Chapter 654: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 654: A Premonition in Dreams (3)
The originally scheduled time was a few days away, but a virtual dream advanced the start of work. Apart from this, there were no other issues.
With her long-standing concerns resolved, Mo Yan felt much more at ease and devoted herself wholeheartedly to the construction of the winery. On the afternoon of September 21st, she drove a carriage into the city alone and went to the entrance of the Imperial Academy to pick up her father, who had just finished his last exam.
At this time, the entrance to the academy was crowded with all sorts of carriages. There was a dense crowd of people, including young servants from wealthy families, elderly people, some with rosy complexions and luxurious clothing, and others with weathered faces and patched garments. Among them were young wives standing on the edge, all stretching their necks to look inside, as if doing so would make their master (son or husband) come out sooner.
As a young woman, Mo Yan found it inconvenient to squeeze among the crowd. She parked the carriage in a nearby open area and waited on the driver's seat. After about half an hour, the long, ringing sound of bells signaled the end of the triennial autumn examination!
Soon, after enduring seven days of tests, the scholars began to emerge from the academy in a steady stream. There were teenagers of sixteen or seventeen, elderly individuals with graying hair, and most were middle-aged men around thirty, who were fathers, sons, or husbands. The one thing they all had in common was their pale faces and unsteady steps, as if they might collapse at any moment.
Clearly, the autumn exam tested not only knowledge and intellect but also endurance. It was no wonder that the servants and families waiting at the entrance were so anxious.
Mo Qingze and Han Zhiyun were the last to emerge. Compared to the others who looked like they might faint at any moment, their condition appeared quite good. Although they looked exhausted, their steps were steady, indicating they hadn't suffered too much.
The food and water provided by Mo Yan had indeed been a great help. Not only did it save them time, allowing them to rest more, but the spirit spring water and ginseng slices also quickly replenished their energy, keeping their minds clear and helping them endure the exam. Otherwise, they would have been in the same condition as others, needing assistance or being carried home.
Mo Yan's keen eyes spotted Mo Qingze and Han Zhiyun as soon as they appeared at the entrance of the academy. Seeing they were in good condition, she breathed a sigh of relief and hurried over to them.
Han Zhiyun’s attendant, who had been waiting at the entrance, reached the two men first and cleverly took over their food boxes and small stove.
“Father, Uncle Han!” Mo Yan greeted with a smile and quickly took her father’s belongings from Han Zhiyun’s attendant.
Han Zhiyun, smiling, turned to Mo Qingze and asked, “Brother Ziyu, it’s getting late now. You must be tired. Why don’t you stay with us for the night and head home tomorrow?”
After seven days of being confined in small examination rooms where they could change clothes but not bathe, they appeared clean on the outside, but a faint odor of sweat and grime lingered, making them long for a bath.
Mo Qingze looked at the setting sun and shook his head with a gentle voice, “It’s getting dark. I don’t want to impose. After you’ve rested for a couple of days, bring your children to our home, and we can have a good get-together then.”
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