A blessed wife leads her husband to wealth and prosperity!

Big Brother, take the money and go to Old Wang's place in the village to get some wine for your father. We're going to celebrate today; your father is officially a man of honor now.

Sigh, I'll go right now.

Cui Yulang was also happy for his father. His mother had previously forbidden his father from continuing his blacksmithing work, and although he had tried to persuade her otherwise, he couldn't change her mind. Now, his father could continue doing what he loved.

After watching his son leave through the gate, Cui Tiezhu continued talking to his wife.

Cuifen, from now on, besides the work in the fields, let Dalang come with me to work as a blacksmith. Having another skill means he can earn a living anywhere. Just farming won't lead to much success.

Okay, I'll do as you say. Through her husband's experience, Li Cuifen has come to understand that capable people truly don't have to worry about food and clothing.

Cui Dalang had no idea that his father had already decided on his profession while he was away. He would not only follow in his father's footsteps as a blacksmith, but also continue working for Lin He'er. Of course, that's all hindsight now.

After finishing her work, Lin He'er also went out to inquire about the preliminary examination for children.

If you're asking who to inquire about these things, the only person you know who also has a lot of experience with exams is Master Yu.

Since he was going to ask Dongdi's husband for information, he couldn't go empty-handed.

Summon Li and ask her what good ideas she has in this regard.

When she last enrolled, it was Li Shi who reminded her to bring the tea and pastries that the Lin family had bought for her. Otherwise, she really would have only brought five taels of silver. Although the teacher wouldn't say anything if she didn't bring anything, it would certainly be better to have a little more gift. There's a saying: "It's never a bad thing to be too polite!"

"Madam, is there something you need?" Upon hearing her madam call her, Madam Li quickly stopped what she was doing.

Granny Li, I'd like to go to Master Yu's house to inquire about the preliminary examinations for the imperial examinations. What do you think we should bring with us this time?

The matter of the son-in-law taking an exam is indeed a big deal. As for what to bring to the Yu family, it's nothing more than a few things. Knowing their preferences would make gift-giving easier.

Madam, since we sent you tea and pastries last time, we won't be sending tea this time, but we still need pastries. How about you send Madam Yu a bag from our shop?

Send us the new bag from our shop, the one that's suitable for older women.

Are you referring to the "Lotus Year Abundance Fish" drink?

Yes, that bag has a good meaning, and it's a brand new and unique product that we've just launched. I think Madam Yu will like it.

Good, that's a good idea. Giving it to his wife instead of the master would be just as effective. Sometimes, whispering in someone's ear can be quite helpful.

Lin He'er took a bag from the account book and asked Li to buy some snacks from the street. She planned to take the opportunity to meet with Teacher Yu when she took Lin Dong to school the next day and ask her for some information.

The next day, Lin He'er got up early, skipping breakfast, and took Li Shi with her. The two headed towards Cuizhu Lane.

When they arrived at the Lin family's gate, Lin Dong had just finished breakfast and was preparing to go to the Yu family's house.

Dongdi, today your elder sister will go with you to the Yu family to meet Master Yu.

Why did my elder sister go to see the teacher? I'm doing fine at school. Lin Dong thought that his elder sister went to the Yu family to ask the teacher about her studies.

Of all the people we know, Yu Fuzi knows the most about your brother-in-law taking the exam. I'd like to ask him for some information today.

Well, Lin Dong breathed a small sigh of relief when he heard that his elder sister hadn't gone to the teacher to inquire about his studies.

Seeing her younger brother's expression, Lin He'er couldn't help but laugh. Sure enough, no matter the era, students were always afraid of their parents meeting with the teachers.

The two arrived at the Yu family home. Lin Dong went to his own class as if he knew the way well, leaving Lin He'er to talk to Teacher Yu.

Excuse me, Master, I've come to inquire about the preliminary examinations for children.

Besides Dong'er studying with you, my husband is also studying at the county school. He's taking an exam at the end of this month, but being from the countryside, I don't know much about these things. I was thinking of asking you what we family members need to do afterward when our family members are taking exams!

Master Yu listened to the woman's purpose and slowly nodded. "Madam, please sit in the backyard for a while. I will arrange for the students to attend to you, and then I will explain in more detail."

