Bai Peilan Hadn't Woken Up

"Is my daughter back?"

Bai Peilan strode into the courtyard. The academy examination was tomorrow, and she had spent all of yesterday waiting in vain for her daughter to return, frantic with worry. The little rascal had finally seen fit to come home today. Without waiting for Bai Mo to come to her, or even eating dinner, she had rushed straight to Bai Mo's courtyard.

"Family head, the eldest miss is bathing right now, so..."

Lixia hurried forward and bowed.

"I'll wait for her in the study. Take good care of the eldest miss."

"Yes, I'll pour you some tea."

Bai Peilan went to the study and did not rush her.

Bai Mo enjoyed a hot bath. When she heard her mother had come, she hurried to get ready and went to the study.

"Greetings, Mother." Bai Mo bowed properly.

Bai Peilan was delighted to see her daughter, and at the sight of her smiling face, she swallowed every word of reproach. "No need for formalities, Momo. Your studies have been hard on you lately, haven't they? You've grown much thinner.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you to the examination compound for the academy examination. I've prepared everything you'll need. You haven't been studying long, so there's no need to put too much pressure on yourself. Treat it as a chance to gain some experience and get a feel for the examination."

Though Bai Peilan thought her daughter naturally bright, she also knew that her daughter disliked studying. This time, she was using it as a pretext to get close to the Shen family's young master.

Pass the xiucai examination straightaway? She was bound to fail! Bai Peilan could only encourage her daughter, seeing through her without saying so...

"Mother, I know. Don't worry. I just told the maids to prepare those things, but I didn't expect you'd already done it."

Bai Peilan took it all upon herself. "I can handle the preparations. What do the maids in your courtyard know? All you need to do is sleep well and get plenty of rest."

Bai Mo nodded obediently, leaned over and wrapped her arm around Bai Peilan's. "Mother," she said coquettishly, "I want to propose to Shen Qing once the results are out. How should we go about it?"

When it came to proposals in ancient times, Bai Mo was completely in the dark. She didn't understand a thing.

"Huh? Let me think. The Grand Preceptor's residence is a prestigious family. A marriage requires the parents' command and a matchmaker's word, the three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts-none of them can be left out. Who should I ask to act as matchmaker..."

Bai Peilan patted her daughter's hand and began muttering worriedly, "Shen Qing is the legitimate second young master of the Grand Preceptor's second branch. He's known for being virtuous and handsome, and his literary talent is widely recognized. He's one of the most sought-after candidates for a husband."

"The Grand Preceptor holds the Principal First Rank, and his students are spread throughout the court. I don't really know anyone of the same rank as him..."

"I don't know any of the imperial relatives, either..."

"I'll go ask your aunt. Don't worry, my child. I'll make sure it's taken care of."

"If nothing else works, we'll ask the empress to grant the marriage. Rest assured, my child, there's no need to be afraid."

Bai Mo: "..."

Was the Residence of the Earl Who Protects the State really doing that badly? They didn't even know a single important person of any standing?

She didn't feel like saying anything and discouraging her...

Bai Mo could only nod.

Mother and daughter discussed it a little longer, then Bai Peilan left.

Bai Mo ate a bowl of bird's nest congee and went to bed.

In the Peach Blossom Courtyard.

Bai Peilan was staying the night in Madam Chen's courtyard. She happily shared the news that Bai Mo would take the academy examination tomorrow, and Madam Chen's face lit up with joy as well.

"Wife, I'm so happy that Momo has become more sensible. She's been working hard at her studies lately, and it's been over a month since she came to my courtyard for a meal. I miss her terribly. Once she's finished her examination, I'll prepare a whole table of dishes that you and Momo love, and our family can have a proper gathering."

Madam Chen's gentle and thoughtful manner comforted Bai Peilan greatly.

"Good. Husband, that's thoughtful of you. Remember, you mustn't do anything foolish, or you know the consequences! Momo will be getting married soon. Make sure you put together an inventory of the dowry her father left behind in the next couple of days. When the time comes, she'll manage it all herself."

