Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 273 Miaoyu's Fortune Telling: It Will Win

……

"Master, get up. You have to go to the Ministry of Rites to take an exam today. You can't be late." Xiangling said, shaking Jia Rong's arm.

Jia Rong opened one eye.

"How many days has it been?"

Xiangling said, "It's already five o'clock in the morning."

It’s five o’clock in the morning, and it’s time to get up.

Although the palace examination starts at noon, they need to gather at the Ministry of Rites in advance and enter the palace under the guidance of the chief examiner.

At this time, Xiao Qingwen also came in from outside with hot water. She helped Jia Rong change his clothes and wash up, and carefully tied his hair into a bun.

"I'll go get a top scholar today and come back!"

"Yes, yes, except in operas, I have never seen a top scholar in real life."

"I will definitely win the first prize!"

Several people were chattering nearby.

Jia Rong didn't care and smiled, "If I win the first place in the imperial examination, I will come here. How about you all promise me one thing?"

Girls: "What's the matter?"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Don't worry, it's a good thing."

Several people suddenly became alert.

The good things that Jia Rong talks about are generally not very serious.

"Master, tell me what's going on first?"

Jia Rong said, "I haven't won yet, so I can't tell you. If I win, I'll tell you."

"It's settled then."

The girls: "..."

Lord!
We haven't spoken yet.

How is it decided?
At this time, Xiao Xichun came over with the maids, followed by Miaoyu.

"Brother Rong, I wish you success in the imperial examination."

Xichun congratulated with a smile.

Miaoyu smiled and said, "With your talent, it is more than enough for you to be the top scholar."

Jia Rong quickly said modestly, "You are too kind. I never dared to think that. The imperial examination was just a fluke. I am very lucky to get a second place this time."

Miaoyu smiled and said, "Young Master, you are too modest. I told you last night that you will definitely pass the exam today."

Will be in?

Jia Rong was speechless.

Of course you will win.

I won't fail the palace examination, so do I need your fortune-telling?
Not long after, Yuanchun came with Yingchun and Tanchun to congratulate them. A little later, the master, the mistress, Li Wan and Fengjie also came to congratulate them.

Being able to take part in the palace examination is a great honor for a family. Basically everyone in the family who can come comes to see the examinee off. Although Aunt Xue is not from the Jia family, she also brought Baochai and Baoqin to watch the excitement from afar.

"Rong'er is going to take the palace examination. It would be amazing if he wins the top spot. I have only seen this in operas." Aunt Xue sighed.

Baochai nodded and said, "Rong'er has already won the first place in the imperial examination and the first place in the imperial examination. If he wins the first place in the imperial examination, he will be one of the top three. He will truly be the best in this dynasty."

Baoqin was so happy that her eyes were beaming with joy.

Baochai raised her hand and poked Baoqin on the forehead: "Look at this girl, she doesn't even know how to be shy!"

Aunt Xue was sad, but on the surface she forced a smile and pulled Baoqin aside, saying, "Our little Baoqin is a blessed and good little girl, and others envy her."

Of course, not everyone is envious.

Da Baoyu also got up very early today because today was Liu Xianglian's birthday. Everyone agreed to go to his house for a drink and invite a few prostitutes from Jinxiangyuan to accompany them.

As soon as he walked out of the door, Da Baoyu saw the hustle and bustle of the East Palace.

"Humph."

They are nothing but parasites driven by fame, wealth and power. What is there to congratulate them for?
Da Baoyu turned around and walked towards Liu Xianglian's house.

Little did he know that this visit really broadened Dabaoyu's horizons and even opened another window for him...

……

Let’s talk about this.

In the midst of the merriment, Jia Rong boarded the carriage and set off for the final test of the imperial examination. The palace test consisted of only one question.

It is commonly said that one article can determine everything.

After half of the noon hour, all the successful candidates in the imperial examination gathered in the lobby of the Ministry of Rites and lined up in two crooked queues. Jia Rong, who was the first place in the examination, was at the front of all the candidates, and ahead of him was Wen Ting, the chief examiner of the undergraduate examination.

