"An An had already taken the initiative to write a letter of guarantee, promising that she would never ask Xiao Qi's family for a penny or an acre of land, and that she would give it all to her for safekeeping when Xiao Qi turned fifteen. It was clearly written in black and white, unlike some who are thick-skinned."
Everyone nodded, "It's different."
Others spoke up for Tian An: "If you ask me, this is a thankless job. I've spent money and put in the effort, and now I'm being blackmailed."
Tian Ping and his son were being bullied by everyone, and they knew that they could not get any advantage from Tian An this time, so they were thinking about making a long-term plan.
Then Tian An said, "This is the last time. If you continue to make trouble, I will report you to the county government for extortion. Then you can take advantage of the county government."
Someone in the crowd, not knowing what was going on, asked, "What advantage can we take from the county government?"
Everyone looked at him like he was a fool. "Free prison food! Why, you want to take advantage of this?"
The man reacted and waved his hands hurriedly, "Don't talk nonsense, I never like to take advantage of others."
As Tian Ping and his son listened to what everyone said, their faces turned pale and red. They lowered their heads and pretended to be cowards. They did not go out with the crowd until the village chief drove them away.
After Tian An returned home, he called Xiao Qi over and placed his family's land deeds, house deeds and silver in front of him.
"Although I told everyone I would give it to you when you turn fifteen, it's still okay if you want to keep it yourself now."
Xiao Qi didn't even look at the things on the table. "I believe in my sister. Even if she doesn't give it to me, I will accept it. She saved my life, helped me bury my family, and is willing to support my education in the future. These things can't compare to the kindness she has shown me."
Seeing that he looked determined and showed no reluctance at all, Tian An put away the things on the table again.
"Then I'll keep it for you first. I'll also keep it together with the New Year's money you received last time. If you need money in the future, just come to me."
"Thank you, sister." Xiaoqi said with a smile.
After Xiaoqi left, Tian An found three boxes and put Xiaoqi's house deed, land deed, and money into one of them. He also put Xiaoqi's name on it.
He also placed the land deeds and two taels of silver that were divided when the family was divided, as well as the land deeds and house deeds that were later compensated when the Qian family burned down the village school, into another box. He also put Xiaokang's name on it.
The last box contained the house deeds of Zhao Yiming's family, the land deeds he got when he became an adult, as well as the deeds of some land, shops, and farms that Tian An bought later, the indentures of his servants, and the silver bills he earned.
He took out the New Year's money that Tian Mingcai and Du had given him last time, counted out two sixty-cent coins and put them into Xiaokang and Xiaoqi's boxes respectively, and put the rest into his own box and Zhao Yiming's box.
After thinking for a while, she took out two silver notes of one hundred taels from her and Zhao Yiming's box, which were considered as the New Year's money given by her and Zhao Yiming to Xiaokang and Xiaoqi.
After the things were divided, Tian An put all three boxes into the space.
“Boom boom boom… boom boom boom…”
Chunxi's voice came from outside the door, "Miss, the county magistrate's housekeeper is here to deliver something."
When Tian An arrived at the door, Butler Gu was having people carry things into the house!
Seeing her coming, he took out an envelope from his arms and handed it to her, "Thank you Miss An An for saving my wife and young master from danger a few days ago. These are the gifts from the master, the lady, and the young lady. Please don't refuse, Miss Tian."
Tian An made a few polite remarks, invited the housekeeper to drink some tea, and then asked Chun Xi to send someone to pick some vegetables and strawberries from the greenhouse and bring them back to the housekeeper later. After thinking for a while, he picked out two pieces of bacon and some sausages.
After Butler Gu left, Tian An opened the envelope he handed to him and took out a silver note worth two hundred taels and a letter from it.
The letter was written by Gu Jinyan, and it explained two things. First, it said that the banknote was for her medical treatment fee, and the things were a thank you gift, which was what she should do, so that she would not feel burdened.
The second thing was about Zhao Yiming's scientific examination. The examination was scheduled for the tenth day of February, and time was running out, so she was asked to quickly notify Zhao Yiming to prepare the examination materials and things to bring.
After Gu Jinyan's reminder, Tian An finally realized that Zhao Yiming had said the exam would be in February. Now that the first month of the year was almost half over, he had to start preparing quickly.
After wandering around the warehouse like a headless fly, Tian An realized that he had no idea what to prepare for him!
It’s better to ask Zhao Yiming first. This kind of thing is not something to be joked about.
But when she arrived outside Zhao Yiming's study, she saw Mr. Han giving him a lecture.
Forget it, let's not bother him. Besides, this is his first time taking the exam, so he probably doesn't know much. After thinking for a moment, he walked towards Granny Qin's room.
Mr. Han is a Jinshi, and Granny Qin must have experience in this kind of thing.
Sure enough, as soon as Granny Qin heard the purpose of Tian An's visit, she began to tell her everything in detail.
"Of course I need money. Food, clothing, housing and transportation will all require money. The county exam will be held in the county town. Don't you have a shop in the county town? Just clean up one when the time comes."
You have to go to the prefectural capital for the prefectural exam, so you have to prepare in advance. There will be a lot of people, and you may not be able to find a place to stay. The government will provide accommodation, but the environment will definitely not be good..."
"Please wait a moment." Tian An felt a headache after hearing this. He took a pen and paper to write down what he had just said before letting Grandma Qin continue.
Seeing that she had remembered it, Granny Qin continued what she had just said.
"The four treasures of the study are essential. A light and portable inkstone is best, and the pen has a pen bag. There's also an oilcloth bag for the exam papers. After receiving the exam papers, place them flat in it, high up, to prevent them from folding and from getting stained by ink or tea.
During the exam, you eat and sleep in your own dormitories and cannot leave. You must wear more clothes and no layers, as they will be checked.
You have to bring your own food. Only clean water is provided on site, no food is provided.
All kinds of cakes and pastries that can help with hunger are fine. If possible, you can also bring some ginseng slices, which you can chew on during the field to help you think.
Hearing this, Tian An frowned and said, "Eating only cold snacks will make your stomach uncomfortable. I heard that you can't go out for several days after taking an exam!"
Granny Qin smiled and said, "You are talking about the provincial and metropolitan examinations.
The county exam was different. It consisted of five sessions. Registration for each session began before dawn, the exams began at sunrise, and the papers were handed in at sunset. After the exam was over, you could leave and only take the next session after passing it. The only meal you ate in the exam hall was lunch.
Granny Qin lifted her teacup, took a sip, and moistened her throat before continuing.
"Since we're talking about this, let me tell you about the provincial and metropolitan examinations.
The provincial and metropolitan examinations were similar, as you mentioned, and the exams took several days, with both food and lodging included. The conditions in the dormitories were poor, and you had to bring your own clothes and bedding.
The barracks had no doors, so they had to bring oilcloth curtains and drapes. Yiming had to nail and hang these things himself after entering to protect against the wind and rain and the cold at night. Of course, tools like nails and a hammer were also essential.
If you only rely on cold snacks to fill your stomach, you will naturally feel uncomfortable.
However, you can cook your own meals there. So you need to prepare a small stove, a small pot for cooking, rice for the pot, a kettle for boiling water, tea leaves, soy sauce and vinegar, rice bowls, chopsticks, spoons, tea bowls, etc.
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