After a male student transmigrated into the body of a widow,

Two days later, the results of the first county-level examination were released.

Gu Lin and Zheng Hao arrived at the county government office early in the morning. They were quite early, but the area in front of the notice posting was already crowded with people.

Gu Lin tried to squeeze in, but Zheng Hao stopped him, saying, "Uncle Gu, there are too many people in front of you. Don't go over there. We'll know the results after the yamen runners post the list."

Pulled back by Zheng Hao, Gu Lin's feverish mind calmed down, and he and Zheng Hao stood in a place far away from the crowd, waiting for the yamen runners to post the notice.

A short while later, the yamen runners came out of the county government office.

The two constables leading the way came over, one carrying a gong and the other a large sheet of red paper.

They waved away the gathered crowd, which had actually begun to disperse as they approached.

Holding a red paper with paste already applied to the back, the yamen runner pasted the list on the wall. After it was flat, another yamen runner with a gong struck the gong and shouted loudly, "The results of the first county examination are out. All those who are on the list will proceed to the next examination."

After striking the gong three times and repeating it twice, the constable left with the other constables.

The crowd had been unable to contain themselves for a long time, and now that they saw the tall and burly yamen runners leave, they could no longer restrain themselves and rushed to where the notice was posted.

Gu Lin watched from afar. Among the people surging forward were young boys with tender faces, strong and healthy adults, and women and men with weathered faces. In the crowd, many people had their shoes and hairbands torn off.

Gu Lin couldn't help but feel grateful that Zheng Hao had pulled him back earlier.

Suddenly, a loud, aged voice rang out from ahead.

"I'm hit!"

"I'm hit!"

A thin, bearded man with gray hair shouted excitedly.

His face was pale, his cheekbones slightly prominent, and he burst into tears of joy when he saw his name on the list.

Seeing this, no one laughed. Their feelings were mixed; some empathized, while others were worried and uneasy.

The man before me, weeping with emotion, was clearly someone who had taken the exam for many years before finally passing. But this was only the first exam of the county-level examination, yet it had taken decades for people to take it. What were they to do now?

Suddenly, a commotion erupted ahead, and someone shouted, "The first place is Zheng Hao?!"

Who is Zheng Hao?

A scholar in a long robe stepped forward and asked with a strange expression, "Are you Zheng Hao from the Five Willows Academy?"

The shouts of the group were so loud that Gu Lin and Zheng Hao, who were standing at a distance, also heard them.

Although Gu Lin had long been prepared for Zheng Hao to be on the list, he did not expect that the other party would come back with the first place.

He opened his mouth slightly, turned to look at Zheng Hao, and said somewhat slowly, "Xiao Hao, did you hear that... You are number one."

As the person in first place, Zheng Hao appeared more composed than Gu Lin. He calmly nodded and said, "Yes, I know."

Then he added, saying to Gu Lin, "Uncle Gu, this is only the first test."

The implication is that the top scorer in this exam is insignificant and should not be taken seriously.

Turning his head to glance at the crowd still discussing who Zheng Hao was, Gu Lin tugged at Zheng Hao and led him home.

Because of his excitement and the brisk walking along the way, Gu Lin was out of breath when he got home and sat down in front of the stone bench.

Zheng Hao brought over a bowl of water and said, "Uncle Gu, have some water to calm down."

After taking the water offered to him, Gu Lin drank a few sips before his body and mind recovered.

Then he looked up, a bright smile spreading across his face, and said to Zheng Hao, "You're pretty good, kid!"

Gu Lin had assumed that Zheng Hao had passed the exam, or at most ranked in the middle to upper part of the list.

After all, Wuliu Academy wasn't the only prestigious academy in the county; several others were equally formidable.

Moreover, regardless of the circumstances, the gap created by time is difficult to bridge; Zheng Hao's time in school was far shorter than that of the other candidates. The other students who participated in the county examinations had been laying the foundation since they were five or six years old, studying for almost seven or eight years before taking the imperial examinations.

Therefore, Gu Lin did not expect that Zheng Hao would quietly get first place.

Zheng Hao took the empty bowl from the other person's hand and placed it on the stone table. He did not sit down, but stood next to Gu Lin and said, "Uncle Gu, there are five sessions in the county examination. It is too early to be happy now."

"Alright, alright." Gu Lin ignored him, waved his hand, and said to Zheng Hao, "You got first place, let me be happy first."

This first place is unlike Zheng Hao's previous monthly exam first place in the academy, nor is it like the first place in the joint exam of various academies three years ago.

The county examination was an exam that all scholars in the county would participate in, regardless of age or whether they were studying in a private school or not. Anyone who wanted to obtain official rank would participate.

Its gold content is extraordinary.

