The Cannon Fodder in Quick Transmigration Refuses the Usual Path

Chapter 622: The Antagonistic Cannon Fodder in the Imperial Examination Story 6

"Even the teacher at the academy says the possibility of Big Brother succeeding this time is very high!"

That's the Xiucai title, as long as he can pass...

Lin Jing's tone was slightly joyful, not concealing her excitement and agitation in the slightest. She was already sixteen this year, the reason she still hadn't settled on a marriage arrangement was precisely for this day.

Being the younger sister of a Tong Sheng versus being the younger sister of a Xiucai, which one makes it easier to find a good family is obvious!

Putting herself in another's shoes, Lin Sini also didn't think her eldest sister would refuse.

Although Eldest Sister lives a wealthy life now, as a concubine, relying on looks to serve a man, when beauty fades, affection wanes, ultimately there's no real stability. If Big Brother can pass this time, Sister's standing in the Liang residence will also be more substantial.

This is clearly a mutually beneficial good thing.

Yes, she knew. For the sake of this family, Eldest Sister had suffered some grievances since childhood and made many sacrifices. Therefore, even knowing she had a concubine sister, even if Big Brother really became a Xiucai, his future marriage prospects would inevitably be picked over, especially by those scholarly families who value reputation. Lin Sini had never complained about this.

She even felt more heartache for this sister who had to support the family from time to time.

But having come this far, wouldn't falling short at the last moment be an even greater loss?Whether emotionally or for practical benefit, Lin Jing did not believe her sister would give up.

Unfortunately, this time, Lin Sini guessed wrong.

All the way until they were politely escorted out of the Liang residence by maids and servants, apart from the small blue cloth bundle they brought, the sister and brother pair had nothing extra in their hands.

No large packages of precious fabrics, no specially provided silver money or jewelry. The two just walked out dryly, empty-handed.

Even when leaving, unlike before, Lin Sini could clearly sense the servants' visible perfunctoriness.

Even after the two walked out of the main gate of the Liang residence, they were still somewhat unable to snap out of it.

"What's wrong with Eldest Sister?"

Not to mention what expression the entire Old Lin Family had after the two returned empty-handed. Seeing this scene through the system, An Ning silently gave her efficient birth mother a thumbs up.

By lunchtime, when she bounced back, her pinkish-white, jade-like little face was visibly lively and cheerful. It amused Madam Lin beside her so much she couldn't stop laughing.

The bit of melancholy from earlier was quickly tossed to the back of her mind:

"What, Ning Ning is so happy today?"

"Of course!"

An Ning's expression said, 'Mother, what are you talking about? Of course I'm happy not having to see annoying people!'

"Then Ning Ning isn't worried that in the future, others, like Eldest Sister, will have uncles to back them up, but Ning Ning won't?"

Inside the room, Madam Lin spoke earnestly and seriously, a rare occurrence.

Although her daughter was somewhat spoiled in temperament, she had been clever since childhood, so saying this wasn't worrying the child wouldn't understand what's good or bad.

Sure enough, the next moment, she saw the little daughter in front of her give a light snort:

"Back me up? Little Uncle? Forget it!"

"He doesn't even want to wear the clothes Mother gave him, so annoying!"

Gently stroking her little daughter's bun hairstyle, the last trace of hesitation in Madam Lin's heart vanished.

Actually, she wasn't unaware of her younger brother's aloofness and thin affection. The previous support was less about the person and more about the reputation.

In Madam Lin's view, with the previous large and small packages taken back under everyone's watchful eyes, combined with blood ties and overt kindness, even if just to avoid being criticized behind their backs, if Ning Ning and the others really got into trouble in the future, this uncle would have to lend a hand, more or less.

At the very least, having a Xiucai uncle would sound better for the siblings' reputation.

But what she saw at the cloth shop that day completely severed her last shred of hope.

Ning Ning was right. He'd rather sell it at a low price, taking such a big loss, than wear her clothes.

That meant this favor, her younger brother had no intention of acknowledging it at all, even planning from the start to keep himself completely clean.

From inside out, not wanting to be stained by the slightest filth from his concubine sister.

Aloof to this extent...

For no reason, Lin Ting's heart suddenly gave a strange tremor. If that day really came, if her younger brother really became a lofty provincial graduate master, then what would she be?

A stain on the other's splendid brocade robe?

A constant reminder that he achieved it through selling his own sister, an unbearable disgrace.

Holding her little daughter tightly in her arms, even though it was high noon, Madam Lin couldn't help but break into a cold sweat on her forehead.

