Chapter 236 The Imperial Examination
The peach blossoms bloomed early this year; in early February, several trees in the warm alleys of Beijing couldn't wait to burst into bloom.
The triennial imperial examinations have also begun in full swing.
From the sixth to the eighth day of the second lunar month, three exams were held consecutively. The area within a hundred meters of the examination hall was under strict security, and ordinary vehicles and pedestrians were prohibited from passing through, in case of any unforeseen circumstances such as riots or cheating that might affect the candidates' performance.
The Xie family has now moved to the east of the city. Although they still rent a courtyard, it is fortunate that it is not far from the examination hall. Xie Tingzhou does not need to hire a carriage to go to the examination; he can get there in just a quarter of an hour.
He didn't let his aunt and sister see him off. He carried the basket he had prepared for the exam and went out on his own, intending to silently review his studies as he walked.
The gate opened, and the still chilly spring breeze caressed Xie Tingzhou's face. He took a deep breath and looked up to see the simple yet spacious carriage parked in front of his courtyard.
The woman sitting in the carriage was lifting the curtain, revealing half of her fair wrist, and urging him to get in quickly.
Xie Tingzhou's previously calm and composed mind immediately became somewhat flustered.
"Princess, there's really no need for you to come in person."
He sat a few seats away from Princess Chang Le, his hands clenched into fists on his knees, his eyes downcast as he stared at the tips of his clean, plain cloth shoes.
"I just made an appointment with a friend to go for a spring outing, and then I remembered that you were taking the imperial examination today, so I came to give you a ride."
Qi Yuxuan has been spending her time either learning accounting and housekeeping or traveling all over the capital with her girlfriends.
In her past life, she devoted herself to caring for her family and brothers while still unmarried. In this life, without those troublesome people, she's going to have a good time.
Today was the day she, Zheng Yanling, and Zhao Mei had arranged to go horseback riding and sightseeing at the Zheng family estate at the foot of Zhuang Mountain. On their way out, they passed by the Gongyuan (Imperial Examination Hall) and saw that the Qilin Guards were already stationed there. Upon asking, they learned that today was the first day of the Spring Imperial Examination, so they changed their route and went to the small courtyard temporarily rented by the Xie family.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, Xie Tingzhou, who was sitting with his head down, pursed his lips.
You don't believe me?
Xie Tingzhou: "If that's what you say, Princess, then I will believe you. It's just that it's still dark today, and I'm very grateful that you're willing to come along the way."
Qi Yuxuan found his awkward expression amusing, but she had already decided never to marry him again in this lifetime, so she naturally couldn't be bothered to compromise.
“I provided you with education and medicine because I believed you were a promising talent. Regardless of your character, you will at least be an upright and incorruptible official who cares deeply for the people. Yet you always feel that I have ulterior motives. Xie Xingzhi, do you feel that you are unworthy of anything, or do you think that everyone who gets close to you has ulterior motives? Or perhaps, both.”
These words were sharp and harsh, a stark contrast to the image of Princess Chang Le among the common people, who was always gentle, polite, and approachable.
Xie Tingzhou still cannot understand why the other party would extend such a hostile olive branch to him.
Princess Chang Le disliked him. At first, he thought it was because of the unsuccessful chance encounter orchestrated by the fourth daughter of the Xiao family. Later, he realized that wasn't the case. She seemed to know everything about him, and felt both admiration and disgust for him...
Whenever he thought of this, he would immediately pick up the book at hand and force himself to read to distract himself. But today, the two of them were in the same carriage, and there was no way to avoid it.
"Your Highness is too kind. I would never dare to think that way."
After he finished speaking, the carriage wheels rolled over the bluestone slabs in the alley, causing the whole carriage to sway slightly. This was the shortest route to the examination hall, and they didn't have much time left to be alone.
"Princess, Xingzhi has a question."
Qi Yuxuan raised her hand, interrupting him.
"Wait until you pass the exam and get a top score before asking any more questions. Otherwise, I will not answer any of your questions until then."
In his past life, he was sick and only took medicine sporadically, and he was still upset about his chance encounter with her, yet he still managed to become a third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination. If Xie Tingzhou had the money to take medicine and seek treatment in peace in this life, but couldn't even pass the first-rank examination, then Qi Yuxuan wouldn't need to waste her time and energy on him.
Qi has many capable and righteous officials. Even if Xie Xingzhi is missing, there will be many more "Xie Xingzhi" in the future. Qi Yuxuan does not need him.
In the next three years, Qi will face constant external enemies, internal strife, natural disasters, and man-made calamities. If Qi can select virtuous and capable officials for the court and avoid some pitfalls in personnel matters, things might not get worse... This is what Qi Yuxuan has been doing since last year.
Besides Xie Tingzhou, there were other scholars and officials who were still unknown, and even some martial artists.
However, Xie Tingzhou was the one she knew best and who had made the most progress the fastest.
After dropping the person off at the examination hall, Qi Yuxuan handed over the prepared amulet.
"For peace of mind, just keep it close to your body."
The girl's palms were delicate and white, with rosy fingertips. She looked slender but not thin, with a perfectly plump and beautiful figure, the kind that comes from a life of comfort and privilege. Xie Tingzhou only glanced at her before looking away.
"Thank you, Princess, but I don't believe in these things."
People of that time often prayed to gods and Buddhas because they were unhappy with their current lives or hoped to have peace of mind in the future. But he was well-read and understood the principles of life. He knew that whether he lived well or not depended on himself, so he never believed in those external things and only focused on his own inner gains and losses.
"Suit yourself, if you don't want it, just throw it away."
Qi Yuxuan didn't have time to argue with him about whether or not to accept it. She tossed the talisman between her fingers, and Xie Tingzhou caught it steadily outside the carriage. She then lowered the curtain and instructed the coachman to urge the horses on.
Xie Tingzhou watched in silence as the carriage gradually disappeared from sight before looking down at the amulet in his hand, still stained with the image of a Buddha.
After a long while, the examination hall opened its gates to welcome the candidates inside. Only then did he put the amulet into his chest and silently turn around to go inside.
At the Zheng family's gate, Zheng Yanling saw Qi Yuxuan's carriage approaching from afar, and then saw a row of maids, servants, and guards that the princess had instructed her to bring along. Her expression was quite complicated.
Once in the carriage, she sighed, "The Princess is so well-prepared, unlike my mother, who always just tells me not to die out there before I leave."
"Pfft..."
Qi Yuxuan couldn't help but laugh.
Having known Zheng Yanling for so long, she knew the Zheng family's attitude towards this unconventional girl. Restricting her was wrong, indulging her was wrong, and they couldn't bear to scold or beat her. So, they could only half-heartedly allow Zheng Yanling to live a life of unrestrained pleasure.
In the end, the Zheng family doesn't climb the social ladder through their children's marriages, so who would dare to interfere with the freedom of their daughters before they get married?
"That may be true, but your outfit was still bought for you by your aunt. She may have a sharp tongue, but she has a soft heart and loves you the most."
She only just learned that Zheng Yanling's clothes, which were disguised as men, fit her so well because Madam Zheng had personally found a cloth shop owner to tailor men's clothing for Zheng Yanling, just in case she was worried that the men's clothes she bought outside wouldn't fit her properly.
The two girls arrived at the Zhao family's house chatting and laughing, only to be told by the gatekeeper that their eldest son had gone out that morning, taking Zhao Mei with him as well.
The two looked at each other:
"Didn't you tell Mei Niang that we would come to pick her up?"
"I thought you said..."
"Alas, it's too late to catch up now, so let's just meet at my estate."
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