Mutual guarantee means that each examinee finds five fellow candidates to form a group and write a mutual guarantee bond among the five children. If anyone cheats, all five will be held jointly responsible (the five-children mutual guarantee bond). This has just been signed by someone (Richard Bennett, George Bolton).

As for the guarantee, a licentiate from the county must act as guarantor, called "personal guarantee," to vouch that the candidate is not using a false identity, not concealing a death in the family, not using a substitute, not using a false name, and to guarantee that the candidate's family background is clean—not a descendant of prostitutes, actors, barbers, or clerks—and that the candidate himself has not committed any crimes or engaged in disreputable professions. Only after fulfilling all these requirements is one allowed to take the exam (licentiate guarantee).

Edward Jr. Sutton nodded and said, "That's right, but about your illness..."

"It's an old problem, nothing serious. But lately, with the snow, I've been coughing more." Mr. Foster coughed a few more times, looked at his feet, and hurriedly said, "Quick, change out of those soaked cloth shoes. I have an old pair here, covered with oilcloth. They might not fit perfectly, but you can still wear them. Go ahead and change!"

Edward Jr. Sutton felt his feet had already turned a bit bluish from the cold, and once again sighed at the hardships of the poor in this era. Hearing these words, he felt a warmth in his heart. No matter what, Henry Foster had always been a good friend of his father and had always looked after him, especially after his father's death—using the excuse of hiring a helper, but in reality giving him some rice money. This kindness was truly significant.

Edward Jr. Sutton agreed, and then heard a "pop" as a pair of old shoes covered in oilcloth was placed in front of his feet. He looked up and saw a young, unhappy face, calling out, "Dad is really something, even the shoes he makes me bring!"

But your dad didn't even ask you to bring them!

Edward Jr. Sutton was a bit speechless. This time, he didn't avoid the girl's gaze and silently put on the shoes in front of her.

"And this, put on the rain cape." Brian Foster's tone was a bit irritable as she handed over a rain cape. Edward Jr. Sutton silently put it on as well. Before he could say anything, his gaze flickered and he saw a young man.

This young man was dressed in a brand-new constable's uniform, carrying an iron ruler. He seemed to have witnessed the earlier scene between the boy and girl, his face darkening, and he stared at Edward Jr. Sutton with clear hostility. He held back for a moment, about to speak, but Henry Foster had already stood up, seemingly not noticing the constable at all, and said as if nothing had happened, "Let's go. Buhui, you stay home and look after the shop."

Edward Jr. Sutton silently followed. After just a few steps, a burst of children's laughter rang out from a distance, along with some people chatting. The commotion made the two who had just started walking look over.

They saw a sturdy woman approaching, carrying a basket and handing out meat pies along the street.

Chapter 7: The Fox Who Moves House

Though it was cold, with cotton covers, from Edward Jr. Sutton's angle, he could still see some steam rising from the meat pies. The chatter of the neighbors who received the pies also drifted into his ears.

"Who is this?"

"The Hu family is giving them out to the neighbors. I heard the second master of the Hu family, who became an official out of town, married a wife who died while in office, leaving behind a widow and her daughter. With no man to rely on, they're afraid of being taken advantage of, so they've moved here to seek refuge with the eldest brother..."

"Then why go to the Hu family's eldest, and not her own family?"

"Who knows... Maybe as a chaste widow she doesn't want to remarry. The Hu family's eldest is just a scholar, not as powerful as the second branch, so he can't bully them. And although they're seeking refuge with the eldest, they actually bought the house next door and connected it, but don't live together—just for mutual support. Plus, the Hu family's eldest went to the countryside to buy land yesterday, conveniently avoiding this scene."

"Heh, his wife is famous for her fierce temper. The Hu family's eldest has a strong survival instinct..."

"No wonder they're handing out meat pies now. With no man in the house, it's inconvenient to invite neighbors over for a drink, so giving out meat pies counts as a housewarming celebration."

Gossip spreads faster than the wind.

Edward Jr. Sutton couldn't help but laugh. Seeing Henry Foster quicken his pace, he followed, just in time to see a convoy of carriages pass by.

Not far from the Hu family, among the guards and maids, a mother and daughter got out. Not only did the main wife of the Hu family's eldest come out to greet them, but a crowd had already gathered on the street to watch the excitement, their eyes glued to the mother and daughter as if they could gain something from just looking.

And though it was still winter in February, with everyone bundled up, it was impossible to see anything. Besides, both mother and daughter wore veils, nodding to the neighbors before entering the Hu residence, whose main gate promptly closed.

Outsiders couldn't see what the official's wife and young lady looked like, but the main wife of the Hu family's eldest looked so displeased that people could guess a thing or two. The spectacle was well worth the price of admission.

After the excitement died down and the doors closed, the main wife of the Hu family's eldest glanced over and saw her young son, who had already betrayed her, acting very warmly toward the widow and her daughter. She touched her now no-longer-smooth face, spat bitterly, and said, "Call Dalang back! Shamelessly running over to the second branch—don't forget that's his aunt and cousin. Is there meat to bite off, or extra reward money to get?"

"Madam, so how much do you want to bite off?" A crisp voice sounded behind her, making her shiver all over, a chill running down her spine. She turned to see a pair of fox-like, seductive eyes.

"That mother and daughter just now seemed a bit familiar." Unable to see what was happening inside, Edward Jr. Sutton withdrew his gaze and frowned in thought, when he heard a snort behind him. Turning, he saw Brian Foster.

She shouted, "Aren't you going yet? Dad's already far ahead—what are you looking at!"

Well, the irritable little girl was angry again. He hurried to catch up. By now, the Spring Festival was over, every shop was open, and the streets were bustling. As they passed, people greeted them from time to time, and Henry Foster returned each greeting one by one.