CHAPTER 202: MODIFIED: CHAPTER 36 - MANSION EXAM

At exactly 5:15 AM, Gu Chengyu and the others were outside the examination hall, waiting for its doors to open.

The rules of this examination were similar to the county examination before, but this time there were thousands of candidates, crowded together outside the examination hall. Although they dared not speak loudly, the noise lingered in the air.

"Chengyu! There are so many people this time, probably around two thousand! With only fifty passing, I wonder if I can make it!" He Shunian felt a bit nervous about the prefectural exam as the number of candidates was overwhelming, putting considerable pressure on him.

"Senior brother, your foundation is solid. There’s really no need to worry, just concentrate and do well!" Gu Chengyu was confident he would pass, but what rank he would achieve was uncertain.

This time for the prefectural exam, an additional candidate had to be vouched for; Mr. Wen and Mr. Yang from another private school in town vouched for each other’s students.

Before He Shunian could say anything more, the gates of the examination hall opened, and then thousands of candidates underwent an initial screening and entered the hall in succession.

Led by four lantern-carrying children, candidates entered four examination rooms. At the entrance, they were subjected to a body search by the constables. Just like last time, but the search was even more rigorous this time. It was already warm in April, so everyone wore light clothing, making the checks faster than during the county examination!

The candidates entered the examination hall and found their seats according to their examination passes. Apart from the examination pass, candidates were not allowed to bring anything inside. Pens, ink, special paper, etc., were provided by the examination hall. The first two sessions were each a day long, and the third session, a thesis writing, required two days, with candidates not allowed to leave the hall on the third day, staying overnight instead.

The bedding for overnight stays, as well as meals and water, were also provided by the examination hall.

Gu Chengyu looked at his seat number and saw it was No. 8 in the Xuanzhao row. Seat numbers were written on the walls of the examination shed. Gu Chengyu found his seat according to the order. He was still in the first row, just more towards the inside this time. The county champions from various counties all sat in the first row, with seat numbers drawn randomly.

From his seat, he could see the examination shed stretched far ahead. His good eyesight allowed him to see the features of the chief examiner in front, while the brother beside him might only be able to distinguish the color of the chief examiner’s clothing.

This time, the chief examiner was Lord Jiang, the Magistrate of Jingyuan Prefecture, who had just taken a seat up front. Gu Chengyu had seen him before during the mutual vouching process; he was a handsome middle-aged man, yet Prefect Jiang’s gaze held something strange. The moment he saw Gu Chengyu, he stood up from his chair involuntarily, as if he had something to say but ended up uttering only one word before stopping.

Confused beyond belief, it felt as if one had met a long-lost acquaintance.

Overall, the look in his eyes conveyed shock, perhaps reminiscences, mixed with other complex emotions, prompting Gu Chengyu to have some bold associations.

Composing himself, Gu Chengyu awaited the distribution of the examination paper.

The first session was a text-memorization exam, which Gu Chengyu didn’t fear. The basic requirement was familiarity with more than three texts, with "Xiao Jing" and "Analects" as mandatory; subsequently, selections from major classics like "Book of Rites" and "Zuo Zhuan" might be included. Other intermediate and minor classics would not be further elaborated.

They were to transcribe specified passages from memory, testing both memory and calligraphy skills. They were allowed three breaks a day; meals would be delivered punctually, and if they needed the toilet, someone would guide and monitor them.

First distributed were pens, ink, water, and rough paper. Gu Chengyu meticulously checked everything, found no anomalies, and added the ink stick to the water, slowly grinding it. The examination hall’s ink stick was good, grinding smoothly without any sense of stagnation.

As he ground the ink, the examination papers were handed out. Gu Chengyu didn’t rush to look but planned to grind the ink a bit longer out of habit!

The candidate opposite had eagerly picked up the paper to read, laying out rough paper, having long since finished grinding his ink. Seeing Gu Chengyu’s leisurely actions, he twitched his mouth. This text-memorization session was complex and abundant, requiring a lot of time, and unlike the third session, the nighttime hours couldn’t be used; the paper had to be submitted before dark!

Unperturbed, Gu Chengyu finished grinding the ink, picked up his paper, and started reading. Having thoroughly read the Thirteen Classics and more, he wasn’t anxious at all!

He skimmed the test paper from top to bottom, having a grasp of it. He copied the questions onto the rough paper and began answering!

Lord Jiang, sitting up front, looked at the candidates below, feeling a myriad of emotions. Once upon a time, he too was one of them, now he was the Magistrate of Jingyuan County.

His family was originally merchants, and passing the Advanced Scholar exam was like a godsend. A few years ago, his official career had been smooth, but now he had been reappointed as magistrate for three terms, all because of his first wife, the Yu Family.

Looking toward a corner of the examination hall, where a young child sat! His thoughts drifted back to earlier; the first glance at him was an utter shock. How alike! So very alike! Such similar eyes, how could he mistake them? Checking his place of origin, it was indeed that place. Could he be that man’s son?

The figure turning to smile in the peach blossom grove always lingered in his mind. Every morning waking beside someone who wasn’t her! The thought stirred him; he eagerly drank his tea to calm his feelings!

Retracting his gaze from that spot, wondering if that child, also the county champion, had any talent! Since ancient times, there have been many prodigies, but most end up achieving nothing! He decided to set down his teacup and go around for a walk!

Lord Jiang looked at the candidates on either side, seeing some still copying questions onto draft paper, others deep in thought. He directed a constable to patrol the back rows where it was hard to see, preventing cheating!

Yet, his footsteps did not stop and instead wandered near Gu Chengyu’s spot, watching him copy questions and write answers. Gu Chengyu seemed to write with ease, without pause. Coming closer, he saw the words on his rough paper, written exceptionally well to his surprise!

Taking only a couple of glances, Lord Jiang moved on elsewhere. He couldn’t let anyone know about his unusual interest in Gu Chengyu; it would be disadvantageous for both! Those past memories, buried deep within, stirred once more upon seeing Gu Chengyu, unsettling his heart for a long time!

Time flew by quickly; Gu Chengyu set down his brush, blew the ink dry on the rough paper. Ahead, meals were being handed out. Gu Chengyu had to put away his paper to avoid getting food stains on it.

The examination hall meals weren’t lavish: a stir-fried dish with egg jam and two white flour buns. There was little egg in the dish, and it was cold; the buns, hard as rocks. The examination hall didn’t allow candidates to bring their own food, so Gu Chengyu had to eat them with cold water. Fortunately, his stomach was strong, not prone to upset!

He quickly finished eating, rang the bell to go relieve himself, needing some movement before continuing to write. He had completed the answers, now it was just about transcribing them onto the paper!

Following the constable along rows of examination sheds, opening the toilet door, a stench hit him, nearly causing him to vomit his earlier bun! He truly sympathized with the brothers assigned to such a foul location! The smell alone could kill an appetite!

Under full supervision, Gu Chengyu finished at the toilet and returned to his seat. He resolved to drink less water next time, avoiding the toilets if possible!