The preliminary examination for the imperial examinations began right after the New Year. There weren't many women in the capital who participated; at most, there were no more than ten, and the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion had three of them.
Led by Huo Panlijian, the women entered the examination hall, searched the women, and removed their hair in one swift motion.
The examiners for this women's examination included not only Huo Xiaolong, but also the two head maids serving the Empress and Xiao Lanhua.
The men's and women's examination rooms were separated by a wall and were adjacent to each other.
The preliminary examination for the young scholars was simple, lasting one day. Candidates usually brought their own food, since they couldn't endure a whole day of exams without any food.
But things were different on Lijian's side. The three little girls had a bunch of things packed into a basket by their older sisters.
Anyone who didn't know better would think these three were going on a picnic.
The self-heating hot pot developed using lime is one thing, that's what Huo Xiaolong said. The important thing is that Zhang's mother also packed three small desserts for the three of them, and there was also fruit in the basket.
As the sun rose higher, the examiners had meals prepared for them, while the students could arrange their own meal times.
"Examiner, I'd like some hot water."
Hou Xiangxiang raised her hand and shouted.
It's noon, and the little girl is hungry.
The head maidservant by the Empress's side often saw Xiangxiang, and the woman didn't even let her do it herself, but poured the hot water for her.
The little girl put the self-heating hot pot on the ground, afraid of soiling the test papers on the table. Li Jian did the same; he had already finished answering the questions and put the test papers aside before calling for hot water.
Each of Huo Xiaolong and the others had a self-heating hot pot in front of them. Their families were worried that the children would think they were being unfair, so they prepared one for each of them. They didn't care whether they were examiners or candidates; as long as they were their children, they would get one.
The lid was opened, and the spicy aroma filled the examination room.
This made Fan Lihua a little hungry.
The girl raised her hand, and Long'er tilted her head, signaling her to speak.
"Examiner, I'd like to eat that too."
"..."
Huo Xiaolong's hot pot was just ready, and he was a little worried. "Why don't you just say you want mine? I can't give you the examinee's portion."
The girl waved her hand, signaling Qingsong to bring it to her.
This examiner is terrible. Next time, she definitely won't let anyone she knows proctor the exam. She knows every single one of these candidates, and they're not serious at all.
I'm not afraid of her at all.
Meanwhile, the boys in the next dormitory were having a tough time. The spicy aroma was tempting, but even just eating plain steamed buns dipped in cold water wasn't enough to satisfy their cravings.
"Examiner," a man said as he handed in his paper and stood up.
"explain."
"Does the women's examination room provide meals? Aren't the examiners' meals the same? Where is this aroma coming from? Is the small kitchen discriminating against them?"
That's exactly what the examiner was thinking.
You're the only one craving it, but I'm not too?
The examiner nodded, surprisingly without reprimanding him. He simply stood up and said...
"Don't worry, I'll come over and show you now. Have you finished handing in your paper?"
"Yes, examiner."
"Let's go then, let's go take a look together."
They said they'd go together, but at most they'd just ask at the door where the smell came from.
The proctor for the preliminary examination was a secretary from the Prefectural Governor's Office. The man arrived outside the women's examination room and knocked on the door.
"Who goes there?" the guard at the door asked.
"I am an examiner for the preliminary examination. I've come to inquire what they are eating inside. Why does it smell so delicious? Is it because the examinee inside is a woman and they are being treated differently?"
The guards at the gate were all women, borrowed from Long'er's private army.
Little Grass excitedly went to Long'er to report. Then, the girl looked at her empty table with only a few stir-fried dishes and rice, and the group of examinees eating with runny noses below.
Huo Xiaolong said:
"Leave the sword for the examiner outside the door."
"yes."
Huo Panlijian guessed something, so he picked up the exam paper and placed it at the handover point. With one hand carrying the exam basket and the other holding the now-steamed hot pot, he strode out.
The girl nodded to the examiner, then placed the wooden bowl full of red oil in front of him and said...
"This is what we're eating. Fengyuelou sells it. Here's half a portion for you. Please take it back and eat it."
That student was also a foodie; he asked if the basket of swords still tasted sweet, and then directly asked...
"Girl, what's in your basket? It smells so sweet!"
He opened the sword directly and showed it to him.
"Haven't you been to a brothel? Their signature dim sum."
The man shook his head and said:
"I've been too busy studying to go. Are both of them for sale?"
"You need to pre-order before you can buy it."
After saying that, Huo Panli walked toward the carriage that was waiting for her.
Grandpa was in the carriage. I had already told him that I would go home after the exam, but he insisted on waiting here.
"Grandpa, why don't you go home?"
The woman lifted the curtain and saw someone she never expected.
He was a teacher in the first class of the Imperial Academy.
"The gentleman is also here."
An old man and a young man were playing chess in a carriage when they saw the sword emerge. The white-bearded old man stroked his beard a couple of times and said...
"Are you done with the exam?"
"Yeah."
"How did the exam go?" This time, it was the gentle, refined man with a scholarly air who spoke.
"In response to your question, sir, the preliminary examination for the imperial examination is not difficult."
The man smiled slightly.
"Can."
"It's getting late, I'll head back to the Imperial Academy now. Come and ask me if you have any questions."
"Yes, sir."
Watching the man get out of the car, the white-bearded old man kept nagging in his granddaughter's ear.
"This won't do, this isn't your destined partner."
Sharp Sword didn't complain about the old man's matchmaking, but instead asked:
"Grandpa, didn't you say before that I'd never have any romantic prospects in this life? So how could I possibly find a true love?"
The white-bearded old man clicked his tongue and said:
"Isn't it normal to make a mistake in that calculation?"
"Grandpa, he is my husband."
The girl's tone was tinged with doting affection.
"What's wrong with the master? Aren't the seedlings and willow catkins still the master and his apprentice?"
That's true.
It's impossible not to be tempted by such a gentle and refined man placed before a sharp sword.
Having been at the Imperial Academy for so long, I couldn't help but receive his help.
They were about the same age and had discussed poetry and songs under the ginkgo tree.
But that's all we can do.
The Minister of Personnel has always disagreed with the Prince on political matters, and he was not mentioned in the statement issued by the Six Ministries this time.
Therefore, if he were to enter the imperial court, he would inevitably have to resort to means to deal with those who disagreed with the prince.
To be moved, to fall in love.
For Huo Panlijian, it was indeed a very strange experience in his life, but so what?
Ultimately, nothing is more important than what you want to do.
"It's impossible for the gentleman and me in this lifetime. Don't worry, Grandpa, nothing can surpass the Prince."
Lou Qingming wasn't very serious, but he knew his granddaughter very well.
This child is full of lofty ambitions; she cannot be swayed by trivial matters like romantic love.
The old man crossed his legs and said
"When the results come out this time, come with me to Chen Laogou's house again, and let's make him jealous."
Huo Panli smiled, thoughtfully tucked the chessboard under his seat, and said with a smile.
"good."
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