Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 575 You Can Figure It Out
"how old are you?"

Meng Changqing's first question immediately gave everyone a bad feeling.

"Nineteen." Bafang pulled his head back. "What did I do wrong recently?"

"No." Meng Changqing said calmly, "You don't need to be so careful with me. I also mishandled things last time."

These words made Bafang increasingly frightened.

Meng Changqing brought up the topic of age again, saying, "I remember you and Lai Cai are the same age."

"Yes." Bafang felt a little relieved when Meng Changqing mentioned Laicai. If the young master mentioned both of them at the same time, it must be about the same thing.

Lai Cai has been out with Miss Mo for quite some time now, so it's impossible for him to have offended the young master.

"At this age, you're not too old, but you're not too young either," Meng Changqing said. "Families who married young already have children."

You and Lai Cai accompanied me here, and we've stayed for several years, devoting yourselves entirely to the family and having virtually no time to think about personal matters.

Thinking about all this, I truly feel sorry for you all.

“What are you saying!” Bafang said, “You said that’s for families who get married early. Most people at this age aren’t married yet.”

“I haven’t paid much attention to you guys these past two years,” Meng Changqing said. “Let’s be honest with each other today, do you have someone you like?”

"Oh dear! Why are you asking about all these things?" Bafang replied helplessly, "I don't want to get married for the time being, and I don't have anyone I like. Oh, I mean myself, I don't know about Laicai's side."

"I'll ask him about his situation when he gets back." Meng Changqing ate two dumplings before saying, "Since you don't plan to settle down for the time being, do you have any plans to start a career?"

"Huh?" Bafang instantly realized that what his young master really wanted to say was right after that!
"How's the book I gave you the other day coming along?" Meng Changqing asked.

Ba Fang scratched his head, "It's...it's alright, I've been watching."

Meng Changqing met the gazes from all directions, "Recite it and let me hear it."

Ba Fang covered his head and slumped onto the table, pleading, "Please spare me!" "We've studied together since we were little. Your learning ability isn't bad, and you're quite perceptive. Why do you look so deadpan when books are mentioned?" Meng Changqing really wanted to kick him a few times.

No one spoke.

He knew in his heart that someone was urging him to study, a good thing that many people would rather die for.

But he really felt that things were fine as they were. The young master was an official, and he was by his side. Whether at home or in the government office, he could lend a hand with anything.

"Will you be able to pass the academy entrance exam this August?" Meng Changqing asked.

Being an official has its advantages, and these advantages extend to one's family.

For ordinary people taking the imperial examinations, they had to start from the lowest level (童生) and advance step by step; missing any stage was unacceptable.

But if someone in your family is an official, there's no need for such hard work.

Bafang and Laicai participated in the imperial examinations because they had Meng Changqing's support and were also Meng's adopted sons. They could directly participate in the provincial examinations and become scholars if they passed.

Those who participate in the exam in this way are not eligible to compete for the top three positions in this round of the imperial examination.

"Should I go back to Beijing?" This was Bafang's biggest worry.

"You can go back or not," Meng Changqing said. "But you need to think it through. Once you take the provincial exam here, you can't change the exam location. How many people will you be competing with next year for the qualification to pass the provincial exam?"

Ba Fang already lacked confidence in his own knowledge, and Meng Changqing's words only made him more troubled.

"Do I really have to take the imperial examination?"

Seeing his expression, Meng Changqing had no choice but to compromise, "Alright, if we don't think about the future, it's not too much to ask you to participate in the academy exam, is it?"
After studying for so many years, I should give myself an answer. No matter the outcome, I should give it a try next time.

I'll start studying hard today, and give me a clear answer by the end of March about where I'll take the exam.

You're two years older than me; you can figure many things out for yourself.