Childbirth System: Become the Goddess of Mercy who grants children to the male protagonist!

The provincial examination was divided into three sessions, each lasting two days and one night, with a one-day break in between.

Xu Fu barely survived the three battles, then returned to the inn and collapsed into bed.

After resting for three days, the person immediately emerged from the inn, refreshed and full of energy.

I plan to look around the provincial capital, and if I find anything I like, I'll just put it in my storage space.

While I wait, I'll wait for the exam results.

On the night the exam was over, Xu Fu sent Xiao Yu away, leaving only a servant to attend to him.

But he never wanted to take her with him when he went out...

Fifteen days passed in a flash, and when the results were released, Xu Fu felt no anticipation whatsoever.

He simply dismissed the servant beside him and sent someone to check the results.

Xu Fu waited and waited, but the servant did not return. Just when he thought the servant had been kidnapped,

The man, dressed in tattered clothes, ran back, panting, and said to Xu Fu,

"Young Master, you...you're ranked 57th—"

"Third to last place," Xu Fu said, smacking his lips, showing no sign of sadness.

"Alright, let's go back—" Xu Fu had already packed everything.

Now that we know the result, we can head back.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to ask the servant, "Why did you come back all dressed in rags after you went out?"

"There were so many people looking at the list, this servant barely managed to squeeze in."

"I got jostled a little during the shoving, but it's nothing serious."

The servant chuckled and quickly bowed to Xu Fu.

"Congratulations, young master! You've now become a scholar, and our Xu family can finally hold our heads high."

"Hmm," Xu Fu replied indifferently, and climbed straight onto the carriage.

Seeing that his young master didn't show any reaction, the servant was almost speechless with astonishment.

Finally, I patiently got into the driver's seat.

Just as the man was about to crack the whip, Xu Fu leisurely said,

"When we get back, the entire household will receive an extra three months' worth of monthly pay as a reward—"

"At that time, everyone can go and collect their reward from the steward."

Upon hearing this, the servant was overcome with excitement, and his hand involuntarily swung down hard.

The horse, in pain, reared up and galloped forward, nearly causing Xu Fu to fall due to the momentum.

I couldn't help but yell, "Drive carefully, or you'll regret it!"

The servant realized he had made a mistake and could only apologize sheepishly, his voice gradually drowned out by the clatter of hooves.

The two spent a whole day returning to the Xu residence, where the official who had come to deliver the good news was already waiting.

The butler was carefully attending to everyone, serving them tea and water.

As soon as Xu Fu arrived home, the steward seemed to have found his pillar of support and immediately led him inside.

Xu Fu calmly thanked the person who came to deliver the good news and gave them a reward.

Then the butler arranged a banquet outside and treated the guests to drinks.

The mansion was filled with joy, and Xu Fu immediately instructed the steward...

Everyone will receive an extra three months' worth of calendar money.

The first thing Xu Fu did upon returning home was to have his steward bring up the account books from the three shops.

He checked the accounts while simultaneously copying the design drawings.

Taking advantage of the fact that the scholar has just been appointed to the imperial examinations, there should be quite a few people wanting to curry favor with him.

Xu Fu certainly didn't mind making a fortune off people!

Once news spreads that he will no longer be conducting scientific expeditions, an even greater crisis will ensue.

It's not that he couldn't handle it; Xu Fu could have taken the money he earned during that time and made a quick getaway...

Xu Fu was busy for more than a month, and the steward was also working hard to supervise the operation of the shops.

After they stopped, Xu Fu prepared gifts and went to thank his mentor in person.

"What are your plans for the future?" the Master asked, smiling as he looked at Xu Fu.

"Should we focus on preparing for the upcoming imperial examination, or take a break for a while?"

Xu Fu forced a smile, "Master, I'm afraid this student doesn't have that ability—"

"This time we were already at the very bottom of the provincial rankings, so I won't bother going to the provincial examination to embarrass myself."

"That's fine," the teacher nodded gently, offering a word of comfort.

"To have achieved this much in just five years is truly remarkable."

"If we don't participate this time, we can go later when we're fully prepared—"

Xu Fu quickly shook his head, "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Master. I don't know how long I'll need to prepare."

Xu Fu exerted all his strength, stood out from tens of thousands of people, and waited for the provincial examination and the palace examination.

The competition will likely intensify, so why would he want to get involved in this mess?

"So what do you mean?" Confucius looked at Xu Fu with a puzzled expression.

"That's enough for now," Xu Fu said, bowing his head as if feigning shame.

"The students will not continue their studies; they plan to go back and inherit the family business—"

"You...you're so foolish! So many people haven't even reached what you've achieved!"

The Master, with a look of disapproval, rebuked Xu Fu, "There are two great mountains ahead; do you really intend to stop here?"

"With considerable skill and exceptional luck, how can I give up here without even giving it a try?!"

"How can you lack even the integrity of a scholar?! Do you intend to go back to being a merchant or something?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking—" Xu Fu continued without any hesitation.

"Over the years, the family business has been supported by my younger brother and sister."

"As their elder brother, how could I possibly ruin their lives—"

What Xu Fu couldn't say was that he was simply too lazy to admit it.

A single traditional Chinese character requires so many strokes; it's easy to miss a stroke or even write it incorrectly!

Moreover, at this time, the exam papers could not be altered, and Xu Fu was trembling with fear every time he put pen to paper.

Moreover, passing the imperial examination and becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination) was already his greatest achievement; there was no need to force him to do anything beyond that.

But Confucius disagreed and tried his best to persuade Xu Fu to stay, intending to promote him directly.

"I have enrollment slots for the Imperial Academy here; I can send you there directly—"

"Even if you study diligently for a year or two and are reluctant to give it up, you can still become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations)!"

Xu Fu still looked unhappy, and in the end, even the Master was so angry that he couldn't speak.

He smashed the teacup and chased Xu Fu out.

"You cannot say you are my student if you don't go to school for a day—"

"Having a student like you who has no ambition is the worst thing that could happen to me!"

"You don't need to come here again. I won't see you again."

Xu Fu was so angry when he first saw the dignified and upright scholar that he almost vomited blood.

I felt both novelty and guilt; I might have already kicked him out.

Xu Fu could only respectfully kowtow three times at the door of the room before staggering away from the academy.

Xu Fu's second stop was to visit his first private tutor.

I heard that Xu Fu no longer wanted to study, but considering the generous gifts he received...

The gentleman didn't kick the person out directly, but his expression wasn't much better.

"Go ahead, it's all your own choice. I hope you won't regret it—"

The gentleman spoke politely and then served tea to the guest.

Xu Fu, seeing that his gift had been delivered, did not linger and went home to count his silver.