Thinking thus, Lin Yan began to try circulating the cultivation technique from her previous life.
However, whether it was the poor aptitude of this body, or whether this world truly lacked spiritual energy or had very little of it, Lin Yan tried for a long time but could not sense any spiritual energy.
As night deepened and the surroundings became incredibly quiet, Lin Yan gave up trying and prepared to take a short nap.
After Lin Yan fell asleep, wisps of faint white vapor floated in the air from Lin Yan and many other students. Lin Yan, asleep, did not notice this at all.
Although this white vapor was not the spiritual energy she had been trying to sense, it proved that this world was not as unrelated to metaphysics as she had seen in the original owner's memories.
When they came out of the examination hall the next day after the exam, the younger Lin Yan did not show much, but Lin Bo was completely listless.
"Cousin Yan, thanks to your reminder, otherwise, I fear I wouldn't have been able to pass the prefectural exam this time." On the donkey cart, Lin Bo looked utterly dejected. He then began to recount his tragic experiences over the past two days.
"Cousin, you should rest first. Go back, wash up, drink some calming tea, and sleep well. Since the exam is over, don't dwell on it anymore. It's already decided, and regretting it won't help."
Seeing Lin Bo in such a state, still complaining to her about his experience in the last session, Lin Yan found it somewhat amusing and exasperating. It seemed these past two days had truly worn her cousin out.
"I'm not regretting it. I feel I've already done my utmost."
He thought about the essay he had been conceptualizing when he couldn't sleep. It was written on his exam paper the next morning, and he had poured all his effort into it.
He believed this policy essay was the best he had written in years.
If even this couldn't pass the prefectural exam, he doubted he would be able to pass it in the next few years.
Lin Yan could hear the confidence in Lin Bo's words. Normally, with his ability, passing the prefectural exam was expected. Lin Yan had thought there might be some accident given how dire he described the situation. Now, it seemed he was quite satisfied with his own essay.
"Then rest well. Tomorrow, we can go see how others did. You must have been very bored during this time. Replenish your energy, and you can make some new friends tomorrow."
"Cousin Yan, sometimes I really feel like you're older than I am." Lin Bo listened to Lin Yan's sensible advice and felt as if Lin Yan were his elder.
"Because I have to support the entire family."
Hearing Lin Yan mention this, Lin Bo fell silent, afraid of touching a sore spot.
Without an elder male relative, Lin Yan indeed had to grow up quickly and support the whole family, backing his grandmother and mother. In this regard, he truly couldn't compare to Lin Yan.
After drinking the calming tea Lin Yan had prepared for him and sleeping for a while, Lin Bo was fully recharged.
He then took Lin Yan to the inns and teahouses where students gathered. In just one day, he became familiar with many students, his social skills leaving Lin Yan amazed.
Lin Yan followed behind Lin Bo, quietly playing the role of Lin Bo's cousin.
While accompanying Lin Bo in socializing, Lin Yan also met many of the prominent figures in this prefectural exam. However, some of these individuals were arrogant, while others simply disdained associating with Lin Bo.
Although Lin Bo was sociable, he was merely a Tong Sheng (a scholar who had passed the county exam), and his attire indicated a modest background. Those scions of official families, with their noses in the air, certainly wouldn't look favorably upon him.
In terms of literary talent, Lin Bo had not gained any particular fame, and those who were confident in their own learning were not inclined to associate with him.
Lin Bo was broad-minded and didn't mind being looked down upon. He enjoyed making friends, but only those he deemed worthy and who reciprocated his regard.
Seeing Lin Bo's demeanor, Lin Yan felt slightly relieved.
Noticing Lin Yan's relieved expression, Lin Bo couldn't help but smile. "Cousin Yan, you don't think I'd care about those people, do you? We're not on the same path, so why should I care about their opinions?
They are merely passers-by in my life. Those I truly befriend are not judged by their family background or talent, but by their character and integrity.
Besides, I'm self-aware. I'm not silver coins; how can I please everyone?"
Lin Bo was very open-minded. He still made quite a few friends. Although it was said that quality was better than quantity, he still enjoyed the feeling of having friends everywhere.
"It's good that cousin can see it that way. Let's go to the restaurant again tomorrow. My treat!"
"Then I thank cousin Yan." Lin Bo performed an exaggerated bow to Lin Yan.
Lin Yan quickly dodged, not accepting his bow.
On the day the list of prefectural exam results was released, Lin Yan and Lin Bo waited early in a teahouse opposite. Their attendants, Shi Qi and Xiao Kai, were queuing below to see the list.
"Passed, passed," voices erupted from the crowd.
The candidates in the teahouse outwardly appeared calm, each holding their teacups with composed demeanor, but they were all paying close attention to the news below.
As congratulatory shouts echoed, those in the teahouse grew restless. Those who had passed couldn't suppress the smiles on their lips, humbly accepting the compliments showered upon them.
Those who hadn't heard their names became very anxious, scanning the crowd, fearing they had missed their own names.
"Young master, young master." Shi Qi squeezed through the crowd, one of his shoes having been stepped on. He had no time to worry about his shoe and ran up to the second floor of the teahouse with only one shoe on.
"Young master, you passed, you're first, number one!"
Shi Qi's excited voice drew everyone's attention to Lin Yan.
Upon hearing Shi Qi's words, Lin Bo stood up abruptly. "Cousin Yan is the top scorer? You're not mistaken?"
"Absolutely not mistaken. Young Master, I've looked several times." Shi Qi felt a little flustered as everyone was looking at them, but thinking of his young master being first, he puffed out his chest again.
"Then what about cousin's ranking? Did you see it?" Lin Yan quickly asked. Lin Bo also looked expectantly at Shi Qi.
"I, I only paid attention to young master's name and didn't notice anything else." Shi Qi felt he had let down his young master, but after all, he was the young master's attendant and naturally prioritized his own young master.
"It's alright. Xiao Kai is still down there. He'll probably see it soon," Lin Bo consoled.
Just as he finished speaking, they saw Xiao Kai also pushing through the crowd. "Young master, young master, you passed, you passed!"
He shouted from below, looking up towards the window of the teahouse.
"Congratulations, cousin, on achieving your wish!" Lin Yan was the first to congratulate him.
Those upstairs who were friendly with Lin Bo also congratulated him.