Sign in: The female supporting character in the book disrupted the heroine's glory

Chapter 424: Provincial Examination 3

I didn't expect that copying an article was more stressful than writing it. I carefully put the paper aside to dry.

Jiang Youzhen looked up and found that the candidate opposite him had already started eating?

Only then did she realize that she was starving. When she smelled the fragrance of food, she realized that it was already time for lunch.

After making sure that the ink on the test paper had dried, Jiang Youzhen put the test paper and the four treasures of the study into the examination basket.

If oil stains are spilled on the paper, the examiner may not be able to mark it.

She secretly took some rice out of the space, since those people didn't remember whether she had brought rice. She washed the rice and put it in the pot, and started to make braised pork rice.

The intense concentration for the whole morning made her a little tired, so she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes to rest.

The candidate opposite had been observing Jiang Youzhen. Suddenly, he smelled the fragrance of food coming from the opposite side, and immediately felt that the steamed bun in his hand was no longer fragrant.

He couldn't cook, and couldn't even use the clay stove, so he could only eat steamed buns. The braised pig's trotters he brought had a strange smell. It was too hot, and it seemed to have gone bad.

It didn't take long for the meal to be ready. Jiang Youzhen opened the lid of the pot and smelled a fragrant aroma, which made him even hungrier.

After filling a bowl, Jiang Youzhen just sat down and saw the wide eyes of the person opposite her. She couldn't help but find it funny.

Although it was already autumn, the weather was still hot and humid. Jiang Youzhen was sweating profusely after eating a bowl of rice.

How can I not feel hot when I am wearing two layers of clothes with long sleeves? I miss the air conditioners and fans in my previous life.

The candidate opposite him had already taken off his outer garment, leaving only his inner garment. He opened his collar, his fair and handsome face flushed and covered in sweat.

Jiang Youzhen shook his head. Humph! How insulting!

She put down the wooden board in front of her and put it together with the board she was sitting on to form a bed. This is how she slept last night.

Although the space is small and I can only curl up, at least I can take a nap for a while.

The candidate opposite him was immediately surprised. He had just finished a Four Books essay, and there was still so much to be completed. Jiang Youzhen actually wanted to take a lunch break? It was really frustrating to compare yourself with others.

Jiang Youzhen turned his back to the outside of the cell, secretly took out the small ice basin from the space, and held it in his arms.

With a sigh of comfort, she felt like she was alive again.

The patrolling official took a quick look and found a candidate sleeping soundly with his back to him, and immediately shook his head.

It is not uncommon to see such a phenomenon in the provincial examinations, as many candidates come just to gain experience and do not expect to pass on their first try.

Some people take the exam three or five times, and some even become gray-haired.

As long as it doesn't affect the order in the examination room, they won't care.

Jiang Youzhen slept for most of the hour. When she glanced at the hourglass in the space, she was surprised to find that she had slept for so long.

In the afternoon, we started the questions on the meaning of the classics. Looking at the first question, it was a famous quote from the Book of Documents.

"Water, fire, metal, wood, earth, and valley are cultivated, virtue is used, and life is harmonious."

The interpretation of this sentence is that the six living materials of gold, wood, water, fire, earth and grain should be managed, and the three policies of Zhengde, Utilizing and Prospering the People should cooperate with each other.

How should the rulers govern? First, they should pay attention to the management and production of these materials; second, "rectifying virtue" means establishing one's own virtue, "utilizing" means using money for people's livelihood, and "enriching the people" means reducing corvée labor and ensuring that people have enough food and clothing.

That’s about it, now we need to solve the problem.

"The sage's policies for nurturing the people can lead to a safe and secure governance!"

The question was solved very quickly, and it can be seen that this question is quite difficult.

Jiang Youzhen was writing furiously. She planned to finish three passages on the meaning of the scriptures before dark today, so time was a bit tight.

The candidate opposite was scratching his head, and when he saw Jiang Youzhen didn't even raise his head, he couldn't help but sigh.

He is worthy of being the top student in Tongzhou Prefecture School. Although he is also considered to be among the top students in Donglin Prefecture School, the questions this time are obviously more difficult.

Soon it was getting dark. After Jiang Youzhen copied down the answers to the third passage on the meaning of the scriptures, he found that some other candidates had already started lighting candles.

The exam could be held at night, but only two candles were given. In the dark Imperial Examination Hall, even if everyone lit candles, it was only a faint light.

This is not very friendly to candidates with poor eyesight, just like the one diagonally opposite, who stretched his neck and leaned forward, writing carefully towards the candlelight.

Jiang Youzhen also planned to continue answering questions, but he didn't dare to copy the answers. If he made a mistake, he would have to copy them again.

She finished six questions today, but she was not satisfied with them. There were still seventeen questions left, and she had to hand them in before the evening of the day after tomorrow.

After collecting all the test papers, Jiang Youzhen continued to think about the next question on the draft paper.

The autumn night was slightly cool, and the coolness of autumn could already be felt at this time. Jiang Youzhen's mind was particularly clear at this moment, and he was even more inspired than during the day.

After doing two questions on the meaning of the scriptures in a row, she put down her pen and forced herself not to continue. If she didn't rest well today, it would affect her condition tomorrow.

Jiang Youzhen simply washed up and lay down to sleep. When he arrived at the Imperial Examination Hall, he couldn't be polite even if he wanted to.

After three days of exams, even Jiang Youzhen felt dizzy.

As expected, the provincial examination was not that easy. Passing the examination and becoming a juren was already a great achievement. This was only the first provincial examination.

The three exams are like passing five levels and cutting six generals.

Seeing the colorful clouds appearing in the sky, it was almost evening. Jiang Youzhen checked his paper again and rang the bell only after he was sure there was no problem.

At this time, two sealing officials came up. After they confirmed that Jiang Youzhen was about to hand in the paper, they stepped forward and began to seal the paper.

The paper outside the red lines will be covered up, and when marking the papers, a special transcriber will copy the entire paper before marking it, to prevent the examiner from identifying people by their handwriting.

Carrying the grilling basket, Jiang Youzhen left the cell lightly. During these three days, she drank very little water in order to avoid going to the toilet.

Even if there is a curtain outside the toilet, there are officials guarding it. Who knows if they will suddenly lift the curtain?

Fortunately, it is not open, so it retains some decency.

They had to line up again for the next exam before dark. During this time, Jiang Youzhen was taken to the alley to rest.

She was the first one to hand in her paper. Sitting on a bench, she picked up a piece of dried meat and chewed it twice.

"Xiao Lang!"

Jiang Youzhen turned around and it was Tong Huaian.

Just as he was about to invite the other party to come over and eat some dried meat, an official came up and scolded him coldly, "No noise is allowed in the examination room! Candidates are not allowed to whisper to each other!"

Tong Huaian immediately shut up and was taken to the other side by the officer.

Jiang Youzhen glanced at Tong Huaian and couldn't help but laugh. After three days of torture, even the most delicate flowers would wither.

Tong Huaian's eyes were dark, his hair was a little messy, and even his clothes were wrinkled. It was obvious that he had been having a hard time in the past two days.

For someone like this who is used to being served by others, but has no one to help her comb her hair, she must not be that glamorous and beautiful.