After the start of spring, all matters related to the imperial examinations were put on the agenda.
Scholars from all over flocked to Shuojing, making the city bustling with activity. In particular, restaurants and inns near the examination hall were doing exceptionally well.
Business at Jin Yu Lou was booming, and they even added a new dessert called "Moon Palace Osmanthus Branch".
The Moon Palace is made from duck eggs from Baiyangdian Lake. Only the large ones are pickled with white wine and salt, and sealed for a month to obtain a runny, oily salted egg yolk. The salted egg yolk is then sprayed with strong liquor, baked in a kiln until it flows with oil, crushed into golden sand, kneaded into flour, and shaped into a round cake, to symbolize the Moon Palace.
The osmanthus branch is made by kneading a thin, long dough, adding alkaline water to color it, and then frying it repeatedly in a hot oil pan until it turns brownish-red and crispy. It is then placed on a golden sand round cake and sprinkled with a little osmanthus honey at one end to resemble an osmanthus branch.
All the candidates who went to the capital for the imperial examinations longed to achieve the highest honors. Jin Yu Lou presented the laurel branch from the moon palace, hoping for this auspicious omen, and thus, the students would inevitably make a trip to Jin Yu Lou.
Not to mention that Jin Yu Lou's food and drinks are unique, and there are many people willing to spend money at Jin Yu Lou.
Aside from the restaurants, business in Tonghua Lane has also improved considerably.
That night, Qiaoniang entered Gu Xingzhi's study.
"Second Master, there are more and more people in the south of the city."
The imperial city was located to the north of Shuojing, and the entire northern part of the city was a gathering place for high-ranking officials and nobles. In contrast, the southern part of Shuojing was a melting pot of all sorts of people, and its inhabitants were relatively poor. If someone without a fixed place to live came to Shuojing, they would naturally choose the southern part as their first place to stay.
Gu Xing paused, his pen still in his hand: "Are they all scholars?"
Qiaoniang wanted to nod, but hesitated: "That should be true."
Some of them, scrimping and saving to avoid renting a decent courtyard or inn, would eagerly approach the girls of Wufan Pavilion with a few coins in their pockets. They carried folding fans, were impeccably dressed, and could easily compose poetry. Yet, the stench of sweat that could be smelled even in winter completely shattered their refined facade.
Is this what you call a scholar?
A faint sense of irony welled up within her. Men of this world are lustful, and scholars even consider it a sign of refinement. How laughable. A refined elegance with a peculiar odor?
Gu Xingzhi shook his head. Going back further, the previous and the year before that, the spring examinations were almost the same. When candidates from various prefectures and counties arrived in Shuojing, they were dazzled by the city's prosperity. Countless people spent their days in Tonghua Lane, entering the spring examination hall while belching from drinking.
Scholars! They are the most principled, yet also the most spineless. Drunk among peonies, they can soften every inch of their bones.
"Is there any unusual activity within the pavilion?"
Qiaoniang pondered for a moment, then said, "No, not really. It's just that this year's examinees seem to be spending more than in previous years. Even the girls' travel expenses have increased considerably."
Gu Xingzhi raised an eyebrow: "Alright. Be careful, prices are rising in every industry in the city these days, so you might as well raise your prices too. Don't seem too conscientious."
Qiaoniang pursed her lips and smiled softly: "Yes."
She looked at Gu Xingzhi with a smile, and Gu Xingzhi was also looking at her. Their eyes met, revealing a hint of tenderness.
-
Inside the Ministry of Revenue's Silver Manufacturing Office, several muscular figures were carrying a large box out.
The box looked heavy, and the several burly men walked with heavy, firm steps, each step rhythmic and deliberate. They were clearly well-trained.
After loading the boxes onto a carriage waiting at the back gate of the Feiyinsi Manufacturing Bureau, the group quickly left and disappeared into the night.
The gates of the Feiyin Company's Construction Office still stood calmly, completely unaware of everything that was happening before its eyes.
-
After passing the autumn imperial examination, Gu Pingsheng no longer needed to go to the academy to study after the New Year. Instead, he studied at home on his own, only occasionally going out to socialize with his classmates.
This was also the most common choice for ordinary scholars. After the autumn examination, they would have to prepare for the spring examination. Some of the students the teachers at the academy had already passed the autumn examination, while others had not yet achieved official rank. The large classrooms of the academy were clearly no longer suitable for candidates preparing for the spring examination.
It's better to stay home and study hard, write essays, and ask teachers and classmates for feedback. That way, you'll make progress faster.
Gu Yaoniang strode into Gu Pingsheng's courtyard, quickly entered the bedroom, and without even lowering the curtain, pulled back Gu Pingsheng's blanket.
A sudden gust of winter wind swept in, making Gu Pingsheng shiver. When she saw the person's face clearly, she screamed, "Sister! How! How...how could you come in! Men and women shouldn't touch each other! Boys and girls under seven shouldn't sit together! Boys and girls..."
Gu Yaoniang interrupted him: "You're just a little kid, stop spouting nonsense! Just because you don't have to go to the academy doesn't mean you won't study!"
She was carrying a quilt, but the winter quilt was so thick that she had deliberately lifted it with one hand to show off, but now she felt she could barely hold it.
To avoid letting Gu Pingsheng notice, she pretended to be angry and threw the blanket on the bed. She then casually crossed her arms and stood at the head of the bed, glancing sideways at Gu Pingsheng as he hurriedly hid himself under the blanket again in the cold wind.
Only when Gu Pingsheng's head was partially visible did Gu Yaoniang look over at him again.
Gu Pingsheng was very dissatisfied: "I study every day, and when it gets cold, I just stay in bed a little longer, what's wrong with that!"
He glared angrily at his sister, Gu Yaoniang let out a soft "Eh," and made a move to bend down and pinch his ear. Gu Pingsheng cried out and hid against the wall: "I'll get up! I'll get up!"
Gu Yaoniang snorted: "Look at you! You're still the same as when you were a child, preferring to blow snot bubbles rather than stay in bed."
Upon hearing this, Gu Pingsheng subconsciously lowered his head and touched his nose, finding it completely dry. He looked up and saw Gu Yaoniang staring at him with a mischievous grin. He immediately became furious: "Gu Yaoniang!"
Gu Yaoniang clutched her chest, feigning sadness: "Alas, it seems our Gu scholar has grown up and no longer recognizes his sister. Oh well, let's treat Uncle Zhong to the plain noodles today."
Before he could finish speaking, Gu Pingsheng immediately broke into a smile: "Sister, sister! I'll get up, I'll get up right now!"
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