Over the course of that day, Gong Xingwei pestered Zhao Yingxiu twice more. After receiving the cold shoulder both times, as expected, he finally settled down.
Zhao Yingxiu had also successfully struck up a friendship with Jiang Nuan.
Mostly, Zhao Yingxiu felt completely at ease around Jiang Nuan.
Sometimes, she had wild flights of fancy and wanted to try them out, but ordinary people would look at her as though they could not understand her.
For instance, when she had wanted to attend school with her older brothers, her parents had agreed, but her friends had said:
"You're a girl. What do you need to learn so much for? Those aren't things we should be studying. You'd be better off learning more embroidery so you can marry well someday."
The moment they said that, she knew they were not birds of a feather, and she gradually began distancing herself from them.
But that never happened when she talked to Jiang Nuan.
"I heard that Great Xia's Imperial Examination now has separate southern and northern lists, and even women are allowed to take it. I want to try this year's provincial examination."
"Wow, Sister Zhao, you're amazing! Go for it! I know you can pass!"
Jiang Nuan was wonderfully encouraging.
"Then thank you in advance, Nuannuan."
Seeing that Jiang Nuan meant it, Zhao Yingxiu's smile grew more genuine.
Then she could not help talking more.
To her surprise, she discovered that no matter what she brought up, Jiang Nuan could contribute a few words and had her own unique insights.
This delighted her so much that she wanted to become sworn sisters with Jiang Nuan on the spot.
Although Gong Xingwei no longer pestered Zhao Yingxiu, he still wandered into her line of sight from time to time. But Zhao Yingxiu