early morning.

Before dawn, Jiang Miaomiao got up.

Sitting on the bed, she began talking to herself to Chiu Chiu.

"Chirp chirp, are there many candidates heading to the examination hall?"

"Chirp chirp, what does the exam room look like? Have you seen it?"

"Chirp chirp, is the fourth brother from across the street going too?"

To be honest, Jiang Miaomiao herself was never this nervous during her previous college entrance exams.

Perhaps it was because at that time, her two older brothers were going to take the imperial examination together.

There's no need to worry about my second brother.

The main concern is my older brother; I wonder if he'll doze off during the exam.

You can't hang yourself by your hair or prick your thigh with an awl in the exam hall.

Qiuqiu said that the examination rooms were all small, one-person-one-room cells where everyone ate, drank, and relieved themselves.

It's scary to think about it.

What baffled her even more was that her scumbag father, who had vanished without a trace, went to great lengths to send each of her brothers a set of writing implements.

Even Jiang Zipei, who lives across the street, has it.

This demonstrates the importance that the ancients attached to scientific research.

I've heard of people who were still students in their fifties or sixties, and there were even scenes of fathers, sons, grandfathers, and grandsons taking the imperial examinations together.

It's truly a spectacle.

She insisted on going to see them and personally escorted her brothers into the examination hall.

"Miss, the two young masters said you don't need to see them off." Xi'er smiled as she helped her young mistress put on her clothes and shoes, then combed her hair into a pretty double bun and tied it with a red ribbon.

Red is auspicious.

Where are my brothers?

"We're having breakfast now, Miss. Please drink this bowl of goat milk first, there's no rush." ​​Xi'er brought her the warmed goat milk, watched her drink it, and then helped her off the bed.

Jiang Miaomiao toddled towards the dining room with her short legs, while Xi'er held a lamp for her.

"Big brother, second brother..." The little girl ran until her face was flushed, but her voice was soft and sweet.

It made the listener feel very comfortable.

Jiang Ziyan and Jiang Zifeng had finished breakfast and were checking the things they needed to bring into the examination room.

Upon seeing their younger sister, both of them rushed to hug her.

When Xi'er returned, she told them that the old Taoist priest at Qingyun Temple said that her younger sister was a person of great fortune and a little lucky charm.

Hug her to receive some good fortune.

Jiang Miaomiao felt that the brothers were overly enthusiastic today, especially the eldest brother, who kissed her so much that his saliva got on her face.

Well, today is a major life event for my brothers, let them do what they like.

Laughter filled the room.

There was a loud knocking on the front door.

Shi Shu was somewhat surprised when he saw Princess Rong'an, but then he saw Qin Su carrying a food box behind her and immediately understood.

The princess even came in person to see the examinees off; the two young men have quite the influence!

Princess Rong'an glanced at the food box in his hand and casually asked, "Is Eunuch Shi also here to deliver a gift on behalf of Prince Jing?"

"Indeed, Your Highness, please go first!"

Princess Rong'an took the lead and quickened her pace, leaving Shi Shu and the servants far behind.

Qin Su could barely keep up. "Princess, slow down, be careful not to fall."

"No, I have to let Brother Feng eat the osmanthus cake I made first." Princess Rong'an didn't stop walking; instead, she quickened her pace.

Judging from Shi Shu's expression, she probably sent the same food, so she had to get there first.

Jiang Miaomiao was munching on a steamed bun when Princess Rong'an and Aunt Qin hurried over.

Upon entering the room, without saying a word, she ordered the maid to bring out all the food she had brought and place it on the table.

"Princess, why did you come in person? You could have just had a servant bring it." Lu Qingyao looked at her, then at the sky.

It wasn't even fully light yet.

She had expected the Cui family to send something, but she never expected the princess to come in person.

“Aunt, this was sent by my grandmother and mother to wish Brother Feng and Brother Yan success in the imperial examinations.” Princess Rong’an said with a smile.

