The gatekeeper was an old member of the Mu family, so he naturally recognized Brother Mu and the others.
Carrying the New Year's gifts, the group entered the living room.
"Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Happy Chinese New Year!"
Brother Mu took the lead in wishing his third uncle and aunt a Happy New Year.
"Please sit down and rest. Did you come by boat or by carriage?"
“Taking a boat or a carriage takes too long. Third Uncle, this is for Minister An, Jiang Shuyun.”
Brother Mu quickly introduced his brother-in-law, as his third uncle might not recognize Jiang Shuyun.
"Master Yi'an? I don't even recognize you. It's been years since we last met."
"Good morning, Third Uncle!"
"Your father-in-law said you're quite learned. Where are you studying now?"
Uncle Mu knew that his second brother doted on his only daughter, and by extension, he also loved his son-in-law as much as his daughter loved her.
"Uncle, after failing the imperial examination last autumn, I studied at home on my own and didn't go to the academy. I went to the county school regularly every month, where the teacher would test my knowledge."
"That's good too. As long as you don't give up, you'll pass the exam someday. However, you can't go down the wrong path forever. If it really doesn't work out, you can try a different route."
Uncle Mu's words were quite practical; only a minority could pass the imperial examinations. One should know when to give up, rather than spending a lifetime on something hopeless.
"Uncle is right, that's what I'm planning too. I'll give myself two more chances, and if it doesn't work, I'll try a different path."
Uncle Mu was surprised to find that his second brother's son-in-law was quite insightful, unlike what he had described as someone who only knew how to study.
Little did Uncle Mu know that Jiang Shuyun was actually a bookworm.
Aunt Mu inquired about the health of Mr. and Mrs. Mu. She and her second sister-in-law got along well. Before the family divided their property, her eldest sister-in-law, relying on her father-in-law's favoritism, was always causing trouble, and she and her second sister-in-law suffered quite a bit.
A servant brought up tea, and soon after, Mu Ziwen and Mu Ziyu, the two brothers from Uncle Mu's family, also came in. The group of young people had endless topics to discuss.
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