The Zhao family's attire was truly eye-catching.

Especially those who were tall and stood out from the group of skinny, wiry people.

Wearing a fur coat and trousers without any outer fabric, those who knew them would think they were on their way to take the imperial examination, while those who didn't would mistake them for mountain folk from somewhere else.

Aside from the hats they wore, which showed they had some wealth, their poverty and shabbiness would have filled the entrance to the examination hall.

But do the Zhao family's candidates care about these things? They don't care at all.

Keeping warm is the most important thing. We'll be staying in the examination hall for three days. If we don't dress warmly, who will be responsible if we get cold?

As for the food, self-heating meals were prepared for the Zhao family's candidates this time.

Zhao Qingyan did have quite a few self-heating rice and similar items in her space, but that kind of packaging was obviously impractical.

I unpacked several heating packs from the self-heating hot pot.

After searching through the books I had accumulated in my past life and experimenting repeatedly, I finally managed to get the heating pack working.

A special small pot was prepared. The bottom part is for holding the heating pack and water, and the top part is for holding the ingredients.

The prepared food was divided into portions. When it's time to eat, you just need to tear off a portion and put it in the pot.

In addition, a lot of cakes and bread were prepared.

To prevent the food from getting dirty when inspecting it, the staff were specially provided with oilcloth gloves.

After all, no matter what kind of food it is, it has to be broken down.

The Zhao family's students attracted a lot of attention from other candidates right at the entrance of the examination hall.

After everyone had their checks done, they carried their belongings inside to find their exam numbers.

Upon entering the examination room, a thorough cleaning was naturally required.

Unfortunately, the examination hall was closed for many years, and it was covered in a thick layer of dust.

Because of his young age, the Zhao family originally did not plan to let Zhao Qingbei participate in the imperial examination, and wanted him to participate two years later.

But the child was unhappy.

Whether I can pass the exam is one thing, whether I take the exam or not is another.

I understand the principle that "the tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind," and it is precisely because I understand this that I want to give it a try.

How can you guys be so confident that I'll definitely pass the exam? I don't even believe in myself.

Let me give it a try. When I refer to it later, I'll have experience, right?

Or are you worried about the money I spent on registration?

The Zhao family was speechless after Zhao Qingyi's words.

Let the child try if they want to. Besides, what if they only get the middle score?

Would the emperor really be so foolish as to let a child become an official?

Because of this little incident, Zhao Qingbei dragged the huge exam basket into the examination hall.

This sparked a flurry of discussion among the family members who came to see him off.

"Oh dear, how come there are such young children taking the imperial examination? Is there some mistake?"

"Who knows? Could it be someone who never grows up? I've never heard of dwarfs being able to participate in the imperial examinations."

The Zhao family members who were seeing him off couldn't stand it anymore.

Huang immediately retorted, "Stop talking about it, that was my grandson."

My grandson is doing well, he's just a little young.

So what if I'm young? Does being young mean I can't take the imperial examinations?

Just because your family can't produce a genius doesn't mean other families can't produce one.

"You're making a fuss over nothing. Humph!"

Upon hearing Huang's words, the family members who had come to see Zhao Qingbei off swarmed around her, eager to ask how old Zhao Qingbei was.

Would the Huang family pay any attention to them? Of course not.

He took his female family members and his elderly husband, squeezed through the crowd, and left.

Throughout the entire process, I completely forgot that Han Xuri had also come to see me off to the exam today.

Mentioning Han Xuri is quite funny.

He went directly to the main gate of the examination hall, and when he saw his younger brother and all the male members of the Zhao family dressed up, he was stunned.

"What kind of look is this? Don't you have money to buy new clothes?"

The first thing Han Xuri asked his younger brother when he saw him was this.

This earned him a glare from Xu Dongsheng, who rolled his eyes at his older brother.

"Shut up if you're ignorant. What do you know? Have you ever lived in the freezing cold?"

These things were all specially prepared by my wife for this imperial examination.

Don't be fooled by its appearance; it's very warm to wear.

After the exam, hang it up and it will be a beautiful dress.

This is called making rational use of resources. Alright, I can't blame you for being ignorant; it's your own fault for never having participated in the imperial examinations.

After arguing with his older brother, Xu Dongsheng lingered with his wife for a while before reluctantly entering the examination hall.

After quickly tidying up the examination room, the Zhao family members almost simultaneously placed wolf-skin sleeping bags under their bottoms.

He opened the sheepskin wide, draped it over his body, and began grinding ink.

Next comes the distribution of questions, checking the papers, and writing down names, hometowns, etc.

Then came the review of the questions and drafting. As for how the exam actually went, the Zhao family was actually quite nonchalant.

When people are not eager for quick success and instant benefits, and their minds are relaxed, their thinking will become more agile.

Especially after reviewing the question, I had a general idea of ​​how to answer it. It was almost lunchtime.

I went to the outhouse immediately, and then started heating up the food when I came back.

Along with Xu Dongsheng, all ten examinees began to heat up their meals.

If they weren't in the exam room, these ten people would probably have been ganged up on and beaten up.

While others are drinking cold water and munching on flatbread, you're making it smell delicious and eating with gusto. Isn't that just inviting envy?

