Chapter 29: The Provincial Examinations Approach
◎ Zhan Xiucai is the village’s hope. ◎
When A Liu returned home, Zhan’s mother had just arrived. The provincial examinations were only a few days away.
Having arranged the autumn harvest, Zhan’s mother hurried back, bringing many grains and poultry purchased from the villagers.
She was surprised to find Shan Cha and Mu Jiaojiao staying at the house.
“We’re staying for a while.”
Mu Jiaojiao didn’t give a specific reason, wanting to avoid causing Zhan’s mother worry.
She no longer felt any physical discomfort and felt that the leprosy wasn’t as serious as she thought.
Zhan’s mother was delighted. Holding Shan Cha’s and Mu Jiaojiao’s hands, she said, “You’re always welcome here.”
Shan Cha, smiling, took the flapping duck to pluck it. They needed to nourish their Xiucai son, with the exams approaching.
A Liu arrived with fresh vegetables. “Madam, you’re back. Was there any trouble in the village?”
With his martial arts skills, he could handle anyone acting up.
Zhan Li Shi laughed. “Why would there be trouble? Everyone hopes Qiyu does well. The village head specifically instructed us to ensure he studies hard.”
The imperial examinations were a happy occasion for the villagers. A successful candidate brought honor to the entire village.
Furthermore, if there was a need for help, they’d know who to approach. Villagers hoped to benefit from his success.
When Zhan Li Shi came to the village with her son, it was because the village head saw Zhan Qiyu’s potential as a scholar. Otherwise, settling down would have been difficult.
Therefore, Zhan Xiucai was the village’s hope.
A Liu placed the vegetables in the kitchen. Shan Cha sniffed. “You smell of blood.”
During her stay at the Zhan’s, she had seen A Liu grow taller but felt she remained small.
She had privately discussed it with Mu Jiaojiao, who explained that boys grew faster and told her not to worry.
She couldn’t help but worry, paying close attention to A Liu’s actions, looking for secrets.
A Liu chuckled. “It must be from the butcher’s stall. I’ll change my clothes.”
He hadn’t changed since the previous night’s work and hurried to change and soak in a tub by the well.
The family busily prepared the meal, except for a young man in a room who was trapped in a nightmare.
Zhan Qiyu had a long dream, spanning his entire life.
The dream didn’t involve the fortune-teller, Wuyou. Mu Jiaojiao entered the palace, and he entered officialdom the following year, gaining the favor of the Crown Prince and Emperor.
He contacted Mu Jiaojiao, intending to bring her out of the palace, but the Crown Prince discovered his plan, and Mu Jiaojiao ended up in the Prince’s mansion.
The Prince was unkind, simply wanting leverage over his outstanding official, Zhan.
Mu Jiaojiao suffered and died in the Prince’s mansion. He only saw her corpse.
He remained hidden, eventually using a self-destructive method to kill the Prince. A fire burned for three days and nights, and he was consumed with her ashes.
He woke up, cold sweat pouring down his face. His body ached, but he slowly closed his eyes, relieved it was only a dream.
Zhan Qiyu had a demon in his heart; he constantly feared losing Mu Jiaojiao.
After catching his breath, he fell asleep. A Liu brought in the food, saw him sleeping, and quietly left.
He knew Zhan Qiyu hadn’t slept properly; he studied during the day and watched Mu Jiaojiao at night. Although A Liu claimed to be capable, Zhan Qiyu didn’t trust him and watched her personally.
Now, with everything settled, he could finally rest.
Many nights, he was exhausted, yet Zhan Qiyu stared intently at Mu Jiaojiao, afraid she might vanish.
A Liu didn’t understand why they had to hide all this from Mu Jiaojiao.
Zhan’s mother wasn’t worried. She thought her son needed more rest.
The examinations lasted three days; it would be exhausting. Getting a good rest was crucial.
At noon, during the meal, Mu Jiaojiao started a lesson.
