"But I am also very curious why this young lady is in such a hurry, not even waiting for the results of the imperial examination and already trying to catch a son-in-law?"
The results of the departmental examinations were not final; there was still the imperial examination. Although the imperial examination no longer disqualified candidates due to a certain individual, there were still differences between the first and second classes, and between Jinshi and Tong Jinshi.
For this young lady, her family would start choosing a husband for her once the family affairs were settled. This was not a normal procedure.
"Yan-di, please stop teasing me." Lin Bo felt somewhat embarrassed, as he considered this matter quite humiliating.
He was blocked by several sturdy house servants and was almost dragged into the house. Fortunately, Xiao Kai and Shi Qi managed to squeeze out a gap with all their might, allowing him to escape.
"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore. But cousin, you must be even more careful after the imperial examination."
Such incidents, if they happened once, would surely happen again. Once the results of the imperial examination came out, cousin would be a confirmed Jinshi, or at the very least, he would be appointed a county magistrate in a remote area.
At that time, he would truly hold an official position, instantly elevating his status.
"I will be careful. It's just that Yan-di, you are much more handsome than I am. Perhaps when Yan-di stands before the list of successful candidates, those who want to catch you will have to form a long queue."
Lin Bo had already tidied his clothes and began to exchange jokes with Lin Yan.
Having passed the exam, Lin Bo was now extremely confident. After all, the imperial examination did not disqualify anyone. Regardless of whether he was a Jinshi or Tong Jinshi, he would have an official post.
"Cousin, don't worry, no one will be able to snatch me away."
After all, families that would snatch scholars for marriage were not of high standing. They were either rich merchants and gentry, or daughters of minor officials. True aristocratic families would not engage in such practices.
Although the Lin family was not prominent, he could still leverage the reputation of his teacher. With his teacher, this influential figure, as his backing, they would not dare to casually snatch him away.
After the list was released, Lin Yan and the others would begin preparing for the imperial examination. The entire imperial examination would last only one day and consist of only one policy question.
It seemed simple enough, but the emperor would be present at the imperial examination. Although he would not stay for long, the pressure of meeting the emperor for the first time would cause many to perform poorly.
Therefore, the imperial examination primarily tested one's ability to perform under pressure and their courage and demeanor.
Early in the morning, Lin Yan and the others waited at the palace gates, awaiting the eunuchs to usher them in. Lin Yan was no stranger to the imperial palace, having been a frequent visitor when she was a princess.
Although the palaces in the two worlds were different, the atmosphere within the palace was indeed consistent.
Unlike other candidates, she was not nervous at all, but she still needed to maintain her persona.
This was the last hurdle of the imperial examination. After this test, Lin Yan could finally relax.
Following the crowd ahead into the main hall, Lin Yan found her seat. She then glanced at Lin Bo's seat and nodded to him.
Many people were seated in this hall, and Lin Yan had an impression of them, but they were not very familiar. Except for a few who often came to her for medicine, who looked slightly familiar, others were completely unknown to her.
Calming herself, she poured water into the inkstone. Lin Yan slowed down the speed of grinding ink, allowing her heart to become completely still.
When the emperor arrived, everyone rose to bow. The emperor then took his seat. The eunuch beside him began to announce the commencement of the examination.
Hearing the topic, Lin Bo instinctively looked towards Lin Yan. This topic was one that Lin Yan had predicted.
Although he didn't know how Lin Yan would approach it, he already had a complete line of thought. Thus, when the eunuch announced that they could begin writing, he promptly put his brush to paper.
The emperor seemed to have other matters to attend to and left after a short while. After the emperor's departure, almost all the candidates subconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
This topic was something Lin Yan had discussed with Lin Bo before, so she was naturally familiar with it. After a brief organization of her thoughts, she began to write.
Lunch was provided by the palace. Although it was not particularly exquisite due to being served to so many students, how could the palace's cuisine not be delicious?
However, the dishes at noon were rather dry, lacking in soup. Lin Yan ate only a little.
In the afternoon, after copying her examination paper, she got up and submitted it. Not long after Lin Yan submitted her paper, Lin Bo also handed in his.
They stood together, waiting. As it was the imperial palace, Lin Bo dared not interact too much with Lin Yan, merely standing there quietly, waiting to leave.
After the imperial examination concluded, the readers of the papers began to busy themselves. They had to quickly determine the lists for the first and second classes.
For these candidates who had finished, they were completely relaxed. Ten years of arduous study depended on the results of this imperial examination.
However, with this relaxation, many experienced minor ailments. To avoid affecting the subsequent imperial banquet, doctors in the capital wore out several pairs of shoes.
The emperor in the palace was actually not most concerned about the results of this imperial examination. He stood before a rather dilapidated palace, which could be considered his imperial palace's cold palace.
The red paint on the gate had peeled off, and weeds had grown on the eaves. The emperor couldn't recall the last time he had visited this place.
If he had a choice, he would never want to come here, but he did not have anyone he trusted enough to send to this place, so he had to come himself.
Asking the chief eunuch serving him to push open the old door, the eunuch hesitated to speak, but he knew he could not prevent the emperor from doing what he wished.
The door was opened, and the emperor, with his chief eunuch, entered the palace. All those serving and protecting him were left outside the palace.
Unlike the dilapidated condition outside, the interior of this palace was magnificent and luxurious, showing no signs of age.
The emperor left the chief eunuch outside as well and entered a small Buddhist shrine within.
"You've arrived. I knew you would come to find me," a hoarse female voice sounded from before the shrine.
The emperor looked at the woman kneeling before the shrine. He did not feel at all disrespected by her not rising to greet him.
"Yes, I have come."
"When Rou Niang died, I guessed you would come soon. I just didn't expect you to wait so calmly for so long before coming."
Her back was to the emperor, and she showed no intention of getting up from before the shrine.
"I only just learned of her death."
"So you're afraid. After all these years, you haven't changed. You're still so hesitant and timid." The hoarse female voice was full of mockery.