Not long after Mu Yi'an finished talking about it, news came from the Mu family that Mu Yang and Mu Lin had both passed the county examination and would be setting off soon.
Mu Yi'an looked around her home and thought it looked so full.
There is space in the main courtyard, but it's not good to have Muyang live separately from the other children.
At this time of year, Mu Yi'an longs to buy a large courtyard house as soon as possible, so that it will be more convenient to live there.
Especially Chuyue, she is ten years old and needs her own yard.
When the time comes, we'll choose two head maids and a head housekeeper for her, so she can learn to manage her own courtyard.
Mu Yi'an summoned Butler Li and asked him to put finding a house on the agenda.
I didn't think there was a rush before, but now I feel it's better to start preparing sooner rather than later.
When Mu Lin and Mu Yang arrived, their faces showed obvious joy.
"Congratulations to Mu Lin and Mu Yang! Next up is the prefectural examination."
"Muyang, your uncle has spoken with the teachers at Mulin Academy. You will be studying with them to prepare for the prefectural examination in April."
"Thank you, Aunt and Uncle. I'm sorry to have troubled you."
"Auntie, I'd like to live with Mulin first, so we can get to know each other better."
Mu Yang is one year older than Mu Lin; one is sixteen and the other is fifteen.
"Yes, Auntie, my room is very big, but I would like to trouble you to have someone put another bed in it."
I'm a restless sleeper, and I'm afraid I'll kick my cousin off the bed in the middle of the night.
Mu Lin knew that the East Courtyard where they were staying was full.
He and his cousin had already discussed it. Since the room was big enough and even had a study, and they were both going to take the prefectural examination, living together would make it easier for them to study. They didn't want to put their aunt in a difficult position.
Mu Yi'an was unaware of their thoughts, so she wasn't really in a difficult position.
"Okay, I'll have the housekeeper find someone to move a bed over there and have someone tidy up the bedding."
Mu Lin, you need to take Mu Yang to wash up. After dinner, the room will be ready, so you two can take a nap.
"A little extra time spent reading won't make a difference; sharpening the axe won't delay the work of chopping wood."
"Understood, Aunt."
The two brothers went downstairs to wash up, and Mu Yi'an asked Yun Duo to take care of the arrangements.
The people have settled down; the rest is up to them to work on.
That evening, Mu Yi'an introduced Mu Yang to everyone.
"This is Shao Ming's cousin, Mu Yang, who will be participating in the prefectural examination in April."
I'll be living with you all in the east courtyard from now on, so we can look after each other.
"I understand, Mother. Don't worry, I will take good care of my cousin."
Shao Yun had met this cousin before; he was rather serious.
"Auntie, I will take good care of my cousin too."
Gu Zheng didn't stand on ceremony at all and happily joined Shao Yun in greeting.
"Alright, I'm not going to worry about you anymore. Go and make your own arrangements."
Mu Yi'an looked at the group of children, big and small, making a lot of noise.
Shao Yun led his men back to the East Courtyard, with Shao Rong following closely behind, playfully bickering with Gu Zheng the whole way.
Although there are many children in the family, none of them are too naughty.
Gu Zheng and Shao Rong sometimes got together to be naughty, but Shao Yun caught them and disciplined them twice, after which they behaved themselves.
Gu Zheng thought to himself, "No wonder he's determined to become a general. He's really skilled. He and Shao Rong combined can't beat Shao Yun."
There's no need to worry about the children. Having more children has its advantages; the older ones can take care of the younger ones.
Shao Rong practically lived with Gu Zheng; sometimes, she even slept with him at night.
Mu Yi'an was worried that Shao Ke would be afraid to stay in the east wing by herself, but Shao Ke wasn't afraid at all.
"Mother, I'm not afraid."
Looking at her serious-looking son, Mu Yi'an felt her maternal love had nowhere to go. Oh well, all her worry was for nothing.
Shao Ke is six years old, and Jiang Shuyun doesn't want him and Shao Rong to go to school so early.
Mr. Liang was more than capable of teaching them, enough to prepare them for the imperial examinations.
In this era, it was common for families to hire tutors to teach their children.
Unlike in modern times, when you reach a certain age, you don't need to go to school and establish a student record.
In ancient times, a guarantee was sufficient for the imperial examinations.
The younger son doesn't need much attention, and the older children are starting to have their own social circles.
Mu Yi'an felt that her retirement days were not so far away.
In April, Mu Lin and Mu Yang entered the examination hall to begin their exams.
The results of the prefectural examination came out quickly, and both of them passed. Next up was the provincial examination.
Because there is an autumn provincial examination this year, the provincial examination will be held two months earlier, in June.
During the Dali era, the imperial examination for the title of Xiucai was not held twice every three years, but every year.
When it coincides with the autumn imperial examination, the examination will be held two months earlier, in June.
During this time, the children each arranged their own time.
Shao Yun, in particular, applied to stay at the estate for a while.
Mu Yi'an knew that the children couldn't continue learning in such a rigid and dogmatic way; they needed to have winter and summer vacations.
This isn't Yi'an's fault; she genuinely hadn't expected it before.
Unlike the countryside, the city doesn't have spring planting and autumn harvest holidays, which require children to go back and work. So, if Shao Yun hadn't mentioned it, she would have completely forgotten about it.
And so, in May, Mu Yi'an asked for leave for all the children except Mu Lin, Mu Yang, and Shao Ning.
Of course, Shao Ming was beyond her control; Bailu Academy had its own holidays.
"Mulin, Muyang, your aunt is taking your younger brothers to stay at the estate for a few days."
You can arrange your own study time; no one can help you with the imperial examinations.
Shao Ning will also be participating in the academy examination; you can discuss this with each other.
If you have any questions you don't know how to answer, you can ask the teacher at the school, or you can ask your second uncle and uncle-in-law at the estate during your break.
"Second Aunt, we know, don't worry."
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