The Marquis' Wife
Departure to Qincheng City

Lu Xiang hugged Adelia and whispered. "Teacher agrees he's in my group".

Lu Xiang when Miao Sheng asked to enter his group that would take the exam because after all in the eyes of others the damaged reputation of Miao Sheng was not him.

If he did not agree then with Miao Sheng's obsession that wanting to take the exam would continue to stick to him and make people's views would change and it was neither for him nor Adelia to be labeled short-minded and vengeful.

After all it was good that if Miao Sheng came to his group at least he would not have to worry about the male conspiracy to make him fail the exam because if something happened to him before the exam then the five people those in one group will also fail. That is the importance of choosing the person who will take the exam together.

Adelia felt blank for a moment as the unexpected happened right in her eyes but she smiled at Lu Xiang's friend about to leave together.

"Secondly, they're my friends who will take the exam together". Lu Xiang introduced Adelia one by one without missing Miao Sheng.

"Greetings to sister-in-law. My name is Zhang Yunlei, nice to meet you". An 18-year-old man greeted me politely and elegantly.

"My name is Shao Yunan, my family loves tarts from your store sister-in-law" Another young man also introduced himself with excitement, he was 16 years old. Of the five people who took the exam, he was the youngest.

"Sister-in-law" Miao Sheng slightly bowed respectfully with a stiff face.

Adelia smiled widely even though her forehead frowned slightly at Miao Sheng.

"I've prepared a bit of provisions for the trip, you can ask Lu Xiang for it".

"Wow! Really true?"

"Thank you brother-in-law".

Adelia only smiled, her eyes turned to Lu Xiang, although very curious but she refrained from asking anything about Miao Sheng.

"It's time to leave, we'll arrive by noon if there's no obstruction on the road". Lu Xiang hugged Adelia and kissed her wife's forehead without caring for the shocked gazes of her friends.

Adelia's face flushed but let her husband kiss her on the forehead.

"I'm leaving".

"Be careful on the road".

Lu Xiang walked into the carriage followed by Zhang Yunlei and Miao Sheng who lowered their gaze concealing envy and jealousy at how good a horse carriage Lu Xiang had.

After the news of him using Lu Xiang's wife's money spread, the friend who would guarantee him instead resigned for various reasons and he was very difficult to get other guarantors who took the exam. Finally he was bluffing his teeth asking for help from Lu Xiang to put him into the group that the man had.

The carriage slowly walked out of Cheng's city gate and Lu Cai began to increase his speed.

Unlike the exam registration schedule in history that Adelia knew, in the Murong Kingdom, the, students must register four months before the exam begins so that employees in the mayor's office can check the environmental conditions and character of the exam registrant.

This is because the Murong Kingdom is very concerned with the character and background owned by students, it is undeniable that a good background will be an additional point for the student in addition to his character.

The horse carriage drove for several hours until they arrived at Qincheng city after lunch.

Unlike Cheng city, Qincheng city is divided into two parts, namely the outside of the city and the inside of the city and there is a curfew at 1 am, after 1 am no one is allowed in or out for the trip and will be punished with 40 wooden strokes for who violates it.

Chen Xirang and Shao Yunan looked for an inn that still had empty rooms outside the city because the inner part of the city was already full by students who had arrived earlier then returned to the carriage.

"One night the first 120 copper coins, they provide food and warm water". Report Chen Xirang.

Lu Xiang and the others nodded in agreement, they immediately checked in, clearing themselves before exiting with a fresh body. Silence in the carriage made their bodies stiff and not powerful.

"Where are you going? I want to see the book in the bookstore" Broke Lu Xiang.

"I also want to go to the bookstore".

Everyone agreed to go to the bookstore, although Miao Sheng was silent but he followed Lu Xiang's every verdict.

They entered into a large bookstore in Qincheng city. Lu Xiang looked at the bookshelf filled with four books and five classics as well as various analyses of the previous exam questions.

Lu Xiang's brows were lifted up by two bookshelves filled with arithmetic books. He had learned a little about arithmetic and multiplication from Adelia which was easier to understand according to him.

"Why so many arithmetic books?" Chen Xirang asked confusedly.

"His Majesty the King began advocating arithmetic this year, ranging from the calculation of astronomical phenomena, manufacturing calculations and the calculation of tax systems".

The five people were stunned, most of them focusing more on essays and classical books as well as poetry rhymes rather than arithmetic which was very difficult to understand.

Lu Xiang bought topographical books as well as orthodox history and nine arithmetic chapters. Chen Xirang and Shao Yunan.

Zhang Yunlei only bought topography and arithmetic books whereas Miao Sheng only bought nine arithmetic chapters because he had read the other two books. He looked at Lu Xiang who was paying expressionlessly making envy even more raging in his heart.

Lu Xiang and his friend went to the teahouse to sit back and hear the news that happened in Qincheng city before returning to the inn.

"How about we go to Baimei's house to relax" Invite Chen Xirang.

Baimei House is a famous brothel in Qincheng city and Cheng city.

Shao Yunan's eyes shone, he looked at Zhang Yunlei and Lu Xiang with expectant eyes.

Zhang Yunlei let out a long sigh then nodded resignedly.

"I already have a wife". Lu Xiang refused firmly.

"Hei~ we don't hire girls. Just drink and have fun anyway, after all we are here just to register so it's okay to have a little fun" Chen Xirang persuaded with a tone of seduction.

"No, thanks". Lu Xiang left Chen Xirang and the others without caring for their call.

"What about you Miao Sheng?" Shao Yunan saw that Miao Sheng was silent and took the initiative to invite him.

"I... I rarely visit such a place". Miao Sheng replied embarrassedly, he had long wanted to visit Baimei's house but was afraid that his friends would ask him to be treated.

"Hehe. Then you should come along to add experience. Let me buy it".

Miao Sheng refrained from smiling and thanking. Eventually the four men went to Baimei's house which was always crowded for almost 24 hours.

At the inn, Lu Xiang began reading orthodox history and topography before reading the nine arithmetic chapters and comparing them with the mathematics and multiplication he learned from Adelia.

Lu Xiang focused on opening sheet by sheet until he was struck by the call of the inn worker who brought dinner.

He dined in loneliness and missed his wife who was always chattering at the dinner table or his laughing siblings.

"Adelia" muttered Lu Xiang.

After eating Lu Xiang returned to reading the nine arithmetic chapters before deciding to take a bath and get ready for bed.

"Oh~ Lu Xiang's. Hehe. Where do you want to go?~" The drunk Chen Xirang walked over helped by Miao Sheng. While Shao Yunan was asleep on Zhang Yunlei's back.

"Tell the water carriers to wipe their bodies, I'll order a relief soup for them".

Zhang Yunlei nodded and brought Shao Yunan to his room.

The next day Chen Xirang and Shao Yunan thanked Miao Sheng, Zhang Yunlei and Lu Xiang for being woken up not to be late in registering.