Uncle Mu has two sons. The eldest son, Mu Ziwen, is one year younger than Mu Ziwu. He is married and has a son who has just turned three. The second son, Mu Ziyu, is one year younger than Mu Ziyi and is not yet married.
Mu Ziwen failed the last autumn imperial examination. He is now studying at an academy in the prefectural city to prepare for the next one.
Jiang Shuyun had also failed the imperial examination last time, and the two of them exchanged their reading experiences.
Mu Ziyi and Mu Ziyu have not yet obtained official titles and plan to participate in this year's county examination, which is just over a month away.
Brother Mu wasn't good at reading and couldn't understand what they were saying.
"Third Uncle, I'd like to ask if you know where I can buy watermelon seeds in the prefectural city?"
"Watermelon seeds? Do you want to grow watermelons?"
Uncle Mu looked at his nephew, a boy who loved farming very much.
Back then, the Mu family was considered quite wealthy in the area. He and his second brother, Mu Hetang, were born of the same mother, but their mother was not their father's first wife; she was his second wife. His father's first wife had another son, their eldest brother. When their mother entered the family, their eldest brother was only three or four years old.
His mother was kind-hearted and treated her stepson like her own son, so they lived a relatively harmonious life. Later, his second brother and he were born one after the other, making a family of five, which was considered quite prosperous.
As they grew older, they began to marry and have children, starting their own families.
Their elder brother, having overheard some gossip, began to believe that their mother favored her own son and wasn't truly sincere towards him. Later, due to a series of events, their mother died with resentment, and he and his second brother separated from the Mu family.
My second brother went to Xinyuan County, and he came to the prefectural city. As for the Mu family, their parents are no longer alive, and they were separated into different clans and households when the family was divided. Legally speaking, they have no relationship with each other anymore.
Mu Zichen looked at his third uncle, who had been clearly lost in thought for a moment.
"I wanted to give it a try. My family happens to have a small farm, but the grain yield is not high every year. I wanted to try and see if growing other things would be better."
"That's fine. Use your brain more, don't stick to the rules. Whether you succeed or not, it doesn't matter. As for watermelon seeds, I know a shop that sells all kinds of seeds. But it's Chinese New Year now, so they're not open yet."
Uncle Mu thought for a moment. He knew Boss Wu, who often went to sea and brought back many novel things, including some seeds that no one knew what they were.
"Third Uncle, no rush. We came to pay our respects this New Year and also wanted to inquire about it. It will be several more months before we come back to plant watermelons."
When Brother Mu heard about this amazing shop, he was really eager to go and see it. However, he also knew that it was only the first few days of the Lunar New Year, and many shops were still closed.
"Alright, as long as you're not in a hurry. Once the shop opens, I'll talk to Mr. Wu and ask him to reserve a spot for you."
"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you, Uncle."
"You brat, why are you being so polite with your third uncle?"
Uncle Mu chuckled and cursed, while Brother Mu chuckled and scratched his hair.
Uncle Mu looked at his honest eldest nephew, his second nephew chatting and laughing with his wife, and his youngest nephew discussing studies with his youngest son. He and his second brother had a total of five sons and two daughters. So far, none of them had gone astray. His mother, if she were alive, would be very pleased.
“Brother-in-law, your knowledge surpasses mine; I am ashamed to admit my inferiority.”
After talking with Jiang Shuyun for a long time, Mu Ziwen was surprised to find that his brother-in-law's knowledge far surpassed his own.
"Brother-in-law, you're too kind. I have many shortcomings, and I'm working hard to make up for them."
Jiang Shuyun and Mu Ziwu were the same age, and Jiang Shuyun was one year older than Mu Ziwen. However, Mu Yi'an was younger, so he could only obediently call him "brother-in-law".
"Ziwen, Shuyun, come here, I have something to tell you."
After Uncle Mu finished talking to his eldest nephew about the watermelon seeds, he called his eldest son and nephew-in-law over, as he had something important to say.
"father."
"Third Uncle."
Jiang Shuyun and Mu Ziwen walked over and stood in front of Uncle Mu.
"Sit down and listen to me. This autumn, Bailu Academy in the prefectural city will be holding open entrance examinations for students. There are limited places available, so study hard for the next six months and try your best to get in."
"White Deer Academy? No recommendation is needed anymore?"
Mu Ziwen was surprised. Of course he knew Bailu Academy; it was the best academy in the entire prefecture. Most of its teachers and instructors were Jinshi graduates, some of whom had even served as officials. There were also some great Confucian scholars there, renowned throughout the entire Dali Kingdom, if not famous in every way.
"This assessment mainly focuses on academic knowledge, but of course, the prerequisite is to have the academic degree of Xiucai or Juren. If you pass the exam and your character is flawless, you can enter Bailu Academy to study."
Uncle Mu learned about it from a close friend. The exact time has not yet been set, but this matter is a done deal.
"Thank you, Third Uncle. This news is extremely important."
Jiang Shuyun had information about Bailu Academy in her mind; it was an extremely prestigious institution, equivalent to a provincial key high school with an excellent college entrance rate. Moreover, its facilities were comprehensive, and it had renowned Confucian scholars specializing in the Six Arts of a Gentleman.
“We’re family, no need to be so polite. You all need to focus on your studies from now on. Opportunities like this don’t come often, and this is something no one else can help you with.”
"Understood, Father."
"Understood, Third Uncle."
Jiang Shuyun hadn't expected such an unexpected gain from his trip to the prefectural city. Getting into Bailu Academy was a very good opportunity for him to pass the provincial examination.
"The food is ready. Let's eat first. The kids have been traveling all day and they're all hungry."
Aunt Mu came in and invited them to eat, and then to rest for a while.
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