AWB Chapter 155 The Imperial Examination
Chapter 155 The Imperial Examination
"Stupid, foolish!" Shen Zizai said angrily at home, "How could a crown prince do such a low-class trick as poisoning? Now he has not only angered His Majesty, but we have also been put on the defensive."
"Do you know that Prince Yi is taking advantage of the situation to form a faction in the court? If this continues, even the Emperor Taizu's decree may not be able to protect this eldest son."
Xiao Bailing was looking at the account books, Shen Li was reading a book, and Shen Yue was reading a military treatise. None of the three responded to what was being said; they all just went about their own business.
"Li'er, say something!" Shen Zi said this only to her, asking her to think of a solution.
"Father, I've never studied medicine since I was little, and even if I did, I couldn't cure a brain disease." Shen Li looked up from her book, her expression quite helpless.
"What kind of time is this to be joking around? You should think of a solution." Shen Zizai said anxiously, "We're in a very passive position."
"Does that Grand Secretary have a solution?" Shen Li asked calmly.
“His Majesty is in a fit of anger. Anything we do now will only worsen the situation, unless something can divert His Majesty’s attention and make him pay attention to the Crown Prince again,” Shen Zizai said.
He had discussed this matter with Zhou Zhen quite a bit in the cabinet in private.
"The Grand Secretary's insight into things is indeed more profound and incisive." Shen Li nodded and added, "It's a pity we don't need him when something comes up."
“You little rascal…” Shen Zizai paused for a moment before slumping into a chair, “You’re right.”
"Father, I do have a way to help you out. If you have nothing to do, why don't you..." Shen Li continued, seeing her father's eager expression, "reveal this year's exam questions to me, and help me write an essay or something."
Shen Zizai's face darkened: "You little brat, you're getting more and more outrageous."
He left in anger.
Shen Li was finally able to read in peace.
"Sister, how's your reading going?" Shen Yue counted on her fingers: "There are only five days left until the imperial examination."
Xiao Bailing raised her hand as well. She had never imagined that her daughter could take the imperial examination, and she was very proud and looking forward to it.
Women should not be born to be confined to the inner quarters of the house.
She would definitely support anyone who could get out of there.
"I'm quite good at studying, but there are so many talented people taking the imperial examinations, so I can only give it a try." Shen Li said frankly, "If I don't pass, I can try again in three years."
If the imperial court holds a special imperial examination, it may not even take three years.
Even if she is only twenty-one years old three years later, there is still time for everything.
“It’s good to have this idea. Don’t rush, take your time. I believe you can do it,” Xiao Bailing said from the side.
Shen Yue added, "I also believe my sister can do it!"
Shen Li did not stay at the Shen residence for long. After dinner, she returned to the Gu residence. Since Gu Chang'an had not yet returned, she continued her studies.
Forsythia and Peony have started to feel sorry for their young lady. Ever since she said she was going to take the imperial examination, she seems to have returned to her former disciplined routine.
She gets up to read before dawn every day, reads while eating, and continues reading late into the night. In their eyes, the young lady has an excellent memory, yet she still needs to study so hard. How much must she be memorizing?
No wonder those who pass the exam feel superior to others; they truly do seem superior. Ordinary people simply cannot endure this hardship.
The young lady may look calm, but she has actually put in a lot of hard work, and her face has become noticeably thinner in the past few days.
Gu Chang'an felt even more sorry for her, but apart from helping her choose some good policy essays and analyzing the key events of the year with her, there was nothing else he could do.
I can only hope to pass the exam and get into high school soon, so that I won't have to work so hard in the future.
"Husband, guess what questions His Majesty will ask in this year's imperial examination?" Shen Li asked.
"Tax system." Gu Chang'an said two words decisively: "A strong country is, in short, a strong economy. His Majesty attaches great importance to this, and my reform plan has already been submitted to the cabinet for approval. His Majesty may very well use this to test public opinion."
Shen Li felt that this was very likely. If it really was true, she wouldn't be afraid, because in her previous life she had witnessed Gu Chang'an's reforms.
Gu Chang'an may not have a clear idea of the tax reform or how it will be implemented, but Shen Li is very familiar with what will happen at each stage.
She couldn't fall asleep, and her mind was already conjuring up those images.
"I don't want to think about it anymore, let's go to sleep." Gu Chang'an patted her. "Don't overwork yourself, it hurts me to see you like this."
"My husband is so good, my husband kisses me."
Shen Li teased him for a bit and then quickly fell asleep. She'd been sleeping almost as much as Gu Chang'an lately, and was already quite exhausted.
They didn't even have the energy to play around.
Seeing that she was asleep, Gu Chang'an gently kissed her forehead, his expression full of heartache. If it were up to his own selfish desires, he would have hoped that A-Li could live a peaceful and comfortable life in the inner quarters.
However, staying in the inner quarters was ultimately a waste of Ah Li's talents; even if she entered officialdom, she would not be inferior to any man.
All he could do was help and protect.
Five days passed in the blink of an eye. The deposed crown prince's voice weakened slightly. He had woken up a few days ago, but fainted again after learning of his predicament. It was unknown whether he regretted waking up.
Li Heng never expected to be so unlucky. Although he had ordered the poisoning, the little eunuch had clearly thrown away the poison. How could he have been caught red-handed?
The fall was even more absurd. He had intended to be a hero and save the damsel in distress, but the horse suddenly went mad and just rolled off its back.
After falling, he only had vague memories. He remembered that Lin Wan'er was with him and that someone else seemed to be on the hillside. Then his leg was broken. The imperial physician said that even if he recovered, he would still have a chronic problem when walking.
He tried to struggle but had lost contact with the outside world. The palace was surrounded by layers upon layers of guards. It's no exaggeration to say that they would catch even a fly or a bee that flew out, and check his body for any marks.
As a result, Li Heng felt that his days were filled with darkness and misery.
That morning, Shen Li entered the examination hall with the other candidates. The chief examiner was Shen Zizai, the Minister of Rites.
Before entering the examination hall, candidates were searched. Two nannies who had been prepared in advance searched Shen Li. After the search was completed, the candidates entered their respective examination rooms one after another.
The cells were very small and dark. Candidates had to spend all three days there, and they had to arrange their own time for answering questions, resting, and eating.
Shen Li didn't feel bitter; she only felt that there was hope everywhere in the dark cell, and that the future would be full of infinite possibilities once she walked out.
Surprisingly, the most nervous person this time was the chief examiner. Shen Zizai was very happy when he heard that his daughter wanted to take the imperial examination to help him make a better future.
But no one told him that he was so nervous about his daughter's exam, or what he was worried about; he was just on tenterhooks.
To prevent cheating, the exam questions were sent out from the palace on the same day, and the emperor also sent Li Rui with the Imperial Guards to strictly enforce the discipline of the examination hall.