The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

In a daze, Jia Jue finally regained control of his body.

Looking around, I saw that the surroundings were dimly lit, clearly resembling an examination room.

He then remembered that he was on a scientific expedition.

However, when he looked down at his exam paper, he found that it was no longer the Four Books texts and poems he had written before. Instead, it had become a classical essay question—"Confucius said: 'Guide them with virtue, regulate them with propriety, and they will have a sense of shame and moreover become good.' Explain its meaning."; a policy essay question—"County officials are responsible for the well-being of the people, and education and upbringing are essential. Now, if we want to establish village schools, encourage agriculture and sericulture, quell bandits, and resolve lawsuits, what is the proper way?"; and a poetry essay question—"Write an essay on 'Wheat Waves Rippling in the Sunny Suburbs'."

This is clearly the fifth exam paper!

When I looked at my answer sheet again, I saw that it was already filled with writing.

Could it be that I answered in my dream?

Jia Jue quickly read it through. He felt that the essay on the answer sheet was even better than the best essay he had ever written. It was well-organized, logically sound, and beautifully written. It was a first-rate exam paper.

This made Jia Jue's heart flutter.

With his mind unsettled, he had forgotten most of what he had seen and heard in the fairyland.

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Now he only remembers that he seemed to have entered a place filled with ethereal mist and a secluded, tranquil place. Suddenly, he felt light and agile, as if he could ride the clouds. At the Three Lives Stone by the Spirit River, he saw a crimson immortal herb and an immortal.

The immortal was probably called "Shenying Attendant," but I can't remember his appearance or voice anymore; I just vaguely felt that he seemed familiar.

His current experience is truly bizarre, but time waits for no one.

It's almost dusk, time to hand in the exam.

Jia Jue first suppressed the various thoughts in his mind and began to organize the paper.

After finishing organizing his papers, he took them to the examiner's desk and stood respectfully to present them.

The examiner took Jia Jue's exam paper, glanced at it briefly, then signed it off and let him leave.

As he walked, Jia Jue pondered, "These past few days I've been in an illusion, but I don't know who answered the exam for me? And these past few days, with the sword and the books, wouldn't they be worried when I didn't come out? Besides, the examination hall is to be cleared out at dusk, how could I have sat there for five whole days? Moreover..."

Jia Jue waved his arms and surprisingly felt much lighter, and he didn't feel hungry.

As soon as he stepped out of the examination hall, two servants, one carrying a sword and the other a book, ran over. "Young master, you've finally finished the exam!"

Jia Jue asked them, "Have you seen me these past few days?"

Holding the sword, he asked him with some doubt, "Young master, don't you always go to your lodgings to rest after the exams every day? Why haven't I seen you there?"

Jia Jue didn't speak, but just nodded. "Let's go," he said.

Upon returning to the Jia family mansion, Jia Jue first paid his respects to Grandmother Jia.

At that time, Grandmother Jia was chatting and playing with her grandchildren in Rongqing Hall when she heard the announcement that Jia Jue had returned from the exam. She stopped and said to her grandchildren, "Jue-ge'er just doesn't listen to me. Why did he have to go to the exam hall? Wasn't that just suffering for nothing?" After saying that, she called to a pretty little maid named Yuanyang, "Let him in."

Yuanyang was Jia Mu's most trusted maid, always thinking of Jia Mu's needs and possessing keen insight. She often made Jia Mu happy, a role that no ordinary maid could replace. Precisely because of this, Yuanyang's status in the Jia household was much higher than that of ordinary servants.

Even the ladies would give him some face.

Yuanyang accepted Grandmother Jia's instructions and went out.

When Jia Jue entered, he subtly glanced at the expressions of everyone in Rongqing Hall, and as he had expected, they were all different.

Grandmother Jia, of course, said nothing more. Although she felt a little sorry for him, she didn't say much. When Jia Jue first came in, she didn't notice him. Her eyes were on Bao Yu. It wasn't until Jia Jue had looked around that she finally looked at him.

Yingchun has always been known as "Second Wooden Head," as she has always been somewhat dull. However, she is extremely kind to her brothers and sisters. When she saw Jia Jue, she carefully examined him, and her eyes lit up when she saw that he hadn't lost weight.

Tan Chun was overjoyed to see her brother return home.

As for Xichun, this child has always been aloof. Although she usually has a good relationship with Jia Jue, her gaze is indifferent when she sees Jia Jue coming.

Baoyu also fits Jia Jue's impression of him quite well. His eyes show disgust for him as a "foolish thing who reads books on practical application of knowledge," as well as fear of Jia Jue's occasional discipline.

As for Daiyu, her eyes held the most complex emotions: joy at Jia Jue's return, heartache for his five days of arduous examinations, and confidence that he would surely pass.

Jia Jue quickly glanced around, then bowed to the old lady and said, "Grandma, your grandson is back!"

Grandmother Jia nodded and smiled, "Yes, it's good that you're back. You've been through the examination hall, it wasn't easy for you, go back and rest."

Jia Jue nodded in agreement, said a few more words to the old lady, and then bowed and withdrew.

After leaving Rongxi Hall, Jia Jue slowly strolled back to his own courtyard.

Musk Moon and Qingwen already knew that Jia Jue was coming back, and they had already prepared tea, snacks, and other things.

Before Jia Jue even reached the courtyard, when he was still quite a distance from the gate, he saw Qingwen waiting for him there.

Upon seeing Jia Jue's pretty face, she immediately smiled, as if ice and snow were melting and plum blossoms were blooming in spring.

He immediately walked over to Jia Jue, circling him closely to examine him. After confirming that his build was roughly the same as before he left, he breathed a sigh of relief, patted his chest, and said, "You must be exhausted these past two days."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "It was alright. It felt like a dream. The exam was over in the blink of an eye."

"I don't believe you," Qingwen pouted. "People outside say taking an exam is like taking half your life!"

"It's not that exaggerated," Jia Jue said, somewhat amused. "Look at me, I haven't lost any weight, have I?"

"You've read a lot, don't you know that sometimes it's 'internal deficiency'? It may not show on the outside, but the body is depleted inside. Once you relax, your body will collapse."

"You know quite a lot," Jia Jue said with a smile.

"Of course," Qingwen said with a smile. "When we get back, there will be fine tea brewed by Mushe, and she also specially went to the kitchen to order some of your favorite dishes."

"It's kind of you to care so much," Jia Jue said with a smile.

As they walked and chatted, Qingwen said, "Speaking of which, it's no longer appropriate for us to call you 'Brother'. It was fine when you were with the old lady, but now that you've moved out and live on your own, we should call you 'Master'."

"Ha." Jia Jue chuckled lightly, "I don't care what you call me, but why are you even considering these things?"

"Why can't I consider it?" Qingwen said.

"You never call me 'brother' normally, you just call me 'you' all the time. This must have been Musk Moon telling you to say it," Jia Jue said.

Qingwen blushed slightly at Jia Jue's words and said, "If you think I'm ill-mannered, then I'll call you 'Master' from now on, okay?"

Jia Jue smiled and said, "That's the real unnecessary thing. You're different from me; you've always been in the manor. Just make sure you don't call her the wrong name when you're in front of the Old Madam or Madam."