All the fellow students and peers now knew that of the two brothers in the Lin family, the elder was sociable and generous, while the younger was more talented in literature but shy, always hiding behind his elder brother.
Lin Yan's image of being unsociable had already spread. This way, everyone would focus on Lin Bo, who stood in front, and overlook Lin Yan behind him. Although Lin Yan had tried hard to conceal her feminine traits, after so many years as a woman, some would inevitably show. Now, these might not be discovered by these young people, but to experienced governesses, they would be immediately apparent.
"Since my cousin trusts me so much, I have no choice but to accompany you, even at the cost of my life." Although Lin Bo's voice was a little weak, a glimmer of ambition arose.
Lin Bo's illness completely recovered on the third day after taking the medicine Lin Yan gave him. After recovering, Lin Bo continued to take Lin Yan out to socialize. Lin Yan, on the other hand, diligently worked to deepen the impression of her shy and introverted persona.
The results of the county examination soon came out. As expected by Lin Yan, she was once again the top scholar. With the experience from the previous time, people had no objections to Lin Yan's results, and they merely offered her their congratulations. Lin Yan, playing her role, shyly accepted everyone's well wishes. Lin Bo also passed the scholar exam this time, but unlike Lin Yan, who was a stipendiary scholar, he ranked over twenty-something. Lin Bo was quite satisfied with this ranking and became even more unrestrained in the following days.
After attending another small banquet for scholars, Lin Yan and Lin Bo returned to the academy together. The academic inspector was even more arrogant than the prefect. The banquet he hosted for the students was merely a meal, and after listening to the students praise him, he left. As for any thoughts of admiring a scholar and marrying their daughter, or taking them as a student, nothing of that sort happened.
Lin Yan sighed that this was reality; scholars were too common. It would likely be different after the provincial examination. A candidate who passed the provincial exam could directly become an official. Didn't one see how overjoyed Fan Jin was after passing the provincial exam?
When the news of Lin Yan and Lin Bo passing the scholar exam was delivered by the yamen runners from the county town, the Lin family was once again in an uproar. Their success also inspired some of the younger Lin family members. Especially with the appearance of Lin Yan as the top scholar, the clan elder began to consider Lin Yan's words. If Lin Yan could achieve this result, she should also be able to pass the provincial examination. At that time, she would be a provincial scholar, and there would certainly be many people who would want to establish a relationship with her. Lin Yan's branch of the family was now just her, but with the entire Lin family present, their status would undoubtedly rise. The next generation of the Lin family would be more sought after in the marriage market. He would also want his sons and grandsons to marry educated and virtuous women, not illiterate village women.
The clan elder pondered for a long time, then summoned the elder members of the clan to discuss. The outcome of their discussion was that an additional classroom was added next to the village primary school to teach the clan's girls to read.
When Lin Yan learned of this from a letter from home, she smiled with relief. Although this change stemmed from her passing the scholar exam, any change was good. However, the girls of the Lin family could not just learn to read. Lin Yan planned to hire an embroiderer to return with her to Yuyao and teach them. Not only embroidery but also music and etiquette. Studying was to understand propriety, but if they only studied, the girls' parents would soon pull them out of the classroom. Only by learning more useful skills could they stay in the classroom long-term. Studying was to broaden one's horizons, while embroidery was for survival. With a craft to rely on, a woman could support herself and have a say in her husband's family. Not only embroidery, but Lin Yan also knew many recipes, which she would write down and send back. With these, the parents would no longer refuse to send their daughters to school.
Lin Yan had now passed the scholar exam and thus qualified to go to Yuyao. After returning to the academy with Lin Bo, she requested leave from the academy and departed. They had now advanced to the Earth class, and the academy's instructors knew the reason for Lin Yan's leave and readily granted it.
"You're taking leave?" Lin Bo only found out when Lin Yan was packing her belongings.
"Yes, I've already requested leave. I hadn't confirmed it before, so I didn't tell you, cousin."
"What hadn't you confirmed?"
"Apprenticing. Previously, Tutor Ding recommended a master to me, but the master required me to pass the scholar exam before I could apprentice. Now that I have passed, I plan to go and apprentice."
"So those questions of yours?"
"Yes, those questions were given to me by the master."
"Then go. I can't accompany you this time. Be careful on your own." Lin Bo thought about how well those questions were crafted and knew that the master must be a very capable person. He was also very happy that his cousin could apprentice under such a master.
"Yes, I will. Cousin, can you trust now that I have the ability to support your journey to the spring imperial examination?" Lin Yan said with a teasing remark.
"You still remember that!" Lin Bo was very embarrassed. He thought about how he always relied on his cousin's support when coming out of the examination hall and felt very dishonorable.
"Of course, I remember. I want to go to the spring imperial examination with you. But cousin, even if I leave for a while, don't forget to exercise. Don't let yourself be hindered in the examination hall due to your physical condition instead of your talent."
"I know, I know. I'll diligently exercise."
The news of Lin Yan passing the scholar exam also reached Yuyao. Du Mengzhou looked at the message specially sent by his friend and revealed a faint smile. However, as he thought of his other dear friend, his smile disappeared. The one above could not tolerate others. His dear friend had tried his best to be a dissolute prince, but he was still constantly viewed with suspicion. Moreover, he could indulge himself and seek pleasure, but the fact that he only had one daughter currently showed that even though he was a rake, the higher powers had not completely trusted him. He still remembered his dear friend's despair when his eldest and second sons passed away. If his princess consort had not been pregnant again, he might have gone mad. His dear friend was a devoted lover and had a deep affection for his princess consort. All three children were born to the princess consort. Although there were other women in his inner court, they were all bestowed by the higher powers. The deaths of the two children made the couple even more protective of their only surviving child, cherishing her like the apple of their eye. This child was granted the title of county princess upon birth, but perhaps because her mother experienced the pain of losing children during her pregnancy, her health was not good from birth. Last time, he had offered for them to stay for a few days, but due to the young county princess falling ill, they left in a hurry.