Chapter 487: Zaizhang is so sensible! [Thanks! Thanks again! 37 owed]

August 3rd,

The second quarter of the Chen hour (around 7:30 AM).

Sheng Family School,

Xu Zaijing, who had been reading for more than an hour, stretched vigorously.

While stretching, Xu Zaijing looked suspiciously at the empty Luo Han chair in front of the school.

At this hour in the past, the scholar would have already been sitting in the chair.

Changfeng, who heard the movement, turned his head and said: "Jing-ge, do you know why the scholar hasn't come yet?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head.

Rulan on the other side whispered: "The scholar... he wouldn't be sick, would he?"

Just as she finished speaking,

Rulan saw Changbai looking back from the front, and knowing she had made a slip of the tongue, she immediately covered her mouth and lowered her head.

After a few exchanges,

the school fell into silence again.

But because Scholar Zhuang hadn't come, the atmosphere was very relaxed.

Qi Heng, sitting in the middle, took a deep breath, put down his brush, looked relaxed toward the outside of the school, and took the opportunity to glance at Minglan.

The first quarter of the Si hour (after 10:00 AM).

"Cough, cough."

A coughing sound came from far away outside the school,

and before long,

Scholar Zhuang walked in with his hands behind his back, holding his folding fan.

Taking a look at the school,

Scholar Zhuang could tell who had been studying and who was just putting on a show.

He walked to the Luo Han chair and sat down.

"Tap, tap!"

Scholar Zhuang tapped the desk lightly with his folding fan.

Waiting for the students to look up, Scholar Zhuang said: "The examiners in charge of this examination entered the examination hall the day before yesterday to be locked in, and the candidates will prepare to enter the tribute hall the morning after tomorrow! I assume you have already known about this."

Hearing this, Changbai, Qi Heng, and the others nodded lightly and involuntarily.

Everyone's family had elders who were officials, so they had heard about the examiners entering the tribute hall that very evening.

Scholar Zhuang continued: "But because of His Majesty's birthday this month, many officials in the capital have been seconded to the Ministry of Rites."

Liu Jun, the eldest son of the Liu family of Changping, who often produced civil official envoys and knew Bianjing very well, said: "That is the Chai family's tent of Great Zhou! The Chai family's youngest daughter is also here today!"

"Ah? Scholar, isn't this time too tight?"

Zaizhang, sitting in the front row, spoke up.

Xu Zaijing and the others nodded one after another. In previous years, after the provincial examination, it would take at least ten or twenty days to grade the papers, but now it was actually compressed into seven or eight days.

Looking at the whispering crowd, Scholar Zhuang said: "This is not something you need to consider. Focusing on preparing for the examination is the real business!"

Everyone responded.

The sun slanted to the west,

and the sound of Scholar Zhuang lecturing on questions in the school stopped.

After taking a sip of the somewhat cool throat-soothing drink, Scholar Zhuang said: "The imperial examination is a major event in life. You should pay more attention to your diet and daily life these two days."

"Yes, Scholar."

Changbai, Xu Zaijing, and the others nodded one after another.

"Alright, everyone, let's meet again on the 9th!"

After speaking, Scholar Zhuang stood up, waved his hand, and walked out.

"Respectfully send off the scholar."

Everyone bowed, cupped their hands, or curtsied and said.

The next day,

The last quarter of the Mao hour (7:00 AM).

Shou'an Hall,

"Madam, sit down!"

The Old Madam smiled and gestured with her hand.

"Yes, Mother."

Wang Ruofu followed the direction of the Old Madam's hand and sat opposite her.

"Mother, you say Changbai is also... it's not easy for him not to go to school today! As a result, I heard from Yanghao that he still got up early today and worked hard in the study!"

As she spoke,

Wang Ruofu smiled at Minglan, who was serving her tea.

The Old Madam smiled: "Changbai's effort is a good thing! Only after passing the provincial examination and becoming a scholar can he continue to take higher exams."

"Mother is right, I... I was also afraid that Changbai would tire himself out."

At the door, Cui Mama walked over holding a handkerchief, curtsied, and said: "Old Madam, Madam, Wei Xiaoniang and Zhen Ge'er have come to pay their respects."

The Old Madam nodded,

and soon Wei Shuyi walked in carrying a tray with her son. After the mother and son paid their respects, Wei Shuyi said:

"Old Madam, Madam, tomorrow the two young masters of the family will enter the tribute hall, but the weather is already autumn, and the morning wind is cool. The two young masters have to rush early for three consecutive days, so I embroidered two forehead bands for the two young masters to prepare for wind protection."

