Misty Rain of the Old Times

As the door to the examination room slowly closed, the two worlds separated by a wall seemed like two completely different worlds.

Inside the wall is a silent battlefield, with thousands of troops crossing a single-plank bridge and tens of thousands of candidates. They have forged their swords with years of hard work, using wisdom as their strategy and knowledge as their generals, and they are bound to fight their way out of the predicament.

There was no flash of swords and no bloodshed on the battlefield, but its cruelty was terrifying. Once defeated, years of hard work would be in vain. Even if the knowledge was yours and there was a chance to make a comeback, time waits for no one. Three years after three years, how many three years are there in a lifetime?

Outside the wall, there is an agonizing wait. Those who are seeing off their relatives and friends entering the examination hall are under no less pressure than the examinees themselves.

Many candidates are the future and hope of a family, an ethnic group, or even a region. How much does it cost to support a scholar to this point?

The road to education is never easy. From the very beginning, which step doesn't cost money? A book, a set of annotations, a question to be answered, which one doesn't involve money and favors?
Some families, in order to support a scholar, never let him do any chores from a young age, and no matter how hard or tiring it was, they would not skimp on food or clothing, but would give him the best. Some ethnic groups would even mobilize their entire clan to support a scholar, hoping he would bring honor to the family, pinning the entire clan's future and hopes on him...

After finally making it this far, if they can't make that final leap, the next three years will be a long journey. How much pressure will they have to bear? How much effort will it take? How many people still have the courage to enter Beijing and fight again?
The old and young in the family are heartbroken, seeing bones on the way to Beijing, shedding tears while reading and reciting in the morning, his soul returns home even though his name is not on the list of successful candidates.

The imperial examination was held every three years. Countless candidates went through untold hardships to come to the capital to seek fame and fortune. However, once they failed, they could not bear the pressure, and their dreams were shattered. They had no face to return home, and thus they left their lives forever in this prosperous capital. Such examples can be found everywhere.

After each announcement of the results, the bodies of candidates were found in the inns, on the river, and under the beams.

When they are strong, they can study hard for ten years, but when they are weak, they can easily give up their lives after a single blow of failing the exam.

Under the cover of night, Chen Xuan retracted his gaze and looked at Geng Hong and the others and said, "Uncle Geng, you guys go back first. We'll come back to pick up the young master after the day is over. I'll go around and then go back."

"Then Xuan'er, you should come back early and rest," Geng Hong and the others said and left.

Walking in the bustling lights of the capital, Chen Xuan felt that the air was filled with oppression, as if everyone was affected by the atmosphere in the examination room. Even the laughter of the young ladies in brothels seemed weak.

'I have already experienced this kind of pain during the college entrance examination in my previous life. The imperial examination in this era is much more cruel than that. Fortunately, I have never thought about taking the imperial examination. Otherwise, I am afraid I would not be able to bear such pressure,' Chen Xuan thought with relief in his heart.

When he was sold to the Gao family, housekeeper He had painted a rosy picture for him, saying that if he had outstanding talents and learning, he would have a chance to escape his fate. At that time, Chen Xuan still had some ideas, but he never thought that his life would be changed in another way.

If he had really followed his original idea, Xiao Gao would probably have been the housekeeper taking care of all the household chores in a few decades, although that seemed pretty good.

"When the dust settles on this imperial examination, my journey with Xiao Gao across thousands of mountains and rivers to the capital will be a complete success. What follows is his own life and future. What kind of magnificent chapter he can write with his pen will depend on his own ability. Whatever he chooses to do in the future has nothing to do with me. That is his life. All I can do is protect his life at the critical moment. And Madam Gao. I don't owe anything to the others. I hope he won't act too recklessly. If he doesn't cherish his life again and again, I will have no choice but to break his legs to make him settle down. Is that enough?"

Thinking of this, Chen Xuan was wondering what he should do next?
His life and future have no goals, and there is nothing urgent that needs to be accomplished.

I will probably walk around and have a look. The world is so big, it would be a waste of this trip if I don’t see more.

Anyway, just lie down and do nothing...

After wandering aimlessly all night, it was almost dawn. Chen Xuan found a place and practiced the calming and health-preserving exercises he had been doing for more than ten years. After that, he bought some steaming buns on the street and took them home, planning to catch up on some sleep while the weather was good.

The gift for Xiao Gao has been prepared a few days ago. I will give it to him as soon as he passes the imperial examination. I hope he can show it off in the future. The painting on the fan is not very formal.

Back near Xiaoming Residence, Chen Xuan's heart moved. He looked towards a corner and said in silence: "Commander Xia, why are you here?"

After learning that Xia Mei was the little princess's guard leader, Chen Xuan changed his tune. She seemed to have been waiting here all night. Could it be that the little princess had an appointment today? He just happened to be bored.

Seeing Chen Xuan, Xia Mei appeared and said bluntly: "Mr. Chen, the princess asked me to ask you if there is anything I can help you with. Just ask."

"Why do you say that, Commander Xia?" Chen Xuan was slightly stunned, not quite understanding what she meant.

So Xia Mei patiently said, "It's like this. The princess learned that something happened to the Lu family and it was very likely that Master Gao would be implicated. The Gao family was indebted to Master Chen and she was worried that Master Chen would do something stupid because of this, so she asked me to come and ask him."

Chen Xuan immediately understood. The little princess had heard about this matter from somewhere and was worried that she would be left alone and do something wrong, so she asked Xia Mei to come over and ask if there was anything she could help with.

Touched, Chen Xuan smiled and said, "Please tell Commander Xia to go back and tell the princess that I thank her for her kindness. It's okay. Let her rest assured. Well, I will thank her in person later."