Madam Chen was taken aback. Bai Mo was going to marry a husband? He hadn't heard the slightest whisper of it. He had been planning to marry a nephew from a collateral branch of his birth family to her, but hadn't had the chance to bring it up!

Besides, the former husband's dowry was worth a fortune. It had been in the Chen family's hands for so many years, and he was utterly unwilling to hand it over.

"Which family's young master is Momo planning to propose to?"

"Shen Qing, the legitimate second young master of the Grand Preceptor's second branch."

"What?"

Madam Chen's face was full of astonishment.

Seeing her reaction, Bai Peilan showed a trace of displeasure. "What kind of reaction is that? Don't tell me you're unhappy about it?"

"You jest, wife. How could I be unhappy? It's just that the Grand Preceptor's family is so prestigious. I'm afraid it won't be easy."

A cold light flashed briefly in Madam Chen's eyes. No one knew what he was thinking.

"I know it won't be easy. I'll discuss it with my elder brother tomorrow. If that doesn't work, I'll take the imperial iron certificate to the empress and ask her to grant the marriage. My daughter has finally stood up for herself for once, and I'm determined to make it happen for her."

Bai Peilan wore the expression of a loving mother.

Madam Chen secretly gritted his teeth. He thought Bai Peilan's favoritism knew no bounds, for her to go so far for her legitimate eldest daughter...

Yet none of it showed on his face.

He said gently to Bai Peilan, "Don't be anxious, wife. The imperial iron certificate is a mark of our residence's prestige. Let's discuss Momo's proposal carefully."

"Let's get some rest. You've worked hard all day, wife. I'll give you a massage to ease your fatigue."

"Mm."

The room was filled with the passion of spring.

Madam Chen kept Bai Peilan occupied all night, leaving her utterly exhausted. She didn't fall into a deep sleep until the fifth watch.

Madam Chen glanced at the sleeping Bai Peilan and sneered.

But the skin behind his ear was gradually turning bluish, a sign that the poison in him was growing worse.

Early the next morning.

Bai Mo rose feeling refreshed, washed up, and changed into a scholar's long robe. She looked in the mirror: neat, fresh, and refined. Not bad.

"Eldest miss, I missed you to death! None of you had better fight me for this today. I'm accompanying the eldest miss to the examination compound."

Lichun had a dashing, spirited appearance and stood over 1.8 meters tall, more than half a head taller than Bai Mo. Her speech was crisp and direct, and her gaze burned with sincere devotion as she looked at Bai Mo.

Xiaohan hurriedly cut in. "Sister Lichun, you should just rest. You've only just gotten back, and already you're fighting us for work. I already agreed with the miss that I'd accompany her to her first examination today."

Seeing the two of them making a fuss, Lixia shook her head and poured cold water on them. "Stop arguing, both of you. The family head said she'd escort the miss to the examination compound herself today. Maids aren't allowed to attend the candidates during the academy examination, and they can't come out until it ends in the evening. Are you two planning to wait at the gates?"

Lichun and Xiaohan were both disappointed to hear that.

"Huh? We can't go inside? I wanted to grind ink for the miss."

"I wanted to fan the miss."

The two of them shoved each other playfully, filling the room with cheerful laughter.

Xiaoman came running in and said urgently, "Eldest miss, the first husband's side says the family head hasn't gotten up yet. We have to leave in half an hour."

Bai Mo waved a hand unconcernedly.

"If Mother's asleep, let her sleep. She rarely gets a day off. It's fine."

"Lixia, bring the examination supplies I asked you to prepare yesterday, and get a few flatbreads and some water too. I'll make do with those for lunch."

"Lichun, do you know the way to the examination compound?"

"I do, I know it! I'll take you there, eldest miss."

Lixia and Lichun both answered and busied themselves with the preparations.

Bai Mo looked at the admission slip in her hand. Luckily, she had kept it herself yesterday, or things would have been a little troublesome.

A cup of tea later, Lichun and Xiaohan escorted Bai Mo to the examination compound. Lixia stayed behind at the residence to pass on the news once Bai Peilan got up.