"If it gets hot at noon, they can also wear them to block the sweat."

Hearing this,

Fang Mama took the tray and placed it on the small table on the Luo Han bed.

Minglan led Changzhen to the side.

Wang Ruofu and the Old Madam each took a forehead band and felt them. The Old Madam nodded approvingly with a smile on her lips, and Wang Ruofu said: "You have a heart."

The Old Madam put down the forehead band and beckoned to Changzhen. After Changzhen came to her, the Old Madam hugged him to her side: "Zhen'er, when you grow up, you must also take the imperial examination like your two elder brothers."

Changzhen looked at Wei Shuyi and nodded heavily.

"Send them over."

Wang Ruofu said to Liu Mama.

The two forehead bands were embroidered with the names of Changbai and Changfeng, so there was no fear of mixing them up.

The next day,

The first day of the provincial examination,

In the early morning, the sky was slightly bright, and many people had gathered outside the Bianjing tribute hall.

The provincial examination is different from the metropolitan examination.

Although both are held for three consecutive days, candidates can return home every day after entering early and leaving late, so everyone doesn't need to bring much.

In front of the Xu family carriage,

Xu Zaijing bowed and cupped his hands: "Father, Mother, Sister-in-law, this child is entering the hall now."

Xu Minghua and Sun Shi nodded with a smile.

Xu Xingdai, who was in Xie Shi's arms, was shaken awake by his mother. He waved at Xu Zaijing with sleepy eyes, and when he turned to the other side to wave at Zaizhang, he looked at the empty space and whispered suspiciously to Sun Shi: "Grandmother, where is Uncle?"

Sun Shi glared at Marquis Yongyi Xu Minghua, then pointed to the other side not far away: "Your uncle is over there."

On the other side, where the Sheng family was.

Zaizhang was walking toward the main gate of the tribute hall with Changbai and Changfeng.

Wang Ruofu held Hualan's hand, looked at Zaizhang's back with great satisfaction in her eyes, and whispered to Hualan with a smile: "Your husband is still sensible, knowing to let you come to send off your younger brother. That brat of a younger brother of his doesn't even know to come and pay his respects."

Sheng Hong on the side pursed his lips, glanced at Wang Ruofu who was speaking with some disgust, and shook his head slightly.

Hualan said: "Mother, just now I was busy talking to my younger brothers and didn't ask you, where is that girl Rulan?"

Wang Ruofu waved at Changbai and replied: "That girl hasn't woken up yet, so I didn't let her follow."

"Mother, it's not that I'm saying anything, but you spoil Rulan too much."

"She is still young and doesn't understand..." As she spoke, Wang Ruofu patted Hualan's arm soothingly.

"Mother, if it weren't for your son-in-law, I wouldn't have come! Look at my sister-in-law, she has been staying at the Gu family's side and hasn't come over to talk."

Hualan said, pointing in the direction of the Ningyuan Hou Gu family.

There, Pingmei was holding Bai Shi's arm, Gu Tingyi was holding his nephew Gu Shixing, and Gu Yankai was holding his little granddaughter with a doting face.

Wang Ruofu looked at Pingmei, poked Hualan's arm with her finger, and said: "Then you didn't go back to your maiden home to see your younger brother last night like Zaizhang's sister did! You are not as sensible as your husband either!"

"I..."

Looking at her eldest daughter who was speechless for a moment, Wang Ruofu raised her chin triumphantly.

Sheng Hong on the side said: "Alright! My Hua'er is married into the Marquis's mansion, how can she come back whenever she wants. Go back, your mother and I are leaving too."

Hualan smiled and curtsied to Sheng Hong, who had relieved her: "Father, Mother, this daughter is going over now."

Wang Ruofu let go of her hand with some reluctance.

Watching Hualan turn and leave, Sheng Hong said: "Hua'er!"

Hualan stopped and looked back: "Father?"

Wang Ruofu also looked at Sheng Hong curiously.

Sheng Hong instructed: "A few days after the provincial examination ends, it will be the Autumn Festival. When you return to your maiden home, you must bring Zhong'er!"

"This daughter knows."

Hualan said with a smile and left with Cuichan.

Seeing the Xu Hou couple looking over from afar, the Sheng Hong couple hurriedly smiled, cupped their hands, and nodded.

