Back at the manor, Chi Yan pulled Shen Tangning to the study. Watching him carefully close the doors and windows, as if trying to avoid being seen, the latter thoughtfully curled her lips: "What are you doing, husband?"
Chi Yan turned around and looked at her solemnly: "Someone really did leak the exam questions!"
Shen Tangning was taken aback, her voice rising slightly: "Oh?"
Chi Yan paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, his expression grave: "I noticed something was wrong as soon as I got the exam paper. The questions on it are almost identical to the ones Ji Wuyai sent before! Someone deliberately leaked the exam questions to profit from it; this is serious cheating!"
Having prepared herself mentally, Shen Tangning wasn't too surprised. She lowered her eyelashes slightly, feigning shock: "How dare they? If this gets out, those involved will be held accountable."
She looked relieved. "Thankfully, my husband wasn't involved."
Chi Yan turned his head, his eyes hesitant to speak: "But... with such large-scale cheating, the results of this scientific expedition are very likely to be invalidated."
Shen Tangning suddenly understood his worries: "Is my husband afraid that I will feel disappointed?"
He remained silent, his face showing a hint of dejection.
The provincial examinations in this dynasty are held every two years (originally every three years, but this text has been revised). If you miss this one, you have to wait another two years!
All the efforts of the past six months have gone to waste. Not to mention Shen Tangning, even he himself would feel resentful.
Chi Yan couldn't help but wonder if he was born without the destiny to be an official.
Touched, Shen Tangning gently comforted him, "My husband has done his best. As for other unexpected events, we couldn't have predicted them in advance, so how could I blame you for that?"
She had seen all of Chi Yan's hard work over the past few days and nights, and he was not the kind of person who would cause trouble. When she first asked Chi Yan to participate in the imperial examination, she did not have the idea that he should become an official.
After all, people have limited abilities. Chi Yan really isn't cut out for it. Can she force him?
She just wanted to find something for Chi Yan to do, so that he would have something to look forward to and not waste his days in mediocrity.
Furthermore, reading helps one understand principles, and perhaps Chi Yan can avoid the calamities of his previous life and embark on a completely different path.
Later, she gradually discovered that Chi Yan was not the good-for-nothing playboy he was rumored to be. He was very smart, insightful, and had unique views on politics.
He cherished the mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, and had a deep sense of righteousness towards the people. It would be a real pity if he didn't become an official.
Meeting her smiling eyes, Chi Yan was slightly taken aback, and his previously restless heart miraculously calmed down.
He pursed his lips, then curled the corners of his mouth into a smile, his voice slightly weak: "Don't you think it's a waste of time to waste on a piece of trash like me?"
Shen Tangning straightened her expression and frowned slightly: "I don't think my husband is a good-for-nothing, nor do I think that the investment I've made in you is a waste of time, so Chi Yan, you shouldn't underestimate yourself."
If he were truly hopeless, she would have given up long ago. It was only because she realized he was a diamond in the rough that she was willing to spend time carefully polishing him.
Her tone was unusually serious. Chi Yan's eyes widened slightly, and she nodded haphazardly, her ears turning slightly red.
Shen Tangning rarely called him by his name, but he felt that when she called him Chi Yan in a serious manner, it sounded much better than when she politely called him husband.
It's as if her husband could be anyone, but Chi Yan is only Chi Yan.
——
After the provincial examination, it would take at least half a month for the results to be released.
This is a long waiting process.
According to Young Master Chi, shouldn't we indulge ourselves after the exam?
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