Chapter 758 Incident at the Imperial Examination Hall
The imperial examination was held every three years in the spring and was also known as the spring examination.
Compared to the provincial examination, which lasted nine days and nine nights, the metropolitan examination was slightly less extreme. The nine days were divided into three sessions: the first session on the ninth day of the second lunar month, the second session on the twelfth day, and the third session on the fifteenth day. The examination was held at the Gongyuan (Examination Hall) in the southeast of the capital, and the content of the examination was largely the same as that of the provincial examination.
Since arriving in the capital, Zhao Sidan and Yu Zhan have locked themselves in their study every day, studying diligently, sleeping later than dogs and waking up earlier than chickens. This shows how much the two children value this imperial examination.
"You'll be entering the exam hall tomorrow morning, so don't study tonight," Cheng Wanwan said softly. "You two should take a hot bath and get a good night's sleep. You need to be in the best mental state to face the upcoming exam."
Zhao Sidan and Yu Zhan nodded in unison and obediently went to take a bath and go to sleep.
Lu Yingxue asked with a worried expression, "Sister Wanwan, do you think our Xiaozhan will have to sit in the toilet again this time?"
"I can't say for sure about these things," Cheng Wanwan said with a forced smile. "Xiao Zhan has long since overcome the discomfort of using the toilet. You, as his mother, should stop worrying. Look, you've even got wrinkles around your eyes."
"Huh?" Lu Yingxue immediately touched the corner of her eye. "I'm only in my early thirties, how come I have wrinkles so early? Waaah, do I look older than Sister Wanwan?"
Cheng Wanwan spoke softly, "Are you implying that I'm old?"
"No, no, how could Lady Sui of our Great Yu Dynasty be old?" Lu Yingxue said with a smile, hooking her arm around hers. "A woman who can make the dignified Prince Qin fall in love at first sight must be a beauty that can topple kingdoms. In my heart, Sister Wanwan is the number one beauty of the Great Yu Dynasty..."
"Alright, stop being so cheeky." Cheng Wanwan pinched her cheek. "We have to take the kids to the exam tomorrow morning, go to sleep early."
Before going to bed, Cheng Wanwan took out the mirror and looked at herself carefully, then couldn't help but sigh.
Although she has been taking care of herself, she still has to admit that time has indeed left its mark on her face. Forehead wrinkles, crow's feet, nasolabial folds... have all slowly appeared. Although they are only faintly visible, they are definitely present on her face.
But then I thought about how she's 38 years old this year, so it's not surprising that she has wrinkles, and I gradually felt relieved.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Cheng Wanwan heard Zhao Sidan reading aloud in the courtyard. She quickly got out of bed and dressed.
"Mom, you're up." Zhao Sidan closed his book, turned around and smiled. "I slept soundly through the night last night, and my mind is perfectly clear now. I'm sure I'll get a good grade. Do you believe me, Mom?"
"Of course I believe you." Cheng Wanwan patted his shoulder. "But don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just do your best."
Zhao Sidan nodded obediently.
But he secretly encouraged himself, determined to get a good ranking no matter what.
He didn't want to be protected by his mother every time; he wanted to stand in front of her and shield her from all the storms...
Granny Qi had the kitchen staff prepare a "top scholar's meal," which was actually a common dish of jujube rice with a side of catfish. Because of its auspicious meaning, this breakfast was specially prepared for someone in the family who was taking the imperial examination, so that the student could eat it before going to the examination hall.
After finishing their meal, Cheng Wanwan and Lu Yingxue saw the two children off.
The servants gathered in the courtyard and chanted in unison, "Wishing Fourth Young Master and Young Master Yu success in the imperial examination and that they will achieve top honors!"
The one leading these servants in speaking auspicious words was Yan Hong.
Yan Hong was originally Cheng Wanwan's personal attendant, but with Gu Leng and Gu Bing around, Yan Hong could only be responsible for other things.
Old Liu, who had previously served as the housekeeper, committed suicide by jumping into a well after the He family's incident. Yan Hong then took over Old Liu's position, taking charge of managing various trivial matters in the mansion, and has become Granny Qi's future successor.
