"Ache, has anything good happened recently?" He Chen suddenly asked one day.
Pei Che was a little puzzled: "Why do you say that?"
"I've noticed that you've been laughing for no apparent reason these past few days. If it's not something good about to happen, then why is that?"
He Chen was even more puzzled. The provincial examination was coming up soon. Although most people had no worries and did not need to put all their future on the imperial examination, they still hoped that their years of hard study would lead to achievements. Therefore, during this period of time, everyone had restrained their previous carelessness and became very hardworking. The Imperial College was filled with a tense atmosphere. Only Pei Che, at this time, was more high-spirited and even smiled more than before.
Some people who didn't like Pei Che spread rumors behind him, saying that Pei Che was obsessed with reading every night because the provincial examination was approaching, and he was a little confused, so he laughed every day. Most people sneered at such remarks. Who are they? How could they be obsessed with a provincial examination? If they failed the provincial examination, there was still the imperial examination. At worst, their family could donate an official position for them. There was no need to worry about their future. This was pure nonsense.
"That's right," Pei Che was reminded of his sweet life these past few days. The corners of his mouth naturally raised in a suspicious arc. He thought about it and felt that he couldn't irritate his unmarried friend, so he said, "The provincial examination is coming soon. Every time I think about how my talent and knowledge will be put to good use, I can't help but laugh out loud."
He Chen looked strange, and after a moment of silence, he said, "I didn't expect that you, Che, would have such a heart to serve the country. I really admire you."
Pei Che coughed awkwardly: "Okay, okay."
Han Qin sat aside and couldn't help rolling his eyes. It wasn't because of the provincial examination, it was because he and Brother Jiang finally fell in love with each other, so he couldn't hide his feelings.
The provincial examination was held every three years, but the rules of the Liang Dynasty were somewhat different from what Jiang Miao remembered from ancient times, because the time of their examinations was not fixed.
For example, the provincial examination three years ago was scheduled for mid-July after the Imperial Astronomical Observatory predicted the good and bad luck at the beginning of the year. After the prediction results came out, the court would post a notice to inform all candidates across the country so that they could arrange their time and arrive at the examination hall in time.
This year, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory also predicted the good and bad luck and selected a date, which was September 12. It was already the end of August, and there were only a dozen days left before they entered.
Since Pei Che told Jiang Miao the time of the exam, he has been treated like a national treasure. Jiang Miao has become very gentle and amiable, and even when Pei Che sometimes makes some unreasonable requests, he grits his teeth and agrees. In addition, the quality of his three meals a day has also been improved. In order to supplement his nutrition, Jiang Miao also specially went to find a farmer who raised sheep and bought a bucket of goat milk every day to cook for them.
Pei Che originally refused, as he thought that drinking milk should only be enjoyed by infants. But Jiang Miao insisted and accompanied them to drink, so he drank it reluctantly.
Xiao Shitou and Pei Mu were influenced by Jiang Miao. These days, they acted like thieves at home. No matter what they did, they were very quiet, for fear that the noise they made would disturb Pei Che's thoughts.
Pei Che actually didn't quite understand why Jiang Miao was so cautious about the provincial examination. Little did he know that Jiang Miao actually treated the provincial examination as the modern college entrance examination. You have to know that some modern parents can be described as crazy when facing their children's college entrance examination. Perhaps in Jiang Miao's mind, the provincial examination is more important than the college entrance examination. At least after the college entrance examination, there will be no direct job assignment. Once you pass the provincial examination, you will have a position in the government, which is a lifelong event for students. Although Pei Che has a good family background, there is still a difference between what is innate and what is obtained through one's own efforts.
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye it was time to enter the provincial examination. They had to take three examinations in total, each lasting three days, and during these three days, they were not allowed to step out of the small room. Jiang Miao felt that this was too inhumane, but the rules were like this, and he couldn't change them. The only thing he could do was to try to give Pei Che everything he could use.
Under the candlelight, Jiang Miao helped Pei Che pack his things while explaining to him the purpose of each item and what to pay attention to in the examination room. These were all things he had asked the aunts about in the past few days. Their husbands had all participated in the imperial examinations, some more than once, and they knew the details of the situation very well. They taught Jiang Miao a lot of valuable experience. In addition, the Duke's Mansion also sent many things to Pei Che. Grandmother Pei originally wanted Pei Che to go back, but the exam was imminent, so in order to save him from running around, she just sent someone to deliver the things.
"With a husband like this, what else can I ask for..." Pei Che sat aside and sighed happily. Jiang Miao did not respond. He was a straightforward modern man and was not particularly sensitive to those things that implicitly expressed love. This was also the reason why Pei Che's previous hints failed.
Before dawn the next day, Jiang Miao sent Pei Che to the vicinity of the Imperial Examination Hall. A security cordon was set up inside, and no one except students was allowed to enter. The Imperial Examination Hall was not far from their Imperial College, but because the students of the Imperial College had to enter first, they had to arrive early.
Jiang Miao watched Pei Che and his friends walk inside. Only after their figures disappeared did Jiang Miao turn back to the carriage.
Three days, for the students in the examination room, was probably just a blink of an eye. But for those waiting outside, it seemed like a very long time had passed.
During the day, Jiang Miao felt better because he had things to do and two little ones to keep him company. But after nightfall, facing the deserted room, the big bed that used to be very warm and comfortable seemed too empty. Jiang Miao rolled up the quilt on his body and pretended that Pei Che's arms were around him. It was amazing that before he and Pei Che got together, he didn't think it was a big deal to sleep alone. After they got together, he was actually a little uncomfortable.
On the afternoon of the third day, Jiang Miao arrived outside the Imperial Examination Hall early to wait. Everything inside had been settled, so naturally the outside would no longer be so tightly sealed.
There were many people waiting outside, including white-haired old men, children with pigtails, women wearing veils, and strong men. They all looked forward to it, with the same hope on their faces, hoping that their years of hard study would pay off.
In the evening, a dull bell rang, and then the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall opened. Students filed out one after another, some with happy faces, while others looked sad. The results of their answers could be seen from their faces.
Jiang Miao stared closely at the people walking out of the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall, hoping that he would be the first to spot Pei Che when he came out. But for some reason, he didn't see him for a long time.
Jiang Miao couldn't help but jump off the carriage and squeeze in. He was agile and soon squeezed to the front. There were guards outside the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall. Jiang Miao saw that fewer and fewer people came out. He couldn't help but mutter in his heart, did Pei Che have an accident inside? Or did he faint halfway through the journey
The more he thought about it, the more terrified he felt, and his expression showed it. Just as he was about to ask the guard at the door if he could go in to find someone, Pei Che's voice suddenly sounded not far away.
Jiang Miao's eyes lit up, and he looked up and found Pei Che was silently coming out with someone. The man he was supporting was an old man with gray hair and beard, and he looked like a veteran in the examination room.
Just now, after the examiner ordered people to collect the papers, he was in a hurry to go out, but he was pushed by someone and fell to the ground, spraining his foot slightly. Pei Che came out so slowly because he was supported by him.
At this time, the old man's children seemed to have come over as well. They were very grateful to Pei Che for helping them out. After thanking him, they carried the old man on their backs and left.
Pei Che looked at Jiang Miao who was waiting outside the door, and his heart was filled with warmth. It was such a joy to have someone waiting for you and someone caring about you.
(End of this chapter)