Li Yue Shu arrived at the examination grounds early, securing a good spot to wait.
The weather was gradually warming, but a slight chill remained.
Li Yue Shu took out a thin blanket she had prepared and placed it on Shen Wei's lap. She closed her eyes and rested in the carriage, avoiding the cold wind outside.
She appeared calm, while Madam Mo, standing beside her, would occasionally lift the curtain to peek at the examination hall.
Shen Wei, looking at the sleeping face beside him, had a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
Li Yue Shu could feel his gaze but paid it no mind.
Shen Wei often watched her like this without blinking. Initially, she found it uncomfortably, but now she had grown accustomed to it.
"Creak—"
The heavy doors opened. Li Yue Shu, who had been resting with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them and anxiously lifted the curtain.
She saw the examination hall doors, closed for days, finally open. The students who had undergone five rounds of examinations looked unwell, and some weaker ones were being carried out.
Shen Yi Min and Mo Lian's complexions were better than other students, but their lips were still a little pale.
Because Li Yue Shu had parked the carriage in a conspicuous spot, the two children spotted them at a glance.
"A Min, A Lian."
Li Yue Shu also saw the two and quickly brought them over.
Madam Mo's brows furrowed, and she looked at Mo Lian with concern, "Why do you look so unwell? Did you catch a cold?"
Mo Lian smiled and shook his head, "Mother, we're just a bit tired. We're fine."
Li Yue Shu quickly handed them the hand warmers she had prepared.
After holding back for so long, she finally couldn't help but ask, "How do you feel about the exam?"
Shen Yi Min smiled gently, appearing as composed and confident as ever, "It was quite good. The questions didn't seem difficult, and we should be able to pass."
Hearing this, Li Yue Shu's worried heart eased considerably.
Madam Mo smiled broadly, "When will the results of the county examination be announced?"
Mo Lian replied, "In ten days. The results will be posted on the notice board at the county yamen."
Li Yue Shu calculated the time and was a bit surprised, "It's the same day as A Yu's birthday! What a coincidence!"
She reached out and stroked the two children's heads, "You've worked hard these past few days. I'll make you a delicious meal tonight to celebrate!"
Shen Yi Min and Mo Lian's ears turned red, but they didn't pull away from her hand.
Shen Wei did not get out of the carriage. The main reason was the crowd; he disliked such crowded environments.
Seeing that the surrounding people were gradually dispersing, he quickly said, "A Shu, Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu are still waiting for news at home. Let's head back!"
"Right, right, everyone is still waiting at home. Let's hurry back."
Li Yue Shu's smile was irrepressible. She quickly had everyone get into the carriage and headed home.
...
The following days were spent waiting for the results.
Li Yue Shu felt that although she had never experienced the anxiety of waiting for college entrance exam results in her previous life, she was now experiencing the torment of waiting for results.
Finally, the long-awaited day of the announcement arrived. Almost the entire family went to the county yamen, and even Old Man Liu and his wife came in their ox cart.
By the time they arrived, many people were already gathered in front of the notice board.
The crowded and bustling scene almost prevented the yamen runners from posting the results, scaring Li Yue Shu to the point she dared not get out of the carriage.
"I'll go look!"
Before Li Yue Shu could speak, Shen Ting Wen agilely flipped out of the carriage and squeezed into the crowd.
Everyone craned their necks towards the notice board, their faces filled with tension.
A moment later, Shen Ting Wen, with his small stature, squeezed out from between the legs of the adults.
"I saw it! I saw it!" Shen Ting Wen panted, sweat beading on his forehead.
Li Yue Shu quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, somewhat surprised, "So quickly?"
Shen Ting Wen's smile was incredibly bright, "Big Brother is first place, and Brother Lian is second."
He knew his elder brother's capabilities, so he looked from the very top. He didn't expect Mo Lian to be second.
If there weren't so many people, he would have rushed out to report the news long ago!
"Really?!" Madam Mo's eyes widened in surprise, almost disbelieving.
"Mhm!" Shen Ting Wen nodded emphatically, "I saw it clearly!"
Everyone was overjoyed, and the two individuals concerned couldn't stop smiling.
Shen Yi Min was not worried about a mere county examination; with his talent, he could even directly contend for the title of scholar.
However, seeing everyone's joyful expressions, a flicker of excitement stirred within him.
Mo Lian was also very happy.
He could roughly estimate his results, but he hadn't expected them to be so good.
Shen Wei, sitting in the carriage, was also somewhat surprised by the outcome.
He was aware of Shen Yi Min's abilities; first place in the county examination was not difficult. It was Mo Lian who surprised him a bit.
No one noticed his expression.
Although Li Yue Shu had known these two children were extraordinary, she hadn't expected them to sweep the top two spots.
She felt a sense of shared pride and straightened her back, "We must have a good celebration tonight!"
Their conversation was not low-pitched, and with so many people around, everyone naturally heard that Shen Yi Min and Mo Lian had taken the top two places.
"Are both these children yours?" someone immediately came up to chat, "Congratulations! How did you cultivate such outstanding children?"
Li Yue Shu smiled gracefully, "They are indeed our family's children, but she is A Lian's mother."
Saying this, she pulled Madam Mo over.
Mo Lian's achievement was Madam Mo's own glory, and she would not snatch it.
"You are the mother of the second-place winner? Congratulations, congratulations, you've raised such a capable child!"
Madam Mo was a little surprised but quickly adjusted her emotions and chatted with everyone with a smile.
Her demeanor was gentle, and although her face was filled with happiness, she didn't give off an air of smugness or boasting.
There were already many people around, and quite a few recognized Li Yue Shu's face. Upon hearing that the top two places in the county examination were from their family, the crowd around them immediately grew larger.
Madam Mo hadn't expected such a situation and found it a bit overwhelming to deal with so many people.
Fortunately, with Li Yue Shu's support, the two children didn't immediately develop a reputation for arrogance.
However, they couldn't continue chatting there indefinitely. If more people gathered, it might be difficult to extricate themselves.
Just as Li Yue Shu was about to say something, a familiar voice suddenly shouted in the crowd, "This is unfair! Someone used connections! These results are fake, someone cheated!"
The voice was extremely piercing, and coupled with its content, it almost instantly silenced the boisterous atmosphere.
Everyone turned towards the source of the voice and saw a woman charging forward aggressively. The surrounding people instinctively made way.
Others didn't recognize the woman, but Li Yue Shu and the others recognized her immediately as Madam Yang!
Instantly, a bad premonition arose in their hearts.
Li Yue Shu's gaze deepened, and her previously joyful mood turned cold in that instant.