Chapter 872: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 872: The Fame of the Imperial Examination (Part 2)
The two individuals had not undergone body tempering with spiritual spring water. Hastily giving them undiluted spiritual spring water would be too much for their bodies to bear.
Although Shen Ji did not achieve the rank of Gongshi (tribute scholar), he found love while awaiting the results of the Huishi (metropolitan examination). With his efforts, Master Liu and Madam Liu abandoned the idea of recruiting a live-in son-in-law for their daughter. They grew fond of Shen Ji, who was outstanding in every way, and subtly hinted that he could inform his parents of his intentions. As long as the Shen family had no objections, they could find a matchmaker and choose an auspicious day for a proposal.
After the results of the Huishi were announced, Shen Ji did not rush home. Instead, he wrote a letter to his parents explaining everything. He continued living in his rented courtyard, focusing on his studies, planning to return home with his parents only after the Liu and Shen families formalized their union.
The Liu family and the Shen family were of similar status. If one looked closely, the Shen family initially rose from merchant origins, transitioning to gentry status only after Shen Ji’s father achieved the title of scholar (Xiucai). The Liu family, however, had a legacy of scholarly achievement, with generations of poets and scholars earning them recognition as a distinguished literary family. In terms of lineage, the Liu family held a slight advantage. However, given Shen Ji’s talents and prospects, this difference was negligible.
In their hometown, Shen Ji’s parents, worried about his marriage prospects, were overjoyed upon receiving his letter. Learning that their son had found such a good match, they were so elated they couldn’t sleep. Late at night, they ordered servants to open the storage room and personally selected gifts for visiting the Liu family in the capital.
Within two days, the elderly couple arrived in the capital with a cart full of gifts. After learning more about the Liu family, they were 80% satisfied. After resting for just one night, they couldn’t wait to engage a trustworthy matchmaker and visit the Liu family the following day.
Shen Ji’s parents were kind and easygoing, making a good impression. They had already thought highly of the Liu family, considering them an excellent match. Upon meeting the graceful and well-mannered Liu Tinglan, they were even more satisfied.
Master and Madam Liu, who admired Shen Ji, naturally extended their regard to his family. Observing that the elderly couple were indeed as Shen Ji described—pleasant and reasonable—they concluded there was little likelihood of future conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. This greatly pleased them.
With mutual satisfaction, the two families quickly agreed on the marriage, exchanged betrothal documents, and decided to host the engagement ceremony on an auspicious date. They planned to finalize the wedding at the end of the year on another fortunate day.
Liu Tinglan’s wishes were fulfilled. Even though outside rumors persisted, they no longer affected her, as Shen Ji’s parents were indifferent to them.
Mo Yan was genuinely happy for her friend but couldn’t find time to visit the Liu family personally—because the imperial examination was approaching.
This year’s imperial examination was delayed by a few days. On the fifth day after the results were announced, the date was finally set: the sixth day of the fifth lunar month, right after the Dragon Boat Festival.
The imperial examination in Da Chu consisted of two rounds. The first round was the re-examination, held in Baohe Hall. Results were announced the following day, with the top 30 candidates advancing to the second round. The second round was the true imperial examination, where the emperor personally posed questions, and the 30 tribute scholars answered on the spot.
Both rounds tested policy essays. There was no word limit, though essays typically comprised around 2,000 characters, with a time limit of one and a half hours. For the top 30 scholars who had overcome numerous challenges, writing a policy essay within this timeframe was not difficult. However, standing out required not only solid skills but also the ability to grasp the intentions of the examiner, making it a real challenge.
Policy essays were usually tied to current affairs. Without an understanding of these issues, it was impossible to produce an exceptional essay. Therefore, those who made it into the top 30 were never mere bookworms but individuals capable of applying their knowledge to practical matters.
The final round of the imperial examination was of paramount importance, determining one’s future prospects. Consequently, the competition in the first round was particularly intense.
[End of Chapter]
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