Chapter 596: First Shock of the Spring Examination

Marquis Prefecture, Jia Cong's courtyard.

After the sisters finished breakfast, as the eldest sister, Yingchun couldn't help but worry, and carefully checked the items for Jia Cong's entry into the examination one more time before feeling at ease.

Xiangyun's nature was just to love liveliness, her temperament was not yet settled, and she didn't have the thoughts of affection and thoughtfulness like Yingchun and Daiyu, nor did she have the complex feelings of Baochai.

As for Xing Xiuyan, she understood contentment best; Jia Cong's examination box contained the soft pillow she had made, and she was already satisfied, with nothing else.

Once all of Jia Cong's entry matters were settled, the sisters chatted and laughed. They also saw Yuanyang bring two little maids over to convey Jia Mu's words. Since there was nothing to do, they just spent their time in the East Prefecture.

Time quickly approached noon. Because Wu'er didn't go to the West Prefecture today, and Ping'er had finished half a day of West Prefecture household chores, she also rushed to Jia Cong's courtyard to help.

Even Wang Xifeng, although it was inconvenient for her to move, had people carry her over in a sedan chair. Bearing the status of the eldest sister-in-law, she naturally had to come over to show her face on the eve of Jia Cong's entry into the examination.

At noon, the steward outside sent word that the teacher's wife, Madam Cui, had sent auspicious gifts, and had the maids in the inner courtyard bring the messenger in.

Because it was a gift sent by Jia Cong's teacher's sect, it attracted the curious gazes of everyone.

Jia Cong recognized the messenger as the personal maid of his teacher's wife, Madam Cui. She had brought an exquisite jujube wood food box, with beautiful lotus and white egret patterns carved on the outside, lifelike.

The maid said this was the rule of the Liu family: before every disciple entered the Metropolitan Examination, the household would prepare and send such a food box.

The lotus and white egrets carved on the outside of the box meant "continuous success in the examinations."

The maid opened the box, and Jia Cong and the others saw that it was divided into multiple compartments, neatly arranged with snow-white duck meat, green-shelled steamed crabs, and vermilion osmanthus flowers, arranged neatly, with bright colors, exuding a festive air.

The maid smiled and said, "These few items were all prepared by the Madam herself. The duck and crab—one for 'passing the first rank' and one for 'the first rank'—are meant to signify placing in the first rank.

These vermilion osmanthus flowers are naturally a sign of 'plucking the osmanthus in the Toad Palace.' The Madam is hoping that Young Master Jia will place on the Golden List this time, rank in the high tier, get what he wishes, and achieve the name of the 'Nine Jinshi of the Liu Sect'."

Jia Cong felt warm in his heart. Teacher's wife Madam Cui had always treated him as her own; giving family gifts before the examination was treating him as a disciple of the Liu sect.

Although he had now become the master of the East and West Prefectures of the Jia family, and the sisters in the household were close and loving to him, in terms of the recognition and belonging of elders, the Liu family's teacher and teacher's wife were far above Jia Mu.

After sending off Madam Cui's maid, a little servant came over from the East Road courtyard, saying that he had received Jia Zheng's instructions to ask about the time Jia Cong would leave the house to enter the Examination Hall today.

Actually, after half a year of hard study, day and night pondering the classics and current essays, for the sake of this life's imperial examination path, Jia Cong could be said to have exhausted all his strength.

Added to the fact that he was originally a Jieyuan of a prefecture and had been taught by the world's top masters, as long as he performed normally after entering, placing in the top three was not a problem at all.

Therefore, on this last day before entering the spring examination, he had completely let go of his worries, and his emotions were in a stable and relaxed state.

It was the close people around him who seemed to be much more nervous than him. Even Shi Xiangyun, who was usually carefree and loved to play and laugh, became soft-spoken when talking to him today.

This situation reminded Jia Cong somewhat of his previous life, facing major life examinations, those parents and friends who sent him off with anxiety, and those green, inexperienced youths...

Time passed quickly this day. After the Shen hour had just passed, the sun was setting in the west, and Jia Cong packed his things and left the house.

The East Prefecture steward had early on dismissed the little servants and male servants of the outer courtyard, because the sisters wanted to see Jia Cong off from the inner courtyard all the way to the East Corner Gate of the East Prefecture.

When Jia Cong and the sisters arrived, they actually saw Jia Zheng waiting there. Seeing the few people beside him, Jia Cong was even more surprised.

