Time flew. There was no news of war in the northeastern border, but there was news of the war in the northwest from time to time. Zhulan was worried about her three zhízi. As the xiāngshì approached, Zhulan’s attention was focused on Zhou Shuren.

The entire Zhou family was extremely nervous. Even though the sons had confidence in their father, they were still worried about the outcome. The grandchildren stopped playing around, and the Zhou family’s yard was especially quiet every day.

Zhulan couldn’t help being nervous. Even though she believed Zhou Shuren would definitely pass, the closer it got, the more she feared something unexpected might happen. Before the xiāngshì, the education officials of each province would organize an exam in advance, and only those with excellent results would be allowed to take part in it.

Zhou Shuren passed the test successfully, and got, ahem, second place. The first place was Wu Ming.

There were special examination halls for the xiāngshì. The examination halls in each state capital were all in the southeast direction. The examination hall was called Gongyuan. The provincial examinations had three sessions, each lasting three days. Candidates must enter each examination hall one day in advance.

The examinee spent all three days in the small cubicle at the exam venue. Zhulan heard from Zhou Shuren that the exam cubicles were very small—two boards combined to form a bed, and when separated, they served as a table and chair.

The ancients were quite wise. Both boards were flexible and adjustable.

Zhulan and Li Shi spent a lot of time thinking about food, just to make Zhou Shuren eat better.

Having said that, fortunately, the temperature in Northeast China in the eighth lunar month was neither too cold nor too hot, so the exam could be more comfortable. However, in the South, it was a bit tricky. It was still very hot in Guangdong in August!

It was uncomfortable enough to be in the grid-like examination room, and staying there for three days in the sweltering weather would affect anyone’s mood for the exam.

The day before the exam, the Zhou family was silent during dinner. Zhulan knew it very well. Each family was afraid of affecting Zhou Shuren and would be held responsible!

Zhou Shuren was the least nervous. He ate and drank as usual and had a good sleep at night.

After breakfast the next morning, Zhou Shuren was going to the examination hall to enter the Gongyuan in advance. Zhulan checked twice to make sure nothing was left behind before personally sending Zhou Shuren to the Gongyuan.

Outside the gòngyuàn, a long line had already formed at the entrance, and there were many carriages at the gate. Since the carriages couldn’t get through, Zhou Laer looked at the carriages while Zhulan and Zhou Laoda escorted Zhou Shuren to join the line.

After Zhou Shuren lined up, Zhulan and Boss Zhou did not leave either, waiting for Zhou Shuren to go in before leaving.

The inspection at the gòngyuàn was very strict. Not only the belongings but also the people were checked. There were two sheds at the entrance of the gòngyuàn, which were specifically used to check the clothes of the candidates. Candidates had to take off their clothes before entering for inspection. There was no intention to humiliate them, it was just to prevent cheating.

After waiting for half an hour, Zhou Shuren was finally able to enter the examination room smoothly. The inspection was very strict. Even the candidates’ hair was checked. Zhou Shuren, a candidate who didn’t know how to comb his hair, had messy hair. Zhulan was embarrassed.

Boss Zhou was also speechless. He really didn’t expect that his father didn’t know how to comb his hair. Even a dumb man like him could do it. Seeing that his father had entered the Gongyuan, Boss Zhou was relieved, “Mom, let’s go home!”

Zhulan took another look at the Gongyuan before saying, “Well, let’s go back.”

It would be three days later when they will come here again. The provincial examination consisted of three sessions, each lasting three days. Those with weak bodies really couldn’t stand it. Fortunately, Zhou Shuren had been well-trained.

When Second Zhou saw his mother and elder brother coming back, he knew that his father had successfully entered the examination room, and he finally put his heart at ease.

On the way back, Zhulan ran into Wu Li Shi who was walking back, and signaled Second Zhou to stop the car, “Aunt, uncle, let’s go back together!”

Wu Li Shi waved her hand, “Your uncle and I are very nervous. We can walk back slowly and feel at ease. You go back first!”

Zhulan said: “Then I’ll go first.”

“Let’s go!”

