My father is Jiajing

Chapter 98 Don’t forget your original intention
February 18th was the day when the third examination of the imperial examination ended.

Towards evening of that day, Shuntian Imperial Examination Hall, which had been closed for three days, reopened.

During the ten days or so, they took a total of three exams. They had to enter each exam room one day in advance, and each exam lasted for three full days. So they had already entered the exam room on the eighth day of the first lunar month, and could not officially leave until the eighteenth day.

The ten-day or so ordeal was not only mentally exhausting, but also caused by the cold weather. Some candidates with poor physical or mental qualities could not hold out during the ten-day or so harsh exam, and died of exhaustion or freezing in the exam room. They could not be carried out and had to wait until the three exams were over before they could be released.

Therefore, the seriousness of the ancient imperial examinations, in the words of later generations, was simply a lack of human rights.

But even so, there will still be countless people flocking to the Tongsheng Examination and then to the Provincial Examination, passing each level step by step to reach this examination hall that determines the ups and downs of their destiny, to fight for the last approximately 300 places in the Palace Examination.

Thousands of candidates who were qualified to take part in the imperial examination filed out of the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall. Some of them had happy expressions on their faces, some had sad expressions, and some had dull expressions.

From their facial expressions, one can roughly tell the mood and attitude of these candidates when they were taking the imperial examination.

Of course, these expressions do not reflect their final performance.

What will really decide their fate is the announcement of the examination results a few days later.

Only those who are on the list are qualified to show a truly brilliant smile.

Otherwise, even if you smile until your mouth cracks, it will be useless if your name is not on the list when the results are announced.

At this time, Hai Rui also stepped out of Shuntian Examination Hall. His face looked relatively normal, without showing too much emotion, and his steps were relatively steady.

This shows that Hai Rui was quite confident about this imperial examination.

Gao Gong also took a special leave that day and waited in front of Shuntian Examination Hall. He was also looking forward to Hai Rui's performance.

After all, in a sense, he can be considered as Hai Rui's husband.

It is natural that the teacher expects his students to perform well.

When Hai Rui walked out of the crowd and saw Gao Gong standing opposite the Shuntian Imperial Examination Hall, he quickly walked over and bowed deeply to Gao Gong, "Greetings, sir."

Gao Gong looked at Hai Rui who had finished the exam and was in a good mood. He smiled and said, "It's good that you're done with the exam. I won't go home until I'm drunk today!"

Hai Rui was moved and bowed again: "Thank you, sir."

Gao Gong looked at Hai Rui's respectful behavior and couldn't help laughing happily. Then he pulled Hai Rui into the carriage and returned to the small courtyard in Hanlin Hutong.

Along the way, Gao Gong just asked Hai Rui about his well-being and whether he had encountered any difficulties in the examination room. As for questions like how he did in the exam, Gao Gong did not say a word.

This was to avoid disturbing Hai Rui's mood.

Therefore, when Hai Rui faced Gao Gong's concern, he felt inexplicably moved.

He knew very well that the reason why Gao Gong cared so much about him was not because he valued his talent or ability, but because of that unknown nobleman.

Although Gao Gong never revealed the name and family background of the nobleman, Hai Rui was not a fool.

He also knew that Gao Gong was now the tutor of Prince Yu's Mansion, and the answer that Gao Gong could pay so much attention to and respect for this young man was almost obvious.

So when Hai Rui guessed the final answer, he was extremely excited.

At the same time, he didn't dare to take the initiative to reveal this matter. Because some things are better for everyone if they are not revealed, but once they are revealed, it may be a disaster!

So Hai Rui pretended to be ignorant even though he knew the truth. As long as Gao Gong didn't say anything, he wouldn't ask.

Unless one day he is assigned by His Majesty the Emperor to take up a job in Prince Yu's Mansion, Hai Rui will always keep the secret and will not use Zhu Zaigui's banner to act as the boss until the current emperor abdicates or dies.

After all, the flag of the Ming Dynasty princes is not so easy to pull up. If it is torn, you will be dead.

Hai Rui didn't ask, but that didn't mean Gao Gong couldn't speak.

After arriving at Gao Gong's courtyard in Hanlin Lane, Gao Gong placed the prepared wine and food on the small table and waited for the two to sit down in their seats of honor and respect.

Gao Gong looked up at Hai Rui and said, "Young Master asked me to tell you that no matter what the result of this examination is, I hope you can keep your original aspirations in mind, stick to your ideals, and be yourself. As for the future, it all depends on your own ability. Young Master will not give you any more help, and neither will I. Do you understand?"

After hearing Gao Gong's words, Hai Rui immediately understood what Gao Gong meant. He immediately replied, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. Hai Rui will definitely live up to your expectations and stick to his original intention, be a good person, and do things in a down-to-earth manner."

Gao Gong waved his hand to stop Hai Rui from saying anything else. "It's not that I'm not letting the young master down, it's that I'm not letting myself down. From now on, whether you're an official in a local government or you're lucky enough to pass the imperial examination, don't mention the young master all the time. This is good for both you and the young master."

Hai Rui replied: "Hai Rui understands."

Gao Gong looked at Hai Rui's serious expression and laughed again, lightening the atmosphere.

Gao Gong picked up the wine glass and said, "Okay, let's have a drink. Congratulations on passing the imperial examination. I wish you success in the exam!"

Hai Rui immediately picked up his glass and said, "Thank you, Mr.

Just as Hai Rui was about to drink the whole glass, Gao Gong stopped drinking and reminded him, "Don't call me Sir anymore. Just call me by my official title. Sir, I hate this kind of flattering title."

Hai Rui was also shocked when he heard this. He never expected that there would be such an explanation.

Hai Rui raised his glass again and toasted to Gao Gong, "Hai Rui thanks Master Gao for your guidance."

After hearing this, Gao Gong drank the wine in the glass in his hand.

Gao Gong then laughed heartily and said, "Come, come, eat some meat. This is fresh venison meat that I bought for two taels of silver. It smells delicious."

After saying that, Gao Gong took a chopstick and picked up a piece of venison meat which was delicious in color, aroma and taste and put it in his mouth to taste it. His expression showed that he was enjoying it to the extreme.

This shows that Gao Gong rarely gets to eat such high-end food under normal circumstances. This time, he spent two taels of silver to buy the venison, which was a great honor for Hai Rui.

Hai Rui also picked up a piece and tasted it. This was the first time Hai Rui had eaten northern venison.

When in Hainan, although Hai Rui's family had dozens of acres of land, they were not considered wealthy. Therefore, when he was in Hainan, his diet was mainly composed of common local rice and sea fish. Hai Rui rarely ate other meats.

During the three or four months on the way to Beijing for the imperial examination and the two months after arriving in the capital, Hai Rui seldom ate meat. So when he once again ate such delicious venison meat at Gao Gong's house, Hai Rui could not help but feel salivating.

Gao Gong looked at Hai Rui eating the venison with such concentration that a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Gao Gong felt that Hai Rui was indeed a humble and upright man who was worthy of friendship. At the same time, he couldn't help but feel that Prince Yu had an extraordinary ability to judge people!
--------------

Today's update is finally back on track. Congratulations, support with monthly tickets~~ and rewards~~
(End of this chapter)