Before passing the imperial examinations, the way to become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations) was through reading and memorizing. If you could memorize the ancient books that needed to be memorized thoroughly, you might be able to pass the Xiucai exam. However, in the later provincial, metropolitan, and palace examinations, the tests were not only on the knowledge in the books, but also on the explanation of some issues in real life. If you had not personally experienced these things, how could your writing have any depth based on what you read in the books?

The examiners for the imperial examinations were people who had served in local government for many years. Their views on the questions in the exams were naturally different from those of ordinary people. If you could express your views on these questions in a way that resonated with the examiners, would you still have to worry about not getting good results?

This is the place where Lin Zhijing most admires Taishan Academy. If he can't stand at the height of those officials who have been in office for many years, then he can stand where they once stood. Although his thinking is still a bit naive at this time, he can still grasp the boundaries of the thoughts of those officials who are reviewing the papers. Although he is a bit naive, he can still gain some favor.

Lin Zhijing longed to study at Taishan Academy, but she struggled to find a way in. To get in, she not only needed to take the academy's exam, but also needed a letter of recommendation from someone else. After all, the academy wouldn't accept someone who wasn't of good character.

Lin Zhijing fell into deep thought. Lin Zhining looked at the still thin and upright young man and sighed inwardly. The real Lin Zhijing had actually passed away long ago, not long after Zong Chengping arrived in Gaoqing. After seeing Zong Chengping, Lin Zhijing closed his eyes with great satisfaction. He had lived in Gaoqing County for more than ten years, how could he not know the ugly faces of the Lin clan? If he were to die of illness like this, those clansmen would definitely swarm around him like flies to dog excrement. His mother's health was not very good either. If it really came to that, would he still have a way to survive?

Although Lin Zhijing's mother was also heartbroken by her son's early death, she trusted Lin Zhining's judgment even more, thinking that her son had made this choice entirely for her sake. Fortunately, the two young people were about the same age and height, and their appearances were somewhat different. However, Lin Zhijing had been bedridden for many years, was thin, and always had a pale complexion. He had also rarely seen outsiders. Therefore, Zong Chengping took Lin Zhijing's place, so that at least no one in the Lin clan could see through the deception.

While Bai Mi was helping Zong Chengping recover at home, Lin Zhijing's mother was busy taking care of him. When Lin Zhijing passed away, Lin Zhining sent someone to secretly send the coffin to a temple near Jinan Prefecture for safekeeping, to be buried at a suitable time later.

After a long while, Lin Zhijing said to Lin Zhining, "Cousin Zhining, I will listen to you. I will pack my bags and go to Luzhou. But after I leave, I will have to ask you to take good care of my elderly mother at home."

Lin Zhining quickly said, "Of course, I'll go with you to the backyard to see your aunt and explain things to her."

Upon hearing that Lin Zhijing was going to Luzhou to meet a young woman, Lin Zhijing's mother pondered for a long time before saying, "Zhijing, I have a bracelet here. It was given to me by your grandmother after I married into the family. She said that she would pass this bracelet on to her granddaughter-in-law. Take it with you and give it to the young woman. It's not very valuable; it's just something to keep as a memento so that the young woman won't find it offensive."

Lin Zhijing quickly took the mahogany box carved with intertwined flowers with both hands, knelt down and kowtowed to Lin Zhijing's mother, saying, "Your son thanks you for your consideration, Mother. Please rest assured, your son will definitely earn you an official title in the future."

Lin Zhijing's mother smiled and waved her hand. After Lin Zhijing walked out of her room and watched his tall and handsome figure leave the courtyard, she covered her mouth and began to sob softly.