Jia Zheng had actually brought Baoyu, Jia Huan, Jia Lan, and other children and grandchildren; seeing this posture, they were here to see Jia Cong off to the Examination Hall.

Jia Zheng saw Jia Cong wearing a brand-new sapphire-blue round-collared robe, standing tall and handsome, with an extraordinary bearing, and couldn't help but nod with satisfaction.

He said, "Cong Ge'er has studied hard for many years and is finally going to embark on the path to the blue clouds today. Since the eldest brother of the Ning Prefecture passed the examination thirty years ago, the Jia family has finally been able to display the spirit of the literary champion again. How fortunate!"

He also said to the children and grandchildren beside him, "You must all remember Cong Ge'er's appearance today. A man should not waste his time in his youth; he can pass the examination in literature and protect the country in martial arts, so as not to waste his life.

You must never be addicted to wealth and laziness. When you grow older and the accumulation is too heavy to return, it will be too late to regret!"

Jia Cong heard Jia Zheng's earnest words to the children and grandchildren, and felt somewhat strange in his heart.

So Jia Zheng had brought them over to use him as an example, to encourage them, and to teach his children and grandchildren on the spot; he had finally become "the child of someone else's family"...

Jia Zheng could be considered to have painstaking efforts, but how much effect it would actually have was likely very limited.

Jia Cong saw Baoyu's face was pale, his hands and feet didn't know where to put them, and he had the look of someone facing execution, terrified all day long.

Jia Huan was much calmer, his eyes rolling around, and he had an obedient look toward his father's words, which was somewhat teachable.

Jia Lan was still young and was not the main object of Jia Zheng's teaching, but he was the one with the clearest expression among the three.

Perhaps it was because he had been taught by his widowed mother, Li Wan, since he was young, and his worldview had been guided quite correctly. His eyes looking at Jia Cong were filled with envy and admiration.

He said something a bit incoherent, "Third Uncle, may you place on the Golden List."

Jia Cong sighed slightly and smiled, touching his head; he estimated that this sentence was mostly taught by Li Wan before leaving the house.

Jia Cong saw three or four carriages parked at the West Corner Gate, and only after asking the inner courtyard steward did he know that Yingchun, Daiyu, and the others had asked the steward to prepare the vehicles, preparing to see Jia Cong off to the Examination Hall.

Although he felt the sisters' concern and attachment, he still said to Yingchun, "This year is a big year for the spring examination, and there are more than three thousand candidates. Although I have left the house an hour early,

the streets leading to the Examination Hall will surely be congested. It is very inconvenient for young ladies to go out at this time. Second Sister and the sisters can just see me off to the corner gate and wait for me to return to the prefecture after the examination."

Yingchun and the others had no choice but to give up, and asked the steward to bring more clever little servants to accompany the carriage all the way, helping Jia Cong enter the Examination Hall and returning to the prefecture to report in time.

By the time Jia Cong got into the carriage, he still saw Jia Zheng and the sisters standing there inside the East Corner Gate.

Just as he lowered the carriage curtain, preparing to let Jiang Liu drive the carriage, he suddenly heard the sound of rapid horse hooves behind him.

Jia Cong stood on the carriage shaft and looked back, seeing a slender woman wearing a moon-white Hu robe, with a veil hat on her head, galloping over.

The mane of the black steed under her crotch fluttered in the evening wind.

This precious horse that the woman was riding was the gift that Prince Kangshun had originally given to Jia Cong.

By the time the fast horse galloped to Jia Cong's carriage, the woman lifted her veil hat, revealing an exquisite face with skin as white as snow, a pair of beautiful eyes rippling with the meaning of the sea, and hair at her temples fluttering in the wind.

Jia Cong asked with some surprise, "Through Ai Li, why are you here?"

Through Ai Li smiled, "I heard from my mother that today is the day of entry for the spring examination. You have been reading books for many days without leaving the house, and I haven't seen you for a long time, so I came to see you off."

Jia Cong smiled, "After the spring examination, I won't have to waste time on the classics. When I have free time, I will accompany you out for a stroll."

Through Ai Li's delicate nose wrinkled slightly, "You said that yourself. After coming out of the Examination Hall, you are not allowed to go back on your word."

Jia Cong asked Through Ai Li to dismount and get into his carriage, but Through Ai Li preferred to ride a horse.

