Chapter 642 A Dream of Youth 174
Chen Yuncheng stood in the yard, mouth agape, holding a pile of food, watching people carry things into the house. Xie Qi silently helped Chen Yuncheng close his jaw; he was used to it.
After all, Xie Ning received rewards from the palace from time to time, one cartload after another. Not only him, but also the neighbors were familiar with him.
That last clock thing not only got him a reward but also a promotion!
Xie Ning has now been promoted again; she is now a sixth-rank medical officer.
Xie Ning waved his hand in front of Chen Yuncheng, but his eyes remained fixed on the gold cakes on the tray.
Besides his love for food, Chen Yuncheng also loved all sorts of shiny gold things, so Chen Wanniang specially gifted him a robe embroidered with gold thread on his birthday.
"Bao'er, did His Majesty bestow all of these upon you?" So many treasures!
"Yes, besides what His Majesty bestowed, there were also gifts from the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, with the Empress Dowager giving the most." Of course, this did not bypass the Emperor.
Just before she left the palace, they put some more hairpins in her hair, making her head full of pearls and jade, all precious treasures. She also wore jade bracelets on both wrists and three jade pendants around her waist.
The Empress Dowager is indeed extremely wealthy.
Although it was meant for her to wear and take out of the palace, it was still included in the gift list.
Xie Ning seemed to have thought of something, and then took out a jade thumb ring from a small pocket in his sleeve. "Brother, this is for you."
The ring was too big for her to wear, and she didn't like wearing such things in her daily life, only when attending banquets in formal attire.
Seeing Chen Yuncheng's envious gaze, Xie Ning also gave him a clear jade pendant. After all, this child had given her quite a few things before. He used to send them to her as gifts for festivals, and now he would occasionally add things to her dressing box.
They were all shiny gold hairpins and the like, which she couldn't wear in everyday life, but Xie Ning still liked them very much.
This also shows that Chen Yuncheng has a lot of pocket money.
After all, he is young, so the Chen couple will give him extra favoritism.
"Thank you, Bao'er!"
"Waaah, Bao'er, you're so sweet!"
Xie Ning had intended to wash up and go to bed, but when he thought about the decisions he had made in the past few days, he stopped in his tracks. "Brother, where is Father?"
"They're having a meeting in the study."
Since that was the case, Xie Ning did not disturb him further, but waited until Xie Wangzhi got up the next morning to burn incense and meditate before going to discuss the matter with him.
"The imperial examination for children?"
“Yes, Father, I’m the right age, aren’t I?” Xie Ning didn’t mention gender, but rather age.
Throughout history, great importance has been attached to "child prodigies." In previous dynasties, the age limit for the imperial examinations for children was under ten years old, but due to the increased demand for talent in the current dynasty, the age limit was extended to fifteen.
Children under the age of fifteen who are proficient in the classics and can compose poems and essays can register for the children's examination in their local prefecture. After being selected and recommended by the local authorities, they will be sent to the capital. After being examined by the Imperial Academy, they will be sent to the Secretariat for a second examination. Those who pass the examination will have the opportunity to be personally examined by the emperor and enter the court as officials.
Xie Wangzhi looked hesitant, but couldn't help asking, "Bao'er, you're already a female official, why do you want to start all over again?"
He didn't say that Xie Ning's gender was unacceptable, nor did he say that Xie Ning's age was unacceptable; he only wondered why Xie Ning would make such a decision.
"Because no one has ever walked this way."
The soft voice struck Xie Wangzhi's heart like a heavy hammer blow.
Xie Ning sat opposite Xie Wangzhi, the two separated by a table. Light smoke swirled around them, seemingly blurring each other's faces, except for a pair of clear eyes that stood out.
“I not only want to take the preliminary examination, but I also want to take the exam with my elder brother when he enters the examination hall.”
Being well-versed in the classics and composing poetry is far from enough. What she wants is not to crush children under the age of fifteen, but to achieve comprehensive success. As long as she can stand at the forefront, she will have direction.
There's nothing impossible in this world. If she can do it, then so can they.
Xie Wangzhi remained silent. He believed Xie Ning knew what this meant. Burning incense without calming his mind... how could he possibly calm down?
Xie Ning was not in a hurry.
Finally, Xie Wangzhi closed his eyes heavily. "Then go. From today onwards, I will go home earlier after my shift. You... wait for me in the study."
Now that he had made his decision, Xie Wangzhi looked much more relaxed. "Father will teach you."
If one were to enter the examination hall and participate in the imperial examination like Xie Qi, mere literary talent and poetry would be far from sufficient. Even though Xie Ning excelled in classical texts, calligraphy, oral examinations, policy questions, and poetry, he still needed to understand how to answer the questions, the format, and the examiners' preferences.
None of them can be missing.
Since Xie Ning has already been taught, why not invite Xie Qi to attend the class as well, as an extra training session? After all, he's about to take the imperial examination, so this will help him consolidate his knowledge.
Xie Ning knew that Xie Wangzhi had specially made time to teach him, so he straightened up and bowed deeply.
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