Chapter 20
After the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, it was almost exam time. My teacher helped me prepare a set of exam supplies, and my brother also prepared a set for me. The day before the exam, Qiu Fei also came to my place and checked my things over.
I was deeply touched, "Fei, I really love you so much!"
Qiu Fei kicked him in return, "Don't disgust me. Do your best on the test. If you don't pass, don't tell anyone that I tutored you!"
Under my influence, Qiu Fei's choice of words has become very modern.
I knew that, and I came before the exam to repeat all my usual instructions because no one in my family had ever taken the exam. But her family was different; every generation had made it to the top, and the family was overflowing with students.
I gave her a bear hug, and she ruthlessly tore my arms apart.
He hesitantly told me, "It's very sad to have to take the exam for nine consecutive days. You've always been in good health, so I'm not worried. If you really feel unwell, your health is more important. You can still take the exam again."
I was even more moved when I heard it. Maybe the look in her eyes was too penetrating for her to bear, so she just shook her sleeves and walked away.
Having such a good friend who can talk about everything and cares about you makes your life worthwhile.
As soon as Qiu Fei left, his brother came.
"Qiu Fei is gone?" My brother was well-informed.
"Yeah." I nodded.
"That's great. My Lanlan has a true friend. No matter how far we go in the future, remember our feelings now." My brother touched my head and was very happy for me.
I nodded vigorously again. Unless someone takes the wrong path, our relationship should be very stable.
I looked at my brother's envious expression and secretly felt sorry for him. His past life experiences made it difficult for him to open his heart.
However, fortunately, I am here. Even if I take a few steps back, I still have my mother, father and the third princess.
I joked, "How could there be a deeper bond in the world than ours? It's only because we're brother and sister, otherwise, what would anyone else have to do with us?"
My brother laughed and hit me: "You are talking nonsense, aren't you afraid of it getting out?"
"Hey hey~ Are you afraid that the news will reach the ears of the Third Princess? You're protecting her already? She hasn't even gotten married yet!" I became more and more arrogant, but in return I got a big hemp twist made by my brother himself, and I became obedient.
"Health is the most important!" Sure enough, my brother also told me before he left.
After lunch, I went to find my mother and said, "Mom, I'm going out for a few days."
"I know." The mother didn't even raise her head, she was still busy.
The reason I had put together for a long time was stuck in my mouth, which made me feel very uncomfortable.
Seeing that I hadn't left, my mother raised her head and asked, "Anything else?"
I couldn't help but feel discouraged, "It's okay."
"It's okay, let's go." Mother continued to get busy.
I turned away angrily. Humph, you only know how to brush me off. Needless to say, she must have heard about my exam again. No wonder my mother didn't participate in any of the imperial examinations this year. It seems she's trying to avoid suspicion.
Although I didn't hide the fact that I was preparing for the exam, I was still very angry that my mother and father never asked me about it.
I felt like I was holding back my breath, and I swore that I must make the list to let them see!
The next morning, just as the sky was getting light, Zhixia dragged me up, "Miss, it's time to get up."
I put on my clothes in a daze with my eyes closed, and only became more sober after I finished washing.
My brother had already sat down at the table. "Brother, why are you up so early? I'm not a child, and it's not like I haven't taken exams before."
My brother smiled and said, "There aren't many opportunities to send people to take the exam, so I have to cherish it. Come on, sit down and eat first."
There are so many options for breakfast today, but I got up so early that I don’t have much of an appetite.
My brother would give me some food from time to time. I yawned and ate slowly.
I didn't eat too much, and I felt a little choked, so I didn't dare drink too much water.
My brother walked me out of the courtyard and said, "I brought you some snacks in the car. Eat them before you go in."
I nodded and reassured my brother.
After saying goodbye to my brother, I ran into my mother who was rushing out of the house at the door.
I greeted my mother, "Good morning, Mom," and looked up at the sun. "It's a little late to go to court today!"
My mother frowned when she saw me and said, "You just left the house."
I cried out "Ah!", which earned me a glare from my mother, who then turned around and went back.
I got on the carriage in confusion. Was it a way to see me off?
The queue at the entrance of the examination hall was spectacular. As expected, the ancients were not deceiving me and the inspection was very thorough.
I went to the people who had lined up in advance and soon it was my turn.
There was an elder among the officials standing at the door whom I knew. He tutted when he saw me. It was not convenient to say hello here, so I just smiled.
Someone next to the elder heard the voice and looked at her, so she whispered something in that person's ear, then turned to him with a puzzled look.
Maybe they were confused about why I participated and how I could participate, as they hadn't heard any information about my previous exams.
But since I'm here, I must have a purpose.
I obediently allowed the inspector to examine me carefully, and then was led to my exam seat. I glanced around and saw neatly arranged, identical little houses with empty sides. Let's call them houses, though, since they were solidly built.
The guide explained the exam rules to me in detail. This person was the main person in charge of the group around us. After asking if I had any other requests, he left.
I looked inside. There was a wooden bed, covered with a cleanly laundered cotton pad and pillow. A covered toilet stood beside the bed. A little further in from the doorway, there was a large table with chairs that surprisingly had backs. Every spot was meticulously clean.
