The daily life of a peasant girl taking the imperial examination

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the disciples of Class 2, someone was already standing outside the door.

This person was none other than Master Wang, a figure who struck fear into the hearts of all the students in the town.

Master Wang stood outside the school, listening to the noise inside. Instead of getting angry, he smiled strangely.

He prided himself on being different from those pedantic teachers, valuing a harmonious school atmosphere more than strict discipline.

Seeing the three students in the front row of the classroom, he stroked his chin with satisfaction and thought to himself, "They truly are my most valued disciples."

Then I touched it a few more times and found it slippery and didn't feel good, so I quickly put my hand down in disgust.

Master Wang took out a small bronze mirror from his pocket, adjusted his facial expressions based on the mirror, and soon a serious image of a master appeared before everyone.

He stepped into the school and nodded slightly. "Fellow students, from this day forward, I will be your bishop and teacher."

From the moment Master Wang walked in, the once noisy schoolroom fell completely silent.

The students below the stage rose tremblingly, bowed, and greeted the teacher.

They were making a ruckus in the classroom and were caught red-handed by the teacher. They've already decided they won't be sleeping all night.

Zhuge Yunshu secretly sized up Master Wang. Apart from being a bit serious, he wasn't as terrifying as his senior brothers had described!

"Yes, everyone, please sit down." Master Wang gestured for them to sit down.

The students below the stage were slightly stunned, especially Zhang Hao, who looked at Master Wang with a shocked expression.

"What, you want to stand?" Master Wang looked up.

As soon as he finished speaking, the students below the stage were so startled that they all sat down at their desks.

Master Wang was extremely satisfied with his disciples' performance. He pulled out a ruler from somewhere and slapped it against his palm. "Today, for our first lesson, let's talk about why we study. Speak freely and casually."

Zhuge Yunshu was stunned when she heard this. Wasn't this the question that Master Zhuge asked the top five students to answer on the day she was admitted to the clan school?

She found it strange; why did the teachers like to ask this question?

Wang Yi looked around and, seeing that no one seemed willing to answer, quickly raised her hand.

"You said."

"I studied to pass the imperial examinations and prove to my family that women are no less capable than men."

Then, they would reclaim everything that belonged to their main branch, take revenge on those despicable people, and avenge their mother. But she didn't say these words aloud.

After the first person answered, the other students also shared their thoughts.

"I study so that one day I can pass the imperial examination and serve the court."

"I studied so that I would have someone to rely on after my sisters got married."

"I study because scholars have a high social status."

"I study so that I can become an official."

"..."

Zhang Hao scratched his head sheepishly and stood up: "I was forced to study by my father. He said that merchants had a low social status, so I had to study for the imperial examinations to change that status. Actually, what I like most is doing business."

The oldest student in this school is only eleven or twelve years old, so he doesn't have any ulterior motives and speaks his most honest thoughts.

Influenced by the heartfelt words of his senior brothers and sisters, Zhuge Yunshu also expressed his own deepest thoughts.

"I initially studied so that I wouldn't have to do farm work, and then I could find an easy, high-paying job so that my family could eat their fill and have meat every day. But due to some coincidences, I finally decided on my ultimate goal—to take the imperial examination and become a high-ranking official with a voice in the court, to dedicate myself to my family, my clan, the people, and my country until my dying breath."

As soon as he finished speaking, the classroom fell silent.

Master Wang: "..."

His disciple's ambitions are too lofty, what should he do?

Wang Yi: "..."

I never expected that Junior Sister Yun Shu would have such a broad perspective at such a young age. Compared to her, I am truly ashamed of myself.

Zhang Hao: "..."

What kind of weird thing triggered Junior Sister Yun Shu?

The senior brothers: "..."

My junior sister is still young, there is still a chance to save her.

"System, do they think I'm exaggerating?" Zhuge Yunshu asked, looking at everyone.

It's not their fault, really; who would believe that such bold words came from an eight-year-old girl?

"It's alright, host. This system believes in you. I will always fight alongside you."

"Trust me, I will definitely help you complete the final task issued by the system for the benefit of the country and the people."

"System, you're so kind." Zhuge Yunshu was touched. She hadn't expected that her cold and aloof system had grown into a comforting little sun.

"Ding! With the host's consent, the system's punishment mechanism has been upgraded, deducting 500 points."

Zhuge Yunshu looked surprised. "What did she agree to?"

"Host, starting today, if you spend less than eight hours studying within the system or if the system detects that you are slacking off in your studies, the punishment will be more than five times the previous amount, depending on the circumstances."

"How about it, host? Isn't this system considerate enough?"

Zhuge Yunshu: "..."

She must have been out of her mind to praise the system as a little sun; it's probably more like an ice shard, the kind that's designed to pierce her heart.

The upgraded punishment mechanism, damn it, it even deducts points! She vowed that one day she would get her revenge on this Scrooge system.

Zhuge Yunshu took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, and said to the system in his mind, "You're a real dog, get out of here right now."

Looking at the strange atmosphere in the classroom, Master Wang coughed to break the silence, "What you all said is very good. Just know why you are studying. No matter how big or small your ambition is, you must strive in that direction!"

"Oh! By the way, you know perfectly well why you're studying, there's no need to publicize it everywhere," Master Wang said meaningfully.

Everyone turned to look at Zhuge Yunshu.

Zhuge Yunshu: "..."

Can't she just stay silent? Look at this commotion, it's terrifying!

"Alright, everyone take out your copies of 'The Great Learning'. Today we will study the chapter on inner sagehood. First, read it aloud with me, and mark any words you don't know."

Master Wang truly deserves to be called the most learned teacher in the town's school.

This is evident from the fact that he can make even the most boring traditional books come alive and interesting.

Although Zhuge Yunshu had studied within the system of serving the country and the people, the times were different, and the achievements of the teachers were different. They all had their own unique teaching styles and key points, which actually deepened her understanding.

The class ended quickly, and Master Wang strode away amidst the students' reluctance to part.

“Speaking of which, Master Wang looks stern, but his scholarship is truly excellent. He quotes extensively from classical texts. Some things I didn’t understand last night, I understand now.” Zhang Hao’s eyes shone, as if he had been enlightened.

Wang Yi glanced at him. "He's a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and has served as an official. What do you think?"

Everyone was stunned speechless by this bombshell news.

"Really? That's amazing! How did you end up teaching in Yunshui Town?" Zhang Hao broke the silence, asking the question everyone was most curious about.