...

The news that Shen Wei had given birth to a daughter reached the ears of the Queen, and naturally also spread to the Confucian Temple in the suburbs of Yanjing.

Tomorrow is the Spring Examination.

Rong Mama came to the Confucian Temple with an arrogant attitude, and skillfully put on an "arrogant" attitude, throwing two strings of money to Shen's mother: "Your daughter gave birth to a daughter last night. Although a daughter is not very useful, it will at least give the prince more children. These two strings of money were given to you by Shen, so please accept them."

Mother Shen burst into tears.

Mother Shen did not pick up Qian from the ground. She asked tremblingly, "Is my girl okay? Is she feeling unwell? Mammy, can I go into the palace to see my girl?"

When her daughter gave birth, as a mother, she couldn't be by her side, and Shen's mother was so anxious that she burst into tears.

Rong Mama turned around, her back arrogant: "You are not qualified to enter the palace? Shen is still alive, so she should not be dead. The child she gave birth to will be given to the princess to raise after the full moon."

Mother Shen trembled all over: "Let the princess raise the child? Will the princess treat the child well?"

Aunt Rong shrugged without answering, and strode out of the Confucian Temple with an arrogant step.

Mother Shen collapsed on the ground, feeling sad and painful. Shen Xiuming in the room packed his luggage and ran out to help Shen's mother into the house.

After pouring water and patting her back, it took a long time for Shen's mother to catch her breath.

Mother Shen patted Shen Xiuming's shoulder painfully and cried, "If you hadn't gambled, your sister wouldn't have sold herself into the palace as a concubine. The child she gave birth to has to be raised by the princess... Can the princess raise a child seriously if it's not her own? How hard your sister's life must be..."

Shen Xiuming knelt on the ground, kowtowed heavily to his mother, and said firmly: "Mother, don't worry, I will definitely be admitted to high school this year! Save my sister from suffering!"

All of Rong Mama's arrogant words just now fell into Shen Xiuming's ears.

Shen Xiuming turned his grief and indignation into motivation.

He must pass the imperial examination and get rid of his peasant status. As long as he becomes an official, his sister will have someone to rely on in the palace.

After bowing to Mother Shen, Shen Xiuming went out with his bag on his back. At the door, Mr. Yang Xuanji's carriage was already waiting.

Shen Xiuming walked into the carriage.

Yang Xuanji personally sent him to the Spring Examination Hall. The carriage was moving slowly. Inside the carriage, Shen Xiuming seized every last minute and asked Yang Xuanji various questions. The carriage drove all the way to the outside of the Ministry of Rites.

The carriage stopped at the corner of the street.

"You are talented and gifted. This is your first time taking part in the Spring Examination and you have a good chance of being on the list. Don't be arrogant or impatient during the exam and just keep a calm mind." Yang Xuanji looked at the ambitious young man in front of him and seemed to see himself back then in a trance.

Chen Xiuming knelt on his knees and kowtowed three times to Yang Xuanji: "Teacher, thank you for your teaching! I have no way to repay you. If I can get into high school in the future, I will definitely honor you for the rest of my life!"

His eyes were full of sincerity.

His father died early, and Shen Xiuming lacked fatherly love since childhood. He accidentally went astray and became addicted to gambling.

Later, Shen Xiuming turned over a new leaf and met Mr. Yang Xuanji. Yang Xuanji is a learned scholar with excellent character. In addition to teaching Shen Xiuming academic knowledge, he also teaches Shen Xiuming how to be a good person. After spending several months together, Shen Xiuming respected him as his own father.

“Go ahead, your master will be waiting for your good news.” Yang Xuanji’s nose was sour as he helped Shen Xiuming up.

Shen Xiuming, carrying a bag of books, walked towards the Ministry of Rites step by step. Candidates from all over Qing Kingdom also gradually gathered to welcome this grand examination.

...

The Spring Examination lasts for three days, with different examination subjects each day. Students are writing articles in a small semi-enclosed space.

On the first day of the Spring Examination, Shen Xiuming came to his small cubicle. He took a deep breath, skillfully took out the four treasures of the study, and waited for the examiner to hand out the test papers.

The exam hadn’t started yet, and Shen Xiuming was still a little nervous. He was afraid that he would not do well in the exam and leave his poor sister without a supporter.

"His Royal Highness Prince Yan has arrived."

There were shouts from officials outside.

Prince Yan was one of the invigilators of this spring examination. The candidates stood up one after another and saluted towards the high ground in the square. This was the first time Shen Xiuming met the Prince of Yan. After Shen Xiuming finished his greetings, he secretly raised his eyes to look at the Prince of Daqing.

His nominal brother-in-law.

The Prince of Yan was wearing a loose robe embroidered with silver and gold, with his hair crown standing up high. He looked handsome and heroic. Standing on a high place, he gave off an oppressive feeling that made him look powerful without even being angry. Behind him, one on the left and one on the right, there were two guards in black, with strong backs and broadswords on their waists and sharp eyes.

Shen Xiuming gnashed his teeth in the dark.

It was this King Yan who hurt my sister time and time again. Shen Xiuming still remembers the scars on Shen Wei's arms and her haggard and red eyes.

With a blazing fire in his heart, Shen Xiuming silently clenched his fists. He must work hard for the exam! Strive to enter the palace examination and take the first place!

Now that his sister has someone to rely on, King Yan will no longer ignore her.

"Please return to your seats, everyone."

"The Spring Examination is about to begin."

The candidates returned to their small compartments, and the officials from the Ministry of Rites distributed the test papers in an orderly manner.

On the high platform in the examination room, Prince Yan took a sip of tea and his eyes fell on a cubicle in the examination room. The Prince of Yan had sharp facial features, and he had just clearly noticed that the scholar was looking at him with a strange look.

It seemed unfriendly, and like he was sizing me up.

Half a cup of tea later, the tiger guard behind him handed over the file: "Your Highness, I found it. The information of the candidate in Examination Room C36."

King Yan opened it and took a look.

The files recorded in detail the information about "Shen Xiuming": he passed the imperial examination at a young age, then fell into decadence for a while, and then studied hard in the Confucian Temple outside Yanjing. Last year, I got guidance from Yang Xuanji by chance, and this year I took part in the Spring Examination.

"Chen Xiuming..." Prince Yan pondered over these three words, feeling as if they were familiar.

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