I'm in the Red Mansion

Chapter 89: Provincial Examination (Part )

Time flies by like a white horse, and before I knew it, it was already the seventh day of April.

Tomorrow is the day of the palace examination. The atmosphere in Jia Cong and Aunt Mei's courtyard suddenly becomes tense.

Before the exam, Jia Cong asked Qingwen to report to Lady Jia and Hongxiu to report to Jia She.

During the last county examination, Jia Cong did not tell his grandmother about it in advance, and his grandmother caught him using this as an excuse.

This time, Lady Jia and Jia She must be informed in advance.

After receiving the letter, Grandmother Jia hurriedly sent someone to call Jia Cong over.

After entering Rongqing Hall, Jia's mother asked expectantly, "Cong'er, how are you preparing? Are you confident that you can pass the provincial examination this time?"

Jia Cong replied: "Your Majesty, time is still a little tight, and I am not sure about it, so I will just go and see the world."

Despite the hard work during this period, Jia Cong made great progress in both the Four Books and Five Classics and the eight-legged essay.

But in front of Lady Jia, he still didn't say everything and left enough room.

After hearing what Jia Cong said, Grandmother Jia couldn't help but show disappointment on her face.

Beside Lady Jia, Wang Xifeng said with a smile: "Grandma, don't listen to Brother Cong, he is just trying to coax you!"

"During the last county exam, he took it without telling you."

"When you asked him about it, he just said that he was afraid he would fail the exam and ruin your mood."

"What's the result? Didn't you easily get first place?"

"This time, Brother Cong will definitely come back with the first place."

Jia Cong couldn't help but glance at Wang Xifeng.

This woman is trying to deceive me and set a trap for me!

Ever since he passed the county examination and ranked first, Grandmother Jia had lifted his house arrest order.

However, Jia Cong seldom came to the front yard and would not easily set foot here.

However, during this period of time, he did hear a few vague things from Hongxiu and Qingwen.

I heard that Wang Xifeng and Qiu Tong were at loggerheads with each other and had become a laughing stock in the front yard.

It can be seen that although Wang Xifeng is cruel and ruthless, when she really meets a fierce and daring person who is not afraid of trouble, she has no better way to deal with it for a while.

I guess Wang Xifeng has already heard that she gave Qiu Tong to Jia Lian, and now she is trying to flatter herself in front of Lady Jia!
Let's just wait and see.

Hearing Wang Xifeng's words, Jia's mother couldn't help but smile and said, "If it's really as you said, then it's a good thing."

"Brother Cong, don't be too hard on yourself. Just do your best in the exam."

"You should go back and have a good rest. Get enough energy and try to get a good score in the exam tomorrow."

Jia Cong bowed and said, "Yes, grandson will remember the teachings of the old ancestor. Grandson will take his leave first."

Not long after returning from Jia Mu's place, he was called over by Jia She again.

Jia She also encouraged him a lot.

Aunt Mei, on the other hand, remained the same as usual, without any inquiries or encouragement.

But Jia Cong knew that she was the most nervous person, perhaps even more nervous than himself.

On this day, even the two maids, Hongxiu and Qingwen, walked very quietly, for fear of disturbing Jia Cong.

Nothing happened that day, and Jia Cong did not show any signs of being a hard worker this time.

It is necessary to relax in moderation before the exam.

At night, Jia Cong did not stay up late, but went to bed early.

Although it is difficult to fall asleep for a while, closing your eyes and resting can help you stay alert.

With the experience of the first county examination, I was much more relaxed when I took the provincial examination.

At the Yin hour, a signal cannon was fired in the examination room, known as the first cannon, to remind the candidates to get ready.

This time Jia Cong was no longer nervous, but calmly got up from the bed and began to wash and dress. Aunt Mei, Cai'er, Hongxiu and Qingwen had all gotten up long ago and were busy.

For them, this night must have been another sleepless night.

After breakfast, Aunt Mei gave Jia Cong some more instructions.

Jia Cong checked the examination basket again and again and found no omissions.

He said goodbye to Aunt Mei and other girls and walked out.

Outside the courtyard, Zhao Guoji was waiting there early.

This time was different from the last county examination. Apart from Aunt Mei and two maids, no one else came to see them off. No one else even knew about it, let alone a carriage to pick them up.

This time, Grandmother Jia directly sent Zhao Guoji to pick up Jia Cong for the exam.

Aunt Mei and others accompanied him to the gate of the mansion, and only returned after watching Jia Cong get on the carriage.

At this time, the second shot sounded in the examination room, reminding the candidates that it was time to leave home and rush to the examination room.

This time, with the carriage, the speed was even faster than last time.

After a quarter of an hour, they arrived outside the examination room.

Zhao Guoji parked the carriage and said in a simple and honest manner: "Master Cong, I am waiting for you right here. I wish you great success and the top prize in the imperial examination!"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Then I'll take advantage of your good words, but you don't have to wait here. I have to take the exam all day today. It won't be too late for you to pick me up in the afternoon."

Zhao Guoji smiled naively and said, "I don't have much to do when I go back, so I'll just wait for you here."

Jia Cong did not force it. He picked up his examination bag and went straight to the examination room.

After waiting for a few more quarters of an hour, the third cannon was fired at the entrance of the examination room.

At this time, the candidates are reminded that the door to the examination room will open soon and they will enter together after the door opens.

Soon, the chief examiner, dressed in official uniform, led the instructors and students to the scene to take roll call.

At 1:00 a.m., the Imperial Examination Hall opened. Thousands of examinees underwent preliminary examination one by one and filed into the hall. Led by four little boys holding lanterns, they entered the four examination rooms respectively.

After being searched again by the sergeant at the door, I was finally allowed to enter the examination room and find my seat according to the exam instructions.

In this exam, candidates are not allowed to bring anything except the test guide. Pens, ink, special paper, etc. will be provided by the examination center.

The first two exams will last one day each, and the third policy essay will take two days. Overnight quilts will also be provided by the examination room, and each candidate will be separated and have a seat.

This examination venue is as bad as ever.

But fortunately, the first exam only lasts one day, and you can submit the paper in advance, but of course not too early.

The first exam was about copying scriptures. Candidates had to write down the contents of the corresponding paragraphs in the book according to the exam requirements.

To put it bluntly, this level still tests basic skills, that is, the ability to memorize.

The ability to endorse has always been his strong point.

【The Four Books and Five Classics (Dacheng): 398/1000】

Learn about the Four Books and Five Classics at the master level.

It's not to say that I can recite it by heart, but it's almost there.

After the test questions came out, Jia Cong first calmly wrote the answers on the draft paper.

Then slowly copy it onto the test paper.

His calligraphy, which has reached perfection, is truly pleasing to the eye.

It was almost noon when Jia Cong rang the bell and went to the toilet to flush the toilet.

After washing hands, it was time for lunch.

Each candidate was only given two large pancakes for lunch, which was very simple and shabby.

(End of this chapter)