The first step in the book is to start selling tofu

This trip to the city was very rewarding.

Several people who came to take the exam successfully obtained the qualification of Tongsheng and became serious scholars.

Afterwards, they can directly participate in the academy examination. If they pass the examination, they will become students, or scholars, and they will have fame.

Students enjoyed certain privileges in society, such as being exempt from corvée labor, not having to kneel when meeting the county magistrate, and not being subject to arbitrary torture.

They can also enter local official schools, obtain some learning resources provided by the government, and are eligible to participate in higher-level imperial examinations such as provincial examinations, thus having the opportunity to further improve their status and fame.

Lin Zhi originally thought that they would return to the county town after passing the college entrance examination. After all, they had been away from home for too long. She was a little worried about the family business, and the cooperation with Shi Feiyang also required her to return to the county town to make some preparations.

However, everyone passed the exam, and the children and employees had to stay in the city to take the college entrance examination.

Lin Zhi considered staying with them.

Just then a letter from Chen Zishu arrived, telling her that everything was fine at home.

Lin Zhi felt relieved after reading Chen Zishu's letter, so he found a quiet house in the city and rented it.

Although the house is not big, it has an exquisite courtyard. A few green bamboos sway gracefully in the corner, adding a touch of tranquility and elegance to the slightly tense exam preparation atmosphere.

The person who took care of everyone's daily life was still the same old lady. During the days of waiting for the college entrance examination, she carefully took care of the daily life and diet of several students and employees who were taking the exam.

Lin Zhi would take Daya out to observe the market from time to time, or stay at home to write novels.

The advantage of being on good terms with Shi Feiyang's family is that Lin Shu can be bolder when leaving the county.

However, she still acted very low-key. After all, she didn't know whether the Su family in Beijing had any spies here.

Time passed in a fulfilling and busy manner.

The college entrance examination was over very quickly. On the day of the examination, Lin Shu hired several people to wait at the door for the examinees to leave the examination room.

As expected, after leaving the examination room, few people could walk home by themselves.

Lin Zhi ordered the hired men to carry the employees and Dalang and Erlang back home, and let them have a good sleep before preparing a big meal for them.

It took several days for this group of people to recover their spirits and look a little bit like human beings.

As a modern person, Lin Zhi would not ask about their results after the exam. The exam is over, and it is useless to dwell on the results, which will only add to everyone's pressure and worries.

She just silently paid attention to their condition, making sure they got enough rest and recuperation after the exam.

When everyone's spirits gradually improved, Lin Zhi organized a relaxing gathering.

In the courtyard, several tables were set with sumptuous dishes, and everyone sat around together, laughing and talking happily.

All the tension and fatigue from studying day and night for the college entrance examination seemed to disappear at this moment.

Everyone seemed normal on the surface, but Lin Zhi knew that they were very worried and nervous inside.

Not long after, the results of the college entrance examination came out.

Only three of them achieved fame, namely Erlang Lin Chengjun, Wang Changshan and Feng Mo. Erlang ranked the highest among the three, but he did not make it into the top ten.

Those who have achieved fame and fortune are certainly worth celebrating, but those who have not will inevitably feel disappointed.

Besides, they came here to take the exam this time to give it a try. If they return without any success, they may not have the chance to take the exam next time.

That night, someone in the room was crying secretly.

When Dalang was walking in the yard in a depressed mood, he heard suppressed crying. He didn't even care about his depression and hurried to find Lin Zhi.

Maybe they were really sad. When those crying people saw Lin Zhi coming, they wanted to pretend nothing happened, but they couldn't control their tears. It was impossible for them to stop crying.

Since they couldn't stop crying, they just cried loudly.

Seeing this, Lin Zhi and his companions did not interrupt them, but gave them space to vent.

"You three go get some food for them." Lin Zhi instructed the three little ones.

No matter what, these people are considered elders. They may not think it’s a big deal to be sad now, but when they think about it in the future, they will definitely feel ashamed to face others.

Send the three little ones away to save their little face.

They cried for nearly half an hour, crying until they were out of breath and their voices were hoarse, as if they had cried all their anger out.

Fortunately, their current house is big enough, so no matter how loudly they cry, it won’t disturb outsiders, and there is no need to worry about complaints.

"You must be tired from crying. Have some tea and take a break." Lin Zhi thoughtfully prepared tea for them to soothe their throats.

Several people drank tea as if they were drinking poison, with deathly looks on their faces.

Seeing them finish a cup of tea, Lin Zhi finally advised: "You are still young, it's just a failure. It's just a very small setback in your long life. There's no need to be like this."

No one responded in the room, only dull sobbing could be heard in the empty room.

After a long while, Zhao Wen finally calmed down a little and replied to Lin Zhi: "There won't be a next time."

His tone was hopeless, making people feel powerless.

Upon hearing this, the others began to sob again.

If they had not taken this exam, they could have lived secretly in the store for the rest of their lives. Only when their enemies fell or died one day would they dare to come out and live a normal life.

They were too greedy, thinking only of fame and fortune and wanting to live a normal life, and thus cut off their own retreat.

Thinking of this, several people cried again.

The three little ones, who had already prepared midnight snacks, heard the crying and immediately turned back to the kitchen.

Erlang looked at Dalang suspiciously.

"What are you doing?" Dalang was frightened by being stared at and jumped behind Daya.

Erlang sighed and said, "You went out in the middle of the night. You weren't crying outside, were you?"

The house was rented in a hurry and many things were not yet purchased. Two or three people in their group lived in one room. The brothers Dalang and Erlang lived in the same room.

"I didn't!" Dalang got furious when he heard this. It's slander, it's all slander.

"No, no, why are you shouting so loudly? It seems like you are guilty." Daya rubbed her ears. Dalang was right behind her, and her ears were suffering.

Dalang: “…” It’s unfair!

No matter how unfair it was, Daya and Erlang didn't believe it. It was because he reacted too much just now.

inside the room.

Lin Zhi's temples were throbbing. This grown man was even more terrifying when he cried than women.

"Stop, stop, stop crying. Listen to me first."

Everyone looked at Lin Zhi blankly. Their crying was suddenly interrupted, and before they could react, their faces were still covered with tears and their noses were full of snot...