So Shen Jialu proudly said, "That's right, my sister is amazing! Our family's fields are the best in Xinghua Village! And I dare say, they're the best in several villages in our area!"
Lili sighed and smiled wryly, rubbing her forehead.
Gu Ziyi nodded in agreement: "I have already witnessed it, and Lili's abilities are indeed extraordinary."
Yang and Shen Laosan looked at each other in bewilderment.
On the one hand, they were happy that Lili had gained the favor and recognition of a noble person.
On the other hand, given Gu's special status, having too much involvement with the royal family might not be a good thing.
Especially Shen Laosan, as a scholar, who would pass the imperial examinations to become an official and serve the country, naturally understood the underlying principles.
As a member of the royal family, Gu Ziyi was naturally adept at reading people's expressions and moods.
Gu Ziyi immediately understood Yang's worries from her expression.
This is one of the reasons why he didn't want the Shen family to know his identity.
He admired Lili's abilities at such a young age, was attracted by her pure and kind nature, and praised her for her concern for the people.
He genuinely wanted to be friends with Lili and didn't want their relationship to be affected by others.
After getting to know him, Lili wouldn't treat him any differently because of his status, but what about her family?
He knew what they were worried about, but he would do his best to protect Lili.
Just then, Zhui Feng arrived in his carriage, so Gu Ziyi stopped talking and naturally changed the subject.
"Have you all had breakfast yet? I have prepared a meal at Xiangweiju. If Mr. and Mrs. Shen do not mind, you can bring Lili and Jialuo to dine there."
Despite being the crown prince, Gu Ziyi referred to himself as "I" in front of Yang Shi and Shen Laosan, which shows his sincerity.
Yang and Shen Laosan could only respectfully comply.
Upon hearing the name "Xiangweiju," Lili quickly said to Shen Jialuo, "Brother, brother, it's their wontons! They're so delicious!"
Shen Jialuo's eyes lit up: "Really? Then I'll have to try it later!"
Gu Ziyi chuckled softly.
He knew that the little dumpling craved this, so he specially ordered this shrimp wonton dish.
Lili was so tempted that she pushed Yang Shi and Shen Laosan toward the carriage.
She didn't forget to turn back and thank Gu Ziyi: "Thank you, Brother Ziyi!"
Gu Ziyi waved to her: "Go on, don't starve."
Watching Zhui Feng drive the carriage away into the distance, Gu Ziyi then called for someone to bring his own horse over.
Zhou Wukui was executed, but there is still no news about what will happen to the eldest prince.
Outsiders all said that Emperor Ganzheng was too soft-hearted; after all, the eldest prince was his eldest son, so he couldn't bear to punish him.
But Gu Ziyi knew that this was the last chance her father was giving Gu Zian.
There is no suitable candidate yet for the position of prefect of Nanlin County, but the provincial examination is imminent and we cannot do without someone.
It just so happens that Gu Ziyi is at the border, and the fact that the Crown Prince is personally supervising the imperial examinations demonstrates the importance that Southern Jin places on scholarship.
Emperor Ganzheng then appointed Gu Ziyi to temporarily serve as the prefect of Nanlin County, in charge of the provincial examinations, until a new prefect was selected and dispatched.
*
After Lili and the others had eaten and drunk their fill, Zhuifeng thoughtfully asked her if she wanted help arranging an inn.
Knowing that her parents would find it troublesome, Lili waved her hand and declined.
The family found an inn to stay in and stayed with Shen Laosan to prepare for the exam.
With the exams approaching, Gu Ziyi seems to be very busy; he hasn't been seen in the past few days.
Only occasionally would Zhui Feng be sent to deliver things, mostly little trinkets to cheer Li Li up, and some collected storybooks.
With the pastries and mung bean soup specially made by Gu Ziyi, Lili felt that she was living a more comfortable life than a god.
The fact that Gu Ziyi hadn't come to see Lili relieved Madam Yang and Shen Laosan. After all, this was the Crown Prince, and it was a bit nerve-wracking for ordinary people like them to have frequent interactions with His Highness.
Three days have passed in the blink of an eye, and today is the first day of the provincial examination.
Shen Laosan got up early. Yang was even more nervous than him, repeatedly checking whether he had his personal confession on him and whether he had brought all the necessary items such as writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
(A "personal confession" was a document provided by candidates in the ancient imperial examinations. It was usually written by the candidate themselves and included detailed information such as their place of origin, age, physical description, and the names of their ancestors for three generations, to prove their identity and qualifications and prevent impersonation and other forms of cheating.)
Even Lili, who loves to sleep in, was full of energy, dressed herself, and stood obediently at the door waiting.
Shen Jialuo bought several large meat buns from the street. The family was nervous, but they quickly finished the buns and prepared to leave.
The streets were packed with people, mostly students carrying their bags to take the exam, and many others like the Yang family who were accompanying them. They were all saying things like, "Don't be nervous."
To give the students some peace and quiet, all the shops on the three streets near the examination hall have been closed to customers for the past few days, and the prefectural government has been providing subsidies to those shops.
The crowd was dense, and Lili was held in Shen Laosan's arms, while Shen Jialuo was also held tightly by Yang Shi, for fear of being separated by the crowd.
Lili sighed, remarking that the scene was remarkably similar to the college entrance examination.
However, this time she's not taking an exam.
The imperial examination was divided into two parts: the main examination and the re-examination. To prevent cheating, the papers were usually graded by the headmaster or advisor of an academy located 500 miles away.
Today is the official exam. The examiners will work through the night to grade the papers, and the results will be available before noon the next day.
Those on the re-examination list can participate in the re-examination on the third day.
The number of candidates admitted in the first round was double the final number of candidates admitted to the Xiucai (a degree in the imperial examination system). After the second round of re-examination, half of the candidates were eliminated.
The Southern Jin Dynasty's provincial examination mainly tested candidates' knowledge of the eight-legged essay and the examination poem, as well as their ability to recite hundreds of characters from the "Imperial Edicts and Extensive Instructions."
Lili felt that, judging from this, her father was quite confident.
After finally managing to move with the crowd to the entrance of the examination hall, Lili felt like she was suffocating.
Fortunately, the next second, Lili saw Gu Ziyi standing at the entrance of the examination hall, wearing a white robe with blue lotus patterns and ink-splashed sleeves. The blue lotus pattern made him look gentle and calm.
With a cool and aloof expression, he calmly observed the crowd at the entrance of the examination hall.
Ah, what a cute little boy!
Pear is drooling.
It has to be said that although Gu Ziyi is still a child, he is exactly the type that Shen Lili liked in her past life.
He is polite and well-mannered, with a calm demeanor, but he is ruthless when necessary.
Sigh, it's a pity I was a corporate slave in my past life.
Gu Ziyi spotted Lili in the crowd and subtly raised the corner of his mouth at her.
Lili didn't care who was watching her and waved generously.
Looking in the direction she was pointing, Shen Laosan saw the young boy who, despite his young age, already possessed the imposing presence of an emperor.
Shen Laosan and Yang Shi sighed, "His Highness the Crown Prince already has the demeanor of the Eastern Palace at such a young age. Judging from his style of doing things, he will definitely have a bright future."
Yang paused for a moment, then said, "Yes."
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