The Prime Minister’s Darling-Chapter 499 - 252 Palace Examination (two updates combined)_5
Chapter 499: 252 Palace Examination (two updates combined)_5
Chapter 499: 252 Palace Examination (two updates combined)_5
In the afternoon, they studied manners and ceremonial rules before the Emperor. To tell the truth, among the two hundred and ten scholars, there weren’t many from humble families. It’s not that these scholars were not diligent enough, but that their educational resources and systems were vastly inferior to those of the nobility.
For a family to cultivate a successful scholar often required great effort. For example, the scions of the Yuan Family and the Zhuang Family had eminent scholars such as Yuan Shoufu and Zhuang Taifu as teachers. Even a casual remark from them could greatly benefit their family’s scholars.
If not, they could be like Wang Yuan, a talented scholar from Jiangnan who came from a family of scholars. His family had produced two successful scholars, and they were able to provide him with excellent guidance.
It was hard for children of humble families to stand out.
Most of the candidates this time were those with some family assets, and they had private tutors at home to teach them ceremonial etiquette. Therefore, their overall progress in learning the ceremonial rules was quite fast.
By the sunset, the candidates had finished their studies, obtained their examination numbers and left the Imperial Palace.
Fen Lin didn’t fully grasp the etiquette. He asked Lin Chengye, who originally knew it, but became uncertain after Fen Lin’s question.
“Xiao Liulang.” Fen Lin pleaded helplessly.
Xiao Liulang demonstrated the process once again in the carriage.
Du Ruohan clapped his folding fan and said, “Huh, Xiaoliu, how come your ceremonial etiquette is so good?”
At first glance, he didn’t look like a poor kid from the countryside.
To be honest, Xiao Liulang’s ceremonial etiquette was not inferior to that of Prince An of An County. Where did this kid learn such aristocratic demeanor of Capital City?
Xiao Liulang casually said, “Just observe more, and you will learn.”
“You… Never mind.” Du Ruohan shook his folding fan without asking what he intended to, “It’s getting late. I’m leaving. Do you need a ride home?”
Fen Lin replied, “No need, we have a carriage.”
Fen Lin and Lin Chengye rode in one carriage, and Xiao Liulang had a carriage from Liao Quan.
“Alright, let’s not meet in these two days. Stay at home and prepare for the exam.” Having said that, Du Ruohan got off the carriage.
Fen Lin said to Xiao Liulang, “Xiao Liulang, we will leave now.”
Xiao Liulang noticed his anxiety and said, “Don’t think too much. The Emperor is not a venomous beast. Even if something goes wrong, it won’t hurt you. Just do your best in the exam. You too.”
He turned to Lin Chengye, “The Palace Examination doesn’t test stereotyped phrases but only policy questions. You’ve made great progress in answering policy questions this year. Just try your best.”
Having been with Xiao Liulang for so long, Lin Chengye was aware of Xiao Liulang’s strictness as a teacher. He had never praised him before no matter how hard Lin Chengye tried…
But just now, Xiao Liulang said he had made great progress?
Lin Chengye felt more fulfilled by Xiao Liulang’s praise than by compliments from professors at Guozijian!
He stood up straight and said seriously, “I will, I will do my best in the exam!”
“Hmm.” Xiao Liulang nodded, “Don’t read in these two days, just relax and prepare for the exam.”
“Yes!”
Lin Chengye, who was inspired by the praise, got off the carriage full of confidence and got into his own carriage with Fen Lin.
In the next two days, they all stayed at home and didn’t go out.
On the seventeenth, the Palace Examination officially began.
On this day, all Academies in the Capital City, including Guozijian, were on vacation.
Over two hundred candidates came to the Palace Gate before dawn to wait. One candidate accidentally left his examination number at home and almost fainted from anxiety. Fortunately, the innkeeper of the Inn where he was staying found it and personally rushed it to him on horseback.
Although the Palace Examination generally did not disqualify candidates, those who didn’t take the exam at all would indeed be disqualified.
The inspection for the Palace Examination was more stringent.
Some candidates who lived in the Capital City also had their parents come, but they were not allowed to get close to the Imperial Palace. They were stopped hundreds of meters away.
Of course, high-ranking officials such as Zhuang Taifu and Yuan Shoufu were exceptions.
They came to attend court and took the opportunity to give their children a few words of advice.
The rest of the candidates were watching, instantly feeling enormous pressure.
“Do well in the exam, don’t think about anything else,” Zhuang Taifu said to the Prince of An County, who was at the end of the line. He had drawn the second-to-last examination number. However, because of Zhuang Taifu’s appearance, there was quite a stir. Almost all the candidates turned their eyes to him.
Prince An smiled, “Grandfather, rest assured.”
Zhuang Taifu straightened the sleeves of Prince An’s robe, which was to tell him, you just focus on the exam, and leave the rest to me.
With Prince An’s strength and Zhuang Taifu’s influence, how could he not win first place?
As for potential threats, he had a hundred ways to sabotage their papers!
At this moment, all the candidates were extremely envious. They envied the talent of Prince An and his family background.
Zhuang Taifu couldn’t linger too long and turned to leave, but suddenly, a tall and imposing figure approached.
“Ah? Isn’t this Zhuang Taifu? What a coincidence.”
If this annoying voice didn’t belong to the Marquis of Xuanping, who else could it be?
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Zhuang Taifu was instantly vexed. The most disliked person in the entire court was none other than the Marquis of Xuanping!
He raised the tablet in his hand and said lightly, “I should be the one saying that. It’s not even sunrise yet, why has the Marquis of Xuanping come to court?”
Everyone knew that the Marquis of Xuanping rarely attended court early.
But since there were many people here, he acted decently. He said with grace and elegance, “I’m here for the same reason as you.”
Zhuang Taifu scoffed. The same as him? How? Could it be that he also came to send his children to the Palace Examination? Remember the two worthless sons from his household?
Marquis Xuanping didn’t mind Zhuang Taifu’s disdain. He curled up the corners of his mouth and moved forward with large strides.
Marquis Xuanping had a strong aura, drawing everyone’s attention at once.
The candidates wanted to look but dared not, even holding their breath nervously.
Marquis Xuanping stopped by Xiao Liulang, raised his hand, and earnestly and solemnly straightened Xiao Liulang’s clothes and crown.