"Well, that's good. In that case, I'll take my leave first. But there is one thing I hope Mr. Chen will remember. The princess said that if you need money to manage relationships, she has several million taels and can send it to you at any time. She also has a token representing her identity. Many people will give her face at critical moments. If necessary, if you ask her, she can go and beg His Majesty for mercy. Although it is the Gao family's business, Mr. Chen will definitely not stand idly by. The princess said she is willing to do it." After speaking, Xia Mei nodded and turned to leave.

After listening to her and watching her leaving, Chen Xuan's breathing stagnated and he took a deep breath.

Looking in the direction of the princess's mansion, Chen Xuan let out a long breath and thought to himself that this little princess was "too scary" and was simply trying to kill him.

For a girl to do this for herself, her status and appearance are not important. This is just because the Gao family has done her a favor. If something happened to her, what would she do?
Chen Xuan didn't dare to think about it, nor would he think about it, because no matter how much he thought about something that hadn't happened, it would be meaningless.

"Where can I find a girl like this in the world? If I let her down, I won't be able to forgive myself." Chen Xuan knew that he was doomed. He was in the hands of the little princess and couldn't escape even if he had wings!
Who can stand this?
After being stunned for a while, how could Chen Xuan fall asleep? He turned around and ran to the princess's mansion, but Xia Mei went back to report first. The little princess, who had been worried all night, had already fallen asleep. Chen Xuan did not disturb her and left quietly.

He woke up laughing from his dreams several times during his nap that day...

Nine days passed in a flash after Gao Jingming was sent to the examination hall. During these days, Chen Xuan also met with the little princess several times. No one mentioned that she wanted to take the initiative to help, and there was no need for anyone to express their feelings to each other.

The thorough investigation of the Ministry of Revenue is still proceeding in full swing. After all, there are too many officials involved in the case, and all parties are involved, so it will take more than a day or two to get results. We can only wait for the court to announce the details.

On the day the exam ended, Chen Xuan and his friends arrived outside the exam room early in the morning to wait. There were huge crowds of people, even more than the day when they sent the candidates into the exam room.

Countless people waited anxiously until the sun set before the bell rang to signal the end of the exam.

As the doors of the examination hall opened, this stage of the imperial examination came to an end. No matter how well or poorly the candidates performed, they could only wait for the judgment of fate after handing in their papers. If they could make the list, they would be able to participate in the next palace examination with great fanfare and compete for the third place. Those who failed could only leave sadly.

This would also be the last imperial examination during Emperor Shang Xuan's reign, and he would not live long enough to see the next one.

One after another, candidates walked out of the examination room. Some were full of pride, some looked dazed, and some broke down and cried on the spot. All kinds of emotions were clearly displayed.

"Young Master, this way," the sharp-eyed Chen Xuan waved from afar when he saw Gao Jingming coming out. The voice was clearly heard in the noisy environment, guiding him in the direction.

Seeing Gao Jingming coming out of the examination room, Chen Xuan felt a little different. There was no joy or sadness on Gao Jingming's face. He only looked calm, as if he was just going through a process and it didn't matter whether he did well or not.

This is not right, has Xiao Gao’s mentality reached this point?

When they reunited, amidst Geng Hong and the others' breathless anticipation, Chen Xuan bluntly asked, "How did you do on the exam, young master?"

"I stayed in that small place for nine days. I ate, drank, defecated, urinated and slept there. Do you know how I got through this? I'm all smelly. Let's go back and wash up. I'm exhausted, both mentally and physically. I need to sleep soundly," Gao Jingming said, still calmly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan and the others looked at each other in bewilderment. What kind of reaction was this? Something was wrong, something was very wrong!

Geng Hong and the others felt a pang of fear in their hearts. Could it be that the young master hadn't done well on the exam? Suddenly, no one dared to say a word and hurried on to send Gao Jingming back.

After returning to his residence, Xiao Gao first took a shower, then ordered a large table of food and ate it voraciously. After finishing, he wiped his mouth and fell asleep.

Chen Xuan and the others were confused. What was going on?
After more than ten years of hard study, why don't you give me some reaction? Chen Xuan gritted his teeth and stomped his feet. He rushed into Xiao Gao's room, picked him up from his sleep, and after shaking him awake, he stared at Gao Jingming and asked, "Master, how did you do in the exam? Give me an answer, otherwise I will feel uncomfortable."

Gao Jingming, who was in a dilemma, rolled his eyes and spread his hands, saying, "I don't know."

"Don't know? Hiss, you won't do anything rash, will you? Don't joke with your own future!" Chen Xuan said fearfully.

After a moment of hesitation, Gao Jingming said frankly: "A Xuan, do you still remember what you said to me inadvertently?"

"I've said so much, which one?" Chen Xuan asked speechlessly.

Gao Jingming smiled and said, "It's that saying, 'Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.' So, for this imperial examination, I wrote an essay based on that saying."

Hearing this, Chen Xuan opened his mouth, then gently let him go, patted his shoulder, shook his head and said, "Go to sleep, sleep, I won't disturb you anymore, you are courting death, forget it, the test paper has been handed in, it's too late to regret, it's okay, at worst we can just go back to Yang County and live freely, it will save us trouble."

"Maybe. In the current situation, we can only take an unconventional approach. The prince will be the examiner. It depends on whether he has the courage!" Gao Jingming lowered his head. He knew very well what the result would be if he handed in such an exam paper.

There are only two extremes. He is simply pushing himself into a dead end.

There are risks, but the profits are high, and once you stand out, the 'return' will be proportional.

Chen Xuan left without looking back and gently closed the door for him. It had come to this point, so he could do whatever he wanted.

In an era dominated by powerful families, you actually came up with the idea that water can carry a boat but can also capsize it. I admire you so much that even your master, Mr. Yushan, would have to admit defeat.

It is the case that the disciple surpasses the master... (End of this chapter)