Chapter 30: First Trial

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Cao Xi was preparing for Qin Zhao’s examination, buying a lot of eggs and meat. In this dynasty, they weren’t allowed to slaughter cows, so Cao Xi couldn’t make beef jerky for Qin Zhao, only pork jerky.

She cut the pork into strips, deep-fried them in water and oil, then mixed in seasonings and set them aside to cool. Next, she added salt and alkali to wheat flour to make long strips, which were then hung to dry. Afterward, she cut the dried strips to a certain length and also made dried vegetables and pickled vegetables.

The whole yard was filled with drying food. There were different categories, such as medicine for diarrhea and wind-cold, as well as ginger tea with brown sugar, all neatly packaged for later use.

When the delivery man came with charcoal, he was shocked by the sight of the food drying in the yard. This was a method he had never seen before.

Before leaving, Cao Xi gave the delivery man some jerky to take back to his brother.

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“We’ve never seen this before, the dried strips hanging all over the yard, like clothes drying on bamboo poles,” the delivery man told the workers at the shop, describing the scene in vivid detail.

“Dried strips hanging outside?” Xiao Rui asked in surprise. What kind of operation was this?

The delivery man took a sip of water and continued: “The pork was cut into strips and dried in baskets. There were several baskets drying.”

Xiao Rui suddenly understood. “No wonder it’s so early in the morning.”

“Why make this stuff?” Xiao Rui continued, intrigued, urging the delivery man to explain further.

“Silly, it’s to prepare for Qin Zhao’s examination,” Shui Niu teased Xiao Rui.

Li Feng had been silent, absentmindedly tracing the edge of his teacup as he listened to their conversation. Time really did pass quickly, and the little brat was already preparing for the imperial examination.

Qin Zhao returned to the yard and saw the dried strips hanging everywhere. He was no longer surprised.

“This is for Qi Qige, to bring him some food for the exam,” Cao Xi explained.

At this moment, Xiao Rui understood a little more. Qi Qige was an orphan with no one to care for him, let alone prepare food for his exam.

Qin Zhao murmured as he looked at the food drying in the yard, “I really didn’t want to give it to him. This should be for just me.”

“He’s not a window to the world. I don’t care what happens to him,” Xiao Rui muttered.

Seeing the irritation in Qin Zhao, Cao Xi couldn’t help but laugh. He was possessive and liked to eat things by himself.

Cao Xi said, “Get the paper, ink, brush, and inkstone ready. It wouldn’t be good if anything went wrong and affected the exam.”

The food was new, and Cao Xi needed to teach them how to prepare it.

Cao Xi explained as she worked: “Soak the dried strips in water. Once the strips soften, add the jerky and dried vegetables.”

The pot continuously released steam, and the delicious smell slowly began to fill the room.

“Wow, this is so fast. How did it smell so good?” Qin Zhao asked in admiration as he watched Cao Xi.

Cao Xi raised her face proudly. “I’m clever, of course. Heh, now let’s eat.” She handed Qin Zhao a pair of chopsticks, and the two of them sat down at the table, eagerly enjoying the hot dried strips from the pot.

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Qi Qige, a student at the academy, was studying when a pile of food ingredients suddenly appeared in front of him.

Qi Qige put down the book in his hand, leaned back in his chair, and said, “Hey, are you planning to set up a stall in the academy?”

Qin Zhao replied, “This is for you.”

Seeing the mountain of food, Qi Qige looked puzzled. “What’s all this for?”

Qin Zhao explained, “It’s food I prepared for the exam. We’re getting ready.”

Seeing the food, Qi Qige’s throat tightened, and his nose twitched. He rubbed his nose and smiled mischievously. “I won’t hold back, then.”

Qin Zhao watched as Qi Qige casually grabbed the food and placed it on the table. With narrowed eyes, she suggested, “How about we go buy the paper, ink, brush, and inkstone?”

“Do you have money for that?” Qi Qige immediately became cautious.

“I have it,” Qin Zhao replied as she returned to her seat.

Qi Qige’s lips twitched. “Cao Xi doesn’t know you’re making us pay for this.” It was obvious that she was trying to get them to foot the bill.

Qin Zhao gave Qi Qige a knowing look.

Qi Qige shot her a glare. “I know what you’re doing.” His emotions were stirred, and tears almost fell but quickly dried.