After the first exam, the Zhao family candidates were in high spirits. They showed no adverse effects from the cold and hunger.

The wolfskin sleeping bag played a crucial role in keeping you warm.

At least a quarter of the test takers in the same cohort fainted from hunger, either because of the cold or because the food they brought had frozen solid.

Of the Zhao family members who came to pick up the examinees, Huang and Zhao Qianci were left at home, while Liu Xiaohua and Zhang Cuicui came along.

They both really wanted to experience what it felt like to pick up their husbands from the exam hall.

But when they saw their husbands emerge from the examination hall with their hair disheveled and beards unkempt, they wanted to gouge their own eyes out.

Where is this the clean-cut, dashing, and imposing man from my own family?

Longing was replaced by disdain in an instant. Then came heartache.

As for any words of concern or care, forget it, I don't have time for that. Get in the carriage and hurry home.

It was freezing cold, and besides, the things they were wearing were quite heavy.

And so, the three consecutive exams, each lasting three days, were finally over.

However, there were fewer people entering each time during the second and third shows.

No need to ask any more questions, they've all caught a cold.

Recently, the businesses doing well in the capital are not taverns and inns, but clinics and pharmacies.

The price of medicinal herbs used to treat colds has increased several times over.

There was no other way; the consumption of medicinal herbs was too high.

Is there really such a shortage of medicine? Of course not.

During the time the Zhao family was taking their exams, Han Xuri once again set his sights on the heating packs that Zhao Qingyan had created.

Looking at Han Xuri's handsome face with his cunning smile, Zhao Qingyan couldn't help but want to punch him.

"Brother, is this really necessary?"

"You're supposed to be the heir of a Duke's mansion, stop acting like a penny-pincher who's never seen anything like it!"

Zhao Qingyan was extremely annoyed.

Why can't you earn the money yourself? Or you can find someone else to earn it for you.

Zhao Qingyan really felt that you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket.

"Sister-in-law, what are you saying? In the entire Divine Dragon Kingdom, there is no one more reliable than cooperating with me."

You need to know who you'll ultimately be working with? It's your uncle. Are you still worried about being ripped off?

Zhao Qingyan smiled enigmatically.

"I'm not afraid of being ripped off, but I've earned significantly less."

Who is Han Xuri? He is certainly not the kind of person who gives up easily.

Ultimately, Zhao Qingyan was forced to sign a contract for the production of the heating pack.

"Forget it, forget it. Taking a loss is a blessing. It saves me the trouble of finding the market and organizing everything myself."

Zhao Qingyan held the newly signed contract, on the verge of tears.

Princess Yan Yue recently learned from someone that Zhao Qingyan has returned to the capital.

The invitation was sent directly to the Zhao family.

The princess has invited me; how could I refuse?

However, Zhao Qingyan is not planning to go to the princess's residence alone this time.

Bring Zhao Qinglin and Zhao Qinghe along. We can't come to the capital and not show the two sisters the world, can we?

After all, Zhao Qinglin is already quite old, and Qinghe is at most two years old, so it's time for them to get engaged.

Before the men in the family got their exam results, I took my two daughters out for a stroll.

Otherwise, if someone in the family is actually demoted to an official post, they will definitely have to go with them to their new post.

It will be difficult to see the world again.

Princess Yanyue hadn't expected Zhao Qingyan to bring her sisters with her.

Look at the two sisters, one is heroic and the other is quirky and clever, they are very likable.

If you didn't know their background, you really wouldn't be able to tell that Qinglin and Qinghe had just come from the countryside.

Regardless of the rules and etiquette, or that humble yet dignified demeanor, it all makes people feel comfortable.

Princess Yan Yue summoned Zhao Qingyan this time mainly to have her design a few outfits for the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration.

Zhao Qingyan's visit to the princess's residence was not without reason.

I brought Yan Yue two bottles of the newly formulated perfume balm from Huicui Pavilion.

This can also be seen as a way to monetize and promote the product.

While discussing clothing styles with Zhao Qingyan, Princess Yanyue chatted briefly with Zhao Qinglin and Zhao Qinghe.

They were quite surprised to learn that Qinglin not only liked martial arts but also embroidery and cooking.

People say that those who like to move don't like to be still.

"You're so good at combining movement and stillness! How do you manage to embroider and cook while practicing martial arts?"

Zhao Qinglin blushed.

"It's a long story. Our family wasn't always like this."

Children from poor families mature early, so naturally they have to think of all sorts of ways to supplement the family income.

Girls don't have many ways to help their families earn money.

Embroidery is the most common type of embroidery. Therefore, I started learning embroidery at the age of five.

As for cooking, that's something you definitely need to learn.

Especially after my family opened a food shop, we all had to live behind the shop.

Every day, we have to start preparing the ingredients before dawn.

I worked all day long. By evening, I was exhausted, like a dog.

Zhao Qinglin realized her slip of the tongue, stuck out her tongue, and apologized, "Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue, please forgive me, Princess."

Yan Yue indicated that it was alright.

Zhao Qinglin continued,

"In order for the business to last and make money, we naturally have to work hard on the ingredients. The sisters spend all day in the kitchen figuring things out..."