However, in the dream, Ye Zhi was greatly despised by Shen Chen, eventually meeting a tragic fate and definitely not as well off as she is now.

If there were any differences between the dream and reality~

It’s that the third Miss of the Minister’s Mansion, Ye Zhi, initially treated Shen Chen with arrogance and disrespect, showing unruly behavior. She wouldn’t finance his studies at the Upper Imperial College or his learning at Dragon Tiger Mountain, nor cared about his well-being.

Now, Shen Chen’s physique is nurtured to be tall and straight, like a jade tower, distinct from the noticeably frail man in the dream, no longer needing her to treat his lingering illness with the millennium Fire Ganoderma.

Liu Qingxi pondered, if she hadn’t seen Ye Zhi’s figure at Yanming Lake that day and been eager to connect with new noblewomen, she might not have met Shen Chen in advance, nor encountered the Crown Prince. Would the outcome have differed now?

After meeting Crown Prince Li Changnian, she focused all her attention on him, naturally harboring more disdain for Shen Chen.

She had not met the fortune teller who gave her advice, yet in this year’s child student examination, Shen Chen indeed emerged as the top scorer. Now is the autumn exam, and if he earns the title as a scholar, does it not have a ten to nine chance of being linked to the dream?

Could the dream be an indication?

That night, Liu Qingxi lay awake in bed, bright eyes looking at the ceiling, lost in thought.

~

Ye Mansion.

Since Shen Chen went for the exam, Ye Zhi hadn’t asked for her father’s opinion, directly setting up a swing in Tingling Garden. When idle, she swung on it, eagerly waiting for someone to return.

The Ye Family hoped their daughter would communicate more with Xiao Chen, seeing her behavior, they were secretly glad but remained silent outwardly.

The autumn examination has three rounds, each spanning three days and nights. Due to the two relocations in between, which cause some delay, it effectively lasts nine days and seven nights.

Examinees live in the exam dormitory, confined inside without coming out.

For others, nine days might swiftly pass.

For Ye Zhi, however, it felt like an eternity, counting the days on her fingers, wishing it to end soon, eager to see the Little Traitor.

Finally, the ninth day.

Early in the morning, Ye Zhi brought Ming Yan to the courtyard gate, waiting close by the exam site, which was merely five hundred meters from the Imperial College, planning for the Little Traitor to see her first upon exiting.

She waited anxiously until late afternoon when the sun began sinking westward, the sky painted with reddish hues.

"Creak."

The exam courtyard door slowly opened.

A crowd surged forward, each hoping to see their kin emerge.

Unable to push through, Ye Zhi stood on the outskirts, peering anxiously inside.

Scholars began trickling out, and as most had departed, Shen Chen dressed in ivory-white straight robes finally emerged last.

His face slightly weary, eyes a bit bloodshot, unshaven stubble noticeable, lacking the grooming tools in the academy, the usually ethereal Little Traitor exhibited a touch of humanity.

"Xiao Chen, you’re out! Are you alright inside? How was the exam? Why do you look so tired from a mere test? Were the questions difficult?"

Ye Zhi approached him, firing off questions, her refined face showing concern.

His expression softened slightly, replying, "It’s alright."

The Minister couple, Lingbo Fairy couple, Huanhuan, and others were present too.

On the other side, as Changzhou came out, Huanhuan quickly went up to inquire.

The Lingbo Fairy couple mainly concerned themselves with Changzhou’s situation.

The Minister couple focused on Xiao Chen.

The two groups split into two teams, with each heading home~