Seeing Chi Yan sitting by the window deep in thought, Shen Tangning couldn't help but tease him, "What were the two gentlemen talking about? Why does my husband seem so absent-minded?"
She came to Chi Yan's side, and the latter came to his senses, his expression unusually puzzled: "Ji Wuyai brought me a civil service examination paper, saying that the questions were predicted by the teachers of the Imperial Academy. I think this is a bit strange."
Although he only glanced at it, he vaguely noticed that the topic of the policy essay echoed some of the policies introduced by the central government in the second half of this year.
If the examiners of the imperial examinations were to set the questions, they might actually ask questions like that.
That's why he felt something was wrong.
"Exam paper?" Shen Tangning was taken aback, and something flashed through her mind.
She asked uncertainly, "Does my husband mean the exam papers were prepared by the teachers at the Imperial Academy?"
Chi Yan nodded, puzzled. "Yes, what's wrong?"
Shen Tangning frowned, suddenly recalling some past events.
In the twenty-fourth year of Chongde's reign, a shocking case of cheating in the imperial examinations occurred!
Before the exam, someone leaked the exam questions and sold them to test takers at a high price for profit.
After the incident was exposed, all candidates involved had their examination results cancelled. Those with minor offenses were banned from taking the exam for life, while those with serious violations were imprisoned or exiled.
As for the examiners involved, they were all executed.
The reason she remembered it so clearly was because her younger brother, Shen Ci, had also participated in the imperial examination. However, Shen Ci did not buy the exam questions. After the re-examination, it was confirmed that his score was genuine, and the matter was dropped.
But this case is scheduled for next year's spring imperial examination, so how could it be brought forward?
Shen Tangning looked up at Chi Yan with surprise and doubt, and asked tentatively, "Husband, have you seen that exam paper?"
Chi Yan said frankly, "I glanced at it and tore it up." He coughed awkwardly, meeting her bright gaze. "Although I may be useless, I still have backbone, okay? If this exam paper really predicted the questions correctly, how would that be fair to the other candidates?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Tangning couldn't help but smile slightly. This was precisely what she admired about Chi Yan. Although he was somewhat unreliable, he was very clear-headed and had a strong sense of chivalry.
“It’s good that you think that way, my husband. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” She frowned slightly and said earnestly, “Besides, you’ve been working hard day and night for the past few months. I believe that even without these external things, you can still achieve good results.”
Chi Yan couldn't help but feel a little smug. So that's how amazing he was in Shen Tangning's eyes?
"Husband? Husband?"
Chi Yan suddenly snapped back to reality, his expression serious: "What's wrong?"
Shen Tangning, still worried, cautioned, "Even if it doesn't work this time, there will be another time. Husband, don't let a small thing lead you astray."
Chi Yan was startled and nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, I haven't even looked at the answers. The exam paper has already been torn up."
"That's good." Her eyes crinkled into a smile.
He felt a strange flutter in his heart, his eyelashes trembled, and he awkwardly looked away.
Shen Tangning so desperately wanted him to pass the imperial examination and become a high-ranking official. Instead of encouraging him to seize such a good opportunity, she reminded him not to go astray.
Does this prove that, in her eyes, his life is more important than his future?
——
The next day, because the candidates needed to enter the examination room a day in advance, the second family got up early and escorted Chi Yan to the examination room.
Madam Chi, still worried, instructed, "I've prepared all your food, clothing, and other necessities. Don't go hungry or cold!"
Chi Yan was so tired of hearing this that she could hardly stand it anymore, and she just nodded repeatedly: "I know, Mother, this isn't the first time I've ever been on a wedding sedan chair!"
"You brat!" Madam Chi barely suppressed the urge to hit him. Forget it, the exam is more important; she could punish him after it was over. She forced a smile. "My good son, I was just worried about you."
Her tone was so gentle it was almost sweet, giving Chi Yan goosebumps.
He resisted the urge to look away from the mushy scene and instead looked at Shen Tangning.
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