Chapter 73: The Provincial Examination Begins, the Prelude to a New Era...
Zhang Ting's face had been calm as still water, but after Zong Suyi finished speaking the last word, she suddenly burst into laughter, like a pebble rolling into a clear spring, the sound short and crisp. She shook her head helplessly, her eyes filled with laughter, as if countless flowers were blooming.
Zong Suyi was audacious and reckless. He only talked to her about "you" and "me," but whenever he referred to himself as "this humble servant," he always had ulterior motives, or even harbored evil intentions.
Zhang Ting's eyes crinkled into a smile as she poured him a cup of cool tea from a small table and handed it to him. "Have some tea to calm your nerves. We'll be setting off soon, and there will be many things to do. I'll have to trouble you with your help."
She leaned close to his ear, her warm breath brushing against his neck, and said, "It's really not advisable to have sex these days." She chuckled softly, "I'll trouble you to be patient, my lord."
Zong Suyi held the teacup, his lips pursed slightly. He naturally knew that the situation was tense recently and that it was not good to act recklessly. He pulled his legs together, trying his best to suppress the heat in his lower abdomen, and obediently replied, "I know." His voice trailed off with a reluctant downward tone.
He pouted unhappily. Actually, he had originally wanted to flirt with Zhang Ting, but who would have thought that after so long of abstinence, she could still remain so composed? On the contrary, it was him...
Zhang Ting lifted him off the table; she still needed to study. Suddenly, she noticed the bulge in his lower abdomen and raised an eyebrow, finding it amusing. She gently patted his bottom, "So easily teased?"
Zong Suyi covered her buttocks in embarrassment, her heart pounding with even more agitation. Her eyes held a hint of resentment as she scolded, "You knew I was coming, yet you still did!"
She laughed heartily, leaning on a nearby table, "It's all my fault." Then, she put her arm around his shoulder and coaxed him, "Alright, my lord, don't be angry. You have to handle all the household chores."
He urged, "Hurry up and drink the tea to calm your nerves."
......
The first day of the eighth month in the ninth year of Chengtai.
Zhang Ting and her husband moved into a house next to the Tongzhou Prefecture Examination Hall. This was the same house they bought two years ago when they returned to Lvtian County, and now they were finally putting it to good use.
As soon as you step outside the courtyard, you can smell the sweet fragrance of osmanthus, which is refreshing and delightful.
Butler Zheng had sent people to clean the house two days in advance, so it was exceptionally tidy and decorated in a grand style.
With the provincial examination just around the corner, Zong Suyi urged Zhang Ting to go back to his room to study, while he put on a veil and led his servants out to buy supplies.
The provincial examination consisted of three sessions. Fearing that something unexpected might happen, he prepared extra examination supplies and provisions before leaving home, and had Zhang Ting take them with him, just in case.
At Shenshi (3-5 PM), he had just returned home when Zhang Ting opened the door anxiously and said, "My lord, my purple hairpin broke, I'll have to go buy another one later..."
Zong Suyi took out two purple twigs that she was used to using from the box and handed them over, smiling with her lips pursed, "Is that enough?"
Zhang Ting's gaze suddenly met his smiling eyes. She paused for a moment, then smiled quietly and said, "That's enough." She took the purple brush with one hand, took his hand with the other, and the two went into the house shoulder to shoulder.
Du Zaolang stayed in Lvtian to take care of his teacher's three meals a day. The evening meal that the two of them had was ordered by Zong Suyi from the most popular restaurant in the prefectural city. It was salty, fragrant, crispy and numbing, and tasted very good.
At night, Zhang Ting was studying in the next room and would probably be resting in the study again tonight.
After washing up, Zong Su lay alone on the unfamiliar bed in the empty room.
The room was eerily quiet. Thinking of Zhang Ting next door, engrossed in his reading, he could almost hear the sound of pages turning. He bit his fist and impatiently bent his leg, rubbing it against the floor.
