The Lin family's flowing banquet was scheduled for five days later. The day after the date was set, almost all the male members of the Lin family, except for Lin Yan and Lin Bo, were out delivering invitations every day.
Lin Yan also went out to deliver two invitations, but it was rare for her to deliver them personally. Lin Bo delivered more.
The flowing banquet lasted for three days. During these three days, the Lin family did not restrict anyone from attending. Regardless of whether they had an invitation or not, they could come and dine. The Lin family welcomed everyone to come and dine.
After all, the more people who dined, the livelier the flowing banquet would be. The livelier it was, the further the Lin family's reputation would spread.
However, this flowing banquet also opened many people's eyes. All the influential people in the surrounding areas came to this banquet. Some, even if they couldn't attend, sent gifts.
Even the county magistrate sent someone over. The county magistrate came not only to attend the flowing banquet but also to discuss the matter of the Jinshi archway with the Lin family.
The Ministry of Works had already sent people over, and they were currently only inquiring about where the archway would be built.
The more people came, the more Clan Leader Lin felt that Lin Yan's words were correct.
Although the Lin family's clan school had not yet been established and was currently only teaching young children, the girls who had studied poetry and etiquette walked out with a refreshing demeanor.
It wasn't noticeable in normal times, as these changes were subtle. However, when compared to the other guests present, the difference was clear.
Many people's attention was drawn to the girls of the Lin family that day, especially those with sons.
The girls of the Lin family were helping to entertain the female guests, while the men were on the male guest side. All the male members of the Lin family had received an education.
This scholarly atmosphere satisfied the county magistrate. He still had a few more years to stay in this county, and any scholars who emerged from this village in the future would be his achievement in governance.
When the feast was at its height, the county magistrate even took the liberty of bestowing calligraphy upon the Lin family.
After the flowing banquet, all the members of the Lin family collapsed on their beds, exhausted. However, despite their fatigue, they were filled with contentment.
Lin Yan and Lin Bo did not accept the gifts that were sent on this occasion. Although the money was sent out of respect for them, they planned to use it to fund the construction of the clan school.
Lin Yan intended to bring Old Madam Lin and Mother Lin to the capital, but Old Madam Lin refused.
"You are going to be an official, and the expenses in the capital are too high. We don't want to be a burden to you."
Just as Lin Yan was about to say something, she was stopped by Old Madam Lin again.
"With your current status, the clan will surely provide for your mother and me. We are doing well here, and we still have some income. Although it's not much, it should be enough for your expenses in the capital.
If we all go to the capital, it will likely not be enough. Although you receive a salary as an official, there are social obligations and interactions. Where is money not needed?"
What Old Madam Lin didn't say was that Mother Lin was still somewhat unpresentable, and she feared that in the capital, she might cause trouble for Lin Yan.
Lin Yan looked at Mother Lin, and Mother Lin shook her head.
During the flowing banquet these past few days, people from her maternal family had come to help inside and out, and their words were full of envy and flattery towards her.
She truly realized the change in Lin Yan's status. She was reluctant to part with her daughter, but she refused to go to that unfamiliar capital.
"Then, if I am assigned to an outer province, Grandmother and Mother must come with me." Lin Yan gave up trying to persuade them.
"Of course, if you are really assigned to an outer province as an official, we will definitely follow you and take care of you," Old Madam Lin readily agreed.
Then, Old Madam Lin opened a box and took out the silver notes inside to give to Lin Yan.
"I've sold the house in the county. You won't be living here anymore, so I bought it. You can use this money to rent a better courtyard in the capital."
Lin Yan did not accept the money. "Grandmother, please use it to purchase more land. I collaborated with my colleagues on a book and can still earn some money. Land is a foundation. If we buy more land and rent it out, we can have more income."
Lin Yan truly did not lack money, but she could not tell her grandmother that Prince Yingchuan had given her a lot of money, and she couldn't explain how she knew medicine.
Lin Yan couldn't stay at home any longer, so she distributed some nourishing pills she had made to Old Madam Lin and Mother Lin.
"Grandmother and Mother, please take good care of your health. I may not be able to be by your side to fulfill my filial duties, but Yan'er will definitely earn a noble title for you and bring it back."
After the excitement subsided, Lin Yan and Lin Bo once again embarked on their journey back to the capital.
This time, they brought more people with them. To take care of her, Old Madam Lin had her bring a maid and a young servant.
Clan Leader Lin also asked her to bring a clan elder, saying he would help her. This clan elder also brought his adult son.
They came not only to help Lin Yan with her work but also to experience the capital. At the same time, bringing the cousin was also to learn more from Lin Yan.
Lin Bo also brought such people with him. Coupled with the fact that Lin Bo would soon be assigned to an outer province, this clan elder would become Lin Bo's best helper.
Neither of these two clan elders was the type to be arrogant or condescending due to their age or status. It seemed the clan leader had considered this when selecting them.
Although Lin Yan also wanted to visit her teacher's home, time was too tight and the journey too far, so she could only send a letter.
Lin Yan and Lin Bo also sent letters to Maolin Academy.
Although Lin Yan wanted to write to Prince Yingchuan, she didn't know if her letter would be intercepted. She decided to wait until she settled down in the capital and then wait for someone from the Prince's Mansion to contact her.
When Lin Yan and her group returned, they had only two or three carriages. Now, as they left, a total of six or seven carriages were prepared.
Lin Yan contacted the Cui family again. When they arrived there, they would rendezvous with the merchant caravan and then borrow the caravan's ship to travel to the capital.
However, before Lin Yan and her group had passed a county town and met up with the merchant caravan, a woman in mourning clothes blocked their carriage.
"Please, sir, buy me," she said, blocking the carriage. She then knelt before the largest carriage and kowtowed deeply.
Her head struck the ground with a solid thud. When she looked up, her fair forehead was bruised, and some of the skin even showed traces of blood.
"My father has passed away, and I have absolutely no money to bury him. I can only sell myself. I beg for your pity, sir, and buy me!"
"Huh, a classic plot from ancient novels, selling oneself to bury one's father?
She had lived in several ancient societies, and this was the first time she had witnessed such a scene.
Lin Yan lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw the woman's appearance.
A woman in mourning often looks particularly attractive. The woman before her, though somewhat disheveled, possessed an air of pitiable vulnerability.
However, this pitiable aura was not deliberately feigned. Her eyes were red, filled with bloodshot veins, and her under-eyes were dark.
Such a state would appear messy and disheveled on anyone else, but this woman, or rather, girl, was not old. This situation only evoked pity.