Chapter 855 Spring Imperial Examination

“In the days I’m not here, make sure you take good care of yourself, if you feel any discomfort, don’t endure it.”

“Even though it’s spring now, we must not be careless at night and avoid catching a cold.”

“You like the cold, bear with it for now. Once the child is born and you finish your confinement, it’ll be summer. By then, I’ll buy you the best milk ice bowl from Shengjing.”

…

Lu Zhaozhao listened to Gu Jingzhe’s endless nagging, pressed two fingers on his lips and said, “Stop.”

She had heard these detailed words of concern countless times already.

Especially these days when Gu Jingzhe couldn’t stop talking.

“You don’t have to worry about me, I can take care of myself. Besides, there are my mother, my sister-in-law, and so many servants at home. Your main focus now is the exam. When you get to the exam hall, don’t think about anything else, just focus on answering the questions,” Lu Zhaozhao said to Gu Jingzhe.

Gu Jingzhe’s eyes turned red, and he said, “We will be apart for some days.”

Since marrying Lu Zhaozhao, Gu Jingzhe had never been apart from her for even a day.

Lu Zhaozhao looked speechless. She increasingly found her husband to have a rather delicate husband’s temperament.

Being apart for a period of time, isn’t it just six days?

Moreover, he would come home between the provincial and palace exams.

She hadn’t shed a tear, yet this grown man had red eyes.

What is this all about?

However, despite the complaining, Lu Zhaozhao’s heart was full of sweetness.

Lu Zhaozhao gently said, “The provincial exam, the palace exam, six days will pass quickly.”

Gu Jingzhe lowered his head and pressed his face against Lu Zhaozhao’s belly, saying, “Little one, behave yourself these days and don’t trouble your mother.”

Lu Zhaozhao burst into laughter.

Gu Jingzhe, still concerned, said, “Why don’t I have Taohua come to keep you company at night these days?”

Lu Zhaozhao feared thunder, and it had been raining these days. The spring thunder often sounded at night, Gu Jingzhe was afraid the thunder would scare her.

“Taohua and my brother-in-law just got married, they’re deeply in love. How can you have the heart to separate them?” Lu Zhaozhao said.

She had several personal maids; anyone could accompany her.

Just then, Gu Xiaoxue and Gu Honglian came in. Gu Xiaoxue said, “Brother Jingzhe, don’t worry. I’ll sleep with sister-in-law and ensure she’s well taken care of.”

Gu Jingzhe’s brow relaxed, and he said to Gu Xiaoxue, “That would be perfect.”

Gu Honglian chimed in, “I can make a bed in front of Zhaozhao’s bed. Don’t worry about her, focus on the exam. I’m hoping for you to be the Champion Scholar and find me a good husband to annoy Fan Tong.”

Gu Jingzhe: “…”

Gu Xiaoxue took Lu Zhaozhao’s arm and said to Gu Jingzhe, “Brother Jingzhe, Mother asked us to see if you’re ready to go. It’s time to leave; otherwise, you might be delayed on the way and miss entering the exam hall.”

Lu Zhaozhao urged Gu Jingzhe, “Hurry up, go on.”

Gu Jingzhe was already prepared to go to the exam hall, the carriage driver waited at the door, a young servant holding the necessary brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone as well as food stood by.

Tong Huaqiong and the escort team waited in the courtyard for Gu Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao to say goodbye.

Gu Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao came out of the room.

Seeing so many people waiting to send him off to the exam hall, Gu Jingzhe felt rather embarrassed.

“Mother.” Gu Jingzhe went to Tong Huaqiong’s side, his voice slightly choked with emotion.

Tong Huaqiong said, “I’ve seen all the hard work and effort you’ve put in. You reap what you sow, and in studying, there’s no pretense. I believe you will certainly succeed and see your name on the list this time.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll answer what others might not, and what others can’t answer, you might be able to. Just follow your own pace.”

Gu Jingzhe nodded and said, “I understand.”

Initially, Gu Jingzhe felt a bit nervous, but hearing Tong Huaqiong’s calm encouragement, his nerves were soothed, and he quickly settled down.

The second uncle of the Gu Family said, “Jingzhe, you’re the most promising child in our Gu Family. Take it easy and do well.”

The second uncle wanted to say more, but realizing his lack of education and having no experience to share, he simply gave a brief reminder and fell silent.

“When you come out, we’ll throw you a congratulatory banquet,” said the Qinghe Bay Village Chief, who stayed for Gu Taohua’s wedding and hadn’t returned yet, smiling.

He firmly believed that Gu Jingzhe would pass the exam.

“Hurry on, many scholars have already started heading to the exam hall. It’s better to be early than late,” Zhao Yang urged.

As the previous Champion Scholar, when Zhao Yang spoke, everyone automatically cleared a path.

The crowd watched as Gu Jingzhe was sent onto the carriage.

Gu Dashu, Gu Dahuan, Lu Zhaoyang, Su Chengmin, Nie Xiaofeng, and others personally accompanied him to the exam hall.

“My heart’s all a-flutter,” remarked the second aunt of the Gu Family, watching Gu Jingzhe’s distant silhouette.

The second uncle of the Gu Family said, “Why are you nervous? It’s not you who’s taking the exam. Don’t worry, Jingzhe’s got this.”

Mrs. Zhao said, “Having to take the exam for three days straight is truly grueling.”

Tong Huaqiong added, “Indeed, eating, drinking, and attending to nature’s calls all have to be done in the exam hall. Many scholars come out exhausted, some even faint.”

Luckily, it’s the spring exam, not the summer one; otherwise, the dry rations they bring could spoil with the heat, making it even more unbearable.

…

During the days Gu Jingzhe was at the exam, the mood in the Gu Family fluctuated between excitement and concern.

Gu’s second uncle and the village chief, Liu Tieshan, had never been educated, so they didn’t fully grasp the competitive nature of the exams and didn’t even consider the possibility of failure.

Lu Zhaozhao wasn’t as optimistic, having seen Lu Zhaoyang’s classmates, who excelled in their studies yet failed in the exam, she couldn’t help but advise Gu’s second uncle and Liu Tieshan to remain calm.

This led everyone to start worrying about what they would do if Gu Jingzhe didn’t pass.

Whether he passes with flying colors or not, Gu Jingzhe was already at the exam hall. They would have to wait until the results were announced.

During these three days, everyone could only speculate.

Tong Huaqiong remained calm throughout.

Based on Tong Dajiao’s past life memories, Gu Jingzhe had been chosen as the third-ranked scholar.

Who knows how this lifetime would turn out.

In the previous life, Gu Jingzhe had the fate of a Champion Scholar, but was appointed as a third-ranked scholar by the emperor, purely because of his looks.

Though in later films and dramas the third-ranked scholar was always depicted as having a breeze of success, Tong Huaqiong knew that in reality, the Champion Scholar was the most envied.

Who would want to be the mother of a third-ranked scholar when you could be the mother of a Champion Scholar?

Tong Huaqiong prayed inwardly, hoping this time the emperor wouldn’t slip and that the Champion Scholar title would go to its rightful place.

During the three days of the provincial exams, Tong Huaqiong lived her life as usual.

The entire Shengjing’s business partners and competitors knew Gu Jingzhe had entered the exam hall.

Everyone was watching to see if he would succeed.

Some who frequently use underhanded tactics in business competitions resented Tong Huaqiong’s strong entry into Shengjing commerce and sought to disrupt Gu Jingzhe’s exam, but they had no means to, and could only secretly hope for his failure.