Chapter 128: Three First Prizes
Chapter 128: Three First Prizes
Zhao Jingcheng looked from afar at the scholars who were concentrating on answering the questions. Among them were young talents as well as very old people. Most of them were strangers, but there were also some he knew.
His gaze passed over Xie Huaiguang, then fell on Gu Zixuan, and then Yin Zhengnan.
After reading it, he nodded slightly and let the candidates write quickly.
The palace examination only tested one policy question, which was: Water, fire, metal, wood, earth, and grain must be cultivated.
Since they can stand here and take part in the palace examination, these people are not stupid and can understand the questions at a glance.
This question comes from "Shang Shu·Da Yu Mo", which says that virtue lies in good governance and governance lies in nourishing the people, which is the same as this one.
When he saw the question, Gu Ziyun was confused.
But he has read Shangshu, and to get here, even if he is not outstandingly talented, he has a solid foundation. He has read the Four Books and Five Classics, and has also read Shangshu and Zuo Zhuan. Gu Ziyun is at most an ordinary scholar and is not afraid of small tests, but if he wants to stand out from the rest in the country, he has to rely on Gu Zilu's talent.
Therefore, Gu Ziyun had some impression of this sentence, but he also knew that it seemed to have nothing to do with war or peace. It was a question of diligent governance and caring for the people.
Without Gu Zilu's help, he would have answered this question from the perspective of working diligently and caring for the people. However, the imperial examination was not a test of dead knowledge from books. Especially the questions related to politics, many of which depended on one's personal political sensitivity. According to Gu Ziyun's original thinking, he would definitely not be able to answer this question well.
However, he had learned from Gu Zilu and understood the emperor's intention. All he had to do was to follow Gu Zilu's thinking and copy his content about whether to fight or make peace.
Gu Ziyun was delighted and started writing.
It was not difficult for people like them to switch from politics to supporting the people and to fight in the northwest war.
When dusk arrived, everyone handed in their papers and the palace examination was over.
These submitted papers will be sealed together after going through the procedures of receiving, handling and sealing.
On the day of marking, the test papers were handed over to the marking officials, who circulated them for review. Then the ten best papers were selected and presented to the emperor, who personally determined the final ranking.
But all these things had nothing to do with the candidates. Everyone walked out of the palace feeling relaxed.
However, the most relaxed one was Yin Zhengnan. His goal was to marry Gu Suiyu, and the rest were all just passing clouds. So he felt no pressure at all during the palace examination, and he could write whatever he wanted.
As for Xie Huaiguang, he was naturally more stable. He would remain unmoved even if Mount Tai collapsed, let alone fear a small palace examination.
Several people met at the door, each with a different look on their face.
"Since the exam is over, I won't bother you anymore."
Xie Huaiguang left calmly, and the remaining two stood at the door, but Yin Zhengnan left soon as well, as he had to go back and prepare to catch the wild geese.
After bidding farewell to his friend, Gu Zixuan looked up and saw Gu Ziyun walking out of the palace with a beaming smile on his face, as if he had already won the top spot in the imperial examination.
In response, Gu Zixuan turned his gaze away indifferently.
Outside, Ma Guang and others had been waiting for Gu Ziyun. Among them, Gu Ziyun was the only one who passed the imperial examination. Now that he had finished the palace examination, Ma Guang smiled and said, "Let's go out for a drink."
"Um."
Gu Ziyun smiled, and when he passed by Gu Zixuan, he said with a smile: "Brother, I'll go first."
I don’t know if it’s because he felt he did well in the exam, but Gu Zixuan could feel the disdain and contempt in Gu Ziyun’s eyes.
He must have suppressed this feeling for a long time. Now that the palace examination is over, he can finally express it.
Gu Zixuan sneered. He was just a bastard born of a concubine. Once he gained power, oh no, he hadn’t gained power yet, but he showed such a face. If he gained power, what would happen?
Thinking of this, he turned and left, going to Mu Yanluo's residence first.
Mu Yanluo lived in a secluded courtyard. Gu Zixuan specially hired a maid and a woman to take care of her as she had just given birth. Now Mu Yanluo's belly was so big that it was difficult for her to even get up, let alone walk or work.
"Young Master..."
Mu Yanluo has gained weight now, and her pretty face has become out of shape. She no longer has a beautiful appearance, but her voice is still as pleasant as before.
"Well, Yanluo, how are you feeling lately?"
Mu Yanluo nodded: "Thank you for your care, young master."
"It's okay, but the baby is about to be born. Miss Yanluo, have you thought about how to live in the future?"
Mu Yanluo kept silent because she didn't know. If Gu Ziyun wanted her, she could enter the Marquis' Mansion. If not...
She clenched her fists. There was no way she didn't want the baby. She was already pregnant, and the doctor who felt her pulse said it was a boy...
Seeing the hesitation in her eyes, Gu Zixuan said casually: "My second brother should have done well in the exam. He came out today with a beaming face and even mentioned his marriage with the young lady of the Shangshu Mansion. I heard that this young lady attaches great importance to reputation and etiquette. I don't think she will allow my second brother to take a concubine..."
Mu Yanluo's face looked a little ugly, and Gu Zixuan stopped talking. Instead, he pretended to have something to do and left in a hurry.
After he left, Mu Yanluo naturally sent the maid out to inquire, and it was just as Gu Zixuan said, Gu Ziyun was now eating and drinking with his friends, and all he talked about was his longing for a new marriage, and she had nothing to do with it at all.
"Girl, in my opinion, the worst that can happen is that you go to their house and make trouble. You have a child in your belly, so they dare not abandon you!"
The maid was giving advice on the side. Mu Yanluo covered her stomach and frowned slightly: "It hurts..."
My stomach has been aching lately.
"I'll go get the doctor!"
The maid left in a hurry.
When Gu Zixuan returned home, Su Jin had already ordered people to prepare a table full of delicious dishes.
Gu Zixuan didn't hesitate and sat down to eat.
Su Jin didn't ask him how he did on the test, and slowly picked up some food. Halfway through the meal, Gu Zixuan suddenly said, "Mother, I'm not sure if I did well on the test..."
Su Jin was very indifferent: "Okay or not, you are going to be an official. Being an official is not about grades, but political achievements. Besides, even if you don't work hard, you will be fed by the emperor for the rest of your life, don't worry!"
Gu Zixuan: ...
Is this something a mother could say?
But when he thought about it this way, he really didn't care. After all, it was stable.
However, if his official position is not as high as his father’s, can he really protect his mother?
Gu Zixuan was confused again.
Soon, the list of palace examinations was announced. The day the results were announced happened to be the last day for Gu Zilu to take part in the prefectural examination.
Early in the morning, all the successful candidates entered the palace to wait for their names to be called. Su Jin could not see this grand ceremony and could only wait outside the palace and listen to the noises inside.
When everything was ready, the official of the Honglu Temple began to read the imperial edict: "In the third year of Hongwen, the imperial examination was held to select the tribute scholars from all over the country... The first place in the first class is Xie Huaiguang..."
The voice rang out from the palace, and was then sung by a second person. The voice then passed through the palace walls and was heard by everyone.
Xie Huaiguang, the first place in the first class?
Su Jin lifted the curtain and looked at the high red walls of the palace.
That’s amazing! You’ve passed the imperial examination and got the top three honors, young man.