After his initial joy subsided, Uncle Jiang's smile faded, and he looked at Jiang Wanwan with a hesitant expression.

"Second Uncle, just tell me what's wrong. We're all family, what's there to hesitate about?" Jiang Wanwan said.

Uncle Jiang hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke up, “Wanwan, I’d like to take your fourth brother to dinner at Yuanshan Academy, is that alright?”

I haven't seen him for a while now. I wonder if he's adjusting well at Yuanshan Academy and if he's doing alright.

“Of course, let’s go to Yuanshan Academy to pick up Fifth Brother and take him to a restaurant for dinner,” Jiang Wanwan said.

Although Jiang Liu was a little arrogant, he also thought about passing the imperial examinations and bringing a better life to his family.

Upon hearing this, Uncle Jiang looked at Jiang Wanwan with excitement, "Great! Let's go, let's hurry to Yuanshan Academy."

I haven't seen my son for some time now, and I wonder how he's doing at Yuanshan Academy.

However, with his son's knowledge, he will surely be valued by the teachers at Yuanshan Academy.

In the second half of the year, my son will take the imperial examination. If he passes and becomes a scholar, our family will be incredibly prosperous.

Thinking of this, Uncle Jiang's smile became even brighter.

The three walked through the streets and alleys, and after about fifteen minutes, they finally saw the plaque hanging high above the Yuanshan Academy.

Yuanshan Academy is located in the very center of the county town, surrounded by bustling commercial shops. The shops around it are among the most well-known and upscale in the town, frequented almost exclusively by wealthy families.

Because of its central location and the fact that the teachers there were said to be extremely knowledgeable, Yuanshan Academy became the dream school for students in Anyang County.

From afar, Jiang Wanwan and her two companions could hear the sound of students reciting their lessons coming from the academy.

Uncle Jiang was extremely excited, especially at the thought of seeing his beloved son soon.

He quickened his pace, his head slightly raised, his eyes filled with pride, as if he were the student of Yuanshan Academy. "Yuanshan Academy truly lives up to its name, far surpassing Qingyu Academy in the city! Look at its central location, and the surrounding shops are all high-end; one can imagine what kind of status Yuanshan Academy holds in the county."

Uncle Jiang was beaming and talking animatedly.

Soon, Jiang Wanwan and the other two stopped at the gate of Yuanshan Academy.

Jiang Wanwan nodded her chin at the tightly closed vermilion door. "Second Uncle, hurry up and knock on the door."

"Me, me?" Uncle Jiang looked a little flustered, so nervous that he didn't know what to do with his hands and feet.

“Yes, it’s you. My fourth brother and I are waiting here. Give me the basket, I’ll carry it.” Jiang Wanwan held out her hand.

Uncle Jiang took off the basket from his back and handed it to Jiang Wanwan. Then, he quickly straightened his clothes, worried that his appearance would embarrass his youngest son.

After straightening his clothes, he straightened his back, took a few deep breaths, and said nervously, "Wanwan, well, I'm going now."

After saying that, Uncle Jiang stiffened and walked awkwardly toward the vermilion gate.

He had just raised his hand to knock on the door when, unexpectedly, the door was opened from the inside.

Immediately afterwards, a young man with disheveled hair and clothes was pushed out from inside.

The young man made a careless move and was pushed to the ground.

"Go away, go away. Someone like you, who has neither the talent for studying nor the knowledge, has no chance of passing the imperial examination. Go back to where you came from. Yuanshan Academy does not welcome you."