Chapter 605: The System for Rising in the World through the Imperial Examination (14)

Xie Yang's thinness is actually not exaggerated; the slimming effect of the Fat-Elimination Pill is subtle and gradual.

However, she had taken a Physical Fitness Potion on the day she transmigrated, which greatly improved her physical condition. Coupled with a high volume of exercise—morning runs and training, staying busy all day—and a diet much more mindful than the original body's, she stopped gorging on greasy fatty meat and focused on a balanced intake of meat and vegetables. Thus, the initial slimming effect was quite good; in just half a month, she went from over 160 jin to 130 jin.

Even with a large base weight, losing thirty-some jin in less than a month is truly significant!

If not for the fact that she took the Physical Fitness Potion and that Spirit Spring Water was added to the Fat-Elimination Pill, which allowed her to maintain skin elasticity throughout the weight loss process, an average person losing thirty or forty jin would have skin so loose it could rival an old lady's.

Even though Fang Shi saw her little daughter every day, she felt she had thinned out quite a bit and looked much better, not to mention Xie Hao and Xie Miao.

Xie Yang looked at her two stunned sisters with a smile: "Big Sister, Second Sister, do you want to slim down and become beautiful with me?"

"!!!"

Could they do it too?

"Of course you can! Who says a fat person is always a fat person? And I believe that once Big Sister and Second Sister slim down, you will look even better than me." After all, every fat person is a potential stock!

"..."

Whether they would look better than their little sister, they couldn't guarantee, but who wouldn't be happy to be able to slim down?

Not to mention anything else, just making new clothes every year would save some Fabric.

Just like that, the two sisters were successfully led off-topic by Xie Yang, surrounding her to discuss how to make their bloated, out-of-shape figures become slender and graceful...

Fang Shi: "..."

Weren't they supposed to be back to help her sew the wedding quilt and wedding attire?

When the first rain of sweet-scented osmanthus drifted over Guixiang Town, Song Yanqing, whose leg injury had fully healed, also had to set off for Fucheng to take the Imperial Examination.

The Imperial Examination of this dynasty consists of two sessions: the first is the main examination, and the second is the re-examination.

The first session is a knockout round, eliminating those who exceed the quota of scholars to be admitted for this Imperial Examination; the second session is a ranking round, where candidates are ranked to finally determine the first, second, and third tiers.

Participating in both sessions and waiting for the results, plus the time spent on the journey, takes about ten days or so.

Neither Song Zhisheng nor Lin Shi felt at ease with their son going to Fucheng alone to take the exam. Fortunately, Song Zhisheng's back injury had mostly recovered, so after the couple discussed it, he decided to accompany his son.

"If he successfully passes the scholar exam this time, we will also find a pageboy for our son."

For now, Song Zhisheng, as the father, would temporarily act as a pageboy.

Song Yanqing shook his head: "No need, Father. Son can handle it alone. You should stay home and properly nurse your injury. Doctor Cui said that a back injury is not like a leg injury; if it doesn't heal thoroughly, it is prone to recurrence."

"But..."

"Father, if you accompany me to Fucheng, Mother and my younger sister will be left at home. I won't be at ease, and I won't be able to calm my mind to focus on the exam."

"This..."

While the father and son were at a stalemate, Xie Kuixi arrived at the Song house driving a carriage.

"Brother-in-law!"

When Xie Kuixi's burly frame walked into the Ear Room, he had to turn sideways and bend his waist, asking with a face full of smiles:

"Are you packed? I'll accompany you to Fucheng for the exam!"

"..."

Xie Kuixi jokingly asked: "What? Do you think I, your future brother-in-law, am just a pig butcher and not worthy of accompanying you to the exam?"

"How could that be!" Song Zhisheng explained before his son could: "It's just that the journey to Fucheng by water is long, taking at least ten days, and I'm afraid of delaying my in-law..."

"It's nothing! We three brothers couldn't be happier to accompany you to the exam. I was just lucky enough to win the draw!"

This was no lie. Xie Yang had offered Silver to hire one of her brothers to accompany Song Yanqing to Fucheng for the exam, and the three brothers had scrambled for the errand.