Jia Cong knew that she grew up in Liaodong; although she was a woman, she didn't love red makeup, only precious horses and fast knives. To her, riding a horse was likely more interesting than sitting in a carriage.

During this period of time, Jia Cong had been studying behind closed doors, worried that Through Ai Li would be bored all day, so he let her take his precious horse to ride and play.

Through Ai Li accompanied him on horseback, and Jia Cong didn't enter the carriage, just sat on the carriage shaft, and the two chatted and laughed all the way.

By the time the carriage reached Wenchang Road in the east of the city, they saw that the road was congested, and carriages were continuously entering Wenchang Street from the surrounding streets.

As soon as Jia Cong's carriage entered the intersection, he saw that the entire Wenchang Street was crowded with many carriages lined up from beginning to end.

He wanted to let the carriage back out of the intersection, but it was too late, because carriages soon followed behind, blocking the way back.

Wenchang Street was originally a prosperous street in the east of the city, with shops lined up on both sides and pedestrians bustling. With so many carriages pouring onto the road at once, it quickly became congested.

Pedestrians on the road were shoulder to shoulder, making it difficult to walk. The coachman pulled the reins tightly, fearing that the noise and chaos would disturb the livestock and cause trouble.

Consequently, all kinds of complaints, urging, and cursing on the road sounded together, appearing extremely chaotic and further exacerbating the congestion on the road.

From the carriages congested on the road, anxious passengers emerged from time to time; looking at their attire, they were all candidates for the examination, because Wenchang Road was the only way to the Examination Hall.

Through Ai Li, who was beside the carriage, smiled, "Before I came, I heard that Wenchang Road is the closest to the Examination Hall, and the road here is the widest. I suppose everyone wants to go this way, so it's blocked."

Jia Cong smiled bitterly, "The road is blocked, and you can still laugh."

Through Ai Li smiled, "So, I had the foresight to come by horse."

Jia Cong glanced at the divine black horse under Through Ai Li's crotch, and his eyes lit up slightly.

Through Ai Li smiled, "What are you waiting for? We only need to take a slightly longer route, and I guarantee we will arrive earlier than them, without delaying you from taking the Zhuangyuan."

Jia Cong took out the Western gilded pocket watch he carried with him. Although there was still plenty of time before the Examination Hall locked its doors, it was not safe to keep being blocked on Wenchang Road.

So he gave Jiang Liu a few instructions, and tied the bundled bedding, cloak, and the two bamboo tubes for water to the back of Through Ai Li's saddle.

He casually carried the examination box, stepped lightly on the stirrup, leaped onto the horse's back, and sat behind Through Ai Li.

Although the Wenchang Road intersection was not as congested as the center of the road, there were still many pedestrians and vehicles, and movement began to be somewhat inconvenient. He feared that before long, it would also become congested.

Through Ai Li smiled lightly. She had grown up on horseback since she was a child and had superb riding skills. She shook the reins and nimbly turned the horse's head, picking the gaps between the carriages at the intersection, galloping and weaving through. In just a moment, they walked out of the increasingly congested Wenchang Road intersection, and Jia Cong couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Through Ai Li trotted for a few steps and turned into a nearby street that was not wide but had few pedestrians.

She said, "We will take a slightly longer route and pick some easy roads, and we will surely arrive at the Examination Hall earlier than everyone else."

She suddenly smiled lightly, "Why are you sitting so stiffly, like an old scholar? It must be the rules your teacher taught you. You should hold my waist, be careful of being jolted off the saddle by the horse and falling."

Jia Cong smiled somewhat awkwardly. He held the examination box in his right hand and reached out with his left hand, holding Through Ai Li's slender waist.

Through Ai Li, like Jia Cong, had been practicing martial arts and knives since she was a child, with slender limbs and a flexible, powerful waist.

Jia Cong only felt it was warm, smooth, and soft, as if it could be held in one hand, and the fragrance permeated his body; it truly felt excellent...

Years ago, Jia Cong accidentally met Through Ai Li in Liaodong, and the two had charged into battle together on the battlefield, sharing life and death, with extraordinary affection.

If it weren't for Through Ai Li's ability to detect enemies with birds, Jia Cong would not have been able to make the great achievement of sweeping away the Jurchens, and thus would not have been granted the title of Marquis.

From this point of view, Through Ai Li was very significant to Jia Cong, and it was also he who had brought Through Ai Li and her mother back to the Love Shenjing to settle down.

