On the 25th day, the Provincial Examination came to an end.
As Liu Ming'an followed a group of scholars, some worried and some joyful, out of the government office, he suddenly felt the sunlight was a bit dazzling.
Outside the gate, quite a few people were waiting. Upon seeing their scholars emerge, they immediately rushed over with concerned faces to greet them.
"My child, you've suffered so much. Come home, and mother will make you something delicious..."
"My dear husband, how did the exam go? Surely you'll pass this time..."
"Young master, you must have passed this time. The master and mistress even had a fortune teller predict your success..."
Amidst the endless greetings, Liu Ming'an searched through the crowd but couldn't find the person he had been thinking about day and night.
When he finally reached his doorstep and saw the rising smoke from the chimney, Liu Ming'an suddenly felt like a long-absent traveler who had finally returned to a warm haven after enduring countless hardships.
Jiang Ning had just ladled out the chicken soup she had been stewing. Hearing the front door being pushed open, her hands paused for a moment before her lips curled into a slight smile.
After setting the dishes on the table, Jiang Ning walked out of the room. Liu Ming'an was striding across the courtyard towards her.
"You're back? Let's eat," Jiang Ning said, leaning against the doorframe as she looked at the travel-worn Liu Ming'an.
For the past nine days, Jiang Ning had been by Liu Ming'an's side every day. She knew he hadn't been eating or sleeping well, and with the intense mental exertion, he now looked quite haggard. So early this morning, Jiang Ning had bought a chicken to make soup, intending to nourish his body properly.
Hearing Jiang Ning's voice, Liu Ming'an stopped in his tracks and stood there, silently gazing at her.
"What's wrong? Don't you recognize me?" Jiang Ning asked, raising an eyebrow at the motionless Liu Ming'an.
In the next moment, Liu Ming'an took two quick strides to reach Jiang Ning, opened his arms, and tightly embraced her.
"Jiang Ning, I've missed you so much."
His slightly deep voice sounded by her ear, causing Jiang Ning's heart to tremble. She hugged Liu Ming'an back and replied, "I know."
After embracing for a moment, Jiang Ning stepped back from his arms and carefully looked at the man before her.
There were obvious dark circles under his eyes, which were bloodshot. His complexion had an unhealthy pallor, and a faint stubble had grown on his chin. He seemed to have lost some weight as well.
An emotion called "heartache" grew in her heart. Jiang Ning reached out to touch Liu Ming'an's face and said in a gentle voice, "Eat something and then get a good sleep. Whatever needs to be said can wait until you've rested."
Liu Ming'an took the opportunity to grasp Jiang Ning's hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. He softly replied, "Alright."
At the dining table, Jiang Ning ladled a bowl of chicken soup for Liu Ming'an, discreetly adding some spirit spring water to it.
"Jiang Ning, I think I did pretty well in the exam. I should be able to pass," Liu Ming'an casually mentioned while eating.
"Of course you'll pass!" Jiang Ning said with certainty.
"You have so much faith in me?" Liu Ming'an looked at Jiang Ning with a smile, his eyes filled with sparkling light.
Jiang Ning, not wanting to say too much, simply responded with an "Mm."
In truth, Jiang Ning could be so certain because after the second session of policy questions, she had gone to listen to the two elderly examiners' conversation again.
At that time, the two elders were holding Liu Ming'an's policy question paper, full of praise. One of them explicitly said, "This scholar's level is far beyond the others. It's unbelievable that Baoji County could produce such a talent!"
After carefully examining the paper, the other elder agreed, "As long as he doesn't insult the imperial court or make any ideological mistakes in the third session of poetry, even if he turns in a blank paper, I believe he must have a place on Baoji County's examination list!"
After the meal, Liu Ming'an inexplicably felt that his energy had been greatly restored. He went to the kitchen to wash the dishes, then helped Jiang Ning put up her hair, and was finally urged to go to bed.
Liu Ming'an slept until the next morning. Seeing him sleep so soundly, Jiang Ning didn't wake him for dinner.
