I traveled back to ancient times, but I was able to lie down and relax.

"Three ounces is considered quite high. It doesn't matter if you're from a poor family. These kinds of things are all about doing what you can afford. People who can pass the imperial examinations or be the top scorers will only want to befriend you and won't be easily offended."

"Besides, even if we weren't prepared," Song Chen raised his chin slightly, "there must be some among those people willing to pay for us. Who wouldn't want to do a favor for someone who might become an official in the future?"

Liu Nanjia looked outside and indeed saw a lot of onlookers. When they saw her looking over, they smiled or cupped their hands in a friendly manner.

"No wonder everyone is so eager to take the imperial examinations; it's a different story once you pass."

This earned her a glare from Liu Yanxi.

Song Chen chuckled as well.

However, they underestimated the influence of this case leader, and people continued to visit him throughout the following day.

Some of the people he knew, like Wu Yi, who also passed the exam, came to congratulate Liu Yanxi and thank Liu Nanjia as well.

"Thanks to that instant noodles, I was able to eat and sleep well during the exam. It definitely helped me pass the exam!"

Most of them were strangers, including many wealthy businessmen who sent gifts.

There were even people who came to propose marriage to Liu Yanxi because he was young and handsome. Liu Nanjia was also asked about it.

Liu Nanjia was so frightened that she repeatedly said that her elders at home would make arrangements.

Anyway, the identity you have outside is something you give yourself, and Grandpa Liu and Grandma Liu are still around.

They refused all the gifts that came to them and kindly persuaded them to leave.

With Liu Nanjia's current wealth, there's absolutely no need for her to owe anyone a favor for such a small amount of money.

It was rare for Song Chen to see Liu Nanjia so flustered, and he found it somewhat amusing: "This is what you called 'investment' before. Those people are optimistic about Yan Xi and want to build a good relationship with him while he is young so that they can use this incident to curry favor with him when he becomes an official in the future."

He didn't say the second half of his sentence: even if this "investment" fails and Liu Yanxi stops here, it won't be a loss for those people.

Of course, only Liu Yanxi, the top scholar, received this treatment, as it was believed that he would likely pass the imperial examination or become a Jinshi and enter officialdom.

As for the others, even the second place doesn't get much attention.

However, there are some invitations that are not easy to refuse, such as those from other students who were also on the list, who invited him to get together tonight for academic exchange.

Song Chen suggested that he go, regardless of whether it was a real academic exchange or not, since they would be considered "classmates" and similar to future classmates. If he didn't participate in anything, he would inevitably be seen as eccentric.

"It's good for you to attend such occasions, as you'll inevitably encounter them in the future. Get used to it first. But when discussing academic matters with them, don't talk too much, don't get drunk, and definitely don't go anywhere else."

"Wu Yi, you two should go too, and look after each other."

Before setting off, Song Chen gave the two men some instructions, and also told Liu Xiaogang, who was following them, to be quick-witted.

"Don't worry, my father also told me that I guarantee I'll bring Brother Liu back safely!"

Wu Yi is two years older than Liu Yanxi, but Song Chen seems more like their older brother at this moment.

Song Chen's own family has a very good atmosphere, but in the environment of the capital, there are all kinds of people, especially those with a bit of power. There are quite a few who bully others by abusing their power, and he has come into contact with quite a few of them.

The two set off in a carriage at 5 PM, but Liu Nanjia waited at home until 9 PM, and they still hadn't returned, so she became a little anxious.

"It's been two hours already. They should have finished their meal by now, even if they were still chatting. Which restaurant did they go to? Shall we go and take a look?"

Song Chen pressed Liu Nanjia, who was pacing around in the yard, into a chair: "Don't be in such a hurry. There are so many people. It will take quite a while for everyone to arrive, for the food to be served, and for us to have some drinks."

Liu Nanjia thought about it and agreed. She calmed herself down and put Liu Sirou to sleep.

Seeing that she was still a little distracted, Song Chen pulled her aside to chat and distract her.

As the conversation went on, it returned to Liu Yanxi.

“He’s 15 this year, it’s time for him to go out and see the world and face things on his own, so you don’t need to worry too much. He used to teach the children in the village, and he did a great job.”

“That makes sense,” Liu Nanjia thought Song Chen’s words made sense. However, as a soul from a later era, she was still in junior high school at the age of fourteen or fifteen, and she was used to treating him as a child.

"But I always feel..."

"I always feel that you should take care of them?" Song Chen interrupted before Liu Nanjia could finish speaking.

“Of course!” Liu Nanjia replied instinctively.

"But you're a year younger than Yan Xi. Why are you taking all the responsibility on yourself?"

"I..." Liu Nanjia finally realized.

But Song Chen's question wasn't focused on that. Before Liu Nanjia could reply, he asked again, "What about me? In your heart, am I like Yan Xi, an immature child?"

He had realized his own feelings. He had been quite jealous of Bai Yichen before, even though he knew that neither of them had any romantic feelings for each other.

Song Chen understood that Liu Nanjia wasn't interested in that kind of relationship right now, so he decided to stay by her side quietly, since he was the closest person to her anyway.

However, he always felt that Liu Nanjia had a sense of being beyond her age, not in terms of behavior, but in terms of mentality, especially towards Liu Yanxi, she seemed to treat him more like a junior.

And what about myself? Am I the same?

In addition, someone mentioned her marriage today, so I couldn't help but ask.

Liu Nanjia was a little confused by the question.

Having lived for over twenty years, of course I would treat Liu Yanxi, who is only a teenager, as a junior.

But Song Chen...

They seem to be quite different.

But before she could figure it out, there was a commotion outside the door.

Liu Yanxi and the others have finally returned.

Liu Nanjia breathed a sigh of relief. What was with this slightly awkward atmosphere? She quickly went to greet them.

Looking him up and down, thankfully, Liu Yanxi's complexion was rosier than usual, probably because he had drunk some wine, but he was in good spirits and showed no signs of drunkenness. He also got off the carriage very quickly.

Wu Yi, standing next to him, was not in good condition. He was standing crookedly and needed Xiao Gang to support him.

"You're finally back. Why did it take you so long?" Liu Nanjia asked, as it was almost midnight.

Liu Yanxi rubbed his forehead. "There are too many people. We'll talk about one topic for ages. I'm fine. Everyone go to sleep."

"And what about him?" Liu Nanjia pointed to Wu Yi beside her. The man was still muttering to himself, and it was unclear what he was saying.

“He helped me avoid drinking a lot, which is why he got so drunk. There’s no one to take care of him if he goes back to the inn, so let him stay here with us for the night. Xiao Gang, could you please take care of him today?”

Liu Xiaogang nodded, and together with his father, Uncle Liu, helped Wu Yi into the room.

Liu Nanjia circled Liu Yanxi several times to make sure he was really alright before letting him go back to sleep.

It's too late, let's talk about it tomorrow.