Quick Transmigration: The Supporting Character Just Wants to Die a Natural Death

Yao Feiran was still thinking that if she got first place, she would be the top scholar in the provincial examination and achieve the "Little Triple Crown" (a prestigious honor in the imperial examinations). However, she was clearly overthinking it.

To consistently rank first in the imperial examinations was probably harder than climbing to heaven, as essay evaluation was quite subjective, and each examiner had their own preferences.

However, Yao Feng was still very happy to have won third place.

When they went to the tavern, the owner seemed to notice Yao Feng's unusually happy expression: "I wonder why you're so happy, brother?"

"Hehe, my son came in third place in the prefectural examination."

Congratulations, brother! I wonder how old your son is?

"Eleven years old."

The shopkeeper composed himself, his face now serious. This man's son was only eleven years old, yet he had already passed the prefectural examination with such a high ranking. It was quite possible that he would pass the provincial examination as well. Once that happened, the scholar would officially have an official position. He had originally harbored some ulterior motives, but now he suppressed them all.

The group immediately became amiable.

In the past two weeks, Yao Feng has earned five hundred taels of silver, and his reputation as the Qingping Hermit has grown considerably.

Yao Shuyan was still confused, but seeing that Yao Feng was holding a storybook, he asked curiously, "Dad, you also bought the storybook 'Huangze Ketan'? It seems to be very popular lately. My classmates have all bought it to read."

"Yes, I borrowed it from someone else."

"Father, once I pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, you won't have to work so hard anymore."

"Yes, as long as you succeed, your father won't suffer."

Yao Feng calmly put away the storybook. Not far away was his luggage, which was full of five hundred taels of silver. He planned to deposit it at a money exchange.

Yao Feiran's lips twitched. The whole family was rich now, but it was a bit unkind of them to keep it from Yao Shuyan. However, she noticed that ever since Yao Shuyan learned about the family's hard work in sending him to school, he had become exceptionally diligent and sensible, a far cry from his former self who used to climb on the roof and tear off tiles.

Thinking about it that way, it's best to keep it a secret for now.

On one occasion, he returned home laden with gifts, and even more people came to congratulate him. However, since he was not a scholar, he would never be able to enter the ranks of officials. The people who came to congratulate him were just fellow villagers, essentially people of the same social class.

Yao Shuyan paid a special visit to the Master, and returned with renewed confidence, continuing his studies in his room.

Looking at the silver hairpin, Song Yuwei was both moved and filled with emotion. Her memories of the past were not very clear, but she had always lived a life of luxury, with fine clothes and silks. Whatever she wanted, her grandmother would give it to her. Only later did she realize that this identity did not belong to her.

This silver hairpin is a gift that truly belongs to her.

"Why are you spending money so recklessly?"

Yao Feng mysteriously produced a silver note, which Song Yuwei knew belonged to the largest money exchange in the country.

"Five hundred taels of silver, where did that come from?"

"Is it Fei Ran?"

"Did she pick it up again?"

"What are you talking about? How could that be?" Yao Feng said, both amused and exasperated. "But it's practically like she found it. This is what she earned from writing storybooks."

Song Yuwei's eyes widened: "What kind of storybooks can earn so much money?"

"Our daughter is capable. Don't tell Shuyan. He can't afford to be distracted lately."

Song Yu nodded slightly. When she was in the Marquis's mansion, some of her half-sisters also liked to read storybooks. However, these things could not be shown to others in public, otherwise it would not be good for a young lady's reputation.

The provincial examination was the final hurdle in the imperial examination system, and most people couldn't pass it even after more than ten years.

The academic administration for the provincial examinations was overseen by a Hanlin official personally appointed by the emperor, and the examinations were conducted in the prefectures or counties.

Yao Feiran wanted to go to the county town to meet the owner of the Sanlin Pawnshop. Over the years, the troubles that had befallen the Yao family were inseparable from his interference.

However, Yao Feiran is young, so we can only put that aside for now. The most important thing right now is Yao Shuyan's college entrance examination.

The academy exam consisted of two sessions, with papers due at nightfall. However, the results would not be available for more than a month. Yao Feng went to the boss to collect his share of the book's profits and brought back a new storybook.

A little over a month after returning to Qingping Village, the messenger arrived with good news.

"Congratulations, sir, on achieving fourth place in this year's provincial examination."

Song Yuwei gave the celebratory money to the messenger who came to deliver the good news. After the messenger left, there were many people standing outside, including some local gentry who came to visit with generous gifts.

As evening approached, the crowd gradually dispersed, and the next day Wang Shoutian discussed transferring the land to Yao Shuyan's name.

"Scholar, I have a few acres of land here. I wonder if it is possible to transfer it to your name?"

The Yao family had no fertile land, so the scholar could be exempted from taxes on twenty mu of land, which would save others a lot of money.

"Uncle Wang, you are my elder, you watched me grow up, please don't call me 'Master' like that."

Seeing Yao Shuyan's calm demeanor, Wang Shoutian thought to himself that it was no wonder he had passed the imperial examination at such a young age. He was so composed and dignified.

Wang Shoutian had also helped Yao Feng. When he was teaching, he helped persuade the villagers, since most people in the village wouldn't waste money on education.

However, Wang Shoutian couldn't be blamed for losing business later on.

Wang Shoutian ultimately achieved the result he wanted at a minimal cost and left happily.

Because Yao Shuyan achieved excellent grades, he eventually obtained the qualification of a government-subsidized student, and the government would provide him with grain and stipends every month. When Yao Shuyan gave the stipends he received to Song Yuwei, Yao Feng told Yao Shuyan about the family's financial situation.

Yao Shuyan's eyes widened: "You mean Qingping Jushi is the younger sister?"

"Yes, Fei Ran's knowledge is usually no worse than yours. When you were little, you were often made to cry by Fei Ran because you couldn't compare to her. It's just a pity that women cannot participate in the imperial examinations."

Yao Shuyan's face darkened, and he also recalled this dark history.

Yao Shuyan became a scholar, renovated his house, and even got a few dogs. Now, no one dared to say anything sarcastic or complain about how the Yao family had suddenly become so high-profile. With Yao Shuyan as a scholar, everything seemed perfectly natural, and no one dared to question it.

The family's quality of life improved significantly. Three years passed in the blink of an eye, and Yao Shuyan's first attempt at the provincial examination ended in failure.

However, Yao Feng was not too disappointed. The provincial examination was a highly competitive process, and failing once was normal. He even gave Yao Shuyan some encouragement.

Seeing that her family's fortune was growing stronger, Yao Feiran thought that Zhang Ergou from the Sanlin Pawnshop would not dare to make any rash moves.

After all, Yao Shuyan was already a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations at the county level) and had entered the best academy in the prefecture, where his teacher was also a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examinations at the provincial level).

But all these years of targeting must eventually come to an end.

Most importantly, it's that one in the capital.

Song Haitang.

After returning to the Marquis's mansion, she married the eldest son of the Duke of Anguo's family. It is said that she was happy and fulfilled, but she still refused to let go of Song Yuwei.

Song Yuwei had no memory of offending her. Because of the identity swap, she always felt guilty, so she didn't take Song Haitang's targeting to heart. Little did she know that Song Haitang just wanted to destroy her.