Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 202 Xu Lian: I'm going to show my cards
……

After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the weather gradually became warmer and the Imperial College started classes smoothly.

All the students who planned to take part in the autumn examination this year studied hard until late at night. Even Xie Jiwen, who usually behaved a little unruly, became much more focused.

Jia Rong went home less and less frequently, and spent most of his time living and eating in the Imperial College.

In the February monthly examination, Jia Rong took the first place on the list of A in the Imperial College. His performance in the March monthly examination was slightly worse, as he only ranked third. The April monthly examination was an imperial examination, in which only the top 150 students in the entire Imperial College could participate in the provincial examination. Jia Rong once again performed very well and took the first place on the list of A.

Jia Rong's teacher Zhou Zhengguan was very pleased. With such results, he would almost certainly pass the provincial examination as long as he did not perform poorly.

"Shunzhi, just study hard during this period. Your teacher has arranged everything for you for the autumn examination." Zhou Zheng looked at Jia Rong and said with a smile.

Jia Rong bowed and said, "Thank you for your help, teacher."

Zhou Zhengguan waved his hand and said, "This is nothing, it's all what a teacher should prepare. By the way, after this imperial examination, those of you who have already secured places in the autumn examination will no longer have to come to the Imperial Academy for classes, but you must not slack off at home and must continue to study hard."

There are some students from other places, such as Shandong and Shanxi, who cannot take part in the imperial examinations in Shuntian Prefecture and now have to hurry back home.

Jia Rong said: "Teacher, rest assured, I dare not slack off in the slightest."

Zhou Zhengguan nodded: "I am relieved about you. There is one more thing you should pay attention to. You must not overwork yourself, especially in the days leading up to the exam. Every time there is an exam, there are students who reluctantly take part in it despite being sick, and their performance is often not satisfactory."

Jia Rong handed over his hand.

“The students understand.”

"..."

After the teacher gave him another incense stick of time, Jia Rong finally walked out of Zhou Zhengguan.

Xie Jiwen and Xu Lian were waiting for him outside.

Xie Jiwen said: "You are worthy of being the favorite student of the Dean. You are given special treatment. No wonder we always fail you in the exams."

Xu Lian smiled and said, "Don't blame us, it's you who can't do it. I have defeated Brother Shunzhi once."

"you……"

Xie Jiwen looked at Xu Lian and said with regret: "With Brother Xu's literary talent, it should be easy for him to pass the imperial examination. Why don't you take part in the imperial examination?"

Xu Lian's face showed a trace of bitterness, then she shook her head and smiled softly, "I... just like reading and writing. If I get a little bit of fame and fortune, it will be impure and will affect my state of mind."

"So, it's better not to go to the Autumn Examination!"

Xie Jiwen: “…”

Jia Rong said sternly: "Brother Xu is indeed indifferent to fame and fortune. He is not driven by fame and fortune. We are not as good as you."

Xu Lian smiled and said, "Don't say that. If everyone is like me, who will support the country? Who will rule the people? Who will take care of the affairs of the king and win a good reputation in life and after death?"

"The so-called indifference to fame and fortune is nothing more than being self-sufficient. There is nothing wrong with fame and fortune. As long as you do your best for the people of the world, you are much better than being self-sufficient."

Jia Rong said: "I'll listen to your words..."

Xu Lian waved her hand: "Stop complimenting me. Are you arranging something for me again?"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "I really can't hide anything from Brother Xu. Brother Xie and I may not be very free recently. Ye Mengshu has also known how to study hard. I'm sorry to bother you with the Qing Society's affairs."

Xu Lian nodded and said, "Don't forget, I'm also the vice president of the Youth Society. This is what I should do."

"You, just do your best in the exam."

"I want to see you win first prize!"

"Haha." Jia Rong laughed: "I really don't dare to think about getting the first place. It's a blessing to be able to get it."

Xu Lian raised her hand to tidy up her temples and said with a smile, "Shunzhi is too modest."

Jia Rong couldn't bear to look at it.

It seems that only women can do this action.

Aren't you going to keep pretending?

Xie Jiwen looked at the two people who were very close to him and said, "You two should be careful. Although there are many people like you in our Imperial College, it is not good to be too open. Especially Shunzhi, you are the president of the Youth Society. It will have a bad influence if it gets out." Xu Lian took two steps back and glared at Xie Jiwen, "Stop talking nonsense!"

Xie Jiwen immediately lost his temper after being glared at.

"Yes, yes, I'm talking nonsense."

"Miss Xu, please forgive me..."

Jia Rong was startled.

Brother!

Even if you know it, don’t tell it out loud!

Xu Lian turned her back, her face probably flushed.

Xie Jiwen was unaware and continued, "Forget it, I don't care about you guys anymore. I have to go home and study hard."

Jia Rong said, "I don't believe you. You want to go find your beautiful wife, right? Go quickly. If you are too late, she will ignore you."

"Haha, that's impossible. My beautiful mother is well-educated, gentle and kind... By the way, I may often go to your house to 'read at night' in the next few months. Remember not to let the cat out of the bag when my father sends someone to ask." Xie Jiwen walked out with a smile.

Jia Rong: “…”

Seeing Xie Jiwen leave, Jia Rong hurriedly comforted Xu Lian and said, "Brother Xu, don't listen to his nonsense. I have always regarded you as a brother!"

"I know, I'm fine." Xu Lian turned around and smiled nonchalantly, "Does Brother Xie often come to you for night reading?"

Jia Rong said, "Not often."

Xu Lian asked, "Can I go too?"

Jia Rong: "...Of course."

Xu Lian smiled and said, "Okay, I'll visit you when I have time. By the way, I took two of your articles home to read. Do you mind?"

"Brother Xu, just take it back and have a look."

Jia Rong always felt that Xu Lian was going to confront him!
After all, the studies in the Imperial College have basically come to an end. Even if I pass the imperial examination and go back again as an examiner in the future, I won't have formal classes. At most, I'll go there for two or three days a month to get by.

Of course, it is also possible that Jia Rong was being too sentimental and the daughter of the chief priest just wanted to experience the joy of reading.

After bidding farewell to Xu Lian, he got on the carriage. Just when he was halfway on the road, a horse came galloping towards him on the street.

"Eight hundred miles in a hurry, get out of the way quickly!"

"Eight hundred miles in a hurry, get out of the way quickly!"

Xiao Zhuzi was a little annoyed when he saw the galloping horse, and was even ready to deliberately slow down and stop the horse.

He didn't believe that anyone would dare to touch the carriage of Ningguo Mansion.

However, when he heard the words "eight hundred miles in an hurry", his face suddenly changed and he dodged to the side in panic.

Several fast horses whizzed past the car body.

inside.

Jia Rong looked solemn.

Calculating the time, it’s almost time for Lin Ruhai to have his final battle with the Dutchman.

Could it be that the battle report from there has arrived in Kyoto?

After returning home in a hurry, Jia Rong immediately asked Xiao Xiao if there had been any important news from Nanyang in recent days.

I have been studying very hard recently and have indeed been slacking off on things over there.

Having said that, at this critical juncture, studying is the most important thing. Even if there is a big problem in Nanyang, such as Lin Ruhai's defeat or the trading company being robbed by pirates, he can do nothing about it.

……

(End of this chapter)