Female Supremacy and Rise to Power: Lin Shu's Imperial Examination Adventures

At this critical moment, Lin Shu pulled him back and put her hand on Li Huanzhi's waist.

Li Huanzhi's veil fell into the water, her hair cascading down and fluttering in the wind, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face. Her face was as delicate and alluring as a lotus blossom, her lips naturally red, and her captivating fox-like eyes were mesmerizing; one glance would draw anyone in.

Lin Shu didn't consider herself someone who was easily swayed by beauty, but when she saw Li Huanzhi's face, she couldn't help but feel a slight ripple in her heart.

Li Huanzhi stared intently at the woman before him, his heart pounding as if it would leap out of his throat. He couldn't help but fall into deep thought: Why was his heart beating so fast? Was it fear? Or was it... her?

"Phew! You scared me to death! Thank goodness you're here, sis." Li Yun'er's exclamation broke the silence between the two, and they immediately separated as if waking from a dream.

"Thank you, Miss Lin." Li Huanzhi blushed and curtsied to Lin Shu to express his gratitude.

"Hmm." Lin Shu resumed her usual indifference and aloofness, as if nothing had happened.

Li Huanzhi lowered his head, gently pursed his lips, and tried to hide the disappointment and frustration in his eyes.

After this incident, everyone lost interest in continuing their stroll and headed home.

Songhua Lane.

Li Yun'er and her companion watched as Lin Shu and the other two entered the Lin family courtyard.

Once the three of them were out of sight, Li Yun'er excitedly grabbed Li Huanzhi's arm and said, "Wow, brother, my sister is really amazing! Don't you think so?"

“Yes,” Li Huanzhi replied absentmindedly.

"Hey? Why are you so absent-minded? Could it be that you've fallen for my friend?" Li Yun'er blinked and leaned closer to Li Huanzhi.

"Don't talk nonsense!" Li Huanzhi's face instantly turned bright red. "I was just startled."

"Oh, oh, oh, you're being shy now?" Li Yun'er teased with a smile. "But seriously, brother, my friend is really great! If you like her, I'll go to her place when I'm in high school..."

“Li Yun’er…” Li Huanzhi glanced at her sideways, his voice returning to its usual gentle tone, yet carrying an undeniable solemnity.

"Ah, brother, hehe, I was wrong, I was wrong. I was just thinking about your happiness!" Li Yun'er quickly admitted her mistake.

Li Huanzhi ignored his unreliable younger sister, quickened his pace, and went straight home, ignoring Li Yun'er chasing after him, calling out to him.

……

Time flies, and years pass quickly.

The county examination in February is fast approaching.

The preliminary examinations for candidates for the imperial examinations were divided into county examinations, prefectural examinations, and provincial examinations. The county and prefectural examinations were organized by the county magistrate and prefect, and were held annually. They mainly tested candidates on: eight-legged essays, examination poems, classics, regulated verse, and policy essays. Candidates who passed the county and prefectural examinations became candidates for the imperial examinations, and those who passed the provincial examinations became candidates for the position of student, or what we now call a scholar.

The county examination was held in Yun County, and the chief examiner was the wife of the county magistrate of Yun County.

The day before the county examination, the academy was closed for the day. Han Shuang stopped Lin Shu and asked:

"Just perform normally in this county exam. There's no need to be nervous. With your talent, it won't be difficult for you to pass all the way to the rank of Juren."

Although she knew that Lin Shu's high school entrance exam was a natural progression, Han Shuang wanted to reassure her, perhaps worried that Lin Shu might be nervous during her first exam.

"The student understands." Lin Shu nodded.

"Go ahead." Han Shuang trusted Lin Shu quite a bit.

……

Back at the Lin family home, Xue Wen and her two husbands had already packed everything.

The county examination consists of five sessions, which means Lin Shu will have to stay in the county for at least five days. Looking at the three large bags of clothes that the four of them have prepared, as well as a lot of pancakes and a small stove, Lin Shu pinched her brow and felt a headache coming on.

When Su Mu saw her return, he hurried out to greet her:

"My wife is back? We've already packed up and will be heading to the county in a bit."

Lin Shu asked in confusion, "Are you going too? Is Father going too?"

Xue Wen: "Of course I'll go. It's my daughter's first exam, how could I not go?"

Lin Shu was speechless and turned to look at her two husbands.

Su Mu quickly said, "I think I'll see my wife as soon as she comes out..."

Song Yun retorted, not to be outdone: "Me too..."

Left with no other choice, the whole family went to the county.

Outside, Li Yun'er had already instructed the servant to bring the carriage to the door. She had been working very hard lately and was returning to Yun County with Lin Shu today.

Two carriages headed towards Yun County. Lin Shu and Li Yun'er rode in one, while Xue Wen and his two husbands rode in the other with Li Huanzhi.

The carriage was comfortable and smooth, and the interior was beautifully decorated. There was a small table in the middle with four cups of tea and several plates of pastries. Xue Wen and his companions felt a little awkward. Li Huanzhi joked with a smile, "Uncle, brothers, why do you act like you don't recognize me?"

A single sentence broke the awkward atmosphere, and for a moment things were relatively harmonious. Before long, they arrived in Yun County.

At the entrance of Yunlai Inn.

Looking at the crowded scene in the inn, Li Yun'er was a little worried: "Girl, why don't you stay at my place tonight? I don't think this inn will be able to accommodate everyone."

Lin Shu thought about it and secretly regretted that she had forgotten that there were many students taking the exam tomorrow, so how could the inn have any vacant rooms?

Upon inquiring, it was indeed true; all the inns in the vicinity, whether near or far from the county government, were basically full. Going to the Li family's residence was fine on his own, but bringing his father and husband along was certainly improper.

Su Mu realized what was happening and felt a little annoyed. Lin Shu patted his hand and softly uttered two words: "It's alright."

He then declined Li Yun'er's invitation: "Thank you. However, since Shu is with her family, it would be inconvenient for her to visit your residence, so I will not disturb you any further."

"Sigh, alright!" Li Yun'er said dejectedly.

“Miss Lin, Huanzhi has a house nearby. If you don’t mind, please rest there.” Li Huanzhi lifted the carriage curtain slightly, revealing only half of his delicate chin.

"Then thank you very much, Young Master Li. It would be impolite of me to refuse. I will definitely come to thank you in person in the future." Lin Shu thought for a moment and agreed.

“Okay, okay. Then I’ll take you there. Get in the carriage. Let me tell you, my brother’s house is his future dowry. It’s one of the best locations in the county. If I wasn’t afraid of my parents beating me, I would want to stay here tonight…” Li Yun’er said enviously as she beckoned Lin Shu to get into the carriage.

"Whoa! Miss, young master, we've arrived!" Just then, the voice of the coachman came from outside.

When everyone got out of the carriage, they saw that the 'Li Mansion' was indeed the residence of a prominent family in Yun County. This mansion was almost comparable to the county magistrate's mansion next door.

Li Yun'er led Lin Shu's family on a tour inside, and then she and Li Huanzhi headed back home. Lin Shu's family then stayed there.

……

Yun County, Li Family.

As dusk fell, long past the usual mealtime for the Li family, everyone sat at the table, but no one dared to touch their chopsticks.

"Mu Lang, why haven't Yun'er and Huanzhi returned yet?" Mother Li asked anxiously, looking up outside.

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