Jiang Shuyun and her brother Jiang returned to the rented courtyard together, where Butler Li was already prepared.

"Master, the money for announcing the good news has been prepared."

When were you preparing for this?

Jiang Shuyun was stunned for a moment; this was too efficient.

"My wife told me to prepare in advance before I came."

Butler Li had been instructed to prepare for both possibilities.

"Yes, I'll have Madam reward you then!"

Jiang Shuyun was once again thankful that he had come with Mu Yi'an. Without Mu Yi'an, he would have been finished long ago.

Brother Jiang is heartbroken. It's true that different people have different fates. Shuyun is so lucky to have a virtuous wife who helps him manage everything.

"Congratulations to Mr. Jiang Shuyun of Xinyuan County for achieving the ninth rank in the imperial examination! Congratulations to Mr. Jiang Shuyun of Xinyuan County for achieving the ninth rank in the imperial examination..."

Outside the courtyard, accompanied by the sound of gongs and drums, the yamen runners entered shouting good news.

"Thank you, thank you everyone, you've worked so hard, you've worked so hard..."

Steward Li hurried forward, and the two constables, holding the congratulatory letter, accepted the congratulatory money handed over by Steward Li. They felt it and found it to be quite a lot!

After exchanging a few polite words, they hurriedly left because they had to go to the next house to deliver the good news.

"Congratulations, sir, on passing the imperial examination and becoming a scholar!"

"Congratulations, congratulations..."

The neighbors who had come to watch the commotion around the courtyard also offered their congratulations. Housekeeper Li and his wife carried out candy and snacks to the neighbors who came to offer their congratulations, so that they could share in the joy.

After a while, the crowd dispersed, and the courtyard became quiet.

"Master, the embroidery workshop staff will come over in a bit to take your measurements and make you an outfit for the Deer Banquet."

"No need, I have plenty of clothes."

Jiang Shuyun felt that all her clothes were fine and she could wear them.

"Sir, Madam instructed that the attire for the Deer Cry Banquet should be more formal. Your clothes should be comfortable and simple."

Butler Li had already found out exactly what accessories were needed; he knew it all.

"Alright, I'll wait."

Jiang Shuyun didn't care about these things. In his previous life, he had attended many formal occasions with his parents, and they were all pretty much the same.

After finishing his business, Butler Li went to attend to other matters.

"Shuyun, I'll head back home tomorrow. There will be good news at home, and Third Grandfather and the others are also discussing how to celebrate for you. I'll go back and see if there's anything I can do to help."

"Okay, then I'll go ahead first, I'll head back as soon as I'm done here."

Jiang Shuyun understood his older brother; after this, some of his classmates who were preparing to attend the Deer Cry Banquet would come over.

Brother, you might feel uncomfortable.

A short while later, the people from the embroidery workshop came over and took Jiang Shuyun's measurements.

The next day, Jiang Shuyun took Li Li to see his older brother off at the dock.

"Shuyun, you can go back now. I'm going to tell your sister-in-law that you're doing well here."

"Brother, have a safe journey!"

Watching the departing passenger ship, Jiang Shuyun thought about the imperial examinations in ancient times, which were truly torturous.

How many people can actually reach the provincial examination after starting their education at a certain age, year after year?

Some people are able to wake up in time and take a different path, just like his father.

Some people go down a dead end, ruining not only their own lives but also their families, causing them to suffer.

After all, in ancient times, supporting a scholar required a considerable amount of money.

Especially in rural areas, families often pool their resources to support a single person who is studying.

Jiang Shuyun felt that she was a lucky person in both her past and present lives, and had never worried about money.

Having never encountered people truly from the lower classes in my past life, I don't have a deep understanding of their situation and have become accustomed to everything I possess.

In his life, he truly witnessed impoverished students at the academy, living a very frugal life with only steamed buns and water to fill their stomachs.

And when I first arrived, in the village, those people toiled in the fields, their sweat falling on the ground, earning only meager incomes.

Jiang Shuyun sighed inwardly, but that was all. What could he possibly change?

When I returned to the rented courtyard, Mu Ziwen was already there.

"Brother-in-law, congratulations."

"Brother-in-law, congratulations to you too!"

"Ha ha……"

They both laughed, but there was so much bitterness in that laughter.

"Go home tonight, my father will talk to us about the Deer Cry Banquet."

"That's great, I was completely confused."

Thank you, Uncle Mu, you're a lifesaver!

Having arranged a time to go back together with Mu Ziwen, Jiang Shuyun hurried back to rest for a while.

I've been a bit lazy these past few days, and when I relax, I always feel tired.

That evening, at Uncle Mu's house.

"Shuyun, congratulations! You did well on the exam!"

"Thank you, Third Uncle. If you hadn't told me about the Bailu Academy entrance exam in advance, I would have missed the opportunity to enter Bailu Academy. And I wouldn't have had a chance to take the provincial exam either."

"It's all thanks to your own hard work. Keep up the good work, and I hope you'll pass the imperial examination next year."

Uncle Mu was genuinely happy. His niece's husband, Shuyun, was hardworking and talented, and had a good chance of passing the imperial examination.

However, his own son passed the provincial examination last, but his chances of passing the metropolitan examination are slim.

"Thank you for your kind words!"

Jiang Shuyun hoped that she would pass the exam in one fell swoop, so that she could settle down and do whatever she wanted.

When do you plan to go to the capital?

"Yi'an and I have discussed it, and we'll go to the capital before the New Year to get used to the environment there. What about you, brother-in-law? When do you plan to go?"

Mu Ziwen actually lacked confidence in participating in the imperial examination; he felt he had no hope.

"Ziwen doesn't plan to participate in the imperial examination this time. One reason is that his chances of passing are slim, and another is that he's afraid he might get lucky and do well, barely making it into the list of candidates for the Jinshi degree."

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