Chapter 298 Sickness Test
Time flies. There is no news of war in the northeastern border, but news of the war in the northwest comes from time to time. Zhulan is worried about her three nephews. As the provincial examination approaches, Zhulan's attention is focused on Zhou Shuren.
The entire Zhou family was extremely nervous. Even though the sons had confidence in their father, they were still worried about the outcome. The grandchildren stopped playing around, and the Zhou family's yard was particularly quiet every day.
Zhulan couldn't help being nervous. Even though she believed Zhou Shuren would definitely pass, the closer she got, the more she feared something unexpected might happen. Before the provincial examination, the provincial education officials would organize an exam in advance, and only those with outstanding grades would be allowed to take part in the examination.
Zhou Shuren passed the exam successfully and got second place in terms of results. Wu Ming got first place.
There is a special examination hall for the provincial examination. The examination halls in each provincial capital are all in the southeast direction. The examination hall is Gongyuan. The provincial examination has three sessions, each lasting three days. Candidates must enter each examination hall one day in advance.
The candidates stayed in the cubicle of the examination room for three days. Zhulan listened to Zhou Shuren's popular science explanation that the cubicle was very small. Two boards put together could be used as a bed, and when taken apart they could become a table and a chair.
The ancients were quite wise, and both boards were flexible and adjustable.
Zhulan and Li spent a lot of time thinking about food, just to make sure Zhou Shuren could eat better.
Having said that, fortunately the temperature in Northeast China in August is neither too cold nor too hot, so the exam can be more comfortable. Unlike the south, it is a bit tricky. It is still very hot in Guangdong in August!
It was uncomfortable enough to be in the grid-like examination room, and staying in the sweltering weather for three days had a particularly negative impact on my mood for the exam.
The day before the exam, the Zhou family was in silence during dinner. Zhulan was very clear in her mind, as each family was afraid of affecting Zhou Shuren's responsibility!
Zhou Shuren was the least nervous. He ate and drank as usual and slept well at night.
The next morning after breakfast, Zhou Shuren had to go to the examination hall and enter Gongyuan in advance. Zhulan checked twice to make sure nothing was forgotten before personally sending Zhou Shuren to Gongyuan.
When they arrived outside Gongyuan, there was already a long queue at the gate, and there were even more horse-drawn carriages at the gate. The carriages could not pass through. Zhou Laoer watched the carriages while Zhulan and Zhou Laoda sent Zhou Shuren to queue.
After Zhou Shuren lined up, Zhulan and Zhou Lao Da did not leave either. They waited for Zhou Shuren to go in before leaving.
The inspection for entering Gongyuan is very strict. Not only the things you bring are checked, but also the person himself is checked. There are two sheds at the entrance of Gongyuan, which are specifically used to check the clothes of the candidates. You have to take off your clothes for the inspection before entering. There is no intention to humiliate you, it is just to prevent people from cheating.
After waiting for half an hour, Zhou Shuren finally entered the examination room smoothly. The inspection was really strict. Even the candidates' hair was inspected. Zhou Shuren, a candidate who didn't know how to comb his hair, had a messy hair. Zhulan was embarrassed.
Zhou Lao Da was also quite speechless. He really didn't expect that his father didn't know how to comb his hair. Even a dumb man like him could comb his hair. Seeing his father enter the tribute courtyard, Zhou Lao Da was relieved, "Mom, let's go home!"
Zhulan glanced at Gongyuan again before saying, "Well, let's go back."
It was three days later when I came here again. There were three sessions of the provincial examination, each lasting three days. Those with weak health really couldn't stand it. Fortunately, Zhou Shuren had exercised well.
When Zhou Laoer saw his mother and elder brother coming back, he knew that his father had successfully entered the examination room, and he finally put his heart at ease.
On the way back, Zhulan ran into Wu Li who was walking back, and signaled Zhou Laoer to stop the car, "Auntie, uncle, let's go back together!"
Mrs. Wu Li waved her hands, "My uncle and I are very nervous. We can feel more at ease if we walk back slowly. You go back first!"
Zhulan said, "Then I'll go first."
