The county officials were mostly determining the number of county examinations. According to the rule of Tongjiang County, where Yan Chu lived, there were four county examinations held in February every year, one every day, and the results announced the next day. Those who fail the previous one could not participate in the next one. Usually, the number of people who passed the county exam was about twice the number of Xiucai56Xiucaia person who has passed the county-level imperial exams.
The first exam is the main session, which was the wider one among all the exams. You could get admitted if your writing was clear and coherent and the passing rate was sky-high. The first exam was about the Four Books literary, the five words and six rhymes exam poem. Yan Chu got the title, scanned it first, and then began to write.
In the past, it was arduous for accidents to happen in the first county exam, but today was different. Yan Chu heard a commotion in the exam room’s right side when he was answering the questions. Many examinees, who focused on the preliminary round of imperial examinations, were attracted by the commotion.
He turned his head and could not see which unfortunate person was from the overlapping figures. He was not the kind of character who liked to join in the fun, so he quickly withdrew his eyes and concentrated on his article.
The county magistrate sitting in the top position could fundamentally scan everyone present. As an official who had to invigilate the county exam for many years, he was more accustomed to the accidents that happened at any time in the exam room than the examinees. After seeing several examiners and the minor government officials passed by, he no longer paid attention to that area’s activity. Instead, he began to observe the reaction of the examinees present.
In the county examination, it was quite hard to see the elderly examinees. Most of them were teenagers in their twenties, and children of this age had an uncertain temperament. They were inevitably affected by the turmoil in the examination room. A few examinees still concentrated on their papers in the exam room when the suddenly sick examinee carried out.
The county magistrate touched his beard and lingered for a moment on the examinees, who looked at the questions calmly and attentively. Among them, Yan Chu was the youngest, fair-skinned and handsome. The county magistrate stayed the longest for him.
At the end of the exam, the examinees got released in batches. When Yan Chu came out of the examination shed, he saw only his father standing outside with a warm water canteen and digestive pastries, but he did not see Uncle Yan Changxue.
“Quickly drink some hot water. Dad just put it in the arms to warm it. It’s still hot.”
The county examination was held in February. It was freezing. Even if the examination shed had a charcoal stove, it would not work in such a spacious place. After listening to Yan Changde’s words, who was Xiucai, Yan Changxi went to his younger sister’s house to fill a pot of boiling water at the end of the exam and put it in the cotton-padded jacket to keep warm. It was supposed that when he opened his innermost garment, he could still see a large piece of red skin.
“Where are Oldest Uncle and Second Cousin?”
Yan Chu took a sip of warm water and put his hands outside the leather canteen. Only at this time did his numb fingers feel a little warmer and asked his father with a sigh of relief.
He vaguely remembers that the position Yan Tao was assigned should be close to the dragon gate, which was estimated he went out earlier than him. Did Oldest Uncle and Yan Tao go back first?
“Well, your second cousin became ill and was sent out soon after he entered the examination room. Now he’s at your aunt’s house, under the doctor’s watch.”
Yan Changxi sighed. Fortunately, there was nothing serious. The doctor said that maybe he ate something uncooked or cold food and had trouble with his stomach. When he vomited everything in his stomach, he would drink a bowl of medicine and sleep until he sweated.
Initially, when such an accident happened, Yan Changxi should have worried about his eldest brother, but he did not know why, this time, Yan Changxi had a faint joy in his heart.
He knew that one between his son and his eldest brother’s son would not be able to go to school. If his parents did not give him this hope, perhaps Yan Changxi would endure it as before, but now it was different. His son was studying, and maybe he would become Xiucai and Juren57Jurena successful candidate in the imperial provincial examination in the future.
It did not matter if he was plowing in the field all his life, but Yan Changxi did not want his son to be like him. Why could the eldest brother’s sons wear new clothes comfortably and consume fragrant, spicy food, but his little treasure could not?
Yan Tao had taken out because of a sudden illness in this county examination, which meant that the other party could not continue this time. At that time, as long as Little Treasure passed the county examination, it would be clear who could continue to study.
Yan Changxi did not know whether his idea was right or not, but his eldest brother’s family already had Duan-boy. This opportunity to attend school was for them in the second branch, one for each family, which was the fairest.
Facing his son, Yan Changxi did not say what he thought. Seeing that his son drank half a canteen of water and ate two pastries, he quickly took a thick coat and put it on his son.
When entering the examination room, you could not wear interlayer clothes. Even if you wear more than ten unlined garments on your body, it was not frost resistant in the big winter. Fortunately, the time for the county examination was short. If the exam had longer, people would freeze out.
