Quick Transmigration: The Female Supporting Character's Counterattack, A Guide to Cunning Strat

The imperial examination is scheduled for February of the following year.

As is customary, the test examines the candidates' understanding and application of Confucian classics.

More importantly, one needs to master the ability to analyze and comment on current social events and national policies.

The former refers to something that one begins to learn and study from childhood.

The latter either comes from the teachings and experiences of elders in the clan, or from understanding local customs and practices during travels.

According to Su Li Jushi's original plan, Gu Yanli was to travel for three years before participating in the imperial examination.

With three years of accumulated experience, we have a better chance of winning the top prize.

But Gu Yanli still rejected the suggestion.

Although he also really wanted to travel around and experience the local customs and culture.

However, Lin Shuwan has now come of age.

If he travels for three years, she'll probably forget all about him and happily find someone better looking!

She might even fall for that scheming fifth prince!

She would be coaxed into marrying into the royal family and becoming a prince's consort, trapped in the backyard, spending her days pitifully weeping over withered flowers and fallen willows, wallowing in self-pity.

No, given her personality, whipping her is more appropriate.

If he encountered an arrogant concubine, he would whip her if he was slightly displeased.

It's also possible that the prince was whipped before the concubine even married into the family.

But that would be even worse, as it would leave him with a reputation for being arrogant and plotting against the royal family.

When the royal family has a pretext, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion will be raided and his military power stripped, and her life will probably become even more difficult.

Well, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has done him a favor after all.

In order to prevent the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion from falling into such a miserable state, he would still reluctantly keep an eye on her.

Based on his experience in his previous life, he would be able to handle the provincial and palace examinations without waiting for these three years.

In terms of national governance and critical thinking, he, a former prime minister, was truly fearless.

Su Lu Jushi remained noncommittal about Gu Yanli's decision.

Young people are often arrogant, so it's good for them to learn from their mistakes and experience.

To his surprise, his young disciple was born with a keen sensitivity to current affairs.

The decision to directly participate in the imperial examination does not seem to be an impulsive one made by Gu Yanli.

Even the plan to achieve the highest score in the imperial examination was not just empty boasting.

This greatly surprised him. Achieving the highest score in the imperial examinations in two years was an astonishing feat worthy of being remembered for generations.

With this in mind, Gu Yanli's coursework began to increase exponentially.

First came various ancient books, then different debates on current affairs, and finally policy interpretation and improvement.

Scattered here and there, they could be piled up into a small mountain.

This resulted in Gu Yanli becoming busier.

Although these assignments were not difficult for him, the sheer volume of them was overwhelming.

No wonder scholars all over the world want to become disciples of the Hermit of Plain Shoes.

If his coursework were to be distributed, relying solely on rote memorization and endless practice problems might not guarantee top rankings, but it could still produce a number of successful candidates in the imperial examinations.

Just then, the homework in Gu Yanli's hands was suddenly snatched away.

He looked up and saw Lin Shuwan leaning on the table and suddenly moving closer to him.

The distance between them instantly shrank, so close that it seemed if he leaned forward even slightly, their foreheads would touch.

"You..." Gu Yanli's eyes suddenly met hers, and he struggled to keep himself from losing his composure, his heart pounding wildly.

Their eyes met, and Gu Yanli was still worried that Lin Shuwan might notice his overly rapid heartbeat when he heard her say, "Why have you become ugly?"

"?!!!"

My heart, which was beating wildly just moments before, suddenly died.

Lin Shuwan pointed her fingertip at the space under his eyes: "Really, look at how dark his eyes are, like he's been punched."

"I just didn't sleep well!"

Gu Yanli stepped aside, opened another workbook, and said expressionlessly, "If there's nothing else, you can leave now. I need to continue preparing for the exam."

Lin Shuwan covered his book with both hands and said with a forced smile:

"Oh, I was just kidding. Even with a little bit of dark circles under your eyes, you are still as beautiful as a jade crown, with hair piled high like raven feathers, elegant and extraordinary... You deserve the title of the most handsome man in the capital!"

Gu Yanli's lips gradually curled up as he was coaxed. He clenched his fist and lightly covered his mouth, pretending to be calm, and said, "Alright, is this all the courtesy you're showing for the Qingyuan Gathering this afternoon?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Shuwan exaggeratedly exclaimed, "To be able to understand the subtle meaning behind the music, you truly deserve to be called Scholar Gu. So, are you planning to go?"

The Qingyuan Gathering was initially initiated by several literati, with the aim of making friends through literature and conveying ideas through poetry.

Later, a wealthy businessman who loved poetry and literature learned of this and offered one of his gardens free of charge for the purpose of holding literary gatherings.

A few years later, the reputation of Qingyuan Gathering grew even more as it produced several top scholars (Zhuangyuan, Tanhua, and Bangyan).

As it has developed to this day, almost every Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) has participated in the Qingyuan Gathering.

Gu Yanli had also heard his teacher (Su Lu Jushi) mention it briefly.

It wasn't for that title.

However, among the students who come to this gathering, there will indeed be his future colleagues.

Attending a literary gathering can also help you get to know someone beforehand, which is a way to build connections.

Therefore, he intended to attend this gathering.

However, seeing Lin Shuwan's anxious appearance, he couldn't help but tease her: "The imperial examination is just around the corner, why don't you do more homework?"

Lin Shuwan sat down next to him and advised, "Although the imperial examination is imminent, there are still more than two months to go. Half a day won't waste much time."

Gu Yanli said calmly, "Perhaps in just half a day more, I will be able to understand more things."

Lin Shuwan continued, "But you've been studying a lot lately, so a proper balance between work and rest might actually be more helpful to you."

Gu Yanli retorted, "Besides completing my studies each day, I also have an extra incense stick's worth of time to meditate and relax."

"Well, if you stay in your room all day figuring things out on your own, what if you're just reinventing the wheel? Communicating with others can broaden your horizons!"

“I visit my teacher once every two weeks to discuss my recent gains and questions with him.”

"Then..." Lin Shuwan was at a loss for words. She angrily slapped his shoulder and threatened, "Why are you talking so much nonsense? Just say whether you're going or not!"

Gu Yanli nodded in agreement. He couldn't tease her anymore, or the training would have to be increased tomorrow.

Ouch, that really hurts!

"But, only men are allowed to participate in the gathering. Are you planning to wear men's clothing?"

Lin Shuwan raised her chin and glanced at him: "What, is it not allowed?"

Thinking of this annoying rule, Lin Shuwan frowned and said, "What a stupid gathering, they even have to restrict women from entering!"

Such is the way of the world, and it is difficult to change it in a short time.

If possible, I hope there will be some changes after he takes office.

At that moment, Gu Yanli could only skip this topic and asked, "If that's the case, you can go by yourself, why do you have to drag me along?"

(If it weren't for the requirement to compose a poem during the gathering, I would have gone by myself long ago!)

Although that's what she thought in her heart, Lin Shuwan said with an air of arrogance, "You're someone I taught, so I have to take you to the literary gathering to show you off and let everyone see you."

Gu Yanli smiled and replied, "I will certainly live up to Mr. Lin's expectations."