Chapter 148 Gongyuan
After Shen Su’s birthday, the next one was He Ying’s birthday, February 28th.
In order to show off, Shen Su even went to the kitchen to make a bowl of longevity noodles for his wife. However, He Ying was pregnant, so the family didn't dare let her eat anything that was not delicate, such as the noodles made by Shen Su.
Shen Su ate the last bowl of noodles by himself, while He Ying ate the one made by the cook at home.
The birthday gift Shen Yuan gave to his sister-in-law was similar to the one he gave to his brother, except that the family portrait he gave to his brother showed his pregnant sister-in-law, while the embroidery painting he gave to his sister-in-law showed his sister-in-law as a teenage girl.
At that time, Shen Su and He Ying were still boys and girls, and Shen Yuan was still a little girl.
"Sister-in-law, even if you are going to be a mother, don't forget the girl who used to fly paper orioles."
"Thank you very much." He Ying reached out her hand and gently touched herself in the painting, the girl who was looking up and releasing the paper finch.
After she became pregnant, she kept thinking about how to be a good mother in the future. Her husband was also nervous with her, worrying about how to be a good father. This was the first time someone told her that even if she became a mother, she should not forget the little girl she was before.
In the evening, Old Lady Shen said to the nanny beside her with emotion: "Before, I was always worried that she would be spoiled and her in-laws would not tolerate her after she got married. Now I think I was worrying too much. That child needs to be coaxed, and no one can escape it."
Upon hearing this, the nanny couldn't help laughing. She herself was the best example of what the old lady said. Every time she met them, she said that the fourth young lady was not well behaved, but she was always coaxed into not being able to harden her heart.
…
On the eighth day of March, the whole family got up early in the morning. Even Shen Yuan, who usually liked to sleep, got up immediately when he heard Qingdai's voice calling him to get up. Shen Yun also took a leave and would not go to the Dali Temple today.
Because Shen Su will enter the examination room today, he will enter the examination room in the afternoon of the eighth day, and the first examination will officially start on the ninth day. Each examination lasts for three days, and there are three examinations in total. He has to stay in the small cell for nine days. After each examination, he can go out for half a day to stretch his legs and get some fresh air.
The first imperial examination since the reign of Emperor Dazhao was held still used the Gongyuan system left over from the previous dynasty. As a result, several candidates were expelled before the examination was completed.
After this incident, the then Emperor Taizu ordered the Ministry of Rites to re-establish the detailed rules for the imperial examinations, and the Gongyuan was also rebuilt.
Today's dormitories are twice as big as those of the previous dynasty, and three meals a day are supplied by the court at regular times and locations, so students no longer have to eat dry bread.
The pillows and beddings in the dormitories are all of the same standard, which not only relieves the financially strapped students from worrying about their belongings, but also helps prevent incidents of tampering.
However, no matter how much you improve, taking exams for nine consecutive days is not easy. So it is not enough to just study on weekdays, it is also important to keep fit.
Today the family will have lunch together early, and then go out to send Shen Su to the examination room.
Shen Yuan even took the initiative to ask Qingdai to dress him up as a big red envelope, and then Shen Yuan saw a big red envelope with a serious face.
"Why do you look more panicked than me, little girl?" Shen Su's hands were itchy again, and he reached out and flicked the red coral bead on his sister's head.
"I won't argue with you today."
Shen Xu originally thought that her sister was the only one in the family who received a big red envelope, but she didn't expect that her grandmother, aunt, and cousin were all dressed very festively, and it looked even more festive than the Chinese New Year.
Those who don’t know would probably think that he is not going to take an exam, but to get married.
At 9:00 am in the morning, the He family also came to the Shen family. They had lunch together and sent their grandson-in-law/son-in-law to the examination room together in the afternoon.
The Gongyuan where the imperial examination was held was located in the southeast of the capital. The family went there in a horse-drawn carriage. There were crowds of people along the way, including ordinary people watching the excitement, candidates carrying boxes and baskets on their backs, and the street officials, Jingzhao Prefecture and imperial guards patrolling the streets.
Shen Su and Old Lady He took a carriage. In the last minute, He Jianzhi gave some instructions to his grandson-in-law. The carriage took more than half an hour to arrive outside the Gongyuan. The main gate of the Gongyuan was not open. There were imperial guards outside, so it was not time to enter the examination hall yet.
Outside the Gongyuan, people were standing in groups of three or four. Some were classmates who came together, and some, like the Shen family, were families who came together to send their younger generation to take the exam.
When they got outside, everyone got off the carriage except Old Lady He. Because if the students saw Master He outside the Gongyuan, it would probably cause some commotion.
"Hello! You are here too! I am Kuang Qianfan, the younger generation. I have met the old lady, my uncles and aunts, my sister-in-law, and my two younger sisters."
There were many people from the Shen family, and Kuang Qianfan had to go through a long circle just to perform the greetings.
"You came here on your own?"
Shen Su looked around but did not see Aunt Kuang.
"Yes, you know my father, he can't come to the capital without an imperial edict. My mother went to see my father and my elder and second brothers after the New Year. She originally said that she would rush home to accompany me to take the exam. I told her not to bother. I am such a grown-up, why would I need someone to accompany me to take the exam by myself?"
Kuang Qianfan's father was a general of Dingxi, guarding an area. His two elder brothers, including his mother, were all martial artists. It just so happened that such a martial arts family produced a weirdo like Kuang Qianfan.
Shen Xu felt sorry for his friend because he had no one to accompany him at home during the exam. But the more he listened to his words, the more he felt something was wrong. "Why should I listen to you? Is there something else behind your words?"
What does it mean: You are such a grown-up and still need someone to accompany you to take the exam?
"Ouch! Sorry, brother! I'm a mean person, don't take it personally. I'm just jealous. Look at you, you're going to be a father soon, and you're taking the exam at home. Not only are your father and sisters coming, but your father-in-law and mother-in-law are also accompanying you, you kid!"
Shen Su's lips were sticking out, but he still insisted: "That's because I'm popular!"
"Minsi! Come on, come here."
Shen Su was tall and had a good vision. While he was talking to Kuang Qianfan, he also saw Lu Ne in the crowd and quickly called him over.
Lu Ne came over and, like Kuang Qianfan, saluted while turning around.
Shen introduced the two to each other, pointing at Kuang Qianfan and saying to Lu Ne: "This is my classmate, Kuang Qianfan, you can call him Zhigui. Zhigui, this is Minsi, his surname is Lu, his given name is Ne, and he is my future cousin-in-law."
"That's great! Since he's Jianxing's brother-in-law, he's also my brother-in-law! Hello, Brother-in-law Lu!"
Kuang Qianfan has always been like this, and he made Lu Ne and Shen Xi blush.
Lu Ne also blushed and greeted him, "Hello, Brother Zhigui."
Just as I was saying this, I heard the crowd start to commotion, "The door is open, the door is open!"
It turned out that the gate was open and it was time for everyone to line up for inspection and enter the examination room.
Many people began to swarm towards the gate. Fortunately, there were guards waiting so that everyone could line up properly.
"Kang, do your best in the exam. Grandma is waiting for you. Min, too. Grandma is waiting for you to graduate from high school. You all!"
Everyone followed suit and said a few auspicious words. Shen Yuan went forward and hugged his brother, "Brother, I'm waiting to see you riding a horse in the parade!"
"Wait." Shen Su stretched out his hand, and this time he didn't tap his sister's forehead, but gently touched her head.
He Ying didn't say anything, but smiled and nodded to her husband. He knew that she believed him, and everything was self-evident.
Before going to the queue, Lu Ne mustered up his courage and walked in front of Shen Xi.