September has just arrived, and the government sent people to urge grain tax collection.

Fortunately, the grain tax in the village has already been collected, and upon receiving the order, Qin Yao organized the young and strong men in the village to deliver the grain to the county granary the next day, successfully completing the tax collection task.

Thus, the busy autumn harvest finally came to an end, allowing Qin Yao, the village head, to breathe a sigh of relief.

However, during this period, the government also demanded a dozen laborers to go to neighboring towns to build river embankments.

Such labor duties within the county were considered quite favorable because they involved heavy physical work, and the government provided each person with four pounds of grain per day, eliminating the need to bring their own food.

Though it was hard on the families, losing a strong labor force during the crucial autumn harvest would add to their hardships.

At such times, the villagers of Liu Family Village were relieved to find that their hard work throughout the year had yielded enough money to hire short-term laborers.

And all of this was thanks to the stationery factory.

Watching the stationery factory, rebuilt with the collective efforts of the entire village, gradually take shape, the villagers of Liu Family Village eagerly anticipated the significant changes it would bring to the village once completed.

Nevertheless, another important construction project in the village was completed before the new factory was finished.

The school was built.

The children now had books to read.

On the day of the school’s opening ceremony, Qin Yao dutifully brought the medals made by the blacksmith of Lower River Village. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

She distributed one medal to each of the children who actively helped the adults with work at the school.

Little Lai Fu received one, cherished it dearly, held it in his palm, unwilling to wear it, and looked at it with joy.

The happiness displayed on his face made Da Lang Brothers and Sisters envious.

"Mother, can we go back to study in the village next year?"

On their way home from the school, Sanlang and Si Niang asked expectantly.

The children were unaware of the different teaching qualities at each location, thinking all teachers taught the same way and students learned the same things.

Recalling the daily hassle of getting up early to run to the town school, naturally, they looked forward to studying at their doorstep.

However, Qin Yao shook her head, saying, "Da Lang and Second Lang are staying in the Ding Clan’s main school, there will be no changes for you."

"As for you two younger ones, by next year, it’ll be two years. If the Ding Clan School is willing to accept other students into their main school, regardless of the tuition fees, I will keep you there."

"If they don’t want others in their main school, I’ll find a way."

In short, if possible, stay.

Da Lang and Second Lang wholeheartedly agreed, being several years older and having stayed with the children of the Ding Family’s main school, they somewhat understood the considerable difference between the main and external schools.

The external school merely taught basic knowledge, but the main school was entirely different, aiming at having them pursue official titles, not only teaching but also instructing them about relationships, officialdom, and court situations.

Although it was far from comparing with renowned teachers like Gongliang Liao, for the students living in the secluded county, what the teachers at the Ding Family’s main school taught was the only source of information.

Unfortunately, the two younger ones couldn’t comprehend such things yet.

Hearing their mother say they can’t attend the village school, their small shoulders immediately drooped, sighing and wandering like ghosts, swinging their arms as they walked home.

Qin Yao found it amusing yet helpless, refraining from saying things like "I’m doing this for your good," merely presenting the facts.

"Following the teachers of the Ding Family’s main school grants you the chance to take the imperial exam."

Sanlang was still unhappy, having never considered taking the imperial exam, only wanting an extra hour of sleep every day.

Si Niang, however, responded a bit more excitedly, quickly ran back to her mother, looked up, and asked, "Mother, can I take the imperial exam too?"

Qin Yao never lied to children about major matters, seriously replied, "Women cannot participate in the imperial exam."

"What if I become a man?" Si Niang immediately asked. But upon asking, her brows furrowed tightly, firmly saying, "But I still like being a girl. Besides my mother, I love myself the most!"

Qin Yao lifted the self-loving little girl with a smile, saying, "Reading is not just about taking the imperial exam; it allows you to know the bigger world, more things, and more people, doesn’t it?"

Si Niang tilted her head in thought, yes, reading is indeed interesting.

"Mother, I will follow your guidance," the little girl lovingly embraced her mother’s neck, seriously whispering in her ear.

Qin Yao turned her head, kissed her rosy cheek, "Sweetheart, you’re so good."

"Mother, what is a sweetheart?"

"Si Niang is my sweetheart."

The three plodding youths, trying hard to catch up with the swiftly moving mother ahead, suddenly paused upon hearing the affectionate exchanges.

If Si Niang is the sweetheart, what about them?

It seems they are adopted, right?!

...

It’s raining heavily.

Yet, outside the Yingtian Prefecture’s government office, no one sought shelter under the announcement board.

"Junior Brother, the results have been posted, are you sure you don’t want to take a look?"

In a modest yet luxurious carriage by the roadside, Gongliang Liao and Qi Xian remained calm and composed, while Liu Ji appeared like a monkey, bouncing up and down.

Liu Ji felt his personality was insulted by his junior brother!

"Fine, you’re noble, you’re aloof, I’ll go see for myself!" He turned his head, ready to open the carriage door and jump out.

Qi Xian took a deep breath and reminded him, "It’s raining heavily outside; wouldn’t it be better to wait in the carriage for Shi Tou to return?"

Leaving behind the words "I won’t!", someone resolutely charged into the rain.

Ah Wang, standing with a rain hat outside the carriage, watching the crowd without any emotion, suddenly felt something flash before him.

A quick look up, oh, it’s the daily crazy master, then it doesn’t matter.

The rain was heavy; as soon as he stepped out, Liu Ji was soaked like a wet chicken.

He regretted a bit afterward, yet not a single person behind him called him back!

With no choice, he had to carry through on his chosen path.

Besides, others seeing it is different from seeing it for himself, right?

If he could see his own name on the list, Liu Ji couldn’t imagine how delighted he would be.

Of course, that’s if his name is indeed on the list.

There should be, right?

With nine parts anticipation and one part anxiety, Liu Ji decisively squeezed into the crowd.

The slate ground scorched by the blazing sun for a long time was steamed by the cold rain, releasing a stuffy and frenzied vapor. Coupled with various body odors, Liu Ji almost ’yue’d’ out.

He abruptly stood up, gasped while looking up, and upon looking down, a distance equal to a whole him away from the list, impossible to squeeze in.

With no choice, enduring this much already made him regret jumping out of the carriage, he urgently called, "Ah Wang! Ah Wang!"

A gust of wind swept overhead, Liu Ji was successfully lifted to the list, hoisted high by the expressionless Ah Wang, towering over the crowd.

This familiar stance involuntarily reminded Liu Ji of the wonderful memories he shared with his wife in Prefecture City before...

Stop, stop, first check the list.