincial examinations comprised three sessions, on the ninth, twelfth, and fifteenth days of the month, respectively.

Yangliu village was only a day's carriage ride from Qinghe Prefecture, which allowed them to rest for a day and to get acquainted with the examination venue.

The group headed straight for Qinghe Hotel. Yang Chenghong, Wu Lixin, Liu Ziyi, and Shen Yuhao, who had been waiting at the hotel's entrance, hurried up to greet the arriving carriage. Yang Chenghong smiled and said, "Fourth Brother, Jiujiu, and our three cousins are here. Dinner has been prepared. You all should wash up before eating."

Since the nineteenth of the first month, he had brought craftsmen to Qinghe Prefecture to build the hotel and a supermarket, both of which had been in business for a month now.

Many examinees came to participate in the provincial exams, and the hotel had been fully booked since its opening day. However, the top-floor suites were exclusively reserved for family members, and no amount of silver would secure a stay for outsiders.

The next morning, after breakfast, Yang Chengyou and the other three, accompanied by their attendants, followed Wu Lixin to familiarize themselves with the examination venue.

Meanwhile, Yang Mengchen and Yang Chenghong walked around to get to know Qinghe Prefecture's local customs and to look for business opportunities.

When they returned in the evening, Liu Ziyi mentioned that just after they had left, Bei Mingchuan and his wife had come. Since they didn't meet Yang Mengchen, they left a gift and said they would visit Yang Mengchen after the provincial exams were over.

Yang Mengchen sighed inwardly.

Bei Mingchuan was an upright and honest official, and Lady Bei was well-read and sensible. It was just unfortunate that Ms. Bei... it was like a crooked sprout growing in a bamboo forest.

Fortunately, nothing serious had happened, and both the Yao family and Duke Anle Mansion had been forgiving, not holding Ms. Bei accountable. But Bei Mingchuan had sent her to the family temple, and she would have to spend the rest of her life there.

As for Liang Yun, Duke Anle ordered him to be beaten with thirty heavy strokes. His injuries had not yet healed when he was sent to a country estate, and half a month later he died of illness. They said it was due to improper care, and an infection at the site of the wounds, but no one knew the real truth.

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