On the afternoon of the first day of the provincial examination,

at the main gate of the tribute hall,

Xu Zaijing was walking side-by-side with Changbai, carrying his book box.

"Changbai, Fifth Young Master!"

Gu Tingye chased after them with a few quick steps from behind and said excitedly: "The questions today, that morning we..."

Before Gu Tingye could finish, he saw Xu Zaijing shaking his head at him.

"Fifth Young Master, what's wrong?"

Gu Tingye asked.

Xu Zaijing said: "Second Young Master, let's wait until we finish the three-day exam before talking about the questions, so as to avoid anything affecting the exams tomorrow and the day after."

Changbai nodded on the side: "Second Young Master, Fifth Young Master's words make sense."

Gu Tingye was stunned for a moment, then nodded repeatedly, but his eyes were full of joy.

After getting further away from the main gate of the tribute hall,

the little maids and servants of the three of them all came up to meet them.

Giving the book box to Qingyun, Xu Zaijing took the water bottle handed over by Huaxiang and took a sip.

Then, Xu Zaijing looked at a carriage in the distance with a feeling.

After Zaizhang also came out of the main gate, everyone left one after another.

Quyuan Street,

at the second gate of the Marquis's mansion,

Xu Zaijing and Zaizhang got off the carriage.

Looking at the carriage parked beside the racecourse, Zaizhang asked suspiciously: "Who is here?"

Xu Zaijing looked carefully and smiled: "It seems to be the carriage of Fourth Sister's family."

The two were talking as they entered the backyard.

"Third Young Master, Fifth Young Master are back."

Following the maid's announcement,

Xu Zaijing and the other entered Sun Shi's room.

Zaizhang looked at Anmei, who was sitting beside Hualan and stood up with a smile to curtsy, and laughed: "Little Five wasn't wrong, it really is you girl!"

Xu Zaijing bowed: "Fourth Sister."

Anmei smiled and nodded at Xu Zaijing.

After Xu Zaijing and Zaizhang sat down,

Xu Zaijing said: "Sister, didn't my nephew come with you?"

Anmei shook her head: "My mother-in-law said that after the Autumn Festival in a few days, Bi'er will come over with me."

The name of Xu Zaijing's little nephew from the Huyan family had already been decided; his name was Huyan Bi.

"Looking at the two of you, it seems today went quite well?"

Listening to Anmei's words,

Zaizhang exchanged a triumphant look with Hualan and said to Xu Zaijing with a smile: "It was okay, right, Little Five!"

Xu Zaijing nodded.

"That's good! Tomorrow morning I will accompany my brothers and Little Five to the tribute hall, so that Father, Mother, and sisters-in-law can rest."

Anmei smiled.

Xu Zaijing asked suspiciously: "Fourth Sister, are you staying at home tonight?"

Anmei shook her head: "Your brother-in-law's place is closer to the tribute hall!"

Zaizhang said with some reproach: "Then why are you running back and forth? Just go directly tomorrow morning!"

Anmei looked at Sun Shi with some embarrassment and said: "Eldest sister came once, I... I couldn't not come."

Xu Zaijing turned to take the drink handed over by Qingcao, lowered his head to take a sip, and understood in his heart that it was probably his mother who had asked Fourth Sister Anmei to come.

When Anmei came, she might have been nagged by her mother: "Your marriage isn't as good as your sister's, and you don't even know how to be diligent when your brothers are taking the imperial examination."

Then, given Fourth Sister Anmei's lively temperament, she must have argued: "Third Brother and Little Five study hard and will definitely pass the provincial examination; it won't be too late for me to come and cheer them on before the metropolitan examination."

When Xu Hou returned home,

when the whole family was having dinner, Xu Minghua, seeing his youngest daughter, ate an extra bowl of rice.

After the meal, they talked for a while, and Sun Shi said: "Alright, it's getting late, you have to get up early tomorrow, everyone go back."

Everyone stood up and left.

When sending Anmei to the second gate,

Xu Zaijing vaguely heard his mother Sun Shi, who was walking in front, warning Anmei in a low voice: "If you can't get up tomorrow morning, I definitely won't spare you!"

Chai Family,

Qiusheng Garden,

In the bedroom,

The armor on the puppet was polished until it shone, reflecting the candlelight in the room.

Fuyi walked out carrying a copper basin of hot water.

