Started as a thatched house and ended up as a female figure

The first session of the provincial examination will start on August 9th, but all candidates need to enter the examination room one day in advance.

On the eighth day of the eighth month, at the hour of Yin, the sky was still covered with a layer of blue-gray, but the candlelight in the main hall of the Cheng residence was already as bright as day.

Wang was counting the items in the copper basin one by one, and the silver hairpin on her temples shone with tiny lights:

"Three Hu brushes, two pieces of Hui ink, six packets of ginger soup... Ah Wan, take another look, is there anything missing? If there is, we still have time to buy more."

Cheng Wan looked at the pile of exam baskets, and held down Wang's hand as she tried to put more things in, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"Mom, this is enough. No need to put more in."

"Why don't you just put more in there?"

Old Mrs. Lin came in quickly from outside the hall, holding a brocade hand warmer in her hand, with the word "peace" engraved on the surface of the warmer.

"This provincial examination is different from the previous ones. You have to spend the night in it!

What should you do if you don’t bring everything you need and you don’t have it when you need it?

Especially since you are a girl, it will be difficult to borrow things when the time comes.

Speaking of borrowing things, I don’t know whether candidates are allowed to borrow things from each other in the examination room.

......"

Old Lady Lin kept muttering as she added a piece of charcoal to the hand warmer and then stuffed it into the deepest part of the basket: "It's cold and windy at night, you have to carry this hand warmer with you, don't let it freeze and get sick."

Gu Yan leaned against the door frame, looking at Cheng Wan surrounded by his family. He suddenly remembered that when he was taking the imperial examination, he was also surrounded by his family and repeatedly reminded of the precautions.

Gu Yan's long eyelashes drooped, and the corners of his mouth moved slightly, trying to stop himself from thinking about the heartbreaking past.

"Ayan, come here quickly. You have experience. Can you check if Awan has brought everything he should bring?"

After checking again in person, Old Lady Lin was still worried and waved to Gu Yan.

In fact, Gu Yan already knew what Cheng Wan brought in his examination basket when he entered the examination room this time, but after hearing Old Lady Lin's voice, he still responded obediently and then walked towards Cheng Wan in the crowd.

……

At noon, there were already crowds of people outside the examination room. The candidates were either reciting with frowns or sitting in circles discussing.

As soon as Cheng Wan got off the carriage, he saw Jiang Shidu standing under a locust tree. The "Mencius" in his hand was curled up and his eyes were as dark as if they were painted with ink.

"Mr. Jiang." Cheng Wan handed over a piece of lotus paste cake: "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Jiang Shidu took the pastry and was about to answer Cheng Wan's question when he suddenly saw Gu Yan behind Cheng Wan and saluted quickly: "General Gu."

Gu Yan nodded slightly.

After going through so much, he felt safe enough from Cheng Wan.

Facing his former rival, Gu Yan's attitude and emotions were very calm.

"Come in," Gu Yan raised his hand to brush away the fallen leaves on Cheng Wan's shoulders, "We'll wait for you outside."

Cheng Wan nodded seriously.

Previous examinations were searched upon entering the examination room, but the provincial examinations were searched in a special tent after entering the examination room.

The examinees entered the examination hall in twos and threes to be searched. As Cheng Wan was passing through the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall with the team, he suddenly turned back.

Gu Yan stood under the locust tree, the morning light filtering through the gaps between the branches and leaves and falling on him. The dark pattern on his brocade robe was embroidered with silver bamboo leaves, which rose and fell gently with his breathing.

Cheng Wan suddenly remembered what Gu Yan said last night: "You write the essay in the examination room, and I stay outside to watch over you. This is good."

Cheng Wan looked at Old Lady Lin and others standing near Gu Yan, took a deep breath, turned around and strode inside.

She will do well in the exam!

Will!

Passing through the heavy vermilion lacquered gate, Cheng Wan seemed to have stepped into another world.

Outside the door are the family's exhortations, Gu Yan's watchfulness and the morning light of the locust tree, but inside the door is instantly replaced by a solemn, tense, and even somewhat crowded and stale atmosphere.

A not-so-wide bluestone road winds inward, with towering walls on both sides.

"This way! Line up according to the exam instructions! No noise allowed!" an official with a shrill voice shouted.

Cheng Wan looked down at the hardwood examination certificate in his hand, which was engraved with his name, hometown and seat number.

Hongzi No. 7.

The early autumn morning breeze was chilly. Cheng Wan tightened his clothes and waited quietly for instructions.

The candidates who took part in the provincial examination came from various counties in Liangzhou. Some of them had heard of Cheng Wan, while others knew nothing about him.

Some candidates were almost shocked when they saw a woman appear in the Imperial Examination Hall, a woman who seemed to be taking the exam with them.

But no matter how shocked or unbelievable they were, they all remained silent in words and actions.

Now that we have come this far, no matter how big the matter is, we can wait until they finish the exams.

Moreover, the officials and clerks in the Imperial Examination Hall did not drive them away...

The team moved forward slowly and finally arrived at the entrance of the inspection shed.

"Marquis Zhaoping, please."

Aunt Shen and Aunt Meng, who had been waiting here for a long time, led Cheng Wan into the inspection tent, and then asked the officers outside the tent to lower all the screens outside the tent so that people outside could not see the people inside.

The two aunts, one took Cheng Wan's test paper and checked it carefully, while the other began to check Cheng Wan's test basket.

"Marquis Zhaoping, please stand up straight." Aunt Shen, who had just finished checking the test results, ordered expressionlessly.

Cheng Wan straightened his back.

Aunt Shen's hands carefully searched Cheng Wan's bun, behind her ears, under her armpits, chest, waist, inner thighs, and ankles, with considerable force and an unquestionable scrutiny.

Finally, Aunt Shen opened Cheng Wan's mouth and checked under his tongue.

Cheng Wan was already very familiar with this search process.

The two aunts were really carrying out the emperor's orders meticulously, and there was no possibility of any partiality or leniency.

Finally, the two aunts looked at each other and ended the search.

Aunt Meng shouted to the outside: "Hongzi No. 7, Cheng Wan, search is clear, let go!"

The official outside made a skillful mark on the list.

Cheng Wan picked up her exam basket and walked out when Aunt Shen suddenly called her.

"Marquis Zhaoping."

Cheng Wan was startled and looked back nervously, thinking that there was something unexpected with her examination results.

"You are an amazing person, and I hope you get what you want."

Aunt Shen, who always had a cold face and was difficult to get along with, lowered her head and bowed slightly to Cheng Wan.

Cheng Wan was stunned, and she subconsciously looked at Aunt Meng next to Aunt Shen.

Aunt Meng smiled as she bowed slightly to Cheng Wan. Her voice was gentle and sincere: "I wish you all the best."

A warm current suddenly surged in Cheng Wan's heart, and this warm current made her back straighter.

She nodded to the two aunts and said seriously, "Thank you, two aunts!"

Cheng Wan walked out of the search shed with firm and steady steps, and passed through several courtyards. The scene in front of him suddenly became clear, but he also felt more depressed.

We have arrived at the core area of ​​the Provincial Examination Hall.