After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Only now do those with real talent realize how important the preliminary exam is!

It would be a real disaster to make them take the exam with these people.

The Sixth Prince learned of the preliminary test results from Tang Yu and praised Su Tai even more. "Madam Shen is quite intelligent. Although some of these preliminary test papers look immature, they can at least be considered literate and not just nonsense. Let's leave it at that!"
"Have Lu Tong publish the list of those who passed the preliminary test and begin preparations for the formal exam."

"Yes!"

Early the next morning.

A list of those who passed the preliminary test was posted outside the county town gate. As expected, everyone who was supposed to be on the list was there, and those who messed around were eliminated.

It took Liu Tiechui two days to recover.

Just then, someone else came to the door, so he quickly hid in the backyard and asked Ma Yujie to go and entertain them.

The person who came was Ma Yujie's aunt from the same clan.

Because her own child didn't make it to the preliminary exam, she didn't give Ma Yujie a friendly look as soon as she entered the door. "Yujie! Ask yourself honestly, when you and your siblings were struggling, didn't your aunt help you a lot? This time, even if I begged your husband to be lenient with you for the preliminary exam, you wouldn't listen. It's true that once you become rich, you turn your back on people!"

Ma Yujie's temples throbbed as she suppressed her anger and patiently explained, "Auntie, you were both present at the preliminary exam that day. Wasn't my husband lenient enough? The exam papers were ultimately taken back to the county government by the soldiers. It wasn't my husband who changed them. Why is it our fault that my cousin didn't pass? If my husband could get involved in the affairs of the county government, he wouldn't have remained a minor town official all this time!"

"Is there really no other way? Please help your cousin, it concerns his future, I have no other choice!" Aunt Ma Yujie continued to pester.

The two argued in the front yard for most of the day until a guest came over and Ma Yujie finally persuaded the person to leave.

After talking with the guests for a while, he quickly told the doorman to close the door and refuse further visits.

"What kind of mess is this! Her son didn't pass the exam and she's blaming us for not doing our best!" Ma Yujie stormed into Liu Tiechui's study, so angry she couldn't even swallow her tea.

Liu Tiechui chuckled jokingly, "Now you know why I didn't let you accept those things! It's all about favors. If you give someone something, you have to do them a favor in return. These kinds of things aren't easy to do!"

Ma Yujie had already accepted Liu Tiechui in her heart, but she couldn't bring herself to admit her mistake. She glared at him irritably and stormed out, saying, "I'm going to check on my son. I'm not talking to you anymore!"

This time, both of her sons made the list, so she naturally noticed the other people on the list as well.

She discovered that, apart from the children from Dongmen Village in Shenjiazhuang, most of those on the list came from wealthy and well-off families and had genuine talent and learning, so she began to pay more attention to them.

I'm just afraid my son won't pass the exam, it would be so embarrassing!
Unlike Ma Yujie's competitive nature, Su Tai remained calm upon learning that both of her sons had passed the preliminary exam.

Discussing the next steps with Shen Ying, "Uncle, almost all the children in the village who took the exam this time passed. With so many people going to the county town, accommodation is a big problem."

Although they still have a spare yard, it's not enough.

Upon hearing this, Shen Dagou, who rushed in, immediately said, "Come to my place! My house is unoccupied; you can squeeze in if you want."

Su Tai's eyes lit up, and she laughed, "I had forgotten that there was a wealthy family in our village! Since Big Dog is willing to provide the house, it saves us a lot of trouble."

Shen Ying was extremely grateful and praised Shen Dagou profusely.

Seeing that Shen Dagou's expression was off, Su Tai quickly asked, "What's wrong?"

Shen Dagou said anxiously, "Sister-in-law, my grandma has fallen ill again. I wanted to ask if you still have the pills you gave her before?"

Su Tai was startled and quickly got up. "I'll go get it. Wait a moment."

Before the New Year, Granny Chen's health had been poor, and she was on the verge of death. Huang Xinghua begged her for help, and Granny Chen bought an Angong Niuhuang Wan (a traditional Chinese medicine) for Huang Xinghua from the Mu Shikong Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic. Thinking it was a last resort, she was surprised that it actually worked.

Granny Chen has recovered, but she hasn't fully recovered. The time she spends sitting and talking is getting shorter and shorter each day, while the time she spends sleeping is getting longer and longer. She doesn't have any major illnesses, and even the doctor can't do anything about it.

I don't know what's going on this time.

Su Tai gave the medicine to Shen Dagou and went back with him to check on things.

Shen Ying was also worried, so they decided to go together.

The three of them entered Granny Chen's room. Shen Dagou didn't say anything and went to dissolve the pills. Together with Huang Xinghua, they fed Granny Chen the medicine.

Old Mrs. Chen was awakened by the bitter taste of the medicine and said weakly, "Don't give me any more medicine. It's a waste of time. I just dreamed about Ah Xiang and Tian Tian. They've never had a good life. They haven't enjoyed any of the blessings in their family. I even dreamed that Tian Tian gave birth to my great-grandson. He was chubby and so cute!"
I was woken up before I could finish my dream.

With tears in her eyes, Huang Xinghua coaxed, "You said it was a dream, not real! If you miss Axiang, I'll have Dagou go to Dongmen Village and have her bring the children back for you to see."

"I'm a blind old woman, I can't see anything, what's the point of looking! I'd rather dream, in my dreams my eyesight is perfect, I can see everything clearly, I wonder if Tian Tian is doing well at her in-laws' house?" Granny Chen sighed again.

Huang Xinghua quickly gave Shen Dagou a look, signaling her to go and bring Shen Xiang's family back.

Calm down Granny Chen.

As soon as Huang Xinghua stepped out of the house, tears began to stream down her face. "My mother-in-law suffered her whole life, and she didn't even get to enjoy her old age for long before this happened."

Shen Ying kept shaking her head and sighing, "No one can escape birth, aging, sickness and death. I think we should prepare for this. Now that conditions are better, our family can afford good things. Let Shen Mu and Da Gou go to the county town and use the best of everything to have a grand and impressive event."

This time, Huang Xinghua really couldn't hold back her tears and burst into tears.

But the things that need to be done still need to be done.

After Shen Dagou brought Shen Xiang's family back, he went to the county town with Shen Mu the next day.

The two were not unfamiliar with the county town, but they were not exactly familiar with it either. Instinctively, they wanted to ask Shen Yi for help, so they found their way to the county government office.

Before I even saw Shen Yi, I ran into Tang Yu.

"Mr. Tang!" Shen Dagou exclaimed in surprise.

Tang Yu turned around and, seeing that it was them, quickly went to greet them, "What brings you to the county government office?"

Shen Mu suppressed his grief and choked out, "My mother is dying. We came to the county town to buy a coffin, but we don't know where to go. We wanted to ask Shen Yi for help."

Tang Yu's expression changed, and she hurriedly said, "Please come in with me first."

After settling Shen Mu and Shen Dagou in, he immediately went to the inner courtyard to see Murong Chen. "Your Highness, I have something to report."

Murong Chen put down the book in his hand. "What is it?"

Tang Yu hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "Just now, the concubine's father and elder brother came to the county government office. They said that the concubine's grandmother is dying and they need to ask Magistrate Shen for help in buying a coffin."

Murong Chen's expression changed slightly, his face becoming more solemn. "Have someone prepare carriages and horses. I will personally go to Shen Family Village. Take the silver and inform Shen Yi to select the best coffin." (End of Chapter)