As expected, with his wife's assistance, Lin Xiuyuan felt the burden lift significantly when he reopened his books. Facing the nearly exhaustive annotations that balanced readability with depth, he finally understood why his brother-in-law and that clan cousin—despite their equally limited talents—had managed to earn the prestigious title of young scholars at this age.
Stealing a glance at the towering stack of classical texts beside his wife, then back at his own modest pile, even Lin Xiuyuan—who considered himself accustomed to disparities—couldn't help but sigh deeply: What a marvelous thing a sharp mind truly is!
That evening, after his usual meditation, Lin Xiuyuan summoned maids to prepare hot water before personally carrying his wife to the bathing chamber. An Ning remained lazily curled up throughout, not even bothering to lift her eyelids twice. This didn't prevent her husband from beaming with satisfaction as he skillfully dried her, dressed her in smooth silk undergarments, and gently cradled her against his chest. Just before she drifted off, she heard him sigh profoundly: "Darling, our children must inherit your brilliance. Should they unfortunately take after their father... they'd suffer terribly."
Well... her bargain-bin husband certainly possessed self-awareness.
Even the system—freshly released from mute mode in her consciousness—twitched its nonexistent lips: "Host, remember this child must pass the imperial examinations—that's like ten thousand horses squeezing across a single log bridge! Want to upgrade to premium conception pills? Still just one point!"
An Ning rejected without hesitation: "Unnecessary!"
"Mid-grade suffices!"
"Oh, alright then." Though failing to comprehend why anyone would refuse an easier path, the system wisely refrained from questioning. Ah, human thinking—so perplexing indeed!
Moreover, the county's limited social scene meant minimal tiresome engagements. Though merchants, the Lin family's connection to a fourth-rank capital official ensured even the county magistrate showed deference. Any notion of social exclusion simply didn't exist.
As for her bargain-bin mother-in-law? Whatever private grievances might exist, not a single harsh word had ever been uttered to her face. When anger arose... well... it simply passed. An Ning mused that her mother-in-law's emotional regulation skills were actually quite commendable.
The sole exception sat nearby—her husband desperately scribbling notes through visible agony, practically needing metaphorical ropes to keep himself alert over study materials. Such dedication! Sipping freshly squeezed fruit nectar handed by a maid, An Ning idly manipulated the chessboard before her. Thanks to this lifetime's extraordinary intellect, she genuinely faced no opponents in weiqi. Her initially enthusiastic husband had abandoned all interest after one devastating match, silently procuring rare strategy manuals—particularly challenging endgame puzzles—instead.
Admittedly, these held some appeal. Resolving the supposedly hopeless endgame in three moves, An Ning boredly instructed servants to put the board away before selecting another book. Lin Xiuyuan's occasional glances at his wife: "......"
The Great Zhou Dynasty's provincial examinations occurred twice every three years. When the baby in An Ning's womb reached five months, her husband prepared to depart for another attempt. The wealthy Lin family would send a dozen servants for the familiar journey to the provincial capital—nothing warranting concern.
Yet Lin Xiuyuan, thoroughly convinced by his wife's delicate beauty persona, fretted endlessly about leaving her. The night before departure, he proposed: "A-Ning, perhaps we could invite your mother to stay during my absence? However many servants we have, none compare to family."
His own mother, while not negligent, presented... complications. Their personalities, habits, even aesthetic preferences differed astronomically. As a longtime household manager, she couldn't resist commenting on everything—likely infuriating both parties (though his mother would suffer worse). Normally he wouldn't worry, but with A-Ning pregnant...
Ah, his frail wife who barely moved on ordinary days...
"Very well." Nestled against her husband, An Ning lazily agreed. Naturally, her own mother proved more agreeable than her bargain-bin mother-in-law—though this would undoubtedly fuel weeks of silent fuming.
Indeed, Madam Jiang had barely maintained her gracious hostess smile for the visiting in-laws before storming back to her chambers. Spotting her blissfully oblivious husband further ignited her fury. Having weathered countless such episodes, Old Master Lin barely glanced up at her complaints:
"Must you always fuss over trifles? With our daughter-in-law expecting, isn't extra care beneficial? This lightens your burdens too!"
What nonsense warranted such temper! The priority was the unborn child—as long as mother and baby remained healthy, nothing else mattered! If the grandchild inherited even half the mother's intellect... why, the Lin ancestors might just dance in their graves!
Chuckling over tea, Old Master Lin already planned tomorrow's temple visit for additional donations. "Oh, didn't the capital shipment include bird's nests and sea cucumbers? Send those to our daughter-in-law later."
"And summon the physician—we must confirm no pregnancy taboos are overlooked."
Having issued these instructions, he merrily departed whistling.
Madam Jiang: "......"
Only after several deep breaths could she suppress her fury, turning to Wang Ma: "I see now—we're both Lin wives, yet worlds apart! She's some celestial goddess enshrined on altars! And I? Just their overworked, underappreciated housekeeper!"