Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 211 The Autumn Examination is Approaching
……

The turmoil in the officialdom had no impact on Jia Rong who was about to take the imperial examination. Jia Jing recently exempted Jia Rong from paying respects in the study, meaning that he should put everything aside and devote himself to the autumn examination.

High officials are well paid.

He was granted a title of nobility and appointed as prime minister.

Guangzong Yaozu.

Passing the imperial examination is the foundation of all this!

"Shunzhi, the chief examiner of the Shuntian Prefecture's provincial examination has been decided. He is Ma Qianyu, a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy." That day, Xie Jiwen came to Jia Rong's house and excitedly brought the news about the chief examiner of the provincial examination.

"Oh, it's him." Jia Rong nodded and asked, "Do you have any of his articles?"

"Hehe, of course there are." Xie Jiwen smiled proudly: "My father has been friends with him for more than ten years. I have all his articles, and they are all not circulated outside."

"Look." Xie Jiwen took out a thick stack of papers: "These are all Ma Hanlin's articles. There are also some of his thoughts on writing articles, as well as travel notes."

Jia Rong was overjoyed.

This is something that you can’t get even if you have money!

Xie Jiwen is such a brother!
Jia Rong took the article and said solemnly: "I will copy the book tonight and send it to you tomorrow."

"Need not."

Xie Jiwen waved his hand and said with a smile: "I have copied it all and memorized it. You can copy it down and show it to Ye Mengshu. By the way, Song Yu is said to have returned from his study tour in Jiangnan and is preparing to take part in the provincial examination."

"Brother Song... I haven't seen you for a long time. I wonder how you are doing with your studies out there." Jia Rong sighed.

Xie Jiwen said: "It is said that he is very good, but he also joined the Jiangnan Ying Society and flirted with Li Chun. It's irritating!"

Song Yu had already gone to Jiangnan when Qingshe was established. Although he verbally agreed to join Qingshe at the beginning, but... it was no big deal.

It’s all for the imperial examination.

"hehe."

"Let's not talk about him anymore. It's a rare honor for you to come today. How about we have a few drinks tonight and talk all night long?" Jia Rong invited.

Xie Jiwen cupped his hands and said, "I couldn't ask for more."

The night in May was not too hot and there were no mosquitoes. The two of them sat in the pavilion in the garden with a table of food and wine and two pots of Shaoxing wine.

Xie Jiwen looked at the scenery in the garden, fanned himself and smiled, "As expected of a Duke's Mansion, such a large garden was built so easily. I envy you."

Jia Rong said, "Don't give me that. I know the lotus garden at your Xie family's old house is much bigger than this. The last time I passed by there, I took a look and it seemed that the area of ​​more than ten miles was all within the scope of your garden."

Xie Jiwen curled his lips and said, "That's the Xie family's head room, okay? I've never been there."

Jia Rong laughed and said, "What about the first and second houses? Now it all depends on how well you study. If you pass the imperial examination this year, they will invite you over for a drink. If you pass the imperial examination, they will bow when they see you."

"Haha, you are superficial."

Xie Jiwen smiled faintly.

What was he studying for after ten years of hard study?
It is not for the purpose of showing off in front of relatives, nor for the purpose of gaining high office and wealth and being admired by thousands of people, nor is it for the so-called "accomplishing the king's affairs and winning fame during lifetime and after death".

He just liked to see the admiration, adoration and love in the eyes when the sisters in the building looked at him.

This is what motivated him to study.

Jia Rong bowed in respect.

"Thank you for your elegance, brother. I admire you."

This is not false, he really admires me.

Xie Jiwen smiled and said, "Brother Shunzhi is the only one in this world who can admire me. Of course, it is enough for you to admire me!"

Why should you care what other people think?

The two of them drank two pots of wine and started writing while they were drunk, until late in the night. Qingwen and the others knew that Jia Rong was meeting a friend that night, so no one came to disturb them.

"Let's stop here today and go back to rest. We will continue studying Ma Hanlin's articles tomorrow. Then we can call Ye Mengshu to join us to see what his latest articles are like." Jia Rong suggested.

Xie Jiwen smiled and said, "Okay, where should I go to rest?"

Jia Rong said, "Guest room."

Xie Jiwen paused and said speechlessly: "Aren't we supposed to have a chat at night?"

Jia Rong said seriously: "It's not very convenient for us to have a chat. After all, we've been drinking. What if..."

"Okay." Xie Jiwen said, "Will you arrange for a maid to serve you?"

"No." Jia Rong smiled and said, "But I have arranged a handsome young servant for you."

"Okay, okay!" Xie Jiwen gritted his teeth and said, "Next time you come to my house, I will also arrange for a handsome young servant to serve you."

"Just like Xu Lian!"

Xie Jiwen added.

Jia Rong: "Of course, of course."

Xu Lian, hey!