Qi Qige was upset. According to his words, he had no money left, and the paper, ink, brush, and inkstone for Qin Zhao’s exam would be paid for by him. The ingredients she had given him stayed in the academy until the night before the exam.

Cao Xi said, “I packed a thick coat in the bundle. Make sure to keep warm. If you’re hungry, cook something for yourself.”

Today was the day of the imperial examination. Cao Xi had double-checked Qin Zhao’s bundle several times.

Qin Zhao said, “Don’t pack too many things. It’ll be a hassle if they check.”

“I know. I’ll only bring what’s necessary.”

Cao Xi tightened the bundle and prepared to send Qin Zhao to the exam hall.

The two of them arrived at the examination hall. The entrance was crowded, and from a distance, they could hear Qi Qige calling for them. He was carrying bundles of things and, after much effort, finally managed to squeeze through the crowd to Qin Zhao’s side.

“Qin Zhao, how come you’re so late? I’ve been waiting for a long time.”

Qi Qige set down his bundle of items. His manner was as if he was out for a stroll, not like someone heading into an exam. With his spirited demeanor, he looked more like he was sightseeing than preparing for an exam.

Cao Xi smiled and said, “You two, don’t be nervous. Just act naturally. It doesn’t matter whether you pass or fail.”

Qi Qige gave Cao Xi a strange look, wondering if she was a fool, but her words made him laugh.

“Failing won’t kill anyone,” Cao Xi continued with a teasing smile.

She then turned to Qin Zhao, giving him one last piece of advice: “Just do your best, as we agreed.”

“Don’t worry, I remember our agreement,” Qin Zhao said with a small smile.

Cao Xi reassured him, “No matter how the exam goes, it doesn’t change what we’ve promised.”

Qi Qige, who had been listening, tilted his head and asked curiously, “What’s going on? You two are acting all mysterious.”

Cao Xi’s face turned slightly pink as she replied, “After the exam, I’ll introduce Qin Zhao to someone as my fiancé.”

When the words “fiancé” left her lips, Qin Zhao blushed deeply, looking a bit shy. This was the first time Cao Xi had publicly acknowledged Qin Zhao as her fiancé.

Qi Qige looked confused. “Isn’t your engagement already well-known to everyone?”

Just then, Qin Zhao’s cold, piercing gaze shot toward Qi Qige, making him suddenly feel a bit uneasy. He quickly patted his chest, backing away from the sharp stare.

Soon, it was time to enter the hall. One by one, they went through the inspection process and entered the examination hall. This was the first time Cao Xi had sent someone off to take the exam, and she didn’t quite know what to say. After a few back-and-forth words, she finally managed to wish them well.

Qin Zhao and Qi Qige were the last to enter, and their figures quickly disappeared into the distance.

Cao Xi, who had been standing there, suddenly called out to Qin Zhao, “Don’t worry, I’ll support you no matter what happens.”

Qin Zhao almost stumbled at the sound, but quickly steadied himself and continued walking.

Qi Qige, seeing the exchange, couldn’t help but chuckle and mutter, “Heh, look at him blushing.”

Qin Zhao, feeling a little embarrassed, turned around and shot Qi Qige a look. “What, are you jealous?”

Qi Qige burst into laughter. “What am I jealous of? You think I care? But look at you, you’re blushing now. It’s obvious you’ve got a soft spot for her. So, you’re saying that after all this time, Cao Xi’s already your woman?”

“I do have someone,” Qin Zhao replied softly.

“What?” Qi Qige didn’t quite catch it.

“I said, Cao Xi is my fiancée.”

Qi Qige was taken aback, and after a moment, he said with a sigh, “I was just joking. But you’re really serious about it, huh?”

Qin Zhao grabbed his examination number and paused before entering the hall.

Qi Qige, who had drawn a number farther away, kept walking toward the entrance.

Before parting, he called out to Qin Zhao with a grin, “Relax! No matter what happens, you’ve got someone to take care of you.”

With a burst of laughter, he headed off.

As Qi Qige walked away, the proctor cast a quick glance at Qin Zhao and then at Qi Qige, wondering what kind of examination Qi Qige thought this was.

There were no vacant seats, and soon the head examiner arrived. With a few formal words, the exam began.

Qin Zhao, holding his exam paper, paused for a long moment before picking up a piece of scratch paper and starting his answers.