The Cannon Fodder in Quick Transmigration Refuses the Usual Path

Chapter 631: The Villainous Cannon Fodder in a Civil Service Exam Story (15)

An Ning studied and played, and before she knew it another four years had passed. As her studies deepened, Lin Ting could already make simple weather forecasts based on celestial phenomena, predicting nearby sunshine, rain, and wind. She also had developed a bit of a sense when it came to divining good or bad fortune.

To better attune herself to the natural qi of heaven and earth, earlier the system "Xiao Ba" had specially provided a Taoist breathing technique.

Although she hadn’t obtained the legendary auxiliary artifact, Lin Ting wasn’t discouraged in the slightest.

It would be strange if something so profound were easy for her to master.

When life is going well and you feel confident, a person naturally becomes more composed.

By contrast, the Old Lin Family had a much bleaker four years. The grandson they had pinned their hopes on, the “future xiucai” Lin Qingyun, had failed the exams yet again. At this moment the little courtyard of the Lin family could fairly be described as clouded over with gloom.

This time, to ensure the grandson could take the provincial examination without repeating past mistakes, the whole family had once again thrown everything they had into preparations. Old Master Lin even swallowed his pride and personally went to the county seat to borrow money from his son-in-law, who was approaching forty.

They didn’t spare anyone: not just the Huang family where Fourth Nier lived, but even the Wang landlord family where Second Nier lived; a circle of relatives and friends all had been asked for loans.

Yet the result remained unsatisfactory.

Because they had lived well and had warm new clothes these past two attempts, Lin Qingyun had not run a high fever.But precisely because of that, the thin fig leaf of dignity they had been using was finally torn away.

Once could be an accident, twice perhaps coincidence—what about three times?

Old Master Huang, who had seen and heard much, said little, especially since his newly married daughter-in-law was pretty, clever, and literate. Earlier in the year she had even given him a child, an unexpected late blessing.

For this brother-in-law whose eyes were as big as the sky, it had really been just a speculative investment.

These days, are there not many tongsheng who repeatedly fail the exams?

But a family’s money is not something to throw away. From now on, asking that cheap son-in-law to put in more effort would not be possible.

Rather than relying on the younger brother-in-law, it would be better to cultivate their own eldest son. That was why Old Master Huang had been willing to spend a “hefty sum” to marry Lin Sini.

Businesspeople naturally prioritize tangible returns!

This brother-in-law had been praised excessively by his family, yet he had passed the tongsheng exam at eleven, so some innate talent was evident. Lin Jing herself was also clever.

They were all from the same county, all merchants. Though their wealth paled in comparison, the Liang family's second young master had also been noticed before.

Tsk, that aura of spiritual energy about him!

He was only eleven this year, yet he had consecutively passed the county and prefectural exams, with top rankings, and even the county tutor had praised him. Word had it that after the new year he would try the academy exam.

Look at them! That’s the real benefit.

No matter how good the brother-in-law was, he was not their own.

Holding the son they had fussed over for years and finally raised, Lin Jing’s eyes flickered with a tangle of emotions whenever her husband muttered about the future.

No wonder Eldest Sister let go so decisively!

Shitou Alley was bustling at the Liang household; ever since the news that Liang Jing had passed the exam, smiles had not left anyone’s face.

In Shou’an Hall, everyone had come together for a rare gathering. Not only did Old Master Liang suppress his excitement and hastily stop the eldest son from flaunting and scattering copper coins, but even Madam Wu visibly glowed with joy.

Why else—after the new year Liang Eldest Miss would be sixteen and at the age for marriage arrangements. If Liang Jing could successfully pass next year’s exams,

a twelve-year-old xiucai would be worth a great deal, adding much glory to the family.

More importantly, having a son who could already read meant Old Master Liang would not need to use his daughter’s marriage to fill that gap or sponsor poor students. This would provide an extra layer of security for Jue’er’s future management of the household.

Because of this, Madam Wu felt all the previous hardships had been worthwhile.

In short, aside from a few daughters, the whole family busied themselves for the upcoming academy exam.

Among them, Madam Lin, the biological mother, seemed calmest. She continued unfailingly to study hard every day, barely letting the book go.

“No wonder those two kids are so clever!”

“Liang Jing need not be mentioned, Second Miss is even more sharp-witted!”

In the main residence, pondering what else to add to the celebrations, Madam Wu sighed.

If earlier there had been some discomfort—after all, no family wishes to admit being outshone by their husband’s concubine—she had witnessed firsthand how Lin Ting had been over the years.

Clever, diligent, never lacking.

Even Tutor Yang had said that while Liang Jing had his current achievements, he himself didn’t dare take credit.

“Such a sharp mind is truly a pity!”

At this point, Madam Wu felt it was their husband who did not deserve her.

To be honest, there were others in the Liang family who felt the same.

Especially after New Year, under the family’s hopes, Liang Jing truly did not disappoint, achieving the xiucai title—one of the top ranks, indeed a certified student.

Now no one could stop them! The eldest brother, already nineteen and soon to be an adult, pounded his younger brother’s shoulder and without a word arranged for a large basket of copper coins; though their father forbade scattering them in public, scattering them at home was allowed!

Even An Ning and her sisters received a hefty red envelope.

Ah, it’s nothing, just for festivity!

Having already gained experience outside and learned how to be humble, the eldest brother of the Liang family declared that having a promising younger brother was simply… wonderful!

As for family prospects, a twelve-year-old certified student was a sure candidate for provincial graduate, and when the time came, those lining up to give gifts would not be short for the Liang household.

In short, for over half a month the Old Liang Family did not come down from that wave of happiness.

But after the short celebration, thinking of Lin’s repeated failures to pass and the increasingly outstanding bearing of Lin Ting, and recalling how Lin Ting had once entered the Liang residence,

what could this be called but losing a watermelon while trying to pick up sesame seeds?

The Liang clan clicked their tongues.

Old Lin Family really lacked foresight!

Meanwhile, with the Liang household so lively, the news spread quickly. Huai Shi County wasn’t large, and with Liang Jing passing at a young age, many things ceased to be secrets.

Ah, uncle and nephew taking exams at the same time, yet the nephew passed while the uncle got nothing—especially with the nephew being a twelve-year-old certified student—this would be talked about everywhere.

Moreover, whenever Lin Ting had returned before, she always came bearing large bundles; for a girl who had been married off young, she had been more than dutiful, but then…

All these facts made the crowd curious.

But none of that mattered now. The Old Lin Family, looking at the eldest grandson (their nephew) they had raised hopes for since childhood, seeing the Liang household decked with lanterns and the daughter who once brought back gifts, the grandson-in-law…

At this moment the Lin family’s eyes were clouded with an indistinct darkness.

It was a pity. At this very moment, none of the son’s honors nor the Old Lin Family’s circumstances could affect Lin Ting, who continued to voraciously study massive volumes of knowledge.

In the darkness, that familiar female voice still sounded:

“Host, keep it up, just one more step, just a little bit more, and you’ll be able to claim the auxiliary device!”