In late autumn the result of the Spring examination is out. Sheng Qin name is on the top five. He is delighted. Everyone is celebrating it. Neighbours come by with gifts to congratulate the Yue house for having a top five scholar. The Lord of the county announced that they will hold a celebration for the scholars who's names are on the imperial board. They will be attending the feast with the nobles who are residence in the county. It is an honour that the scholars cannot refused. After the celebration, they all have to set off to the capital to meet the emperor. Thus the tailors shops are busy with making new garments for the scholars.
Sheng Qin quickly arrange prayers for the ancestors in the temple. What he had promise, he have to for fill them. Soon, he head off along with the rest of the scholars in carriages provided by the county to the capital. Hu Li again spend days without him. Thus she help out the old servants as much as she can and try not to get in their way.
The fourth day, he return home. He have a post waiting for him in the Yemen in this county. A salary of one gold and twelve silvers for him. Its more than enough for them to spend on just daily necessities. The old servants are particular happy that Hu Li doesn't how how to spend money.
Now with a stable job. They need not to sell vegetables in the morning however this is they life style they had been living for so long. It's hard to give up waking early to harvest the small plot of vegetables and not sell them. hence they decided that to keep doing what they always do but maybe some evening not sell any snacks.
The day before Sheng Qin starts working in the Yemen, a guest arrives. He is the man that Sheng Qin have grow up with. They greet each other with cutesy and Sheng Qin invited him in. Hu Li is playing with the real dog looks up to find that man strangely familiar. While he is talking, he look at Hu Li. Sheng Qin see that he is looking at his wife, he think he should introduce them. Sheng Qin signal Hu Li come. Hu Li slowly walk to them with the dog following behind.
"This is my wife. Bai Hu Li. This is the city lord that i told you about. Hou Wu Ban."
They bow to each other. Even thought he is handsome in looks, Hu Li seem not think so. Her eyes only keep looking at Sheng Qin. While Hou Wu Ban is wondering why he did not see a pretty girl like Hu Li in the county. However soon the city Lord leaves the residence as he just want to congratulate his childhood buddy. They promise to meet up when they have the time.
Sheng Qin starts work in the Yemen. He had to read up all old records of the crimes committed and how the past officers had resolved the cases. It takes a month for him to sort out the unresolved cases. He talk about it at home. Everyone have their own input on it. They give him ideals how to resolve the cases. He managed to crack two cases however it is too slow as the paper work keep piling up. Petty cases are closed upon reaching his hands. Mystery cases takes up ages. Hu Li never interfered with his work. She spend her morning with her new friends, they hang out without showing their tails showing to the world. In the evening she will learn how to cook from the ladies.She enjoys her night with Sheng Qin. Hu Li tells Sheng Qin about not having children yet. He is disappointed but he wants to respect her decision as she is the one giving birth. He sigh and agree to wait till their living condition improves.
Three months pass, the city lord, Hou Wu Ban constantly invite the couple over for dinner. Hu Li is a person without restrain hence she venture around his mansion and ask him many questions. He then understand why Sheng Qin likes her. She is unusual and always wants to help other people. No one dislike her. Even the animals seems to take a liking to her. Hu Li surprise Sheng Qin and Wu Ban that she is able to play Chinese Chess game. She mentioned that someone taught her long ago.
Another six months pass, they moved to a slightly bigger living quarter nearer to the main streets. The wooden tablet display at the main door have upgraded to a gold lined and wording. Sheng Qin have employed more workers to work. He treated the old servants like his family. They are older now with some health issues. Thus they constantly need to be care. Hu Li spend time caring for them.She read up on medical books how to ease their discomfort. She never think herself as the mistress of the house thus she never order people around. A new plot of land is given to her to grow fruits and vegetables. She even brings home a goat the other day. It is slightly naughty but other than that, the animals in the residence gets along under her command.
Sheng Qin continue to work hard and eventually given a higher post after another nine months. He is now the judge of three provinces on important cases. Thus he travel about and leaves Hu Li to take care of everything. As their lives improves, the lesser they spend time together. However he would try to make time to be with the woman who gives him something when he have nothing. The issue of his sight is never bring up. He is happy the way things are, thus Hu Li decided not to do acupuncture on him.
The Lord of the city, mean while spend some time with Hu Li. The more he gets to know her, the more interesting she is. He try to find out more about her however the agents always comes back with no information. Almost as if she drop down from the sky. He notice that at home she enjoys to be bare foot. However her foot is always clean as if she haven't been walking around. Even when she works on her vegetables, her feet dig deep in the soil. It will be coming out clean. This puzzle him. Sometimes, he thinks he is crazy when he sparkles coming out of her eyes when she blinks. The more he looks at her, the more he likes her.
The old servants notice this. Even though the young mistress never give any sign she is interested in the city Lord but he did and they are not happy about it. They waited for Sheng Qin to return and advise him to spend more time with the wife. Even thou he wants to spend more time, there are many things to do. He sigh every time the old folks surround him and complaint about it.