I traveled back to ancient times, but I was able to lie down and relax.

“That’s right,” Liu Nanjia said, getting down to business since Ge Yang had asked. “The gift that Prefect Ge sent is too valuable; we cannot accept it.”

"I've already given it to you, so just take it." Ge Yang seemed a little annoyed.

“No one should accept a reward without merit. Although my brother has become the top scholar in the provincial examination, he is still only a provincial graduate. How can he accept such a heavy gift?” Liu Nanjia insisted.

“Who said you did nothing wrong! Didn’t you save me?” Ge Yang said, sounding a little hesitant.

Liu Nanjia then realized that she hadn't taken the matter to heart and hadn't thought about it in that way.

"This matter is not suitable to be publicized, so I'm sending it over along with Brother Yanxi's happy occasion."

Despite saying that, Liu Nanjia still felt it wasn't quite right and wanted to refuse.

Ge Yang snapped, "Just take it! Do you think my life isn't worth that much money?!"

Having said that, Liu Nanjia had no choice but to accept it.

I thought it was a small thing, but it really did save Ge Yang's life. It wouldn't be good if he thought refusing the gift was an attempt to gain a bigger favor or to take advantage of me.

There was also Ge ​​Yue, who was jumping up and down anxiously beside them, "What? Sister Liu, you saved my brother? How did you save him? Such a big thing, why didn't you tell me!"

Liu Nanjia was amused by her, so he went along with her and told her about what they had encountered on the road and in Liaocheng.

Ge Yue was a very good listener, offering plenty of emotional support and occasionally asking follow-up questions.

He was also particularly interested in the matter between Liu Nanjia and Song Chen.

Liu Nanjia didn't hide anything and only told what she could.

Unbeknownst to her, Ge Yue cast a sympathetic glance at her brother.

Before coming today, she thought her brother still had a chance and was thinking of trying to bring them together.

After hearing Liu Nanjia's story, the idea was completely dispelled.

This can't compare in any way!

Liu Yanxi passed the imperial examination and became a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations). However, he did not rest for long because he had to prepare for the next year's spring imperial examinations.

Liu Nanjia's life returned to its usual tranquility. Having spent too much time traveling this year, she didn't want to go anywhere for the remaining months and stayed in Linchuan City.

Another Spring Festival has arrived in the blink of an eye, and the three-year agreement with Song Chen has come to an end, but he has not returned.

If this had happened in the past, Liu Nanjia would definitely have felt resentful.

Having seen it with her own eyes, all she wants now is for the person to come back safely.

As the top scholar in the provincial examination, Liu Yanxi was highly regarded by the prefectural school. Even though the school was on holiday, the teacher still assigned him several policy essays.

So at home, he often stayed in his study, much like Liu Nanjia had experienced during the college entrance examination.

As usual, Grandma Liu brought Liu Yan and Liu Anren with her.

The city of Linchuan was filled with a festive atmosphere for the Chinese New Year. Supermarkets were doing booming business, packed with people buying New Year's goods.

It was so lively that it seemed as if the war thousands of miles away did not exist.

In the three months since she returned, Liu Nanjia has only received one letter from Song Chen. It was very short and clearly written in a spare moment.

The letter only mentioned that the battle was at a stalemate and that he had been slightly injured, but not seriously, and was almost fully recovered.

Tell Liu Nanjia not to worry, and also, I'm sorry.

On one side, soldiers were fighting bloody battles in the freezing cold, while on the other side, people were celebrating the New Year with joy.

Although this is precisely what they are fighting for and protecting.

But Liu Nanjia was worried about Song Chen and couldn't be very happy, as were the rest of the family.

The people were still the same, but the New Year celebrations felt rather quiet.

After a simple New Year celebration, preparations for going to Beijing began.

The imperial examinations are in March, and the journey will take almost a month.

Liu Yanxi planned to set off early so that he would have time to recover from the fatigue of the journey, adjust his condition, and get used to the environment of the capital city.

They were accompanied by the three siblings.

Liu Yanxi felt a little guilty because Liu Nanjia wasn't there when she participated in the autumn examination last year.

Furthermore, going to the capital would bring us closer to the border, allowing us to gather more information about the area.

With her older brother and sister gone, Liu Sirou naturally followed suit.

In doing so, they practically emptied out the small house in Linchuan.

As they were seeing each other off, Cao Wanying looked at the empty courtyard and felt a little sad: "I feel a bit empty now that you're gone. It will be hard to see you again in the future."

Liu Yanxi added, "Maybe if we don't pass the exam, we'll come back again."

He was met with glares from those around him.

Cao Wanying: "What nonsense are you talking about? If you don't pass the exam, don't come back to see us!"

Bai Ran tried to smooth things over: "Don't listen to her. It's okay if you don't pass the exam. Yan Xi is still so young, he'll have plenty of opportunities."

“That’s right, Sister Cao, you mustn’t put pressure on my brother.” Liu Nanjia also finished checking the things and said, “If you miss me, you can come to the capital anytime! You’re welcome anytime!”

Cao Wanying and Bai Ran readily agreed.

Among Liu Yanxi's classmates, there were several others who were going to the capital to take the imperial examinations, and some of them were close friends who had originally planned to go with Liu Yanxi.

For many test takers, the cost of traveling to Beijing is a significant expense, so it's common for several people to share the cost.

Now that Liu Nanjia is also going, and she's bringing a lot of her belongings, the brother and sister discussed it and decided to take those people along too, which just means a few more carriages.

These people were able to be on good terms with Liu Yanxi, so their character was naturally impeccable. They insisted on handing over the travel expenses they had prepared to Liu Yanxi, saying that they couldn't take advantage of him like that.

They knew in their hearts that even so, they still benefited from Liu Yanxi's influence.

However, with these people traveling with him, Liu Yanxi could also learn from each other and exchange insights along the way, which was quite rewarding.

Upon arriving in the capital, Liu Yanxi and his classmates focused on preparing for the exam, while Liu Nanjia went to look for a place to live.

She had a lot of confidence in her brother, thinking he would most likely pass the exam and stay in the capital.

When the war ends and Song Chen returns, he will most likely be assigned to the capital.

Furthermore, based on Liu Nanjia's experience, the property prices here will only rise, not fall. The large profits the supermarket brings her mean she doesn't need to worry about money.

Liu Nanjia decided to go all out and buy a large enough house, and finally chose a house with four courtyards and two lanes.

It wasn't that she didn't want a bigger one, but the capital city had strict restrictions on the size of residences; above that, only officials of a certain rank could live there.

Before they knew it, the day of the imperial examination arrived. Liu Nanjia remained calm and composed; if it didn't work out, she would try again.

Looking at Liu Yanxi herself, she was even calmer than her. She ate breakfast as usual, picked up her small bag, and went out.

There will definitely be many horse-drawn carriages on the way to the examination hall. If there is a traffic jam, it is better to walk.

After the written exam, Liu Yanxi was indeed on the list without any doubt, and then prepared for the next round of the palace examination.