Mu Yi'an escorted Shao Ming to the examination hall, which was the first time Mu Yi'an had ever seen an ancient examination hall.

Previously, when Jiang Shuyun went to participate in the provincial examination, Mu Yi'an did not accompany her.

"Mother, go back now and wait for my good news."

Shao Ming, carrying the examination basket, waved to his mother and strode towards the examination hall.

The boy's back was straight, firm, and composed.

Mu Yi'an felt that her child was really growing up and about to embark on another stage of life.

Mu Yi'an told Jiang Mo and Jiang Yan to wait outside the examination hall before heading back.

In the past two years, the school in the village has been thriving, and most of the children who have graduated from the school have been able to find a good job.

In Mu Yi'an's manor, he also hired several people who had come from the academy in his shops.

I don't know about other places, but many people around Xinyuan County know that there is such a school that specifically enrolls children from poor families.

Mu Yi'an was quite happy. No matter what, the children had a skill, which would change their lives in the future.

Shao Ming went to take the exam, while Shao Yun had a great time with her two younger brothers.

Aside from my daily morning exercise routine, this is something I never skip.

Shao Yun not only practiced martial arts himself, but also supervised his two younger brothers' martial arts training.

Chuyue is already nine years old and no longer practices martial arts with her older and younger brothers.

Mu Yi'an hadn't originally planned for Chu Yue to train to any particular level; the reason she'd persisted over the years was simply to ensure Chu Yue had a healthy body.

In ancient times, health was of paramount importance.

In the past few years, although Chu Yue hasn't been as consistent as Shao Yun in practicing horse stance and basic skills every day without fail, she has still gotten up to exercise more than twenty days a month.

Compared to other children her age, Chuyue is quite strong and healthy. Although she looks frail, she can hold her own for a few moves if something really happens.

In recent years, I have been learning to play the zither, play chess, and paint from Granny Hai, and I haven't given up needlework either.

Master Liang also taught Chuyue and Anran some military strategies, not the ones used on the battlefield, but some things that were more practical.

Many principles are universally applicable, suitable for use on the battlefield, in business, and in married life...

Mu Yi'an didn't know what Chu Yue's future in-laws would be like, the relationship between husband and wife, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and sister-in-law, these were all things she would have to face.

More likely, the husband will take a concubine, and then things in the inner quarters will not be simple.

Mu Yi'an was planning ahead; she did hope that Chu Yue would marry into a family with a simple population, but who could say for sure?

Some methods may be unnecessary, but they are essential to know. One should not harbor malicious intent, but one must be wary of others.

This is a belief that Mu Yi'an has always held, and it has never changed in either of her two lifetimes.

Looking at the three Shao brothers playing in the courtyard, and Chuyue reading a book next to him, and then thinking of Shao Ming suffering in the examination hall.

Mu Yi'an felt as if her heart, that of an old mother, had been divided into several pieces.

"Mother, when will my eldest brother come back?"

"You came back right after the exam. Did Shao Rong miss his older brother?"

"Yes, I want to go home. When my older brother comes back, we can go home."

Shao Rong felt no sense of belonging to the county town; his home was the courtyard in the prefectural city.

"My older brother will be back in a few days. Once the results are out, we'll go home."

Mu Yi'an rubbed her son's head and decided to take the children to the shop for a look around.

Although Jiang's father and his family did not personally take the children to the examination hall in the morning, they got up early, preoccupied with their own thoughts, and could not sleep soundly.

This is Shao Qin's second time taking the county examination. He failed the prefectural examination the first time, and he doesn't know what the result will be this time.

Shao Qin is four years older than Shao Ming, and is already seventeen years old this year.

After this exam, we'll start arranging marriages for him.

Jiang's father sat in his study, thinking about his grandchildren.

Shao Ming studies diligently, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will pass the imperial examination and become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations).

A thirteen-year-old scholar is a rare talent, one in the entire Xinyuan County.

Jiang's father is over fifty years old this year, and he doesn't know if he will have the chance to see Shao Ming and his classmates pass the imperial examinations with flying colors.

Shao Qin was an average student; he could pass the county-level imperial examination and become a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations), which was basically his limit.

On the contrary, Shao Ning, who was quiet and unassuming, achieved better results than Shao Ming, but was still much better than Shao Qin.

Shao Yun and Shao Kun will have to wait two more years before they can compete. Shao Qiu, Shao Rong, and Shao Ke have only been in training for a short time, so it's too early to tell.

Jiang's father felt quite gratified thinking about his descendants, who were getting better and better with each generation.

Ms. Jiang and her sister-in-law had just finished offering incense, hoping that Buddha would bless their children so that they could all achieve good grades.

"Mother, will Shao Qin pass the imperial examination and become a scholar this time?"

Sister-in-law Jiang was a little nervous; this was the second time already. She hadn't been this nervous when Shuheng took the imperial examination for the title of Xiucai.

"I hope Buddha will bless all my children so they can pass their exams."

Jiang's mother hoped that they would all pass the exams, but having hope is one thing, and actually passing them is another.

"If Shao Qin passes the imperial examination and becomes a scholar, he will have more options for marriage."

With Shao Qin's marriage settled, Chu Tong's will be almost done as well.

Jiang's sister-in-law was anxious; Shao Qin was seventeen and Chu Tong was fifteen.

In the past two years, she has also been trying to arrange marriages for her two children.

However, she had only been in the county for a short time and knew only a limited number of people, so the marriage prospects for her two children were stuck in limbo.

Sister-in-law Jiang was anxious. Shao Qin was a boy, and his slightly older age wouldn't have much of an impact.

However, Chu Tong is a girl, and these few years are the best time to find a husband. If she misses this opportunity, she won't have another chance.

Sister-in-law Jiang wanted to ask her child's second aunt for help, but she didn't know how to ask.

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