Early in the morning, Zhiyin and Yao Yulin, just like any other parents, busily prepared breakfast for Zhihua.
She didn't dare to eat anything too spicy as usual, lest it affect her performance on the exam. Instead, she cooked two eggs and made some pancakes for Zhihua in a conventional way.
"Are you ready to draw? Don't put too much pressure on yourself, and don't be nervous."
While telling Zhihua not to be nervous, Yao Yulin's own hands were trembling uncontrollably.
Thinking of reading, a hint of melancholy and longing flashed in her eyes.
"Mom, don't worry, I'm not nervous about drawing."
Zhihua patted her chest confidently, and even complained, "Sister, boiled eggs don't taste good, they have no flavor."
She used to think boiled eggs were the most delicious food, but ever since she was exposed to chili powder, she now can't live without spicy food.
In her opinion, food without spice is soulless.
"Haha, just bear with it. After the exam, your sister and mother will cook you something delicious when you come back in the afternoon."
Zhiyin pinched Zhihua's chubby little face, feeling her smooth and tender skin, which was like a peeled eggshell. She just loved it.
"Yes, you must have worked hard drawing today. Mom will cook something delicious for you when you come back."
"Okay, sister, mother, thank you. I love drawing the most with you."
Zhihua said sweetly, then leaned close to each of their ears and gave them a kiss.
…
"Remember to bring your exam materials, so you don't forget anything."
Watching Zhiyin and Zhihua's mule cart disappear into the distance, Yao Yulin anxiously stood at the door and called out.
"Don't worry, Mother."
Zhiyin and Zhihua both smiled and waved to her, indicating that she didn't need to worry.
At the same time, I checked the exam basket again, as well as the stationery and food inside, and made sure to wear my school ID and exam admission ticket.
Then, the mule cart began its journey to the county as usual.
In the past, he would go out to do business, but today he had a more important task, so Zhiyin didn't sell anything; he was simply taking his child to the exam.
"Sister, I'll come out as soon as I finish writing, I promise I won't keep you waiting."
Zhihua suddenly said sweetly to Zhiyin.
After all, there is no time limit for each exam; you just need to submit your paper on the same day.
After each exam, you have to wait one day. If you are not admitted in the first exam, you cannot take the second exam. The difficulty of each exam increases accordingly.
Therefore, Zhihua was a little worried that she would take too long and make Zhiyin wait for too long.
Zhiyin gently patted her head and said, "Don't hand in your paper early just because you're in a hurry, or your sister will be angry." As she said this, Zhiyin pretended to put on a serious face.
Then he shrugged indifferently, "Anyway, I don't have anything to do, so I'll just wander around the county and wait for you."
"And we also need to choose a shop, which will take more time."
"Okay, sister."
Zhihua finally felt relieved. Although the first round of admissions was relatively lenient, and anyone whose writing was fluent could be admitted, she was still worried about wasting time.
The examination for candidates for the imperial examination actually consisted of three stages: the county examination, the prefectural examination, and the provincial examination.
Today's exam is the county-level examination, which is held in the county and presided over by the county magistrate.
The main subjects tested were the eight-legged essay, examination poems, classical studies, regulated verse, and policy essays.
The importance of the Tongsheng examination is self-evident. It was an entrance examination, and only by participating in the Tongsheng examination could one obtain the qualification of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination).
Then proceed with the subsequent exams.
Furthermore, since the exam did not have an age limit, Zhiyin encountered many serious-looking scholars with bundles slung over their waists along the way while driving his mule cart.
They all looked travel-worn; some were toddlers as young as five or six, while others were elderly people over fifty, who were being helped along by their sons.
Some students take the exam together with their grandchildren and sons, three generations of a family.
Because the exam was held at the county government office, the number of people increased dramatically, making the usually quiet scene unusually noisy and crowded.
Even Zhiyin was stuck in traffic.
Looking at the densely packed caravans of horse-drawn carriages and mule carts, she felt a little helpless.
He could hear the constant urging from behind and the chaotic shouts and arguments all around him.
Zhiyin thought for a moment, then lifted the curtain and looked at Zhihua. "Huahua, since we're not far from the exam area, why don't we walk over?"
"Okay, sister."
Zhihua nodded sweetly, picked up her bundle, and stood ready to get off the bus at any moment.
Upon seeing this, Zhiyin immediately turned the cart around and parked it at the spot where they used to sell things.
"Hey, Yinyin, why are you so late today?"
Brother Donkey Roll couldn't help but shake his head as he spoke, "There are many pedestrians on the road today because of the imperial examinations. Business is surprisingly good."
"If you had come earlier, they would have been sold out long ago."
The more he talked about "donkey rolling," the happier Brother became, his mouth almost reaching his ears, and he couldn't suppress his grin, clearly indicating that business was really good.
"Haha, big brother, I'm not selling today. My sister has an exam and I don't have time."
Zhiyin and Brother Lvdagun were already very familiar with each other, and they chatted casually as they put the mule cart away.
"You have to take exams for drawing?"
Brother Donkey Roll looked on in astonishment, then couldn't help but praise her, looking at Zhihua with eyes full of affection, "She looks smart just by looking at her painting, she's sure to have a bright future."
"Hehe, thanks for the compliment, big brother."
Zhihua was praised, and the corners of her mouth turned up, her tail practically wagging in the air.
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