Zheng Hao couldn't share Gu Lin's joy. For him, everything was judged solely by its potential benefits. The results of the first county examination offered him very limited advantages, and Zheng Hao considered them insignificant.

But seeing the cheerful young man beside him, Zheng Hao didn't say anything to spoil the mood.

While getting first place in the first county-level exam is of no use, Uncle Gu is the most important person to him. If getting first place can bring a smile to Uncle Gu's face, then it will have some value.

Gu Lin was naturally delighted. If Zheng Hao hadn't had to take his second exam in a couple of days, he would have definitely cooked a feast to celebrate.

Gu Lin said to Zheng Hao, "I'll celebrate with you after you finish your exam."

"Okay, thank you for your trouble, Uncle Gu."

Looking at the smile on the boy's face and the light shining in his eyes, Zheng Hao replied.

That evening, when Sister Zhao and Brother Yu returned, they learned about Zheng Hao's grades from Gu Lin and happily congratulated him.

Even Zhao's wife, who hadn't been in a good mood lately, was all smiles. If Gu Lin hadn't been holding her back, she would have gone into the kitchen to cook a feast to reward Zheng Hao.

Everyone chatted and ate happily. After dinner, they went back to their rooms to wash up.

In the following exams, Zheng Hao stopped Gu Lin from taking him to the exam venue.

Seeing that Zheng Hao insisted, Gu Lin did not force him. After Zheng Hao left for the examination hall, Gu Lin went to Happiness Building.

For more than ten days in a row, Zheng Hao achieved first place in the second to fourth exams.

Gu Lin always had a radiant smile on his face, making it obvious to anyone who looked at him that he was in a good mood.

Some diners asked him curiously what good thing had happened that made him so happy, but Gu Lin just smiled and didn't answer.

After the final exam, while other candidates looked worried or exhausted, Zheng Hao returned home looking radiant.

Seeing that he was in good spirits, Gu Lin was slightly relieved. He stepped forward and took the exam basket from the other person, saying, "It's good that the exam is over. Take a good rest for the next few days."

Zheng Hao nodded, then said to Gu Lin, "If Xingfulou and Xingfulu need any help, Uncle Gu can call me."

"Don't worry, I'll call you if I need anything."

After the two finished speaking, Aunt Zhao from the kitchen called out that dinner was ready, and Gu Lin and Zheng Hao went over to serve the dishes.

Zheng Hao placed the dishes on the wooden table in the lobby and then turned around to lower the curtain hanging on the lobby door.

Now it's late February, two-thirds of spring has passed, yet the wind still blows from time to time outside.

During the day, it doesn't feel like much, but at night, the wind blowing against your skin makes you shiver involuntarily.

As Zheng Hao walked over from the kitchen, he noticed that Gu Lin was shivering.

Seeing Zheng Hao's actions, Yu Ge'er sighed to Gu Lin, "Zheng is so thoughtful. Knowing that you are afraid of the cold, he hung curtains all over the house. We all benefited from this and did not feel cold at all last autumn and winter."

Gu Lin nodded and looked at Zheng Hao, saying, "He is an extremely kind person."

The thick curtain hanging in front of the lobby was put up by Zheng Hao last autumn and winter when Gu Lin was sick.

Every autumn and winter, Gu Lin is prone to illness, and when he gets sick, he has to stay in his bedroom to recuperate.

Last year, Gu Lin caught a cold and couldn't stay in his bedroom for more than ten days, but Zhao's wife gritted her teeth and wouldn't let him go outside.

Seeing the young man lying on the bed with a disappointed look on his face and his eyes looking longingly out the window, Zheng Hao brought a cart full of thick cloth when he returned from the academy the next day.

Next, he and Brother Zhao hung curtains in every room of the house, including the main hall and the kitchen. Then, they had Gu Lin put on his clothes and cloak and led him around the house.

However, although Zheng Hao allowed Gu Lin to move between the rooms because of the thick curtains, he did not allow the other party to stay outside for long.

At the wooden table laden with food, Aunt Zhao watched Gu Lin devour sweet and sour pork, enjoying it immensely. She was both pleased and delighted, saying, "Eat slowly, eat slowly. No one's going to take it from you. Be careful not to choke."

Because of Zheng Hao's success in the imperial examinations, the meals at home have been rather bland for the past two weeks.

Now that Zheng Hao has finally finished his exams, Sister Zhao is no longer willing to stop.

That evening, all sorts of dishes—spicy, savory, sweet and sour—were served, and Gu Lin couldn't stop eating.

He swallowed the sweet and sour pork in his mouth and said to Sister Zhao, "It's been a long time since I've had your sweet and sour pork. I used to eat it every day and didn't think much of it, but now that I haven't had it for so long, I really miss it."

