Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 143 Mo Lan Faces Reality, Zhao Pan'er Is Removed from Her Status
"quiet!"

"Line up and take turns for the search! No pushing or whispering!"

Several stern-faced, armored, and armed imperial guards shouted in a loud voice, exuding an unquestionable air of authority.

At the gate of the examination hall, several officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Censorate were carefully checking the identities and guarantee documents of the candidates to prevent impersonation.

After their identities were verified, the group of candidates still needed to go to the inner rooms on the east and west sides.

Loosen her hair, remove her clothes and shoes, and conduct another inspection.

The candles, inkstone, and even the cakes in the food box in the examination basket would be broken into pieces.

They searched every possible place to hide the note.

The imperial examinations in the first year of the new emperor's reign were of extraordinary significance to the candidates, representing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

In ordinary years, the spring imperial examination might only admit two or three hundred Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), while the special imperial examination would add dozens or even hundreds of places.

Once one passes the imperial examination, one will receive the incomparably glorious title of the first scholar to pass the imperial examination in the new dynasty. Not only will this title accompany one throughout their official career, but the chances of being given important positions and promotions will be far greater than those of scholars who pass the imperial examination in ordinary years.

Therefore, the imperial court attached great importance to the examination of candidates this year, and the number of imperial guards patrolling the examination hall was doubled.

"Stop dawdling and go inside. Right now, your future is the one thing I'm most worried about in the family."

Sheng Hong stood outside the carriage, stroking his beard as he looked at Sheng Changfeng, his tone tinged with anxiety and worry.

Brother Liu has chosen the path of a military general.

My maternal uncle is a rising star in the court, and he will surely support me in the future, so I don't need to worry about my future.

Only this son before me is neither good at academics nor martial arts, and his future is uncertain.

Mo Lan also came here today to see Sheng Changfeng off.

She was dressed in a lilac-colored brocade dress, with a hairpin swaying gently in her hair. Although her face was made up, it could not hide the weariness and loneliness in her eyes.

In the past, she believed that with her own abilities, she could live a good life even without relying on her family's influence in the Yongchang Earl's Mansion.

Only today did she realize that she was wrong after all.

Not all men in the world are like Sheng Hong, who can be easily manipulated with a few sweet words.

The skills she learned from Lin Qinshuang might be useful in small households.

In the eyes of those countesses and ladies of noble families, these were nothing more than petty tricks that couldn't be brought to the table.

Ever since Hualan was made Empress, Madam Wu's attitude towards her has softened somewhat.

However, none of Liang Liulang's concubines and maids in his backyard were easy to deal with. They were constantly fighting and jealous, causing chaos and unrest.

She couldn't very well set aside her status and dignity as the eldest daughter-in-law and argue with them.

Liang Liulang was a womanizer who was always looking for something new and never got tired of it. He had already taken advantage of all the maids who had accompanied him as part of his dowry, both openly and secretly.

She is now completely isolated and helpless in the Yongchang Earl's Mansion.

"Third brother, Father is right. You can't fail the exam again." Mo Lan's eyes flickered slightly as she spoke softly.

Sheng Changfeng didn't reply, only giving her a lukewarm look.

After bowing to Sheng Hong, he turned and walked straight toward the gate.

Once Sheng Changfeng's figure disappeared from sight, Sheng Hong said in a calm tone, "Changfeng has entered the examination hall. Let's all return to our residences."

"Father, won't you let me go back to the manor to visit? How is Grandmother's health these days? I've been thinking about her a lot and always want to find an opportunity to pay my respects to her." Mo Lan stepped forward, a pleading look flashing in her eyes.

Sheng Hong raised an eyebrow. The more he used to love Mo Lan, the more he now loathed her.

"The old lady is in good health, and everything at home is fine, so you don't need to worry about her."

"Instead of wasting time on this, you should manage your son-in-law's house. He's causing chaos every few days, and even I, an outsider, have overheard some of his gossip."

Mo Lan pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and clutched her handkerchief tightly beneath her wide sleeves.

After a moment, she tilted her body slightly and said softly, "Father is right. It is Mo'er who is incompetent and unable to manage the household, bringing shame to the Sheng family."

"But now Father won't even let Mo'er into the house. Everyone in the Liang family has eyes for wealth and status, so there are many things that Mo'er is powerless to help with."

"I hope that Father... will remember our past father-daughter relationship and occasionally give Mo'er some pointers."

Sheng Hong snorted lightly, "If you had known this would happen, you wouldn't have done it in the first place."

“Father…” Mo Lan called out, her voice choked with emotion.

"It's getting late, and I have official business to attend to, so I can't stay here any longer. Take care of yourself."

As soon as he finished speaking, Dong Rong quickly set up a footstool, and Sheng Hong turned around, boarded the carriage, and sped away.

Mo Lan stood there, a hint of loneliness flashing in her eyes. Behind her, the maid Qiu Jiang said softly, "Madam, let's go back too."

"Father doesn't love me anymore, and my third brother only listens to that ugly wife Liu..."