Wen Ting needed to lead them through the palace gate, through the Jinshui Bridge, the Imperial Road, the Meridian Gate, the Inner Palace Road, and directly to the outside of the Huangji Palace. This was basically the route that all officials took when they went to court, and Wen Ting could walk through it almost with his eyes closed over the years.

"teacher."

Jia Rong greeted him with a smile.

Wen Ting was still asleep at this time. He nodded reluctantly and said with a smile, "Young people are formidable. Elder Jia will have someone to succeed him."

Jia Rong smiled and said, "It's all thanks to the teacher's cultivation."

Wen Ting thought to himself: Forget it, I can't cultivate you, so don't get close to me.

Seeing that Wen Ting was not interested, Jia Rong stopped talking and just stood quietly aside.

The time has finally arrived.

Wen Ting reminded them, "You learned the rules yesterday. It doesn't matter if you didn't learn them. Today is your first time in the palace. Even if you are a little rude, you won't be impeached. You just need to study harder when you go back. You will inevitably have to enter the palace in the future."

"In addition, you will need to be searched before entering the palace. Although I know you won't cheat, I will remind you again that you are not allowed to bring any metal, iron, swords, spears, or hidden weapons. Otherwise, I don't need to explain the consequences."

Everyone was grateful for Mr. Wen's generosity and hurriedly bowed: "Thank you for your teachings, teacher."

Wen Ting nodded with satisfaction.

"follow me."

The group of people marched out of the Ministry of Rites and headed towards the Imperial Palace.

……

The palace examination is a national ceremony held every three years and the court attaches great importance to it. Three hundred tables and chairs are placed in the square outside the Huangji Palace. All pens, ink, paper and inkstones come from the Ministry of Rites and candidates do not need to bring them.

At this time, the examiners, prosecutors and censors in charge of the examination room had already performed their duties and stood by.

Directly above is a dragon throne.

If the emperor is interested, he may come and sit for a while. If not, the candidates only need to bow three times to the dragon throne under the guidance of the chief examiner.

This was the first palace examination since Emperor Anping took power, so it was given special attention. After Wen Ting led the candidates to arrive, Emperor Anping appeared at the top at the right time.

"The Emperor has arrived."

The young eunuch who followed him shouted in a shrill voice.

The crowd below immediately became a little confused.

There weren't many aristocratic families among the three hundred candidates. Most of them were from humble backgrounds or ordinary people. How could they have ever seen an emperor at the pinnacle of power in the world? For a moment, he was a little excited and at a loss.

Some people even forgot to kneel down and just stood there stupidly. Some people knelt on the ground, and when the emperor shouted to them to stand up, their hands and feet didn’t obey and they couldn’t get up…

All kinds of things are discussed.

Emperor Anping saw it but didn't care.

These will be the team that will help him govern the world in the future.

Be tolerant.

"Don't be nervous, my dear ministers. I don't eat people."

Emperor Anping rarely made a joke.

The mood of the people below immediately calmed down a lot and they were no longer so nervous.

"Your Majesty is magnanimous."

Wen Ting bowed respectfully and prepared to sing praises.

Emperor Anping waved his hand and said, "Distribute the test papers. Don't waste the examinees' time by saying useless things."

All the candidates were excited.

The emperor is truly a benevolent ruler!
We will swear to serve the emperor until death to repay his kindness.

Jia Rong was sitting in the first seat at the front, closest to Emperor Anping. However, he did not dare to look at the emperor. He just quietly buried his head in writing.

Emperor Anping looked at Jia Rong seriously.

He is a clean, handsome and modest young man, who makes people feel comfortable at first sight. He does not have the arrogant and domineering feeling of a young man from a wealthy family.

Lord Jia’s grandson is indeed a good person!
If he really has talent, it is not impossible for me to make use of him!
……

(End of this chapter)