Song Anxin and her family were very excited, looking Lin Fenghe up and down, and they all felt that their Fenghe had the look of an official.
Lin Fenghe had never been this nervous during an exam, and now, with his family surrounding him like this, he was getting really nervous. But seeing his aunt wiping away tears of joy, he knew he couldn't escape it. He should have known better than to write something worse.
"Oh my, I knew my grandson was just like Anbang. Back then, your uncle was the runner-up, but I never expected Fenghe to surpass him. Thank God, thank my in-laws, and thank Erzhu for their blessings."
Grandma Song muttered to herself.
Brother Lin was also deeply moved: "I never expected that our Lin family would produce a scholar who has passed the imperial examination. Your grandparents and your father in heaven will be very happy to see this."
Lin Fengnian said, "Third brother, congratulations! You're really amazing. Your elder brothers are so happy for you."
Big and small grasses circled around Lin Fenghe, clapping and shouting excitedly:
"Uncle Fenghe, you're amazing! Amazing!..."
Lin Erxi said, "Fenghe, you've finally taught me a lesson: 'Those who are truly clever don't need to be called smart.' It turns out you're the smartest person in Linjia Village."
"Second Sister! That's called a barking dog that bites. Why are you comparing my third brother to a dog?" Lin Fengyao said speechlessly.
Upon hearing this, Sister-in-law Lin, who had been wiping away tears, paused for a moment, then grabbed Lin Erxi by the ear:
"What kind of child are you? How can you make up such nonsense? How can Fenghe be a dog? You're the dog, your whole family are dogs..."
Sister-in-law Lin was lecturing enthusiastically, seemingly oblivious to the fact that she was wrong. Lin Daxi murmured to himself:
"Mom, I don't want to be a dog."
"Grandma, neither the grass nor the grass wants to be a dog."
"Hahaha........"
Everyone burst into laughter, and Lin Fenghe was shaking with laughter. It was really great to have such a family.
At this moment, Lin Lizheng came over and coughed awkwardly: "Ahem, Fengnian's mother, I'm sorry to have disturbed your family's celebration. Could you please ask Fenghe to come with me to the ancestral hall to kneel and pay respects to our ancestors? Fenghe is the first student of our Lin family village and the first person of the Lin family to pass the imperial examination. I want to take him to offer incense to tell our ancestors."
This is like our Lin family's ancestral graves emitting auspicious smoke! He wanted to cheer in his heart, but he still had to maintain his image as the village head.
Lin Fenghe nodded: "Then, Mother, Uncle and Aunt... I'll go to the ancestral hall with Grandpa Village Head first."
The village head said, "Dazhu, come too, so your parents can hear you more clearly."
So the village head led the Lin family elders, along with Lin Da Ge and Lin Feng He, and their entourage to the ancestral hall in a grand procession.
In fact, Song Anxin felt that it was a bit of an exaggeration. Although they were very happy that Lin Fenghe was the top scholar, he had only passed the county examination and was only half a student.
She shook her head with a helpless smile. But what could they do? For generations, no one in Linjia Village had ever become a scholar. Even a half-baked scholar was something most people couldn't imagine.
At noon, Song Anxin's family celebrated together with her elder brother and sister-in-law's family. They also invited Uncle Bai and A Si, as well as the village head and several clan elders who had taken Feng He to the ancestral hall. Since they valued them so much, they naturally had to reciprocate.
Today, Granny Zheng was also very happy to show off her skills. She demonstrated all the dishes that the lady had taught her and the eldest young mistress had taught her.
Crispy Dongpo pork, roast duck in sesame oil, braised rabbit, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, steamed chicken with eight treasures, braised goose with five flavors, stuffed mushrooms with meat... and for the New Year, there's watercress and cured pork, and toon cakes...
Everyone who ate it raved about it.
At the dinner table, Lin Fengyao was eating with his mouth full and looking very satisfied. Suddenly, he spoke up with regret:
“Oh, Third Brother, Uncle, after you go to Liuzhou for the exam, you won’t be able to eat such good food at home for at least half a month. I really feel sorry for you.”
"Hey kid, you think Fenghe and your uncle love to eat as much as you do?" Lin Fengshou said.
As soon as the two finished speaking, everyone fell silent. Yes, Fenghe had passed the county exam and needed to go to the prefectural city to take the prefectural exam in order to truly become a student. His uncle was also going to take the academy exam.
Song Anxin had already thought of this. She asked, "Fenghe, will you be going with your uncle this time? I think you can slow down and don't need to feel so much pressure."
Although Fenghe was the top scholar in Ningdu County, Ningdu County was just a small, poor, and remote county, and the students' levels varied. Going to the prefectural city meant becoming one of the best from all over. The prefectural examination was held every year, and it was good to be stable for one year.
Lin Fenghe had long planned his path. He put down his chopsticks and said:
"Mother, I want to take the prefectural examination. It just so happens that I can go with my uncle this time."
Song Anxin nodded. She was just giving advice; the real decision was up to Feng He himself. Since he wanted to go, she, as his mother, would definitely support him.
Those present were both excited and reluctant to part. Lin Lizheng and several elders of the Lin family were especially excited, their faces glowing with excitement. Their Lin family was about to produce an official. If they could see him die, they would be satisfied.
The celebratory banquet was a great success.
After dinner, Lin Fenghe, Song Anbang, and Song Anxin went to the study, where they sat down and began their conversation directly.
"Sister, we're leaving in ten days. I'll be taking Fenghe to my teacher's house to study these next few days."
Song Anxin nodded. Generally, students who are preparing for the college entrance examination will choose to go into seclusion with their teachers for a period of time. Teachers and mentors are different. As the saying goes, "A teacher for a day is a father for life." If a mentor's disciple is not well-behaved and commits a serious crime, he will be scolded as well. Therefore, mentors generally do not easily accept students. Feng He was able to go because he was entrusted to Anbang to take him.
She remembered that Anbang's teacher was her father's friend, and also a teacher at the county academy, who also taught Fenghe. She began to speak:
"Then I'll take you there. After all, he's Fenghe's teacher, and he's also guiding Fenghe this time. I have to thank him."
Song Anbang asked, "Will Sister be sending Fenghe this time?"
Song Anxin did think about it. She didn't need to worry too much about the winery and bar, but now that spring was approaching, the chili seeds needed to be cultivated. This was the first time she had tried it, so she needed to keep an eye on things. Besides, the most important thing was that the potatoes were about to be planted. If they were grown well, it would be a big deal that would allow the entire nation to have enough to eat.
She wouldn't be able to return to Linjia Village from Liuzhou for at least a month, and she couldn't possibly leave during that long. But this was also her own son's first time taking the imperial examination, and it wouldn't be right for her not to accompany him. Song Anxin was caught in a dilemma.
Wait, has she forgotten something?
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