The Red Mansion

Chapter 61: Emperor Taishun: Let Him Take the Imperial Examination (Part 1)
The first poem "Linjiangxian·Willow Catkins" that Jiang Nian gave to Xue Baochai was written by Xue Baochai in the original novel.

The second poem "Linjiangxian: Willow Catkins" that he gave to Xue Baochai was written by himself.

This second poem about willow catkins was dedicated to Xue Baochai, but was also written for himself, implying his mood and ambition.

"Rather than follow the flowing water, I would rather go against the wind and dust."

Unwilling to drift away with the current, I choose to go against the wind.

A prince like Jiang Nian, who had fallen into poverty, had no hope of vying for the throne, but he chose to go against the trend and seize the throne.

"The clear frost condenses the jade soul, and the Milky Way crosses the icy soul."

The cold frost condenses into a jade-like soul, and with the power of the Milky Way, it crosses to the distant other side.

It symbolizes Jiang Nian's perseverance and his determination to ascend the throne with the help of the golden finger.

Xue Baochai took the flowered paper and let her eyes linger over the words. After reading them three times, she said softly, "This poem is also very good."

This was a bit insincere and meant to be flattering. In her opinion, although this poem was not bad, it was far inferior to the first willow catkin poem Jiang Nian gave her.

Jiang Nian smiled faintly and said, "'After all the twists and turns, we must eventually disperse. Why not just let the traces of smoke drift together? Life is but the root of duckweed.' I wrote this especially for you. I hope you won't dwell on the sadness of parting with your family."

Xue Baochai's heart trembled slightly, and a touch of emotion flashed in her eyes. She bowed gracefully and said, "Thank you very much, sir."

After many twists and turns, everything will eventually disperse. Gathering and separation are nothing but passing clouds. Life is rootless like duckweed. Why bother about these things?
These words were like a good medicine, soothing the sadness and homesickness in her heart.

Jiang Nian's eyes turned slightly and fell on a necklace hanging around Xue Baochai's neck. He raised his eyebrows slightly: "Why do I always see you wearing a necklace?"

Xue Baochai looked calm, a smile on her lips, and replied, "When I was young, I met a fortune-teller. He gave me two auspicious words, saying that I must engrave them on gold and carry them with me every day to ensure safety and success."

Jiang Nian said, "Let me see."

Xue Baochai was a little shy. After a moment's hesitation, she turned her back to Jiang Nian, unbuttoned her clothes with her delicate fingers, and took out a necklace made of crystal jewels and brilliant gold from inside. Then she carefully took off the necklace and handed it to Jiang Nian, her movements as gentle as the wind blowing through the willows.

Jiang Nian's eyes fell on Yingluo and saw a golden lock with four seal characters engraved on each side, forming two auspicious prophecies: Never leave, never abandon, and continue to be young forever.

According to the original novel, Jia Baoyu's magical jade is engraved with the inscription: "Never lose, never forget, may your immortal life last forever." This inscription is a perfect match for the auspicious prophecy on Xue Baochai's golden lock.

The so-called "perfect match" is achieved in this way.

Jiang Nian's lips curled up into a playful smile, and he pondered inwardly, "A perfect match? Ha! In this world of the Red Mansion, Xue Baochai has already promised to be my concubine and lives with me. How can there be any perfect match at all?"

Jiang Nian returned Yingluo to Xue Baochai, who said, "Sorry to bother you, sir. I'll take my leave now."

Seeing Jiang Nian nodded, Xue Baochai bowed slightly and walked out of the study.

Back in the west wing, Xue Baochai clutched the two pieces of floral notepaper tightly in her hands, as if they were precious treasures. After much deliberation, she couldn't bear to leave these two tokens of love lying around. So, she opened a carved wooden box, where her intimate clothing was neatly stacked. She carefully tucked the two pieces of floral notepaper under a bellyband embroidered with twin lotus flowers, symbolizing eternal inseparability.

Her fingers groped the soft fabric of the bellyband, and her face couldn't help but blush. She thought to herself: "I can't let Master know about this, otherwise I will be very embarrassed again."

She gently closed the carved wooden box, as if hiding her shyness and sweetness quietly in her heart.

……

……

The next day, March 12th.

In the evening, the sky was dark and heavy rain poured down, densely covering the entire Shenjing City.