Mo Lan felt a lump in her throat and muttered to herself that she had always been quite dissatisfied with Madam Liu.

After Liu married into the Sheng family, she heard some rumors from the servants, and Sheng Changfeng did not hide anything from her.

Although both are sons of concubines, Liu Ge'er now has the Wei family backing him, so he can no longer be compared to before.

Sheng Changfeng, whose birth mother was a convicted official, had no family background or connections and was despised by the entire Sheng family.

Mo Lan is the same; she has never given birth to a legitimate son in the Earl's mansion.

She knew that if she wanted to establish herself in the Sheng family with Changfeng, she had to distance herself from Molan, at least to make sure that the old lady and Wang Ruofu noticed.

Inside the Gongyuan.

After Sheng Changfeng, Qi Heng, and the others found their assigned cells and settled in, the examiners began to release the questions, accompanied by the sound of gongs and drums.

The first question was still a question on the interpretation of the classics: On the Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals: "The king has no outsiders."

Qi Heng sat upright at his desk, muttering to himself as he prepared his draft, then buried himself in his writing and began to write furiously.

Under Shen Ge Lao's painstaking guidance, his writing has shed its former ornate language and become increasingly steady and rigorous.

With a calm expression, Gu Qianfan picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and a line of vigorous and powerful characters appeared on the paper.

He studied and learned calligraphy under Gu Shenyan from a young age, and also learned martial arts from Gu Mingjing, who was nominally his father but actually his uncle.

The second question was about poetry, which is Sheng Changfeng's forte.

Although he has remained secluded for the past year or two, the reputation of Young Master Jiafeng has continued to spread among the scholars of Bianjing who enjoy composing poetry and appreciating the beauty of nature.

The third policy question is: How should we deal with the newly recovered Western Xia territory so that its people will forever be subjects of Zhou, and that their provisions will not become a threat to the border?
Upon seeing this question, all the candidates immediately buried themselves in thought.

If one can answer these current affairs questions accurately and logically, one will gain the favor of the officials and start one's career at a higher level than others.

For a time, the candlelight flickered in the examination hall, and the occasional rustling sound of examination papers being turned could be heard.

-

Meanwhile, in a side room in Leying, Hangzhou.

Zhao Pan'er, who had just turned 18 last year, wore a simple linen dress and had no makeup on her face.

He deliberately lowered his eyes, and his originally handsome and refined face showed a hint of dullness and gloom.

"Pan'er, this is the deregistration document. Keep it safe."

"When the new emperor ascended the throne, he granted a general amnesty, and the edict also allowed some government slaves to be released and freed."

“I have a cousin named Xu Pingyuan who made great contributions in this western expedition and was appreciated by the emperor and given an official position.”

“By taking advantage of his influence, I begged the governor of Hangzhou for many days and finally managed to get this letter of release for you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Yi took out a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Pan'er.

This man comes from a collateral branch of the Marquis of Yongyi's family in Jinling, and was originally a subordinate of Zhao Qian, Zhao Pan'er's father. Now over fifty years old, he is enjoying his retirement at home, taking care of his grandchildren.

Zhao Pan'er looked down at the document, her eyes flickered, and her face was full of surprise.

A moment later, with trembling hands, she accepted the document, knelt down, and said, "Thank you so much, Uncle Xu, I am deeply grateful..."

"Get up quickly. If it weren't for your father risking his life to save me back then, I'm afraid I would have lost my life on the battlefield long ago."

Xu Yi looked up at the sky and sighed deeply, his heart filled with emotion.

Seven years ago, Zhao Qian was impeached by the censor and his family property was confiscated. The male members of his family were exiled, and the female members were forced into slavery.

Remembering their past friendship, Xu Yi inquired several times and learned that Zhao Qian's daughter had been exiled to Hangzhou's Yueying.

However, they have been struggling to find a way to help her get her citizenship removed.

Being born into a lowly status, it is harder than ascending to heaven to escape this fate and become a law-abiding citizen.

Aside from the assistance of high-ranking officials in the court, or a special pardon from the emperor, they would be considered lowly for generations.

Fortunately, the emperor issued a general amnesty this year; otherwise, the prefect might not have given him that favor.

"Pan'er, would you be willing to come with me to Jinling from now on?"

"How about I ask someone to find you a good family? That way you can live a stable life in the future," Xu Yi asked in a deep voice.

Zhao Pan'er's eyelashes trembled slightly. After weighing her options in her mind, she shook her head.

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Xu. I have been in the music camp for many years, and there is no honest man in the village who would sincerely marry me."

"Even if someone doesn't mind, once they're married, there will likely be no shortage of gossip from their mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, and criticism from the neighbors."

“Not only will Pan’er’s life be unstable then, but it will also implicate others and disappoint Uncle’s good intentions.”

"Over the years, I have saved up some money by living frugally, and I also know some tea-making skills, so I can make a living anywhere."

In the camp, she always listened to her mother and pretended to be stupid and unable to learn anything.

