Women dressed as men: powerful officials

Hearing Shen Yichuan's words, Xu Yuan suppressed the random thoughts in his mind, stood up and replied: "Mr. Shen, Xu Yuan fell into the water recently and has a fever. I just felt dizzy and lost consciousness for a while. I hope you can forgive me."

The wish was made in a very polite manner, and there was nothing to fault with it.

Seeing this, the master also said, "Mr. Shen, Xu Yuan is my most proud student. He did fall into the water recently, and that's why he lost consciousness for a while."

"No." Shen Yichuan shook his head and smiled, but his eyes never left Xu Yuan's face.

He could see that the young man in front of him had a tough frame of mind.

Although his words were flawless, they did not come from his heart.

If he didn't know what Xu Yuan had done in the Cheng family before, he might still believe what Xu Yuan said, but he not only knew it, he also watched the whole process.

How could such a calm and wise man allow himself to lose consciousness?

Moreover, the way Xu Yuan looked at him was too strange.

It's like seeing an old friend.

However, Shen Yichuan knew very well that this was his first time in Sishui County and also the first time he saw the frail young man in front of him.

Thinking of this, Shen Yichuan said, "Young Master Xu, you give me a very familiar feeling, or rather, do you know me?"

Xu Yuan was shocked, but his expression did not show any emotion at all.

She cupped her hands and said politely, "It is indeed the first time I have met you, sir. It may be because Xu Yuan has an ordinary appearance that I feel he looks familiar."

"Maybe."

Shen Yichuan nodded along with Xu Yuan's words, put away the white jade fan, and turned around and said, "It was mentioned earlier that when the crown prince succeeded to the throne, the country's name would be changed to Shunnian, and a national examination would be set up, from the capital to the prefectures, counties and townships, respectively, the county examination, the prefecture examination, the joint examination and the national examination."

"The county exam is held twice a year, in March and September respectively. Those who pass the exam can take the state exam. The state exam is held every three years, in mid-March. Only those who pass the exam can take the joint exam and the national exam."

"Mr. Shen."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zhicheng stood up and asked, "I have a question. Since the national exam requires passing the county exam, do students in the capital directly take the national exam? Isn't this too unfair to the counties?"

"That's a good question. Students in the capital can indeed directly participate in the national exam, but there is also a condition, that is, they must be able to enter the four major academies. Or Wenhua Palace. Not only that, there are also assessments in the academies and Wenhua Palace. Only the top three can participate in the national exam. Therefore, compared to the county and state exams, the competition in the academies and Wenhua Palace is actually more brutal."

Shen Yichuan patted his fan gently, and then continued: "Moreover, the tuition fees of the four major academies are very high. If you want to enter Wenhua Palace to become a companion to the prince, you can only be a high-ranking official or a royal family member. At the same time, even the top three in the academy or Wenhua Palace need someone to recommend them before they can take the national exam."

"Then can Mr. Shen recommend someone?"

Shen Yichuan shook his head.

Suddenly, there was a sound of gasps in the school.

“Why is this national exam so difficult?”

"Forget the county exam. I don't even know the subjects in the school. I'm afraid I'll never be able to become an official in this life."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan also lowered his eyes slightly.

As Shen Yichuan said, the national examination is the most difficult path.

But for ordinary people who want to turn things around, there is only this one way.

The real national examination is far more complicated than what Shen Yichuan said.

From the moment you enter the academy, it means you have one foot in the officialdom.

In her previous life, after Shen Yichuan introduced her to the academy, she studied hard and became one of the top three.

However, even so, taking the national exam still requires a recommender, and when she was desperate, Wei Chenyi found her.

Wei Chenyi was willing to write the letter of recommendation, but Wei Chenyi had to make a promise to become a disciple of the Wei family.

Later, the person who recommended her was Wei Chenyi, and the person who reported her was also Wei Chenyi.

She didn't understand why until she died.

Wei Chenyi is the culprit behind the Xu family’s unjust case.

