Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu and I swapped clothes

Chapter 81 (Middle Circle) [Seeking First Subscription]

"Your Excellency, this exam paper belongs to Jia Baoyu, a direct descendant of the Rongguo Mansion."

The clerk picked up the exam paper, carefully brushed off the dust, and placed it on the table.

"Descendants of the Rongguo Mansion?"

Magistrate Zhou picked it up again and glanced at it, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper. "How could the illustrious Duke Rong have such a worthless descendant? Lacking any talent, wouldn't it have been better to donate money to become a student of the Imperial Academy? Why do they have to come to the examination hall to embarrass themselves!"

He then slammed the exam paper on the table, saying, "If I were to accept this kind of exam paper as my own, wouldn't that be an insult to me?"

The clerk said with a smile, "The rhythm is a bit casual, but the handwriting is still acceptable, and the Four Books are passable."

"That's it!"

Magistrate Zhou waved his hand impatiently, "I know what you mean. Let's reserve him for the time being and give him the qualification of deputy candidate. It's a favor to him. Let's see what level he can achieve in the next few rounds."

"Your Excellency is truly wise."

After pinching his brow, Magistrate Zhou focused intently on his reading again.

Fortunately, the level of the last few exam papers was acceptable, all of which were at a level that would allow him to pass, which put his mind at ease.

If someone like Jia Baoyu is already considered quite accomplished in the county, he wouldn't be able to handle the imperial examinations anymore, and might as well just return to his hometown and live a secluded life in the countryside.

This added to her resentment towards Jia Baoyu.

The comments were all up to number 45, and both the handwriting and the writing impressed Magistrate Zhou.

"If we demand perfection, then there will be no one of usable talent in the world; only by forgiving minor faults can virtuous and talented people be able to serve their purpose. What a brilliant counter-argument! The idea is excellent!"

After reading the two essays from the Four Books and glancing at Jia Baoyu's exam paper lying to the side, the difference in their abilities was immediately apparent.

He then eagerly unfolded the test poem, a five-character, eight-rhyme poem that was easy to recite, and Magistrate Zhou recited it aloud on the spot.

"Apricot curtains invite guests to drink, a mountain villa is in sight.

Water chestnut goose, mulberry elm and swallow beam.

A patch of spring chives turns green, and the fragrance of rice blossoms spreads for miles.

In prosperous times, there is no hunger or cold; why then is there the need for busy farming and weaving?

"What a fine poem! It conveys emotion through scenery and seamlessly incorporates allusions!"

Upon hearing Magistrate Zhou's rare praise, the examiners and clerks all gathered around to admire the poem.

Magistrate Zhou stroked his beard and exclaimed, “The wine flag hangs on the apricot branch, transforming into an apricot curtain; what is lost in the east is gained in the west, symbolizing stability; the fragrance of rice blossoms speaks of a bountiful year, transforming into the fragrance of rice blossoms. The final couplet evokes the imagery of the ‘Song of Tilling the Soil,’ and the line ‘In a prosperous age, there is no hunger or famine, so why bother with farming and weaving?’”

"This person is far more learned than just the Four Books and Five Classics; he has probably read through all the historical records. Quickly, go and check who he is!"

The exam paper was passed around and read by those around him. After reading it, they all praised it highly and did not think that Magistrate Zhou was exaggerating.

"If this person passes the next three exams without question, I will definitely place him at the top of the list. He doesn't need to study much more for the prefectural exam."

Before long, a clerk came to report.

"Your Excellency, this person...this person..."

"Say it!"

Magistrate Zhou asked anxiously, "What are you stumbling over?"

"This person is Li Chen, the young master of the Marquis of Zhenyuan's mansion."

Magistrate Zhou said, "What? How could he be from a noble family?"

The clerk smiled bitterly, "Indeed, Your Excellency, such is the cruel twist of fate."

……

The first county-level examination determined whether or not the candidate would be admitted.

When the results are announced, a character "中" (zhong, meaning "middle") will be written on a piece of paper in red ink, and all the ranking numbers will be arranged in a circle around it.

