Chapter 71
Two days later, the family of three moved out of the inn and into another one.
Compared to the previous one, the new inn has a striking architectural style, full of Jiangnan charm. The interior is exquisitely decorated, and the bowls and chopsticks are also very small. After most of the students left, the prices remained the same as before.
Yingxiang chose a room on the second floor.
Late at night, the moonlight was beautiful. Yingxiang, dressed in a white undergarment, sat by the window combing her hair. The soft moonlight shone on the earth, and at a glance, one could vaguely see the little koi fish jumping around in the pond.
"If I ever have money, I want to build my own inn and collect rent. It's really satisfying."
Yingxiang suddenly thought to herself.
The Great Qi Dynasty was something she had never experienced before; it was an unrecorded dynasty, or perhaps a time warp.
Regardless of the reason, the ancient people living here were not much different from those she had learned about in books. They all had emperors, a large gap between the rich and poor, and the imperial examination system. Compared to the recommendation system thousands of years ago, this provided ordinary people with an additional path to upward mobility.
Wen Shi sat in a chair reading a book, his pajamas loosely draped over his body, revealing his muscular chest. He had just washed up, his hair half-dry and slightly damp, and his clear black and white eyes were intently focused on the book in his hands.
"What's wrong?"
Sensing his wife's gaze, Wen Shi put down the book in his hand and looked directly at her.
A few dim lamps were lit inside, and the flickering candlelight was enough to see.
"It's getting late, let's go to sleep early, we have to go out tomorrow."
He immediately closed the book and nodded.
This leisurely and joyful life was the first time for Yingxiang in recent years. Wen Shi didn't have to take exams or study, and he devoted himself to taking care of the children. Right now, she didn't have to worry about anything, and he even indulged her in everything.
As things stand, he is a good husband and a good father. Compared to other fathers' impatience with their children, he has plenty of patience.
For the first half of the month, the family of three enjoyed themselves immensely and were very happy. However, in the second half of the month, the weather turned sour.
It drizzled every day, making the air humid. Yingxiang was wearing a dress, so it wasn't very convenient for her to go out. If she didn't use an umbrella, she would get soaked, but if she did, there didn't seem to be any places to go.
We've been to all the places we were supposed to go, and we've also explored the area outside the city.
The family of three decided to wait at the inn for the results to be released. As the date drew closer, Yingxiang couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
She was really looking forward to Wen Shi getting into high school, but it wasn't a sure thing. If he didn't get in this time, he would definitely have to go back and study for another three years.
She tossed and turned all night, feeling restless and anxious for some reason.
She knew how hard Wen Shi worked.
"My wife, don't think too much. Get some sleep. You have to believe me. Even if I'm not ranked high like before, I'll still be on the list."
Upon hearing this, Yingxiang sat up abruptly. Her gaze towards Wenshi was somewhat complicated. She had asked him before, but he couldn't give her a definite answer. Yet now he was saying this.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her fair and tender cheek.
"Go to sleep, don't think about it."
In the following days, Yingxiang suddenly became calm and stopped thinking about the matter. She believed that everything was in the hands of fate and that thinking about it was useless, so she might as well let it go for now.
The results will be released soon, and thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile as she recalled her actions from the past few days.
People are really fickle, changing every day. She certainly wouldn't have been like this before, and might have even figured it out long ago, but then she went back to her old ways.
It seems she's mostly worried about Wen Shi; her mind is in turmoil.
The two are now deeply in love, which she can tell from the way Wen Shi looks at her every day.
He wasn't bad to her before, but back then his eyes were always uninteresting, showing no emotion, and there was no intimate contact between them during the day.
The situation is completely different now. Whenever the child is playing outside or taking a nap during the day, he always wants to be close to her and hug her.
Occasionally, he would utter a few flowery words, some of which he said with such seriousness that Yingxiang couldn't help but find them amusing, but she would always respond.
Humans aren't plants or trees; if Wen Shi treats her well, she knows it and can sense it, so she'll try to reciprocate in kind.
He has both good character and good looks, and the two have been married for several years. Yingxiang thought about it carefully and realized that, to some extent, their relationship was one of marriage before love.
The day the results were released arrived quickly. Early that morning, the family of three got up and dressed.
"Do you really want me to go with the child? Why don't you go first, and we'll come over later?"