After listening to his father’s words, Yan Chu realized that there was a commotion in the examination room at that time. The examinee who got taken out was his cousin. But in the original self’s memory, had such a thing happened?
Yan Chu thought deeply for a moment and followed his father to the house of Little Aunt Yan’s husband. During these days of the preliminary round of imperial examinations, they would live there.
The family surname of Yan Mudan’s husband was Jiang, and he had some distant relations with Yan née Jiang’s family. Yan Mudan’s father-in-law is a distant relative of Yan née Jiang’s family who could not afford to wear three clothes. In the beginning, the old lady gave up her mind to seek marriage for this daughter. The old couple Jiang was good-natured, and two families had blood relations, so she did not worry about the other side bullying her daughter. Also, Yan Mudan’s husband, Jiang Datong, was flexible and competitive. Both sides were satisfied with this marriage.
Now Jiang Datong was as prosperous as the old lady expected. Yan Mudan did not worry about food and drink, and he had little maids to serve him. The two concubines in the family were a bit upset, but there was no good thing in this world where everything was just as one wished.
Perhaps because of Yan Tao, when Yan Changxi and Yan Chu came back, no one was outside the courtyard. Yan Changxi did not take his son back instantly to his room but took him to Yan Tao’s room directly.
At this time, Yan Tao had already drunk the medicine and went to sleep. Yan Changxue, Yan Mudan, and others were also coming out of his room.
“Little Treasure, how was it? Did you do well in this exam? It’s a pity for your second cousin. The teacher said that he was confident of this boy’s success in this exam.”
Yan Changxue showed regret and seemed to be joking: “It’s just that this time your second cousin didn’t have a reference, but it’s impossible to tell the difference between two of you.”
My son had taken out soon after the exam started. He must have no results. If Yan Chu failed the Boy Examination36Boy Examinationthe qualification test for taking the scientific examination in the imperial examination period, there might not be any room for change. But if Yan Chu passed the Boy Examination, the nine-year-old Tongsheng58Tongshenga candidate who has not yet passed the county-level imperial exam and his eldest son were on the same level. He feared that his sister, not to mention his parents, would also be excited. They would divide a part of the gamble initially placed on his eldest son and put it on the second brother’s child. How could Yan Changxue allow this?
“How did he do in the exam? You have to ask the county magistrate, whatever Little Treasure’s score is.” Yan Changxi understood his eldest brother’s words but treated them as if he did not understand them.
“What’s wrong with Second Treasure?” He glanced at Yan Tao’s room and asked his little sister.
“The doctor said he’s alright. He already drinks the medicine and goes to sleep.”
Yan Mudan’s heart initially was inclined to her eldest brother, but now her second brother had a faint intention to stand up because of Yan Chu, so now there was not much bias on the surface. Specifically, she would make plans after the county examination was over and the results came out.
Such as Yan Changxue thought, her attitude towards her second brother would unmistakably turn 180 degrees if Yan Chu could pass the county examination this time.
Yan Duan had been Tongsheng for many years. She had been disappointed by her big nephew many times. Now she did not have much hope that her nephew could support her. After all, it was so challenging to be Xiucai. When the other party became Juren, she could drink tea from her granddaughter-in-law. Her focus was on Yan Tao and Yan Chu currently, and she hoped that these two young people would fight.
Yan Chu had to prepare for the next few exams, so a group of people did not stay outside Yan Tao’s room for long, so they went back to their respective rooms.
The dinner had eaten separately. The old couple Jiang was old, and their favorite food was soft, mushy, and sweet, which was not in line with the younger generation’s taste. Jiang Datong was busy with his own business. Sometimes he just lived in the shop and did not come back, so he would not come back for dinner.
Considering that the two nephews came to take the county examination this time, in order not to disturb their study, Yan Mudan ordered the servants in the kitchen to serve each meal to the two nephews before they came. In this way, all kinds of troublesome customary courtesy remained for the family to eat together.
Yan Mudan was very polite this time and asked the kitchen aunt to make five dishes for her nephew with two meat, two vegetables, and one soup. Yan Changxi ate them with his son. When the kitchen aunt brought the meals, she added a roast duck and braised chicken in oil. It was unmistakably not what Yan Mudan prepared for her nephew.
The Jiang family was wealthy now, but Jiang Datong was afraid that his wife would stick to her natal family, so he was still very tight on the money. All the expenses of the family have to be accounted for once to Jiang Datong.
Her nephew came to their home to prepare for the county examination. It did not matter if she had some meat and vegetables, but it was a whole chicken and duck all of a sudden. Before Yan Chu’s county examination results came out, she would not be so generous and subsidized with her private money.
“This is from Granduncle-in-law.”
The granduncle whom the aunt who delivered the meal once said was Yan Changxue.
