flstandardbreds Chapter 164 The Villainous Female Supporting Character's Mind Was Read 19
Chapter 164 The Villainous Female Supporting Character's Mind Was Read 19
Gu Yanli couldn't figure out the matter of the portrait, so he could only put it aside for the time being.
The most urgent task now is to prepare for the imperial examination.
Perhaps only when he sees the true face of the current emperor during the palace examination will he be able to confirm some things.
Time flies like quicksand, and in the blink of an eye, it was time for the county examination.
The previous imperial examination required that candidates' parents for three generations should not be entertainers or clerks, and that the candidates themselves should not have committed crimes or engaged in lowly professions.
However, this rule was changed during the reign of Emperor Zhangde.
Before Emperor Zhangde ascended the throne, he received assistance from a slave.
When the topic of rewards came up, the man only said that he wanted to ask for a favor for the sake of slaves.
If one can be freed from slavery and become a free citizen, one can participate in the imperial examinations normally alongside other free people.
Later, through the imperial examination, that person rose to become the top scholar and eventually became the Grand Secretary.
Even today, people still talk about it with great interest.
Therefore, the imperial examination system showed some preferential treatment to those who had been enslaved.
(Actually, it's mainly because of the author's own interpretation, so don't take it too seriously~)
However, although many people escaped slavery, very few actually participated in the imperial examinations and were able to obtain official rank.
Not to mention that he could sit in the position of Grand Secretary; in hundreds of years, only one person has ever achieved that.
"Little Anzi, Little Anzi, have you brought everything?"
Lin Shu escorted Gu Yanli to the examination hall this evening, and this was the ninth time he had asked this question along the way.
"Don't worry, I've brought them all."
This was the ninth time Gu Yanli had answered this question.
Of course, even if he answered, it wouldn't matter, because...
"No, I'll check it again myself."
Lin Shuwan reopened the basket containing the imperial examination supplies and counted them one by one:
"Pen, ink, dry rations and pastries... Phew, everything's there, wait! Where's the guarantee? Where's the guarantee?"
Lin Shuwan suddenly sat up in a panic and raised her voice, trying to make the carriage turn around.
For candidates taking the imperial examinations, a guarantee from a government-subsidized student was required to ensure that the candidate met all the eligibility requirements for the examination.
Gu An's guarantee was provided by Mr. Song.
The old gentleman regarded him as his prized student and worried that he would not be able to gather five guarantors, so he specially selected four good-natured students from his own school and introduced them to him.
The five agreed to meet at the entrance of the examination hall.
"Yes, I always carry it with me."
Gu Yanli took out the guarantee letter and handed it to her. His calm and composed attitude finally calmed Lin Shuwan down.
Lin Shuwan took it, flipped through it, and then reminded him again to put it away properly, putting her mind at ease for the time being.
(Ugh, it's not like I'm the one taking the exam, why am I so nervous?)
(My heart is pounding in my chest.)
(No, no, I need to stay calm. What if I affect him?)
Lin Shuwan turned her back, took a few deep breaths, and then patted Gu Yanli's arm, saying:
"Don't be nervous. It's just a small county exam. Master Song said that you can easily pass it with your level."
(Wait, will saying this put pressure on him?)
(What if he gets too much pressure and underperforms?)
(But I can't exactly say, "It's okay if you don't pass the exam, you can always try again next time.")
(Who says discouraging things before even taking the exam? That's just discouraging them prematurely.)
Before Lin Shuwan could finish her dilemma, the carriage had already come to a steady stop outside the examination hall.
Lin Shuwan jumped down first, followed by Gu Yanli.
A considerable number of candidates had already gathered at the entrance of the examination hall.
Gu Yanli looked up at the gate, lost in thought.
The earnest admonitions and worries from my parents and elder brothers during the last imperial examination are still vivid in my mind.
This time, however, everything has changed.
However, when he turned to look at Lin Shuwan, whose face was full of tension, he felt much relieved.
Fortunately, she was there with me.
"Don't worry, just stay home and wait. An will definitely come back as the top scholar in the county examination." Gu Yanli composed himself and said with high spirits.
"That's really bad. You won't be able to get the top score in the county this year."
Just as Lin Shuwan was about to respond, a passing examinee interrupted her.
"Hey, who are you? What makes you think we can't get it!" Lin Shuwan's already unstable emotions suddenly found an outlet, and she glared at the person with her hands on her hips.
"Ahem, I am Song Huaiyun, and I will never change my surname or name."
Song Huaiyun straightened his sleeves, gave a perfunctory bow, and then said:
"As for the reason, it's naturally because I've already reserved this year's top county scholar position. The rest of you should go and compete for the position below me!"
Song Huaiyun was the late-life son of the Duke of Cheng.
He was in poor health in his childhood, which caused the Duke and his wife a lot of worry.
After making inquiries from various sources, I finally learned that the divine doctor was temporarily residing at Taiqing Temple, so I hurriedly went to Taiqing Temple.
He was gone for eighteen years and only returned last year.
However, his physical condition has indeed improved significantly; he can run and jump, just like an ordinary person.
In the story, Song Huaiyun is the one who took the imperial examination this year. After learning about Jiang Yiheng's governing philosophy, he regards him as a confidant and helps him a lot.
I came here today hoping to try my luck, but I never expected him to come to me like this.
Lin Shuwan's mind raced, but her face showed annoyance: "Ha, what a joke. You say it's yours, so it's yours? What a big mouth you have."
"So, do you dare to make a bet with me?" Lin Shuwan changed the subject.
Song Huaiyun was young and impetuous, but he was also able to let go of things easily.
If Gu Yanli beats him in this county examination, he will naturally pay more attention to Gu Yanli.
The two shared similar aspirations and knowledge, so it was only a matter of time before they became close friends.
"What are you gambling?"
Song Huaiyun had some guesses about what Lin Shuwan was thinking, but he was confident in his knowledge and didn't mind taking a gamble with her.
"Let's bet on this county exam. If Gu An is the top county official, you stand in front of the list and shout, 'I am far inferior to Gu An.'"
"And vice versa. So, do you dare to accept?"
"Why wouldn't I dare? I agree." Song Huaiyun waved his sleeve and strode confidently into the examination hall.
Seeing him leave, Lin Shuwan seemed to realize she had done something wrong, and scratched her face, saying, "Uh, I think I've caused you some trouble."
(Oops, I told him not to put too much pressure on him, but I got so angry I forgot.)
"Rest assured, An Ding will fulfill his mission."
Gu Yanli's voice came from above, "Does Miss not trust An?"
"Then I'll definitely believe you. Alright, alright, go ahead. I see the other four are already waiting for you at the gate." Lin Shuwan nudged Gu Yanli.
Gu Yanli gave her a deep look, then turned and walked towards the four people he had sworn brotherhood with.
I had only taken two steps when I heard Lin Shuwan's voice coming from behind me:
"Gu An, I wish you success on your journey to the heavens, soaring like a roc and riding a kun!" (Note 1)
……
……
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(Note 1: Taken from Chen Zao's "Congratulations on Ershi's Success in the Imperial Examination" from the Song Dynasty)
Good news arrives from the west, swiftly reaching the heavens; two brilliant wits, their words sharp as ever, grace the capital. The osmanthus tree casts a pale shadow the night before; on the same day, the fragrant blossoms of the Di Hua family are renowned.
The Xie family, with its orchids and jade, is truly a distinguished lineage; the Su family, with its literary tradition, are like brothers. From this journey, they will soar to the heavens, their ambitions as vast as the roc and the kun bird, their paths destined for greatness.