For no other reason than that they hadn't been to Fucheng, and it was a rare "official" opportunity to broaden their horizons. Never mind the three brothers, even Xie Rong was a bit restless.

It was Xie Yang who stopped him with a laugh: "Father, you'd better forget it. After all, he is your future son-in-law. If there's anything during the exam that requires you to run an errand, you wouldn't dare ask him, and he wouldn't dare order you around."

She also comforted the two brothers who didn't win the draw: "Big Brother, Second Brother, don't be discouraged. There will be opportunities later! Song Yanqing will definitely pass the scholar exam. Later there will be the Provincial Examination and the Metropolitan Examination. If we can't go to Fucheng this time, next time we'll go to the Provincial Capital and Jingcheng."

What a big promise... Xie Kuixi had been happy the whole way while driving the carriage to Qinghe Village to pick people up. His little sister really had confidence in her brother-in-law!

However, looking at the refined youth before him, with a body like a jade tree and eyebrows like willows, Xie Kuixi had to admit: his little sister's eye for people was truly good!

Regardless of whether this guy could pass the scholar exam, just based on his looks, he was one of the best in Guixiang Town... No! Even in the entire Qingfeng City!

Why hadn't he heard anyone mention that Er Lang of the Song family was so handsome before?

Was it because he didn't go out often? Hiding at home studying all day?

But he heard from his eldest sister that once one passes the scholar exam, there are opportunities to study at academies in Fucheng or the County, and there will be more opportunities to be seen. By then, a handsome scholar with outstanding literary talent would be a hot commodity.

His eldest sister also said that women in the city are much more open than the girls in Guixiang Town! Once they take a fancy to a scholar, they go straight to the academy gate to block them, holding sachets and handkerchiefs!

In that case, his little sister was the lucky one!

She had claimed him before anyone else could make a move!

But a necessary reminder was still needed: "Ahem, brother-in-law! From now on, whenever you go out, remember to remind yourself: you are already betrothed. Also, the social customs in the city are open, so you must keep yourself clean and self-respecting! But don't worry, my task on this trip is to protect you well, and I will ensure you go to the exam with peace of mind and return pure and untarnished!"

Song Yanqing: "..."

With Xie Kuixi accompanying him to Fucheng for the exam, the couple Song Zhisheng and Lin Shi felt much more at ease.

Lin Shi hurriedly said: "I'll go make some dry rations for the road. Dear, you fill the two gourds with water and let our son take them."

"Auntie, don't bother!" Xie Kuixi said, "I've brought dry rations and water skins, as well as various emergency pills, all prepared by my little sister. I've packed two large food boxes of rations, enough for me and my brother-in-law to eat on the road. My little sister also had me bring a small clay stove, which is convenient for boiling tea and heating rations on the boat, or cooking meals when we reach an inn... In short, don't worry! I will definitely ensure my brother-in-law takes the exam safely and smoothly."

Song Zhisheng and his wife were endlessly grateful.

"Brother-in-law, since the luggage is packed, let's go! My little sister said it's better to go early and find a satisfactory inn in Fucheng to rest and adjust, rather than rushing to the exam, as being flustered and hurried makes it easy to make mistakes."

"Yes, yes! That's the right logic!" Song Zhisheng nodded repeatedly and exhorted his son: "Yanqing, then you should set off early and take the exam well. Don't worry about things at home."

He then bowed gratefully to Xie Kuixi: "I'll have to trouble you, my in-law!"

Song Yanqing shouldered his box and made a deep bow to Xie Kuixi: "I'll have to trouble you, Third Brother."

Xie Kuixi bowed back with a hearty laugh: "You're too polite! If my brother-in-law passes the scholar exam, I will also share in the honor! So don't be polite on this journey; if you need anything, just tell your Third Brother. My little sister entrusted me to take good care of you!"

A wave of warmth surged in Song Yanqing's heart.

The image of Xie Sanniang's smiling, spirited eyes flashed through his mind, and the corners of his mouth followed by curling up slightly.