Spring Drunk Chang'an

The test for the scholar consists of two examinations.

Those who pass both examinations are called Tongsheng. Only with the title of Tongsheng can they take the examination for Xiucai.

Liu Laishun and Liu Changan picked up Liu Wanger, asked a few questions with concern, and then the three of them went home to prepare for the second game the next day.

A good night's sleep.

The next morning, Liu Wang'er was taken to the examination room by his father and sister. Compared with the simple questions of yesterday's exam, today's exam was full of difficult questions.

One is the meaning of the classics, and the other is the Four Books.

Discuss the governance of the country based on Confucian books.

Although Liu Wang'er was a servant, he was born in the Duke's Mansion and followed the young master. All he saw and heard were national affairs, and the environment and class he was exposed to were there.

The second set of questions, which stumped most students, was even easier for him than the first one.

It went extremely smoothly.

In the red list released in the afternoon, there were 300 people who were awarded the title of Tongsheng, and he was the fourth.

Excellent ranking.

"Tongsheng, my son is a Tongsheng, hahahaha, if he goes to a remote village, he can even be the village chief!!" Liu Ai grinned and slapped her thigh happily, "Good son, you really make me proud. Come on, what do you want to eat tonight?"

"Just order some food, even dragon liver and phoenix gall, and mom will cook it for you!!"

"How about smoked turtledove red? How about chestnut chicken? Or Dongpo pork? Or glutinous rice stuffed duck?"

"Mom, I can eat anything, just not too greasy food!" Liu Wanger smiled shyly.

When he was working for the second young master, the second young master always said that a young man should have a waist as thin as a willow branch, with weak muscles and thin bones, to show his elegance. So he ate little and very light meals, and his stomach was affected by hunger.

There's nothing serious wrong with it, except that I can't eat oily food.

He really wanted to eat the braised pork and spare ribs his mother made, but unfortunately, he was not lucky enough to enjoy them. If he ate a few more pieces, he would have to go to the toilet several times that night.

In the past, I would poop just for the sake of delicious food, but now...

"I have an exam tomorrow, so I have to be careful."

If he loses the strength to pull, becomes dizzy and loses his fame, then he will become famous in the school!

"Okay, okay, I'll make you something light." Liu Ai also knew her son's problem, so she responded with a helpless smile.

So, on the important morning of the examination for the scholar, Liu Wang'er drank a bowl of thick porridge, two large pancakes in which he didn't even dare to put too much oil, and ate some pickles. He was full of vigor and confidence!

I was sent to the cell by my father and sister.

The third day's exam consisted of a theory question, a math question, and a series of poems.

The Jieta theory is a style of writing that takes two sentences in an article, cuts off half of each sentence, and puts them together.

Liu Wang'er had the foundation he had learned from Liu Wenrui, a Jinshi master. He took a look at the topic and found its origin. With the origin, it was very easy to write.

While many students were still wondering where the interpolation questions came from, he had already finished them, then neatly wrote the math questions, and finally, scratched his head and wrote a poem.

Liu Wanger's poems are not well written.

The teacher said of him, "He has no spirituality. If you apply your ingenuity in writing essays to poetry, you won't end up praising wood when you write about willows!"

Liu Wanger's poetic talent is like a 'wooden stake'. Fortunately, the requirements for poetic talent in the imperial examination are not very strict, as long as the rhythm is correct.

He racked his brains and wrote a serious "craftsman's poem" without any romantic prospects. Then he handed in the paper and left the ceremony room.

As he walked out of the door, he saw his father and sister standing at the corner of the street, looking forward to it, raising their big smiles, and running over happily.

With a slender figure and a swaying scarf on his head, he looks like a little boy.

Liu Chang'an's eyes curved. He didn't ask his brother how he did on the test. Instead, he patted his head and said, "Okay, the test is over this time. Let's go home. Mom made you some beef pancakes. Eat more!"

"I don't have to take an exam tomorrow, and I don't have to worry about going to the toilet!"

Liu Wang'er felt both shy and happy. She felt she was no longer a child, so she hid and protested, "Sister, I'm already fifteen, please stop touching my head."

"You little bastard, even if you are fifty-five, you are still your sister's brother. What's wrong with touching me?"

Before Liu Changan could reply, Liu Laishun smiled and slapped him twice, even knocking the scholar's scarf on his head askew.

Liu Wang'er's protest failed, and she pouted like a little child.

Liu Laishun and Liu Changan were very happy. The fact that their child could throw a tantrum meant that he had done well in the exam. Otherwise, if he had failed, with Wang'er's temper, he would have definitely found a corner and cried silently. It was impossible for him to be so cheerful.

The family of three got on a carriage and returned to Juning Alley.

Liu Aishi and Liu Sanxi had taken leave early and were waiting. When they saw them come back, Liu Sanxi jumped up and ran over, tugging at his brother's sleeve and asking repeatedly, "How did you do on the exam? How was it? Did you pass?"

"I think I did well in the exam, but I don't know if I can pass. It depends on what the examiner thinks." Liu Wang'er pursed his lips and was dragged to the side by his sister.

Liu Sanxi's eyes were shining, and he jumped up and down, wanting to ask something.

Liu Ai, however, felt that since the exam was already over, there was no point in asking further questions, so she simply interrupted, "Alright, alright, Sanxi, your brother has been in the cell for three days and must be exhausted. Stop bothering him!"

"Wang'er, wipe yourself quickly and let's eat."

"Hey!" Liu Wang'er responded.

The family entered the yard.

Outside, many neighbors, drawn out by the sound of their voices, looked at each other. Those who were less jealous curled their lips and muttered, "Meixiang is sworn brothers, and we're all slaves. His family has a scheming girl, and they rescued their son and gave him a good name. I wonder how they can show off? Take the exam for the scholar? Become a scholar? Tsk, tsk, tsk! Is that something they're qualified to do?"

"Sending children to study for the imperial examination is really a waste of money. It's too much!"

"Isn't it? They're using the blood of two daughters to raise their son. Let's see what they can come up with."

"Just turn over a loser, like Liu Wang'er. A fine man with fair skin and white flesh, but now he's as thin as a chicken. He's nothing but a scoundrel, destined to be a pedophile. He's dreaming of ascending to heaven!"

Everyone whispered.

There were also some kind-hearted people who couldn't stand it and couldn't help but say, "You should be more kind-hearted. Wang'er is such a young child and he hasn't offended you in any way. Why curse him?"

"He's a smart guy, maybe he can read something out of it."

"Shut up! Do the Liu family have that fate?" Far away, in the Xia family courtyard, Mother Xia poked her head out and spat maliciously. "You slave who has lived for eight hundred generations, you dare to think of turning things around? A little catamite taking the imperial examination, don't laugh my teeth off!"

"They don't want to stay in the mansion anymore, but have to go out and earn their own living. This ruins her family's pride! Pah, I wonder how arrogant they can be. What good will this end for them?"

She cursed under her breath.

The neighbors all knew that her son Xia Mu had been rejected by Liu Chang'an, and they all agreed.