Nian Jiaojiao found her room and sat down, taking stock of the items on the desk.
There was a brush, inkstone, paper, and ink, along with a bucket of water and a kerosene lamp.
The kerosene lamp was likely prepared for the night examination.
Just like the previous examinations, the invigilators on site first emphasized the rules of the examination hall, and then an yamen runner announced loudly: The examination begins!
The yamen runners assigned to each row of small rooms began distributing examination papers to the candidates they were responsible for.
The first session tested memory-based questions such as biographies.
To do well in this exam, the more books one had read, the better.
This was because only seventy percent of the questions were from designated books, while the remaining thirty percent were from unspecified sources.
What did this imply?
Throughout the thousands of years of Great Yue's history, there were countless famous figures. The more you memorized, the less it would amount to.
Therefore, this was the key to distinguishing between Class A scholars and Class B scholars.
Fortunately, Senior Sister Lei's study had a large number of books on this subject, and these books provided Nian Jiaojiao with a rich knowledge reserve.
Nian Jiaojiao did not hastily dip her brush in ink to answer. Instead, she quickly scanned the questions on the examination paper to get a general idea.
Hmm… more than ninety percent of the questions were ones she had seen before.
Even if she had a photographic memory, she couldn't guarantee that all the questions on the paper would be from books she had read. After all, Senior Sister Lei's study was not a library. With this proportion, Nian Jiaojiao was already grateful.
With confidence in her heart, Nian Jiaojiao began to write.
As she was busily writing, a candidate next to her encountered a problem.
Although Nian Jiaojiao was concentrating on her exam paper, the commotion nearby still caught her attention.
It turned out that the candidate next door had accidentally knocked over their inkstone, smudging their examination paper.
The candidate called for a yamen runner to help them get a new exam paper. After the yamen runner took away the candidate's paper and replaced it with a new one, the candidate next door became even more anxious and restless, occasionally creating small disturbances within the room.
Nian Jiaojiao could understand.
After all, nearly half of the examination time had already passed, and it would be difficult to finish writing now.
However, allowing one's own emotions to disregard the surrounding environment and disturb other candidates…
On this point, Nian Jiaojiao did not agree.
This disturbance was not a major problem for Nian Jiaojiao. However, while Nian Jiaojiao remained silent, someone else took action.
The candidate on the other side of her, who had a rather fiery temper, called for a yamen runner without a word and reported her.
The yamen runner, with a dark expression, arrived next door, sternly warned the candidate, and stated that if there was a next time, they would be "escorted" out of the examination hall.
Thus, the neighbor soon became quiet.
Nian Jiaojiao felt much more at ease. Although it did not affect her performance, such irregular noises always made her feel uncomfortable.
Midday.
The examination hall began distributing steamed buns.
They contained meat filling.
Nian Jiaojiao, recalling her experience in the Shanshui Town examination last year, couldn't help but sigh:
It's so much better to be in the city!
Throughout the day, four subjects were examined.
By the time Nian Jiaojiao submitted her papers, it was already dusk.
She rubbed her nose, took a nap after eating, and prepared for another battle in the evening.
Nian Jiaojiao was not worried about oversleeping, as yamen runners would bang gongs to wake everyone up and reiterate the rules for the night session.
After an unknown period.
Dong dong dong—
The gong-like sound of the secret manual startled the candidates.
Nian Jiaojiao woke up and lit the kerosene lamp.
The sky had already completely darkened. Lamps in the examination hall were lit one by one. Although the kerosene lamps were dim, with many candidates lighting them together, the entire examination hall became much brighter.
And above the examination hall, more than a dozen large lanterns were raised.
Seeing this, Nian Jiaojiao secretly clicked her tongue.
Although everyone had paid for the examination registration, with such specifications, the dynasty likely wasn't making any money.
After the invigilators emphasized the rules, with a sound:
Dong—
The invigilators in the examination hall announced:
"The night examination officially begins!"
…
Qingzhou Examination Institute.
Central Hall.
"Prefect Leng, you are working too hard, coming to invigilate so late at night."
Leng Xiangtao heard the flattering words and replied modestly:
"Prefectural Secretary Liu, what are you saying? This is all for selecting talents for our Great Yue. As officials of the dynasty, this effort is what we should exert."
Although Liu Juncheng was one rank lower than her in official position, he was a cousin of the Prince of the Prefecture, so some respect had to be shown.
Cao Zhubo watched Leng Xiangtao's behavior of judging people by their status with disdain and stood silently by the side.
At this moment, Liu Juncheng suddenly said:
"Prefect Leng has a discerning eye and is good at discovering talents. Look, Cao Zhubo, such a great talent, is under your command. If I had discovered him earlier…"
Liu Juncheng appeared to have lost a great talent.
Leng Xiangtao raised an eyebrow and said to Cao Zhubo:
"It's thanks to Prefect Liu's appreciation. You go work for Lord Liu…"
Cao Zhubo, with a blank expression, bowed his head to both of them and clasped his hands:
"Since I am already under Master's tutelage, how can I change my allegiance."
Hearing Cao Zhubo's reply, a hint of smugness flashed in Leng Xiangtao's eyes. She chided:
"Truly unappreciative!"
Then, she turned to Liu Juncheng and said:
"Lord Liu, my subordinate is ignorant, please do not mind."
Liu Juncheng smiled and sighed:
"Everyone knows Prefect Leng is a good superior who cares for her subordinates. It is only natural that the people under you are unwilling to come. I naturally will not blame you, haha, I am genuinely convinced and truly admire your ability!"
Cao Zhubo sneered inwardly.
Although Leng Xiangtao had revealed her true colors in private, she maintained a hypocritical image in front of outsiders.
If she were to expose what that person had done, not only would no one believe her, but they would also accuse her of being ungrateful and a faithless wretch!
This was also the brilliance of Leng Xiangtao.
After Liu Juncheng left, the smile that had been on Leng Xiangtao's face immediately vanished.
She raised her chin and condescended:
"Are all the tasks for today completed?"
Cao Zhubo replied: "My Lord, they are completed."
Leng Xiangtao: "Hmm, how many for Class A and how many for Class B today?"
This was the number of people bribed to be placed in Class A and Class B.
Cao Zhubo reported the numbers, and Leng Xiangtao nodded.
Hmph, she seemed to regard her as a confidante, entrusting many dirty tasks to her, but such "tests" never ceased.
She saw it clearly… people like Leng Xiangtao would only trust themselves.
…
The night examination had only one subject, and it concluded in an hour.
After the papers were collected, Nian Jiaojiao stretched her body with a yawn and then scooped up some water from the bucket to drink.
However, a strong urge to urinate made Nian Jiaojiao unable to hold back and she raised her hand to signal.
She had not gone to the latrine all day, not because she didn't want to, but because she disdained the dirtiness of the toilets.
The stench in the summer latrines was particularly potent, and even from a distance, she could faintly smell a "unique fragrance."