After taking the imperial examination, Jiang Yao had a smooth journey, progressing from a low-ranking scholar to the metropolitan examination.
It's March again, and this time almost everyone's attention is focused on Jiang Yao.
The Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.
Jiang Yao no longer goes to the Imperial Study. Instead, she stays at the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence every day to review her lessons. Jiang He has found many articles written by famous scholars for Jiang Yao to study and refer to.
Hearing the noise outside, Jiang Yao, who was in the study, initially thought it was her wet nurse bringing food, but after several knocks, she got up and opened the door.
"Prime Minister Kui, what brings you here?"
"Come and see the princess." Wei Ruo had a gentle smile on her face. Jiang Yao was someone Wei Ruo had watched grow up, and Wei Ruo came to see her in person before the exam.
"Minister Kui, please come in quickly."
Kui Ruo held a booklet in her hand. After sitting down, she handed the booklet to Jiang Yao. "These are some of Si Yuan's insights. She has also talked about these things to others. She said that because you have been in the Imperial Study and the Marquis's Mansion, she specially prepared this for you again."
"Please thank Sister Guo for me."
Jiang Yao took the booklet, her expression as if she had found a treasure.
“Princess, mindset is the most important thing before the exam. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.” Kui Ruo looked at Jiang Yao, who had lost a lot of weight. “Also, because of your participation in this imperial examination, the Emperor personally appointed Master Meng, who has not been out of the public eye for a long time, to grade the papers.”
Gu Qingyan was too familiar with Jiang Yao's handwriting, and even Wei Ruo herself was familiar with it. Under such circumstances, even if the candidate's name was covered up, it would be unfair to the other candidates.
That's why I specially went to invite Master Meng.
"Because of me, my cousin also went to great lengths."
Jiang Yao looked around at the books, the covers of which were worn out from being read so many times. "Minister Kui, I'm not actually that nervous, I'm just a little anxious."
“Throughout history, top scholars in the imperial examinations have been extremely rare. Since the establishment of the imperial examination system, the total number of top scholars has never exceeded one hundred.” Wei Ruo smiled. “Therefore, go with the flow and don’t be too hasty.”
“Minister Kui, I have my reasons for needing to pass the high school entrance exam.” Jiang Yao’s eyes darkened. “But I’m not that smart, so I have to work harder than everyone else.”
"Since the princess has a reason for wanting to pass the imperial examination, please tell me if you need any help."
"Thank you, Prime Minister Kui."
......
On the day of the imperial examination, Jiang Yao arrived at the examination venue in a carriage belonging to the Marquis of Dingyuan.
The crowd gathered outside the examination hall couldn't help but get excited when they saw Jiang Yao step off the carriage. She was a royal princess, who could live a life of luxury without having to take the imperial examinations.
Yet this very princess came to participate in the imperial examination with them.
"Yaoyao, I believe you can do it."
Jiang He looked at Jiang Yao earnestly, "But there's no need to feel pressured, your father is here for you."
"Alright, Father, you should go back now." Jiang Yao nodded with a smile. "And Mother, tell her not to worry about me when she comes back from the military camp."
Watching Jiang Yao walk towards the examination hall, Jiang He's heart trembled slightly.
After the imperial examination, Jiang Yao returned to the Marquis's residence and began to unlock the mechanical contraptions that she had kept hidden for a long time, gradually picking up the skills she had learned from Yun Mo.
"Princess, this mechanism is so ingenious!"
The wet nurse couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. At this moment, Jiang Yao's face showed a rare excitement. "This was all taught to me by my master. My master said I have a talent for learning mechanisms, but I have been studying all these years and have neglected to practice."
“The princess finally has some free time now,” the wet nurse said with a smile. “It will be at least seven or eight days before the results of the imperial examination are in.
"I want to spend more time with Dad and Mom during this period," Jiang Yao said, fiddling with the mechanism in her hand. "Of course, I also want to take a good look at these things again."
Also, we're waiting for the results of the provincial examination.
Jiang Yao wasn't the only one anxiously awaiting the results of the imperial examination; even Gu Qingyan had become unusually restless these past few days.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"Go and brew the Emperor a cup of chrysanthemum tea to calm his temper." After walking out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Yingzhi, looking disheveled, spoke to the eunuch outside the hall.
These past few days, he has felt countless times that his head is about to separate from his neck. He is so frightened by even a single glare from the emperor that he dares not breathe.
"Yes, this servant will go right away."
Yingzhi sighed heavily. He knew in his heart that the Emperor was also worried about the Princess.
Half an incense stick later, Gu Qingyan looked at the chrysanthemum tea that was served and drank it all in one gulp without any expression.
At the same time, Wei Ruo also arrived outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Yingzhi saw Kui Ruo as if he had seen his savior, "Prime Minister Kui, you've finally arrived! Please go in and see the Emperor."
"Okay, I'll go in and take a look."
The Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Kui Ruo looked at Gu Qingyan in front of her and smiled knowingly, "Is the Emperor also worried about the princess's matter?"
"I've seen all of Yaoyao's hard work over the years, and I'm really worried about her." Gu Qingyan pursed his lips. "You think it wouldn't be a big problem for me to ask Master Meng about the results beforehand?"
"emperor."
Kui Ruo said with some helplessness, "The Emperor invited Master Meng to come out of seclusion in order to give everyone a fair and just outcome. At this time, the Emperor should just wait for Master Meng to give the results."
"That's right, I'll wait a little longer."
After the results of the imperial examination were released, Jiang Yao's name was prominently listed.
"Princess, congratulations! You've passed the exam!" The servant ran back excitedly to report, and the entire Dingyuan Marquis's residence instantly erupted in excitement.
Jiang Yao stood up straight excitedly, "I passed the exam?"
"Absolutely true, I have personally verified it several times."
Jiang Yao burst into tears of joy, "Go tell Father and Mother the good news. I... I should prepare for the palace examination properly."
On the day of the palace examination, Jiang Yao wore a purple robe with a cinched waist and, like the other candidates who had entered the palace examination, picked up her pen and wrote furiously in the main hall.
Similarly, Gu Qingyan once again gave the right to grade the exam papers to Master Meng. As a renowned scholar, no one would question the results given by Master Meng.
After the palace examination, Jiang Yao finally felt relieved. She had done her best in everything she could.
Let fate decide what happens next.
In April, when spring was in full bloom, Jiang Yao received a congratulatory message from the imperial palace—she had become the top scholar in the imperial examination.
During the grand ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations, Jiang Yao listened to the eunuchs chanting her name one after another, as if she were in a dream. She had had this dream many times before.
As she rode through the streets, Jiang Yao kept her eyes fixed on the crowd, searching for the figure she longed for.
Suddenly, Jiang Yao froze.
A figure in dark ink appeared in Jiang Yao's line of sight.
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