They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 392 Abdominal Pain
"Good luck, little prodigy! Do your best on the exam!"

"Wishing our little prodigy all the best in his/her exams!"

"Wishing our little prodigy all the best in his/her exams!"

"Congratulations to the little prodigy!"

The villagers chatted and said auspicious words in a row, and Liang Mingxuan bowed to everyone to express his gratitude. He then got on the mule cart with his brother and sister-in-law and slowly drove away.

Xu Zhichun and Liang Minglang are enough to accompany them. There's also Manager Zhong in the city, as well as Xiao He, a shop assistant hired from the city, so we have someone to run errands.

The teachers at the county school were naturally very concerned about their students, so they booked an inn in advance for the teachers to stay in, and also provided accommodation for some students who had nowhere else to stay.

The gentlemen told everyone that if they had any questions before the exam, they could ask at the inn, or they could get together to guess the exam questions and discuss them.

Even if we don't discuss any professional issues, it's still beneficial for everyone to get together, chat, laugh, and relax.

Since the gentlemen have put it that way, we should certainly go if we can.

After Xu Zhichun and the others settled in the city, Liang Minglang took his younger brother to the inn.

"Don't wander off. I'll come pick you up later for dinner."

"Ah."

The period before the exam is a sensitive time, especially since Liang Mingxuan is young and has good grades. Countless eyes are watching him, both openly and secretly. Some admire him, while others can't help but want to bring him down from his pedestal. At this time, it's best for the adults in the family to avoid any interaction with the teachers in the academy.

Liang Minglang did not enter the inn, but said goodbye to the two brothers at the inn's entrance.

Liang Minglang only left after watching Liang Mingxuan go inside.

Madam Qin's maid, Granny Xi, was waiting. When Liang Minglang returned, Granny Xi was chatting and laughing with Xu Zhichun.

"Master Liang is back! Our master and mistress have been eagerly awaiting a visit from Master Liang and Madam Xu!"

Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "Granny Xi has been waiting for quite a while. Let's go to the Qin family for a visit."

The two families were cooperating more and more, and Qin Ning'an and Liang Mingxuan had a good relationship, so they were quite familiar with each other. Madam Qin would often send Xi Mama to deliver things to Xu Zhichun, such as fresh mutton, dried seafood purchased from other places, various freshly made pastries, fresh fruit picked from the orchard, etc., and Xu Zhichun would also give gifts in return.

Even if the two of them arrived empty-handed, it wouldn't be considered impolite.

Liang Minglang actually preferred to be alone with Xu Zhichun, but he couldn't refuse her hospitality, so he could only smile and nod. The couple then went away in a carriage with Granny Xi.

Mr. Qin and Mrs. Qin were both at home, as was Qin Ning'an.

Qin Ning'an did not participate in this children's examination.

I might not go again in the future.

Even if they go, they certainly won't be there with the mindset of passing the exam, but rather with the mindset of gaining some experience.

When Xu Zhichun and his companion arrived, Master Qin and Madam Qin warmly welcomed them and also summoned Qin Ning'an to meet them.

Qin Ning'an and Xu Zhichun were quite familiar with each other. Although Liang Minglang was a stranger, the boy's thoughts were actually very simple—his older brother's older brother was of course also his older brother!

Since he's my brother, he's one of us.

Why would I be reserved with my own people?

Qin Ning'an greeted them happily, saying with a smile, "Brother Liang, Sister-in-law Liang, Mingxuan is amazing! He'll definitely pass the exam!" Everyone laughed.

Master Qin quickly found an excuse to have the butler take his son away.

While auspicious words may sound nice, it's easy to make them too confident and end up not coming true—just a matter of what if, what if, that would be embarrassing.
Fortunately, their son is still a child, so Liang Mingxuan and Xu Zhichun won't blame him no matter what.

The Qin couple warmly invited him to stay for dinner, and also sent their second steward to wait at the inn's entrance for Liang Mingxuan to come out and pick him up.

Xu Zhichun and Liang Minglang had no choice but to agree, unable to refuse.

Mr. and Mrs. Qin specially instructed the kitchen to prepare a large table of delicious dishes to warmly entertain them.

They even thoughtfully considered that Liang Mingxuan would be taking an exam the next day, so they prepared light and simple home-style dishes. The advantage was that the ingredients were fresh, the cooking was just right, and the dishes were not messy, so they wouldn't upset his stomach.

When Xu Zhichun saw the dishes on the table during the meal, he immediately understood the thoughtfulness of Master Qin and Madam Qin.

What's even more remarkable is that despite their thoughtfulness, they didn't intentionally or unintentionally mention or reveal anything about it in front of them, treating it as something completely natural and insignificant.

Xu Zhichun couldn't help but admire them: With Master Qin and Madam Qin being so good at dealing with people, it would be truly unjust if the Qin family didn't prosper.

Unexpectedly, Liang Mingxuan started experiencing abdominal pain during the night.

It hurts terribly.

He was curled up, clutching his stomach, his face pale and covered in cold sweat. He squatted in the outhouse for a long time, and when he came out, he looked even worse. His steps were unsteady, and he had to be supported by Liang Minglang.

When asked, she said the pain was still severe.

Liang Minglang and Xu Zhichun were both secretly anxious.

Manager Zhong, who had gone to fetch the doctor, returned breathlessly, but without bringing back good news.

"Master, Madam, there are only two doctors in the city. Doctor Li was invited to stay at the county government office three days ago in preparation for any problems that might arise during the children's examination. Doctor Liu went to another place two days ago and is not at home. What are we going to do!"

Liang Mingxuan, his face pale, gritted his teeth and endured the pain: "Big brother and sister-in-law, I'm fine. I won't eat or drink anything from now on, and I'll definitely be able to participate in the children's examination tomorrow."

Xu Zhichun and Liang Minglang were at a loss for words.

This child is innocent.

Did he think that as long as he didn't eat or drink, he wouldn't have diarrhea and need to use the restroom anymore? How could that be?

If this continues, you'll get dehydrated.

Even if he could force himself to take the imperial examination, he would probably be too weak to even hold a pen properly, let alone answer the questions. If he failed, he would only be ridiculed and mocked, which would not be worth it.

Xu Zhichun had a good relationship with the county magistrate and his wife, so it might not be impossible for him to shamelessly go to the yamen to ask for help. However, after all that going to the county yamen to ask for an audience, explain the situation in detail, invite a doctor to examine him, prepare medicine, decoct the medicine, take the medicine, and wait for it to take effect, it was almost dawn.

This whole night was a complete waste of time; there was no way I could get a proper rest.

How am I supposed to take the exam tomorrow?
Moreover, Xu Zhichun was well aware of the effects of medicines in this era; it was completely impossible to fully recover after taking the medicine only once.

In other words, Liang Mingxuan will definitely still be feeling unwell when he enters the examination room tomorrow.

Every child has never experienced such a big exam before, so they're bound to be nervous. Plus, they haven't slept well or aren't feeling well, so all that stress builds up. If they perform normally, they might get 9 out of 10, but if they manage to get 4 out of 10, that would be good.

Is a score of 4 enough to get into university?
"Don't worry, Mingxuan, it's alright. How could your sister-in-law neglect something so important? She has medicine on hand, let's take it now. You wait here."