!

For each other, they were the most special existence.

The steed galloped unhurriedly on the street. Ever since Through Ai Li settled in the Love Shenjing with Jia Cong, Jia Cong would always take her out for a stroll when he had free time, so she was already very familiar with the streets of the Love Shenjing.

The roads chosen for the horse to run were not prosperous streets, but there were not many pedestrians, so the horse hooves ran very smoothly, appearing unobstructed.

At this time, the night had crawled all over the sky, and the scenes on both sides of the road were retreating rapidly.

Originally, it was just a gentle evening breeze, but under the galloping horse hooves, it became more violent, revealing a firm and gentle strength, squeezing and wrapping the two on the saddle together.

As the horse galloped, Jia Cong's body couldn't help but press tightly against Through Ai Li's back, as if he could feel her beating heart, and on her exquisite and beautiful earlobes, that intoxicating shy red...

After galloping like this for a good while, they had entered the East Street of the Examination Hall. There were many carriages and horses rushing to the Examination Hall on the road, but it was far from the congestion of Wenchang Street.

Jia Cong could already see the huge archway towering in front of the Examination Hall from afar.

The four black lacquer characters "Open Heaven Literary Fortune" on the archway seemed to have a surging spirit of literary culture rushing toward his face, making people feel awe-struck.

At this time, on the East Street of the Examination Hall, there were already many candidates going to the Examination Hall to enter the palace; some were driving small black donkey carts, some were sitting in carriages with canopies, and some were walking on foot, all sorts of things.

But a peculiar scene like Jia Cong and a woman riding a horse together was unique. The etiquette of the current era was very strict.

Except for a very small number of daughters of military families, very few women rode horses on the street. For those families of officials and poets, this was even a somewhat rebellious act.

Not to mention that others saw the person riding the horse was a graceful young girl.

That moon-white Hu robe, with sloping shoulders and a slender waist, was charming and moving. Although she wore a veil hat and her appearance could not be seen, it was not difficult to guess that she was surely a person of extraordinary character.

And the youth behind this woman was youthful and vigorous, with a handsome and eye-catching appearance, holding an examination box; at a glance, he was a candidate for this year's examination.

After all, this way of Jia Cong entering the Examination Hall was somewhat too eye-catching.

Many scholars and candidates slandered Jia Cong in their hearts, saying he was so wild at such a young age, and in the grand spring examination, he was riding a horse with a woman, romantic and charming, showing off in public, which was not proper.

Through Ai Li reined in the horse, and the two jumped off the saddle, finding that there were already several long lines of candidates at the entrance of the Examination Hall, waiting for the officials to search and inspect before entering the Examination Hall to be locked in.

Although there were already many candidates present, compared to the more than three thousand candidates for this year's examination, this was only a small part.

Fortunately, Through Ai Li sent him off on horseback, which just happened to let him avoid the congestion of Wenchang Road and arrive at the Examination Hall a step early.

Jia Cong smiled at Through Ai Li, "It's getting late, you should go back early too. I will finish the examination and come out on the 27th, and we will go to Liufangju to drink tea and accompany you to taste the Su-style desserts there."

Through Ai Li smiled, "I will wait for you to come, you are not allowed to break your promise."

Jia Cong said goodbye to Through Ai Li with some difficulty, and walked into the line of candidates with his things in both hands.

Through Ai Li got back on the horse, held the reins and walked, and from time to time looked back at Jia Cong in the line of candidates.

At this moment, in the Temple of the Most Holy Teacher inside the Examination Hall, incense candles were curling, and twenty officials of the Ministry of Rites wearing vermilion sacrificial robes, each holding utensils, lined up for the sacrificial ceremony.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao ordered Grand Secretary of the Cabinet Cai Xiang and Minister of Rites Guo Youchang to preside over the offering to the Most Holy Teacher Confucius.

The three chief examiners of the spring examination and eighteen associate examiners lined up behind the two in order, solemnly kowtowing, paying respects, and offering incense to the spirit tablet of the Most Holy Teacher.

There was also a prayer official of the Ministry of Rites who unfolded the yellow satin imperial edict and brocade, cursing and announcing to heaven and earth: The grand ceremony of the spring examination is to select talent for the country, fair and strict, without missing any pearls, heaven and earth together witness, people and gods together clear...

Such a sacrificial ceremony to the Most Holy Teacher was a grand Confucian ceremony that must be completed before every spring examination.

