"Do you think we can finish the prefectural and metropolitan examinations all at once? Why do we have to take them every few months? I'm so tired, really, Sun Zixi, aren't you tired too?"
Standing next to Hou Xiangxiang was another advisor to the Prince of Zhenbei. The young woman was capable, but her eyes were somewhat lifeless, revealing the torment she had endured over the past few months. She sneered.
"I'm not tired? I wish I could become a monk right now. I also want to finish all the exams at once, but the Emperor won't allow it, the sword won't allow it, and I still have to study when I get back. How about we finish the exams and run away?"
Hou Xiangxiang resignedly picked up the exam basket and said to her...
Where can they run to?
"Let's go to the palace! Let's run to the Empress! Doesn't the Empress love you? Let's hide in the palace for a few months and then come out for the imperial examination!"
Today is the prefectural examination. If they pass the exam today, they will become female scholars.
Hou Xiangxiang gave a weak smile and said to the person beside her.
"Do you think I didn't think about it? Huo Panlijian and Huo Xiaolong went into the palace and brought me back, you know that? They arrested me!"
"It was Huo Xiaolong who betrayed me, I really..."
The little girl was gritting her teeth, but she couldn't say anything!
"I hate it!"
"Get off the bus! It's time for the exam!"
Unlike the county examination, the prefectural examination required candidates to stay in the examination hall for several days.
The students' baskets were filled with more toiletries, including face wash, hair wash, and even underwear for menstruation.
Long'er sat upright in the first seat of the examination room. She wanted to laugh at Hou Xiangxiang and Sun Zixi's absent-minded expressions, but she pursed her lips and held it back.
Hou Xiangxiang even asked her seriously.
"Why aren't you and Da Ni'er taking the exam?"
"I am the King of the Grasslands! I am not a man of the Great Yan!"
Da Ni'er was quick to admit where she was from. "Don't let my usual laziness fool you, I'm definitely the Queen of the Grasslands."
Huo Xiaolong blinked twice and then said...
"I am the Prince of Zhenbei, and there is no more title to bestow."
Fine, fine, I'll just be a big traitor myself.
Several more palace maids came today, and even Hou Xiangxiang had never met them before. Huo Xiaolong was slightly worried, fearing that the Empress Dowager might do something underhanded.
"Your Highness, please try these plum blossom pastries I brought from the palace. They're from the last batch of plum blossoms, and they smell wonderful."
"Your Highness, this is a portrait I painted for you. Please take a look."
The girl was somewhat overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of her two aunts. She grinned and nodded, showing off her big teeth. The snacks were delicious and the drawings were beautiful, but she couldn't figure out what they were after.
One of the ladies from the Imperial Kitchen volunteered to cook for the examiners, while another, who was only slightly literate, came to help proctor the exams because there wasn't enough manpower.
The day passed quickly. This time, the aroma wafted from both examination rooms at the same time. Everyone had some, and no one was lacking. Even those who couldn't afford it at home had their money paid for by the examiners themselves, so as not to cause trouble for the emperor later. Anyway, the Ministry of Revenue would reimburse them.
The issue of food is over, but other aspects of life have become uneven.
"No, examiner, why does that exam room over there smell so good? Are they burning calming incense?"
"Last time it was food, this time it's probably something to use."
In the girls' exam room, Li Jian and several other girls were bending over to wash their hair. Washing their hair would clear their minds and help them answer questions faster.
Actually, there are basins and hot water everywhere, but the boys' dormitory has never had this habit. Besides, everyone else is busy answering questions and making the most of every second, and you're the only one washing up here. It's a bit ungrateful of you.
No one else could see her washing up, so Xiaocao stood proudly outside waiting for the examiner to come over.
"Those girls inside are washing their hair, we can't go in and see."
"Whose hair smells so good after washing it, Guard Li?"
Before him stood Huo Xiaolong's personal bodyguard. Even officials had to be treated politely, so the clerk from the Jingzhao Yin's office was as courteous as ever.
Li Xiaocao looked at him with a puzzled expression. "You're so ignorant about this stuff. Why don't you go back and ask your wife? She doesn't even wash her hair in front of you, does she?"
With Huaxuetang's products selling so well, which lady doesn't have a few bottles?
"Shall I go in and get you some?"
The examiner blushed and nodded; this was the first time in all these years that he had ever asked someone for something.
The advisor held the shampoo bottle in his hand and smelled it. It was indeed the right scent. To refresh himself, he added some mint.
"The things are here, for washing hair. Whoever needs them can come and get them."
He returned to the examination room and put his things on the table.
He'll pour it into his hands little by little, and then we'll see who tries to cause trouble again.
At first, the candidates blushed and were embarrassed to use it, but the guy who had asked Huo Panli for food that day was quite bold. This grown man stretched out his hand and said to the examiner...
"Pour me some, please."
The advisor glared at him and said, "You're such a troublemaker."
Pouring water and washing hair all in one go, wow, that's invigorating!
He felt he could now write three policy essays.
When the students returned to their exam rooms, their writing flowed so smoothly that even the students who had been taking turns fetching water to wash up were swayed and approached them.
"Sir, pour me some too, it smells quite refreshing."
"My lord, I also..."
In the end, the advisor even rinsed the bottles with water.
"That's all, don't come asking for more."
The clerk sniffed the smell; this stuff is good for washing hair. He'd ask his wife to buy some for him when he got home.
The shampoo from Huaxuetang was snapped up by the test takers, and what's more, many ladies also came to join in the fun.
"After this exam, you can relax."
Li Jian said to Zi Xi and Dani'er on their way home.
"Really? Li Jian! Li Jian! You're like a fairy descended from heaven, a goddess, you know?!" Sun Zixi jumped up and hugged Huo Pan Li Jian, hanging on her like a koala.
The woman sighed.
"Your writing is just so-so. You won't learn anything more even if you study. Just give me one policy essay every three days. After you pass the imperial examination, everyone will rely on their own foundation."
Yes, at this point, it was no longer about talent, literary skills, or ability. When a candidate passed the provincial examination, it was all about who had a better foundation, who had read more books, and who had a broader perspective.
Genius is merely a ticket for everyone to meet at the top.
Those who can enter the imperial examination are all exceptionally talented.
As for Li Jian, she doesn't want to be a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in some year or so; if she wants to be, she wants to be the first woman to achieve the highest rank in the imperial examination.
Looking up at the sky, a withered leaf fell into the woman's hand, and with a slight effort, it shattered into pieces on the ground.
The road we came from was dull and tedious; the unknown road ahead is fraught with uncertainty. But the sword is drawn, and we shall see what the future holds.
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