The hexagram Huan (涣) is the lowest of the lowest.

Chapter 59 Hexagram Huan (Dispersion) - The Lower-Lower Hexagram - Entering the Palace

He felt that Rong Yan, though only sixteen years old, was more talented, intelligent, and resilient than many men. Just look at her calm and composed demeanor in the face of adversity; she was more composed and dignified than many noble ladies in the capital.

Xie Qisheng: "When it's time to recycle, I will pour hot soup into the slurry, let it settle and precipitate, and then it can be reused after being molded."

Although everyone was very tired during this period, they were all of one mind. Physical fatigue was not terrible. In addition, Rong Yan's affirmation of them from time to time was an unprecedented affirmation for them.

This period of time also made them feel as if they were still valuable, even though they were already older women.

Just as the young mistress said, "A woman's value is given by herself, not by others."

"Young Madam, you can leave the affairs of the temple to us. You should focus on the Taoist examination and strive to make us women proud. If I am eligible to take the exam, I will definitely go and take it with me!"

"That's right. Madam is taking the lead for the temple, while we just need to take care of the trivial matters within the temple!"

Rong Yan smiled as she looked at these older women. They had been suppressed so much in this era that they had almost lost their sense of self.

They believe they have no value and have been abandoned by society.

Little did they know, these women possessed a wealth of life experience and the hard work and resilience required for logistical tasks. Though rejected by the Chamber of Commerce, they were treasures to Rong Yan.

She looked up at the blue sky above the Taoist temple. It was April, and the morning light was soft and beautiful.

On the day of the Dao Ju ceremony, Lady Hou and a group of women from the Hou family escorted Rong Yan to the gate of the mansion early in the morning.

In previous years, Taoist priests did not need to stay in the palace for the imperial examinations. This was because Taoist priests had a special status, and the emperor was very fond of and revered Taoist culture, and was single-mindedly seeking the way to immortality.

Therefore, this year's Taoist priests were all exceptionally allowed to enter the palace to meet the emperor. The Taoist examination was different from the civil service examination. After passing the written test in front of the palace, the Taoist officials from previous years would question them one by one.

Therefore, Rong Yan was required to stay in the palace for three days during this banquet, and the palace made an exception by allocating a large area of ​​the West Palace for her to reside in.

This was the first time a female member of the Marquis's household had participated in the Daoist examination, and since it was the eldest daughter-in-law, it was naturally highly valued.

"Yan Yan, just do your best in the exam. If you don't succeed, no one will blame you."

Grandmother Xie also stepped forward and said, "That's right, you can take the test as you please, and we can take it as we please."

Du Chunhong didn't say anything, she just patted her hand lightly.

Rong Shu's complexion wasn't good, but she had learned to feign warmth in front of others. "Don't worry, little sister, I'll pray for you at home."

Rong Yan: Hehe.

“I am not cut out to be a Taoist official. I was able to participate in the Taoist examination this time thanks to Consort Rong’s recommendation, and I am willing to do my best. If I fail, I hope Mother will not be angry.”

Lady Hou smiled and said, "I won't blame you. You just need to go through the motions."

No wonder Lady Hou said that. Not to mention Lady Hou, even Rong Yan's own biological mother, Du Chunhong, never thought that she would pass the exam in one go.

The exam paper that Xie Chengzhi sent that day included four Taoist classics to be memorized in the written test alone, as well as countless fill-in-the-blank questions.

"That's right, the fact that you're willing to take the exam is already a success; the result isn't important."

Rong Yan smiled, turned around and got into the sedan chair. The coachman was whipping the horse, but the curtain was lifted by someone. The face revealed was pale and had distinct fingers, and it was none other than Xie Chengzhi.

"This time, I won't accompany you to the palace. Remember, when you're in a dilemma, only open this brocade pouch."

A secret pouch?

Along the way, Huali glanced at the brocade pouch in Rong Yan's hand several times.

The brocade pouch is not a dark color; it is made of white silk and embroidered with an osmanthus flower.

Rong Yan seemed somewhat tired, and had been resting with his eyes closed ever since he got into the sedan chair.

Rong Yan only instructed her to light a few incense sticks.

Hua Li and Yu Ling exchanged a glance, then winked at each other and said, "Young Madam, this brocade pouch... doesn't it look like a man's item? And are you really going to listen to the Eldest Young Master? Why don't you open it and take a look?"

When Rong Yan finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked her, she still kept her eyes closed and replied, "What will happen if I don't look? What will happen if I do look? Sometimes, being too curious isn't a good thing."

