The Jiang family's old house was bustling for half a day, but people gradually dispersed, since the scholar hadn't returned yet.
Mu Yi'an didn't linger. This matter wasn't really her concern; they had already separated and were now two separate families. Besides, she didn't like seeing Jiang's sister-in-law acting so high-profile.
When I got home, Li Hong was already back.
"Madam, your younger uncle has passed the exam. The messenger has already gone to deliver the good news. Your elder uncle said that he did well, ranking quite high, and he will receive a stipend every year. We will inform you again once your younger uncle returns and we have set a date for the banquet."
"Okay, it's good that you passed the exam."
Mu Yi'an was overjoyed. Mu Ziyi had passed the exam, and she was genuinely happy. If the original owner of this body knew, she would probably be happy too!
She stopped thinking about it. From now on, she was Mu Yi'an, the Mu Yi'an who was inseparable from her.
Neither the Jiang family nor the Mu family can do anything right now, because the scholar hasn't arrived home yet.
The next day, Mu Yi'an took her three children back to her parents' home, planning to stay for two nights. The watermelons should be ripe in a few days, then she wouldn't have time to go.
"Father, Mother, we're here."
"Greetings, maternal grandfather and maternal grandmother!"
"Grandfather and Grandmother, hello!"
Mu Yi'an and the children greeted their parents, and Mu's parents beamed with joy as they looked at Yi'an and the three children.
"Okay, okay, all good. Come inside quickly, it's hot outside, you've all gotten a tan."
Mu's mother held Shao Ming and Shao Yun's hands. Chu Yue was a little shy and wouldn't let her maternal grandmother hold her.
Sister-in-law Mu also came out of the kitchen; she and Sister-in-law Wang were preparing dinner.
Mu Yi'an returned after lunch, as Shao Ming had to go to school in the morning. Because she was going to visit her parents' home, Mu Yi'an had specifically asked Jiang's father for two days off to take Shao Ming to her maternal grandfather's house.
Jiang's father didn't say anything. He knew that his second daughter-in-law was not without foresight and wouldn't let the child play wildly and neglect his studies.
Mu Yi'an, who wouldn't let her child play wildly, didn't bring any books to Shao Ming's maternal grandfather's house.
Mu Yi'an felt that Shao Ming was a bit too sensible and lacked the liveliness and energy of a child. Besides, he was too young to ruin his eyesight; there were no glasses for nearsightedness in this day and age.
Moreover, she hoped that Shao Ming could relax and have fun for two nights, and then officially start school after the New Year.
In the evening, the Mu family's children came home from school. A group of children gathered together, chattering and having a great time.
"Yi'an, I heard from your second brother that you're going to buy a house in the county town?"
After dinner, the children played in the yard, while Mu Yi'an chatted with her mother, her eldest sister-in-law, and her second sister-in-law.
"Yes, that's a plan. Mother, I bought a farm before, it's very close to the county town. We're going to grow watermelons next year, so it'll be more convenient to move there. Also, there's Shaoming, he'll be six after the New Year and will be starting school formally. The private schools in the county town have a better environment."
Mu Yi'an did not hide her plans from her family. Her family helped her with many things, and they genuinely wanted her to live a good life, so they would not talk about her family's affairs.
“That’s true. Your second brother said that the estate you bought is on the route to the prefectural city, not here, so it’s inconvenient.”
Mu's mother understood that Yi'an's choice was correct.
"Yi'an, aren't the private schools in the county town better than those in the town?"
Sister-in-law Mu was also anxious. Her eldest son was already nine years old, and her second son was six, both of whom were in school. However, she didn't understand these things and didn't know how well the schools were teaching these days.
“Sister-in-law, I don’t know much about the private schools in the county. There are many private schools in Xinyuan County, and some of them should be good. The private school that Shaoming is going to is recommended by the teacher of Shuyun. He can only start school on the second day of the second lunar month next year.”
Mu Yi'an didn't know the specifics of that private school, what the admission requirements were, and she couldn't explain it in detail to her sister-in-law.
"After Ziyi comes back, I'll ask him if Muxuan and the others need to go to school in the county town."
Sister-in-law Mu didn't dwell on it; she figured she'd find out when her brother-in-law returned. He'd spent a long time studying in the county town, so he should know something.
After getting past the topic of children, the conversation turned to the matter of Mu Ziyi's fortune telling.
"Mother, Ziyi is eighteen now, and he's passed the imperial examination. Shouldn't we arrange a marriage for him?"
When Sister-in-law Mu brought up her brother-in-law's marriage prospects, Mother Mu was extremely worried.
Mu Ziyu is a few months younger than Mu Ziyi, and they're already engaged and getting married next year. But her Ziyi is still unmarried.
Mu Ziyi sneezed several times on the boat, wondering if his mother was missing him.
"Ziyi, are you feeling unwell?"
"Brother Shuheng, it's nothing. It's probably just your family nagging you."
Mu Ziyi and Jiang Shuheng returned together. They had met a few times before, but weren't close. They only exchanged a few words after passing the imperial examination together.
"That's good, I'll be home tomorrow."
Jiang Shuheng felt much more at ease. This time, he passed the imperial examination and became a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). Although his score was not ideal, and he came in last place, it was good that he had passed.
"Yes, I'll be home tomorrow. I'm already homesick."
Mu Ziyi still has the mind of a teenager and often misses home.
"I want to go home too. I wonder if my dad is busy all by himself?"
Jiang Shuheng thought about the school at home, wondering if his father could manage to teach it all by himself.
After a brief chat, the two parted ways and went back to their cabins to sleep.
Mu Yi'an didn't expect Zi Yi to return so quickly. Looking at the young man walking into the courtyard, she felt that something was different.
"Mom and Dad, I passed the exam!"
"Okay, okay, we understand, well done."
Mu's mother touched her youngest son's arm; he had lost weight, he must not have been eating well lately.
"Wang Ma, kill two chickens and make some chicken soup. Ziyi has lost weight."
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