Zhaoning Palace.
"Your Majesty, news has come from Ling Mo that Miss A Hui has shown no reaction to Miss Zhong Er."
After listening to Wanji's words, Jiang Yu pondered for a moment, "Tell Ling Mo that he doesn't need to report Ahui's affairs to me so often anymore. Just protect Ahui well."
"This Zhong Qi'er, A Yu really guessed right. As long as she is placed in the right place, she can be of great use. She has already saved many women."
Gu Lin slowly spoke up, and Jiang Yu laughed out loud when she heard it, "I already said that Zhong Qi'er is not a bad person at heart."
"That spoiled and willful temper was actually a result of the Zhong family father and son's indulgence."
"I've already sent Ling Hai and the others to accompany Zhong Lian'er. Ayu should take a good rest recently. The imperial examinations will start soon, and Ayu will definitely be very busy then."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu lowered her head and touched her belly; the baby inside her was now six months along.
"I can't hide my pregnancy any longer, so I might as well announce it to the world after the imperial examination."
Counting the days, the child was born in June, just like Ayan.
“Alright, I asked Mei Chu, and she said that you will have difficulty moving around when you are more pregnant, so I will stay by your side then.” Gu Lin reached out and pinched Jiang Yu’s face. “But you have gained some weight in your face, so the baby deserves some credit for that.”
Jiang Yu glared at Gu Lin, annoyed. "In another month or two, I'll be all fat. If you dare to complain about me then..."
"Ayu, how could I possibly look down on you?"
Gu Lin looked at Jiang Yu pleadingly, "Ayu, if you don't believe me, touch my heart yourself."
As he spoke, Gu Lin made a gesture to take Jiang Yu's hand. Soon after, laughter came from inside the room, and the palace servants serving outside also smiled knowingly.
For candidates preparing for the spring imperial examinations, the last month flew by, so fast that they felt they couldn't quite grasp it.
"Young Master Qin, Young Master Sun, this is today's essay topic. You may submit your answers to me after you have completed them."
Inside the room, Qin Zheng and Sun Cai no longer had their usual arrogance on their faces. They stared at the policy essays in their hands, and after a quarter of an hour, they quickly picked up their pens and began to write.
The two of them only breathed a sigh of relief after they finished writing and handed the answer sheet to the teacher.
"Brother Qin, the candidates from Dayu who make it to the imperial examinations are truly one in a million," Sun Cai remarked with a touch of admiration. "We've been reviewing past examination papers, and I..."
"Aren't you also unsure if you can get into high school?" Qin Zheng twitched the corner of his mouth; he was no different.
“Yesterday I had someone copy the answer sheet of a woman from Lingyun Garden.” Sun Cai took out a small stack of papers from his sleeve. “I heard that it was at Minghe Tower, where that woman answered the questions together with Wei Ruowei, and they were evenly matched.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng carefully read through the policy essay in his hand, his expression changing from shock to numbness.
"Was this really made by a woman?"
"It's absolutely true. Emperor Yu himself set the question, and the two of them answered it in front of everyone."
"Brother Sun, I think we did underestimate Dayu before, not just in terms of military strength."
“Brother Qin, what you are saying…” Sun Cai understood Qin Zheng’s meaning, but what he couldn’t say was that he vaguely felt that the unification of the world by the Great Yu was an inevitable trend.
“In the Great Yu, there are scholars who have studied diligently for years and become very learned, and in the military, there are generals who have fought countless battles. Brother Sun, our family has none, or rather... very few.” Qin Zheng’s eyes flickered slightly as he recalled a scene from not long ago.
Although they could not leave the courtyard after the death of Marquis Yongyi, they could still hear the mourning cries of the people in the capital for those few days. Could they really win against such a country?
"The aristocratic families and the nation have lived in peace for hundreds of years, so they should be able to live in peace with the Great Yu as well."
Sun Cai spoke slowly, but the bitter smile on his face was unmistakable.
They all knew in their hearts that the powerful families of Dayu had angered them.
......
Lingyun Garden.
"With the Spring Examinations approaching, everyone should take care of their health while preparing."
Xie Zhiqing smiled and prepared ginseng soup for everyone, saying, "Everyone, come and have a bowl of ginseng soup."
Looking at the room full of women, Xie Zhiqing's smile became even more genuine. "The identity of the chief examiner will be revealed tomorrow. I heard that the Emperor himself set the exam questions this time, and he did not delegate the task to anyone else."
"This clearly shows how much the emperor valued this imperial examination."
"Sir, then we must certainly strive to pass the imperial examination." Hearing everyone's voices, Xie Zhiqing continued, "It is because the Emperor values this that I must say a few words to you first."
"Please speak, sir."
The room fell silent as everyone waited for Xie Zhiqing to continue.
"You are the first group of women to participate in this spring imperial examination. If you are fortunate enough to pass, not only the Emperor but also the Empress Dowager will give you important positions. So your future is bright."
"But I have to make the unpleasant things clear upfront."
As Xie Zhiqing spoke, her expression gradually became serious.
"If anyone later does something against their conscience that harms the people and brings shame to Lingyun Garden, don't blame me for being ruthless then." Xie Zhiqing's eyes were sharp. "Your every word and action will affect the women's imperial examinations in the future. Don't cut off the path for future generations."
“Sir, you are right. We will keep that in mind.”
Guo Siyuan was the first to respond, and then everyone took turns making promises to Xie Zhiqing.
Xie Zhiqing's expression softened again. "Alright, after you finish the ginseng soup, you can continue reviewing your studies."
After leaving the house, Xie Zhiqing finally breathed a sigh of relief. She knew the Empress Dowager's style of doing things; if any of the women inside made a mistake, they would be severely punished.
So she has to remind everyone.
Time flies, and on the eve of the imperial examinations, the entire capital city seemed to quiet down, with everyone tacitly making way for the upcoming examinations.
The examination venue has already begun to be set up, and Gu Qingyan, the chief examiner for this year's spring examination, has personally selected Kui Ruo.
To avoid suspicion, Kui Ruo secluded herself at home after receiving the imperial edict and refused to see any guests. Not only were the court officials worried about this spring imperial examination, but the palace was also extremely tense.
Zhaoning Palace.
"Mother, you've been looking at this page for half an hour now."
Gu Qingyan couldn't help but remind her, and Jiang Yu only came back to her senses when she heard this, "Look at me, I'm holding a book but my mind is on something else."
"Mother must be worried about the imperial examination. Don't worry, I've already made arrangements."
"Even so, I still worry when I think of Lingyun Garden." Jiang Yu pursed her lips. "I'm not afraid of them failing, but I'm also afraid of them failing."
It has been incredibly difficult for them to get to where they are today.
A casual remark like "if you fail once, you can take the exam again" is much more difficult for them.
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