“I heard the examinations last three days and nights, with no one allowed to leave, only sleeping and eating there. It’s grueling; those in poor health can’t endure it.”
She had heard this from her brother, Mu Huan, who, while disliking examinations, was knowledgeable.
Zhan’s mother worried, “Won’t there be any danger?”
Mu Jiaojiao smiled, “There’s no danger. Each candidate is supervised; it’s safer than the magistrate’s office.”
Many candidates experienced physical discomfort due to poor mental fortitude.
A Liu ate quietly, having complete faith in his master’s mental fortitude, expecting him to excel.
After the meal, A Liu cleaned up. Everyone rested, but Shan Cha saw the clothes soaking in the tubs.
Two tubs – one obviously A Liu’s, the other Zhan Qiyu’s.
Shan Cha and Mu Jiaojiao exchanged glances and silently began washing the clothes.
Shan Cha had previously prevented Mu Jiaojiao from doing laundry, but Mu Jiaojiao insisted on helping.
They scrubbed and pounded the clothes.
“Zhan Da Ge’s clothes smell of earth.”
“A Liu’s clothes also smell of earth and blood.”
They discussed it briefly without reaching a conclusion, finishing quickly.
Nobody noticed anything unusual.
But in the afternoon, Zhan’s mother noticed loose soil in the garden but didn’t think much of it.
The incident seemed washed away by the rain, unnoticed by anyone except them.
After a day and night, Zhan Qiyu rested, adjusting his schedule for the exams.
Guan Daju sent examination supplies, which Mu Jiaojiao had prepared. They only needed enough dry food.
Zhan’s mother learned a recipe for long-lasting flatbreads, perfect for the journey.
Everyone bustled around, nervous, except for the examinee, who remained calm.
Zhan Qiyu mostly ate in his room, studying.
Others were careful not to disturb him.
A Liu reported that the flower thief hadn’t appeared lately.
Zhan’s mother learned about the flower thief and realized why Shan Cha and Mu Jiaojiao were there – to avoid him.
She understood and stopped worrying, feeling only sorry that her son didn’t have more time to bond with them before the exams.
Mu Jiaojiao felt regretful, “Wasn’t the thief punished? He might harm more women. The authorities shouldn’t be complacent.”
A Liu patted his chest, “Evil begets evil; he might have been dealt with.”
Shan Cha narrowed her eyes, observing A Liu suspiciously.
Lacking evidence, she dismissed it.
The day before leaving for the provincial capital, they made flatbreads. Mu Jiaojiao and Shan Cha were amazed by the cooking tools.
Corn and wheat flour batter created large, thin flatbreads in seconds.
Zhan’s mother gave the first three to the young people. The large, thin, golden flatbreads were impressive.
“Big Mother, these large flatbreads won’t be easy to carry into the examination hall.”
Zhan’s mother smiled, folding the fresh flatbreads to reduce their size.
She handed a folded flatbread to Mu Jiaojiao, “Jiaojiao, eat more.”
Mu Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up; she thought it could be a profitable business and wanted to learn.
Zhan’s mother patiently taught her; they needed enough for Qiyu and the family.
She planned to accompany Zhan Qiyu with A Liu, leaving Shan Cha and Mu Jiaojiao at home. The journey took a whole day; there was no need to worry them.
But that evening, Zhan Qiyu, while having dinner, said only A Liu needed to go; more people would distract him.
“Zhan Da Ge, I won’t disturb you.”
She wanted to help with the exams and wouldn’t be able to follow them to the capital, so she wanted to help.
But Zhan Qiyu insisted, and Mu Jiaojiao obeyed.
While she and Shan Cha served dinner, he blushed, saying to his mother, “Mother, please take care of them.”
Zhan’s mother smiled, “Son, don’t worry. I’ll look after the house. Just focus on the exams.”
A Liu watched. Zhan Qiyu glared at him and continued eating.
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