The exam time was fast approaching.
Two days before the exam, the Lin family began making preparations.
Liu Junlan got up early, cut off a piece of cured pork, and finely chopped it together with fresh vegetables picked from the garden to make a topping. She wrapped it in a thin pancake, so it would be flavorful and wouldn't need to be heated up.
Xuefu then packed her son's things, carefully checking each item to make sure nothing was missing.
Perhaps because this was Lin Zhongyuan's first exam, his family members became inexplicably nervous, but they all managed to control their nervousness, fearing it would affect Lin Zhongyuan.
But Lin Zhongyuan was just a child after all. He sensed the tension in his parents, grandmother, and even his younger siblings, but he didn't show it. His face remained gentle and smiling.
"Zhongyuan, here you go." The family members prepared the things and handed them to Lin Weiming.
Liu Junlan instructed her son, "You must keep a close eye on Zhongyuan this time. Make sure you send him to the Examination Hall. Don't let him go alone!"
"You two shouldn't be too stingy when you're staying out. Stay in inns and don't try to save money by squeezing into places like under bridges... Also, eat better. If you really don't know what to eat, just buy a few eggs. Just make sure Zhongyuan doesn't get an upset stomach!"
"Mom, don't worry, I know everything. How could I not know?" Lin Weiming said casually as he took the package.
Liu Junlan: "..."
The more he acted this way, the more worried the two women in his family became. But fearing they would waste time, they urged them to hurry up and take the oxcart to the county town.
…
The two of them went to the county town a day in advance, worried that going there on the day of the exam would cause them to miss things, and also wanted to find out the location of the examination hall.
As a result, less than half an hour after the two set off, the Liu family's carriage hurriedly arrived at the entrance of Ning'an Village.
The village gongs and drums sounded.
Everyone put down their work, picked up their farm tools, and ran towards the village entrance.
After running over, I realized it was the eldest son of the Liu family.
"Hey!" Young Master Liu jumped down from the carriage, looking flustered. "Why are you stopping me? I'm here to see the Lin family, the people from your village. I've been here before."
Most people in the village had seen Young Master Liu and his carriage, but they were still somewhat curious.
What's Young Master Liu doing here again?
"Young Master, is someone in your family sick again?" someone asked.
"Pah! Pah! Pah!" Young Master Liu almost spat in his face. "It's just after the New Year, why are you saying such unlucky things? My parents and sister are all in good health, and I'm in great health too. Nobody's sick!"
"Then what brings you here today, young master?" The others were even more confused.
"Didn't I just say I came to see the Lin family? Of course I have something to discuss with them... Why are you asking so many questions?" Young Master Liu wiped the sweat from his forehead.
His family came to pay New Year's respects to Lin Wanyue's family during the Spring Festival and brought some gifts.
Seeing Lin Zhongyuan studying in the study and knowing that he was going to take an exam, Young Master Liu patted his chest and assured him that he would definitely help his family get things done.
As a result, the old man spent his days eating, drinking, and having fun, completely forgetting the exam time and also forgetting to come pick him up early.
The streets of the county town became lively, and all the restaurants were full of guests.
Even though Liu's eldest son didn't care much about his family's affairs, he still asked about the Liu family's restaurant, only to find out that the exam was tomorrow.
Young Master Liu suddenly remembered the Lin family, and quickly told the driver to run to Ning'an Village to pick them up.
The villagers couldn't help but laugh when they heard this: "Young master, your timing is really bad! They just left not long ago, how come you didn't run into them on the road?"
"I was running so fast that I didn't pay any attention. I'll go back now!" Young Master Liu slapped his forehead and prepared to jump into the carriage and leave.
However, he turned his head with some curiosity and asked, "But what are you all doing here all of a sudden? And how did you all know I was here?"
Everyone: "..."
That's a bit embarrassing.
Those standing on the tower, having a high vantage point, couldn't immediately recognize the carriage as belonging to the Liu family. Thinking it might be some bad guys, they quickly started beating the gongs and drums.
But the villagers explained to him that the village now has watchtowers to prevent invasion by foreign enemies.
"I see..." Young Master Liu clicked his tongue in amazement, looked around, and said, "Your village has really been built like a paradise. If something really happens, it seems that your village is safer than the city."
“Oh, young master, don’t talk nonsense. The city has city walls, isn’t it much safer than our poor, remote village? Besides, we farmers don’t have any other hope. We just hope that God will have good weather and that nothing bad will happen, so that everyone can have enough to eat and drink,” the villager said.
This is indeed the opinion of most villagers.
They dared not aspire to great wealth and status, especially someone like Young Master Liu, who was dressed in fine silks and satins and wore a jade crown on his large head, exuding extreme wealth and status.
They just want to live peacefully and have enough to eat and wear.
…
Young Master Liu didn't linger. He went to Lin Wanyue's house, spoke a few words with Liu Junlan, and then continued rushing towards the county town.
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