Chapter 755 A Dream of Youth 287

It was the perfect time of year for crisp autumn air. These past few days had been the provincial examinations held by the Ministry of Rites, and Xie Yun's newly opened restaurant was doing incredibly well. Even Xie's grandfather, who had wanted to stay home and tend to his small vegetable garden to cultivate his mind like a hermit in a book, was dragged over by Xie's grandmother to help out.

Grandma Xie looked at the lush green vegetables in the yard and didn't scold anyone. It was good that the old man had something to do, so he wouldn't get sick from being idle. It's just that he went to that teahouse and storytelling place a little too often.

Grandfather Xie climbed onto the carriage and muttered, "Why have you been so busy lately?"

“Bao’er said that the autumn examinations are coming, and students from all over the country are coming to take the exams. So there are naturally more people in the city. And A-Yun’s restaurant is newly opened. The food is cheap and the portions are large and filling. Some of the poorer candidates go to A-Yun’s restaurant to eat.”

The mention of the autumn imperial examinations immediately struck a chord with Grandfather Xie. "I remember Bao'er registered, right? When is the exam?"

In addition to taking the preliminary examination in their respective prefecture to qualify for the provincial examination, candidates could also obtain a recommendation from the prefectural governor to take a preliminary examination at the Ministry of Rites. After passing the preliminary examination, they could participate in the provincial examination. However, the ranking of the preliminary examination was not combined with that of the preliminary examination.

Therefore, many people are unaware that Xie Ning also participated in the preliminary round and even won first place.

"The exam isn't until tomorrow, what's the rush?" Grandmother Xie felt at ease. Her precious child was so smart that no one needed to worry about him.

"Oh dear, then I'll buy some 'Scholar' cakes for Bao'er when we get back!"

"Want to buy another roast chicken? Ma Ji's lotus leaf chicken is pretty good." The elderly couple chattered on, their hearts filled with anticipation and excitement.

As a mother, Chen Wanniang was even more anxious than when she sent Xie Qi to the exam.

She had a vague feeling that this was different, so when she saw Xie Ning off to the exam, she held Xie Ning's hand, opened her mouth, and wanted to say that it wouldn't matter if she didn't do well on the exam. After all, those candidates had studied for longer than Xie Ning, and besides, not many candidates who could get to this point were easy to get to.

However, when she met Xie Ning's gaze, Chen Wanniang couldn't say anything. She just raised her hand and rubbed Xie Ning's brow with her thumb, then put the ruby ​​headband on Xie Ning.

"Mother is looking forward to seeing Bao'er's name on the list."

Xie Ning nodded emphatically. She entered the women's examination room in the district, which was filled with women from all over the country. Some of them were still in their early twenties, full of youthful exuberance, while others wore their hair in a married woman's bun. There was a moment of trepidation on their faces, but it quickly turned into determination.

These were all women who hadn't received a recommendation from the state government but had risen through the ranks by passing the imperial examinations. Their progress was slower than those who had been recommended, but they were all striving towards the same goal.

When they saw Xie Ning, they were a little surprised, but they didn't know her. They just felt that she seemed to be the youngest among them, but she was tall and slender, so they couldn't guess her exact age for a moment. She was probably seventeen or eighteen years old.

Xie Ning nodded slightly, then found a seat and sat down. Chen Wanniang outside didn't wait in the teahouse, but got into the carriage and ran to the other side.

The military and civil examinations were conducted simultaneously. The military examination in the Great Zhou Dynasty also consisted of three stages: the preliminary examination presided over by the Ministry of War, the provincial examination also presided over by the Ministry of War, and finally the palace examination.

Generally speaking, in local areas, the qualifications are assessed by local officials, and the same applies in the capital. However, this qualification examination is conducted by the Ministry of War, and only those who are selected can formally participate in the provincial examination.

Xu Hongying took this qualification exam.

Xie Qi nervously rubbed his hands. He suddenly felt weak in the knees. After all, among so many people taking the martial arts exam, only Xu Hongying was a young woman, which was quite eye-catching.

Xu Hongying's ability to take the military examination was a loophole deliberately left by Xie Ning when he applied for the selection of female officials. After all, the emperor was referring to the imperial examination, which included both civil and military examinations.

The official who received the registration couldn't help but look Xu Hongying up and down. This girl must be at least six feet tall, right?

But you can't just take advantage of your high position to join the martial arts examination; that would be ridiculous.

Xu Hongying took a deep breath and, under the examiner's suspicious gaze, said in a serious tone, "My lord, I am participating in the selection of female officials. His Majesty said that one can participate in the selection of female officials through the imperial examination."

The examiner paused for a moment, then, seeing his colleagues looking over, couldn't help but smirk. "Young lady, you should go to the Ministry of Rites to participate in the selection of female officials. This is the Ministry of War. Have you come to the wrong place?"