Chapter 114: Provincial Examination 2/2

The people of Hexing Prefecture knew nothing about the affairs in the capital.

Time flew by, and the day of the provincial examination arrived.

Although Li Qingzhi had the ability to remember everything at a glance and had read many books, his time for studying was somewhat short. Therefore, before the exam, while he was trying to make a name for himself, he also fervently prayed for blessings.

He would wake up early every day to study and write essays, studying until late at night and even practicing martial arts in the courtyard after dark…

When Zhu Xunmiao and others saw Li Qingzhi working so hard, they couldn’t help but join him in studying, which also helped them to review and fill in the gaps.

On the day before the provincial examination, after having lunch, Li Qingzhi finally stopped his tense pre-exam preparations and said to Zhu Xunmiao, “Let’s take a good rest now. How about a big feast tonight?”

“Resting is fine, but a big feast is not,” Zhu Xunmiao replied. “Brother Li, Master, has instructed us not to eat randomly before or during the provincial examination and not to eat outside.”

If eating something bad upsets their stomachs and affects the provincial examination, it wouldn’t be worth it.

Li Qingzhi said, “We won’t eat outside. I’ll cook for you myself and make a delicious meal!”

Zhu Xunmiao and the others were stunned.

Li Qingzhi continued, “We won’t eat greasy food, just a few home-cooked dishes… I’ll cook, and you can help.”

Li Qingzhi noticed that Zhu Xunmiao and the others were a bit nervous. Being too nervous wouldn’t help them rest well, and it might affect tomorrow’s exam… They might as well do something else to relax.

As for what to do…

It was obviously inappropriate to go out for a lavish meal or listen to a play. Cooking a meal at home posed no problems.

Li Qingzhi had his servants buy chickens, ducks, and fish, and they started fussing around, plucking feathers from the birds and scraping scales from the fish…

Zhu Xunmiao and the others had no experience in cooking. After two hours of fumbling, they finally managed to cook dinner.

Of course, Li Qingzhi was the head chef. He had seen the recipes that Chang Zhan had placed on Chang Cui’s body, and he followed them to make two dishes, adding a few dishes made according to his own ideas… A table of eight dishes, all tasted very good.

“Brother Li, your cooking skills are really good!” Zhu Xunmiao and the others praised continuously.

As they praised, Zhu Xunmiao said, “With so many dishes, I feel like having some wine!”

“Forget about drinking. We can’t drink during the provincial examination,” Li Qingzhi said.

“I was just saying.” Zhu Xunmiao continued eating.

After finishing their meal, they each went back to their rooms to sleep. When the cannon sounded in the middle of the night, they hurriedly got up and rushed to participate in the provincial examination.

In Daqi, the process of participating in the provincial examination was similar to the county examination, but there was an additional proctor to ensure fairness.

Li Xiucai had arrived in the prefectural city two days in advance, along with another scholar, to serve as their proctors.

In addition, while the county examination consisted of five sessions with results announced in between, the provincial examination was different.

In Daqi, the provincial examination lasted for three consecutive days, with one session each day. During the examination period, the prefectural government would provide lunch, and as with the county examination, candidates could return home at night.

Of course, rules varied from place to place. Some candidates participating in the provincial examination couldn’t return home at night and had to stay in the examination tents for three consecutive days.

When Li Qingzhi arrived near the examination tent, he found that there were far more people participating in the provincial examination than he had imagined, exceeding a thousand people.

He queued up for entry and underwent inspection.

While Li Qingzhi had received excellent treatment when he participated in the county examination in Chongcheng County, it was different here.

Although he had gained some fame now, the bailiffs responsible for maintaining order didn’t recognize him, and their treatment of him was no different from that of other candidates.

Li Qingzhi and Zhu Xunmiao were both very cautious, and there were no problems during the examination period.

The three days passed smoothly.

As for the exam questions…

Guided by Magistrate Gou, Li Qingzhi felt that the questions were quite simple.

Due to the nature of some magistrates, they liked to ask tricky questions to trouble the candidates, but Magistrate Zhang was not such a person.

