The day of the provincial examination finally arrived. There would be three sessions, held on the 9th, 12th, and 15th of the month.
The male examinee remained in the cell alone for nine consecutive days, eating and sleeping there until the end of the exams before being released.
This kind of abnormal examination was a form of torture for the candidates. However, since women participated in this provincial examination, the government adopted some humane measures and did not impose such strict requirements on the women.
This made it much more comfortable for women to participate in the provincial examinations.
However, the exam time and content were the same as for the men, which was also a test of the women's knowledge and physical fitness.
Fortunately, this was the first time the women had participated in the provincial examination. The total number of female candidates in Huizhou Prefecture was more than three hundred, which was less than one-tenth of the number of male candidates.
Nine days later, the provincial examination finally ended. The next day, the candidates began to leave the provincial capital and return to their hometowns, waiting for the results of the provincial examination to be announced half a month later.
Just as the family was eagerly awaiting the results of the provincial examination, Ouyang Nan returned from the capital. This time, he was granted a two-month leave to visit his family.
Ouyang Nan has changed a lot in the three years in the capital. He is now seventeen years old and looks just like Li Guang back then.
Ouyang Nan is currently still working at the Hanlin Academy. Since becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination, he has served as a reader in the Hanlin Academy, holding the rank of sixth grade, which is quite an achievement for a young official.
Three years ago, when Ouyang Nan went to Beijing to take up his post, Shuixian Village had just been upgraded to Shuixian Town, and he still had vivid memories of everything in his hometown.
By this time, Shuixian Town had become the county seat of Zhengyang County. From a distance, it was a bustling town, and there was no trace of its former self.
Unlike traditional county towns, the new county town has no city walls or gates. People can enter and leave the county town day or night. However, to enter the county town, one must pass through sentry posts and be inspected by government officials.
Ouyang Nan returned to Shuixian Town without prior notice, so Zhao Xian was unaware of his return.
When Ouyang Nan's carriage arrived at the sentry post, a constable came forward to question him.
Seeing that there were yamen runners conducting an inspection, Ouyang Nan got off the carriage, and one of his attendants also got off the carriage.
Ouyang Nan was dressed casually; from his appearance, he was just an ordinary scholar.
There are many people entering and leaving the county town, and they all have to pass through the checkpoints. The yamen runners on duty do not question everyone who enters the town; they only question unfamiliar people from other places.
The constable sized up Ouyang Nan and said:
"Where are you from, and what brings you to the county town?"
"My name is Ouyang Nan, a native of Shuixian Town. I come from the capital and am returning home to visit my relatives."
The constable was taken aback. The name Ouyang Nan sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
As soon as Ouyang Nan's name was mentioned, two people rushed over. They were patrol members. The village's patrol team had been established for many years. Even though Shuixian Town had become a county town and there were now full-time yamen runners to carry out patrol duties, this patrol team had not been disbanded.
Villager patrols are a long-standing tradition in Shuixian Village. The original villagers of Shuixian Village feel very close to this patrol team, and seeing this team reminds them of the Shuixian Village of the past.
The patrol team members were very familiar with the original villagers. They had watched Ouyang Nan grow up, and even though Ouyang Nan had changed a lot, the two patrol team members still recognized him at a glance.
“Ouyang Nan, you’re back. No, I should now address you as Lord Ouyang.”
Although Ouyang Nan didn't know the names of the two patrolmen, he was very familiar with their appearances, as they were his elders.
"Greetings, uncles. It's been a long time. I've come back from Beijing to visit relatives." Ouyang Nan bowed to the two men.
Everyone in the village knew that Ouyang Nan was an official in the capital, a position even higher than that of a county magistrate. When officials from the capital bowed to them, the two men felt unworthy of such respect.
Only then did the two constables realize that this year's top scholar was Ouyang Nan, a golden phoenix that had flown out of Shuixian Town.
We were all so blind to recognize him; we deserve to die.
"So the top scholar has arrived! We were blind and have offended you greatly. Please forgive us, Lord Ouyang." The two quickly bowed and paid their respects.
"Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities. This is your duty. I'll go into the city now and won't disturb you any longer."
After Ouyang Nan finished speaking, he turned around and got into the carriage. His attendant shouted, and the carriage began to enter the village.
The two patrolmen from earlier had already turned and left, rushing to the Marquis's mansion to deliver the message.
When Ouyang Nan arrived at the Marquis's mansion, the whole family rushed out of the house and stood at the door to greet him.
Ouyang Nan quickly got off the carriage, and the crowd immediately surrounded him.
"Brother, you're finally back." Ouyang Xiaoyu was so happy that tears streamed down her face.
Ouyang Nan stepped forward, wiped away Ouyang Xiaoyu's tears, and spoke excitedly.
"Xiaoyu, don't cry. Your brother is back, isn't he? The court has granted us two months' leave this time, so we can spend some time together."
After Ouyang Nan finished speaking, he looked up, saw Zhao Xian, and his eyes began to moisten.
He walked up to Zhao Xian and carefully examined him.
It has been exactly ten years since Zhao Xian transmigrated here, and he is no longer young.
At this moment, Ouyang Nan was extremely excited. The person in front of him was his benefactor, who not only raised him and his sister but also gave them everything. Without Zhao Xian's kindness, he and his sister would not be where they are today.
Ouyang Nan pulled Xiaoyu to kneel down before Zhao Xian, and then respectfully kowtowed.
Zhao Xian quickly stepped forward, helped the two up, and said:
"What's going on here? We're all family, there's no need for this. You just came back from the capital, you must be exhausted. Come inside and we can talk."
The group quickly went inside and sat down, then began to chat. They were very interested in how Ouyang Nan had become the top scholar in the imperial examination, how he participated in the palace examination, how he was paraded through the streets, how the emperor received him, and so on. They asked Ouyang Nan to tell them about it.
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