After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 460 Where is the recommendation for the imperial examination?

Tang Yu thought about it carefully and suddenly laughed, "According to your standards, a group of people would be eliminated in the first round. But that's good, so that everyone won't think that the imperial examination is a joke!"

The two discussed it for a while longer, and when they came to their senses, it was almost dark.

Shen Yi let Tang Yu stay at his home overnight.

Tang Yu shook his head. "I have to go back to the county office to serve the Sixth Prince. I must make sure that master is comfortable, because it concerns my future!"

Shen Yi was stunned for a moment, then slapped his forehead in frustration, "I haven't even asked you yet, what's your situation right now?"

Tang Yu gave a mysterious smile and whispered in Shen Yi's ear, "I was originally just an insignificant eighth-rank official in the capital. This time, the Sixth Prince recommended me to the Emperor. If I do a good job, I can be promoted to seventh rank when I return to the capital!"

There's another matter. After the imperial examinations, the Sixth Prince wants to visit Shen Family Village. You should prepare accordingly.

Shen Yi realized, "It seems the concubine is very favored."

This is Shen Yi's most direct feeling.

Tang Yu clicked her tongue and said, "Not just favored, but pampered by everyone! Not only does the Sixth Prince favor her, but the Empress and Empress Dowager in the palace also dote on her. The Emperor also bestows favors upon her constantly. I was thinking before that with the current status of the concubine, it would be troublesome if she were to become the principal wife."

Unexpectedly, after so long, the Sixth Prince still hasn't married a principal wife. If the concubine's child is another son, even if a Sixth Prince's wife were to appear, she wouldn't be afraid; no one could shake her position!

The two chatted for a while longer, and Tang Yu told Shen Yi almost everything that had happened in the capital.

The following day, the county government issued a decree for the preliminary examination of the imperial examination, which even included the content of the examination.

The people who had been watching the imperial examination closely gathered at the city gate, constantly asking what was written on it.

Many of them had already signed up.

Officer Li was exasperated. "You can't even read properly and you dare to apply! Listen up! The preliminary exam is for everyone who wants to take the imperial examination. It tests basic knowledge such as writing large characters and understanding the Hundred Family Surnames. Those who fail the preliminary exam are not allowed to take the imperial examination."

The preliminary examinations were to be conducted by the town officials. If anyone tried to cheat or deceive their way through, and was discovered during the actual imperial examinations, they would be punished along with the town officials!

Liu Tiechui was completely bewildered when he received this decree.

Because several groups of relatives and friends had already come to his house, all of them bringing gifts and asking him to go easy on them.

Ma Yujie was overjoyed as she looked at the good things, but she kept a straight face and exchanged polite greetings with everyone.

After the guests left, she immediately ran back to the backyard to find Liu Tiechui. "You think you can hide from the first day of the month but can you hide from the fifteenth? I've dealt with all these people today, but there will be another wave tomorrow."

Liu Tiechui's face was very ugly. "You confiscated their things, didn't you!"

Ma Yujie paused, somewhat displeased. "I didn't accept it, but they didn't take it away. It's just sitting there! I can't refuse some relatives' requests. If you ask me, I'd just turn a blind eye and let it go."

Liu Tiechui sneered, "So, my time as town official is over?"

Ma Yujie paused for a moment, then muttered softly, "Is it really that big of a deal? It's just a formality. In the end, the county government will have the final say! Given your relationship with Shen Yi, do you think he'll take it seriously?"

"Pah! Talk about friendship at a time like this! What friendship? My friendship with Shen Yi is not even as deep as your brother's friendship with Shen Yi. Have you seen your brother and sister-in-law come to us to pull strings?"

Only those who don't know the ropes would try to scheme around like this. Let me tell you, return this stuff to me right now. If you cause a huge mess, I'll have to clean it up, and I don't want to lose face!

Liu Tiechui warned Ma Yujie with displeasure. Ma Yujie was furious, but she didn't lie and returned everything. She went back to the Ma family home in a huff and complained to Ma Xingteng and Bai Rong.

"Back when Liu Tiechui had nothing, I was convinced of his potential. I silently supported him from behind, bearing the pressure from the Ma family. Now look what's happened, and they think I'm ignorant! How am I ignorant? It's just a lousy preliminary examination for the imperial examination. What's so great about it!"
"So, now that Liu Tiechui has become a town official, he looks down on his relatives? To put it nicely, he's incorruptible; to put it bluntly, he's selfish and self-serving, completely disregarding family ties!"

After listening for a long time, Ma Xingteng and Bai Rong finally understood the crux of the problem.

Bai Rong slowly lowered her head, offering no comment.

Ma Xingteng said with a headache, "Big sister, instead of wasting your time worrying about others, you should think about your own children. Don't forget, my brother-in-law and children can also take the imperial examinations."

My brother-in-law is currently a low-ranking town official. If he passes the exam, he could be promoted. Wouldn't that be better than being stuck in this tiny town of Moshi? Even my nephew is in the same boat. Haven't you thought about their future?

Bai Rong chimed in, "My husband has already invited a tutor from Pingzhou to teach the children, and even my husband is studying diligently alongside him."

Seeing that Ma Yujie remained unmoved, Ma Xingteng shook his head helplessly, "Brother-in-law has already worked hard enough. He probably wants to take the exam himself, but he doesn't have the time. Don't add to his troubles."

Unable to gain the support of her family, Ma Yujie lost heart and returned to the Liu family dejectedly.

After thinking for a moment, she called her two sons over and gave them a serious talking-to: "You two must do your best in this imperial examination and try to pass it! If you meet any sons of officials, remember to get along well with them and don't make enemies."

Ma Yujie's two sons are almost adults and are currently looking for marriage partners. If they can get good grades, it would be the icing on the cake.

As for taking the imperial examination and becoming an official, she didn't care much about it.

In her mind, it was more reliable to get an official position through recommendation. Instead of wasting time studying, she thought it better to let Liu Tiechui build good relationships with the county and local officials, since whether her son could become an official was just a matter of their word.

The two men respectfully agreed.

The day of the preliminary examination arrived.

The village chiefs led their villagers to the town.

The once busiest market in Moshi Town has been transformed into a pilot project.

Tables and chairs were arranged in a row under the hot sun, with wooden boards separating them to prevent candidates from cheating.

Su Tai accompanied Shen Congrong over, and after craning her neck for a while, she finally found Shen Congyu sitting on Xue Xiang's shoulders, and hurriedly went over to greet him.

Xue Xiang put the child down and said in a serious tone, "Madam Shen, after the preliminary examination, Congyu will have to go back with me to practice martial arts. I hope you will understand."

Su Tai was flattered and quickly expressed her gratitude, "It is an honor for Lord Xue to be willing to discipline my son. I have asked the servants to prepare some of your favorite dishes. Please do not find them offensive."

Chi Sanhua and Chi Zhaodi quickly put down the large bundles on their backs.

Upon seeing the item, Xue Xiang's lips twitched slightly, and he had to express his sincere gratitude to Su Tai.

Shen Congyu looked up at the adults exchanging pleasantries, his little mouth pouting so much it could hold an oil lamp, "Mom! Can I go home with you after my exam?"

"No way!" Xue Xiang and Su Tai replied in unison.

Xue Xiang sneered, "Not only can you not go back, but you also have to do well on the exam. You should know that I vouched for you in front of them. If you don't do well and embarrass me, I'll make you stand on the plum blossom stakes for a month."