Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 208 - 207: Listed on the Rankings

In the blink of an eye, it was the day the exam results were posted.

Early in the morning, the entrance of the county government was already surrounded by a massive crowd of onlookers.

Since this prelim exam fussed everyone twice, the curious townsfolk wondered if there might be a third re-examination.

Only the scholars participating in the exams felt nervous.

Even though Liu Ji was over eighty percent confident he would make the list, he still felt very uneasy until the final results were out.

Qin Yao, however, was much more composed, standing on the outermost edge of the crowd, holding her unfinished breakfast in hand while observing the scholars there for the exams.

Quite a few had strapped on the Divine Power Book Boxes sold by her family, and indeed, the pull-rod method was less convenient than the strap style in daily use.

However, the drag design was something unnecessary yet indispensable.

Looking at the young masters who had their attendants pull the book boxes, the boxes were embellished with pendants or jade pendants. Some even dared to inscribe poems or paint on them, making them particularly eye-catching.

Those who didn’t get a book box naturally felt envious.

Liu Ji felt a bit tense, so he found something to do to distract himself. He left his classmates and squeezed in front of Qin Yao, smiling ingratiatingly, and asked:

"Madam, did you save a Divine Power Book Box for me?"

"No."

Liu Ji: "...."

Although he expected this answer, he couldn’t help but feel his smile falter at hearing such a straightforward response.

"I saw that several classmates were using them yesterday, particularly Fan Xiucai, who was showing off, which was really annoying." Liu Ji muttered.

Qin Yao finished the leftover food in her hand, and Liu Ji quickly pulled out his rough-stitched handkerchief and handed it to her to wipe her mouth.

Qin Yao glanced at the coarse-stitched square cloth and, afraid of her misunderstanding, Liu Ji quickly explained, "I made it myself; it wasn’t given by any other woman."

Qin Yao nodded, "Practice more with Sister-in-law when we get home, and make one for me too."

Afraid his classmates might hear, Liu Ji quickly gestured for silence and replied softly, "Sure, sure, but let’s keep it down."

"What kind of book box style do you want?" Qin Yao threw the handkerchief back into his arms and smiled lightly, asking.

Liu Ji was delighted and immediately pointed to the one Fan Xiucai’s attendant was pulling. "That one will do. If it could have more random, peculiar functions than his, that would be even better."

Qin Yao quickly agreed, "Alright, if your name is on the list today, I’ll have Liu the carpenter make you one with a small tabletop that can be used as a desk for writing, painting, and dining."

He thought he would be overjoyed to hear this.

Unexpectedly, upon looking up, the mention of his name being on the list caused the nerves he’d suppressed to rise again. He started pacing back and forth with a restless gaze.

"Didn’t you get on the list once already?" Qin Yao calmly said, "You’ve experienced both happiness and disappointment. This time, just keep a normal heart."

Liu Ji, as if not daring to believe it, tentatively asked, "Do I really have another chance?"

The corners of Qin Yao’s mouth lifted. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the crowd suddenly becoming excited and grabbed Liu Ji, rushing to the front.

The list arrived.

A group of government officers cleared the people from the bulletin board, and the rest adhered the papers with glue.

"Your name is on it!" Qin Yao, with sharp eyes, immediately spotted Liu Ji’s name.

She thought she’d remain calm, but unexpectedly shouted out excitedly.

Liu Ji looked three or four times to confirm the name at the end was indeed his, heaving a sigh of relief, "Now I can finally relax."

From afar, Fan Xiucai, mingling in the crowd, shouted, "Liu Ji, congratulations!"

This congratulation carried a hint of teasing banter, but Liu Ji accepted it with a big smile, cupping his hands, "Thank you, thank you."

Fan Xiucai let out a snort, leading his attendant and the conspicuous Divine Power Book Box away.

Having experienced this scene once before, Liu Ji surprisingly felt calm after confirming the list this time.

It was Qin Yao’s beaming smile that dazzled him a bit.

He realized he had never seen her this happy before.

Liu Ji scratched his head, wanting to gaze at her more, yet feeling bashful, a sense of acknowledgment and joy welled up inside him, a feeling he had never experienced before, mild yet with a straightened back.

After her happiness subsided, Qin Yao continued looking at the other names on the list and found a familiar name, Liu Li.

"Huh? Liu Laoer made the list too?" Liu Ji soon discovered Liu Li’s name was way ahead of his.

The second son of Liu Dafu, who took the exam with him.

Qin Yao curiously asked Liu Ji, "You both attended the same academy and took exams in the same venue, and you didn’t notice him?"

Liu Ji shrugged, "I was only focused on doing well in the prelim so that you, Madam, would be happy. I didn’t care about those irrelevant people."

Truthfully, they both came from the same village, and he didn’t want others to compare him with Liu Li, so he usually avoided him.

They acted like strangers, even in town, despite their acquaintance.

Liu Li didn’t like Liu Ji either, preferring peace and fearing Liu Ji would cling to him.

But now there was no avoiding it.

Liu Li didn’t like Liu Ji, but it didn’t conflict with his admiration for Qin Yao.

"Sister-in-law, you’re here too!" Liu Li squeezed out of the crowd with a smile, accompanied by his wife and elder brother Liu Gong. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Liu Gong politely smiled at Qin Yao and congratulated her.

Qin Yao returned with congratulations, and Liu Ji also had to express his shared joy to Liu Li.

"Let’s talk outside; there are too many people here." Qin Yao pointed outside, leading them to a less crowded alley for more small talk.

Liu Li asked, "Sister-in-law, are you heading back today? My brother brought a carriage; we could go back together?"

Qin Yao waved her hand, "We might be later; I also brought a carriage. Let’s gather back at the village."

Liu Li was a bit disappointed, hoping to ask Qin Yao about her bear and tiger hunting stories.

But they shared the same village, so there would be plenty of chances. Liu Li turned to Liu Ji, suggesting they buy a couple of fireworks to announce the good news back home.

Liu Ji’s eyes lit up; that sounded exciting!

But just as he was about to agree, Qin Yao quickly declined, fearing Liu Ji might become too conceited, advocating for a low profile.

Liu Ji could only smile amiably and play humble, "Not now, not until I become a Scholar. Right now, I’m just a child student, there are plenty around here, making a show with fireworks would be... Ow! Why did you hit me, Madam?"

Qin Yao elbowed him, implying he should hush if he couldn’t speak properly!

Thinking of buying fireworks to boast in the village, Liu Li suspected Liu Laosan was mocking him, afraid of being angered, and excused himself first.

Before leaving, Liu Gong asked Qin Yao when the planting season would be this year and if they could join.

"That’s a minor thing; let’s talk about it back in the village," Qin Yao said with a smile.

Relieved, Liu Gong led his brother to the county government to receive their official document proof.