Spring Drunk Chang'an

Liu Wenrui made a harsh remark.

Liu Chang'an lowered her eyes, hiding the sarcasm in her heart, and stammered in agreement. Then, she added, "It's just that the Second Young Master is unwilling to report this to the Madam, so there's nothing I can do to stop Liu Wenbai from taking the imperial examination!"

"With Madam's temper, she wouldn't harm her son even if her life was threatened."

"Madam, you love your son as much as your life!"

She spoke deliberately quietly.

Her almond eyes were full of sparkle.

Liu Wenrui gasped. For some reason, he was a little afraid to look Liu Changan in the eye. He turned his head away in embarrassment and hurriedly ordered, "Alright, if I had known you were such a useless guy, I'd figure it out myself."

"You should serve your mother well and keep your mouth shut."

"Mind yourself."

After saying that, he glared at Liu Changan fiercely, turned around and strode away.

Liu Chang'an stood at the gate of the courtyard, watching his embarrassed back as he left, and was silent for a moment.

Suddenly!

"Liu Wenrui, you are so heartless and ruthless. You are unworthy of being a son."

-

Leaving the main courtyard, Liu Wenrui quickened his pace, preparing to return to Changyin Pavilion. However, when he walked into the garden, he saw servants setting up nets to catch cicadas all over the garden...

Liu Xiu felt that there were too many cicadas in the garden and their chirping was annoying. He was afraid that they would disturb Liu Wenbai while he was reading, so he asked his servants to carry nets and catch insects all over the house.

"No, we can't give up like this. Liu Wenbai... can't let him participate in the Autumn Examination."

"How to do?"

“What should I do?!”

He stamped his feet.

Time passed as he racked his brains to think of a solution.

The autumn examination begins in the blink of an eye.

Liu Wang'er entered the room first.

What he wants to take is the Juren exam. Only after passing this exam can he take the Jinshi exam!

This year is a general election year, and the Juren and Jinshi examinations are only one month apart.

Liu Wang'er's imperial examination lasted a full nine days, in a tiny cell where he couldn't stand up straight, couldn't stretch his legs when lying down, and was drafty everywhere...

The scholars wrote enthusiastically.

Liu Wanger is also among them, and!

He succeeded! !

We have to admit that for the second-place finisher in the country, the one-on-one teaching for more than half a year was really useful. Reading it 120 times, writing it 120 times, and reciting it 120 times also helped Liu Wanger build a solid foundation. Even though he started in a hurry, he was still on the list.

There are 230 successful candidates in the imperial examination in Beijing, and Liu Wang'er ranks 161st.

It’s not the countdown.

"You can do it, second brother. The 400 kilograms of walnuts were not eaten in vain. I will buy you some more!"

"This time we're buying walnuts from Zhang County. My friend says the walnuts there are the best, big and crispy, and especially good for the brain."

"It's four copper coins more expensive per pound than what we produce in the capital!"

The yamen runners brought the good news to Juning Alley, shouting, "Congratulations to Liu Chengjin of Juning Alley, Mr. Liu has passed the imperial examination and ranked 161st..."

Liu Sanxi almost wanted to rush out with a basket to buy walnuts.

Liu Ai was so happy that she cried.

Liu Laishun was so excited that he didn't know what to do. He walked back and forth in the yard, rubbing his hands.

It was Liu Changan who took out some wedding money and generously rewarded the yamen runners who had delivered the letter. He was also very happy. "I have to thank Master Zhang for this. It is thanks to his careful teaching that our Wang'er has achieved what he has..."

"Yes, yes, yes, we have to thank Lord Zhang. Chang'an, please prepare some generous gifts and let's go to Lord Zhang's house!" Liu Ai said repeatedly. The whole family packed up their things, prepared gifts, and came to Lord Zhang's house to express their gratitude.

Zhang Changqing received them politely but warmly with a very gentle attitude. He also reminded Liu Wanger to keep working hard and try again for the Jinshi exam in a month!

"Your result is pretty much what I expected!"

"Our capital's reputation for literature isn't as solid as the south's. Daxia has 17 states, and after this autumn's examination, two or three hundred successful candidates from each state will all come to the capital to take the exam!"

"According to those who passed the imperial examinations three years ago... the top scholar, the top flower, and the top flower of the imperial examinations were all Jinshi graduates. The 200 people in the second class were Jinshi graduates, and the 150 people in the third class were Tong Jinshi graduates!"

"As for Wang'er, logically speaking, his chances of passing the exam are slim."

Zhang Changqing said in a deep voice.

The reputation of the capital is not as good as that of the south. In previous years, 70% of the successful candidates were from the south, and the remaining 30% were from the north...

Liu Wang'er was born into a family of successful candidates in the imperial examinations in Beijing. He had little time for education and was still very young. "As for me, I originally wanted you to study for a few more years and take the exam in the next subject, or even the one after that!"

Six years later, Liu Wang'er was only twenty-two years old, the prime years of a man's life. If he passed the exam then, he could be called a 'young genius', but...

Liu Wang'er is twenty-two years old.

Liu Changan is already twenty-four years old.

At this age, most girls and children can have fun on the streets.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is also approaching thirty.

and so……

"You, why don't you give it a try? It never hurts to get a feel for it, and it can be considered as gaining experience."

Maybe, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will, will...

Ahem, ahem, I’m trying to think of a way to help you win.

"But, Wang'er, you have to think carefully. If you fail this year's exam, it's fine. But if you pass and become a Tong Jinshi, it will be very troublesome!"

As the saying goes: Washing the feet of Madam Ru will grant her the same status as a Jinshi.

Compared with the regular Jinshi, Tong Jinshi was like a concubine, in an awkward situation and of low status. Few officials of the court above the third rank were Tong Jinshi, and the Hanlin Academy did not want Tong Jinshi either.

It's... very discriminated against.

"You've been studying seriously for over a year now, so you should understand the status of a Tong Jinshi. Think carefully about whether you want to take the exam or not!"

Zhang Changqing said softly.

Upon hearing this, Liu Wang'er tilted her head, and then a smile appeared on her pretty and fair face.

Unlike his previous timid and humble appearance as a slave, his smile was still shy, but much brighter. He took a breath and answered seriously, "Sir, my family's situation is different from most people's. I don't have time to wait."

His family was of slave status, his parents were getting older, and his sisters needed him to grow up quickly and become the pillar of the family.

"...You are the runner-up in the imperial examination, and all the people you meet are elegant. If I didn't get first or second place in the imperial examination, I would be embarrassed to come to you, but I..."

"Sir, I have been able to pass the imperial examination and become a top-ranked juren. This is the best achievement for my eight generations of ancestors, not to mention being a fellow jinshi..."

He dares to despise it?

If you can pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, it will be a great honor for your ancestors!

Moreover, it keeps popping up!!

I passed the imperial examination once.

Take this chance to pass the imperial examination!

Those who passed the imperial examination, whether they ranked first, second, or third, could become officials, at least of the seventh rank.

He comes from a family of servants, and he can become a seventh-rank official. Don’t you think it’s not enough?

That’s the county magistrate, one of the parents!

"I made a wish before the Buddha that if I could pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, I would grant the Buddha a golden body!"

Liu Wang'er is quite content and happy.

Seeing this, Zhang Changqing just smiled and concentrated on helping him prepare for the exam.

At the same time, the news that he had passed the imperial examination also reached the Ningguo Mansion. After Liu Wenrui knew about it, he became even more anxious!

"A dog slave and a son of an adulterer, both of them ran ahead of me!!"