"But some people still hire substitutes to take the exams. How can this problem be solved?" Song Shucheng asked. In the past, those with connections in the imperial examinations would even hire someone to take the exam for them; this phenomenon has existed from ancient times to the present. For example, if the examiners were their own relatives, they wouldn't identify the candidates, and no one would know the true identities of the examinees. Moreover, in ancient times, there were no ID cards, let alone photos; it was incredibly convenient to simply replace the examinee.
Lanqin had actually discussed this issue with the Fourth Master before. Since the ancients did not use ID photos to compare with the person in question, the identity of the examinee was only confirmed by a candidate's resume, which made it too easy for someone else to take the exam and cheat.
"Third Master is right. His Highness is also considering this issue. How can we give each candidate an identity so that examiners can verify each candidate's identity and prevent cheating methods such as hiring substitutes to take the exam?" Lan Qin said.
Seeing her son discussing cheating in the examinations with his concubine without mentioning anything about seeking her favor or patronage, Madam Song grew anxious. She noticed her mother giving her a meaningful look, knowing she was suggesting she talk to Lanqin about whether she could put in a good word for the clerk.
Madam Song was quite conflicted. She really didn't want to tell Lanqin about this. But since her mother, whom she hadn't seen for so many years, had come to ask her personally, she couldn't refuse. So she could only nod to Old Madam Song, indicating that she would find an opportunity to tell her.
Lanqin and Song Shucheng chatted for a while about various ways to cheat in the exam. After all, Song Shucheng had taken the imperial examinations several times and was very familiar with all kinds of issues in the exams.
After the three members of the Song family had lunch at Lanqin's place, they took their leave and returned home.
After returning to the Changchun Immortal Residence where Madam Song lived, Old Madam Song began to scold Su Shucheng: "Why do you keep saying those things to the concubine, so that your eldest sister doesn't even have a chance to say a few words for you to the concubine?"
“Mother, I find this concubine to be very approachable and genuinely kind to us, but I doubt she would agree to help us with such a favor. Besides, I don’t need to pull any strings; I’ll enter the examination this year and pass with flying colors,” Song Shucheng said solemnly.
“Mother, you see that Shucheng is very confident, so you don’t need to worry. Just stay here for a while and wait until Shucheng finishes the exam. Then we can go back to Yangzhou together,” Madam Song said quickly.
"Alright, alright, if you can pass the imperial examination on your own, then your mother won't worry anymore. Even if you do pass, you'll still need connections to get a government post," said Madam Song.
Madam Song said, “Mother, if my third brother passes the imperial examination, it would be great if he could stay in Yangzhou. That way, you and Father wouldn’t have to go to another place. You can stay in Yangzhou.”
Madam Song said, "That makes perfect sense. But your third brother wants to come to the capital to serve as an official."
Madam Song glanced at her third brother and asked, "If you can pass the imperial examination, it will be a great blessing from your ancestors. You still want to stay in the capital? Even if you are second or third in the examination, it may not be possible."
Song Shucheng raised his head and said, "Elder sister, I will bring Father and Mother to the capital first, so that you won't have to go twenty years without seeing them."
Upon hearing this, Madam Song squinted, never expecting that the little baby she had left behind, still in swaddling clothes, could now speak such affectionate words. Old Madam Song was also deeply moved by Song Shucheng's words, and looked at Madam Song, saying, "Indeed, although your eldest sister married into the royal family, without a maternal family to rely on, she is still at the mercy of others. If you could truly come to the capital, it would be a source of support for your eldest sister."
Upon seeing this, Lady Song was already in tears. She had entered the palace for the imperial concubine selection at the age of thirteen, and was chosen to become the Fourth Prince's first woman—a great honor for her. However, this honor was also accompanied by loneliness. Unlike other women, she could not see her husband and children every day.
"Everything depends on you passing the exam," said Madam Song. "Yu Ning, arrange a good room for your younger brother so he can study properly. Don't go out these days; stay in your room and focus on your studies."
“That’s right. Shucheng, your elder sister has already prepared everything for you. You can focus on your studies here. Your elder sister will send someone to deliver meals to you every day,” said Madam Song.
"Thank you, elder sister. Then I, Shucheng, will give it my all this time," said Song Shucheng.
Madam Song had her maid take her third brother to the room prepared for him, while she and Old Madam Song rested in their own bedroom. The mother and daughter dismissed the servants and sat together to talk about their feelings.
In the afternoon, Lanqin specially sent someone to fetch the eldest princess and her family of three to the Yuanmingyuan Garden, naturally to see her maternal grandmother and uncle. Madam Song was overjoyed to see her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson also there. She arranged accommodations for Yimo'er and the second master of the Xu family at the Changchun Immortal Inn, inviting them to stay for a few more days.
Madam Song had never been so happy. She had seen her long-lost relatives and witnessed her daughter's family's happiness. There was nothing left for her to regret. Fourth Master also went to Changchun Immortal Hall that evening to accompany Madam Song in entertaining Old Madam Song, Song Shucheng, and the eldest princess.
"Master! You sent the master away, why does he seem so lost and dejected now?" Si Hua saw Lan Qin sitting alone on the high table by the window, seemingly lost in thought.
"I'm not distraught! I just miss my mother," Lanqin said. She was truly happy to see the Song family see their parents, but what about herself?
"If Master misses the old lady and the others, why not invite them into the garden?" Si Hua naturally did not know that Lan Qin was thinking of the parents who had lost their daughter in another time and space.
"Hmm. Let's wait until this period of time is over." Lanqin pulled herself out of her reverie and prepared to eat alone.
"Master, shall we call the Third Princess and the Fifth Princess to dine with you?" Si Hua asked.
"No need," Lanqin said. "The children are having fun together, there's no need to disturb them."
When dinner was served, Lanqin looked at the table full of her favorite dishes, but she didn't have much of an appetite. She really missed her parents in another time and space.
Footsteps sounded outside, and Shui Ling ran in: "Master, the master is back!"
Lanqin looked up at the door with a questioning look, and sure enough, the owner of those long legs had walked up to her in no time.
"Sir, weren't you with Sister Song and the others? Why are you back?"
"I was worried about you, so after staying there for a while, I let them use it themselves," Fourth Master said as he sat down next to Lanqin.
Although surprised, Lanqin was still very satisfied. She was very pleased that the Fourth Master was considering her needs in this way.
"Master, how is the third young master of the Song family?" Lanqin couldn't help but ask.
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