Tong Sanlang didn't know that Emperor Yongan had plans to have him serve as a county chief for life. He returned to Da'an Palace to find Qiao Xiaomai.
By this time, it was almost evening, and Qiao Xiaomai was preparing dinner in the small kitchen.
Upon seeing Tong Sanlang appear, she expressed surprise, "How come you're out already?"
"The Grand Emperor let me out after seeing that I had finished my writing. Anyway, my performance won't be ranked," he answered.
"I see, that's good," Qiao Xiaomai nodded, "Just in time, come help me chop the vegetables."
Tong Sanlang hummed in agreement, washed his hands, and then picked up the kitchen knife to start chopping vegetables.
Recalling what he had pondered while at the examination site, he hesitated for a moment, but still asked, "Grandfather said he's going to send my mother to the East Sea, you're aware of this, aren't you?"
"I know," Qiao Xiaomai answered briskly.