It brought back my sad memories.

……

Jia Rong's yard.

Several maids were still awake and sitting in a row on the low couch in the outer room where Jia Rong usually rested. They all had needles and threads in their hands, threading the needles intermittently in the slightly dim light while chatting.

Wait for Jia Rong to come back.

At this time, Xiao Xiao looked at the western clock and frowned, "Sir, will you come back to rest tonight? It's already past three o'clock."

Ping Er shook her head slightly and said, "He said he was out chatting with his classmate by candlelight at night. He might not be back. Why don't you guys take a rest? I just have some accounts to settle. Please wait a little longer."

"I'll just wait." Xiangling held the book in her hands and said, "I wasn't sleepy at all. I suddenly got an inspiration."

Xiao Xiao smiled and said, "I think there are two people in our family who are going to take the exam. I am one of them, and there is another one who is more studious than me, a poetry nerd."

Everyone laughed when he said that.

"Let's go and rest together. We won't wait any longer."

Qingwen shook her head and said, "You go, I'll wait a little longer."

"You usually go to bed early, why are you so energetic today?"

"I guess he will come back."

"why?"

"Because there is no one to serve him outside."

"This girl only wants to serve others."

As they were talking, Jia Rong came back.

Several people hurried out to greet them.

Ping Erh walked in front and said with a smile, "Our Qing Wen still understands you very well."

Jia Rong smiled and asked, "What happened to Qingwen?"

Qingwen raised her head and said, "I am the only one who knows that Master will definitely have to come back to sleep tonight."

Jia Rong reached out and rubbed Qingwen's head, messing up her hair, and then said, "You know so much."

Qingwen covered her hair and looked at Jia Rong: "My Lord, you are so annoying. You messed with my hair again."

Xiangling said, "We have to rest anyway, so let's just be chaotic."

"That's it."

"We are going to rest now. Qingwen will serve you well."

Xiao Xiao Ping Er took the hand and looked at Jia Rong.

Jia Rong nodded and said, "Go ahead. It's late now. Remember not to wait for me. Qingwen should also go to bed. You won't be waiting on me tonight."

Everyone was stunned: "Myself? Is that ok?"

Jia Rong said, "I still need to write for a while."

He had to copy down the article that Xie Jiwen brought as soon as possible. In the last month or so before the autumn examination, he would do nothing but study these.

Qingwen said, "I'm not sleepy. I'll grind ink for you."

Xiangling said, "I'm not sleepy either. It's a good time to read."

Ping Erh said, "I still have some accounts to settle."

Xiao Xiao: "..."

Jia Rong frowned.

"obedient."

"Everyone go and rest!"

Several people were intimidated by Jia Rong's aura, and they all lowered their heads quietly and returned to their own residences to rest obediently.

The next day, before five o'clock in the morning, Xiaoxiao, Ping'er and Qingwen got up, but Xiangling was still sleeping soundly.

The three men did not even wash or groom themselves. They put on their clothes and quietly walked to Jia Rong's bed. Seeing that Jia Rong was sleeping soundly, they quietly went out the door and closed it gently.

"Tell the maids sweeping outside to keep the noise down so as not to disturb my rest."

"Okay." Qingwen nodded and went outside to give instructions.

……

Jia Rong slept until noon before waking up.

After quickly getting dressed and washing up, he picked up his pen and copied down the few articles that he had not finished last night. After comparing them one by one and finding that there were no mistakes, he put down his pen and prepared to eat.

After dinner, he went to find Xie Jiwen and Ye Mengshu to study Ma Hanlin's articles together, and did not come back until three o'clock in the morning.

Jia Rong was so devoted to his studies that he forgot to eat and sleep. The maids were helpless and could only serve him as carefully as possible.

Soon, Xichun found out about this and came to find Jia Rong in person.

"Rong'er, studying is important, but if you exhaust yourself, nothing can be done to save you. Even if you fail this year, there is still a future. You are still young, why do you have to harm your body like this?" Little Xichun said to Jia Rong earnestly.

Jia Rong shook his head and said with a smile, "Don't worry, little aunt. I know what's going on. I've been practicing martial arts with Xiao Xiao every day recently, and I'm in good health." After saying that, he patted his chest to show that he was very strong.

Although it has been a bit busy recently.

but!
After more than ten years of persistence in reading and writing, victory was just around the corner, but Jia Rong did not feel tired at all.

I just want to do it in one go and leave no regrets.

I don’t want to go through three years of hard study again!

"Hey."

Xichun shook her head and sighed, looking at Xiaoxiao, Qingwen and others beside her.

He said there was nothing he could do.

Maybe, I can find Sister Lin.

Thinking of this, Xichun hurried to Lin Daiyu's residence.

"Sister Lin."

"Sister Xichun, please come in and sit down." Lin Daiyu offered her seat and asked Zijuan to serve tea.