After saying that, she opened her eyes and met Huali's gaze.

Huali quickly lowered her head and avoided the situation.

Yu Ling realized she had been too talkative and dared not speak. Seeing the atmosphere in the sedan chair, Rong Yan smiled and said, "I know you are worried about me, but the eldest young master has his reasons for doing things, so let's just listen."

When Xie Chengzhi gave her the brocade pouch, Rong Yan felt from the bottom of her heart that he was somewhat profound. If he hadn't foreseen that something would happen, he was certain that she might not be able to handle it.

She was somewhat curious whether he could truly see through her indecisiveness at times.

He recalled the first time she entered the palace; he had just recovered from his illness and followed her there.

This time, they let her go in alone.

She absolutely did not believe his initial explanation when they first entered the palace together, which was that he was worried about her and that's why he accompanied her.

It seems he was just using her entry into the palace as a pretext to do his own thing.

This time, the journey to the palace went surprisingly smoothly. After a brief inspection of the recommendation documents at the palace gate, Yu Ling and Hua Li returned.

"Young Madam, we will come to pick you up again in three days. Please take care of yourself."

"Don't worry, within these palace walls, what is less prestigious than the Marquis's residence? You may go now." Rong Yan replied in a very official tone, after all, once you enter the palace gates, it's like entering a deep sea, so he naturally had to be extremely careful when he spoke.

They didn't encounter any of Consort Rong's, Princess Yongqing's, or Prince Yan's forces along the way, which was strangely peaceful.

Daoju's palace was located in the West Palace, specifically in the most secluded corner of the West Palace.

The person who came to greet them was a young eunuch. When the eunuch saw that the person who came to check in was a woman wearing a veil, he was so frightened that he couldn't control his facial expression.

He stammered several times, then looked at the bamboo token in his hand. His voice wasn't high-pitched; it sounded like a child's voice that hadn't yet broken down. "You...you are Rong Yan? Are...are you a woman?"

He must have always thought she was a man.

The young eunuch seemed to suddenly realize something. "Oh, you must be the lady of the only household. Please forgive me, madam. There are just too many people to remember. I didn't remember them all. Please don't tell the head eunuch about my ignorance, or my monthly wages might be reduced again."

He looked to be only ten years old, but his words were very mature, which stirred a slight ripple in Rong Yan's heart.

No one would want to send their child to the palace to suffer such hardship unless they had insurmountable difficulties.

"Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you."

"Thank you, Madam."

It's also his own fault for not paying enough attention. When this year's list came out, everyone was talking about how there was an extra female Taoist priest this year, and the Bureau of Clothing and Attire needed to prepare another set of clothing for her. They also heard that she was the wife of some high-ranking official, so they had to prepare even more complete clothing.

There was no other way but to temporarily enclose Daoju's courtyard with bamboo to create a separate small courtyard, which barely met the requirements of etiquette.

Since the founding of the nation, no female Taoist priests have ever performed here, so they are both curious and find it somewhat troublesome.

After all, men and women are different, unlike in the past when it was always men, so it was done hastily.

In addition, Rong Yan's identity is special, as he is not from an ordinary family, so no one dares to neglect him.

Several male voices spoke in a deliberately shrill tone, intentionally for Rong Yan to hear.

"See? It's not that I'm looking down on female Taoist priests, but they are far more troublesome than we are. They have to follow worldly etiquette and compete with Taoist priests for a place. How easy is that?"

"Alright, since she's a female Taoist priest, let's give way a little."

"I've heard that she's an expert in geomancy and divination, but I don't know if it's true or not."

"I think this Taoist examination is just a formality to make her Taoist temple more famous."

...

If it were the Rong Yan of the past, she would definitely go out and argue with him to see who was better.

But now that she has been reborn, her mind is that of an old woman, and she would not easily get angry.

Aside from matters of life and death, everything else can be laughed off.

Putting everything else aside, the person who spoke last did have some merit.

She's unlikely to pass the exam. However, she's become somewhat notorious for her involvement in this matter.

Thinking of this, she smiled, and while listening to others reciting their lessons aloud as they prepared for the exam, she simply fell asleep.

After a good night's sleep, I got up to eat and exclaimed that the imperial cuisine was truly excellent.

Sleeping in the palace was something I never dared to dream of before.

But perhaps because she was in a different place, she found herself having trouble sleeping in the same bed.

She felt a little uncomfortable because there was one less person in the room, and even seemed to think of him from time to time.