How can someone travel through time and space and become a beggar?

The first exam ended in the evening of the third day. The candidates walked out with unsteady steps. Some fainted as soon as they emerged, while others vomited while clutching their stomachs. Those who managed to emerge looked pale and lifeless.

Zhang Zhou was fine, he just frowned and looked unhappy.

The servant who had been guarding for three days hurried over to help him. Dong Xiaohuan and several children gathered around him, "Xiao Zhou, how are you? Come on, get in the carriage first, go back, drink some porridge and have a good sleep."

The carriage couldn't hold so many people. Guan Xu and Wang Qiuyu followed behind the carriage. As soon as they got home, Zhang Zhou said he wanted to take a shower. Three days in that cramped cell had left him smelling strange. Zhang Zhou couldn't wait even a moment, let alone eat.

The hot water had been prepared long ago, and everyone helped to fetch water. Soon Zhang Zhou was in a hot bath. He sighed and rubbed himself from head to toe, feeling light and refreshed all over.

He didn't need to worry about the dirty water, because the green flowers and green buds were waiting. As soon as he came out, the two of them went in to clean it up. Zhang Zhou was a little uncomfortable, but he felt better and was hungry.

The food was warm and lightly flavored. He drank two large bowls of porridge in one go and didn't dare eat more buns. He had an exam tomorrow and was worried about having to go to the bathroom.

After eating, he went to sleep without saying a few words to his family. The next morning, he prepared porridge and side dishes again, and after eating, he went to the examination hall again.

After three consecutive exams, even though Zhang Zhou had been exercising regularly, he felt a bit exhausted. His face was pale and haggard, and he had lost a lot of weight in just nine days.

Dong Xiaohuan was so distressed that she touched her son's face with tears in her eyes, "Let's go home."

Today, they drove here again. As soon as Zhang Zhou got on the carriage, he lay down and fell asleep. When they got home, they didn't have the heart to call him. Dong Xiaohuan asked Guan Xu to watch over him while she went to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

She'd already prepared a delicious meal, but judging by Zhang Zhou's expression, she feared he wouldn't be able to finish it. Dong Xiaohuan, wanting something lighter and easier to digest, kneaded the dough and prepared to roll out noodles. She chopped the noodles finely and cooked them in chicken broth, adding a few greens and two poached eggs. She prepared everything and heated the water, figuring her son would still want to take a bath first.

It's better to shower first; being clean makes you feel better. Then, have a bowl of hot noodle soup, and when you're all refreshed, go to sleep. As for the other dishes, the rest of the family ate them. Once Zhang Zhou recovers, I'll make him a good meal to nourish him.

Zhang Zhou didn't sleep for long before he woke up. He was dazed and didn't know where he was. He was relieved when he saw Guan Xu. "Is this in the car?"

"We're home. Are you okay, second brother?" Guan Xu asked as he helped him up.

"It's okay, I'm just very sleepy." Zhang Zhou pressed his eyes and followed his brother's hand to get out of the car.

"Mom, my second brother is awake." Xia Chu shouted towards the kitchen.

"Hey, I'm here." Dong Xiaohuan ran out in small steps, her voice soft and tender, her eyes full of heartache, "Why don't you take a shower first? Mommy will make you a bowl of noodles. After you take a shower and eat, go back to your room and have a good sleep."

"Okay." Zhang Zhou felt warm in his heart. Looking at his mother's worried expression, he comforted her, "Mom, I'm fine. I'm just tired and sleepy. I'll feel much better after a good sleep."

"Okay, then. Then wash up quickly, eat, and go to bed. Sleep well." Dong Xiaohuan nodded. "Boil some mugwort water. That room is dirty and small, so get rid of the smell. I'll pour you some water right away." After saying that, she went back to the kitchen.

"I'll help." Xia Chu hurriedly followed.

"I'll help too!" Wang Qiuyu jumped up and followed.