I really want it.
But his wife was about to take the imperial examination, and he absolutely could not let her be distracted at such a crucial moment. Zong Suyi silently endured, but then he remembered her slender fingers. He suddenly turned his head and grabbed the pillowcase beside him, rubbing it between his teeth. His hands involuntarily gripped the quilt tightly. He licked his dry lips, swallowed hard, and breathed heavily, like a traveler who had wandered in the desert for many years, desperately praying for rain to nourish his parched body and soul.
I really want it.
......
Zhangzhai, Lütian County.
The lamp was lit in Zhang Shu's courtyard. She paced anxiously inside, opened the window and looked towards the prefectural city, her eyes filled with deep worry.
Three of her apprentices had already passed the imperial examinations, and this fourth one was even more outstanding. Logically, she should have remained calm and composed during this provincial examination, but on the contrary, she felt even more uneasy.
Is my little apprentice settling in well with the food and lodgings in the prefectural city? Are there many thieves lurking around? Will anyone give her trouble? What's the weather like in the prefectural city? Will it rain on the day of the imperial examination? Will she unfortunately be assigned to a low-ranking unit...?
Too many problems were disturbing Zhang Shu's mind, and he had developed blisters on his lips these days.
She wanted to set off to guard the city herself, but she was worried that her sudden action would only cause her beloved disciple to become anxious.
Zhang Shu sighed deeply, put his hands behind his back, turned off the light, and went to sleep.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the provincial examination was held as scheduled.
Zhang Tingtian got up before dawn and practiced a set of boxing moves. She had been practicing martial arts diligently every day for the past three years. She was now physically strong and her moves were swift. She could fight Li Ruilian to a draw and was no longer the sickly scholar she used to be.
After taking a bath, she changed into a clean silk robe and sat at the table to have a meal with Zong Suyi.
He must have hadn't slept well; his eyes were dark, his face was tired, and he said with concern, "Shall I take you?"
Zhang Ting thought her husband was worried about her imperial examination again, which was why he hadn't slept well last night. She held his hand and said earnestly, "It's only a few steps from the examination hall to home. What's there to see you off? You should get some rest, my love."
Upon hearing this, Zong Suyi's pupils contracted sharply, and her face instantly turned bright red, the burning blush spreading to her neck. She knew that she had been thinking about her last night, and then...
He lowered his head shyly, not daring to look at her.
Zhang Ting frowned in confusion. After all, they had been husband and wife for more than two years, but there were always times when she couldn't understand what he was thinking.
She shook her head helplessly; a man's heart is as deep as the sea.
After the meal, Zhang Ting set off, and Zheng Er carried the examination basket to escort her to the examination hall.
The morning breeze carried the coolness of early autumn. Groups of two or three examinees hurried along the road toward the same place, their footsteps carrying an air of solemnity.
In no time, Zhang Ting arrived at the gate of the examination hall. The tall and imposing walls came into view, surrounded by soldiers with swords. The whole place was solemn and dignified, and the menacing presence was overwhelming.
A number of students had already gathered around the examination hall, chattering about something. Suddenly, one of them spotted Zhang Ting and walked over with delight, asking, "Are you Zhang Xianshi?"
Those present were all scholars, and might even become colleagues in the future. She bowed respectfully to one of them: "My name is Zhang Ting."
Hearing the affirmative answer, the man became even more excited, his hands trembling slightly. He immediately bowed to her and said, "My name is Zheng Ai, and I am from the prefectural city. I have often heard the teachers of the prefectural school mention your virtuous reputation."
"Two years ago, you outwitted the villains and restored order to the county, which was truly gratifying! The teacher spoke highly of you as a talent for saving the world and instructed all the students of the prefectural school to take you as their role model and become virtuous and capable ministers who benefit the country and the people in the future."
Zhang Ting smiled faintly and helped her up. "I am but a humble man, and have only done what I was supposed to do. We are both scholars taking the imperial examinations, so there is no need for such formalities."