"Let's go!"
There were so many carriages on the way back, the speed was incomparable to the speed on the way here. When I got home, the people waiting for news at home knew that I had successfully entered the examination hall, and they felt relieved.
Zhulan and Zhou Shuren gave their son and daughter-in-law a good beating. This time no one dared to ask Zhulan questions. Some even tried to avoid her as much as possible, fearing that she would be in a bad mood and get angry.
Three days passed quickly and the first exam was over. This time, Zhulan and her two sons went to the door early to wait.
As soon as the gate opened, the entrance to the Gongyuan was crowded with people, all of whom were relatives who lived in Pingzhou City or came to accompany the examinee.
Zhou Shuren was the easiest to recognize, as his hair was a bit messy. Some people get dizzy when they go out, which is because they are weak. Zhou Shuren walked out with big strides and looked quite energetic.
Zhulan was relieved and smiled, "Get in the car, I'll comb your hair."
Zhou Shuren coughed and said, "Yeah."
He also tried combing his hair himself, and now it looks the best he has ever done.
Zhou Laoer hurriedly took the box from his father's hand, "Dad, let me help you get in the car."
Zhou Shuren: "Yes."
Don’t think he didn’t notice the twitching of Zhou Laoer’s mouth. In the past, Zhulan helped to comb his hair at home, and the children at home really didn’t know that he didn’t know how to comb his hair. This time, they all knew it.
It would take a while to get back into the carriage because the carriages behind were stuck. Zhulan's family only had one carriage, while some wealthy families had several!
Zhulan combed Zhou Shuren's hair and asked, "How was your rest these days?"
Zhou Shuren, "Except for the small size, it's a good place to rest."
Thanks to two long journeys, at least the conditions in Gongyuan are safe and he doesn't have to worry about safety, so he can rest well at night.
Zhulan knew that Zhou Shuren had not lied to her, she could tell from his spirit, and combed Zhou Shuren's hair. "The hot water at home is ready, go back and take a good bath."
Zhou Shuren nodded and said, "I hope the weather will be as good as it is now for the remaining two games."
Zhulan also hopes that it won't be hot these days, and there will be a slight breeze from time to time. More importantly, it will be cloudless. The most feared thing about the exam is rain. It cannot be interrupted if it rains. Although there are places to shelter from the rain, the moisture will not only affect your mood, but you won't be able to rest well at night. The most important thing is that you are afraid of catching a cold and getting sick.
The carriage waited for a while before the road ahead was open. It was an hour later when they got home. Zhou Shuren went to take a bath first.
Li prepared a large table of dishes, and Zhulan specially asked the eldest brother to buy a sheep and kill it just to nourish Zhou Shuren.
After taking a shower and eating, Zhou Shuren went back to lie down and rest.
The Zhou family was still cautious and did not dare to make any noise.
Zhulan was washing Zhou Shuren's clothes. After washing the clothes, she prepared clothes for Zhou Shuren to use for the next exam.
As soon as the Zhou family arrived home, they served Zhou Shuren until the last exam was over.
After the last exam, some people in the Chugongyuan fell ill, some burst into tears, and all kinds of situations occurred.
No matter how energetic Zhou Shuren was, he felt relaxed after the exam. After Zhulan combed his hair, Zhou Shuren fell asleep.
Zhou Shuren slept for a long time this time, almost a whole day. Zhulan asked Boss Zhou to give Zhou Shuren a bath and change his clothes.
Zhou Shuren had a good sleep and all that was left was to wait for the results.
Even though the exam was over, the Zhou family was still quiet. Zhou Shuren was very calm and was in the mood to go out and meet Zhao Bo.
Zhulan's attention has always been on Zhou Shuren. When Wu Ning came, Zhulan realized that Wu Ming had insisted on finishing the exam despite being sick. The Wu family was worried about his grades, so Wu Ning would not come over for the next few days. She had to stay at home to take care of Wu Ming.
Zhulan waited for Zhou Shuren to come back and told him, "Wu Ming is sick and taking the exam. Can you beat him?"
(End of this chapter)