Chapter 208 Tribulation Transcending

After returning from Lingshan Temple, Sheng An and the others stopped going out. They spent their days drinking tea and chatting, playing chess, doing needlework, and enjoying the pastries made by Sheng An herself. They didn't feel bored at all.

Liu Yanran put down the shoe she had just embroidered and let her trusted maid massage her shoulders and neck to relieve the discomfort. A contented smile appeared on her face: "When I was young, I always felt that life was boring. Only after marriage did I realize how rare it is to have such a carefree life."

Her husband was gentle and considerate, her parents-in-law were kind and generous, and her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law never caused trouble. She was not dissatisfied with marrying into such a family, but it was ultimately different from when she was still a young woman waiting to be married.

Not only do they have to deal with complicated interpersonal relationships, but they also have to be constantly vigilant, lest they do something wrong and incur the dissatisfaction of their in-laws.

It's no exaggeration to say that he has to think things through before he speaks.

Liu Yanran's words resonated with Liu Xiaoyun, who couldn't help but chime in with her own criticism:

“The Ye family separated early on, so your situation is much better than mine. My husband’s family has four branches living in one big courtyard, and I am the eldest grandson’s wife of the Fang family. Every day, even the most trivial matters are a real headache.”

With more people come more problems. On the surface, everyone is friendly and harmonious, but behind the scenes, there are many backstabbing and infighting.

When she first married into her husband's family, she stumbled into several pitfalls, big and small, but she eventually figured things out and avoided suffering any major losses.

Moreover, she has a spoiled sister-in-law with whom she doesn't get along. This sister-in-law often speaks ill of her to her mother-in-law, so her mother-in-law always treats her coldly and often reprimands her, for fear that she will bully her sister-in-law.

Fortunately, her husband was reasonable and never compromised, otherwise her life in her husband's family would have been even more difficult.

"I am now hoping that my husband will pass the provincial examination with flying colors. That way, my parents-in-law will think more highly of me, and my sisters-in-law will stop competing with me all the time."

Liu Yanran's eyes were filled with deep expectation. Like most women today, she had pinned her future honor and disgrace on Ye Yunhua.

“Who says otherwise? I’m hoping my husband will pass the imperial examination and achieve high honors next year. I hope he will get a government position and then I can take the children and go live with him in another place.”

Liu Xiaoning was more eager than Liu Yanran, had higher expectations for her husband Fang Qingzhou, and longed for the days when the three of them could live together on their own.

As Sheng An listened to their complaints and expectations, she nodded from time to time to show her agreement and understanding, and showed a look of heartache for them.

Seeing that she hadn't joined the conversation yet, Liu Yanran couldn't help but say enviously, "Your husband's family is small, with only Mingyu and her father-in-law, and your grandparents live together. It's no different from when you were still single."

Liu Xiaoyun expressed the same envy: "Compared to the other two of us, my sister-in-law's life is the most comfortable."

Upon hearing this, Sheng An touched his lower abdomen, a deep look of distress on his face:

"Nothing in life is perfect. I haven't gotten pregnant yet, and not only are my elders watching my belly, but my relatives and friends are also keeping a close eye on me."

Some acquaintances have made bets privately that I'll be childless and miserable in my old age. I especially envy you all; you gave birth to a healthy baby boy right after entering the family, and your position in your husband's family is secure and unshakeable.

Liu Xiaoyun and Liu Yanran both looked at Sheng An's belly, their expressions changing from envy to sympathy.

Yes, even if Sheng's sister-in-law is outstanding and good at managing the household, she cannot truly establish herself in her husband's family without children.

Seeing that Mingyu has a bright future, it's hard to guarantee that one day he won't take a concubine or maid on the grounds that his sister-in-law Sheng has "no children".

If one were even more ruthless, one could simply divorce Sheng Di's wife and marry a well-bred and talented young lady.

Thinking this, the two looked at Sheng An with even more pity.

Liu Yanran held Sheng An's hand and comforted her, "You look like a blessed person, you'll have a child sooner or later."

Sheng An looked touched: "Yes, I prayed to the Goddess of Fertility at Lingshan Temple that day. Perhaps we will have good news in a while."

These words made Liu and Liu feel even more uncomfortable.

Sheng Di's wife has never believed in gods or ghosts, but now she has actually started praying to gods and Buddhas for the sake of having children.

Once they return to Qingzhou, they will inquire among acquaintances to see if they can find a skilled healer who can help Sheng's sister-in-law get pregnant.

Seeing the reactions of Liu and Liu, Sheng An secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Happiness is relative. Everyone lives in their husband's family home, and when they get together to talk about their hardships, she should try to fit in.

Nine days is neither a long nor a short time, but for the candidates in the examination hall, it felt like an eternity.

During the exam, an autumn rain fell, and the rainwater drifted into the exam shed with the wind. The candidates had to temporarily put away their half-finished answer sheets for fear of getting them wet.

Even worse, some of the examination tents leaked, soaking not only the examinees but also their clothes and bedding. They were all shivering with cold, and those with weaker constitutions developed high fevers, making it impossible for them to continue answering the questions.

Xu Jinnian's examination room was leaking, but luckily the leak was in the corner. He adjusted the seat so that the rainwater flowed down the wall to the ground, and the bedding and other items were not wet, so it did not affect his rest at night.

The worst part was that the contents of the latrines were overflowing with the rainwater, and the filthy, foul-smelling waste flowed down into the low-lying areas, soon leaving half of the examination hall's ground unusable.

For the next three days, the candidates, affected by the sewage, had to endure the stench while answering questions. They were thoroughly irritated from head to toe by the stench, and every strand of their hair seemed to be covered in the smell of excrement.

They probably got used to the smell. Apart from being nauseated at first, the candidates were able to drink water and eat without changing their expressions in the stench.

What else can we do?

I'm completely out of ideas!

In short, for the candidates, this provincial examination was like undergoing a tribulation.

On the day the exam ended, Sheng An and his group of four arrived early at the examination hall to wait.

There were many others waiting like them, and the area in front of the examination hall was as crowded as it was on the day the candidates entered the examination hall.

When the bell rang to announce the end of the exam, the first to be carried out were dozens of candidates who had collapsed from high fever.

The head constable shouted at the surging crowd, "Make way! Make way!"

These unconscious examinees need to be taken to the hospital as soon as possible. Several of them have a persistent high fever, and if the fever continues, they may suffer brain damage.

Seeing this, Liu Yanran turned pale, worried that her husband Ye Yunhua might also be among them.

There were just too many people. They didn't dare to push forward. Instead, they stood on tiptoe and eagerly looked at the gate of the examination hall, searching for a familiar face among the surging candidates.

Tan Zhenlin was the first of the four to come out. He looked sallow, swollen and haggard, and appeared to have aged several years.

The once crisp brocade robe looked as if it had just been taken out of a pickle jar; it was wrinkled, dull, and emitted a strong, unpleasant odor.

Tan Qingrou looked at him several times to confirm that this was her own brother. Her eyes reddened, and she quickly went to meet him, supporting him along with two servants: "Brother..."

Tan Zhenlin leaned against his attendant, a reassuring smile spreading across his baby face: "Don't worry, I'll be fine after a good night's sleep at home."

After saying that, he nodded slightly to the three people, Sheng An and the others, who were walking over, as a greeting.

Not long after, Fang Qingzhou and Ye Yunhua walked out of the examination hall at the same time. Their condition was no better than Tan Zhenlin's, and they also exuded a strange aura that kept strangers at bay.

Liu Xiaoyun and Liu Yanran showed no disgust, and both of them, with red eyes, supported them.