When the family of three arrived at the private school.
From the school came the clear sound of reading aloud.
"The noble man understands justice, the common man understands benefit."
"When you see the virtuous, aspire to be like them; when you see those who are not, examine yourself."
"Serve your parents with some advice; if they do not listen, still be respectful and do not oppose; work without complaint."
"While your parents live, do not travel far; if you travel, do so with a clear purpose."
Hearing these readings, the Lin parents, who had never studied, showed deep hope on their faces.
They thought that if their son could also study the books of sages, earn titles, and perhaps become an official, all the effort would be worth it.
"Teacher, uh… I have brought our son Xuan."
After carefully entering the private school.
The honest and simple father Lin respectfully greeted the teacher outside the door.
It was teacher Tang Yu who nodded slightly and smiled at father Lin.
"Leave him to me."
"All right, all right, this child is a bit mischievous, teacher, if you need to scold him, please do."
Father Lin smiled amicably, put down the pork leg, and took out a large bundle of copper coins to give to Tang Yu as tuition payment.
Tang Yu accepted them and after a few words with the couple, took Lin Xuan into the private school and introduced him.
"This is Lin Xuan, you should get along from now on, understood?"
"Understood."
A group of small children on the stage responded in unison.
Lin Xuan, somewhat nervous, found his place and sat down, glancing occasionally at Xiao Mei by the window.
Seeing the ponytail at the nape of her neck, he couldn't help but want to touch it, remembering how adorable she looked when she got angry and he chased her to hit her.
After beginning to learn reading and writing at school, Lin Xuan slowly started to memorize the words of the sages.
The Lin parents were very happy about their son's progress, worked even harder, thinking of saving so that their son could earn titles, marry, and have children in the future.
Ten years passed in an instant.
The boy who used to wear split pants was now a handsome young man; recently he had successfully passed the county exam after thoroughly studying the Four Books and Five Classics.
To celebrate, father Lin organized a banquet and of course, the dedicated teacher Tang was present.
During the banquet, father Lin toasted several times with the teacher, expressing his deep gratitude.
The teacher at the banquet wore a calm smile on his face.
The ten years had given the kind and refined teacher a more mature air, like a fine aged wine, which the longer it ages, the more fragrant it becomes.
At least several of the young women present would have been delighted to sample that aroma.
"Dad, Mom, when I am first in the imperial exam and a high official, I will bring you to the capital to live well."
The Lin parents smiled with their mouths open; they didn't even dare to imagine living well in the capital.
If in the future they could have a big house and hug two chubby grandchildren, they would die without regrets.
"The teacher taught me to cultivate myself, harmonize my family, govern the country, and pacify the world; I keep it in my heart and do not forget."
Lin Xuan raised another glass and toasted toward his teacher.
Tang Yu lifted his cup, clinked gently, and smiled.
"Having great aspirations is good, but you must not become obsessed or arrogant; obtaining titles is important, but if you don't achieve them, it's okay. Cultivate yourself and harmonize your family first; only then can you govern and pacify the world."
"I keep it in my heart."
Lin Xuan accepted immediately.
At the end of the banquet, Lin Xuan took a wrapped piece of pork, carried it in his hand, and walked toward a tofu shop on the corner of the street in front of his house.
The one busy at the tofu shop was Xiao Mei; they say girls change a lot as they grow up, and she had become more and more beautiful.
Now she had a slender figure and a delicate face; since last year, matchmakers had been coming to her house frequently.
It was said that a village lord wanted to take her as a concubine, although no one knew if it was true.
In any case, Lin Xuan knew that only on his street there were three young men his age who had sent marriage letters for Xiao Mei.
"Lin Xuan, you've arrived."
Seeing Lin Xuan come, Xiao Mei greeted him with a somewhat shy look.
"I was just passing by…"
Lin Xuan also felt a little embarrassed, hesitated for a moment, and then quietly handed her a piece of pork.
"My mother said you've been very busy and thin lately, so she sent you some meat to help you recover."
"That's fine."
Xiao Mei, with a slightly flushed face, lowered her head and extended her hand to receive it. Their hands touched for a moment and then quickly separated, both embarrassed to look at each other.
At that moment, Xiao Mei's mother came out with a tray of tofu.
Seeing the scene, she smiled broadly and said, "Isn't this our exemplary student?"
Lin Xuan quickly greeted Xiao Mei's mother very politely.
She smiled at him and chatted a bit with the young man. As a person with experience, how could she not perceive this boy's intentions?
As for family status, Lin Xuan came from a household somewhat better off than theirs.
Moreover, his studies were going well; if he managed to get an official title and become an official, marrying her daughter would not only be a good match but something of incalculable status.
She also wanted to create an opportunity for the two and looked at her daughter with a smile.
"Xiao Mei, you've been busy all morning, go out for a walk with Lin Xuan."
Xiao Mei, blushing, nodded and they walked together chatting.
They kept walking until they reached an arched bridge.
Seeing no one around, Lin Xuan looked up and, gathering courage, said, "Xiao Mei, in at most three years I will have earned my title, and then I will come in a grand carriage to marry you."
"All right."
Xiao Mei, blushing, turned her head and fixed her hair with her hand.
Lin Xuan gathered courage and took her hand; feeling that cold and soft hand like jade in his own, his heart filled with infinite joy.
While both were in love…
An ethereal figure silently watched from a distance.
Suddenly, five years had passed.
The young man who was once inexperienced now sported a noticeable mustache at the corners of his lips, and his eyebrows showed more signs of fatigue.
During those five years, he tried to obtain his title three times and failed every time.
The young man, once full of enthusiasm, after so many setbacks finally understood the harsh reality.
His relatives and friends, who once had great expectations and praised him, now only showed indifference or sarcastic criticism, and at occasional gatherings he only heard ironic remarks.
With a heavy sigh, Lin Xuan shook his head and returned home with slow and dejected steps.
His father and mother, now with much gray hair, waited at the door with hope for good news.
But seeing him return with a discouraged face…
His father sighed and went directly into the house, knowing what had happened.
His mother, however, hugged him and asked how he was, then went to the kitchen to warm his food.
Seeing his mother bring him food with a few more gray hairs, Lin Xuan hesitated for a moment and finally said softly:
"Mother, I'm not going to keep trying. I'm useless. I have studied the classics for so many years and now I'm doing worse and worse on the exams."
"Silly boy, it's not so easy to get the title. I don't blame you."
His mother patted his shoulder and smiled.
"Didn't your teacher tell you that cultivating yourself and caring for your family is also important? Being able to live peacefully and steadily is already a blessing, don't you think? You're no longer a child, I think you should settle the matter of marriage with Xiao Mei."
At that time, Lin Xuan had promised that when he got the title, he would marry Xiao Mei.
That's why she had waited all those years, although several matchmakers tried unsuccessfully to arrange marriages.
But over time, Xiao Mei's family had changed their minds; last year they even considered marrying her to merchant Wang as a concubine.
Lin Xuan looked at his mother, wanting to say something but held back.
"I know your mother said that if this time you don't pass, Xiao Mei might marry Wang for a comfortable life, or if you marry her, the dowry must be sixty silver coins. Your father and I have already borrowed from your uncle and relatives and have gathered that amount."
After saying this, his mother went out and quickly returned with a red wooden box which she handed to him.
"You're no longer a child, first consolidate your home."
Lin Xuan was silent for a moment and finally nodded, accepting it.