The first time in history

The imperial examination in May was coming up, and Qian Mingduo had been studying hard since the Chinese New Year. He used modern thinking to carefully study the Four Books and Five Classics.

It was already very hot in Lin'an at the end of April. Whenever Qian Mingduo was reading, Li Shishi would sit beside him and gently fan him with a scented fan. She would also always look at him lovingly and smile quietly from time to time.

Li Shishi now feels like she is living with her husband. Qian Mingduo promised Li Shishi that he would hold a formal wedding for her after he passed the imperial examination. However, they also agreed that Qian Mingduo would only need to go through the formal engagement process.

Qian Mingduo pondered for several days and finally remembered the topic of the imperial examination. He studied the books on policy essays, poetry, and classics thoroughly. All the answers were clear in his mind.

On the day of the imperial examination, Qian Mingduo went out with a lantern before daybreak. This was an imperial examination specially added between the two imperial examinations by Emperor Gaozong of Song.

Moreover, the examinations were held simultaneously in Shangqiu and Lin'an prefectures in the capital, so Qian Mingduo would not have to go to Shangqiu.

After passing the strict examination, Qian Mingduo sat down at the examination table. This was a small room similar to a cubicle, without a door. It had three walls and a roof. Fortunately, the weather was good, because the students in the north would be very cold during the autumn exam.

Qian Mingduo, who has been practicing calligraphy since childhood, is still very confident in his brush writing. He opened the small basket he carried with him and took out the brush, ink and inkstone. The court would distribute paper uniformly when issuing questions.

The title comes from a sentence in The Analects of Confucius: A gentleman is concerned with righteousness, while a villain is concerned with profit. In today's world, how should we distinguish between righteousness and profit? Let's discuss its impact on the country and the people.

Qian Mingduo used the knowledge of a university history lecturer and the existing answers to quickly answer several questions. While other candidates were racking their brains, he had already calmly handed in his paper.

As expected, Qian Ming was admitted as a juren. And he ranked first in Lin'an Prefecture. When Qian Mingduo finished reading the imperial edict, he went home dejected.

Li Shishi immediately threw herself into his arms and comforted him, "Don't be afraid, we shouldn't think too much. The fact that you didn't pass the exam only means that the examiner's level is not good, it doesn't mean that your essay is bad."

"Yeah!" Qian Mingduo nodded, sat on the chair, leaned his head on the back of the chair, closed his eyes, and sighed.

"You've published a book, which proves that your articles are great." Li Shishi gently stroked Qian Mingduo's forehead, "Think about it, how many people can publish a book, and how many people can earn more than a hundred taels of silver with a book."

Li Shishi kissed Qian Mingduo's forehead gently, "I made a few dishes for you, would you like to try my cooking?"

"Okay." Qian Mingduo opened his eyes and looked at Li Shishi's beautiful face. He reached out his hand and gently held Li Shishi's head, and their lips came together. After a long kiss, Li Shishi panted, "Eat first and try my cooking."

Three dishes and a soup, "Did you make all this?" Qian Mingduo looked at Li Shishi.

"I always watch you cook, and today I just copied you." Li Shishi said embarrassedly. "You can't blame me if the taste is not good!"

Qian Mingduo was so touched that he stretched out his arms and when Li Shishi snuggled into his arms, he hugged her tightly. "The world-famous Li Shishi actually cooked for me. Who the hell would believe this if I told anyone else?"

"Why can't I cook for you? You are the closest person to me." Li Shishi said shyly.

"Okay!" Qian Mingduo let go of Li Shishi, "How about we try Shishi's cooking?"

Li Shishi handed the chopsticks to Qian Mingduo and said shyly: "It doesn't taste good, you can't laugh at me!"

"Try it first," Qian Mingduo picked up a piece of fried pork and leeks with chopsticks and put it in his mouth and chewed it slowly. "You are wrong about the taste, it's just a little bit white, is there not enough salt?"

"Oops!" Li Shishi pouted, "I forgot to add salt."

"Let me try this." Qian Mingduo picked up the scrambled eggs with cucumber, "Hmm! Hmm! Hmm... This dish is quite good."

Li Shishi also ate a handful of scrambled eggs with cucumber. "Really?" She chewed slowly for two bites. She wrinkled her nose and smiled and said, "Is this dish okay?"

"It's not okay, it's quite okay." Qian Mingduo sprinkled a little salt on the fried pork with leeks. "There's nothing wrong with this dish. Just remember to add salt next time."

After dinner, Qian Mingduo usually cleans up the dishes. "From today on, I will cook for you and clean up the dishes." Li Shishi walked into the kitchen swiftly.

"Why are you doing this?" Qian Mingduo hugged Li Shishi from behind while she was brushing her teeth and kissed her on the neck. "You don't need to comfort me in this way."

"No." Li Shishi turned around and kissed Qian Mingduo. "In other families, women cook for men and serve men. But in our family... you have always served me."

"I am willing to serve you," Qian Mingduo smiled, "I am willing to serve you, because I am very happy and pleased when serving you."

Li Shishi turned around and whispered, "Why? Is it because I am Li Shishi that you are willing to serve me?"

"It has nothing to do with whether you are Li Shishi or not. Even if you are Zhang Shishi or Zhao Shishi, I will still serve you willingly."

"Why?" Li Shishi asked shyly.

"Because I love you as a person, not because you are Li Shishi." Qian Mingduo hugged her tightly.

Li Shishi looked at Qian Mingduo with tears in her eyes. She hugged Qian Mingduo's neck and said, "You little rascal, I love you so much."

"Do you really love me?" Qian Mingduo winked, "Then I'll let you love me more." Qian Mingduo leaned over to Li Shishi's ear and whispered, "The person you love is the first place in the imperial examination of Lin'an Prefecture this year, and I'm already a juren."

Li Shishi couldn't believe her ears. "Say it again."

"I have now become a juren with the first place in Lin'an Prefecture, and I will take part in the imperial examination next month." Qian Mingduo said with pride.

"Really?" Li Shishi said excitedly, "You are not lying to me, are you?"

Qian Mingduo shook his head. "How could I bear to lie to you? It's true!"

Li Shishi bit her lip. "What's wrong?" Qian Mingduo asked in confusion. "I'm telling the truth. I really didn't lie to you."

"I know," Li Shishi raised her head, tears in her eyes, "but I don't want you to pass the imperial examination."

"why?"

"If you pass the imperial examination, you will become an official, and if you become an official, you will look down on me." Li Shishi said leisurely: "If you become an official, you will marry three wives and four concubines. Then... you will no longer have me in your heart!"

Qian Mingduo sighed and hugged Li Shishi's slender waist. "Do you know what the first thing I will do after becoming an official is?"