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Chapter 132: Placing First on the Imperial Examinations
Chapter 132: Placing First on the Imperial Examinations
Yu Li was stunned.
Wasn't Lu Lingxiao supposed to be here for leisure? How did he end up taking the imperial examinations?
In the pavilion.
Meng Qianqian was engaged in pleasant conversation with Lady Lin and Lady Zhou.
Mostly, it was the two of them talking, with Meng Qianqian listening quietly. She didn't speak much, but she always knew how to keep the conversation going, and whenever she did speak, her words were always apt and to the point.
Lady Zhou marveled inwardly, and though Zhou Nanyan seemed to be listening, only she knew that this young girl's mind had already wandered elsewhere.
Hadn't Lady Lin felt the same way before? It was truly rare to find someone so lively and active at such a young age, yet possessing such a calm and mature disposition.
Moreover, there seemed to be a sense of maturity beyond her years, and the more one interacted with her, the more captivating her personality became.
Zhou Nanyan looked around and asked Lady Lin, "Aunt Lin, why hasn't Aunt Wang arrived yet? Didn't she say she would be coming this time?"
As for Lady Xing, she was returning to her mother's home today, which had been planned half a month in advance. But there was no news of any other plans for Lady Wang.
Meng Qianqian was also puzzled.
Lady Lin sighed, "Aunt Wang twisted her waist. She's at home taking care of him."
"How did she twist her waist? Is it serious?" Zhou Nanyan asked.
Lady Lin coughed.
Zhou Nanyan hooked her arm through Lady Lin's and coquettishly said, "Aunt Lin, tell us, Sister Meng also wants to hear!"
Meng Qianqian was taken aback.
Seeing Lady Lin looking at her, she nodded, "Oh, I want to hear it too."
"It's not really a secret," Lady Lin said, "Wang Yushi reported his own father again. His father was taken to the Hall of Supreme Harmony and severely reprimanded by the senior ministers. When he returned, he beat his son."
Lord Wang had already submitted his retirement papers and was just waiting for the court's approval so he could retire and live out his days in peace.
Who would have thought that at the last moment, his own son would once again bring him such shame, ruining his reputation in his later years.
Meng Qianqian's lips twitched. Wang Yushi was truly a tiger. She could already imagine the scene of Lord Wang flying into a rage.
After Zhou Nanyan heard the gossip about Wang Yushi, she walked over to Meng Qianqian and hooked her arm through hers, "Sister Meng, let's go find Sister Lin."
Lady Zhou hadn't finished chatting with Meng Qianqian yet, "You little rascal, can't you let your Sister Meng have some peace?"
Zhou Nanyan pouted, "Mother, you chat with Aunt Lin! Sister Meng has spent a lot of time with you, it's my turn now!"
"Hey—you—"
Before Lady Zhou could stop her, Zhou Nanyan had already pulled Meng Qianqian away.
In the Lin family's library, Meng Qianqian met the Lin family's daughter, Lin Xiaoru.
Lin Xiaoru was dressed in plain clothing, her long black hair simply pinned into a high bun with a wooden hairpin. She was standing in front of a bookshelf, her head buried in a book.
She was a quiet young lady, exuding an air of scholarly elegance, and her skin was excessively fair due to a lack of sun exposure.
Zhou Nanyan called out softly, "Sister Lin."
Lin Xiaoru turned her head, "It's Nanyan."
Then her gaze fell on Meng Qianqian, "You must be Miss Meng? My mother mentioned you. Please come in."
The two of them entered the library.
Meng Qianqian greeted Lin Xiaoru, "Miss Lin."
Zhou Nanyan leaned in and asked Lin Xiaoru, "Sister Lin, what book are you reading?"
"Feng Shui," Lin Xiaoru replied.
Zhou Nanyan asked curiously, "Weren't you still reading astronomy last month?"
"I got bored of that," Lin Xiaoru said bluntly.
"Is it interesting?" Zhou Nanyan asked.
Lin Xiaoru held the yellowed booklet in her hands and sighed, "It's interesting, but it's only the first half of the book. The second half is missing."