After saying that, he looked at the two brothers and said, "Try it quickly, it's good luck. I made this osmanthus cake myself."

Jiang Miaomiao curiously craned her neck to look.

Wow!

Osmanthus cake, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), braised pork hock...

Osmanthus cake symbolizes achieving success in the imperial examinations.

The word for "wrapping zongzi" sounds like "winning the lottery," so if you eat a zongzi with dates inside, it means you're guaranteed to win, or that you'll win early.

The pronunciation of "pig's trotters" is the same as "tibang".

I reckon that right now, all the students in the city who are about to take the scientific expedition will have to have one of these before entering the venue.

Sister Yuan actually prepared two portions and even delivered them personally.

She made the osmanthus cake herself.

This friendship is truly profound!

The mother smiled and thanked her, "Please convey my thanks to the old lady and the princess. If you haven't had breakfast yet, please stay and have some with us."

Princess Rong'an nodded, "Aunt, may I accompany you to see Brother Feng and Brother Yan into the examination hall later?"

"Of course... that's possible."

Lu Qingyao glanced at her eldest son, whose eyes were only on pig's trotters.

I thought to myself, this kid must have gotten incredibly lucky.

Later, we will not only have to pay homage to the Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist families, but also to the ancestors of the Jiang and Lu families.

There's always one that works.

Princess Rong'an was overjoyed upon hearing this and sat down next to Xiao Miaomiao.

Jiang Miaomiao looked up and realized that she was sitting right across from her older brother...

Qin Su: ...

Why did the princess sit down?

Is it because the breakfast at home isn't delicious?

She frowned as she watched her princess act so unreservedly.

Lu Niangzi, also known as Xing'er, is a cheerful and uninhibited person.

When Shi Shu came in, the table was already full of osmanthus cakes, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and pig's trotters.

The corners of his mouth twitched.

There's nothing we can do about the coincidence of giving gifts; it's not appropriate to say goodbye on such a day.

He also had his servants bring in two food boxes, which, when opened, contained osmanthus cake, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and pig's trotters.

"I wish the two young masters success in their imperial examinations and that they achieve top honors."

Mother and brothers thanked him again, saying, "Please also ask Father-in-law Shi to convey our gratitude to the Prince..."

Before Shi Shu could even leave the courtyard, several servants came in carrying food boxes.

He smiled slightly, pursing his lips.

It seems he wasn't the only one who had the same gift.

"Sister, all of these were delivered by Yipinju Restaurant. I looked at them, and they're all the same dishes." Xiuxiu looked at the food boxes on the table with a worried expression.

"How can there be so many?" everyone exclaimed in unison.

Jiang Miaomiao, holding a half-eaten bun, slid off the stool and ran over to watch the commotion.

A row of food boxes.

Ten boxes...

They all have the same osmanthus cake, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and braised pork hock!

This is big enough to host a banquet.

Aunt Xiuxiu introduced them one by one.

"These two boxes were sent by the Duke and Lord Yan."

"These two boxes were sent by Qiao'er's parents through Yipinju Restaurant."

"These two boxes were delivered by Village Chief Uncle Fu on behalf of Taoxi Village through Yipinju."

"These two boxes were also sent by Magistrate Xu through Yipinju Restaurant..."

Everyone looked at each other, wondering... could they possibly finish this?

Jiang Miaomiao circled the table once.

Wow! This time we can eat as much meat as we want, not just her, the whole family will eat.

It's overflowing with love from family and friends!

The older brothers are under immense pressure.

This place holds the hopes of the entire village...

Jiang Zifeng's heart pounded.

What if I fail the exam?

If I fail the exam, I'll be too ashamed to face my fellow villagers...

Jiang Ziyan, who had been calm and composed, became nervous at this moment.

"It's okay, it's okay, don't be stressed, just have a piece of candy..." Xiao Miaomiao said as she stuffed candy into her brothers' mouths.

……

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