The old women thought her dancing skills were too poor and her singing was also bad, so they made her learn the trivial tasks of accounting and managing the household, serving tea and water. In addition, she deliberately hid her appearance and has remained a virgin to this day.

Being born into a lowly status is ultimately a disgrace, an indelible stain.

Seeing her resolute expression, Xu Yi had no choice but to nod.

"Very well, I have some silver here. Take it and buy yourself a place to stay, so as not to fail the kindness that Lord Zhao did for me back then."

"If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to Jinling to find me."

After leaving the silver, he walked away.

Zhao Pan'er bowed deeply.

By the time the moon was high in the sky, Zhao Pan'er had packed her belongings and planned to leave the music camp early the next morning.

Song Yinzhang frowned slightly, looking at her with reluctance. At this time, she was only eleven or twelve years old, and her figure was still quite immature.

"Sister Pan'er, after you left, I have no one to talk to."

Zhao Pan'er raised her hand and stroked her hair, saying gently, "Yinzhang, once I've established myself outside, I'll find a way to clear your name and leave the music camp."

"Really?" Song Yinzhang wiped away his tears and looked at her in disbelief.

She was born into a family of lowly status in a music camp, and for generations her family had been of low social standing. After her older sister died, she and Zhao Pan'er depended on each other for survival.

Zhao Pan'er nodded solemnly.

-

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the spring examination papers were finalized after being reviewed by many examiners overnight.

Today, Xue Pu and Lü Hui arrived with a stack of exam papers and a roster.

"Your Majesty, the list has been submitted to the Ministry of Rites for drafting. Now, we will jointly select the top ten examination papers."

"Please take a look, Your Majesty," Lü Hui said, bowing respectfully.

Zhao Han took the exam papers and examined them carefully. After about an hour, he ranked the ten papers.

He casually opened the roster, glanced at it for a moment, and smiled, "This young master of the Qi family did quite well in this year's imperial examination."

Qi Heng ranked twelfth in the first class.

Xue Pu stroked his white beard. "Your Majesty, with Grand Secretary Shen's guidance, even a lump of mud can be propped up."

"This young man from the Qi family is exceptionally intelligent and has not developed any spoiled or arrogant habits, which is quite rare."

Like Qi Heng, there were noble scions from prominent families who were able to study diligently and choose to take the imperial examinations to enter officialdom.

You could count the number of people who traveled to Bianjing on your fingers.

Zhao Han smiled slightly, then her gaze fell on the name Gu Qianfan, the fifth-ranked player in the second class.

"Your Majesty, this is the grandson of Gu Shenyan, the former Vice Minister of Rites. After several years, the Gu family has finally produced another scholar."

Lü Hui spoke respectfully.

He had some acquaintance with Gu Shenyan, so he was naturally pleased to see Gu Qianfan on the list.

Zhao Han glanced at him, a meaningful smile on her face.

The next day, as soon as the sky began to lighten, the area outside the examination hall was packed with candidates and people of all ages, men and women, to see the results.

Sheng Changfeng stood at the front, his palms sweating profusely, and he would occasionally lift his sleeve to wipe his forehead.

Lady Liu stayed by his side, comforting him, "Don't be nervous, sir. Whether you pass or fail is up to fate."

"I know." Sheng Changfeng nodded vigorously, letting out a heavy sigh.

At dawn, the gates of the examination hall slowly opened, a squad of imperial guards maintained order, and several examination hall officials posted the yellow notices.

Qi Heng stood in the crowd, clenching his fists, his eyes blazing as he carefully searched for his name.

Before long, a smile appeared on his face, his heart pounding, "I won! I won!"

"Thank God, I finally lived up to their expectations!"

Inside the carriage of the Duke of Qi's mansion, Princess Pingning, upon receiving the news, exclaimed excitedly, "Quickly, back to the mansion! Prepare firecrackers! Distribute porridge to celebrate!"

She was ranked 12th in the class, which was quite unexpected.

With a scholar who passed the imperial examination and entered officialdom, the Duke of Qi's mansion will no longer be just a showpiece!

"Yes!" the servant replied, and immediately turned the reins, driving the carriage straight toward the Duke of Qi's mansion.

"Second place, thirteenth! Great! I made it!" Wen Yanjing, dressed in coarse cloth, felt his heart pounding.

His father was once a scholar who even passed the imperial examination, but unfortunately he died young before being appointed to an official post, and the family fortunes declined.

The mother's temperament also became harsh, and she favored her younger brother.

So he studied hard from a young age, and after years of hard work, he finally found a way out!

On the other side, Gu Tingye patted Gu Qianfan on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Qianfan, you got fifth place in the second class. I'll write a letter to inform your father later!"

"After the palace examination, there will be a preliminary examination. If you pass it, you will be appointed as a junior scholar by the emperor."

"If I stay in the Hanlin Academy for a few more years, my future will be limitless!"

Gu Qianfan looked up at him, and like a wooden statue, he gave a forced smile.

Although he has passed the imperial examination with flying colors, he does not want to pursue a career as a civil servant; he wants to join the Imperial City Guard!

(End of this chapter)