“It initially was prepared for Second Young Master, but now he can’t eat this, so Granduncle asked me to send it to Third Young Master.” The kitchen aunt left after delivering the food. Half an hour later, she would come and collect the dishes.
“Your uncle still remembers you very much.”
Looking at the two pots of chicken and duck, Yan Changxi somewhat moved. He thought that he was relieved that his second nephew was ill and could not take the exam just now. Wasn’t it too wrong?
“Eat drumsticks. You should eat more so that tomorrow you’ll have the energy to take the exam tomorrow.” He gave his son a bowl full of rice and added a large chicken drumstick to make him eat more while the food was hot.
Now the family had two-three children to study, and the expenses were very tight. Yan Duan and Yan Tao were fortunate. They lived in the town most of the time, and because of the eldest brother’s job, they were not short of oil and water. They lived with their elders for almost two or three months and had never seen meat and fish once in the house. It was enough for them to have an egg stew at home. Suddenly they saw a few pots of meat dishes this time, and Yan Changxi naturally came close to his son. He still thought about whether it was cold now and whether he wanted to take the unfinished food home to his three daughters.
“I haven’t had any oily food in my stomach for two-three months. If I eat meat and oil all at once too much, it’s easy to upset my stomach.”
Yan Chu put the drumsticks that his father had given him into his bowl and then ate a bowl of dry rice with crisp and refreshing side dishes.
Yan Changxue did not dare to administer laxatives or something to harm him directly. The people who gave these big chicken and big duck probably thought of them, father and son, had not eaten anything good. They might eat hard all of a sudden, and the children’s spleen and stomach were inferior, and they were very likely to get stomach ache because of bad food. In this way, he was just like Yan Tao.
This little thought was not enough compared to Liu Fuchun. But if he was indeed a child, he would be hooked.
Yan Changxi was stunned when he heard his son’s words. Looking at the oily drumsticks lying in his bowl at the moment, he had no taste at all.
His elder brother should not have this idea, right?
“How was it? Has it appeared yet?”
In the next few days of the exam, Yan Chu went through to surmount all difficulties to the end. Today was the day when the final result of the county examination came out. Yan Mudan, the aunt, looked more anxious than Yan Changxi, the father.
“Little Treasure is still young after all. It’s amazing to be able to get to this point. Little Sister, Second Brother, don’t put so much pressure on Little Treasure. Even if he doesn’t pass this time, he can take the exam with Tao’er next time.”
Yan Changxue smiled. Although Yan Tao failed to continue the exam due to an accident, they, the father and son, did not choose to go back, instead of staying in the county waiting for the county examination’s result to be released. Yan Tao had been hiding in his room these days. It estimated that apart from his poor health, there were also some reasons why he did not want to see others when he failed the exam.
These two, the father and son, probably did not want Yan Chu to pass the county examination now.
“Coming, coming.”
There were several circles of people in and out of the place where the list got placed. Yan Mudan took her elder brothers to sit at a nearby herbal tea stall and asked the young servant to see. Just as they got talking, the minor government officials came out with a round case group, posted it on the notice board, and lit firecrackers in unison. It was an occurrence.
The crowd suddenly became agitated, and everyone began to squeeze in.
Had it not been for Yan Mudan to stop him, Yan Changxi could not help but rush in.
“Yes, yes!”
“Hey, my name isn’t there.”
There was a sound of joy and sadness. It took a long time to see the Jiang family’s young servant, who had been squeezed to death, come out of the crowd.
“First place, Third Young Master is the first place, the county first rank.”
The young servant was full of joy. That was the first rank. How much money should the madam reward him?
“What!”
Both Yan Mudan and Yan Changxue stood up and could not sit down. Yan Changxi’s eyes widened, and he rushed directly into the crowd, wanting to see for himself.
“Are you sure that Third Young Master is the first rank?” Yan Changxue did not believe it. When his eldest son passed the county examination, he was more than 20 years old. How could Yan Chu get the first rank achievement when his daily studies hid the key facts?
“It’s absolutely true. This humble one has seen it several times.”
The young servant said firmly. At this time, Yan Changxi had already read the list and came out. He grinned like a fool. He rushed over to hold his son and wanted to throw him into the sky.
“Second Brother, be gentle, don’t hurt our little treasure.”
Yan Mudan changed her face quickly. At this very moment, Yan Chu was one of her favorite nephews.
Others might not understand, even if it was the first rank in an insignificant county examination and had not passed the prefectural one, was it worth her so happy? Here we had to talk about a lot of value contained in the county examination’s first rank.
The county examination’s first rank was also the first place. There was no need to participate in the prefectural one and go straight to the provincial imperial one. He was also inevitable to become Xiucai if there was no accident.
