Looking at the familiar yet strange face in the mirror, Wang Linlang felt very peculiar.
Familiar because she had seen this face many times in her memories, and strange because this face was completely different from her face in modern times. Wang Linlang sat before the dressing table, letting the maids comb her hair, put on jewelry, and apply makeup.
It was then that she realized something was amiss. Wasn't her current attire a bit too grand? What was she going to do? It couldn't just be a simple meal.
"A moment..." Wang Linlang started to speak, but did not continue.
"Eldest Miss, rest assured. We will accompany you shortly and will not let you make any mistakes," said the maid who was putting a hairpin in her hair.
"That's good." Although Wang Linlang could no longer recall what she was supposed to do, she felt a little more at ease now that the maid had said so.
She would improvise. After all, she wasn't a dignified lady of a noble family in this world, so she might as well be more casual.
When Lin Yan arrived at the prefectural city, her cousin had already rented a house.
Lin Yan could move in directly upon arrival. After thanking her cousin, she took out the official gazettes that Wang Yingchuan had asked people to collect for her. These gazettes also contained some of her thoughts.
Lin Bo only knew that she had gone out to study, and had no idea that Lin Yan had also worked as a doctor, treating people. These gazettes were collected for her by the patients' families.
"Yan di, what were your thoughts during this study trip?" Lin Bo eagerly flipped through the gazettes after receiving them.
"I gained a lot. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."
"Then your performance in this provincial examination should be a sure thing. I heard the clan leader is already preparing for celebrations."
Lin Bo knew that the clan leader had great expectations for Lin Yan, especially after learning that Lin Yan had a renowned teacher.
"Mostly. I just don't know about the ranking. Cousin, would you also prepare a few policy essays for me these past two days? I have some questions from my teacher. Let me see your current level."
Having been apart for so long, Lin Yan was not very clear about Lin Bo's current level, but she felt that her cousin should have no problem.
"Alright, I'll first show you my recent essays, and then I'll take the questions from you." Lin Bo did not find anything wrong with Lin Yan's attitude towards him. Ever since they started studying together, their interactions had always been this way.
However, this was also due to Lin Bo's good temper and magnanimous nature. Anyone else with a slightly narrower mind would never accept being guided by someone younger than them.
Lin Bo also noticed the luxurious carriage that had brought Lin Yan. However, the carriage bore no family insignia. He assumed it was Lin Yan's teacher who, not trusting her, had sent the carriage to escort her.
Lin Yan did not mention her acquaintance with Wang Yingchuan to Lin Bo. After Dong Mei had finished tidying up her room, Lin Yan went back to rest.
"Brother Lin, shall we go for drinks at the restaurant tonight? Brother Yang and the others are going."
The noisy sounds from outside woke Lin Yan, who was already resting.
Without hearing every word, Lin Yan knew that it was a fellow successful candidate inviting Lin Bo out, but she also knew that Lin Bo would not agree.
As expected, the next moment, she heard Lin Bo's refusal.
"Brother Xu, I apologize. I won't be going. My cousin just arrived. Let's talk after he has rested."
Others also knew that Lin Bo valued his cousin greatly. Furthermore, this cousin, who was much younger than Lin Bo, had far superior literary talent. However, this cousin was rather introverted and rarely interacted with outsiders.
"Since Brother Lin's worthy kinsman has just arrived, we will make another appointment next time."
Lin Bo's cousin was very strict with him. As long as he was present, Lin Bo would absolutely not go out again before the examination.
It seemed that if they wanted to invite Lin Bo, they would have to wait until after the provincial examination.
Although everyone did not quite understand why Lin Bo valued his cousin so much, they were not people to force others. Thus, they gave up on inviting Lin Bo out again.
"Thank you for your understanding, Brother Xu," Lin Bo said repeatedly.
After the sounds outside disappeared, Lin Yan got up and walked out.
"Cousin, were those your friends just now?"
"Did I wake you? I've already told them I'm not going," Lin Bo explained to Lin Yan.
"The provincial examination is very important, Cousin. You should still be careful. After all, every year people get sick before the provincial examination, or suffer from other ailments. Not only should you eat less outside food, but you should also advise those scholars you are close to to study in their rooms before the provincial examination."
Lin Yan did not state it directly, but Lin Bo understood what she meant. While one should not have malicious intent, one should also not be without caution.
Hearts are unfathomable. Although Lin Bo considered himself a gentleman, he also knew that some people would do such harmful and self-defeating things. The provincial examination was too important. Reducing the number of opponents would increase one's own chances. Especially those who were too ostentatious before the provincial examination were very likely to incur others' jealousy.
Lin Bo then realized that he might have been too indulgent with himself recently.
"I will advise them," he said. Whether they would listen was not something he could control.
Just as Lin Bo began to study behind closed doors, his friends did not remain idle. They still read as they should, but they felt that discussing together might be more beneficial for them to grasp knowledge. Many had even gained some reputation through these pre-examination literary gatherings, which further fueled the scholars' enthusiasm for participating in such events.
However, just two days before the provincial examination, some of those who had attended the gatherings began to fall ill. Initially, it was just simple diarrhea, but later they became bedridden. The provincial examination was tomorrow, but they were completely unable to rise to take it.
Since everyone who attended the gatherings had some symptoms, with some being more severe than others, they could not ascertain who was responsible. The number of affected scholars was not large, but it was not small either. Some chose to report to the officials, but even if the perpetrator was found, the sick scholars would still be unable to participate in this provincial examination. Among the more severely ill were Lin Bo's friends, and Lin Bo was very worried when he received the news.
Seeing Lin Bo's restless demeanor, Lin Yan knew that even if Lin Bo reached the examination hall tomorrow, he would likely be unable to settle down.
"Cousin, I'll accompany you to see those sick scholars."
"This, cousin, you don't have to. I'm just a little worried."
"I know. Let's go and see. Otherwise, you won't be able to concentrate during the exam. I have some medicine with me, and we can see if it can be of any use."