"You're back. How was it?"
When Sister-in-law Jiang saw the group of people coming in, she asked them nervously.
"Grandpa, my eldest cousin and my other cousin didn't pass, but my eldest brother and Shao Ning did."
Shao Yun quickly told him the result, and he felt relieved to know the truth.
Sister-in-law Jiang looked at her two sons, opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
She hoped that Shao Qin would pass the test, after all, he was getting old and had reached the age for marriage. If he passed, it would be easier to find a spouse.
Shao Ning is still young. Even if he doesn't pass the exam, studying for a few more years won't make a difference.
"Shao Ming, Shao Ning, you need to prepare for the academy examination next, so don't let your guard down."
Shao Qin, don't be disappointed. The imperial examination is like a thousand soldiers crossing a single-plank bridge; only a few can pass smoothly.
Jiang's father looked at Shao Qin. This child was naughty when he was young, but his father managed to turn him around.
However, the talent for reading is innate.
Without talent and tremendous effort, it's incredibly difficult to make it onto the list.
"Okay, Grandpa, I'll think about it."
Jiang Shaoqin didn't say much and walked towards the east courtyard. He needed to think things over carefully.
"Mu Xuan, what about you? What are your plans?"
Mu Yi'an looked at her eldest nephew from her maternal family, who remained calm and composed.
"Aunt, I expected this result. I know my own abilities. I came here this time to give myself one last chance."
If I pass, I'll try my best to take the provincial examination again. But then I'll give up and be able to focus on farming with my father.
Aunt, I want to go to the school on the estate and study there for a while.
Learn some arithmetic and learn about farming.
Before, I was too busy studying, so my learning wasn't very solid. Now, I can finally study properly.
Mu Xuan had figured it out. He wasn't good at studying and didn't want to waste another ten or eight years doing something that would lead nowhere.
With land and shops at home, and having learned the skills, there's nothing wrong with him doing these things well.
"Think it through. Your aunt has some books here; take them back and take a look."
Mu Yi'an also collected some books on farming, herbs, astronomy and geography.
If she wanted to write some agricultural books, she couldn't detach herself from the original elements of this era.
"Thank you, Auntie. I will watch carefully."
Mu Xuan beamed with joy; he was happy that he wouldn't have to read those obscure books anymore.
He genuinely couldn't understand it; he only grasped the surface meaning and couldn't comprehend the deeper implications.
Sister-in-law Mu was happy to see her son chatting happily with Yi'an.
She is an easily satisfied person. Before she got married, her family owned a shop.
Although she was not rich or noble growing up, she never lacked food or drink.
After marrying into the Mu family, she was very content, as her husband's family owned a lot of land and had some assets, and her husband was a hardworking and reliable person.
Later, she gave birth to three sons in a row, all of whom were healthy and without illness or disaster, which made her feel even more at ease.
Later, Mu Xuan's father and sister-in-law started growing watermelons together, and their family's situation improved, which made her happy.
The only regret these past few years has been about Mu Xuan's studies.
But she was open-minded. As long as her child didn't go astray, he didn't necessarily have to study for the imperial examinations. Out of so many people, only a few could succeed.
Now that the outcome is decided, Mu Xuan has accepted it, and so has she.
Compared to Sister-in-law Mu's carefree attitude, Sister-in-law Jiang was somewhat reserved.
My eldest son didn't pass the exam, but my second son did. I felt both happy and a little disappointed.
Shao Ning was used to it; he was never the center of attention at home.
With older siblings, he received even less attention during those years.
"Shao Ning, the results were just released today, there's no rush to start studying."
"I'll go to the training ground with Shao Yun and the others to warm up later. For the imperial examinations, you need good physical strength."
Mu Yi'an looked at the quiet Shao Ning. This child, just like the saying goes, sensible children are easily overlooked.
"Okay, Auntie, I'll go right away."
Shao Ning knew that his physical strength was not as good as Shao Yun's, so he really needed to exercise more.
Mu Yi'an instructed Li's wife to prepare a lavish dinner, so that they could celebrate regardless of the outcome.
After dinner, Jiang Shuyun took the children to the study.
"The results of the prefectural examination are out. You all know what's going on. You need to make a plan for what to do next."
Shao Ming and Shao Ning, you two continue to study with the teacher at the school in preparation for the provincial examination in August.
"Mu Xuan, I heard from your aunt that you're planning to go to the estate to learn a trade?"
“Yes, Uncle. I plan to give up the imperial examination. I have limited talent and don’t want to do this for the rest of my life.”
"Okay, it's good that you've thought it through yourself. Since you've made your choice, don't regret it."
Jiang Shuyun told the three of them to leave first, leaving Shao Qin behind.
"Second Uncle, I feel very confused and don't know what to choose next."
"Then tell me what you really think?"
Jiang Shuyun looked at her nephew, who had grown up to be seventeen years old, which would be considered an adult in ancient times.
"Second Uncle, I started my studies when I was four or five years old, and I've been studying for more than ten years now."
If you ask me what I've gained after reading for so many years,
To be honest, I can't really explain it.
I've read the Four Books and Five Classics, but I haven't really grasped their essence.
I don't really want to continue studying; there's no hope. I don't want to look back more than ten years from now and have no memories other than studying.
Unlike my younger brother Shao Ming, I can genuinely understand what he's reading.
But, Uncle, what can I do if I don't study?
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