On the other side, there were also buckets, wash basins, and new white handkerchiefs. They were simple, but they saved everyone the trouble of bringing their own. You could even take the handkerchiefs home.
I couldn't help but sigh that all my efforts in helping the Ministry of Revenue earn money over the years were not in vain. Look, I am now enjoying the benefits.
I put away the writing brushes, inkstones, and paper I had brought with me, and arranged the sheets and quilts I had brought with me. The few remaining rooms outside were gradually filled with people.
About half an hour later, a resounding voice rang out from outside: "Close the door." Then, the door was pushed shut. Apparently, it was time for the exam to begin.
Soon, the leaders of our two rows came to the center and began reading the exam details. As the voices of other responsible people drifted by, I secretly relaxed. "They're reading so neatly. Did they rehearse?"
It wasn't easy. After explaining everything, including the precautions and penalties, two quarters of an hour had passed. Then came the distribution of manuscript paper and exam papers, with several people working simultaneously. Soon, the surroundings fell silent.
I looked at the test paper and breathed a sigh of relief. Yeah, I could understand it all. Then came the arduous nine days. Luckily, the government provided ample welfare, and they even provided meals. Although the meals were simple, at least I could eat something warm.
There is plenty of hot water. Although it is still quite hot now, no one dares to drink cold water. If you get stomach discomfort, it will delay you for another three years.
It rained one day, so everyone moved their tables inside. They even hung rain curtains above them and distributed small thin blankets to everyone.
I don't know what others think, but I'm deeply moved, and my resolve to serve my country has become even stronger. As expected, with more money, the welfare benefits are better everywhere in the country! I'll go back and think of ways to make money with my brother!
During the nine days, very few people were carried out. After all, they were assigned doctors, and minor discomforts were promptly addressed. They were not exposed to cold or hunger, and only those with particularly bad moods or very weak bodies were allowed to stay. Almost everyone persevered.
I went to the toilet during the trip. It was quite far away, but it was very clean, so there was no such thing as a "stinky toilet". The influence of external factors was really reduced to a minimum.
The exam time always feels very short. Taking three short exams in a row makes me exhausted and it is too brain-intensive.
As everyone left the examination hall one after another, we could hear people sighing about the good benefits of the imperial examinations in the capital. This was a great benefit, especially for people from poor families.
Before I could completely squeeze out of the crowded area, Zhixia grabbed me and brought me out.
My brother was already waiting in the carriage. "Are you feeling okay? Are you feeling well?"
As we walked along, I couldn't help but confide in my brother about the exam situation, and he was delighted to hear it. This is a great country.
When I got home, I took a hot bath. Mu Mian had come earlier to tell my father to rest. I didn't care. After a bath and a pulse check, I quickly fell into a deep sleep.
I slept until the next afternoon.
According to Zhixia, her mother, father and brother had all come to see her, and even an imperial physician had visited to confirm that everything was fine.
I got up, took a break, and drank a bowl of chicken soup that I had prepared. I first asked someone to tell my brother, and then went to my father.
An Qi has already started to learn, and it's not the same at this point. I greeted my father, who took my hand and looked me up and down several times, saying with great concern, "You've lost weight."
I grinned. It wasn't just my personal filter; I'd lost weight, especially my face, which was noticeable. But I did feel like I had a better figure overall.
I pulled my father back to the table and gave him my usual regards. Soon, my mother and brother joined us. It seemed we'd bumped into each other on the road.
The mother sat down with great determination and the first thing she said was, "How did you do on the test?"
I choked and was very indignant. "Did you know this a long time ago? Why didn't you ask me earlier?"
My mother looked at me quizzically, puzzled by my anger. "Didn't you want to be sneaky? Am I not cooperating with you?"
My brother burst out laughing and soon fell on the table, holding his stomach and laughing.
I was so angry that I stood up and started spinning around, "Well...then I wanted to give you a surprise!"
Seeing that I was anxious, my father tried to smooth things over for me, "It's a surprise. We were all very surprised when you passed the exam."
I knew it then, and I felt helpless. My brother couldn't stop laughing.
That's right. After all, I was still young at the time, and my mother probably worried about me, so she sent someone to follow us secretly. I was wondering why she didn't object to me reading books about the imperial examinations in recent years.
I sat back down at the table, digesting the facts myself and answering my mother's earlier question.
"I think I did okay. I'm familiar with and interested in those historical allusions and current events, so I should have no problem making the list, but getting in the top few is a stretch. My essay, well, how should I put it, wasn't eloquent enough."
Yes, my articles tend to be pragmatic and lack flowery words. If I force them, they will appear more tedious, so it is better not to add them.
The teacher was also helpless, hoping not to encounter an examiner who liked flowery essays. I'm not worried about that, though. Imperial examinations are different, especially now that there are multiple reviewers, not just one person who has the final say.
Moreover, my father did not participate this year to avoid suspicion, but my eldest sister did participate. Although she is not old enough and just followed to understand the situation, after all, her status is there, so everyone must have done their best and done their best.
After An Qi came back, my brother and I stayed with her for a while. After all, they are sisters, so we still need to cultivate a good relationship.
After dinner, I went back and rested again.
In the following days, I devoted myself to preparing for my brother's wedding.
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