Zhao's wife was delighted to hear this. She jokingly scolded Gu Lin, "You little rascal, your mouth is as sweet as honey. Don't think I don't know you've been talking non-stop in Happiness Building."

Zheng Hao, who had initially felt sorry for Uncle Gu for having to restrain his appetite, raised an eyebrow after hearing Zhao's words, and then glanced at Gu Lin beside him.

Gu Lin didn't notice; he was chatting and laughing with Sister Zhao.

Seeing his mother so happy today, Zhao Dagen picked up some food and tried to put it in her bowl, but his sister-in-law dodged it with lightning speed.

The food he was holding stopped in mid-air, and Zhao Dagen hesitantly put his chopsticks back down.

As if he hadn't seen the scene before him, Gu Lin said to Sister Zhao, "There are only hot pot restaurants in Xingfu Restaurant. How can anyone stand eating too much of that? Your cooking is still the best, Sister Zhao."

The unpleasantness caused by Zhao Dagen dissipated, and Zhao's wife regained her smile, saying, "You're just trying to coax me."

After the meal, everyone chatted for a while, mainly Gu Lin, Zhao's wife, and Yu'er, while Zheng Hao and Zhao Dagen remained silent.

Seeing that it was getting late, everyone dispersed.

Gu Lin didn't go straight back to his bedroom. He walked to Zhao's sister-in-law's door and said, "Sister-in-law, may I come in?"

"Brother Lin, come in."

Pushing open the door and walking in, Gu Lin saw Zhao's wife sitting at the table embroidering clothes. Gu Lin said, "Sister-in-law, the candlelight is dim at night, be careful not to hurt your eyes."

Zhao's wife put the clothes on the table, then looked up at Gu Lin and said, "What's wrong, Lin-ge'er? Why are you coming over so late?"

Gu Lin sat down next to Zhao's sister-in-law and said, "Sister-in-law, are you still angry with Dagen?"

After hearing Gu Lin's words, Zhao's sister-in-law's previously pleasant expression darkened slightly, but not towards Gu Lin.

She said, "Why should I be angry with him? If he's got wings and wants to fly, let him fly."

Hearing this, Gu Lin understood that the other party was still angry.

After thinking for a moment, Gu Lin said to Sister Zhao, "Actually, if Da Gen can marry Miss Mu, it would be a good marriage. Why do you seem not very satisfied, Sister Zhao?"

Sister-in-law Zhao was silent for a while, then said to Gu Lin, "Brother Lin, I'm speaking frankly because I don't consider you an outsider."

"When two families arrange a marriage, they always consider the social standing of the family. For example, people in the county only choose their daughters from within the county and don't look at the surrounding villages. Miss Mu's family is from the prefectural city and is quite well-off. We are penniless and have nothing. How can we possibly marry a girl from the prefectural city?"

"When Dagen came back this time, he suddenly told me that he wanted to marry Miss Mu. I should be happy, but I am really uneasy!"

Sister Zhao said earnestly, "I know what kind of person Dagen is. He won't take advantage of Miss Mu, nor will he marry Miss Mu just to please the Mu family."

"But I really can't understand why a perfectly fine young lady from the prefectural city would choose to marry my Dagen instead of other talented young men from the prefectural city!"

While admiring the other person's keen intuition, Gu Lin's purpose was to mediate the conflict between her and Zhao Dagen.

He smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, you're becoming more and more refined in your speech these days. Look at this, a perfect match, poor and penniless, yet a talented young man. It's clear that I haven't been a teacher for nothing."

Zhao's wife blushed with embarrassment at Gu Lin's words. She glared at Gu Lin and said angrily, "Go away, I'm not like Zheng boy or Yu boy, don't tease me."

Then, Gu Lin said seriously, "But sister-in-law, I think there's something wrong with what you said."

"In terms of family background and wealth, the money you and Brother Zhao have saved over the past three years is already a considerable sum. In terms of family wealth alone, many well-off families in the county town can't compare to you. You are no worse off than others."

"Besides, how can Dagen not be considered a promising young man? He has now learned a skill, and he is of good character and appearance. If the news of his intention to get married is spread, matchmakers will definitely come to you for marriage every day."

"Although it's important for families to be well-matched in terms of social standing when arranging a marriage, it also depends on the attitudes of the parties involved. If it's not just Dagen who likes Mu-guniang, but Mu-guniang who also likes Dagen, and you don't agree to them being together, wouldn't you be the one who suffers if Dagen doesn't have a good life in the future?"

"Instead of forcibly intervening to separate them, it's better to let them be. Even if they have any problems later, it won't be your fault."

Gu Lin's words had a huge impact on Zhao's sister-in-law. The idea that children's marriages should always be decided by their parents was ingrained in her bones. Even her relationship with Da Gen's father was arranged by their parents and the matchmaker.