After the sacrificial ceremony was completed, Grand Secretary of the Cabinet Cai Xiang and Minister of Rites Guo Youchang left the Examination Hall immediately, and all matters of this year's spring examination were officially taken over by the three chief examiners.

The Wenhuazhong bell set up in the Examination Hall rang, and the booming bell sound echoed in all directions.

The bell would ring every quarter of an hour. After the bell rang three times, if there were still candidates who had not arrived at the Examination Hall, their eligibility for the examination would be canceled.

As the Wenhuazhong bell rang, the gates of the Examination Hall opened, and the inspection officials who had been waiting in battle array began to inspect the candidates entering the Examination Hall.

As the Wenhuazhong bell rang, it cast a silent majesty and oppression into the heart of every candidate...

The long line of candidates began to move forward slowly.

The search and inspection for candidates entering the spring examination were still very strict and meticulous, but the attitude of the officials responsible for the search toward the candidates was much better than that of the provincial examination.

Unless the candidate being searched had an unusual expression and obvious doubts appeared during the search process, there was basically no embarrassing scene of stripping off clothes and pants.

Because all the candidates entering the Metropolitan Examination were the best among the scholars, and almost all possessed considerable talent.

They were able to step into the final stage of the imperial examination, the spring examination, and all cherished this opportunity to climb the blue clouds extremely; unless their minds were too muddled, they usually would not cheat during entry, leading to their own ruin.

Moreover, as candidates, they had already stepped into the ranks of scholar-officials and already had the qualifications to be selected as officials.

Even among the candidates, there were not a few who, like Jia Cong, already held official positions.

Therefore, as long as they were in a normal state, the officials responsible for the inspection would maintain some decency.

By the time Jia Cong entered the pass, his clothes were simply searched to ensure there was no concealment, and the examination box was also opened layer by layer for inspection.

Xing Xiuyan indeed had foresight; the soft pillow she made was indeed opened, but fortunately, the buttons were fastened in advance, so it was naturally not damaged.

For the bamboo tube for water that Jia Cong carried, the inspection official asked him to drink it on the spot to prevent any fraud.

Just as he was about to be somewhat annoyed, at this moment, a figure looking like an official whispered a low drink in the official's ear.

The official looked at Jia Cong with a surprised expression, immediately stopped the inspection, handed Jia Cong a bamboo slip for the cubicle, and let him enter the Examination Hall.

Jia Cong recognized that official; he was none other than Liu Shuyou, a Grade 5 official of the Ministry of Rites. It seemed he was also an official for this spring examination.

Jia Cong was the dignified Jieyuan of the Yongzhou provincial examination, and his talent had shocked the world. No one would believe that such a person would cheat, and Liu Shuyou was just doing a favor.

The two nodded slightly, and Jia Cong carried his things and stepped into the Examination Hall with his head held high.

All candidates entering the Examination Hall had to first go to the main hall of the Examination Hall to pay respects to the three chief examiners of this spring examination before entering the cubicles.

This was also their teacher after they passed the examination—of course, provided they could pass.

Jia Cong followed the other candidates, led by the little official of the Examination Hall, and went to the main hall of the Examination Hall one after another.

At this time, the surroundings of the main hall of the Examination Hall were lit like stars, bright as day, and many candidates waiting to pay respects to the chief examiners had already gathered.

However, the little official of the Examination Hall responsible for leading the way only let twenty candidates enter the main hall to pay respects to the chief examiners each time.

After all, the area of the main hall was limited and could not accommodate too many candidates at once.

Every time candidates entered the hall to pay respects, the accompanying little official would sing out the official titles and names of the chief examiners to show respect.

Which of the candidates present had not gone to see the imperial edict for the spring examination posted at the entrance of the Examination Hall that day? Naturally, they all knew who the three chief examiners were.

When the first batch of candidates entered the hall to pay respects, the little official's voice singing out the chief examiners' names rang out clearly.

Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and Minister of Revenue, Lord Wang Shilun; Minister of Personnel, Lord Chen Mo; Vice Minister of Revenue, Lord Xu Liangxiong...

Whether it was the candidates paying respects inside the hall or the candidates waiting outside, hearing the names of the first two chief examiners, their expressions were as usual.

However, when the third chief examiner's name was sung out clearly by that little official, almost all the candidates had surprised expressions, and some even had their expressions change drastically... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 597 =====