Mu Yi'an, a teacher at an agricultural school, in her thirties, unmarried, nearly expelled from her family by her biological mother.
Jiang Shuyun, a high school political teacher, in her ...
More than half a month before the provincial examination, Mu Yi'an returned to Jiangjia Village.
"Shuyun's family, is Shuyun about to take her exams?"
As soon as the carriage entered the village, it ran into Third Grandfather.
Mu Yi'an quickly got out of the car. "Third Grandpa, there are still more than half a month left."
"Is everything arranged? Do you need any help?"
"Third Grandfather, everything is arranged. More than a month in advance, I had someone rent a courtyard in the prefectural city and sent a cook over. Everything is in order."
Mu Yi'an knew that her third grandfather was anxious because he was worried that some members of the clan would make a name for themselves.
"That's good, that's good..."
Third Grandfather also knew that Shuyun's family was reliable, but he couldn't help but worry.
"Yi'an, why are you back?"
"Aunt, I came back to tell the family about my husband's provincial examination, and also to ask when my elder brother is leaving and whether he should stay with my husband?"
Mu Yi'an greeted her aunt with a smile, realizing that she had just returned from gathering pig feed.
The whole family is capable. The eldest cousin works as a farmhand on her estate, and the others are also busy farming, growing vegetables, and raising several pigs this year.
"Then I won't keep you any longer. Come over to my house sometime."
"Okay, I'll go when I have time."
Mu Yi'an and his third grandfather slowly walked towards the Jiang family's old house, with Fang's wife following behind a step behind. Wei San drove the carriage ahead to the old house.
Many people nearby heard what Mu Yi'an just said, so from now on, no one will believe Jiang Da Sao if she wants to say anything.
In ancient times, there were so many things to consider.
When Mu Yi'an arrived at the old house, Brother Jiang was there too. He had come back to discuss the trip to the prefectural city with his parents.
"Second daughter-in-law is back. Where's Shuyun? Has she returned yet?"
"Father, Mother, my husband hasn't returned yet. I've come to tell you about the arrangements in the prefectural city."
Everyone in the courtyard looked at Mu Yi'an, wondering what her plans were.
"I've already had someone rent a courtyard near the examination hall, a detached house. Everything's arranged, I just wanted to ask if you'd like to live with Shuyun, brother?"
"Of course, there's a place available. They can stay together, and I'll cook for them."
Sister-in-law Jiang readily agreed, as she had never been to the prefectural city before and would take this opportunity to visit.
"Second daughter-in-law, is there enough room for you?"
Although Jiang's mother had never been to the prefectural city, she knew that the rent there was not cheap and the courtyards were not very big.
"Mother, you can stay here. But, sister-in-law, it's inconvenient for you to come."
Mu Yi'an didn't want Jiang Dasao, this ticking time bomb, to pass by. She knew nothing and might cause more trouble, affecting Jiang Shuyun's exam.
"Why can't I go? What's inconvenient about me taking care of Shuheng and Shuyun?"
"Butler Li and Sister-in-law Li have been gone for a while now. With them here, they will take good care of my husband and elder brother."
Upon hearing this, Sister-in-law Jiang's face turned very pale.
"Wanru, you wait at home. I need to focus on my studies when I get there. Once I'm in the examination hall, I can't leave. If anything happens, you won't be able to handle it."
Brother Jiang was also troubled. He couldn't understand why Wanru had changed so much. She wasn't like this before.
"Eldest daughter-in-law, now that the second daughter-in-law has made arrangements, you can rest assured and wait at home."
Jiang's father didn't object at first, thinking that it would be good if someone could take care of Shuheng and Shuyun's lives, so as not to distract them.
I didn't expect my second daughter-in-law to have made such thoughtful arrangements, so let's not cause any unnecessary trouble.
Jiang's sister-in-law knew there was no hope, so she stopped talking.
Mu Yi'an didn't care about Jiang's sister-in-law's thoughts. Jiang Shuyun had a very good chance of passing the provincial examination this time, and she didn't want any accidents to happen.
The children at home are growing up and need their father's company. If they fail the provincial examination this time, they will have to wait another three years.
Mu Yi'an didn't linger; having finished her business, she was about to return.
"Shuheng, you should come with us. We'll take a boat to the prefectural city tomorrow morning."
"Understood, Father. Thank you for your help, Sister-in-law."
Brother Jiang thanked Mu Yi'an, saying he had benefited from his second brother's help this time.
After everyone left, the third grandfather went to the ancestral hall to offer incense to the ancestors, hoping they would bless the two Jiang children to pass the imperial examinations.
The next day, Wei San escorted Brother Jiang to the dock to board a boat.
Mu Yi'an also started counting down in her mind: Jiang Shuyun, you can do it!
Jiang Shuyun has already moved into the courtyard in the prefectural city.
Of the four main rooms, he lived in one, another was a study, one was left for his elder brother, and the third was a living room.
"Master, the master has arrived."
Butler Li has been going to the dock to pick people up every day, because he doesn't know when the master will arrive, so he can only wait.
"Brother, you've arrived. Come in and rest for a while."
Jiang Shuyun looked at her older brother, whose complexion wasn't good. Was he seasick?
"Shuyun, I'm feeling a bit seasick and uncomfortable. I'm going to wash up first, and then I'll take a nap."
Jiang Shuheng was quite seasick this time, feeling dizzy and lightheaded.
Jiang Shuyun asked Steward Li to take her elder brother to wash up, and then asked Li Li to fetch a doctor to examine her elder brother.
After Brother Jiang finished washing up, the doctor arrived and took his pulse.
"It's just seasickness, nothing serious."
The doctor left a prescription, took the consultation fee, and left.
After taking a nap and drinking a bowl of medicine, Brother Jiang felt much better the next day.
With the exams approaching, many students have come to the prefectural city to take the provincial examinations, and all the inns around the examination hall are full.
Those from well-off families rented courtyards, while others stayed in the top-tier rooms at the inn.
Jiang Shuyun's close classmates also made arrangements; they quietly studied and did not attend any gatherings.
Every year during the provincial examinations, the area around the examination hall is packed with people. The inns do brisk business, and there are even gambling dens where people place bets on which scholar will come out on top. It's quite a lively scene!
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