Magistrate Zhang was well aware that if the questions were too tricky, those from scholarly families who had been educated since childhood could understand them and score well, but those from poor families who hadn’t read many books might not even know where the questions came from.

He wouldn’t do such a thing; the questions he set were straightforward.

Li Qingzhi felt that he had answered quite well.

He had done his best, and now it was up to Magistrate Zhang.

He believed that his results shouldn’t be bad; after all, Magistrate Zhang appreciated him very much.

The time for the announcement of the provincial examination results came quickly, usually within three to five days. Li Qingzhi and the others didn’t rush to leave but stayed in the prefectural city.

Before the provincial examination, although the candidates had organized a few gatherings, the atmosphere was not very lively, and the frequency was not high. Now it was different.

After the provincial examination ended, Li Qingzhi suddenly received several invitations to gatherings.

Zhu Xunmiao went to inquire and found out that some of the gatherings weren’t very formal and might involve singing and dancing for entertainment.

Entertainment was entertainment, and when the mood was high, a group of men might engage in some activities without thinking too much about them.

Li Qingzhi didn’t even think twice before declining such gatherings.

Even if he didn’t do anything at such events, it would upset Jin Xiaoye if she found out, and moreover, Zhu Xunmiao and Xu Qifei were underage!

We absolutely cannot bring minors to such places!

After careful consideration, Li Qingzhi decided to take Zhu Xunmiao and the others to attend a literary gathering held by the Chongwen Academy in the prefectural city.

Peng Jingliang was studying at the Chongwen Academy.

After arriving in the prefectural city, Li Qingzhi had only seen Peng Jingliang once because Peng Jingliang was studying at the academy.

Normally, outsiders were not allowed into the Chongwen Academy, but today’s literary gathering attracted quite a few people, and the entrance was filled with carriages.

Li Qingzhi presented his invitation and was led to a garden.

Since he wasn’t even a successful candidate yet and had no official status, he didn’t want to keep others waiting, so he arrived quite early. There weren’t many people in the garden at this time.

But “not many” was still “some”!

Feeling relaxed after the exam, Li Qingzhi casually walked towards a young man in his twenties who was sitting alone, intending to make friends.

He hadn’t had much time to chat with people in the past few days because he was busy with exams, and now he really wanted to have a conversation.

As for why he didn’t talk to Zhu Xunmiao and the others… Zhu Xunmiao and the others had been with him all the time and knew nothing about the outside world!

“Hello, friend.” Li Qingzhi walked up to the young man and started chatting with him with a smile…

In no time, Li Qingzhi had gotten to know several people.

Zhu Xunmiao: “…” His father was a merchant, and his family had a wide network of friends, but he wasn’t as skilled as Li Qingzhi.

Li Qingzhi really could strike up a conversation with anyone.

Li Qingzhi indeed could strike up a conversation with anyone, and now, with his willingness to show off, he soon attracted a crowd around him.

When Peng Jingliang and his teacher arrived at the garden, they saw Li Qingzhi surrounded by people, chatting and laughing.

Peng Jingliang wanted to go over to say hello, but his teacher snorted coldly.

“Teacher…” Peng Jingliang looked helplessly at his teacher.

Peng Jingliang’s teacher was named Zhou, a Jinshi and also the head of the Chongwen Academy.

Zhou didn’t like Li Qingzhi.

There had been rumors in the prefectural city that the top scholar in Chongcheng County had exceptional knowledge and had won against Peng Jingliang in a competition.

But as far as he knew, Peng Jingliang hadn’t even competed with Li Qingzhi; he had simply asked Li Qingzhi some questions in public, and Li Qingzhi had answered them.

This Li Qingzhi, who had written letters to Magistrate Gou and Magistrate Zhang, deliberately hid his talents before the county examination and then made a scene afterward… Zhou felt that this was a person who sought fame and fortune.

There were rumors in the prefectural city that he had defeated Peng Jingliang… Who knows, maybe he was trying to climb to the top on Peng Jingliang’s back!

Zhou didn’t believe Li Qingzhi was that capable. He must test him today!