Chapter 091: County Examination

Early the next morning, Ji Lingyun and Ji Qingyue sent Yuan Ming to the examination room.

The county examination consists of five subjects and lasts for eight days. One has to eat, drink, defecate and urinate in a small examination room.

This was not the first time Yuan Ming had entered the room and he was mentally prepared, but when he really arrived, he could not help but feel dizzy.

His luck was not good and he was assigned to a dark examination room in a corner.

In the space of less than three square meters, a stone slab came into view. When answering questions, he lay on it. When sleeping, he took down the stone slab and placed it on a small step below, which was just level with the place where he sat, forming a bed.

Fortunately, the examination room was used once a year, and someone cleaned it before the exam, so there was not much odor or dirt inside.

Stepping over the table, Yuan Ming took out the small quilt he had prepared in advance and put it under his butt.

After a while, the sound of gongs and drums was heard, announcing the start of the exam.

After getting his own test paper, Yuan Ming took a rough look at it, and then he started writing after he had a rough idea in his mind. During

lunch time, the county government would prepare hot soup, but the price was very expensive, twenty cents a bowl, but most people would not think about saving money at this time, and the yamen runners came down one by one with the canteen.

When it came to Yuan Ming, only the basics were left. Although it was a little cold, it was thicker and even had two pieces of meat. He

ate a mouthful of soup and a mouthful of steamed bun, and when he felt comfortable, he continued to answer the questions.

There was no limit on when to rest at night, but only one candle was given every day, so there was no chance to stay up late.

After the candle burned out, Yuan Ming put away the banknotes carefully, put them in his bookcase, and then dismantled the table.

The bed was very small, only one and a half meters long. Yuan Ming, a big man of 1.8 meters, could only curl up aggrievedly, and took some time to think about his young husband. With his elder brother around, he didn't need to worry about him. He was soon tired and fell asleep as soon as he closed his eyes.

The broken examination room did not block any light, and he woke up at dawn the next day.

When he slept, his legs and feet were not straight, and the bed was uncomfortable. Yuan Ming felt sore all over his body.

He stood up and stretched his arms and legs in the small space. Amid the rustling sounds of other people getting up, he put down the table and started answering questions for a new day.

Eight days passed like this, and even the battle-hardened Yuan Ming couldn't stand it anymore, especially the stench of sweat.

Walking out of the county government office, Yuan Ming felt like he was reborn.

Ji Qingyue's carriage had been waiting at the door early.

Seeing Yuan Ming coming out, he ran over quickly, but stopped abruptly at the last few steps.

Ji Qingyue covered his nose: "What's that smell?"

Yuan Ming smiled bitterly: "I haven't taken a shower in eight days."

Ji Qingyue frowned when she heard this, and looked like she wanted to hug him but didn't dare to go forward.

Yuan Ming laughed: "I will not even want to take a bath after I go back." He

got on the carriage and returned home as quickly as possible. When he got off the carriage, he saw Zhao Yucheng jumping off the carriage. Fu Zhiyan got off the carriage, covered her nose, and walked a few steps away from him.

The two looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.

Cao Ge'er had already boiled the hot water, and Yuan Ming soaked in the bathtub for more than half an hour.

This time, Ji Qingyue heard the noise and immediately threw herself into his arms.

"Husband, I miss you so much!"

Yuan Ming closed his eyes and took a breath on his neck: "I miss you too."

After that, Ji Qingyue pestered Yuan Ming and told him in detail what happened in the examination room.

Yuan Ming really had something to say.

This exam not only tests knowledge, but also physical strength, endurance and stress resistance. People with poor physical fitness may not be able to hold on.

Yuan Ming saw someone fainted and was carried out during the exam, and someone vomited and had diarrhea and couldn't even stand up.

Ji Qingyue couldn't help but show a scared expression after hearing this.

He patted his chest nervously: "Fortunately, my husband usually pays attention to exercise, so he didn't fail at the critical moment."

Yuan Ming was sleepy a long time ago. After talking about these, he fell asleep quickly.

When he woke up again, it was almost dark. He actually slept for more than two hours.

His head was a little swollen, so he stood up and rubbed it a few times, and then he heard someone arguing outside.

Listening carefully, he found that it was Ji Qingyue and Ji Lingyun.

Yuan Ming had no choice but to open the door and go out. Both of them looked over.

