After finishing his sentence, Song Anbang paused for a moment, then said, "I just... I just want to spend more time studying and researching, hoping to pass the imperial examinations as soon as possible so that my mother will no longer suffer for me."

Sister, believe me, I study diligently every day and don't waste a single moment.

As Song Anbang spoke, he became somewhat anxious.

Song Anxin felt relieved after hearing this. Fortunately, he wasn't just pretending to be aloof. If he really thought that he was a mere candidate for the lowest level of the imperial examination and therefore looked down on everything, then things would be difficult. It was also thanks to the good teaching of his teacher and father.

Song Anxin strolled to the desk and glanced at the article spread out on it. The handwriting was elegant and beautiful, clearly showing that a lot of time had been spent practicing. The article was ornate, but too abstract and far removed from the realities of people's lives and feelings. Now he finally understood why his younger brother had failed the imperial examination so many times.

He spent all his time on empty words, forgetting to look at the people and things around him, so of course he couldn't write what the court wanted.

Song Anbang asked his older sister to read the article he had written, and couldn't help but wonder if his older sister knew how to write.

Song Anxin understood, and turned to Song Anbang, saying, "I remember you are already twenty-four years old this year. You passed the preliminary examination at the age of sixteen, which can be considered a success at a young age. Have you also thought that you will soon pass the county-level examination and continue to rise in your career?"

However, since you passed the preliminary examination at the age of sixteen, you have participated in the provincial examination twice every three years, but you have failed every time. Although this is the norm for most scholars, it is not something to be afraid of at your age.

But have you reflected on why you've repeatedly failed the exams? The new entrance exams will begin next year; are you confident then?

Song Anxin's words struck Song Anbang's heart with every word. His eyes trembled slightly. Yes, how glorious it was for him to pass the imperial examination at the age of sixteen. The teachers all praised him for his early success.

He himself felt that he would soon pass the imperial examinations and become a scholar and then a provincial graduate... However, he failed time and time again. He could only study even more tirelessly, but... will I really be able to pass the examinations next year?

Judging from his expression, Song Anxin roughly understood. He didn't even know what he had done wrong, and he was still burying himself in his books as before. How could he possibly improve?

Sigh, he seems to be a bookworm obsessed with reading.

She said earnestly, "Anbang, the reason I asked you to set up a stall on the street to write letters and books wasn't entirely so you could earn money for your education. I wanted you to see more about people's lives and conditions, to see the lives of ordinary people, what they need, and what they fear."

That way, your writing won't just be full of fancy words but lack practical and effective solutions.

Upon hearing his sister's words, Song Anbang couldn't help but ask with some doubt, "Sister, do you even understand literature?"

Ahem, Song Anxin felt a little embarrassed. He didn't quite understand these ancient exam papers, but she had, after all, come from a modern, high-pressure education system, and it was very important for her to keep up with current affairs and understand the people's sentiments.

Although the original owner had read some books, it was only superficial. It was really unexpected for him to suddenly talk so loudly about court politics.

Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of another piece of paper next to the article, which looked like a casual calligraphy exercise. She began to read: "A young man goes to war, a hero returns."

Isn't that what she said at the entrance of the yamen?

When Song Anbang heard her read aloud the poem he had written on the table, he was moved and thought, "I heard that this was written by the wife of a deceased soldier. I felt very touched and often wrote it down to practice my calligraphy."

It seems his younger brother isn't just good at studying; there's still hope. Song Anxin thought to himself, "Then do you know what the next sentence is?"

Song Anbang shook his head and said, "That woman didn't say the last part. Sister, why did you bring that up?" Song Anbang was puzzled.

Suddenly remembering his mother saying that his sister's husband had died in battle, his handsome eyes widened instantly, somewhat uncertain: "Could it be...could it be that you, sister, are that soldier's wife?"

Song Anxin slowly said, "The complete poem is, 'A young man went to war, a hero returned. The mountains and rivers are safe and sound, and the loyal souls are buried in the majestic mountains.' It's just that your brother-in-law hasn't been buried yet, and our mountains and rivers are still in danger of being trampled on."

The original poem actually reads: "He left as a young man, returned as a man of sixty years. The mountains and rivers are now safe and sound, but his loyal soul rests majestically in peace." It was a poem commemorating the martyrs of her era when their remains were returned to their homeland.

Song Anbang was immediately shocked and murmured, "The mountains and rivers are safe and sound, but the loyal souls are buried in the majestic tomb."

What a grand vision this was! He couldn't believe that such heart-stirring verses were actually spoken by his older sister. But his parents had clearly said that his sister hadn't read any sacred books because she didn't like these literary things.

Perhaps sensing Song Anbang's doubts, Song Anxin said, "Although I haven't read much of the Book of Songs, I inevitably understand some of it from listening to Father tell it every day. This is just the true feelings of a wife to her deceased husband. Now do you really want to devote yourself to the books you already know by heart?"

After listening, Song Anbang bowed deeply to his sister and said, "Thank you for your warning, sister. Your words have enlightened me. You are right. I have already memorized those books. I should stop being so attached to the words in the books and instead stop and look around me."

Seeing him perform such a grand gesture, Song Anxin quickly helped him up, saying, "It's good that you understand. Your older sister can't accept such a gesture."

After a long chat, the two became much closer. Song Anbang asked Song Anxin many questions, and Song Anxin answered fluently, making Song Anbang feel that her insights were no less than those of the teachers in the academy. He then began to respect his older sister even more.

When they left, Song Anbang came out with his mother to see Song Anxin and the others off. Song Anxin thought that her younger brother had come to his senses quite quickly.

When Song Anxin left, she secretly left ten catties of millet and half a catty of pork at her parents' house, because she was afraid that her mother would refuse them.

As for why she didn't give her white rice and white flour, she was afraid her mother wouldn't be willing to eat them and would always want to save them, just like her maternal grandparents used to do.

The oxcart made its way smoothly to Linjia Village. In addition to Song Anxin and her two children, there were several other villagers on the cart. They could have walked there before the sun went up, but since they had things on their backs and it was hot, the villagers would pay a penny to ride the oxcart back for convenience.

"Isn't this Sister-in-law Lin? This whole bag of grain is yours? Sister-in-law Lin, how do you have the money to buy so much grain?"

Sitting on the oxcart, Aunt San Gui asked. Her husband's name was Lin San Gui, so everyone called her Aunt San Gui.

Aunt San Gui was a notorious gossip in the village. She had a very loud mouth, and once she knew something, the whole village would know about it within a day.