The commotion they made was heard by the people nearby, who all gathered around. When one of them heard the name "Zhang Ting," she was suddenly shocked. She squeezed to the front, clenched her fist excitedly, and looked at Zhang Ting with admiration: "You are Zhang Ting? The Zhang Ting who provided life-saving cool drinks to the people of Tongzhou Prefecture free of charge?"
From the seventh to the ninth year of the Chengtai reign, it was as if a calamity had struck, with three consecutive years of scorching heat. Ordinary people were poor and could not afford ice. Fortunately, there was a man named Zhang Ting in the prefecture who selflessly sought the well-being of the people. He brewed tea with cooling medicinal herbs and distributed it to the people to relieve their summer heat.
Thanks to her life-saving cooling drink, almost no one in Tongzhou Prefecture died during the three sweltering summers. In contrast, thousands of people in neighboring Zhangzhou Prefecture had died from heatstroke, and countless graves had been piled up in the suburbs.
Zhang Ting nodded slightly and said, "It was just a small favor, nothing to do with saving a life."
Tears welled up in her eyes. She sniffed sharply, then bowed respectfully to Zhang Ting and said, "My family is poor, and we almost lost our lives due to the heatstroke. Thank you for your help!"
Infected by the atmosphere, everyone felt a surge of excitement and looked at Zhang Ting with eyes full of amazement and admiration.
How could she, a fellow scholar, have risen to such a position?
He is truly a role model for all scholars!
Suddenly, a bailiff came out from inside and shouted, "Silence!"
Afterwards, the scene calmed down, and everyone verified their identities, checked their clothes, disassembled their exam baskets, and entered the exam room.
When it was Zhang Ting's turn, the officer glanced at her but didn't make things difficult for her. He quickly checked her food, roughly broke open her rations, and then let her in.
Zhang Ting nodded slightly, then took the number and signed in.
She was assigned number ten in the southeast corner of Building A. She glanced around and saw that it was far from the outhouse, which immediately put her mind at ease.
Entering the cramped cell, Zhang Ting put down his exam basket and looked around. The space was about one square meter. In front of him was a desk made of a wooden plank, and behind him was a bed made of two wooden planks. The air was filled with the smell of dust and a faint musty smell.
Zhang Ting wet a cloth and began cleaning, like a diligent little bee. After finishing, she checked the cell and found no cracks. Then she took out the realgar powder prepared by Zong Suyi and sprinkled it around.
Early autumn is the peak season for snake and rat activity.
After tidying up, she rested her hands on her arms, curled up on the thin wooden bed, and looked up.
At the end of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the drums were sounded, and the test questions began to be distributed.
The first exam tested the meaning of the Four Books and Five Classics. Zhang Ting had already thoroughly mastered the Four Books and wrote fluently, quickly filling the paper with answers. For the Five Classics, she chose the Spring and Autumn Annals to answer.
Under the teacher's strict guidance, these questions were nothing out of the ordinary for her.
They would strike the board and hand in their papers at Shenshi (3-5 PM).
The second exam consisted of writing judgments and official documents.
The third exam consisted of a policy essay, the topic of which was on how to rectify official corruption...
Zhang Ting stroked his chin. Talking about governance now? He suddenly subtly sensed that the examiner seemed quite dissatisfied with the current administration.
She frowned slightly and pondered for a moment, then picked up her pen to solve the problem. She answered smoothly and effortlessly, and a smile appeared on her face as she put down her pen.
The examination hall was filled with tension and solemnity. Everyone was like a taut string. The sound of papers turning over could be heard from the next cell, and occasionally someone would lightly tap the wooden board in frustration. But Zhang Ting sat in his cell with unusual calmness, silently tapping the board to hand in his paper.
She slowly walked out of the cell, clutching the toilet pass, followed by the astonished yet admiring gazes of the crowd.
What no one knew was that Zhang Ting's era had begun.
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