There were so many carriages on the way back, the speed was incomparable to the speed on the way here. When they got home, those at home who were waiting for news knew that their father had successfully entered the examination room, and they were relieved.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren gave their son and daughter-in-law a good beating. This time no one dared to ask Zhulan any questions. They also tried to avoid her as much as possible, fearing that Zhulan would be in a bad mood and would be taken out on by others.

Three days passed quickly and the first exam was over. This time Zhulan and her two sons went to wait at the door early.

As soon as the gate opened, the entrance to the Gongyuan was crowded with people, all of whom were relatives who lived in Pingzhou City or came to accompany the candidates for the exam.

Zhou Shuren was the easiest to recognize, as he could be identified by his messy hair. Some people felt dizzy when they came out, which was because they were weak. Zhou Shuren walked out with big strides and looked quite energetic.

Zhulan was relieved and curled her lips, “Get in the car, I’ll comb your hair.”

Zhou Shuren coughed and said, “Yeah.”

He also tried combing his hair himself, and now it looked the best he had ever done.

Second Zhou hurriedly took the box from his father’s hand and said, “Dad, let me help you get in the car.”

Zhou Shuren, “Yes.”

Don’t think he didn’t see Second Zhou’s twitching mouth. The first time he went out, he went with his qīnjiā, and his qīnjiā helped him comb it. At home, Zhulan helped him comb his hair. The children at home really didn’t know that he couldn’t comb his hair, but now they all knew it.

Back in the carriage, it was too late to leave. The carriages behind were blocked. Zhulan’s family only had one carriage, while some wealthy families had several!

Zhulan combed Zhou Shuren’s hair and asked, “How was your exam area these days?”

Zhou Shuren, “Except for the small size, the rest area is OK.”

Thanks to the two long journeys, the conditions in the Gongyuan were at least safe enough for him to rest well at night.

Zhulan knew Zhou Shuren had not lied to her, she could tell from his spirit and combed Zhou Shuren’s hair. “The hot water at home is ready, go back and take a good bath.”

Zhou Shuren nodded and said, “I hope the weather for the remaining two exams will be as good as it is now.”

Zhulan also hoped so. It was not hot these few days, and there was a breeze from time to time. More importantly, the sky was cloudless. The most feared thing during the exam was rain. Even if it rained, the exam couldn’t be interrupted. Although there was a place to shelter from the rain, the moisture would affect the mood and the rest at night wasn’t going to be good. The most important thing that people were afraid of was candidates catching a cold and getting sick.

The carriage waited for a while before the road ahead was open. It was an hour later when Zhou Shuren returned home. He went to take a bath first.

Li Shi cooked a large table of dishes, and Zhulan specially asked the eldest brother to buy a sheep and kill it just to nourish Zhou Shuren’s body.

After taking a bath and eating, Zhou Shuren went back to lie down and rest.

The Zhou family was still cautious and didn’t dare to make any noise.

Zhulan washed Zhou Shuren’s clothes, and after washing them, she prepared clothes for Zhou Shuren to use for his next exam.

As soon as the Zhou family arrived home, they served Zhou Shuren until the last exam was over.

After the last exam, some people leaving the gòngyuàn fell ill, some burst into tears, and all kinds of situations occurred.

No matter how good Zhou Shuren’s spirit was, he felt relaxed after the exam. After Zhulan combed his hair, Zhou Shuren went to sleep.

Zhou Shuren slept for quite a long time, almost a whole day. Zhulan asked Boss Zhou to wipe Zhou Shuren and change his clothes.

Zhou Shuren had a good sleep and all that was left was to wait for the results.

Even though the exams were over, the Zhou family remained quiet. Zhou Shuren was very calm and was in the mood to go out and meet Zhao Bo.

Zhulan’s attention has always been on Zhou Shuren. When Wu Ning came, Zhulan realized that Wu Ming had insisted on finishing the exam despite being sick. The Wu family was worried about his grades, so Wu Ning would not come these days. She wanted to stay at home to take care of Wu Ming.

Zhulan waited for Zhou Shuren to come back and said to him, “Wu Ming was sick when taking the exam. Will you be able to beat him?”

(End of this chapter)

---