By a twist of fate, the illegitimate son of the Marquis's family marries the county princess.

The two hadn't eaten together for several days. Wen Zongji felt that with only a few days left until the provincial examination, they could relax and unwind.

Yunguangyuan

The maids set out lunch and then withdrew.

Qinghe and Dongxiu stood behind Pei Rujing, serving her her meal.

Wen Zongji sat down next to Pei Rujing: "Did you have fun visiting the main courtyard?"

Pei Rujing casually replied, "It's alright. My mother-in-law and the others are pretty good at mahjong."

"By the way, my elder brother had someone send over a copy of 'Shize Collection,' which contains Han Grand Secretary's past memorials and official documents."

Han Shize was the Minister of Rites and also the chief examiner for this imperial examination.

Pei Shizhao sent Han Shize's "Collection of Poems" clearly so that Wen Zongji could understand Han Shize's political ideas in advance, so that his policy essays would not be rejected by Han Shize later.

Wen Zongji smiled and said, "Brother, you're very kind."

During each high school entrance examination, the examiner's question book becomes the biggest bestseller. At this time, if you go to a bookstore to buy "Shize Collection", you have to wait in a long line and you may not even be able to buy it.

Wen Zongji had learned from Wen Chuanhong a few days earlier that Han Shize would be the chief examiner, and Ruijintang had also reserved a copy of "Shize Collection" for him, but Wen Zongji was in no hurry to get it.

Pei Shizhao's actions saved Wen Zongji from having to send someone to Ruijintang to retrieve it again.

Pei Rujing said, "I haven't finished speaking yet."

"What else?"

Pei Rujing said with a smug look: "My elder brother and Grand Secretary Han's eldest son were born in the same year. This collection of poems is much more comprehensive than those sold on the market."

Wen Zongji placed a piece of mutton on Pei Rujing's plate: "Princess, please thank your elder brother for me."

"As long as you pass the high school entrance exam, your brother's efforts will not have been in vain."

"I will certainly not let my elder brother and the county princess down."

After lunch, Wen Zongji took the "Shize Collection" back to his study.

Pei Rujing muttered, "They barely exchanged a few words before going back to the study."

Granny Feng comforted him, "Once you've tried it, the son-in-law will be able to spend more time with the county princess."

Pei Rujing turned her head and said arrogantly, "I don't need him to accompany me... I plan to go out of the city for a trip in a few days, it doesn't matter whether he's there or not."

The other maids lowered their heads and suppressed their laughter when they heard Pei Rujing's insincere words.

Granny Feng chimed in, "It would be too lonely for the young master to stay in the manor alone. The county princess is very kind-hearted; why not take pity on him and bring him along as well?"

Pei Rujing deliberately hesitated for a moment before saying, "Then I'll give Granny some face."

Seeing her clumsy acting, Granny Feng couldn't help but laugh.

Pei Rujing, both embarrassed and angry, asked, "What are you laughing at, Granny?"

"I just feel that the county princess has been married for several months, and her demeanor is as graceful as ever, without any change."

Pei Rujing asked doubtfully, "It's only been a few months, what changes could I possibly have?"

Granny Feng sighed, "For a woman, marriage is like a second reincarnation. If she marries the wrong person, she will be ruined even after just one month."

Pei Rujing didn't take it to heart: "I am the Princess of Anhe County, who dares to mess with me?"

She never thought such a thing would happen to her.

Granny Feng did not argue with Pei Rujing. Everything was fine now, and there was no need to think about things that had not happened.

……

After acquiring the "Collection of Poems," Wen Zongji began studying the governing methods of this Grand Secretary Han.

After reading the entire "Collection of Poems by Han Shize", Wen Zongji concluded that Han Shize was a typical pragmatist. His memorials were full of practical information, without a single superfluous word.

He also kept his comments on official documents concise and to the point!

Wen Zongji breathed a slight sigh of relief.

He was, after all, a soul from the future. Even with all the original owner's memories, it would still be difficult for him to write a beautifully written article.

However, when it comes to practicality, Wen Zongji excels.

Wen Zongji then learned more about Han Shize's life.

This Grand Secretary Han came from a truly ordinary family. His entire clan supported him in taking the imperial examinations, and he consistently achieved the highest rank, catching the eye of the then-new Emperor Shun'an.

Now, fifteen years later, Han Shize has become the Minister of Rites, in charge of the imperial examinations and education throughout the country. Last year, an elderly Grand Secretary retired, and Emperor Shun'an personally appointed Han Shize to the cabinet, making him the new Grand Secretary.

Han Shize was a trusted and important minister during the reign of Emperor Shun'an.

Wen Zongji's gaze deepened. Did Emperor Shun'an's high regard for Han Shize also indicate that Emperor Shun'an valued practicality more?

With that in mind, Wen Zongji had a clear idea of ​​what to do during the palace examination.

……

Time flies like an arrow; a few days pass in the blink of an eye.

February 9th —

The most important day in the hearts of all students has finally arrived.

That day, Wen Zongji got up before dawn to wash and change his clothes.

February was still chilly, with sudden changes in temperature. It was quite cold outside, and Wen Zongji wore three layers of thin clothing just to barely keep out the cold wind.

It was impossible to keep warm; the cells wouldn't provide them with charcoal, and there was nowhere to put the charcoal braziers.

Pei Rujing got up groggily and saw that Wen Zongji was already dressed: "I'll take you to the examination hall."

Wen Zongji pressed down on her hand as she rubbed her eyes and said gently, "It's cold outside, Princess, don't fuss over it."

Pei Rujing pouted: "I want to go."

Wen Zongji said, "There are probably a lot of people at the entrance of the examination hall right now. I'll have to queue up first if I go. The county princess can't possibly queue up with me, can she? People will laugh at us."

"Who dares!"

The county magistrate broke his legs.

Granny Feng chimed in, "The process of entering the examination hall is quite tedious and not very interesting. Why don't we wait until three days later, when the county princess goes to fetch her son-in-law back to the mansion?"

Wen Zongji chimed in, "That's right. When the county princess comes to pick me up, she'd better prepare some food. I definitely won't eat well in my cell."

Pei Rujing was persuaded: "Alright then."

She looked up at Wen Zongji with pleading eyes: "Do your best on the exam, and after you finish, I'll allow you to go sightseeing outside the city with me."

Wen Zongji hugged her: "Okay."

It was getting late, so Wen Zongji didn't exchange any more pleasantries and left the main house with Changdong and the other two.

The sedan chair was waiting in the courtyard.

When they arrived at the gate of the mansion, Wen Zongjing also arrived.

The two brothers boarded the carriage together.

Wen Zongjing leaned against the carriage: "Success or failure hinges on this! It's finally almost over."

God knows how painful it was for him to be in seclusion and studying during that time; he's not the kind of person who can endure loneliness.

If Aunt Zhou hadn't been watching him personally, Wen Zongjing probably would have sneaked out several times.

"Third brother, are you confident?"

Wen Zongji shook his head: "Until the very last moment, who dares to say they're certain?"

Wen Zongjing raised his hand: "Then I wish that our two brothers' wishes will be fulfilled and that we will serve as officials in the same court in the future."

Wen Zongji gave him a high five: "Let's encourage each other!"

After that, the two stopped talking and leaned against the carriage, closing their eyes to rest. There was no one else on the street.

Perhaps because of the upcoming exam, Wen Zongji inexplicably felt a solemn atmosphere.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage stopped.

"Young masters, we have arrived at the examination hall."

Wen Zongji and Wen Zongjing exchanged a glance and got off the carriage together.

The imperial examination is about to begin!