Chapter 284: Chapter 285: Inside and Outside the Examination Cells
Watching them walk through the large gate, laden with bags, Jin Qianqian finally turned to leave with her servants.
"Madam, are we heading straight home?" Hong Da, the driver, had to shout his question over the clamor of the crowd.
"Let’s just get away from here first," Jin Qianqian said. ’We can’t linger here; the streets are lined with armored soldiers.’
「Inside the Imperial Examination Hall」
The government officer in charge of inspections curiously examined the items laid out before him. What these two examinees had brought was truly different from everyone else.
He took a specific look at the region they were from but was still stumped. He knew of the place—it wasn’t far from Shangjing—yet he had never even heard of these items.
The officers thoroughly inspected everything, squeezing the cotton quilts and padded jackets to ensure nothing was hidden inside. Only then were the two examinees led to their pre-assigned cells.
The two were separated at a corner, each led away by an officer. Gu Wenheng felt like he was being led left and right in a dizzying maze before finally arriving at his destination.
Along the way, he could already see a scattering of other examinees standing inside their designated cells.
Looking at the temporarily constructed cell, Gu Wenheng walked inside and placed his belongings in a corner.
He examined the movable bed board. By lifting it and placing it on the two ledges on either side, it could be converted into a simple desk.
The one thing Gu Wenheng was pleased with were the latrines he had spotted at various corners on his way in. At least he wouldn’t have to eat and relieve himself all in the same space.
His cell was also in a good location, situated right in the middle of a row and a fair distance from the latrines at either end.
He glanced up and saw a scholar dressed in white in the cell opposite his, offering him a friendly smile.
Gu Wenheng waved back in greeting. ’This guy is something else,’ he thought. ’Doesn’t he know we’ll be stuck in here for nine days? That white robe of his will be an absolute wreck by the time this is over.’
However, that was none of his business. He carefully placed his small stove, charcoal, and pot in the corner. As soon as they were allowed to fetch water, he could boil some.
「At the Palace Gate」
"My lords, where are you all off to in such a hurry?" Xiao Liwei had never seen these civil servants move so quickly. ’They didn’t even butt heads with the Holy Emperor this morning,’ he thought. ’This isn’t their usual style at all.’
"General Xiao, if you have nothing better to do, perhaps you should return to your estate and teach your daughter proper womanly virtues. If she spends all day brandishing blades, you might find that no one dares to come asking for her hand in marriage," Xu Zhiwen retorted irritably, seeing the Supreme General blocking his path.
"What’s wrong with brandishing blades? My girl learns everything she’s supposed to.
"It’s you civil servants who ought to be thanking the Empress. I hear the harem has been so peaceful that even the Imperial Physicians are idle. Looks like everyone in there is guaranteed to live to a ripe old age."
"You—" At the thought of his own granddaughter in the harem, Xu Zhiwen was so choked with anger he couldn’t speak.
’It’s all these military generals! They have no idea how to raise children! Normal young ladies admire flowers and chase butterflies, but theirs only know how to make trouble for others. His granddaughter had sent several letters out asking for help, but they were powerless.’
"You still haven’t told me where you’re all rushing off to."
Xu Zhiwen sidestepped him. "There’s no point in telling you. A crude oaf like you wouldn’t get it."
"Hey, watch your mouth! I ask one question and get all that lip? Don’t tell me you’re off to do something shady!" Xiao Liwei shouted, chasing after him.
"Why are you so damn annoying? Stop following me!" Xu Zhiwen glared at Xiao Liwei, then suddenly hiked up his robes and broke into a run.
"Ha, the old fart can run pretty fast. Just as I thought, these civil servants are always putting on an act. He certainly doesn’t look like he’s about to keel over, the way he does when he’s bargaining with the Holy Emperor."
Just then, Guard General Liu Chang walked over and clapped him on the shoulder. "Since when can you make fun of the Holy Emperor? You’re getting more and more reckless with your words."
"Brother Liu, it’s just that I can’t stand the sight of those guys." Seeing the Emperor’s cousin, Xiao Liwei glanced back at the now-empty palace gate. "Tell me, what’s their big hurry today? Don’t tell me there’s free gold for the taking somewhere?"
Liu Chang chuckled. "Have you forgotten what day it is? It’s the imperial examinations. Most of those old coots have family members taking the test. They’re just rushing over to see if they can get them a better cell assignment."
"They can change the assignments?" To Xiao Liwei, this sounded like a farce. ’Scholars from all over the empire are gathered here. These men are usually so arrogant; would they really tolerate such a thing?’
"What’s to stop them? As long as you have a word with the examiners inside, swapping a cell assignment is a simple matter."
Xiao Liwei scoffed. "Are they idiots? Why didn’t they take care of it earlier? Why rush over to do it today?"
A grin spread across Liu Chang’s face, as if he was about to watch a good show. "They aren’t idiots. The Holy Emperor has been thwarting their efforts all this time. What makes them think he’d let them interfere today?
"Rest assured, their trip will be for nothing. If you want to watch the drama unfold, you might still catch the finale if you head over now."
"A spectacle, you say?" Xiao Liwei’s interest was piqued. "Come on, let’s go watch together."
"I’m afraid I can’t. I have to remain on duty at the palace gate today. If you want to see the show, you need to go now."
"Then I’m off!" Not daring to delay, Xiao Liwei snatched the reins from his attendant, vaulted onto his horse, and quickly vanished from the palace gate.
Marquis Wu’an knew he would never get a decent assignment. ’That unfilial son of mine must have been stirring up trouble again,’ he thought bitterly.
But even so, he could only suffer in silence. Leading the Capital Guards, he formed a tight perimeter around the Imperial Examination Hall. From this moment on, no one was permitted to enter or exit.
"Marquis Bai, no wonder I didn’t see you at court this morning. I never expected to find you here," Kuang Yujun said with a wide grin.
"Compiler Kuang," Bai Yugang retorted, his tone just as sharp. He still remembered how this man had used him as a scapegoat during the drought in the Three Eastern Provinces. "Now that you’re no longer Prime Minister, you seem to have plenty of time for idle strolls. However, this is the Imperial Examination Hall. Uninvolved parties are forbidden to approach."
Kuang Yujun’s expression faltered. Ever since the Holy Emperor had demoted him to a compiler in the Tai Le Bureau, the whole of Shangjing City had been treating him like a laughingstock.
"Don’t you stand there gloating, Marquis Bai," he sneered. "You think you’re so much better off? You’re just stuck here watching a gate."
Bai Yugang’s face turned livid. He bellowed to the guards at his side, "Keep your eyes peeled! Don’t let so much as a fly in or out!"
Kuang Yujun was disgusted by the obvious jab. He was just about to flick his sleeves and stalk away when he saw the two Chiefs of Staff from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites approaching with their entourages.
He decided not to leave after all. Shooting a meaningful glance at Bai Yugang, he quietly retreated to a corner, crossing his arms to enjoy the show.
"My lords, what brings you all here?" Bai Yugang asked, forcing a smile. ’I can’t afford to offend a single one of them,’ he thought.
"Marquis Bai," Chen Zishu said, cupping his hands in salute. "My eldest grandson happens to be taking the examination, and I am worried he may not have brought enough supplies. I was hoping to go inside and check on him."
"I’m here for my youngest son," Xu Zhiwen chimed in. "The boy has been frail since he was a child. I’d like to check if his cell is properly sheltered from the wind."