Ziteng squatted on a small stool, held Chai Zhengzheng's delicate feet in her arms, wiped them carefully with a towel, and whispered: "Da Niangzi, this servant noticed outside the tribute hall this afternoon that the Xu family's young master and his classmates were talking and laughing, very relaxed. It seems they weren't stumped."

Chai Zhengzheng, wearing pajamas, supported the side of the bed with both hands, looked at the puppet, and nodded: "I heard he has been getting up early to read every day for these years. With such effort, the provincial examination must not be able to stump him!"

"Da Niangzi is right, and there is also a good teacher like Scholar Zhuang." Miss Yun Mu, who was carrying a jewelry box, walked over and said.

Listening to Miss Yun Mu's words, Chai Zhengzheng laughed: "Scholar Zhuang's tuition is expensive, and there's a reason for it!"

As she spoke, Chai Zhengzheng pulled her dried delicate feet back onto the bed.

Miss Yun Mu put down the jewelry box, walked to the side to help Chai Zhengzheng tidy her hair, and continued: "Da Niangzi, the matches at the polo field outside Jinming Pool these days are very lively! The Liang family has sent invitations several times, and you won't go even once?"

Hearing Miss Yun Mu's words, Ziteng, who had stood up in front of the bed, looked at Chai Zhengzheng with some hope.

These maids had been hearing about this often lately.

Chai Zhengzheng sat on the edge of the bed hugging her knees: "If his provincial examination results aren't posted, I won't feel comfortable watching polo, so I might as well not go."

Ziteng said helplessly: "Da Niangzi, this is just the provincial examination. When it comes to the metropolitan examination, what will you worry about!"

Chai Zhengzheng was speechless for a moment, sighed, and whispered: "What can I do... I'm not a sure thing either."

Miss Yun Mu, standing behind Chai Zhengzheng, glared at Ziteng who had spoken, and said: "Da Niangzi, Ziteng said that the Xu family's young master is very relaxed, perhaps he will pass the provincial examination! The Xu family's young master and Second Young Master Gu are also very good at polo. This servant thinks that after the provincial examination, they will probably go to play polo to dampen the prestige of the Northern Liao polo team's winning streak."

Chai Zhengzheng sat cross-legged, placed her elbows on her knees, supported her chin with both hands, and whispered: "Hmm, it's probably going to be like that!"

Miss Yun Mu continued: "Da Niangzi, you, Fifth Da Niangzi Zhang, and Da Niangzi Tingyi all play polo well. As the saying goes, three lieutenants are equal to one Zhuge Liang. If you go to the polo field to take a look, maybe after the Xu family's young master and the others really face Northern Liao, you can work with Da Niangzi Tingyi and the others to help devise strategies!"

Chai Zhengzheng's eyes lit up when she heard this. She slowly straightened her back, sat up straight, turned her head, and looked at Miss Yun Mu appreciatively: "That's right! Then let's go tomorrow!"

The second day of the provincial examination,

The first quarter of the Wei hour (after 1:00 PM).

Not far from Jinming Pool in the west of the city,

although the sun was quite strong,

it couldn't stop the Wu Lou, which was adjacent to the polo field, from being filled with guests wearing silk and satin.

Looking around from the Wu Lou,

one could see that the trees beside the polo field were also filled with people sitting or standing.

"Melon seeds, chicken feet, sweet wine~"

In the tents inside the field, one could still hear the hawking of the surrounding vendors.

Rong Xian, who was on leave today, looked not far away, where Zhang Shipan was wearing a sash and forehead band, looking high-spirited, and was riding a horse preparing to enter the field.

Zhang Shipan, who was already handsome, looked quite dashing dressed up like this.

Rong Xian spat on the ground with some depression: "Pah! When there are no tigers in the mountains, monkeys claim to be kings! This guy just knows that Jing-ge'er is taking the provincial examination today and won't come here!"

A group of fox friends in the tent echoed one after another.

After cursing, Rong Xian looked at the Chai family's tent where people were sitting not far away with a sense of loss, and sighed: "Sigh~"

It was also at this time,

in the tent of the Northern Liao delegation's polo team,

Zhao Weigan, who was preparing to enter the field, looked suspiciously to the side and said: "We have to lose to this guy?"

"Yes, this person comes from the Great Zhou Emperor's imperial guards, so we can't disrespect the Emperor's face! And don't lose too obviously!"

Zhao Weigan: "Alright! I'll tell them right away!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 488 =====