The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 380: Transition from Old to New (6)_1

This angered Yan Family’s matriarch so much that she couldn’t eat properly for several days. After all, her son, Ma Zhicai, had been the village’s only Tongsheng, which made many people envious. As a mother of a Tongsheng, she always walked around with a sense of pride.

Learning that both Lin Changting and Wu Xin were intending to sit for the Scholar examination, Yan Family’s matriarch did not shy away from mocking their families in the village.

It wasn’t so unusual for Lou Zheng’s grandson, Wu Xin, who had read at the private academy in the market for two years. Lin Changting, however, was merely a young child who had not been studying for a very long time, and yet he dared to sit the Scholar examination. This was enough to provoke laughter among the townsfolk.

"Where do Lin Changting and Wu Xin live?" The bearer of good news asked excitedly.

"Find them at the big courtyard." Some elders had already gathered at the entrance of the village. They kindly pointed the way to the joyous messenger, "What is the news, young sir?"

"Lin Changting and Wu Xin have passed the Scholar examination. I came to spread the joy." The messenger replied with a smile.

"Really? Two Scholars in our village?" Upon hearing this, the elders dropped what they were doing and eagerly volunteered to guide him. Anyone who became a Scholar in the village was a source of village pride. Besides, the two new Scholars were from Lou Zheng’s and Lin Family’s households!

"How can this be?" Upon hearing that her son’s name was not mentioned, Yan Family’s matriarch incredulously stared at the messenger. "How can Ma Zhicai’s name be missing? Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake?"

"Ma Zhicai’s name is not on the list." The messenger pushed past Yan’s matriarch and cheerfully followed the village elders towards the Lin Family’s residence.

"No, they must have made a mistake." Yan’s matriarch absolutely refused to believe that Ma Zhicai had failed in his examination. "Old man, where on earth are you? Go check the placard at the market!"

Upon hearing the messenger’s news, the Lin Family’s servant immediately informed his master.

"Reward him, immediately reward him." The old master said excitedly with his voice trembling. Lin Changshu was the first to have someone send a reward to the messenger.

The generosity was unexpected, amounting to two taels.

In the countryside, a reward of two taels is quite substantial. The news bearer never expected to receive such a reward in the countryside and expressed his gratitude profusely.

"It’s really Wu Xin." Lou Zheng looked at the large red announcement card with Wu Xin’s name on it and immediately had his son, Wu Dali, reward the messenger with another two taels.

The pleased messenger had nothing but good words to say.

"Now we have two Scholars in our village, and they’re both so young too. We must encourage our children to study harder." Some villagers were excited and expressed their congratulations.

"Yes, next time we need to make sure our children try their best to take the examination."

...

Lin Ziyin was overjoyed and sent a message to the private academy. The two young Scholars, Wu Xin and Changting, found themselves surrounded by admiring children, their faces turning bashfully red.

"Thank you, teacher." Changting and Wu Xin thanked the seated Qian Xuan.

"Learning is a lifelong journey." Qian Xuan was equally pleased. Initially, he believed his life was over when he was exiled to the Northern Land, but after more than a year, he ended up meeting several promising students. He reflected on the old saying, the reversal of fortune by an old man who lost his horse, perhaps it was fate that led him to the Northern Land. "Keep studying hard in the future."

"Yes, teacher." All the children answered solemnly.

Lin Ziyin was busy, very busy!