After all, the county examination’s first rank represented the highest level of the same batch of scholars in a county, and it was also the county magistrate’s personal review. If such a person failed to rank in the provincial imperial examination, it did not mean that the county magistrate had no eyes. But it also means that the local education level was backward.
Therefore, it was almost the unspoken rule of the preliminary round of imperial examination that the county and prefectural examination’s first rank could obtain the fame of Xiucai. After all, absolute fairness did not exist in any dynasty.
Yan Mudan’s joy came from this. The nine-year-old child was a soon-to-be Xiucai, their old Yan’s ancestors tomb was smoking, and also her husband’s. For this promising nephew’s sake, she also attached importance to him and saw if the hussies dare to leave her later.
Yan Chu was a pretending-to-be-young man, so he was not surprised that he could achieve such a result. It was a one-sided battle. However, looking at the oldest uncle’s ashen face yet still needing to pretend to look happy at this time, he suddenly felt a little cheerful in his heart.
This news soon passed back to the Jiang residence. Jiang Datong, who had not seen for so many days, was waiting in the house when the Yan family went back full of joy. Old Man Jiang and Old Lady Jiang were also sitting in the central hall. Seeing Yan Chu, their expression was extremely affectionate.
“I’ve said that these children of my in-laws have great prospects. The oldest boy became Tongsheng at 9 years old, and the third boy is even more powerful. The first rank is equal to the honorable Xiucai.”
Jiang Datong was a businessman, so he bounced out.
“This uncle has no other ability, but Uncle can make some money. This is a bit of Uncle’s intention. After that, Uncle will pay for the expenses of your preliminary round of imperial examinations. So you can study in peace.”
His gaze was still very sinister. As soon as his wife’s eldest nephew became Tongsheng, his tail went up, and he praised him a few times that he did not even know who his parents were. How far can that kind of person go?
This little nephew was not the same. He was still unperturbed when he became the first rank. He could settle down when he is young, and his future was limitless. Jiang Datong was willing to make a bet on this nephew without asking him to be Jinshi59Jinshia successful candidate in the highest imperial civil service examination, as long as he could become Juren. In the boundary of Tongjiang County, it was enough to shield the Jiang family.
Watching her husband praised her nephew, Yan Mudan felt honored.
The county examination’s first rank could get exempted from the prefectural exam. But the first rank of the county, prefectural, and provincial examinations was called Small Three Yuan. Most of the county examination’s first rank would still take the prefectural one.
Yan Chu felt that he was too young now, and it was not a good thing to be excessively popular. Moreover, Yan Tao’s existence always made him a little strange. The other party’s temperament was “congratulations to Third Cousin.”
Sitting on the ox cart back to the village, Yan Tao, who had not come out of the house for many days, looked into Yan Chu’s eyes and congratulated him.
“Remember that when we’re young, we went to the river to dig reed roots and went up the mountain to pick hawthorn fruits. In the blink of an eye, you are the honorable Xiucai.” Yan Tao’s eyes never moved away from Yan Chu.
Yan Changxi drove the ox cart in front, and Yan Changxue had still immersed in the shock that his nephew was the first rank. No one noticed the conversation between the two children.
“Second Cousin lived in the town with Uncle when he was a child. When did you dig reed roots with me?” Yan Chu thought carefully, but he could not remember it and asked him a bit doubtfully.
“Maybe I remembered it wrong. Third Brother seldom eats fish eyes from childhood. The elder indeed said that eating fish eyes is good for the eyes and brain. I’ve to eat more when I go back this time.”
Yan Tao did not lighten his doubts and spoke again.
“I truthfully don’t like fish eyes, but everyone says it’s good. If Second Cousin doesn’t mind the taste, you can try it.” Yan Chu laughed and said very closely.
“Yan Chu” heaved a sigh of relief. This one was what he used to be when he was a child. Everyone in the family thought that he loved fish eyes. Only he knew that he did not like the taste. He just heard that it was good to eat fish eyes, which forced him to eat.
The one in front of him was indeed his younger self. So, where did the soul of his cousin at this moment go?
That was right. It was not him who resided in Yan Tao at this time. “Yan Chu” himself did not understand why he, who was on his way to exile, would come back more than 20 years ago and was in his separated branch cousin’s body.
At this time, he looked at his younger self and wanted to tell himself what would happen to him in the future.
For him, that was also himself, he who had not made a mistake yet.
At this time, Zhenzhen should have come to the Yan family, and she was his child bride.
“Yan Chu” was a little entangled. How could he correct this mistake again?
At the moment when he bowed his head, a thought flashed through Yan Chu’s eyes.
