The list of those who passed the county examination had been released. Lin Yan's ranking was neither high nor low, placing her in the middle.
Among the five who came together, three had passed the county examination. The other two, seeing that even the youngest, Lin Yan, had passed, felt ashamed and unable to face anyone.
"Let's go. Since we know the rankings, we should head back," Mr. Lin said, glancing at those who were too ashamed to look up.
He had known for a while that these two had weak foundations and were somewhat arrogant. That was why he had them come for the examination along with Lin Yan.
If they could humble themselves and study diligently upon their return, otherwise, their path in the imperial examinations would not be long.
"Yes, sir." The five did not linger and left with Mr. Lin.
Before leaving, Lin Yan again scanned the names on the list, checking if those who had been particularly boastful recently were among the successful candidates.
To Lin Yan's surprise, they were all on the list, and their rankings were not low. It seemed they possessed some genuine talent.
After passing this county examination, Lin Yan and the others were eligible to participate in the prefectural examination. Once all the results were out, Mr. Lin relaxed his supervision slightly, allowing them to attend gatherings hosted by acquaintances.
The entrance to the county yamen where the results were posted was still crowded with people, all concerned about the top scorer. For those like Lin Yan, whose rankings were in the middle, there was not much attention.
When Lin Yan and the others returned to the inn, the bearers of good news had already arrived. The yamen runners not only came to announce the good news but also to deliver the documents for the scholars. Lin Yan and the others presented the prepared rewards to the yamen runners.
The two who failed were already preparing to pack their belongings and return home, while the other two went to participate in a literary gathering.
The so-called literary gathering was actually a celebration for those who, like them, had become scholars. They also wanted to invite Lin Yan.
However, due to Lin Yan's young age and Mr. Lin's strict supervision, they had to forgo inviting Lin Yan.
Lin Yan also had no desire to witness their so-called literary gathering. From the drunken returnees, she could already tell what kind of event it was.
"Lin Yan, if I don't let you attend the literary gathering, do you resent me?" Mr. Lin called Lin Yan back.
"This student understands that what sir does is for my own good," Lin Yan replied earnestly.
"It's good that you understand. Your ranking this time was not ideal; it's not your usual performance. It seems you were still nervous during the exam," Mr. Lin said, looking at Lin Yan with a scrutinizing gaze.
"It is this student's fault."
"You are still young and have experienced too little. This is also why I did not let you attend those gatherings. You are at a critical juncture and have experienced too little.
Once you are exposed to these things, you will lose focus on your studies. Lin Yan, you are a promising scholar, do not let your talent go to waste."
Lin Yan listened to Mr. Lin's words and knew he was thinking of her well-being. Although she knew she wouldn't be distracted by other matters, the Lin Yan of ten-odd years old at this time was not yet capable of such resilience.
"This student understands," Lin Yan replied, lowering her head.
"The prefectural examination is next year. Although you are young, based on your performance in the county examination, I suggest you go and try.
Don't feel burdened about whether you pass or not; just treat it as gaining experience," Mr. Lin felt that Lin Yan was still young and could take the exam multiple times.
Taking the exam multiple times would also help her adapt better, preventing her from performing poorly again.
"Yes, I will discuss it with my family when I return." Lin Yan thought the same. The county examination only lasted one day, while subsequent examinations spanned several days. She needed to adapt.
"Then you may go back. Since you've decided to participate, go back and study more," Mr. Lin waved her away.
Lin Yan noticed that Mr. Lin also seemed tired and took her leave.
After Lin Yan left, Mr. Lin began to contemplate matters concerning Lin Yan.
Lin Yan was the only male heir of the direct line of the Lin family. However, despite being the direct line, their status was not much better than the collateral branches.
Coupled with the early death of Lin Yan's father, Lin Yan's situation was even more difficult. Fortunately, he had a good aptitude for studying. If he could pass and become a Ju Ren, the direct line could rise again.
He himself was a Xiu Cai and had been teaching and taking the provincial examination for years, but his luck in examinations had been poor, and he had never managed to become a Ju Ren.
Over the years, many Xiu Cai had emerged from the Lin family, but never a Ju Ren. Now, they could only hope that Lin Yan's generation would produce some promising individuals, so that the Lin family could regain its glory.
After returning to her room, Lin Yan took out the essay she had dictated for the county examination. The essay had no major flaws, but after studying it for a long time, she felt that her weakness lay in the poetry.
It was truly difficult for a modern person to compose poetry. She had used all her might to piece together a poem, yet even she, a half-hearted attempt, knew how poorly it was written.
If her essay had not been good, she probably would have failed this time.
It seemed that besides the Four Books and Five Classics, which were essential for the imperial examinations, she also needed to practice writing poetry. It was said that if one thoroughly read three hundred poems of the Tang Dynasty, they could compose poetry even if they couldn't recite it.
She remembered that there were some poetry collections in her spatial dimension. She would start learning from scratch from tomorrow.
Although she couldn't immediately write poetry that was brilliant and exquisite, at least it shouldn't be too poor.
There would be many opportunities to write poetry in the future, and she couldn't let people mock her for it.
Just as Lin Yan began to study diligently, the bearers of good news arrived outside Lin Family Village.
Lin Family Village had nearly two hundred households, almost all surnamed Lin, and all from the same ancestor.
The direct line of the Lin family had always been sparsely populated, but Lin Yan's generation was almost extinct. However, the collateral branches were thriving.
Nevertheless, the Lin family had always been quite united. Although the collateral branches had once set their sights on the direct line's property, it was during the time when Lin Yan's father had no heir. When they learned that Lin Yan's mother was pregnant, they abandoned such thoughts.
Lin Yan's mother was currently in the small Buddhist hall, sorting Buddhist beans, trying to calm her mind. However, no matter how many beans she sorted, her heart remained restless. "Madam, Madam, there's a yamen runner at the door, saying he's here to deliver good news," a maid knocked on the door outside the small Buddhist hall and said to the inside.
The maid's voice carried undisguised joy. She was here to deliver good news, and Madam was always generous, so she was sure to receive a reward.
Hearing the maid's voice outside, Lin Yan's mother's grip loosened, and all the Buddhist beans fell back into the box.
"Good news?" Good news from where? Yan'er's participation in the imperial examinations was already an act of great rebellion. Had he passed now?
Although she was proud that Yan'er had passed the county examination, thinking of his identity made her unable to force herself to smile.
If Yan'er's identity was discovered, their family would be ruined!