Cheng Wanwan led the children onto the carriage. After the carriage entered the street, it gradually became congested. There were just too many people going to the examination hall today. Many families were sending a student there. There were people everywhere.
After walking for about half an hour, we finally arrived at the entrance of the examination hall and ran into the Shen family.
“Godmother!” Shen Zheng spotted her with sharp eyes, walked over and said with a smile, “I was originally planning to go find Si Dan and Xiao Zhan to meet up before coming over, but there were just too many people on the road, so I’ll wait here.”
Shen Dongming followed and looked in Yu Zhan's direction, saying, "Yesterday I went to see the school official and mentioned Xiao Zhan. This time, we won't specially arrange a toilet number for Xiao Zhan. However, if Xiao Zhan is unlucky enough to draw a toilet number, then we can only say that it is fate."
"Lord Shen, you are too kind!" Lu Yingxue was deeply moved. "Lord Shen is no longer the magistrate of Ping'an County, yet he still goes to great lengths for Xiao Zhan. I will definitely ask Lao Yu to repay Lord Shen's kindness."
Shen Dongming quickly waved his hand: "It was nothing, sister-in-law, don't worry about it. It's getting late, the children should hurry up and go inside."
Shen Zheng, being the eldest, led Zhao Sidan and Yu Zhan inside. They first lined up at the entrance, passed through the Dragon Gate, verified their identities, and then entered the examination hall. Once inside, the parents could no longer see them.
But there's still a queue inside, firstly for checking for cheating, and secondly for drawing lots to determine seats...
All the successful candidates from the provincial examinations across the country came to participate in the metropolitan examination, making the number of people exceptionally impressive. The queue was long and winding, with those at the back of the line far from the officials in front. Some acquaintances from the same hometown gathered together and talked quietly. Shen Zheng, Zhao Sidan, and Yu Zhan were also discussing the upcoming metropolitan examination in hushed tones.
Just then, a discordant sound suddenly came from behind.
"That kid, the one in the blue shirt, is said to be Yu Qingsheng's son."
"Yu Qingsheng? The one who was reported for cheating after becoming a tribute student?"
"Yes, that's him. I never expected that after disappearing for so many years, he would actually send his son to the examination hall to take the imperial examination."
“His son looks to be only fifteen or sixteen years old. He’s so young to be taking the imperial examination. I’m afraid he must have cheated to get here.”
"..."
Yu Zhan was being pointed at and whispered about, and his small face turned white.
Shen Zheng waved his hand to shield him behind him and said calmly, "Your father was the top scorer in the imperial examination back then. It's because your father is capable that he's been coveted for so many years. Don't let these comments affect you. Si Dan, plug his ears."
Zhao Sidan nodded and reached out to cover Yu Zhan's ears.
Even though it was blocked, I could still hear people talking around me.
"When Yu Qingsheng won first place in the imperial examination, we thought he was really amazing. But it turns out he cheated and was eventually expelled from the capital. He deserved it."
“I heard from the older generation that when he left the capital, many people threw excrement at him. My father always warned me not to cheat, or he would be splashed with the filthiest excrement.”
"After he returned to his hometown, he was also expelled from the family and became a real stray dog."
"If he is the big dog, then his son is just a stray dog."
"You! All of you shut up!" Yu Zhan trembled with rage, pointing at the person standing at the front who was laughing arrogantly. "If you dare to insult my father again, I won't let you get away with it!"
"Do you know who I am, daring to point your finger at me?" The man suddenly stepped forward, grabbed Yu Zhan's index finger, and twisted it hard. "You worthless wretch, you dare to enter the Imperial Examination Hall..."
Before he could finish speaking, Shen Zheng shoved him aside. Shen Zheng's eyes were gloomy: "Publicly assaulting a student, the Imperial Examination Hall has the right to disqualify you from the provincial examination. Jing Si, go and call the academic official over!"
Zhao Sidan's eyes turned red with anger, and he turned and ran towards the main entrance.
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