There are a total of 120 people, with 40 selected as the inner circle, 80 as the outer circle, and 100 as the deputy selections.

Those in the inner circle no longer need to take the subsequent exams and can be directly sent to the prefectural exam.

However, to compete for the top ranking, one still needs to take an exam. The next eighty candidates, as well as the one hundred who are selected as assistant candidates, will all need to participate in a second-round exam, with selection based on merit.

Outer ring members can fall off the list and be replaced by secondary members, but the probability is usually extremely small.

Lin Daiyu was determined to be the top student; she wouldn't be satisfied with just passing the exam.

She strives to do her best in everything she does.

The days leading up to the results were truly agonizing. Besides reading to calm her mind, Lin Daiyu would also use the stone lock in her room to pass the time when she couldn't contain herself.

However, the weight of the stone lock had increased, making it difficult to use indoors. So she often moved it outside to the courtyard, and after swinging it a few times and sweating, she would return home satisfied.

Another day passed, and it was time to announce the results.

Xiangling was even more excited than Lin Daiyu, and she didn't sleep all night again.

She served Lin Daiyu in the early morning as she dressed and washed, her eyes bloodshot and red.

Upon seeing this, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but frown and comfort her, saying, "Sister Xiangling, you must take care of yourself and get some rest. I can sleep well, but you haven't slept at all every night. By the time I finish the county exam, you'll be the one who ruins your health."

Even Lin Daiyu couldn't help but wonder if she was some kind of jinx.
Why did Xiangling and Mr. Xing both lose their health after spending so much time alone?

"This servant doesn't know what's wrong either."

Xiangling rubbed her sore eyes and murmured, "When I heard that the young master was going to pass the exam, my heart was pounding like a bird, I couldn't calm down."

As she spoke, her voice choked up again.

“This has never happened before. Since I can remember, few people have been kind to me. I rarely cry or laugh.”

"Later, I was fortunate enough to be with Miss Bao at the Xue family, but she was not as good as the mistress and Sister Chuntao at my home, and certainly not as good as the young master. Here, it really felt like I was at home. I was so happy to see the young master doing well that I couldn't sleep."

"I've never done this before, I really don't know why."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Xiangling's eyes welled up with tears again.

Lin Daiyu, however, wore a sorrowful expression. "Why? You're clearly deeply in love! Sister Xiangling, how could you so easily let that纨绔 (wan ku, a spoiled, dissolute young man) take advantage of you! In the future, there will be plenty of unfaithful men who will hurt you!"

"It's just... I don't know why the young master is always so hot and cold. If only this weren't the case..."

"..."

Lin Daiyu remained silent for a while before speaking, "Sister, let's go look at the list first."

"it is good."

Xiangling wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and boarded the carriage with Lin Daiyu.

……

The area in front of the examination hall was already crowded with people.

Passing the county examination was equivalent to officially embarking on the path of the imperial examination, which was a fortunate thing for ordinary families.

Seeing the crowds, Lin Daiyu decided not to squeeze in herself.

She knew in her heart that she couldn't possibly be criticized in the first round; at worst, she would be relegated to the outer circle.

Wanping County isn't so powerful that people stronger than her are crawling all over the place.

He told the errand boys his seat number.

Soon after, several people rushed over to deliver the good news.

"You hit it! Young master, you're amazing! You really hit it, the inner circle!"

"Miss Xiangling, I'd like to ask for some lucky money!"

Xiangling tossed the copper coins she had tucked in her bosom to the accompanying servants, her face beaming with joy. As soon as the sedan curtain was lowered, she turned and threw herself into Lin Daiyu's arms, "Master! Inner circle! We can go straight to the prefectural examination! Madam will surely be delighted to hear this."

"Happy, happy..."

Lin Daiyu struggled to help her up and leaned out the window, only to see a group of people carrying Jia family banners hurrying off in the opposite direction from the examination hall, which did not seem like they were bringing good news...

(End of this chapter)