When he woke up after sleeping his fill, Liu Ming'an felt refreshed and alert, as if he had been reborn.
"It's the 26th today. In five days, we'll be leaving this place," Jiang Ning casually mentioned as she put down the book she was reading. Since coming to this world, she hadn't seen any scenery beyond Lingshan Town. The journey ahead was unknown, and she wasn't sure what the outcome would be.
Seeing Jiang Ning's slightly furrowed brow, Liu Ming'an reached out and gently massaged her forehead, slowly saying, "It's alright. I'll always be with you."
Jiang Ning looked at his gentle eyes and sighed inwardly, forcing a smile.
Liu Ming'an was naturally optimistic, always looking on the bright side of things. Jiang Ning was quite the opposite; she always prepared for the worst possible outcomes and adjusted her expectations accordingly.
Right now, Jiang Ning was worried about her true identity.
If she was like the mute woman, a servant from a wealthy family who had made a mistake, that would be the best outcome. Even if she were the descendant of a criminal official, or had spent eight years in prison for murder and arson in the past, Jiang Ning would still find it acceptable.
Her only concern was that she might have been sold due to the so-called crime of "great immorality." What if the original owner of her body was truly an unchaste woman? Wouldn't that mean she might still have a husband?
The mere thought of this possibility made Jiang Ning feel uneasy, which was the reason for her worry.
Unaware of Jiang Ning's thoughts, Liu Ming'an lowered his eyes in contemplation for a while before speaking, "Jiang Ning, would you accompany me back to Lotus Flower Village in a couple of days? I want to say goodbye to my parents."
Jiang Ning agreed.
So, on the day before the provincial examination results were to be announced, Liu Ming'an took Jiang Ning with him, carrying prepared incense, candles, paper money, and some offerings for the deceased, and returned to Lotus Flower Village.
When they arrived at the village, it was just around noon, with wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys.
Looking at this small village where he had lived for nineteen years, Liu Ming'an felt a surge of nostalgia and reluctance to leave.
"I've always known I would leave Lotus Flower Village someday. Since I was young, my father rarely let me do farm work. He was single-mindedly focused on making me study hard and take the imperial examinations to become an official. I don't know where he got such strong conviction..."
"Before, I never thought this place was particularly good or bad. It seemed that apart from Third Great Aunt caring for me a bit more, I didn't have much of a relationship with anyone else. Now that I'm about to leave, I suddenly feel that this little Lotus Flower Village is quite nice after all..."
Liu Ming'an's tone was quite sentimental, as if he was talking to Jiang Ning, yet also speaking to himself.
Jiang Ning didn't respond. A caged bird longs for its old forest, a pond fish misses its former stream – most people have a deep attachment to their homeland. She could never truly understand this emotion, so she remained silent.
Following Liu Ming'an to the cemetery at the foot of the mountain, Jiang Ning watched him kneel before his parents' graves. She walked a distance away to avoid disturbing him.
Liu Ming'an burned paper money while talking. After half an hour, Jiang Ning saw him stand up and thought the memorial service was over. However, to her surprise, Liu Ming'an walked over to her, took her hand, and said softly, "Jiang Ning, I just told my parents that I've met the girl I want to spend my life with. Would you come and meet them?"
Jiang Ning naturally wouldn't refuse. She and Liu Ming'an understood each other's hearts, and meeting the parents was appropriate. Although they were facing cold tombstones, it was still a form of closure for the living.
After leaving the cemetery, they went to visit Third Great Aunt.
The old woman had always treated Liu Ming'an like her own grandson. Knowing they were about to part, she couldn't help but tear up.
"Ming'an, you've made something of yourself. Your parents' spirits in heaven will be proud... Take good care of yourself out there. This old woman will be waiting for the day you return in glory..."
Hearing Third Great Aunt's sincere advice, Liu Ming'an nodded repeatedly in agreement.
As the two set foot on the path leaving the village, Liu Ming'an turned back to look at this place one last time.
"Let's go," he said after a moment.