After the day's classes ended, Mianhua and Mianyao followed Fupeidong back to the Academy.
The three of them huddled together and put the twenty-six cards together, trying to determine how many of the words they knew.
Out of curiosity, Fu Erkang and Xia Ziwei also came over to watch.
Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi in the palace were also pondering this. Yongqi took out the word Benjamin had taught him first, "pretty, Benjamin taught me this..."
Of course, most importantly, in his past life, when Benjamin first met Xiao Yanzi, he said that Xiao Yanzi was a pretty girl.
As a result, Xiao Yanzi translated it as "snotty dog," which made her hold a grudge.
After pondering for an hour, the two went to wash up and prepare to rest.
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Meanwhile, in the scholar's residence, Mianhua, Mianyao, and Fupeidong were so engrossed in spelling words that they completely forgot about time.
"Alright, stop looking and go to bed early." Xia Ziwei took their cards away.
Mianyao was still talking about it when Xia Ziwei said, "If you go to bed that late tonight, you won't be able to get up tomorrow..."
The thought of having to get up so early tomorrow made Mianyao lose her will to continue. "Auntie is right, I'm going to sleep now."
Mianhua also stood up. "Then, Auntie, I'm going to sleep too."
Fu Peidong hurriedly caught up with Mianhua, "Cousin, wait for me."
As he walked forward, he didn't forget to turn back and speak to Xia Ziwei, "Mother, you should rest early too."
"Okay, you two go ahead." After watching Mianhua and Fupeidong go back to sleep, Xia Ziwei walked towards her and Fu Erkang's room.
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For the next two weeks, they learned new words and sentences every day under Simon's guidance.
While they were learning new knowledge, the imperial examination, which was used to select talents, quietly arrived.
The imperial examinations were held at the Gongyuan (Examination Hall) on the 9th, 12th, and 15th of the third lunar month.
The examination hall was located in the southeast corner of the inner city, and the inns around it had long been booked by the candidates.
On the fifth day of the third lunar month, those who were required to participate in the invigilation of the imperial examination entered the venue.
After entering the examination room, you are responsible for thoroughly checking the entire examination room.
On the eighth day of the third lunar month, at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), it was time for the candidates participating in the imperial examination to enter the examination hall.
After roll call, I received my blank answer sheet and went into my assigned room.
The "numbered room" was a single room that was five feet long, four feet wide, and eight feet high.
After entering the examination room, the candidates drew the curtain and prepared to rest and eat.
They could bring their own food from outside or buy it from the examination hall.
However, most people can't afford to buy it, so they eat the food they bring themselves.
If you bring your own food, it will inevitably be subject to various forms of inspection to prevent cheating.
At dawn on the ninth day of the eighth lunar month, the examiners would distribute the exam questions, and the candidates would begin answering them after waking up.
Everyone inside was studying hard for their exams, while those outside were maintaining order around the exam hall.
Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi sat at a table by the window, drinking tea. As Xiao Yanzi looked down at the examination hall not far away, she asked, "Yongqi, we've been looking around for four days now. Have you seen any candidates you think might pass the exam?"
Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi's businesses also included inns located around the Gongyuan (Imperial Examination Hall).
So, on the day the examiners entered the examination hall, they also followed them out of the palace and came to the outside of the examination hall.
Yongqi raised an eyebrow and smiled. "I actually saw two. One was Liu Yu, who spoke politely and had a proper manner, and the other was Qian Dayun, who was dashing and generous."
"Liu Yu comes from a scholarly family and has been reading extensively since childhood, immersing himself in the sea of books. However, he is not a bookworm; he applies what he learns to his life..."
Little Swallow nodded. "It seems there's no doubt he'll win..."
"And the other one?"
Yongqi continued, "Qian Dayun means that he can make money and have great luck. Although his father was a butcher who slaughtered pigs and sheep, he spent a lot of energy on him. Therefore, he is carefree and has no worries about failing the exam."
"If someone with his temperament could enter the court and serve as an official for us, it would only benefit our future."
Little Swallow said with a smile, "That's true. Now we just hope that the two of them can really be as we think."
Yongqi stood up and stretched. "Just wait. They went in yesterday morning and will stay until tomorrow morning. They'll be out before lunch at the latest..."
Little Swallow sighed, "They're taking exams right now. Although there are no other examinees elsewhere, everyone is keeping quiet. So, for the time being, there's nowhere in the capital for us to have fun."
Yongqi raised an eyebrow and smiled, "If there's no entertainment, then let's read and write to cultivate our minds and bodies."
Little Swallow was a little surprised, "Really? I thought..."
Before Xiao Yanzi could finish speaking, Yongqi's face was right in front of hers. "What did you think? Did you think I only had that kind of thing on my mind?"
Little Swallow's face visibly turned red. "I didn't mean that!"
Yongqi patted Xiaoyanzi on the shoulder, comforting her, "Don't worry, there's a lot going on these days, I won't bother you!"
Little Swallow nodded, "That's true. If we want to use them, we have to investigate their backgrounds thoroughly. Otherwise, even if they've graduated from high school, we might not be able to use them!"
Yongqi, now enjoying some snacks, said, "Erkang and Ziwei will be in charge of order inside the city, while my brother and sister-in-law will be in charge of order outside the city. The two of us will take good care of the examination hall..."
Little Swallow asked again, "Surely other examination halls also have enough manpower to guard them?"
Yongqi nodded. "Of course."
"The Emperor's men, my men, your men, and my men are all watching. Nothing will go wrong."
Little Swallow frowned and said, "I just hope that none of them will cheat."
Yongqi smiled slightly and said, "If they could cheat on this year's questions, it would mean that one of us leaked the questions, but obviously, none of us would do that!"
“You’re right. It seems we can take a good look.” Little Swallow sat on Yongqi’s lap, eating some snacks as well.
The main question setters for this exam were Yongyan, Kangwei, and Xiaoqing, while the examiner was Ji Xiaolan.
Apart from those few people, no one knew what the exam questions were.
Little Swallow continued, "With such drastic changes to the questions this time, won't they be overwhelmed when they see them?"
Yongqi smiled and nodded, "Maybe, and this time a lot of people might be eliminated..."
Little Swallow pouted, "So what if they're eliminated? It's useless for unqualified people to pass the imperial examinations. They'll just be freeloaders in the imperial court."
Yongqi chimed in, “Indeed, it’s better to exclude them from the start than to let a bunch of corrupt officials enter the court.”
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The following day at 9:00 AM, Liu Yu and Qian Dayun, whom Yongqi valued, made their appearances one after another.
Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi were already waiting for them outside the examination hall. They cupped their hands and said, "Brother Liu, Brother Qian."
Liu Yu and Qian Dayun immediately returned the greeting, "Brother Yan, Madam Yan."
The four of them went to Yongyan's inn together.
Yongqi had a delicious meal served to them, saying, "You must be hungry after writing so diligently inside for so long. This meal was specially ordered for you."
"Brother Yan, you're too kind." Liu Yu was genuinely surprised to see a table full of delicious food.
Qian Dayun's eyes widened. "So much delicious food, it must cost a lot of money, right?"
Little Swallow laughed and said, "Brother Liu, Brother Qian, if you mind, why don't you treat us to a meal after you pass the imperial examination?"
Yongqi nodded. "That's exactly what I meant. When you get to high school, treat us to a nice meal."
Liu Yu and Qian Dayun exchanged glances and smiled, "In that case, thank you both for the generous meal and your kind words!"
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