"Why don't you go buy another copy?" Zhou Nanyan suggested.
Lin Xiaoru shook her head, "I can't find it anywhere. This book is the personal notes of a reclusive sage, and it accidentally ended up on the market. I was fortunate to come across it."
Meng Qianqian glanced over it.
This handwriting... Why does it resemble Ji Li's so closely?
Lin Xiaoru finished the last page and then eagerly flipped back to the first page to start reading it again.
Zhou Nanyan whispered to Meng Qianqian, "Sister Meng, please don't take it to heart. Sister Lin isn't being unwelcoming; she's like this towards me as well. She's a bookworm."
Meng Qianqian nodded.
One could essentially distinguish between a person's goodwill and ill will. Lin Xiaoru was a focused young lady; to others, the library was merely a library, but to her, it was probably her most private sanctuary. Being allowed inside was already a great gesture of welcome.
Lin Xiaoru suddenly lifted her gaze and said to Meng Qianqian, "I forgot to tell you, feel free to browse any of the books on the shelves."
Meng Qianqian spent the entire day at the Lin residence, while Yu Li spent the entire day taking the exam—from interpreting classical texts to answering policy questions, from composing five-character and eight-line poems to interpreting imperial edicts. The sheer volume of questions left him completely drained, even his eyes were glazed over.
Throughout the exam, he didn't leave the study, and he even had his lunch there. Naturally, the same was true for Master Lin.
For the Grand Sacrifice of the Imperial College to personally administer an exam for a candidate was truly unprecedented in the history of the dynasty.
In the evening, Meng Qianqian bid farewell to Madam Lin, "Thank you so much to you and Master Lin for today."
Master Lin had finally taken a day off, but he ended up spending it working overtime.
Madam Lin waved her hand, "It was no trouble at all. Besides, I merely provided an opportunity for the exam. Whether he can enter the Imperial College still depends on his own abilities."
It wasn't until they were nearing their home that Yu Li finally regained some of his senses. He heaved a long sigh, "Cousin, thank you so much for today. But in the future, can you give me a heads-up before such surprises?"
He really thought he was just there to have fun...
"Master Lin said that this was the entrance exam for the Imperial College. He actually held the exam specifically for me. Is he a teacher at the Imperial College?"
"No."
"Then is he..."
"The Grand Sacrifice of the Imperial College."
Yu Li's body trembled. Meng Qianqian curved her lips, "In the future, should I give my cousin a heads-up before such surprises?"
Yu Li's face turned pale, "N-no, that's not necessary."
After seeing Meng Qianqian off, Madam Lin immediately went to Master Lin's study.
Before she even arrived, her voice could be heard, "How did that child perform?"
Master Lin had been grading the papers as Yu Li progressed through the exam. By the time Yu Li was taking the next paper, Master Lin had already finished grading the previous one. By now, he had probably gone through all of them.
He maintained a solemn expression without saying a word.
Madam Lin's face changed, "What's wrong? Didn't he do well? I heard from my son that he's quite learned."
When they were at the Xings', the young masters had not only played huatuqiu and cuju but had also exchanged poems and essays. After returning home, their son had indeed praised Yu Li.
"You stubborn old man, just say yes or no, don't beat around the—"
Before Madam Lin could finish her sentence, she picked up the exam paper on the table. The rest of her sentence turned into a belch that she swiftly swallowed.
She smiled in relief, "All 'A's! You scared me! Well? Was it worth your time? His performance this year would place him first in the entrance exams! Such a talented student, do you want to consider taking him on as a disciple?"
Master Lin replied indifferently, "He merely displayed some skill in exam techniques. He's not qualified to be my disciple yet."
"Yes, yes, yes."
Even their own son didn't receive his acknowledgment, so Madam Lin didn't hold much hope for him to take Yu Li as his disciple.
"So, who do you actually deem worthy?"
An image flashed through Master Lin's mind, and after a moment, he furrowed his brows, "What a pity, he strayed onto the wrong path."
Can you guess who he was referring to?
(End of Chapter)
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