With light, joyful steps, Bai Ruxue ran down from She Mountain and returned to the village.

As soon as Bai Ruxue entered the village, a group of aunties and older women surrounded her.

"Ruxue, congratulations! Your Xiao Mo passed the provincial examination!"

"Ruxue, you'll be a provincial graduate's wife from now on."

"When Xiao Mo becomes a high official later, you mustn't let him forget us aunties!"

The aunties chattered one after another.

Bai Ruxue's eyes lit up as she asked happily, "Did Xiao Mo really pass?"

"Of course! Not only did Xiao Mo pass, he's also the top scholar or something? He came first, and even the county magistrate came!"

"Ruxue, you didn't see how polite the county magistrate was to Xiao Mo. Usually it's only others who are that polite to the county magistrate."

"Brother Mo is truly the Star of Literature descended to earth!"

Listening to the aunties' praise of Xiao Mo, Bai Ruxue felt sweet inside.

Bai Ruxue didn't know what passing the provincial examination meant but she knew that Xiao Mo had accomplished what he wanted to do, and he must be very happy.

If Xiao Mo was happy, then she was happy too.

Just as Bai Ruxue was about to run home, planning to cook him a delicious meal to celebrate properly, Widow Wang from the north of the village saw Bai Ruxue and hurried over, "Ruxue, this is terrible! The county magistrate is arranging a marriage for Xiao Mo, wanting to marry his own daughter to him!"

"Huh?" All the aunties were stunned at the same time.

Aunt Chen was the first to react, saying to Widow Wang, "What nonsense are you talking about? Where did you hear such rumors?"

"What rumors!" Widow Wang slapped her thigh. "I just happened to overhear when I passed by Brother Mo's courtyard!"

"This..."

"Ruxue, don't worry. Maybe Wang Mei heard wrong."

"Right, Ruxue. You take such good care of Xiao Mo, he definitely won't let you down."

Everyone quickly comforted Bai Ruxue.

Everyone had seen how well Bai Ruxue cared for Xiao Mo.

"That's what we say, but that's still the county magistrate's precious daughter. If I were Brother Mo..." At this moment, a young woman muttered nearby but she only got halfway through her words before being glared at by the others.

"Aunt Chen, Aunt Wang, I... I'm fine," Bai Ruxue smiled slightly. "Xiao Mo passed the provincial examination, I should be happy. I'll go cook for him to celebrate."

Bai Ruxue smiled at everyone, then walked forward but looking at the girl's somewhat dejected back, everyone knew Bai Ruxue couldn't possibly be fine.

But what could be done about such a situation?

Ruxue was indeed beautiful, but she was just a girl from an ordinary family after all.

Any man would find it impossible to refuse the county magistrate's daughter.

Bai Ruxue walked on the road home.

She didn't know what kind of feeling was in her heart.

Her mind just felt very confused.

She naturally knew what marriage meant.

Marriage meant a man and woman being together, never to be separated.

"If Xiao Mo marries another woman, would I have to leave Xiao Mo?"

"Will Xiao Mo agree to the county magistrate?"

"Will Xiao Mo not want me anymore?"

The more she thought about it, the more confused Bai Ruxue's thoughts became.

Just as Bai Ruxue was about to reach the courtyard, she saw Xiao Mo bidding farewell to a man in official robes.

Bai Ruxue quickly hid behind a rock.

Seeing how happily the two men were conversing, Bai Ruxue's heart sank.

Had Xiao Mo already agreed to marry his daughter?

Only after the county magistrate left did Bai Ruxue slowly stand up and return to the courtyard.

"Ruxue, you're back."

"Mm."

"I have good news to tell you. I passed the provincial examination."

"Mm-hmm."

"Ruxue, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Seeing Bai Ruxue keeping her head down, Xiao Mo couldn't help asking.

"Nothing... I'm fine... I... I'll go cook for you and celebrate properly today." Bai Ruxue shook her head and ran into the kitchen.

Half an hour later, Bai Ruxue came out carrying the dishes.

Xiao Mo looked at the mouth-watering chicken that looked, smelled, and tasted perfect, and eagerly took a bite, only to nearly choke from the saltiness.

"Xiao Mo, what's wrong?" Bai Ruxue quickly poured him a cup of water.

"Try it yourself," Xiao Mo served her a piece.

Bai Ruxue took a bite and her face immediately turned green.

"Ptui, ptui, ptui!"

Bai Ruxue quickly spat out the chicken.

"That... I accidentally shook my hand and put in too much salt. Xiao Mo, eat this." Bai Ruxue served him some vegetables.

Xiao Mo took a bite of the vegetables, his expression also complex, "Ruxue, did you forget to put salt in the vegetables?"

"Ah? Then try this." Bai Ruxue served him a piece of rabbit meat.

"This rabbit meat is too sour, isn't it?" Xiao Mo couldn't handle it. "How much vinegar did you put in?"

"I... I'll go cook for you again." Bai Ruxue ran to the kitchen again.

The second meal Bai Ruxue made was acceptable but while eating, Bai Ruxue seemed absent-minded, mechanically shoveling white rice into her mouth without remembering to eat the dishes.

While washing dishes, Bai Ruxue broke two plates.

While hanging clothes, Bai Ruxue would put clothes on the drying rod, then take them down and put them back in the basin.

Over and over again.

While cleaning the courtyard, she swept the same spot over and over.

Xiao Mo was certain she had something on her mind.

At nightfall, after dinner, Bai Ruxue didn't return to her room to sleep, just sat in the courtyard looking up at the stars.

Xiao Mo came out of his room, picked up a book, and gently patted Bai Ruxue's head.

Bai Ruxue was startled, her peach blossom eyes glaring at Xiao Mo coquettishly, "You scared me to death! What are you doing?"

"I should be asking you what you're doing. You've been listless all day. Tell me quickly, what happened?" Xiao Mo asked with mock seriousness.

"I... I haven't..." Bai Ruxue turned her little head away.

"Really nothing?"

"Really nothing!"

"Fine then," Xiao Mo sighed. "I thought I was important in your heart, that you would tell me everything. Seems I was being presumptuous."

Just as Xiao Mo turned around dejectedly to return to his room, Bai Ruxue gently grasped the corner of his clothes.

The woman kept her head down and said softly, "No... it's not like that."

"Then why won't you tell me?"

"I... I..." Bai Ruxue hesitated, almost burying her head in her chest.

Xiao Mo wasn't in a hurry, just waited for her answer.

"Xiao Mo." The girl seemed to summon all her courage, raised her head, and asked nervously, "The county magistrate wants to marry his daughter to you, right?"

"How did you know?" Xiao Mo was stunned.

"I... I heard about it!" Bai Ruxue's eyes wavered. "Are you going to marry her?"

"What does Miss Bai think I should do?"

Bai Ruxue lowered her head again, falling into silence, her small hands gently fidgeting with the corner of his clothes.

After a long while, the woman's voice was as soft as the evening breeze, "I... I don't want you to marry her."

"Silly girl."

Xiao Mo pinched the woman's tender little face.

"Then I won't marry her."