***

That evening, when Old Man Liang came over, he was met with a beautiful face, lovely and pitiful like a pear blossom bathed in rain. That night, he personally comforted her with actions.

Early the next morning, relieved, Madam Lin got up again. First, she stood by the window, carefully examining the newly acquired jade bracelet. Then she counted the silver notes she had saved before one by one, comparing them to what had been sent over previously. Her mood quickly became much more cheerful.

Luckily, overall, what had been given away so far wasn't too much.

Don't be fooled by the fact that in front of everyone, Lin Ting always appeared as the extremely filial daughter and good sister who constantly gave her all for the family. Even the old lady, because of this, often pitied her and bestowed rewards frequently.

But in reality, ever since her days as a maid, apart from the monthly allowance everyone knew about, the bulk of the rewards and the money earned from embroidery usually went nowhere but into her own pocket.

It was even more so after becoming a concubine. Every time there were large and small packages, putting on a good show. But most of it was pastries and cloth, with little actual silver money, occasionally adding one or two pieces of jewelry.

The cloth was precious, true, but in the Liang family, these things weren't considered much.

Even the travel money for the exam prepared that day was delayed by Ning Ning's matter.

Overall, the real bulk was still with her.

Feeling the hard, solid gold and silver jewelry under her hand, Madam Lin's heart finally settled considerably.

Outside the room, An Ning, who happened to see this scene, was thoughtful.

In contrast, at the Old Lin Family,

Seeing the two return empty-handed, and with several months passing without a single bit of news from Big Nier, inside the room, including the elderly couple, everyone's faces couldn't help but darken.

A moment later, Old Master Lin at the head spoke first, heavily tapping his cane: "Oldest, how much is Qingyun still short for this exam trip?"

"Besides the three taels of silver needed for registration, just getting a certified student to vouch costs five taels of silver. Then there's the expense of renting a carriage all the way to the prefecture city, accommodation, meals, round trip would cost at least ten taels minimum, plus writing materials and ink fees..."

The more he spoke, the less confident Oldest Lin became.

No wonder, calculated this way, just one Xiucai exam would waste at least over ten taels of silver. And that's not even counting if someone got sick on the road or something.

Correspondingly, the expressions of everyone in the Lin family in the room grew worse.

Over ten taels, what kind of concept was that?

Some families might work hard their whole lives and still not necessarily save up that amount.

If he succeeded, fine. If he didn't...

These years of supporting a scholar had already forced the family to scrimp and save enough.

Not far away, Lin Family's Second Brother and Third Brother exchanged a glance, their eyes instantly filling with hesitation:

Nearby, Third Aunt Lin couldn't wait to speak: "Father, Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law, why not go ask Big Nier again?"

"He's her own younger brother!"

That's stating the obvious, as if anyone didn't know! But the problem is they've tried these past few months, and this girl is dead set.

At the head, Old Master Lin's authoritative gaze swept over everyone's faces one by one. After who knows how long, he finally made the decision heavily: each branch would first contribute two taels, he, the old man, would add another five taels. As for the rest:

"Second, don't you forget, who exactly was it that allowed Second Nier to have such a good marriage earlier?"

This meant going to ask Second Nier for it.

As soon as the words fell, Second Aunt Lin's face instantly turned pale.

That year, because Qingyun passed the Tong Sheng exam, Second Nier did marry into a wealthy household, but at best, it was just a small landowner. It couldn't compare to the Liang family at all. This would cost several taels of silver at once. From Father's meaning, it would be at least six or seven taels. If Qingyun passed the exam, fine.

If he didn't... adding to the various sums "borrowed" back over the years, Second Nier, being honest and simple, would probably be bullied to death by those sisters-in-law.

The important thing was, what if in the future, Big Nier really washed her hands of them...

Just thinking of this, Second Aunt Lin couldn't help but feel her vision go dark.

Not far away, Lin Sini instinctively shrank toward the corner, trying to minimize her presence.

In short, without the sucker, because of these over ten taels of silver, the entire Old Lin Family, each with their own thoughts, became extremely lively. The daily spectacle while playing everywhere with her little friends certainly provided An Ning with some entertainment.

But soon, she had no mind to pay attention to these things. No other reason, two months before Young Uncle Lin set off for the exam. On this day, while An Ning was leisurely arranging flowers, the other jade talisman in her sleeve finally lit up.

Oh? Feeling a bit bored originally, An Ning instantly perked up.