Jiang Rongjia looked out the window. Indeed, dusk had deepened. Although he felt somewhat reluctant, he had to gently wake Xiao Yanchu up. "Your Majesty? Your Majesty, wake up. It's time to return to the palace."
Xiao Yanchu was a light sleeper and woke up quickly. Once he stood up, there was no trace of drowsiness in his eyes, only an apologetic look as he said to Jiang Rongjia, "I'm sorry to have troubled you. I don't know how I fell asleep." He had been sitting on the chair, and as drowsiness washed over him, he had unknowingly fallen asleep, his head leaning against Jiang Rongjia.
Jiang Rongjia shook his head and looked at the unmistakable dark circles under Xiao Yanchu's eyes. He couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty is the one who is truly hardworking. With state affairs being so demanding, Your Majesty must also take care of your health and get more rest."
"Alright, I will sincerely remember Jiajia's advice," Xiao Yanchu replied, still smiling cheerfully. However, unlike the smile he wore when facing imperial relatives, officials, and other outsiders, this smile was the most genuine and came straight from the heart.
Then, he thought of something, and the smile on his face deepened. He said, "Fortunately, En Ke is about to begin. Jiajia, you are knowledgeable, have a strong memory, and possess exceptional literary talent. You are certain to rank among the top. When that time comes, you can enter the court as an official, and then I will be able to relax much more."
"Your Majesty praises me too highly..." Jiang Rongjia was not an arrogant or proud person by nature and was deeply aware that there was always someone better. The imperial examination gathered outstanding talents from across the land. Although he considered himself diligent and studious, he did not dare to be presumptuously overconfident or place himself above everyone else.
However, Xiao Yanchu had great confidence in Jiang Rongjia. Before Jiang Rongjia could finish speaking, he said, "Is Jiajia unwilling to help me?"
Jiang Rongjia had no choice but to say, "Of course not."
Only then did Xiao Yanchu smile and say, "Then I will await Jiajia in the Taihe Hall." The Taihe Hall had always been the venue for the palace examination. By saying this, Xiao Yanchu was expressing his certainty that Jiang Rongjia would pass the metropolitan examination and obtain the qualification to participate in the palace examination.
Although Jiang Rongjia was not a proud person, Xiao Yanchu believed in him so much that he did not want to fail his expectations. Therefore, in the following days, he declined all visitors and focused wholeheartedly on the imperial examination. Xiao Yanchu, knowing that this was a critical time for Jiang Rongjia, did not disturb him again afterwards. Just as he had said, he simply waited to see Jiang Rongjia again in the Taihe Hall during the palace examination.
Jiang Chenghan, Yan Jingshu, Xie Huan, Mu Chongyan, and others were the same, naturally providing their full support and care for Jiang Rongjia. However, not wanting to put too much pressure on him, they never went to disturb him in person. Instead, after each class, they would ask Xie Huan for updates.
Soon, a month passed, and the metropolitan examination was imminent. On the day of the first exam, aside from Jiang Chenghan, who was on duty, and Mu Chongyan, who could not show up directly, Yan Jingshu, Xie Huan, and Jiang Rongkang all personally saw Jiang Rongjia off to the examination venue.
Like the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination consisted of three sessions, each lasting three days, making a total of nine days. After nine days, the gates of the examination compound opened once more. The candidates emerged in small groups, but their appearance was completely different from when they first entered the compound nine days earlier. Almost everyone was listless, disheveled, and grimy. Among them, Jiang Rongjia, whose clothes were slightly disheveled and who had lost some weight but was still in high spirits, clear-eyed, and steady on his feet, appeared particularly striking.
Yan Jingshu and the others, who had been waiting outside the examination compound to greet him, were not surprised by this. Jiang Rongjia had practiced martial arts with Jiang Chenghan since childhood. Although his innate talent was average and not as gifted as Jiang Rongkang's, years of practice had given him some skill, and his physical constitution was much stronger than that of the typical frail scholar who could not carry a load on his shoulders or lift a weight with his hands, and who immersed himself solely in books, paying no attention to worldly affairs.
Furthermore, Jiang Chenghan had a sudden idea to build a mock examination cell at home, allowing Jiang Rongjia to undergo a simulated exam in advance. This also made Jiang Rongjia much more composed about this metropolitan examination.
Upon returning home, Jiang Rongjia said nothing about the exam, and Yan Jingshu and the others did not ask. After he washed up and had a good meal, they let Jiang Rongjia go rest. Although there were beds in the examination compound, they were nowhere near as comfortable as those at home. As for the metropolitan examination, since it was already over, the results were determined, and asking about it wouldn't change anything, it was better to let Jiang Rongjia get a good rest first.
Ten days later, the results of the metropolitan examination were announced. As everyone had anticipated, Jiang Rongjia was on the list. Moreover, just as Xiao Yanchu had said, he was ranked first. Naturally, Xiao Yanchu got his wish and saw Jiang Rongjia again during the subsequent palace examination.
The palace examination usually lasted an entire day. Most emperors in the past would leave after the exam began. However, Xiao Yanchu could not bear to miss this rare opportunity to see Jiang Rongjia openly and legitimately. Therefore, even after the exam started, he remained in the Taihe Hall. He even descended from the dragon throne to walk among the scholars and observe them.
Naturally, Xiao Yanchu had an ulterior motive. Although he looked at the other scholars as well, he ultimately passed by Jiang Rongjia's side the most times and lingered there the longest.
Around noon, palace attendants brought food for the scholars. To everyone's surprise, while in the past the palace examination only provided steamed buns and tea to relieve hunger and thirst, the meal delivered by the palace servants today included both meat and vegetable dishes, along with soup and pastries, each one exquisitely prepared and delicious.
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