Xichun sighed and said, "Sister Lin, Rong'er has been studying so hard lately that he has forgotten to eat and sleep. He is not afraid of hurting himself. I really can't persuade him. Why don't you go and persuade him?"

"I……"

Lin Daiyu thought for a moment and said seriously, "I think he probably knows what's going on. Our persuasion may not work. Instead, it will distract him from dealing with us."

Xichun asked anxiously, "What should we do then?"

Lin Daiyu said: "Why not just go along with him? Even though we can't help him, we must not hold him back."

"I see."

Xichun nodded thoughtfully.

……

Although Lin Daiyu said it with a relaxed tone, she was still very concerned about Jia Rong in her heart. In the evening of that day, Lin Daiyu changed her clothes, took a fan, and quietly came to Jia Rong's yard.

The yard was so quiet that you could hear the falling leaves.

The occasional chirping of birds and buzzing of insects add to the tranquility.

Qingwen was quietly doing needlework on a chair in the corridor, while Xiaoxiao was holding a book in her hands, reading it intently.

"Miss Lin."

Xiaoxiao saw Lin Daiyu, stood up and bowed gently.

Lin Daiyu whispered, "Just do your thing and don't worry about me."

"kindness."

Xiaoxiao sat down again and continued reading the novel.

Lin Daiyu stepped lightly into the room and saw Jia Rong writing an article with great concentration, Xiangling grinding ink quietly beside him, and the candle on the windowsill was already lit.

There was a soft "pop" sound.

The candle burst into a flame, and the candle wax slowly flowed down the candle.

Xiangling saw Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu shook her head, signaled Xiangling not to make a sound, and then walked inside.

Xiangling put down the ink stick and went outside.

Lin Daiyu took it and gently, one by one...

Jia Rong would not let the slightest noise affect his writing. He had reached the point in Chengdu where he was almost self-forgetful and would turn a deaf ear to any loud noise.

Pick up the pen and dip it in ink, and write with inspiration.

As one line is finished, another begins.

Before I knew it, it was late at night again.

Lin Daiyu had already gone back, and Jia Rong didn't even know she had been there.

Jia Rong made some preparations and went to bed.

More than a month passed like this, and there were only ten days left until the Autumn Examination!

That day, Jia Rong did not continue reading or writing.

He needs ten days to cultivate his spirit, energy and body to their peak so that he can face the autumn examination in the best condition.

……

"Miss Lin is here."

"Hehe, the master is in there."

This time, Lin Daiyu clearly felt something different. There were the chattering of maids in the yard, and they no longer walked tiptoe, but ran and made noises.

"It seems that Rong Ge'er has 'recovered'?"

Lin Daiyu said with a smile.

"Yes." Xiao Xiao said happily: "Grandpa said that from today on, I will no longer study hard. I need to 'nourish my spirit and body'."

"That's it."

Lin Daiyu nodded and went into the house.

Jia Rong got up a little late today and just washed his face.

"Morning, Sister Lin."

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "It's already noon, is it still early?"

"I'm confused."

After wiping his face, Jia Rong said to Lin Daiyu, "To repay Sister Lin for her kindness in studying with me some time ago, I would like to invite you to be my host today. How about that?"

Lin Daiyu was not happy and said, "Who asked you to treat me?"

Isn't that what should be done?
So polite!
Jia Rong suddenly felt that he had become stupid from reading too much and couldn't even coax his aunt.

"Yes, yes, my sister is right."

"I think I heard that the garden is almost finished. Why don't I ask my sister to visit the garden?"

Lin Daiyu shook her head and said, "There are too many people. I don't want to go."

The garden has not been completely built yet and there are still craftsmen working inside.

Jia Rong whispered, "Let's go at night when no one is around."

This time Lin Daiyu didn't say anything, but nodded slightly and said "hmm".

"Then, I'll go back first."

"Have a cup of tea before you go."

……

Finally it was evening and the craftsmen went home to rest.

Jia Rong arrived at Lin Daiyu's courtyard.

Tonight, Lin Daiyu was wearing a light green Xiang skirt with a water pattern, a moon-white silk ribbon tied around her waist, and a jade hairpin inserted into her long ponytail. The hanging tassels swayed, making people's minds sway along.

"Come this way."

Jia Rong led the way.

In fact, he didn't know which way to go, he just took the difficult path.

This way I can lead my aunt legitimately...

The moonlight is very bright tonight, and even without a lantern, I can clearly see the road ahead.

"Be careful, it's a little hard to walk here." Jia Rong pulled Lin Daiyu and said seriously, "Although the road is a little hard, what do you think of the scenery?"

Lin Daiyu lowered her head and said nothing, but let Jia Rong lead her hand and walk forward step by step.

As for the scenery in the garden...

I really didn't notice.

……

(End of this chapter)