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

When Gu Yan was predicting the test questions before the exam, he had very seriously and repeatedly analyzed with Cheng Wan the issue of balancing "national finances" and "people's livelihood burdens."

Gu Yan...actually guessed it right!

A huge joy surged into Cheng Wan's heart. The fatigue accumulated over the days seemed to be ignited by this question and turned into a burning fighting spirit!

Cheng Wan took a deep breath, spread out the draft paper, picked up the pen and dipped it in ink, and quickly and perfectly integrated Gu Yan's analysis, his own understanding and summary in his mind.

The problems pointed out by Gu Yan and the ideas that transcended the times were transformed into policy articles that were clear, relevant, and feasible under her pen.

The price of grain was maintained by the Changping warehouse system, commercial taxes were reduced to promote circulation, and elected market officials were appointed to supervise government operations...

Cheng Wan wrote with great gusto and her thoughts flowed like a spring. She forgot the passage of time, the pain in her body, and the depressing environment around her, and immersed herself completely in this battle of ideas.

......

August 15th, Mid-Autumn Festival is full moon.

There was no festive atmosphere in the Cheng Mansion.

Old Mrs. Lin had no appetite for the cakes and fruits on the table that symbolized reunion. She just kept muttering, "I wonder if Ah Wan has eaten in there? It's so cold, is there any ventilation in her room?"

Wang kept going to the kitchen to check on the simmering ginseng chicken soup, as if the soup could be delivered to the Imperial Examination Hall immediately.

Cheng Daniu and Cheng Daping sat in the hall in silence, their brows furrowed.

Gu Yan looked up at the gradually rising full moon, which looked like a silver plate. Its bright light sprinkled on his pale face, but it did not reflect any joy of Mid-Autumn Festival, but only endless concern for the man in the Imperial Examination Hall.

Sui Sui was held by Shao Qing. The little kid looked at the moon in the sky, then looked at Gu Yan's profile: "Will Wan Wan go home tomorrow?"

Gu Yan retracted his gaze from the full moon and turned to look at Gu Yu, his eyes were calm and his voice was gentle: "Yes, she will go home tomorrow."

......

August 16, just after noon.

The last gong sound announcing the end of the examination resounded throughout the Imperial Examination Hall like the sound of nature.

Cheng Wan put down her pen, her fingertips trembling slightly from prolonged use. She looked at the neatly written and ink-stained policy paper in front of her and let out a long, long breath.

ended.

After nine days and three fierce battles, it finally ended.

Cheng Wan packed up his things almost numbly and mechanically, and followed the equally numb and tired crowd, moving step by step out of the alley and through the numerous courtyards.

When the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall, which symbolized freedom and liberation, appeared before his eyes again, Cheng Wan was almost in a trance.

The heavy vermilion lacquered door of the Imperial Examination Hall slowly closed behind him, completely isolating him from the nine days of torment.

"Marquis Zhaoping..."

A hoarse and tired voice came from the side.

Cheng Wan looked in the direction of the voice and saw Jiang Shidu with a slightly hunched back, a sallow complexion, dark circles under his eyes that seemed to be dripping out, and his blue shirt wrinkled and stained with ink and dust. Where was his former elegant and dashing appearance?

This was the first time that Cheng Wan met Jiang Shidu after leaving the examination room during the three provincial examinations.

how to say?

Even more “inhuman” than Cheng Wan had imagined.

"Mr. Jiang."

Cheng Wan stopped and his voice was dry from not speaking for a long time, but his overall condition was obviously much better than Jiang Shidu's.

Jiang Shidu scanned Cheng Wan from top to bottom, and looked at Cheng Wan with admiration: "My Lord, you are really amazing. You took three exams at the same time, but you are still so energetic!"

Cheng Wan pursed her lower lip.

"I usually pay more attention to physical exercise, so my body is relatively strong."

You can't say that God gave her a chance...

"Health is the foundation. Mr. Jiang, go back and rest quickly. Have a good sleep."

Jiang Shidu nodded, his voice getting weaker: "Yes, you need to have a good rest... My Lord, please take care of yourself, I'll take my leave first."

Jiang Shidu bowed to Cheng Wan in a meaningful way, then staggered towards the carriage that had come to pick him up. His back looked so thin that it seemed like he would be blown down by the wind at any time.

Cheng Wan looked at his back, and the tense string in his heart seemed to relax a little.

Besides her willpower, her good health, which was bestowed upon her by God, played a major role in her being able to get through it.

"Awan!"

An eager call suddenly sounded, instantly shattering the lingering gloom of the examination room in Cheng Wan's heart.

The fatigue on Cheng Wan's face was replaced by a bright smile, and he quickly walked towards Old Lady Lin and others.

"Ouch! Let me see!"

When the two parties met, Old Lady Lin grabbed Cheng Wan's hand and pinched Cheng Wan's cheeks and chin with her skinny fingers: "You've lost weight! Look at your pointed chin! Ouch! This is not an imperial examination, this is life-threatening!"

Cheng Wan didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Grandma, how long have we not seen each other? You are exaggerating."

Old Mrs. Lin patted Cheng Wan's arm unhappily: "Let your mother see, have you lost weight?"

Wang's eyes were red. She took Cheng Wan's other hand and looked him up and down. She smiled, but her voice was a little choked:

"Your grandma is right, you have lost weight.

Now you have finally finished the exam. When you get home, your mother will make you something delicious.

We make whatever you want to eat!

I guarantee that we can grow back the lost meat!"

Cheng Daniu and Cheng Daping beside them kept nodding.

Gu Yan, whose eyes had been fixed on Cheng Wan ever since he appeared, was among those who nodded.

Cheng Wan: “…”Okay.

"Late night!"

Suisui struggled to get out of Shaoqing's arms, rushed into Chengwan's arms like a little cannonball, and hugged her legs tightly: "Wanwan! Wanwan, I miss you so much! Wanwan, let's go home!"

"Oh! Our Sui Sui is such a lovely baby! I miss Sui Sui too!"

Cheng Wan pinched Gu Yu's armpits, lifted Gu Yu up and held him in his arms, then rubbed his face against Gu Yu's smooth and delicate face.

"Go home! Let's go home!"

Cheng Wan had a warm and carefree smile on his face, and his voice was light and firm.

The carriage on the return trip was spacious and comfortable, with a faint soothing aroma filling the air. Cheng Wan almost sank into the soft cushions.

After nine days of tense nerves, after confirming that the policy paper was successfully completed, I finally surrendered completely in the warm embrace of my family.

Cheng Wan grasped a small piece of Wang's sleeve and gently leaned his head on Wang's shoulder. He fell into a deep sleep as the carriage swayed steadily.

Wang felt her shoulders weight down and she turned her head to look. The sleeping face of the girl showed pure relaxation as if she had unloaded all the burdens. Her eyelashes cast a small shadow under her eyes and there was a faint smile of satisfaction on her lips.

Wang carefully adjusted her posture to make Cheng Wan more comfortable, then reached out and very gently gathered the thin blanket that had slipped off for Cheng Wan.

"Go to sleep, damn Awan, you've worked so hard..."