Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 550: Before the exam

The night before, Third Aunt was very solicitous, asking him what Ah Jian wanted to eat for breakfast with great concern.

Ah Jian didn’t mind.
Thanking her, he said that he would be happy to eat anything.
Third Aunt nodded and went to find Madam Li to have her stew a chicken early in the morning.
And she needed to remember to put in red dates, ginkgo berries, and wolfberries…

After a while, Ah Jian wanted to go back to his room but no matter how frequently he winked at Lian Fang Zhou, she would guiltily avoid his gaze with a blush.

Without her reply, Ah Jian refused to leave and his eyes became more and more direct.

Annoyed and embarrassed, Lian Fang Zhou had no choice but to wink back.
Ah Jian smiled and left.

Lian Fang Zhou let out a silent sigh of relief, feeling that she had dodged a bullet.
But when she saw the smiling face of Third Aunt, her body froze and she couldn’t help but blush.

Seeing her shy expression, Third Aunt chuckled and comforted her, saying: “I didn’t see anything…”

Lian Fang Zhou fled.

After running all the way upstairs, her heart was beating wildly.

That night, if Lian Fang Zhou went to her rom early or if Ah Jian went to find her to confide his heart, no one knew.

The news that Ah Jian had gone to Xianteng mountain for Lian Fang Zhou’s betrothal gifts quickly spread through Dafang village.
From the east to the west side of the village, groups of people came to the Lian house to look at the rare goods.
And although the reishi was not as rare as a tiger or bear skin, it was the biggest mushroom many of them had seen.
Such a thing could be found but never looked for, making people very envious!

Everyone laughed and said that this was heaven specially preparing them a generous gift.
The couple really was a perfect match, made in heaven.

When the older unmarried daughters and young wives saw it, they were very jealous.
If there was someone in this world who treated them like this, even if he was poor, they would marry him without hesitation!

Of course, how could it be possible for a man with such abilities to live in poverty his whole life?

Therefore, everyone’s emotions could be summed up in one sentence: Lian Fang Zhou won the lottery of life!

Lian Fang Zhou’s heart was full of joy but seeing that Ah Jian was very smug, she quickly poured cold water on his head and warned him that there would be no next time!

Since his goal had already been achieved, he agreed without hesitation.
There would be no next time! He also added a few loving words in a soft voice to coax his wife-to-be.

Xianteng mountain really deserved its reputation.
The dangers inside were too much for the average person to comprehend.
Ah Jian really didn’t want to go again, he wanted to grow old with his wife!

–

On the fifth day of the fourth month, Lian Fang Zhou and Ah Jian accompanied Lian Che to the city to meet up with Lian Ze at the inn.

Tomorrow, Lian Che would take his exam.

The little boy was wearing a new royal blue cross-neck robe with black thousand-layer cloth shoes.
His brows were furrowed and his expression was extraordinarily serious.

Even though he was well prepared, he couldn’t help but be nervous.

He didn’t just want to pass the exam, he wanted to come in first place!

However, among the 120 or so examinees, he was the youngest.

Some of them were only a few years older than him but many of them were adults in their twenties, thirties, and even forties.

Just looking at his age alone, the pressure in Lian Che’s heart was not insignificant.

After they settled in their rooms, Lian Fang Zhou smiled at Lian Che and said: “Let’s go take a look at the outside of the county school where you will take your exam.
It’s good to get familiar with the place.”

In the modern era, students would always go to visit the examination room before a big exam to find their room and have an impression.
This way, they would feel more at ease in their hearts.

People were always intimidated by the unknown and they would subconsciously harbor fear.
But once they had seen something, these bottomless thoughts would naturally disappear.

Of course, ancient times were not like the modern era.
The examination room was closed three days ago and people could only take a look at the outside, but Lian Fang Zhou thought it would still be useful.

After all, this little guy was still young.
She felt distressed when she saw his stiff posture, his appearance of pretending to be calm to not worry them.

“Okay!” Lian Che’s eyes lit up, he really wanted to go.

The county capital was not big and the time was still early.
Instead of taking a carriage, the four of them walked to the county school, talking and laughing.

After about two quarters of an hour, they arrived at the school.

Sure enough, security was very strict.
There was a large wooden sign that said ‘Silence’ and ‘Avoidance’ about ten meters away from the front door.

“Sister, this is where I will take my exam tomorrow!” Lian Che looked around curiously but naturally he couldn’t see anything.

“That’s right!” Lian Fang Zhou smiled.
“There will be about a hundred people or so.
Those who are older can be ignored because their aptitude is not very good.
Those who are your age will not be as sensible and smart as you.
Their learning will be limited so just treat it as turning in your usual homework, don’t worry!”

The group laughed.

Though he laughed, Lian Ze did not fully agree with his sister’s words.
How big and important was this exam, how could Lian Che treat it casually?

However, even if he disagreed, he wouldn’t contradict her.
His sister must have her own thoughts when she said this.
He just didn’t understand her intentions.

Out loud, he said: “I think what my sister said is right.
Che’er, you are much better than them!”

Ah Jian nodded.
“Don’t be nervous.
Take it easy, you haven’t missed any weaknesses in your studies.
You will get the best grade.”

Lian Che felt more at ease and nodded his head heavily: “Yes! Sister, Brother Ah Jian, I will definitely take first place!”

“My Che’er is ambitious!” Lian Ze gave him a thumbs up and smiled.
Looking at Lian Fang Zhou, he added: “But I think that no matter how you place in the exam, your sister, our family, and I will love you the same.
It’s not a big deal to take the exam again, you’re still young!”

Lian Fang Zhou nodded.
“Your brother is right, Che’er.
Don’t worry about rankings when you enter the exam, just concentrate on the questions.”

Lian Che nodded.

They stood around for a while until they were noticed by security, who started to walk towards them.

Lian Fang Zhou and the others turned around and left without waiting for them.
Dealing with them at this time did not seem auspicious, so they would avoid it if they could.

For dinner, they booked a private room in a restaurant and ordered a few light dishes.
Lian Che had to wake up early tomorrow for the exam, so they couldn’t spoil his stomach at a critical moment.

Thinking of this in her heart, Lian Fang Zhou was amused at her own nervousness.
She just got Lian Che to relax but she herself was like this!

When they left the restaurant, Lian Fang Zhou said softly to Lian Che: “Don’t stay up too late studying.
Go to bed early and sleep at ease.
Sister will wake you up tomorrow morning.”

Lian Che obediently agreed and went to his room with Lian Ze.

Lian Fang Zhou and Ah Jian talked for a while and then went back to their rooms.