Yingxiang wore a pale yellow corset-style dress with a matching gauze overlay. Her skin was fair, and in this outfit, she looked like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, light and agile.
Recently, for some reason, she has lost some weight. Raising her slender arms, Yingxiang is quite satisfied with herself now.
She chose a pair of small, exquisite pearl earrings, paired with some simple hairpins and bracelets, and smiled sweetly at herself in the mirror.
First, it's so good that my skin is white; it looks amazing.
Secondly, she has a great figure. She has never had to worry about food or clothing in recent years. She has not dieted, but she has not gained much weight. In fact, she has not eaten less. Her weight has grown in the right places. It's good that God has eyes.
Let's go together.
Wen Shi persisted, and he remained remarkably calm. There were undoubtedly many people more capable and talented than him, but he also believed in himself.
Let's go.
Wen Shi held her child, and the family of three left the house looking radiant.
There were more and more people on the road than before. Even before the two reached the gate of the government office, they saw that the gate was already surrounded by a huge crowd. Wen Shi frowned subconsciously.
The child in his arms was perfectly in sync with him, and Yingxiang couldn't help but smile when she saw the father and son like this.
"Husband, why don't we wait a while?"
Not far away, there was a huge crowd, and it looked like it was impossible to squeeze in. Moreover, the officers and soldiers had not yet posted the notice, so it would probably be a while before they could get in.
"I see that you look radiant today, my friend. It must be because of some good news."
"With your diligent efforts, you will surely pass the imperial examination."
"Thank you for your kind words, and I hope you share in the joy."
There were quite a few students studying in the prefectural city, and for a time everyone was talking about something, creating a noisy and bustling atmosphere. However, the anticipation and joy on many people's faces were clearly visible.
Yingxiang and Wenshi stood not far away, looking at the crowded and noisy entrance of the government office. Neither of them knew what to say. The afternoon sun gradually rose, and the temperature became higher and higher.
Some people were sweating profusely from the heat.
At this moment, someone asked curiously, "The list is usually posted in the morning, but it's been several hours and there's still no movement."
"Sir, has the date for the announcement of the results been changed?"
"That's impossible. It's been so many years and it's never changed. Please wait a moment and don't rush."
Soldiers and officers were also maintaining order at the entrance of the government office.
There were so many excited students eagerly awaiting the announcement, and he was also worried that something might go wrong. According to previous practice, the notices should have been posted long ago, so why was there still no activity today? He didn't know either.
Upon seeing this scene, Wen Shi subconsciously frowned.
Yingxiang, holding her child's hand, didn't rush forward. It seemed she was delayed, but she hadn't heard anything wrong. Even if it was late, the list would still be posted.
All they could do was wait. Just then, the gates of the government office were suddenly opened, and an official in official robes appeared. He had a serious expression and was surrounded by several tall soldiers.
"Make way, everyone. Don't disturb the adults posting the notice. Make way."
The officers and soldiers spoke in an unfriendly tone, and they stood on both sides, starting to drive away the students who were gathered in front of the notice.
Each of them was armed with swords and knives. Some of the weak scholars, seeing this, couldn't help but retreat, not wanting to be accidentally injured on such a fine day.
The white Xuan paper in the official's hand was particularly eye-catching; the result of the triennial exam—whether one could pass or not—would be decided today.
Although they would eventually find out after high school, and the government would send someone to notify them, many people were unwilling to wait.
"Sir, hurry up and put it up! What are you still doing standing there?"
A scholar dressed in blue silk called out anxiously. He seemed to come from a well-off family, and this was his third time taking the exam.
There were many young scholars, but there were also quite a few older ones with white hair.
Yingxiang held his breath and focused his mind. The official not far away ignored the student. He took a breath, turned around and walked to the notice board, signaling the soldiers to move a few steps away.
Many people were anxious, especially the students gathered at the entrance of the government office. Yingxiang was filled with mixed feelings as she watched this scene.
There are always many hard-working people in this world. The results may not be as good as expected, but as long as you have tried and struggled, it is worth it.
"I'll be there in a bit, you and the child wait here."
Not far away, there were several gentlemen who occasionally lifted the curtains of their carriages. Most of them were very wealthy and looked like rich merchants. Yingxiang turned her head to look at them and thought of the words "catching a son-in-law after the list of successful candidates".
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