Fenglai County is very far away from the imperial city. Mingyue and his group rode in a carriage for more than half a month before they finally reached the outer wall of the imperial city.
After the leading official got off the car and negotiated, the guards at the city gate let the group of outsiders enter the city gate.
The common people of the imperial city who were queuing at the gate to enter the city were no longer surprised by such queues. They only discussed with their friends and relatives beside them things like "I don't know which remote village they came from, they are dressed so poorly" and "There are so many people, I wonder how many of them can pass the final test".
After the carriage drove into the city gate with a "clatter", its speed suddenly slowed down.
It was dusk, and the long, wide alleys were stained with golden light under the setting sun. The streets and alleys in the city were bustling with people. The hawkers' shouts, the storytellers in the teahouses, the performers' juggling, the spectators' cheers, the people's gossip, etc., were noisy, making the whole Imperial Outer City look prosperous.
Mingyue lifted the car curtain and looked out. Just like what she saw in Fenglai County, the people coming and going in the whole city were all women, and the people going in and out of the shops were also women. In the huge city, there was not even a shadow of a man, as if this was really a country of women.
At this time, the woman who was sitting in the same carriage with Mingyue sighed: "If only I could stay in the Imperial City. The Imperial City looks prosperous and splendid, a hundred times or a thousand times better than Fenglai County."
Another woman nodded and complained to everyone, "Yes, it is the imperial city after all. It looks special. And I didn't see any of those worthless men. You don't know that a few days ago, someone in Fenglai County brought three men to the street and walked back and forth for a long time. It was really disrespectful."
"Yes, I know what you said. I heard that the woman took three money-losing goods to look for work, but she searched all the shops and no one was willing to hire her."
"This person is also stupid. How could other people's shops possibly..."
There were four women in the carriage, all of whom had passed the initial test.
Except for Mingyue, the other three are obviously true like-minded people who believe in the same thing.
Soon they were discussing enthusiastically the 'unruly and unruly' person, not knowing that he was sitting among them, watching them with great interest.
Mingyue did not participate in these people's conversation because she knew it was pointless to argue with them.
They are just the products of severe brainwashing and have never even had their own thoughts. She cannot wake up such people.
As it got darker, the carriage stopped at the border of the outer city and the inner city. There was a huge villa named "Xuanguan", which has always been a place for talents who passed the preliminary examinations from all over the country to rest.
Because this place is located at the intersection of the inner and outer cities, even as dusk deepens, there is still an endless stream of horse-drawn carriages coming and going. There are donkey carts from ordinary people's homes, horse-drawn carriages from officials' homes, and even young ladies with flying eyebrows riding BMWs out of the city.
Mingyue asked the gatekeeper of the Xuan Hall, and he said that the Xuan Hall did not restrict people's freedom of entry and exit, but there was a lock time every day. If anyone had not returned by then, they would have to find a place to rest outside.
However, Mingyue did not leave the selection hall after all. She was not afraid of not being able to find a place to rest. She just thought that Liang Baoer brought Xingzhi and the others into the inner city, so she did not make this trip after all.
As soon as the officials from Fenglai County entered the city, they sent someone to report the royal ultimate test. The test date is tomorrow, and Mingyue has to follow the main force to avoid delaying important matters.
After a simple dinner, Mingyue sat in the backyard of the pavilion for a while and then returned to her room.
Have a good night's sleep.
The next day, early morning.
Layers of golden light appeared on the eastern horizon, slowly eroding the light blue sky and dyeing the horizon with a layer of golden color. A morning breeze blew through the yard, and a drop of crystal clear dew on the branch rolled down, exploding on the ground with a "snap" sound and turning into water splashes.
At this time Mingyue opened her eyes and climbed up from the bed.
After a simple wash, she went out. It was quiet outside. Apparently, the people who were selecting the museum were still asleep.
This is normal. Last night, everyone was immersed in the excitement of taking the ultimate test. I'm afraid they fell asleep very late, so naturally they can't wake up now.
Mingyue stretched lazily and slowly walked out of the selection hall.
The bluestone slabs outside were still wet, with water dripping from the eaves. The door panels of the shops on both sides of the street were foggy from the moisture, and there was a long line of carriages waiting to enter the inner city.
The guys at the steamed bun shop, noodle stall, and pancake stall yawned, but quickly removed half of the door panel. People who came to have breakfast came in and out, the charcoal fire in the stove crackled, and the steamers were filled with steaming food.
Mingyue sat down in front of the wonton stall, ordered a bowl of small wontons, chatted with the people in the city for a few words, and then slowly started to eat her food.
When she leisurely returned to the selection hall, it was already full of people.
Most of them gathered in groups of three or four, yawning, and some were whispering and chatting.
Some people even complained: "I shouldn't have slept so late last night. I don't have any energy today."
Some people touched their chests and said excitedly: "I am so excited. I am so excited to enter the Royal Library that I can't sleep at all."
Some people's eyes lit up: "It would be great if I could find the treasure of the first empress. To be honest, I have studied the first empress for a long time at home. I can recite all her deeds by heart. Who knows, maybe I am the destined person."
Some people are more realistic and say directly: "I just want the royal family to recruit me. I have been preparing for this day for three years. I hope it will succeed!"
"… "
The entire selection hall was bustling with noise. Mingyue stood in the shadow against the wall, looking like a person wandering outside the world.
When the Fenglai County election official, the old woman who was checking the questions, came over, she saw this scene: everyone was gathered together, imagining the future, with different expressions on their faces. Only she was hiding in the sun, her face was also dark and unclear.
The old woman had a very deep impression of Mingyue. Firstly, Mingyue was older than the others. Secondly, Mingyue answered the questions beautifully. Thirdly, Mingyue had an indescribable temperament that made people couldn't help but pay attention to her.
The old woman thought about this and shook her head again, feeling that she was wrong.
She has been selecting officials for decades and has met all kinds of people, many of whom are capable and outstanding. How could she think that a woman from a small county town has a special temperament
(End of this chapter)