The time for preparation was tedious. With teachers nearby, no one dared to go out and have fun, so the five candidates stayed in the inn to study diligently.
They only met up to discuss their recent studies during meals or when seeking guidance from their teachers.
The teacher who brought Lin Yan and the others was also surnamed Lin and was a distant relative. He paid close attention to Lin Yan's progress.
"Lin Yan, you haven't come to see me much these past two days. Have you mastered everything?" Mr. Lin asked with a stern face.
"Reporting to the teacher, this student is reviewing and filling in gaps. The closer the exam gets, the more I feel I know very little," Lin Yan replied seriously, putting down his chopsticks.
The original owner of this body was a man, so she couldn't use Yan as her name. She chose a homophone for the original owner's name, thus Lin Yan became Lin Yan.
"As long as you know it." Seeing no shame on Lin Yan's face, Mr. Lin knew that Lin Yan hadn't fallen behind in his studies and then began to inquire about the others.
In truth, Lin Yan had been familiarizing herself with all the material she had learned. Although it was in her memory, it was difficult to use it skillfully without truly understanding it.
However, the county exam was relatively simple, and Lin Yan was confident she would pass.
What Lin Yan was worried about now was that her mastery of traditional Chinese characters was still not complete.
Sometimes, writing a character required her to think for a while before confirming how to write it, and she had to be careful not to omit strokes.
Lin Yan was now a perfect example of someone who "hears nothing of the outside world, and dedicates their heart solely to ancient sages."
She shut herself in her room every day, practicing problems, reviewing material, copying, practicing calligraphy, and studying the content of the "Four Books" by herself.
Finally, she gained a deeper understanding of the original owner's memories.
On the morning the county exam began, Lin Yan woke up early, washed up, changed clothes, brought her identification, and went with her teacher to the county yamen to wait.
By the time they arrived, it wasn't completely light yet, but it was incredibly lively there.
Many candidates were waiting at the entrance. Since the exam was still a while away, many people were selling food and supplies nearby.
Mr. Lin did not let them eat the food sold at the entrance. Instead, he took out a food box from the carriage, opened it, and revealed it was filled with pastries.
After inviting them to eat, Mr. Lin began to impart some useful imperial examination tips.
Lin Yan listened attentively to this knowledge she had never encountered before, such as the importance of never letting one's examination basket out of sight and not eating food given by others.
He also recounted some incidents he had witnessed, including one where a fellow student had been unable to take the exam due to accidentally consuming something.
Lin Yan listened very carefully. These were all unfamiliar matters to her. Having such a guide would surely save a lot of wasted time.
After Lin Yan ate the still-warm steamed dumplings and pastries, she took out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth and face before tidying her clothes.
There were many scholars waiting to enter the examination hall, but Lin Yan stood out the most, as she appeared to be the youngest.
In the queue, Lin Yan received a signal from Mr. Lin. She checked her examination basket again. Seeing that it was empty, Mr. Lin went to other examination venues.
The county exam passed quickly. Lin Yan and the others did not choose to return but waited for the results there. More than half of the candidates would pass the county exam. However, that group would likely become even more arrogant.
The longer they waited, the more intense the anxiety in their hearts became. Lin Yan and the others, with their teachers watching over them, were relatively calm. Those without supervision had already visited all the delicious and fun places in the county town.
There was even a young man not much older than Lin Yan who returned smelling of perfume, causing Lin Yan, who passed by, to sneeze several times.
Lin Yan did not approve of these people's actions. This was only the county exam, and there were many more stages to come. How could they be so relaxed?