Guan Xu helped Zhang Zhou back to his room and sat him down. He then found his clothes and prepared towels and soap. Dong Xiaohuan, Xia Chu, and Wang Qiuyu were busy fetching water, and the whole family was busy around Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou did not reject everyone's concern. These were his family.

By the time her son was taking a bath, Dong Xiaohuan had already cooked the noodles. She even fanned them until they were warm and delicious. Zhang Zhou was deeply touched. He lay comfortably on the bed and soon fell asleep.

The others finished their meal quietly, none heading out to the backyard, fearing any noise might disturb Zhang Zhou. Guan Xu was reading in the academy, while Xia Chu was checking her flowers in the yard.

Wang Qiuyu was playing ball with Xiao An. Xiao An started yelling when he got excited. He quickly rushed over and pinched the dog's mouth, "Shh, shh, Xiao An, don't yell! Don't wake up your brother!"

Wang Yong had to go to the government office today and was supposed to pick up his son, but he didn't get home until dark. Dong Xiaohuan got up and cooked noodles for him, as they had extra chicken soup.

"How is Xiaozhou? Is he tired?" Wang Yong asked while eating.

"He was so tired that he fell asleep as soon as he got in the car." Dong Xiaohuan still felt distressed when she talked about it. "His face turned pale and yellow. In just a few days, he looked a lot thinner. He never gained weight much. Who knows how long it will take for him to gain weight back."

"I hope he passes the exam on the first try, otherwise he'll have to come twice, and the child won't suffer enough." Wang Yong felt unhappy after hearing this. He ate his noodles in a few mouthfuls and wanted to go see the child. "I'll go see him."

"Don't go. What if he wakes up?" Dong Xiaohuan grabbed him and said, "Let him sleep. We'll see tomorrow." As she spoke, she felt sad when she thought of Zhang Zhou's appearance. "How about I buy some ginseng slices? I can make him some ginseng chicken soup to keep him well for a few days."

Wang Yong thought it was a good idea and nodded, "Buy it, and ask the doctor if it's serious and if I need any medicine."

"Okay, I'll go early tomorrow morning." Dong Xiaohuan cleared the dishes and said, "There's hot water in the kitchen, you can scoop it up and wash it yourself. Why are you so late today? Are you going tomorrow?"

"Go, there's a gang of thieves on the loose lately, and they haven't been caught yet." Wang Yong followed him to the kitchen. "I'll have to go earlier tomorrow."

Dong Xiaohuan frowned after hearing this. "Then you should hurry up and get some more sleep. Don't rush in to catch thieves. You're not young anymore. You're old, and my kids and I are waiting for you at home."

Wang Yong smiled and said, "Okay, I understand."

The next day, as soon as Wang Yong moved, Dong Xiaohuan jumped up. While quickly getting dressed, she said, "I made some dough last night, so I'll make you some pancakes."

"Don't bother, I don't have time to eat. You sleep a little longer, I'll go out and buy something." Wang Yong felt sorry for his wife. Not only had Zhang Zhou lost weight, but he had also noticed that his wife had lost some weight. She hadn't been sleeping well lately and was worried that their son wouldn't be able to eat or sleep well during the exam.

"It'll be ready soon. You can eat it on the way." Dong Xiaohuan said as she headed straight for the kitchen. She had left a little fire in the stove yesterday, so she could just light it up in the morning. To save time, she rolled the pancakes thinly and flipped them twice to make them cooked.

Wang Yong packed up and went out with the hot pancake in his hands. After a few steps, he turned back and said, "Go home before dark these few days. Don't go out alone. Tell the children."

"Okay, I got it. The kids and I will be waiting for you at home. Remember what I say." Dong Xiaohuan chased out and gave instructions.

Seeing that there was no one around, Wang Yong reached out and hugged his wife, "I see. Go back and get some more sleep. Don't get too tired."

Dong Xiaohuan blushed, but instead of pushing him away, she patted his shoulder gently.