Peasant Woman’s Decreed Life as a Wife-Chapter 1305 - 1302: Provincial Examination

Chapter 1305 -1302: Provincial Examination

Chu Lin, along with Chu Sheng and Chu Zhang, went directly to the Prefectural City, since the two boys had previously passed the elementary scholars’ exam.

“How is your preparation?” Chu Lin brought up a bowl of noodles from downstairs to the room in the inn they had rented for exchange purposes. He had come early to secure a spot.

Even so, it cost a tael of silver for a room per day.

Chu Lin was reluctant to spend that much, but for the sake of a better environment for the children, he could only grit his teeth and bear it.

The inn was crowded during the day, and he was afraid that the two boys would be influenced, so they usually ate in their room.

Chu Sheng and Chu Zhang stepped forward to take the bowls.

“Father, I will do my best,” Chu Sheng said, choosing his words carefully.

Chu Lin nodded and also took a bowl of noodles to sit beside them. “Will you be going out after eating?” he asked.

“Yes, father, we’re thinking of visiting the tavern. We heard that today there would be test problems composed by schoolmates for the exam, so we want to go and have a look,” Chu Sheng explained.

This was not uncommon; before every exam, it was typical for students to muse over possible questions and discuss them together.

However, not every student would publicize such gatherings. The meeting Chu Sheng and the others were attending was organized by Zhong Yan, a well-known student from South Origin Prefecture.

Usually, if there was no connection, one would not be invited.

Chu Lin, unaware of the subtleties involved, simply cautioned, “Speak little, do not drink, and don’t use your Third Uncle’s name to boast outside. Also, these pre-exam papers, I don’t think they’re of much use. Surely, the exam setters would avoid these topics. Otherwise, wouldn’t all the scholars have an unfair advantage?”

“In the end, clever tricks won’t work. Your Third Uncle made his way up step by step on his own merit,” he continued.

“You both know how tough it is in the official circle, so, you see, only if you are truly clever will it be easier for you to get along,” Chu Lin prattled on with his advice.

Chu Sheng and Chu Zhang, who had been looking forward to the banquet, felt somewhat guilty after their father’s reminder and quickly reassured him, “Father, rest assured, we understand what you mean.”

Chu Zhang also spoke up, “Uncle, I get it. I won’t rely on any tricks; it’s just a chance to review.”

“Very well, just be cautious,” replied Chu Lin.

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“And take the guard your Third Uncle provided when you go out, just to be safe,” he said, still worried.

The boys didn’t refuse, not out of any concern, but to ease their elder’s mind.

Chu Sheng and Chu Zhang left for the tavern to attend the banquet.

When they arrived, many other scholars had already gathered.

Because of Chu Heng’s fame, the scholars who came to the banquet all had more or less some background. As soon as Chu Sheng and Chu Zhang entered, they were surrounded by students eager to speak with them.

Chu Sheng, honoring his resolve not to drink much or talk excessively, was asked a lot of questions by the other students.

For example,

“Did Lord Chu in the capital arrange a famous teacher for you? Who was it?”

“Do the Masters in the capital have a particularly vast knowledge?”

“Have you taken any preliminary tests in the capital? How did you score?”

“You must be feeling very confident about passing the exam, right?”

And so on.

Chu Sheng responded briefly to the questions he could answer and shook his head saying he didn’t know to the ones he couldn’t.

As a result, he was unable to answer most of them, leaving many students disappointed and they stopped crowding around him.

Chu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief; he had never been so sought after before. But he was not foolish and could tell that these students were simply trying to glean information about him.