The melon seedlings were planted, and Mu Yi'an gained a better understanding of the Li family. He then left some matters to Uncle Li.
Pruning and pollinating were all left to Uncle Li and his son, leaving Mu Yi'an with no time to spare, and August began.
Jiang Shuyun has been studying diligently lately, as she will soon be going to the prefectural city to take the examination.
The eldest son of the Li family followed Jiang Shuyun, serving as her page and servant. He had previously been the young master's page, and during this time, he had been working in the fields, learning many new skills.
"Shuyun, let's go to the old house later. We've been busy with the melon patch lately and haven't been there for a while."
Right after dinner, Mu Yi'an made arrangements to go to the Jiang family's old house.
"Yes, I should tell my parents that I'm going to the prefectural city to take the exam."
Jiang Shuyun also felt that they should go to the old house to take a look; they should fulfill their filial duties and not give others cause for gossip.
"Wait a moment, I'm going to get something."
Mu Yi'an packed some food in a basket and took it to the old house; she never went empty-handed.
The family of six walked slowly towards the old house, taking a break to digest their food. Sister-in-law Li's cooking skills were quite impressive; no wonder she worked in the kitchen of a large family compound. Her culinary skills far surpassed those of Mu Yi'an's ordinary cooking.
"Mom, hurry up! You're so slow!"
Shao Yun has grown quite a bit recently. He's taller now, and he's always running and jumping around outside, making him much stronger.
"Shao Yun, slow down. You just ate a full meal. If you run too fast, your stomach will hurt."
"It doesn't hurt, don't feel pain."
Chuyue was frightened and clung tightly to her mother's trouser leg. The little girl was quite resilient, but very afraid of pain.
"Chuyue didn't run that fast, so it won't hurt."
Mu Yi'an comforted her little girl. Seeing that her sister was scared, Shao Yun stopped running around and walked slowly beside her brother.
When Jiang Qi sees a family of six, they greet them warmly. Jiang Qi feels a little uncomfortable; before, most people in the village would turn their heads away when they saw her, as if she were a plague.
Having witnessed the fickleness of human relationships, Mu Yi'an's attitude was indifferent; she wouldn't engage in much small talk. They wouldn't stay in Jiangjia Village indefinitely.
Upon arriving at the old house, Mr. and Mrs. Jiang strolled around in the yard, where their children were also present.
"Father, Mother, we've arrived."
Jiang Shuyun greeted them and handed the basket in her hand to her mother, asking her to put it away.
They were all soft pastries and snacks that he brought back from the county town. He had also brought a gift back from the prefectural city before, which he also brought over.
"Why are you bringing things again? Next time, just come in person. Don't keep bringing things."
Jiang's mother muttered a few words, but she was happy inside. How could she not be happy that her child was so filial?
"Second brother, second sister-in-law, eldest sister-in-law, have you eaten yet?"
Li Qiuniang came out of the house; her belly was quite large, she was six or seven months pregnant.
“We’ve already eaten. We came to see our parents. We’ve been too busy lately to come over.”
Looking at Li Qiuniang, who was heavily pregnant, and then at the three children who had already left her arms, Mu Yi'an felt truly fortunate that she could become a mother without pain, saving her a lot of trouble.
"Second brother, you've come at the right time. Your eldest brother is about to go to the provincial examination. Go with him and take care of him."
Jiang's wife came out of the kitchen and stated her demands as if it were perfectly natural.
"Sister-in-law, I can't go. I have to go to the prefectural city in a few days, and there's not enough time."
"Second brother, what important matter do you have that you insist on attending the provincial examination in the prefectural city? We're brothers, how can you not offer any help?"
Jiang's sister-in-law spoke sternly and harshly, making it seem to anyone who didn't know better think that Jiang Shuyun had committed some serious crime.
"Sister-in-law, you're really something. Your brother's exam is important, but other people's affairs aren't. We're brothers, we can't just keep making sacrifices while you do nothing, can we?"
"Second sister-in-law, how can we not contribute anything? Isn't this your eldest brother's college entrance exam? Is there anything more important than this?"
"Yes, Shuyun still needs to prepare for the provincial examination two years from now. Isn't that important?"
Mu Yi'an did it on purpose. What's so great about you only passing the county-level exam? We have to pass the provincial-level exam to become a scholar.
"you……"
Sister-in-law Jiang hesitated for a long time, but couldn't say a word.
"Shuyun, is the academy's assessment about to begin?"
"Yes, I'm leaving for the prefectural city the day after tomorrow, so I can't be too late."
Jiang Shuyun couldn't argue with his sister-in-law; his father knew what was going on and would stop her.
"Father, what academy? Why didn't anyone tell Shuheng?"
Sister-in-law Jiang thought something good had happened and that their family had been spared.
"White Deer Academy".
"Is it true, at Bailu Academy in the prefectural city?"
Brother Jiang happened to come out. He had heard his wife making a fuss in the study again, so he put down his pen and hurried out.
"Yes, Bailu Academy will be recruiting students this fall. Those who pass the assessment can enter the academy without a letter of recommendation."
"Great, congratulations, second brother. I hope you pass the test."
"Then I'll take your kind words, brother."
Jiang Shuyun didn't spend much time with Brother Jiang, so she really didn't know what to say.
"Even so, doesn't my second brother's family have servants who can accompany him to the imperial examination and help him with chores? Is that not allowed?"
“Eldest daughter-in-law, don’t always focus on others. This isn’t the first time Shuheng has taken the imperial examination. Aren’t there experienced clansmen? Why must Shuyun’s family send someone?”
Jiang's sister-in-law was very afraid of her father. She dared not say that she wanted to take advantage of her second son's family and ask them to contribute money and manpower.
Jiang Shuyun didn't respond to his sister-in-law's words. He left because there were still many things to do in Yi'an melon field, and Uncle Li and his son were the main force, so they couldn't leave.
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