Stepping on the corpses of the Xu family, this culprit suddenly became one of the Three Dukes and held the highest position in the country.

How ridiculous.

Xu Yuan's eyes turned cold and the smile on his face also turned cold.

After realizing his mood change, Xu Yuan curled the corners of his lips slightly after a moment, and became the ignorant boy again.

Although the change in Xuyuan's expression was slight, it did not escape the attention of Shen Yichuan who had been paying attention to Xuyuan.

Shen Yichuan stood on the podium, holding the white jade fan in his hand, looking thoughtful.

On the side, the teacher said, "Thank you for your hard work today, Mr. Shen. I wonder where Mr. Shen lives. Do you need me to find him a place to stay?"

"You're welcome, Master."

In front of the old master, Shen Yichuan did not dare to be arrogant, and bowed and replied: "Ji Huai lives in the inn next to the teahouse outside the school. It is very convenient. I dare not trouble you."

"That's fine, that's fine."

After hearing what Shen Yichuan and the Master said, Xu Yuan slowly looked away.

After school, Xu Yuan packed up his books, slung the bag across his body, and then stood up to say goodbye to his teacher.

It was not until he left the academy that he saw the teacher still holding Shen Yichuan to ask questions. Xu Yuan instantly quickened his pace and headed straight for the inn next to the academy.

When she entered the private school, she felt something was unusual and always felt like someone was watching her.

When Xu Yuan heard that Shen Yichuan lived next to the teahouse, the alarm bells in his heart instantly rang.

Shen Yichuan might have noticed her from the beginning.

Not only that, Shen Yichuan is the legitimate son of the Grand Tutor, and as everyone knows, the entire Grand Tutor's Mansion is behind the prince.

Shen Yichuan did not prepare for the national examination, but instead traveled thousands of miles to Sishui County, most likely for Song Xiujing.

It is true that Song Xiujing is a concubine's daughter, but behind her is the Song family, which controls the military power of Tianqi.

The prince would certainly doubt the Song family's position, and then send Shen Yichuan to Sishui County to investigate the situation.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan felt a tingling sensation in his heart.

In her previous life, she had never participated in the fight for the throne, but she knew very well that without some ability and skill, one could not sit firmly on the throne of crown prince.

Stepping up to the second floor, Xu Yuan found the shopkeeper and asked directly, "Sister, my master wants to stay for a few days. Do you have any good rooms?"

Hearing someone asking, the shopkeeper flipped through the book and said, "There are no rooms left these days. They are all full. How about you take a look at other rooms, young master?"

Hearing this, Xu Yuan's face darkened slightly. "This inn is the best in the county. How can an ordinary person stay in a good-quality room? And all the rooms are fully booked. Is my sister trying to trick me because I'm young?"

"Young Master, what are you talking about? Is it possible that I won't do business?" The shopkeeper smiled and said, "More than a dozen people came yesterday and booked all the rooms."

"Can't you make room for us?" Xu Yuan stretched out his finger and made a "one" gesture, and then said, "One room will be enough, right? If I can't book a room, my master will definitely beat me to death."

"I don't want to embarrass you, but the deposit has been paid. Why don't you go and have a look at other rooms? They are not worse than the superior rooms."

"Forget it, I won't embarrass my sister."

Xu Yuan sighed slightly, picked up his bag and said, "I'll go look at other houses. Thank you, sister."

After making the wish, she turned and went out. Before she reached the door, she caught a glimpse of a white shadow. She was about to turn around and avoid it, but the person called her first.

"Young Master Xu."

Knowing that he couldn't escape, Xu Yuan stood up and bowed, saying, "Mr. Shen."

"Young Master Xu seems to be quite interested in me." Shen Yichuan waved a jade fan and walked to Xu Yuan with his hands behind his back. Then, he bent down slightly and came in front of Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan could almost smell the faint fragrance on Shen Yichuan.

This distance is too close and too dangerous.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan immediately took a step back.

Seeing this, Shen Yichuan smiled and said, "Do you like me? Do you fall in love with me at first sight?"