The Tongsheng exam required sitting for three sessions, each lasting one full day. In the past, they could leave after finishing writing, but now it wasn't allowed. Many people participated in the Tongsheng exam, and the candidates' ages and experience levels varied greatly. There were men in their seventies taking the exam alongside young children of eight or nine who were there merely to gain experience.
"Why is he writing so fast? Has he finished already? Does he find it particularly easy? I haven't even finished writing myself, does that mean I'm no good? It's over, I've met a real expert, I'm going to fail..." Thinking too much like this made people panic. Some were so nervous their hands trembled uncontrollably, some even wet themselves, and there were even those who foamed at the mouth and fainted.
Because there were so many such cases, a rule was established: everyone must hand in their papers at a unified time, neither earlier nor later.
Calculated in modern time, the candidates had to be at the examination hall by 7:30 AM for checks and entry, the exam started at 9 AM, and papers were collected at 5 PM.
Given this, it became troublesome for candidates who lived somewhat far from the county town.
That evening, Zhao Ger and Fang Zichen discussed it and decided that during the days of the exam, Fang Zichen would stay at an inn in the county town.
The exam lasted a whole day. After being so tired, having to walk back and forth would inevitably be exhausting.
Fang Zichen didn't really mind. For others, the exam might be mentally and physically draining, but he had looked at the exam questions from previous years in the bookstore. While they changed every year, the core remained the same—it was just the same old wine in a new bottle, not very difficult.
However, the thought of having to get up a little after 6 AM was something Fang Zichen felt he simply couldn't handle.
So he agreed with Zhao Ger's suggestion.
"Be careful at home," Fang Zichen instructed on the day of his departure. "Close the doors and windows properly at night when you sleep, and if you hear any noises, don't go out to look."
Nowadays, everyone in the village knew Zhao Ger had earned some silver from his business. If he wasn't around, those ruffians and loafers might set their sights on them. Zhao Ger was just a ger. Guaizai... forget it, he could be ignored.
Fang Zichen thought about it more and felt less assured. "How about I just come back to stay? At most, I'll just have to get up a bit quicker in the morning!"
Zhao Ger hugged his waist, stood on his tiptoes, and kissed him on the lips. "Don't worry, it'll be fine." In the years before Fang Zichen came, he had managed all by himself. There was no reason he couldn't manage now. Now that he had a husband, even if that husband was a bit irresponsible and unreliable, and the child was still young, he was more afraid of dying than anyone else.
Guaizai squeezed between the two of them and reached out towards Fang Zichen. "Father, Guaizai wants to kiss you too."
"Alright!" Fang Zichen picked him up. Guaizai imitated Zhao Ger, cupped Fang Zichen's face, and also kissed him on the lips.
Fang Zichen: "..."
Zhao Ger: "..."
Zhao Ger spanked Guaizai's little bottom. "You can't kiss there."
Guaizai blinked, his eyelashes like butterfly wings. "Why not?"
"Because..." Zhao Ger was at a loss for how to explain and suddenly found himself tongue-tied.
"Only the closest, most beloved person can kiss on the lips," Fang Zichen said.
Guaizai pouted. "Then isn't Guaizai your most beloved little treasure?"
Fang Zichen: "..." He really isn't.
Seeing him silent, Guaizai's eyes turned red. He looked at Fang Zichen with an extremely wronged expression, his voice even carrying a sob. "Guaizai has been obedient, Guaizai can work too now, Guaizai is a good boy..."
Fang Zichen couldn't bear to listen any longer. This son was here to torment him. If it were someone like Ma Xiaoshun, he would have smacked his bottom and said, "Beloved my foot!"
But right now, that wouldn't do! This was his little sweetheart.
"I do, I do, I love you..." Fang Zichen kissed his forehead. "Father loves you the most, my little treasure."
As soon as he finished speaking, Guaizai laughed. It was like a girl changing her expression.
Zhao Ger pinched his waist. Fang Zichen leaned close to his ear, his familiar, clean scent washing over him. "He is my little treasure, you are my big treasure. I love you the very most."
Zhao Ger pursed his lips, holding back a smile, and said insincerely, "You're just sweet-talking me again."
Fang Zichen felt like rolling his eyes. This grown-up and this little one, really... If he didn't coax them, they were unhappy. But when he did coax them, they still weren't fully satisfied. Was it easy for him?
Ah! Being a man is difficult. If it weren't difficult, it wouldn't be called being a man.
"Father~" Guaizai said in a childish voice, "You mustn't feel too much pressure. If you don't pass, when Guaizai grows up, Guaizai can take the exam for you. Guaizai is a man too, Guaizai is the best at exams."
Thanks, but I'm not comforted.
Fang Zichen nibbled on his cheek. "Just shut up!"
"Ah..." Guaizai pushed his head away. "The monster is trying to eat the child again! Daddy, save me~"
Zhao Ger laughed.
He originally wanted to look for an inn, but after visiting several, they were all fully booked. There were vacant rooms in places further from the yamen, but that seemed no different from going home.
In the end, Yang Mutao was generous and had someone clean out the rest room on the third floor of Zuixiao Restaurant for him to stay there.
On the day of registration, many scholars lined up, complaining incessantly. The imperial exam had been moved earlier. Everyone was unprepared, as if without those few months being cut, they could have still striven during that time and passed directly. Although dissatisfied, they immediately got into the zone, preparing what they needed and cramming at the last minute.
On the day the exam started, Wang Xiaohu began calling outside his door from 6:30 AM. After calling for half an hour, his voice was hoarse, but there was still no movement from the room. Just as he was wondering if Fang Zichen had already kicked the bucket, Fang Zichen came out, yawning and squinting.
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