After obtaining the medicine from Lin Yan, those people did not leave but stayed in the small courtyard to chat.
"Have the perpetrators of this incident been found?" Lin Bo was very curious. Surely the victims in front of him knew more than he did?
"The Prefect has not given any response, but it will likely be a dead end. After all, the affected individuals were not important figures, and it was during the literary gathering with many eyes and ears, so it's impossible to know what kind of medicine was used or what it was mixed into," Yang Xiucai shook his head.
"Exactly, and we only discovered it after the literary gathering. All traces have been erased. How difficult it is to find the person behind this," another Xiucai sighed.
In fact, it wasn't that difficult. It was only because they themselves had no background. If there had been any sons of officials or young masters from prominent families among them, they would probably have found the culprit by now.
Although this sounded cynical, it was the truth. Sometimes, the world was just this realistic.
Fortunately, they still had Lin Yan's medicine, which would allow them to continue with their provincial examinations. If they missed this opportunity, they would have to wait another three years.
Compared to others, they were already very fortunate. Although they had no guarantee of passing this examination even with their newfound connection, at least it was better than not participating. At least they had tried, and that meant they wouldn't have any regrets.
Thinking back to how they had felt like giving up on life just two days ago while lying in bed, their current situation was already quite good. The Lin brothers were indeed worth befriending, as they had received their help now.
Just like that Pang Xiucai, who had been very famous not long ago. He was a hot contender for the top scholar in this batch, but now he couldn't even participate in the provincial examination.
They had seen him on the day the provincial examination began, but they only heard about it later. He was carried out by the yamen runners on the first day. They had been sick and didn't have the time to visit him, but he had completely given up on this examination and could only wait for another three years.
They chatted about other things and finally left Lin Bo's small courtyard before the curfew. They were reluctant to leave, wishing they could chat more with Lin Yan and their companions.
After they left, Lin Bo was filled with emotion and became even more determined to never go out before an examination in the future.
It was best to discuss anything after the examination. Before the examination, no one knew what might happen, nor could they be sure if the people they interacted with might harbor malicious intentions.
Learning from experience, Lin Bo had always tended to think well of people. This time, he had learned a lesson.
Lin Yan saw Lin Bo looking so dejected and didn't know how to comfort him. Such matters were best understood by oneself; what outsiders said likely wouldn't be of much help.
However, she thought that given Lin Bo's personality, he would likely come to terms with it quickly.
The second round of the provincial examination soon began. The Xiucai who had received Lin Yan's medicine saw them approaching the entrance of the examination hall and smiled at them in greeting.
In the crowd, one person saw the Xiucai who should have been lying in bed, now standing at the entrance of the examination hall in good health. Disbelief showed on his face.
The expression flashed by quickly, and he soon concealed it. If Lin Yan had not been paying close attention to everyone at the entrance, she would not have noticed the change in his expression.
It seemed that this person, even if he was not the perpetrator, was at least an accomplice. She wondered how his academic talent was, but seeing those he had harmed now able to participate in the provincial examination, it was likely that his state of mind could no longer remain so calm.
The provincial examination involved Xiucai from the entire province. If one's mentality was not as good as others', it would not be so easy for him to become a successful candidate for the imperial examination.
Lin Yan noted the appearance of the person she was observing and planned to have her cousin inquire about this person's identity after the provincial examination.
If such a person could not be dealt with decisively, then it was best not to cross him. Although there was no evidence, it was good to give her cousin a heads-up. However, this face looked very unfamiliar, and he was probably not her cousin's friend.
With these thoughts, it was Lin Yan's turn to enter. Lin Yan picked up her examination basket and allowed the yamen runners to inspect her belongings.
The remaining days of the provincial examination passed without any further incidents. Although Lin Yan's body in this lifetime had not been enhanced, drinking the spiritual spring water had made her body stronger than that of an ordinary person.
A nine-day examination was nothing for Lin Yan. With the medicine prepared by Lin Yan, Lin Bo was not so weak after the provincial examination that he needed to be supported.
He finally took Lin Yan's words seriously. The provincial examination was in August, and the weather was still hot, not particularly unbearable. However, the imperial examination was in early February, when it was cold. Lin Bo could not imagine himself participating in the imperial examination.
He had suffered so much during the autumn provincial examination, and without Lin Yan's medicine, he couldn't have endured it. Then, in the early spring imperial examination, given his physical condition, it would likely be even more difficult.
It seemed he truly needed to put exercising his body on the agenda. Wasn't it clear that his cousin, who was seemingly thinner and younger, had no abnormal symptoms after the examination, while he almost needed to be supported out?
After the provincial examination, Lin Bo began to socialize again. However, due to the shared experience of the medicine, Lin Bo was even more popular among the scholars. Lin Bo also exchanged a lot of medicine for favors.
Lin Yan did not stop Lin Bo from giving the medicine to others. These medicines were all made by herself. Their shelf life was only about half a year. Although keeping them in the system backpack could preserve their quality and extend their shelf life, Lin Yan still had to bring these medicines into the open, otherwise, she couldn't explain where she got them.
The more ostentatious Lin Bo acted, the more low-key she would be behind him. Therefore, Lin Yan did not mind Lin Bo being more flamboyant. They always needed to socialize, and with Lin Bo taking the initiative to socialize, she could remain in the background.
After the imperial palace examination, she would quickly seek an external position. At that time, her identity as a woman would not be discovered. A county magistrate in a remote area would not attract anyone's attention.
Lin Yan, maintaining her persona, went out to socialize with Lin Bo. During the banquet, she saw that person again. However, this time he was more cautious and did not reveal any flaws. Because there was no evidence, Lin Yan could not tell others that he was the one who tampered with things at the literary gathering.
However, she noticed that Lin Bo also had a poor impression of this person. Perhaps this was the special ability of being socially adept.
It seemed that the person was very eager to get acquainted with Lin Yan and them, but every time Lin Bo steered the conversation to other topics.