Nestled in Shuaifu Hutong outside Dong'anmen, the Zhongyi Palace stood majestically in the pouring rain, its vermilion gates and high walls imposing an imposing presence. Rainwater streamed down the glazed tiles, forming tiny streams that seemed to drape the palace in a shimmering pearly curtain. The stone lions at the gates appeared especially majestic in the rain, their eyes piercing as if scrutinizing everyone who approached.

A carriage slowly stopped outside the palace, the curtains opened, and He Yun and Jiang Nian got out one after another. Jiang Nian held a green cloth umbrella, and He Yun held a black cloth umbrella, with raindrops sliding down the umbrellas.

This was He Yun's third visit to Prince Zhongyi's mansion, and Jiang Nian's first. Jiang Nian stretched his blue umbrella upwards and gazed carefully at the towering palace gate, his eyes as deep as the rain curtains around him.

Then, the two of them walked towards the gate.

Jiang Nian deliberately chose to come in the evening because Prince Zhongyi might be in the palace at that time.

Sure enough, Prince Zhongyi was there.

Jiang Nian and He Yun waited quietly for a moment, and then Bao Yan, the first-class guard of the palace, came to greet them personally. With a smile on his face, he bowed and said, "Brother Nian, the prince summons you."

Jiang Nian followed Bao Yan, braving the heavy rain, accompanied by the sound of rain, and came to a quiet study.

As the sky darkened, the study's warm room was already brightly lit. The flames illuminated the luxurious furnishings: the bookshelves were filled with ancient and rare books, the walls were adorned with famous calligraphy and paintings, and the air was filled with the faint scent of ink and sandalwood.

Prince Zhongyi was sitting alone in the warm room, busy at his desk. His thin face showed majesty and fatigue, and the brush in his hand was writing quickly.

He is indeed the Thirteenth Prince who has a lot of work to do and a heavy burden on his shoulders.

Bao Yan knocked gently on the door. When he heard the reply "Come in", he gently opened the door and whispered, "Your Highness, Jiang Nian is here."

Prince Zhongyi raised his head and said, "Ask him in."

Bao Yan led Jiang Nian into the study, and he respectfully retreated and gently closed the door.

Jiang Nian hurriedly saluted Prince Zhongyi, because he came to the palace to ask to see Prince Zhongyi, and he knelt to show respect.

After the ceremony, Prince Zhongyi looked at Jiang Nian with a playful smile on his lips: "Brother Nian, what brings you to my palace today?"

Jiang Nian looked respectful, but said directly, "Your Majesty, I wish to take the Shuntian Prefecture Provincial Examination next month!"

Prince Zhongyi was stunned by these words: "..."

……

……

According to Jiang Nian's analysis and judgment, if he does not work hard for it, Emperor Taishun will probably not grant him an official position or allow him to enter the court within a few years. As for whether he will be allowed to enter the court after a few years, it is still unknown.

And he wanted to enter the court and become an official as soon as possible!
After much thought, he decided to take the imperial examination.

In this era, the imperial examination is the right way.

His academic ability was not bad, and coupled with his extraordinary memory and good luck, it was not difficult for him to get good results in the imperial examination.

Because Emperor Taishun ascended the throne, he issued an edict to hold the special examination this year. The Ministry of Rites followed the edict and decided to hold the special examination in April this year, the special examination in September, and the special examination in October 27th.

Today is March 12th, and there is only one month left until the April Enke County Examination.

If all goes well, Jiang Nian will be able to pass the imperial examination next month. If even better, he will be able to pass the imperial examination in October this year...

If things don't go well and he fails to pass the imperial examination next month, he will have to wait until next year, which is the second year of Taishun.

Because Daqing was originally going to hold the regular provincial examination this year, but in order to avoid a time conflict with the special examination, the regular provincial examination was postponed and rescheduled to February of the second year of Taishun, and the regular joint examination was held in August of the second year of Taishun.

Because Jiang Nian is the son of Emperor Taishun, even if he passes the imperial examination, Emperor Taishun may not allow him to become a Jinshi. But through this method, he can prove his ability to Emperor Taishun, strengthen his presence in the emperor's heart, and improve his image in the emperor's heart.

If you work hard, you will have good luck!

Jiang Nian believed that as long as he worked hard to take the imperial examinations and strived to enter the court through them, his luck would most likely play a role.

Therefore, in his opinion, taking the imperial examination was a shortcut for him to enter the court and become an official as soon as possible!
(End of this chapter)