On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the family first swept the snow out of the yard. The neighbors next door also came out of their homes, wearing new clothes, and wished each other a Happy New Year. The atmosphere was incredibly lively.

Here, before the New Year was even over, Xu Yunrong urged Meng Dashan to find Bingsheng, who had vouched for Shen Qinghe. "Since you've taken on this job, you'd better do it well for me, and don't let anything go wrong."

She knew in her heart that although her daughter was rich now, when she got old and couldn't move, how many people would truly listen to her? She and Meng Dashan couldn't really live to be ninety-nine and take care of their daughter for the rest of their lives, could they? In the end, they would still have to find someone else.

After spending so much time with her, she finally understood that the two children in the Shen family were very close to her daughter, and she would inevitably need their help in the future.

Therefore, she also had to pay attention to the Shen family's affairs, especially Shen Qinghe. If he could really pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, her daughter would have someone to rely on.

"Alright, alright, don't worry, I'll go right now." Meng Dashan was urged on and had no choice but to take two catties of meat and two jars of wine out the door during the New Year holiday.

Scholars were divided into three classes: the first class was called Bingsheng, who received a monthly stipend to supplement their living expenses; the second class was called Zengsheng, who did not receive a stipend; and the third class was called Fusheng.

Meng Dashan wasn't the kind of person who would talk nonsense when drunk. Since he took on this task, he must have been somewhat confident. His drinking buddy was one of the top scorers in the county examinations in previous years, but he later suffered an accident and became lame in one leg.

Although being lame would not prevent him from taking the imperial examination, he knew that his knowledge was only average. Even if he went to take the provincial examination, when he reached the Houguan stage, the higher-ups would select officials. Not to mention being lame, even those with scars on their faces or who were ugly would be eliminated.

Gradually, he lost heart and realized that his path to the imperial examinations was over. That's when he developed a drinking habit and met Meng Dashan.

Because of his good grades, he was a genuine student receiving government stipends and had vouched for many students over the years. After hearing Meng Dashan's explanation, he knew how to proceed.

After the New Year, the man went to the county with Shen Qinghe to register. In addition to filling in basic information such as name, age and place of origin, they also needed an identity certificate issued by the village head to ensure the student's true identity, prove that he had not impersonated someone else and had no criminal record.

After careful verification, Shen Qinghe finally qualified to participate in the county examination. The examination was scheduled for the seventh day of the second month and was to be presided over by the county magistrate.

Last year, when the county examination was held, Wang Xian had only been in office for a short time, so it was hard to tell what was going on. In the past two years, he has reformed the county school system and recruited more talented people, hoping that the county can produce more scholars and successful candidates. Naturally, he attaches great importance to this. According to Song Wanyin, Wang Xian had already started working on this matter before the new year.

Meng Zhao had no doubt about Shen Qinghe's abilities, but as the exam date approached, she became much more composed in her words and actions, no longer easily saying things like "you will definitely pass the exam," so as not to put pressure on Shen Qinghe.

Gu was extremely nervous. In the days leading up to the exam, she could hardly sleep at night. On the day of the exam, Shen Qing had to wait outside the exam hall to verify his identity between 3 and 5 a.m. Gu also got up early and personally made two hot meat pies for him.

"Qinghe, your mother wrapped this cake in two extra layers of oil paper. Put it in your pocket. If you get hungry at noon, take it out and eat some. Don't leave it outside, or it will get cold. What if you get an upset stomach?"

While stuffing the pancakes into his mouth, he casually touched Shen Qinghe's collar. "Oh dear, Qinghe, why are you wearing this? Where's the thick robe I made for you? Why didn't you put it on!"

Seeing his mother so worried, Shen Qinghe explained helplessly, "Mother, don't worry, I'm strong and don't feel cold. The new robe you made is too thick, and it's uncomfortable on my arms, so my writing isn't neat."

Madam Gu couldn't help but complain again, "Why didn't you say so earlier? I could have just given you some cotton. It would have been better than you wearing a thin robe. If you caught a cold, you wouldn't be able to concentrate on your exam." After saying that, she pulled Shen Qinghe back and forth, giving him instructions.

Meng Zhao had this on her mind, so she got up early and comforted her, "Mother, don't worry. Second brother is old enough to know what's important. If he says he's not cold, then he's not cold. You should let him go out quickly. If you're late, then all your efforts will be in vain."

Gu then realized, "Oh dear, it really is! It's all my fault, all my fault. Qinghe, you should hurry to the examination hall."

Shen Qinghe nodded to Meng Zhao and went out into the night. Gu Shi kept looking at the door, her eyes full of worry.

"Mother, don't worry. My second brother always gets excellent grades, and all the teachers praise him. He's also a very steady person, so nothing bad will happen to him," Meng Zhao comforted him softly.

Back then, the whole family tightened their belts to support Shen Qinghe's education. It was also Shen's father's dying wish to see Shen Qinghe pass the imperial examination. Now that the moment of entering the venue has finally arrived, how could Gu's family not be excited?

After calming down, Madam Gu touched Meng Zhao's hand and said with emotion, "Zhao Zhao, in the end, it's all thanks to you. If we had lived in the village and had to get up early and work late to take the exam in the county, I don't know how difficult it would have been."

The county examination was to be held at the county school. Gu went to check it out yesterday. Many students who were going to take the exam couldn't afford to stay at the county inn, so they brought their blankets and slept at the entrance of the county school. Although they had to get up early to stay in the county, at least they could get a good night's sleep at home.

“What are you saying? You’ve put in a lot of effort to make our move to the county. My second brother has gone to take the exam, so we should get busy too.”

Since the two of them had gotten up so early, they didn't plan to go back to sleep. The county examination was being held at the county school, and many people would likely be there to join in the fun. Their shop wasn't far from the county school, and since they were going to pick up people from the examination site anyway, they might as well set up a stall along the way and earn some money.

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