Ji Qingyue ran to him and grabbed his hand: "Husband is awake? Did we disturb you? It's all Big Brother's fault!" As she spoke, she puffed up her cheeks.

Ji Lingyun sighed helplessly.

Yuan Ming said: "No, I woke up by myself. What happened? Why did Qingqing quarrel with Big Brother?"

Speaking of this, Ji Qingyue pouted even higher.

Ji Lingyun said: "Things here are done. I'm busy with military affairs. I'm discussing the departure time with Brother Yue."

Yuan Ming couldn't help but frown. Ji Lingyun had only been here for ten days. It was no wonder that Ji Qingyue was dissatisfied.

"Why are you so anxious?"

Ji Lingyun's expression became solemn: "Now that things have come to this, there is no need for me to hide it from you."

It turned out that Ji Lingyun's return this time was not accidental. Logically speaking, he was a soldier guarding the northwest border, and it was basically impossible for him to leave his defense. This time, King Yong asked him to lead his troops south to the southwest to support the local garrison.

Yuan Ming suddenly remembered the letter that King Yong wrote to the garrison. The words were ambiguous, but it did reveal a piece of news, that is, a war is coming.

"Southeast? Are they Japanese?" Yuan Ming asked.

Ji Lingyun said: "According to what the prince said, it is not only the Japanese, but it is very likely that there are remnants of the previous dynasty. This war was started by them."

Yuan Ming narrowed his eyes.

The previous dynasty had fallen fifty years ago. The late emperor was the founding emperor of Western Qin. During his reign, he pursued the royal bloodline of the previous dynasty relentlessly. There was no guarantee that there would not be some who escaped and wanted revenge.

"It's too dangerous." Ji Qingyue curled her lips.

Ji Lingyun's expression softened, and he touched Ji Qingyue's forehead: "Brother Yue, have you forgotten what I do? Don't worry, I will definitely come back alive, get promoted, and support you and my little nephew." Ji

Qingyue pulled the corners of his mouth but couldn't laugh.

"Then we have a deal. If you break your promise again this time, I will never forgive you again."

In the bedroom, Ji Qingyue leaned on Yuan Ming's shoulder and talked about what happened in the past few days.

When Yuan Ming was taking the exam, their lives were not peaceful. When

the two came back from the county government, they received a shocking news-Liang hanged herself.

Ji Lingyun and Ji Qingyue were silent for a long time. Before they decided whether to go to the Ji family to mourn, they welcomed the housekeeper of the Ji Mansion.

The housekeeper was very respectful to them and ordered someone to bring up a plate of gold, saying that it was Ji Lingyun's military pay and Ji Qingyue's dowry.

Ji Qingyue couldn't laugh after receiving the heavy gold.

He couldn't help asking, "Why did Madam Liang suddenly..."

It was actually a bit inappropriate for him to ask this question. Anyone could guess that whether Madam Liang really committed suicide or not, it was inseparable from them.

The housekeeper's expression was a little complicated. Perhaps Ji Fulai had specifically explained it, so he told them the whole story.

After they left the Ji family that day, Ji Fulai slapped Liang hard, but did not write a divorce letter.

Just as they thought, Ji Fulai valued face more than anything else. He could only mourn his wife but not divorce her, not to mention the virtuous image that Liang had cultivated over the years.

So Ji Fulai thought of a way - send Liang to the manor in his hometown, and then announce to the outside world that she was seriously ill. After a few years, when the storm had passed, she could be declared dead.

But his plan was very good, Liang did not agree.

Ji Jinbao may have listened to her words, hugged Ji Fulai's calf and cried, shouting that she wanted to be with her mother.

Ji Fulai had been extremely disappointed with this son for a long time, and agreed without thinking.

This scared Ji Jinbao silly, he was like the prince in Cheng County, if he went to the mountains, he would be nothing and nothing.

Ji Jinbao quickly changed his words and put all the blame on Liang.

The two people she cared about the most abandoned her. Liang was completely disheartened. She agreed to Ji Fulai's proposal on the surface, but then she went back to the room and hanged herself.

The housekeeper sighed and said, "Mrs. Liang is not a good person, but she ended up being deserted by her relatives and friends, which is indeed pitiful."

Finally, he added, "The master said that the funeral of the lady should be simple. Her family members are coming over. They may quarrel when they see you. I told you not to go."

The housekeeper left with his people. Ji Lingyun and Ji Qingyue stood there for a long time.