Spring passed and autumn came, and several years went by in the blink of an eye. Shao Ming was about to take the imperial examination to become a scholar.
"Madam, everything is ready. We can set off tomorrow."
When Aunt Fang came over to report, Mu Yi'an nodded, indicating that she understood.
This time when she goes back home for the Spring Festival, Mu Yi'an will accompany Shao Ming to take the county examination in the county town.
The twelve-year-old boy had already begun to experience voice changes and was more than half a head taller than her.
In the past two years, Jiang Shuyun, Mr. Liang, Master Guan, and Master Zhao took Shao Ming and Shao Yun on a study tour for half a year.
Both Mu Ziyi and Mu Ziyu failed the last autumn imperial examination and can only wait for the next one.
Mu Ziwen, who went to participate in the spring imperial examination, did not perform well either, ranking over two hundredth, but was granted the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination).
Uncle Mu helped him devise a plan and found him a position as a county magistrate in a relatively remote area.
Mu Xuan and Jiang Shaoqin both took the county examination in the same year and passed, but they both failed the prefectural examination and did not become students.
Mu Yi'an thought to herself, "Eight years have passed since I came here. It's gone by so fast."
Previously, Jiang Qi had given birth to another son, which made Dr. Chu very happy.
Jiang Lan gave birth to another daughter, and she cried several times during her postpartum period.
Fortunately, her husband passed the imperial examination on his third attempt and became a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations), although he came in last place.
In the past year or two, every family has experienced both joy and sorrow, and life has been neither good nor bad.
"Mother, are we going to take a boat tomorrow?"
Shao Rong rushed in like a little calf. He was four years old and would be five by the New Year.
This spring, Shao Rong and Shao Ke began their early education under Mr. Liang's guidance, along with Jiang Qi's son, An Kang.
Mr. Liang set up a small school in the outer study with his three sons, Anran, and Chuyue.
Jiang Shuyun thought this was a good idea. The child was too young, and going to an outside school could easily cause him to develop a dislike for learning.
Over the past few years, Mr. Liang and his family have become quite accustomed to living with the Jiang family, teaching the Jiang family children knowledge, and their mood is very peaceful.
Guan Changshan's family has gained another son, and Liang Shan has also found a wife. Now his wife is pregnant, and she is already four or five months along.
Children grow up little by little, and the elderly grow old little by little.
Mu Yi'an patted Shao Rong's head. This child has always had a rather lively personality.
Unlike Shao Ming, who enjoys reading, or Shao Yun, who enjoys martial arts, or Shao Ke, who, although unwilling to speak or move, can calm down and focus on doing one thing.
Shao Rong is a bit like a spoiled brat; he likes to eat good food, have fun, and enjoy all things new.
Mu Yi'an didn't have any specific requirements for the children, as long as they didn't commit any crimes.
Mu Yi'an took Shao Rong's hand, and the two of them went back to the house together. Tomorrow, they would take a boat back to the county town.
Shao Ming's registered residence is in Jiangjia Village, Xinyuan County, and he needs to take the county-level examination in Xinyuan County.
The prefectural and provincial examinations can be taken directly in the prefectural city. After the New Year, it will be time for the county examination.
When Jiang Shuyun came home in the evening, the man, who was over thirty, had grown a beard and looked more mature and manly.
"Yi'an, I might have to come back early this time and won't be able to accompany Shaoming during his exam."
"Is there something you need?"
Whether or not she accompanies him to the exam isn't important; Mu Yi'an is worried that something else might happen.
"The headmaster said that the literacy booklet has been implemented quite well throughout the prefecture."
After the New Year, officials from other prefectures will come to learn from our experience. The Emperor has issued an edict ordering that other regions should also implement this system.
Mu Yi'an thought about how the current emperor had issued many decrees in the past two years, most of which were beneficial to the common people and had a certain influence on the powerful families.
Thanks to the widespread cultivation of cotton, the soldiers on the border were well-clothed and won many battles.
Their family also benefited from this, and the Emperor was doing this to show everyone inside and outside the court that those who made merits would be rewarded and those who made mistakes would be punished.
Although in the eyes of powerful families, Jiang Shuyun's family background is not worth mentioning.
However, Jiang Shuyun and the others did not want to curry favor with them, even though the benefits they received were genuine.
"I understand. Take care of yourself and get some rest. We'll go back to the prefectural city once the county exam results are out."
Jiang Shuyun felt a little guilty because he couldn't accompany Shao Ming on his first formal exam.
When Mu Yi'an and her group arrived in the county town, they went straight back to their own courtyard.
Since Jiang's parents moved to the county town, only the male members need to go back to worship their ancestors during the Spring Festival, so Mu Yi'an and the others no longer have to go through all that trouble.
The courtyard in the county town had been tidied up in advance by Steward Li and his men.
In recent years, the number of servants in the household has remained largely unchanged, except that a few of them got married and had children one after another.
"Mother, go and rest. Leave everything to me."
Mu Yi'an hasn't been feeling well these past two days, and it just so happens that she's on her period.
"Chuyue, you and your second brother take good care of the two younger brothers. Mother is going to sleep for a while."
"Mother, don't worry, we will definitely take good care of our two younger brothers."
Jiang Shuyun gave her daughter an approving look and then took her wife to rest.
The things to do during the Chinese New Year are almost the same every year. With the New Year's gifts all prepared, Mu Yi'an really doesn't need to worry and can go to rest with peace of mind.
Shao Ming and Shao Yun played with their younger siblings. Shao Ke asked his older brother to explain the law to him, and Shao Rong asked his second older brother to take him to find food.
Chuyue watched them, preventing them from leaving the courtyard.
In the past two years, Mu's parents have been in good health, which has put Mu Yi'an at ease.
Jiang's parents had little to worry about; their only concern was Jiang Lan, who currently had no son.
After a busy New Year, Jiang Shuyun took Li Li back to the prefectural city, while Mu Yi'an stayed in the county town to accompany Shao Ming and wait for him to take the county examination.
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