Time passed quickly during the days of study at the academy, and in the blink of an eye, spring turned to autumn, and this year was drawing to a close.
During this period, Lin Yan and the others went through many examinations, the results of which were reflected in Lin Yan's current class. Lin Yan was now in the first class of the Xuan character class.
However, Lin Yan still did not get a single room. The academy was full of hidden talents, and she, who had only recently started to study for the imperial examinations, could not compare to the scions of the great clans.
But Lin Yan had now added two screens to her bedroom, which was a way of dividing the space.
Lin Bo loved to make friends, and since both of them cherished the opportunity to study, their dormitory was merely a place to live.
Neither Lin Yan nor Lin Bo would return before dark.
Lin Yan also found a job in the academy's library, organizing books and copying them. She had a good memory, and was quite clear about where all the books in the library were kept, which was how she got this job.
The teacher in charge of the library was a bookworm. Ever since Lin Yan started working, he had been freed from his duties and immersed himself in the sea of books.
Lin Yan was responsible for registration and organization in the library, and copied books when she had time. The money she earned there was enough to cover her expenses at the academy, with some left over.
Lin Yan's calligraphy had also improved greatly through copying books, and by devouring all the books in the library, Lin Yan had fully transformed her thinking into that of an ancient scholar.
Currently, among the students in the academy, she was not the youngest, but she was the most favored by the teachers.
With the crisp autumn air, the atmosphere in the academy began to become tense. This was the year of the provincial examination, and all the scholars in the academy who held the title of Xiu Cai were diligently preparing for it.
Lin Yan watched them busily prepare, and thinking that in three years, she would likely be the same, she couldn't help but sigh that the imperial examinations were truly difficult.
Lin Bo had also become free recently. However, he had been busy contacting classmates, preparing to organize a literary gathering.
He did not plan to invite classmates who held the title of Ju Ren, but rather to invite some of his friends to relax and relieve some stress.
Lin Yan was also looking forward to this literary gathering. Although she felt her studies were going well, she still wanted to see the level of others.
Lin Bo planned to invite students from other academies nearby. The literary tradition in Jiangnan was very strong, and observing the level of other students would prevent her from becoming insular.
She was just unsure if Lin Bo had enough influence to invite sufficiently outstanding individuals.
During this time, Lin Bo had found many friends, who in turn brought their friends, and now the literary gathering might have twenty to thirty attendees.
Looking at her cousin's excellent social skills, Lin Yan was always amazed each time she witnessed it.
However, just as Lin Yan was looking forward to this gathering, the teacher in charge of the library called her over.
"Sir, may I ask why you have summoned me?"
"I have a letter of recommendation here. A former acquaintance of mine has resigned from his official post and is now considering taking on disciples. Take this letter of recommendation and try to see if he is willing to take you on," the teacher said, casually producing a letter.
His nonchalant manner suggested that what he was holding was not a letter of recommendation, but an ordinary piece of paper.
"Sir?" Lin Yan was somewhat surprised.
This teacher was known for his indifference to affairs at the academy, and Lin Yan really did not expect him to give her a letter of recommendation to seek a master.
"Although the official position my acquaintance held was not a high one, his scholarship is quite good. Do you not wish to enter officialdom through the imperial examinations? Having a teacher is always better than having none."
The teacher did not offer any further explanation, nor did he mention what kind of official post his acquaintance had held or what his scholarly achievements were.
He simply gave Lin Yan a letter of recommendation and an address.
"Go and try. If he truly values you, then it will be your good fortune."
"Lin Yan thanks you for your great kindness, sir." Lin Yan bowed deeply to the teacher.
In this world, Lin Yan, who came from an ordinary background, deeply understood the immense significance of a teacher for a scholar aspiring to the imperial examinations.
It could be said that having a reliable teacher made the path to the imperial examinations much easier than struggling alone.
Lin Yan was very grateful to the teacher before her. Although she did not know why the usually indifferent teacher was so kind to her, she remembered this favor.
After obtaining the address and the letter of recommendation, Lin Yan still went to inquire about the identity of this official who had returned from resignation.
However, after asking the people around his residence, she discovered that this official was very low-key, and even his neighbors did not know his true identity.
The only thing known was that the owner of the house was surnamed Du.
The original owner's memories did not contain any information about such a person. After all, the original owner would enter officialdom several years later, by which time this Lord Du would have long left the political arena.
Lin Yan did not know the gentleman's preferences or identity, and therefore did not know what to prepare.
However, thinking about her performance in front of her teacher at the library, she believed it was her diligence and eagerness to learn that had inspired the teacher's appreciation for talent, leading him to find her a master.
Therefore, Lin Yan spent some time consolidating her knowledge, changed into the autumn attire her mother had just sent her, and went to the door with the token and the letter of recommendation.
This gentleman's residence was very low-key, no different from the ordinary houses around it, except that it was larger.
From Lin Yan's observations from the outside, this gentleman was likely very simple. The servants who went out and about were also very humble, completely lacking the arrogance and imperiousness of servants from prominent families.
From these servants, it could be seen that this gentleman likely had noble character and managed his subordinates strictly.
When Lin Yan arrived at the door with her token, as soon as she knocked, a gatekeeper opened a small door and came out to inquire.
Lin Yan quickly introduced herself and presented the letter from the teacher at the library.
"Please wait, guest. I will go and ask my master if he is available to see you."
"Thank you for your trouble!" Lin Yan cupped her hands in greeting.
The gatekeeper soon left with the letter, and Lin Yan waited quietly at the door, observing the details of the gentleman's main gate.
Her previous observations had been too superficial. Upon closer inspection, she realized that this gentleman's residence was by no means ordinary.
The gate, though made of simple wood, was clearly made of expensive material. Moreover, there were carvings on the solid wood door, exuding luxury in its understated design.
It seemed that this gentleman's family was quite wealthy, but she did not know if this wealth was something he possessed originally or something he acquired after serving as an official.
However, she had not yet met the person, so she could not judge the gentleman's character.