Sir Song, do you want to pledge yourself to me?

Thousands of miles away, Ji Nuan was being helped by Xue Qing to try on her wedding dress, completely unaware that someone was preparing to put on her makeup.

"Mom, look, this wedding dress suits me well, doesn't it?" Ji Nuan gently adjusted her sleeves, spread her arms, and asked with a bright smile to her mother who was waiting on the side.

Mother Ji carefully examined her daughter's bright red wedding dress, her eyes filled with smiles. "It fits, fits, it's so beautiful! I've never seen such an exquisite wedding dress in my life. Jin Bai really put a lot of effort into it."

Sprite wrapped up the uneaten cake in her hand and put it into a small cloth bag, saying, "Young lady looks so beautiful in her wedding dress! On ordinary days, whenever you are around, your master's eyes can't help but stick to you. When you get married in this wedding dress, I'm afraid your master will be completely fascinated by you!"

Ji's mother was stunned when she heard this. Although she felt that Xuebi was exaggerating, she had to admit that she had a point. Her son-in-law, who was so serious in front of others, was indeed unbearable in front of his daughter.

Ji Nuan secretly glanced at Ji's mother, and his old face turned hot.

"Hiss, Sprite, you have such a bad mouth... I'll punish you by not having any lollipops for a month!"

Ji Nuan wanted to shut her mouth immediately. It was fine if they were joking about this in private, but how could they say it in front of Ji's mother? She really wanted to embarrass someone to death!

Sprite wailed, "Aww...Miss! You can't be so cruel to Sprite!"

Xue Qing couldn't help laughing, and pretended to be angry and scolded: "I'll teach you to talk nonsense with your mouth!"

Mother Ji remembered that her daughter often went to the capital city and must have met Song Jinbai privately many times. She gently reminded her, "The wedding day is coming soon. Nuannuan should stay home obediently for the next few days and don't meet Jinbai again before the wedding."

"Well, I'll just stay home and not go anywhere these few days." Ji Nuan nodded meekly, looking at the wedding dress with satisfaction. "This wedding dress fits me perfectly, there's nothing that needs to be altered. Xueqing, help me change it and put it away."

When she came out of the inner room again, Ji's mother had already replaced the tea in her hands.

Ji Nuan sat over and asked, "Mom, is there anything else you want to tell me?"

Mother Ji took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Your third brother is out inspecting the shops and won't be back for a few days. I can only ask you, what are your plans regarding Mr. Fu? His status is different now, and it's really not appropriate for him to continue to stay in our family as a teacher. He won the first place in this autumn examination, and I think he will also participate in the imperial examination next spring. Don't use your kindness to hinder his future."

Ji Nuan: "Mom, what are you talking about? Am I the kind of person who would repay a favor?"

Mother Ji sighed softly: "Of course I know you are not, I am just worried that one of you brothers and sisters will think of the left."

Ji Nuan trusted her brothers very much. "No. When Mr. Fu passed the imperial examination and sent a thank-you gift, didn't he say that he would help introduce a classmate to take over his teaching of the children? He should go to the capital in advance to concentrate on studying for the exam. I will ask him about his specific plans later."

Mother Ji nodded slightly: "Mr. Fu has been in our family for some time. Whether it is his character or knowledge, he is impeccable. If he needs help in the future, if you can help, please lend a hand."

Ji Nuan: "Of course, Mr. Fu will also be a member of the Ji family's network in the future."

"Mom, our family's assets are growing, and we're attracting many people who are jealous and coveting us. The wider the network of people behind us, the safer our family will be. Currently, only Song Jinbai is in the officialdom, but this is definitely not enough. With Mr. Fu's ability, he will definitely have a bright future in the future."

Ji Nuan couldn't stay in Kaiyun Mansion forever. If Song Jinbai were to be transferred or appointed in the future, she would follow him. The kidnapping of Ji Shan was a result of someone taking advantage of the Ji family's lack of support, allowing them to bully them. That incident also made Ji Nuan realize the importance of building connections for the Ji family. She hoped that even if the Ji family faced difficulties in the future, these connections would give them pause, at least providing them with a place to turn in a critical moment.

Mother Ji worriedly asked, "Will Mr. Fu feel that our family is taking advantage of him?"

Ji Nuan smiled faintly and soothed, "Mother, Mr. Fu is well-read and has experienced the vicissitudes of life, including being blocked from the imperial examination. His mind is much more open-minded and insightful than we imagine. How could he not understand these principles?"

After the agent Nuan reminded her, Ji's mother immediately understood.

Indeed, building connections is never a one-sided give and take. Not to mention that Mr. Fu's career was hindered by jealousy, and that Ji Nuan painstakingly prepared his hand muscles, the Ji family's current connections to the Marquis' Mansion in the capital and the Imperial Tutor's Mansion alone could provide strong support for Mr. Fu's future career. After all, while talented and learned individuals are countless, without support, even those who pass the imperial examinations face difficulties in officialdom. Otherwise, how could so many operas depict the tragedies of scholars abandoning their wives and children after passing the imperial examination?

Ji's mother nodded in agreement: "Of course, let Jin Bai interact with him more when there is a chance."

Ji Nuan said softly, "Actually, Song Jinbai had already met Mr. Fu when he came home before. But at that time, we didn't communicate much to avoid suspicion. The exam questions from previous years that Third Brother gave Mr. Fu were collected by Song Jinbai. This time, Mr. Fu won the first place in the provincial examination with his true talent and knowledge. Song Jinbai officially got to know him at the Luming Banquet."

"That's good." Ji's mother smiled with relief, "You kids are more knowledgeable and more thoughtful than us older generations."

Ji Nuan winked playfully: "No way, it's all because of mom's cleverness that we are lucky enough to be born smart."