Okay, thank you very much.

"Madam, please come with me to the backyard first." Master Yu's wife led Lin He'er and Granny Li to the main house in the backyard.

Auntie, I'm so sorry to have delayed the teacher's teaching time. I came in a hurry today because my husband has to take the exam in less than ten days, and I don't know anything about it yet.

"I brought you some snacks and things from our shop. Please accept this as a token of my appreciation for your visit today." After Lin He'er finished speaking, Madam Li stepped forward and placed the things she was carrying on the table in the main room.

Oh dear, it's no trouble at all, and it won't take him long. You're too kind, Madam.

Seeing that this young woman was very tactful in her dealings with others, Madam Yu smiled and said politely, "You don't need to worry. I was just like you back then. When my husband went to take the exam, my heart was in my throat for days."

We can't rush this. We need to stay calm. If the person taking the exam sees their family members being too nervous, they will unconsciously become too tense as well, which is not good.

Lin He'er agreed with what Madam Yu said. She couldn't be too obvious, or she would make Wen Yuning nervous, which would be counterproductive.

You're absolutely right, thank you for your comforting words, Auntie.

Lin He'er spoke with Madam Yu for a while, and then saw Master Yu return from the front yard.

After taking a chair and sitting down in the hall, I looked up and saw some things on my table. It seemed that Madam Lin had brought gifts.

Nodding to the other party, Master Yu stroked his long, white beard and began to speak;

The preliminary examination for the lowest degree was the first step towards entering the imperial examinations. Only by succeeding in this step could one have the opportunity to continue taking the higher-level examinations.

The preliminary examination for the imperial examination for the first generation of scholars usually consisted of three sessions, not counting the re-examination. The examination was held in our county town. This was an advantage for those living in the city, as they didn't have to rent rooms in inns like the students from distant places.

The examination was held in the county seat for three days, in three sessions. If one passed the county examination, one had to go to the prefectural seat to take three more examinations. If one also passed the prefectural examination, one would become a student of the lowest rank.

If you feel you have passed the prefectural examination and are confident in your knowledge, you can continue to take three more examinations, which are called the provincial examinations.

If one is fortunate enough to pass the preliminary examination, it signifies the official start of the imperial examination system. One has already acquired the status of a Xiucai (a scholar who has passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations).

After listening to Master Yu's detailed explanation, Lin He'er understood that she needed to pass six examinations and the prefectural examination to obtain the status of a student.

This is quite difficult.

For the imperial examinations, family members only need to do one thing: prepare a basket for the candidate to enter the examination hall. Since the candidate will be in the examination hall all day, breakfast can be eaten at home, but lunch must be dry food brought by the candidate and eaten in the examination hall. Do not prepare steamed buns or flatbreads as the imperial examinations are strictly enforced; to prevent cheating, it is best not to bring any food that is easy to smuggle.

The exam will not end until evening. Candidates must wait together at the inner gate for the exam room doors to open before they can come out.

This year's imperial examination for children was held almost two months later than usual due to changes in the court's arrangements. The exam was still quite good, as the weather was much warmer than in February. Therefore, there was no need to prepare warm clothing for the candidates.

However, in case the weather changes, it is necessary to prepare rain gear and medicine, just in case.

That's about it. Scholars study diligently for years, hoping to pass the imperial examinations with flying colors. Each stage of the examinations requires a calm mind and careful approach.

Many thanks to the Master for sharing his knowledge with us. After listening to the Master's words, Lin He'er has gained a deeper understanding of the imperial examination system.

He stood up and bowed to him.

Madam, there's no need for such formalities. If you ever need anything in the future, please feel free to come here and ask me. We are all scholars, and we should help each other out.

I have to go to the front yard to teach the children to read, so I won't chat with my wife about everyday matters.

After Master Yu finished speaking, he stood up, bowed to Lin He'er, and returned to the classroom in the front courtyard.

Today, after listening to the Master's words, I have benefited greatly and now I know what to do when I go back.

Thank you for your hospitality, Master and Aunt. I won't bother you any longer and will be heading back now.

Lin He'er exchanged a few more pleasantries with Madam Yu before taking her leave.