The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 168

Chapter 168: 114 Rural Examination (Two Updates Combined)_5

On the eighth day, the candidates arrived at the exam site early.

Although each round lasted three days, the real test was only a day in between, with the first and last days being for checking in and out respectively.

Early in the morning, a long line had already formed outside of the Imperial College.

Xiao Liulang and the other two arrived neither early nor late, placing them around the hundredth spot in line.

They were not in a hurry, but it was driving Mr. Zhou, the Lin Family’s manager, insane.

The provincial examination did not allow others to queue on behalf of the candidates; otherwise, the Lin Family would have booked all the slots outside the Imperial College!

“Did you bring your water?” Manager Zhou asked Lin Chengye.

Lin Chengye nodded, “Hmm.”

Manager Zhou continued: “Did you bring your food?”

Lin Chengye nodded again, “Yes.”

He could still utter a couple of words without stuttering.

Still, Manager Zhou was not at ease: “And… are your clothes thick enough? In case it gets too chilly at night.”

“It’s hot.” Lin Chengye said.

Manager Zhou sighed. The weather had been unusual this year. It was not hot when it was supposed to be, and it was not chilly when it was supposed to be. He heard that the crops growing in the countryside were not doing well because of it.

Just as Manager Zhou was about to give more instructions, Lin Chengye frowned, “Go away, you are annoying.”

Manager Zhou: “…”

“Oh my!”

Manager Zhou had only just taken a few steps when Fen Lin scared him so much that he almost tripped over.

“What’s wrong?” He turned back to ask.

Fen Lin said, “I forgot to give you this! Gu Jiao said if the weather was hot, we should bring this into the exam site. It can refresh the mind and also stop the itching from mosquitos.”

It was three bottles of menthol.

However, Gu Jiao had changed the glass bottles to jade bottles. After adding the stopper, she had sealed the opening with wax.

“Can we take this in?” Manager Zhou asked. Apart from water and food, nothing else was allowed in the provincial exams.

Fen Lin explained, “This can be used externally and can be consumed as well. Gu Jiao said, if anyone asks, just drink some to show them.”

Xiao Liulang’s eyes held a hint of suspicion: “You two seem to be close now…”

Fen Lin, oblivious to his companion’s dangerous gaze, chuckled. “I misunderstood Gu Jiao before because I was naive. She’s actually very nice! Liulang, honestly, it’s a man’s luck spanning several lifetimes to get a wife like her! I also want…”

The exam room was simple, with only two planks of wood. One served as a table and the other as a chair, inserted into notches on either side of the room. At night, the candidates would put the two boards together to make a bed and make do for the night.

During these three days, candidates were not allowed to leave their exam rooms, taking care of all their needs inside.

The first round of examination involved writing essays and poetry. In theory, it was one essay on either “Analects of Confucius” or “Doctrine of the Mean”, or “University” or “Mencius”, along with a self-made eight-line quintain. _{ƒгeewebnovёl.com}

However, this year’s provincial examination added an unconventional twist— it included the “Classic of Filial Piety”.

Strictly speaking, the “Classic of Filial Piety” was not long, being less than two thousand words in total, but the problem was… it was not in the syllabus!

Who would memorize it if it wasn’t going to be tested, right?

When Lin Chengye saw that he had to write the “Classic of Filial Piety” from memory, all his hair stood on end!

Not out of fear, but excitement!

Because Xiao Liulang… had… tested… him… on it!

Xiao Liulang was a very strict teacher. Everything that Lin Chengye couldn’t answer would be retested a second, third, or even a fourth time until he could.

Not only had Lin Chengye lost weight, but he had also developed premature baldness, all thanks to Xiao Liulang’s torment.

But at this moment, Lin Chengye was sincerely grateful for Xiao Liulang’s torment!

Lin Chengye knew not many candidates would know “Classic of Filial Piety”. Just with this first round, he might already be ahead of many other examinees!