The next day, Qin Zhao and four other candidates who had guaranteed each other a place went to the government office to register.

The provincial exam was scheduled for April 13th, less than two months away. After registering, the four of them hurried back to review. Qin Zhao, however, excused himself by saying he wanted to spend two more days in the city with Jing Li and did not join them.

"God is so unfair. I also want to get the first place in the exam without reviewing." Chen Yan'an said sourly before leaving.

Qin Zhao ignored him.

In fact, Qin Zhao stayed in the city not just for fun.

His daughter Xiaoyu was pregnant, and Qin Zhao was worried about him staying out too long, so he decided to return home as soon as possible. But Jingli was prone to seasickness, and the journey from the capital back to Linxi Village would take at least seven or eight days by carriage. How could Jingli, in her current state, handle it?

Since the carriage could not be ridden, Qin Zhao came up with a compromise idea.

——Let Jing Li change back to his original form, and Qin Zhao will take him back by boat.

Being in the water reduces shaking and naturally prevents seasickness.

However, this would make it inconvenient to travel with Chen Yanan and the others.

Therefore, Qin Zhao pretended to stay in the city with Jing Li for two more days.

"Aren't you going to visit the prefect?" Jing Li asked.

After the county examination results were announced, the county magistrate wrote a letter of recommendation for Qin Zhao.

Qin Zhao had told Jing Li that during the previous dynasty's imperial examinations, a recommendation system had been implemented for a period of time. Although this system had been abolished, some local customs still retained this system.

That is to say, if the levels of several candidates are almost the same and they are all among the top, the one with the letter of recommendation will be ranked first.

But after Qin Zhao arrived in the city, he never mentioned going to see the prefect.

Qin Zhao shook his head: "That's not necessary."

Jing Li blinked: "Why?"

"The county magistrate comes to the capital every month to report on his work. If he truly appreciates me, he could have just mentioned it during his report. Why would he ask me to bring a letter?" Qin Zhao sneered. "He wants me to owe him a favor."

"...If I really deliver this letter, when I achieve success and return home in glory, he will have done me a great favor by recommending me, and I must repay him."

Jing Li finally understood the stakes involved and scolded him, "What a dog official."

"I don't want to owe anyone a favor, so I don't want this recommendation, especially..."

Before Qin Zhao could finish his words, Jing Li continued, "Besides, even without the letter of recommendation, you would still be the top candidate."

With Qin Zhao's strength, he doesn't need these external things at all.

Qin Zhao smiled and continued walking forward holding Jing Li's hand.

"Aren't we going back to the inn?" Jing Li asked.

They had just sent Chen Yanan and his party to the city gate, but the direction they were returning was completely opposite to the inn.

Qin Zhao said, "Let's go check something out first."

"What?"

"Notice board."

There were two types of notice boards in the prefectural city. One was used exclusively for posting official notices, standing alone at the entrance to the government office. The other was used by ordinary people to post information about recruitment and sales. There were about ten of these, large and small, located in major markets and crowded areas.

"So you want to see the house sale information." There were only two or three people in front of the notice board at the moment. Jing Li went over to carefully read the notice.

Qin Zhao nodded: "Don't rush to buy it, let's see if there is anything suitable first."

The free trade of houses in the city is not permitted. If a homeowner wishes to sell their property in the city, they must first register with the property sales representative. Once the registration is approved, the representative will post a notice detailing the property's size, location, and selling price.