"Indeed, then you can come again after you pass the provincial examination," Lord Du said, somewhat displeased but conceding.
"This student thanks you, my lord," Lin Yan understood Lord Du's meaning and quickly bowed gratefully.
"However, Meng Zhou's threshold is rather high; a mere ordinary provincial scholar won't suffice," Lord Zhao, knowing Du Meng Zhou wouldn't say it directly, helped him voice the requirement.
"This student understands and will do her utmost."
"Alright, it's getting late, you should go back. Although I am not taking disciples for the moment, you can leave your essays at the gatekeeper's lodge. I will look at them when I have time," Du Meng Zhou said reluctantly.
Lin Yan seemed to grasp the nature of this Lord Du and quickly thanked him.
By the time Lin Yan left Lord Du's manor, it was already nearing evening. It was too late to return to the academy now. Therefore, Lin Yan headed directly to another street where inns were located.
Lin Yan still wanted to visit the study, so she didn't plan on returning tonight.
The study was crowded. Lin Yan's purpose for this visit was to buy some better ink and Xuan paper.
Since Lord Du said he could review her essays, she couldn't use the paper and ink she normally used at the academy.
Lord Du was such a discerning person; she couldn't possibly offend his eyes with inferior materials. Although she knew Lord Du was aware of her family's circumstances, she still felt she should use slightly better ink and paper to show her sincerity.
She believed that if Lord Du saw how much importance she placed on this, he would be even happier.
Even though she had only interacted with Lord Du for a short time, she had already begun to understand his temperament.
When she returned to the academy the next day, Lin Yan didn't mention this matter to Lin Bo. Firstly, it was not a done deal. Secondly, Lord Du was keeping a low profile now, certainly not wanting to be disturbed.
If others found out about his whereabouts, it would definitely give her a bad impression. She wasn't even his disciple yet, and if she truly angered him, she would lose her chance entirely.
And then there was that Lord Zhao; his demeanor also suggested he was no ordinary person. She decided it was best to keep this matter to herself.
Thus, Lin Yan would leave her essays at the gatekeeper's lodge each time and collect her revised essays and new assignments from the gatekeeper.
Looking at the dense annotations, Lin Yan realized the truth behind her future teacher's insincere words – this was hardly a casual review.
However, after reading the annotations, Lin Yan felt a sudden enlightenment. Especially for parts she thought were unchangeable, Lord Du's revisions made them flow incredibly smoothly.
After seeing these annotations, Lin Yan became even more respectful. She not only diligently completed the assignments Lord Du set but also submitted essays she felt were well-written.
Later, it wasn't just essays; she even submitted her poems.
However, when she received her poems back, she found they were altered beyond recognition, with a host of sharp critiques below.
Lin Yan blushed upon reading them. She, who had always been an excellent student, was being criticized so harshly by a teacher for the first time.
But after seeing the revised poems, she was convinced. She had previously thought her poetry had improved somewhat, but now she realized she had been too optimistic.
Thus, Lin Yan visited the county town every time she had a day off. She terminated her lease on the house in town and rented a place in the county.
Dong Mei, the maidservant Lin Yan brought with her, lived there. Her daily tasks included making clothes and shoes for Lin Yan and Shi Qi, and preparing their meals.
When Lin Yan came to stay during her days off, Dong Mei would cook and do laundry for them. Lin Yan would stay overnight in the county town and return to the academy the next day.
"Yan brother, are you going home for the New Year this year?" The New Year was a holiday, but the Lin family was too far away. Even if they went back, they would probably only have a few days at home.
Lin Bo considered it for a long time and was reluctant to go back. Furthermore, in April next year, they had to participate in the prefectural examination. The round trip would take too much time, making him even less inclined to return.
"No, my grandmother and mother said they would come to spend the New Year with me." Lin Yan's situation was different from his.
Both the matriarchs of the Lin family for two generations were widows. Even during the New Year, their household lacked the liveliness of other families. Knowing Lin Yan wouldn't have time to return, they decided to visit her and spend the New Year together.
"Oh, will Grandma An also be coming?" It wasn't that he was being overly surprised, but Old Madam Lin was quite elderly. Could her health withstand traveling in winter?
"Yes, grandmother and the others set off early and are traveling slowly. They won't suffer too much on the road. They should arrive in about three days."
"That's wonderful. I'm not planning on going back either. I'll go back to see them after I participate in the prefectural examination."
"Then, cousin, you can spend the New Year with us. I've rented a small courtyard in the city for grandmother and the others. It's big enough for you to stay."
"Then I'll gratefully accept your kind offer." Lin Bo didn't stand on ceremony with Lin Yan. After living together for so long, he had come to understand this cousin better.
Before they lived together, his impression of this cousin was that he had a good aptitude for study but was rather introverted.
But after interacting with his cousin more, he realized that Lin Yan's talent for study was indeed exceptional, but his personality was not introverted at all. On the contrary, he was very generous and cheerful.
He owed his carefree life at the academy largely to him. Thinking of the money he earned from copying books and writing annotations, which was enough for his daily expenses and even allowed him to treat his friends once a month.
Lin Bo was even more grateful to Lin Yan. This cousin of his was surely destined for great things, and being able to befriend him was truly his fortune.
"We are family, there's no need for such politeness."
By the time Old Madam Lin and Mother Lin arrived in the county town with their retinue, Lin Yan was already waiting at the intersection.
Naturally, there was much affectionate reunion between the family members. However, with Lin Bo, an outsider, present, many things couldn't be said, so they could only exchange pleasantries.
As per the routine, elders worried she had become thinner and looked haggard. Lin Yan could only let her mother examine her with concern, while softly comforting her.
Old Madam Lin, however, felt that her granddaughter seemed to have changed even more. Previously, traces of femininity could still be seen on her. But now, she showed no feminine characteristics at all.
The Lin Yan before her was a handsome young man, refined and scholarly. Observing her words and actions, even knowing Lin Yan was a girl, one couldn't tell.
However, looking at her granddaughter's spirited demeanor, she seemed to see her father and grandfather within her.
Perhaps her methods were wrong, but now she truly felt that her granddaughter might indeed be able to forge her own path.