I'm in the Red Mansion

Chapter 102: College Examination (Part )

Jia Cong quickly wrote down the first question and then reviewed it.

The first question was not difficult for Jia Cong.

He pondered for a while, began to grind ink, then picked up the pen and wrote down his ideas for solving the problem on the draft paper.

An hour later, a draft appeared on the paper, and with only slight changes, it could be copied onto the test paper.

At this time, the second question came and was held up on a sign by a clerk and displayed back and forth.

This question is also from the Four Books.

As usual, Jia Cong copied down the test questions and then prepared to solve them.

At 5 p.m., the clerk gave the instruction to "copy quickly", which means to copy quickly. At 5 p.m., he gave the instruction to "submit the paper quickly", which means to submit the paper quickly.

Seeing this, Jia Cong rang the bell and started handing in his papers.

After the clerk came and sealed his test paper and draft paper, Jia Cong stood up, took the small bamboo note, and threw it into the basket when he went out the small door.

Once you exit the small door, you are not allowed to return to your seat.

After going out of the small door, they waited for a while until about fifty people had handed in their papers, and then they opened the main door to let people out.

Jia Cong was quite satisfied with the first exam of the academy examination.

Zhao Guoji was waiting early, and when he saw Jia Cong coming out, he hurried to greet him.

After returning to the Jia Mansion by car, this time, Grandmother Jia did not call him over to ask about his exam results.

Aunt Mei never asked.

This made Jia Cong curious. How could they bear it?

Perhaps, it has something to do with the fact that every time they asked, they said they didn’t know and were unsure, but they always managed to get first place!

Thinking of this, Jia Cong couldn't help but laugh.

The academy examination was actually simpler than the previous county and prefectural examinations.

Because the academy examination only requires two exams, unlike the county and prefectural examinations, which require four or five exams.

The college examination is divided into the main test and the re-examination. After the papers are marked in the main examination, the seat numbers of the re-examination candidates will be announced.

Five days later, the results of the final exam were announced, and Jia Cong ranked first.

Seeing this, Jia Cong was naturally delighted.

Although the regular test is not the final score, you must wait until you pass the re-examination and combine the two scores to calculate the final score.

However, when marking the papers, the examiners will compare the candidates' county and prefectural examination papers, as well as their draft papers, to see if the candidates have cheated.

Jia Cong had ranked first in the previous county and prefectural examinations, and he was still at the top of the list in this final examination.

Passing the test is almost a sure thing.

This made Jia Cong feel more relaxed.

On the day of the exam, Jia Cong entered the examination room with ease.

The re-examination is a little easier than the regular examination.

Jia Cong handed in his paper early again.

This time, as soon as he returned to the Jia Mansion, he was called over by Grandmother Jia.

After Jia Cong entered Rongqing Hall, Jia's mother couldn't help but ask, "Brother Cong, how did you do on the exam this time? Maybe you didn't pass?"

Jia Cong said, "My dear grandson, I think I did quite well in the exam this time. I should be able to pass it, right?"

This time it was almost a done deal, so Jia Cong spoke more confidently.

Hearing Jia Cong's answer, Jia's mother couldn't help but ask in surprise: "Brother Cong, how can you be so sure this time?"

"I remember when I asked you twice before, you said you weren't sure?"

Without waiting for Jia Cong to answer, Lin Daiyu beside Jia's mother said, "Grandma, since Third Brother Cong ranked first in the county exam, he will basically not be dismissed from the subsequent prefectural and imperial exams." "After all, the chief examiners of the next two exams have to give some face to the chief examiner of the county exam, and this time in the imperial exam, Third Brother Cong ranked first in the regular exam, so how can he fail?"

When Grandmother Jia heard this, she was naturally overjoyed, and she complained to Jia Cong, "Brother Cong, there is such a thing? Why didn't you tell me earlier, so that I could be happy a few days earlier?"

Jia Cong laughed and said, "I'm afraid that if I tell the old ancestor, and something goes wrong, and I fail the exam, the old ancestor won't know how to deal with me then!"

Hearing Jia Cong say this, Jia's mother hurriedly said, "Pooh, pooh! Children should not be restrained in their words, children should not be restrained in their words! Stop saying such depressing words."

After hearing these words, everyone in the room burst into laughter.

After returning to her own courtyard, Aunt Mei couldn't help but come over and ask Jia Cong in person.

What Jia Cong said was almost exactly the same, which made Aunt Mei very happy.

A few days later, the results of the college entrance examination were officially announced.

Everyone in the Jia family had prepared the reward money early on, waiting for the messenger to come and report the good news.

This time, it has been confirmed that Third Brother Cong is likely to win.

Even Lady Jia was not as anxious as last time.

Sure enough, at about the same time, everyone in Rongqing Hall heard the faint sound of gongs and drums coming from the street outside.

Grandmother Jia couldn't help but exclaimed happily: "The person who brought the good news is here!"

Sure enough, not long after, a maid came to announce the good news.

"Congratulations, ancestor! Cong Sanye got first place in the imperial examination and won three first prizes. Those who reported the good news said that Cong Sanye was the incarnation of Wenquxing!"

In fact, Jia Cong's achievement cannot be considered as winning three prizes in a row.

Only when one gets first place in the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and the palace examination can one be truly considered to have won three top prizes in a row.

As for Jia Cong, at best he was just a top three winner.

But after hearing this, Grandmother Jia was still overjoyed and kept praising the calligraphy.

Grandmother Jia remembered something again and could not help but say to Wang Xifeng, "Feng girl, by the way, Cong has passed the examination and become a scholar, his status is different now."

"It's no longer appropriate for him to live in his original small courtyard. Isn't there a house next to Lixiangyuan in the back?"

"After everything is packed up, let Cong move in. Also, assign him two older maids and four younger maids to serve him."

"There are also servants and carriages for going out, all of which must be fully equipped."

"This is originally the business of your eldest wife. Since your father-in-law can't think of it, let me do it for him."

I have to say that Jia Cong, the illegitimate son, was really miserable.

As a bastard's son, Jia Huan had a servant when he went out, and he also had a special carriage and coachman.

As for Jia Cong, there was nothing.

It would have been fine if it didn’t happen before, but it’s the eldest wife’s business anyway.

If Lady Jia tried to speak up for Jia Cong, it would be disrespectful to Jia She.

But now that Jia Cong has passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, if he goes out, he will not have a servant or even a carriage.

I'm afraid I'll be laughed at by outsiders.

Therefore, at this time, Grandmother Jia no longer cared about Jia She's face and simply assigned him to do it.

Hearing what Grandmother Jia said, Wang Xifeng smiled and replied, "Yes, Grandmother."

"The old man is really thoughtful. I have given out the reward money and will do it myself."

"I will pick a few good people for Brother Cong and make him satisfied."

After leaving the door, Wang Xifeng's face changed suddenly, and she almost bit her teeth off in hatred.

(End of this chapter)