The imperial examinations of the current dynasty usually begin at the end of February, following the practice of the previous dynasty, and are also known as the Spring Examinations.
The exam is divided into three sessions, each lasting three days, for a total of nine days and seven nights.
The release date of the results is not fixed. It may be released at the end of March or it may be delayed until the beginning of April, but it will not be later than April 15.
Many students complained about this, because as the date approached, they became tense, both looking forward to and fearing the release of the results.
In comparison, Jiang Sheng was much more confident. However, when she went to check out the business every day, she would pass by the examination hall and glance at it to see if there were any crowds of people.
Yes, that means the results have been released.
No, you can pass by without worry.
Early April.
Jiang Sheng had just woken up when she received the news that the pastry shop that had been eyeing the roasted chestnuts had finally sent someone to Hebei County to bring back two cartloads of small chestnuts and had started selling roasted chestnuts as well.
And it only costs twenty-five coins.
Don't underestimate the mere five coins; it's enough for those who crave roasted chestnuts but are reluctant to buy them to grit their teeth and make a purchase.
With many customers leaving Jiuzhenfang, Zhang Xianglian became anxious and asked Daya to come and ask Jiang Sheng for a solution.
Before we knew it, our little girl had become the pillar of our family.
Jiang Sheng remained relatively calm. After changing her clothes, she followed Da Ya to Jiuzhenfang. When they passed the entrance of the examination hall, she caught sight of the throng of people. She couldn't resist jumping down, wanting to sneak a peek and give her older brother another surprise.
However, from the top of the list to the bottom, Xu Mo was not there.
There wasn't even a student with the surname Xu.
Jiang Sheng couldn't believe it and casually asked a student, "Brother, is this really the release of the imperial examination results?"
"Of course, what else could it be but the list of successful candidates in the provincial examination?" The student impatiently turned and left, clearly having not done well on the exam.
But Xu Mo shouldn't be like this.
He was the top scholar in the provincial examination, the student whom the prefect of Anshui County missed even after leaving office, the eldest brother who was always upright and handsome, and the young man who could attract friends such as Zhao Qizhu with his talent alone.
He shouldn't be unknown, and he certainly shouldn't have failed the exam.
Jiang Sheng turned around dejectedly, abandoning Jiuzhenfang and the roasted chestnut business. Like a fiery little lion, she rushed from the examination hall back to the second courtyard and then crashed into Xu Mo's room.
"Big brother," Jiang Sheng said through gritted teeth, her voice strained, "the results have been released, but your name isn't on the list."
Xu Mo was taken aback, probably somewhat surprised, but remained calm as still water.
"Brother!" Jiang Sheng exclaimed anxiously, "This isn't Anshui County, this is Fengjing. Your name isn't on the list, you really failed."
Anshui County once had a rule that "the top three students are not allowed to be listed on the list." This rule was established by Dou Weiming, the then governor of Anshui County, in order to protect outstanding students. It was later revised by the new governor, He Chengzhang.
But this is Fengjing, where being on the list means you've passed, and not being on it means you've failed.
"How could my brother have failed the exam?" Jiang Sheng was like an ant on a hot pan. "There must be a mistake somewhere. Could it be that the person who posted the list for you forgot to include your name? Should we go to the examination hall to ask..."
"Jiang Sheng."
Xu Mo spoke up, suppressing a hint of regret, "That's how exams are. Some people pass, and some people don't. Big Brother never thought he was good enough to pass all exams smoothly."
"If we fail this time, we can try again in three years."
The imperial examinations were often eight parts effort and two parts luck. Failing the exam did not necessarily mean one was less skilled; it could be that one's writing did not suit the examiners' tastes, or that one's performance was inconsistent, leading to a missed opportunity.
The teachers even warned students upon enrollment not to be overconfident, as failing the exam was just the beginning of a better chance. There were many who passed the exam with white hair, and young champions were extremely rare.
As one of millions of ordinary people, we should accept our ordinariness and then make up for it with hard work.
Xu Mo deeply agreed.
From being the top scholar in the county examination to the top scholar in the prefectural examination, and then to the top scholar in the provincial examination, even though he won the top spot in every examination, he was never arrogant or conceited. He simply attributed it to good luck or coincidence.
He is calm and composed, humble and self-possessed, possesses a charm that is unaware of his own excellence, and has an extraordinary sense of normalcy.
It's impossible not to feel regret after failing the imperial examination, but after the regret, we should work harder, reflect on ourselves, and prepare calmly for the next attempt.
The boy stood up, put one hand behind his back, and looked eastward through the wide-open door.
At that very moment, the sun shone brightly on the earth, dispelling all the darkness and dust of the world.
Jiang Sheng stared blankly at her brother bathed in the sea of light, her anxiety gradually subsiding, and she calmed down. "I was too impatient."
My elder brother is still young. Failing the imperial examination at fifteen is nothing. He can still be among the youngest students when he takes the exam again at eighteen.
“It’s not that you’re impatient, it’s just that things have gone too smoothly for you, which makes you mistakenly think that everything will be so easy.” Xu Mo chuckled and took his sister’s hand. “How can life be all smooth sailing?”
If one cannot remain truly calm and composed, the initial success will turn into a detrimental effect, ultimately ruining a person of exceptional talent.
So, it's better to be someone who accumulates knowledge and skills gradually and has a stable mindset.
"Let's go, let's tell Xiao Si and Xiao Wu too." Xu Mo became more and more composed.
Chang Yan and Wen Zhiyun went to the clinic early. Tianjiekou is always bustling with people, and news spreads quickly. They probably already know that the results have been released.
Xu Mo knew what was going on. When they passed the entrance of the examination hall, he asked Jiang San to slow down. As expected, they saw two stunned teenagers.
He stopped the carriage, sighed, and walked over. "You all know?"
"Big brother," Wen Zhiyun's eyes were red as a rabbit's, "How could you possibly fail the exam?"
Chang Yan frowned and remained silent.
“Big brother is human too, of course he can fail the exam.” Xu Mo patted his fourth brother on the shoulder. “Don’t worry too much, there will be other opportunities in the future.”
“But…” Wen Zhiyun wanted to say something more, but couldn’t get the words out.
The one who was most upset about failing the exam was the eldest brother. They should be the ones comforting him, not the other way around.
If he can't offer comfort, he chooses to keep quiet.
Xu Mo turned his head with a smile and looked at his younger brother, who was the smartest and most thoughtful in the family. "I don't need to explain Xiao Wu, do I?"
“No need.” Chang Yan turned his head. “I’m just surprised that he’s at the top of the list.”
Which "him"?
Xu Mo wasn't interested in who was number one, but there weren't many people in Fengjing City who could surprise his fifth brother.
He turned around, and through the throng of people, before he could even see the name at the top of the list, he heard Zhao Yuan's familiar shouts.
"How could it be him?"
"How could it be him?"
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