Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 127

“Ah Che, has something good happened recently?” He Chen suddenly asks one day.

Pei Che is a bit puzzled. “What makes you say that?”

“I’ve noticed that in the past few days, you often burst into laughter for no apparent reason. If it’s not because something good is happening, then what could it be?”

He Chen is even more confused. The provincial examination is approaching soon. While most people don’t have to stake their entire future on the imperial examinations, they still hope that their years of hard study will bear some fruit. As a result, everyone has become much more diligent in recent days, reining in their usual carefree attitudes. The entire atmosphere at the Imperial Academy is steeped in tension. Only Pei Che seems more spirited during this time, even smiling far more than usual.

Some who dislike Pei Che start spreading rumors behind his back, claiming that he has become obsessed with his studies due to the upcoming exam and is starting to lose his mind, which explains why he laughs to himself every day. Most people scoff at such talk. Given their status, how could they lose their minds over a single exam? Even if they fail the provincial exam, there is still the metropolitan exam. And in the worst case, their families can donate a government post for them. There’s no need to worry about their future, making the rumors utterly baseless.

“That’s not exactly it,” Pei Che says, upon hearing He Chen’s question. He can’t help but recall the sweet and harmonious life he has been living these past few days. His lips unconsciously curve into a suspicious smile. After thinking it over, he decides not to upset his unmarried friend and says, “With the provincial exam approaching, I can’t help but smile at the thought of finally putting my talents to good use.”

He Chen’s expression turns strange. After a moment of silence, he says, “I never expected you, Ah Che, to have such a strong desire to serve the country. I truly admire you.”

Pei Che awkwardly clears his throat. “You’re too kind.”

Han Qin, who is sitting nearby, can’t help but roll his eyes. It has nothing to do with the provincial exam at all—Pei Che is just overjoyed because he and Brother Jiang have finally fallen for each other, and he can’t hide his feelings.

***

The provincial exam occurs once every three years, but the rules of the Liang Dynasty differ slightly from what Jiang Miao recalls from ancient times because the exam dates are not fixed.

For instance, the provincial exam three years ago is scheduled for mid-July after the Imperial Observatory divines the omens at the beginning of the year. Once the results of the divination are known, the court makes an official announcement, informing all examinees nationwide so they can plan accordingly and arrive at the exam site on time.

This year, the date is once again chosen after the Imperial Observatory divines the omens, and it is set for September 12th. Now, it is already the end of August, leaving them just over ten days before entering the exam hall.

Ever since Pei Che informs Jiang Miao of the exam date, he has been treated like a national treasure. Jiang Miao becomes extremely gentle and considerate, even agreeing to some of Pei Che’s unreasonable requests with gritted teeth. In addition, the quality of his meals improves, as Jiang Miao even goes to find farmers who raise sheep to buy a bucket of sheep’s milk every day to cook for them to supplement their nutrition.

Initially, Pei Che refuses, feeling that drinking milk is something only infants in swaddling clothes would do. However, Jiang Miao insists and drinks it alongside him, which eventually persuades Pei Che to reluctantly follow suit.

Xiao Shitou and Pei Mu, influenced by Jiang Miao, start sneaking around the house like thieves in recent days. Whatever they do, they do it quietly, fearing that any sound might disturb Pei Che’s thoughts.

Pei Che doesn’t quite understand why Jiang Miao is being so cautious about the provincial exam. What he doesn’t know is that Jiang Miao views the provincial exam like the modern-day college entrance exam. In modern times, some parents go practically mad in anticipation of their children’s exams. Perhaps in Jiang Miao’s mind, the provincial exam is even more critical than the college entrance exam. After all, passing the college entrance exam doesn’t guarantee an immediate job, whereas passing the provincial exam grants an official position within the government—a life-changing event for any scholar. Although Pei Che comes from a well-off family, there is still a significant difference between being born into privilege and achieving success through one’s own efforts.

Time passes quickly, and before they know it, the day of the provincial exam arrives.

They are to take a total of three rounds of exams, each lasting three days. During these three days, they are not allowed to step out of the small exam cubicle. Jiang Miao finds this inhumane, but there’s nothing he can do to change the rules. The only thing he can do is make sure Pei Che has everything he might need.

Under the candlelight, Jiang Miao packs Pei Che’s belongings, explaining the use of each item and going over the things he needs to pay attention to during the exam. These are tips Jiang Miao has gathered from chatting with the neighborhood women, whose husbands have all taken the imperial exams, some more than once. They share a wealth of experience with Jiang Miao. Additionally, the Duke’s Manor sends over a number of supplies for Pei Che. His grandmother originally wants him to visit, but since the exam is imminent and she doesn’t want to tire him out with the journey, she simply has the items delivered.

“With such a husband, what more could I ask for…” Pei Che sits to the side, happily sighing.

Jiang Miao doesn’t respond. Being a straightforward modern person, he isn’t particularly sensitive to subtle expressions of love, which is why Pei Che’s many hints in the past have fallen flat.

That night, Pei Che, claiming that he’s nervous about entering the exam hall the next day, cuddles up to Jiang Miao and asks for some “encouragement.” Naturally, Jiang Miao agrees—an exam candidate is entitled to some special privileges. Once the exams are over, though… well, they can settle all the accounts then!

Before dawn the next day, Jiang Miao escorts Pei Che to a spot near the vicinity of the Imperial Examination Hall. Further in, security has been set up, and no one except for the examinees is allowed to enter. The exam compound isn’t far from the Imperial Academy, but since the academy students have to enter first, they arrive early.

Jiang Miao watches as Pei Che and his friends walk toward the entrance. Once their figures disappear, he turns back and returns to the carriage.

Three days might pass in the blink of an eye for the examinees inside, but for those waiting outside, it feels like an eternity.

During the day, Jiang Miao is occupied with tasks and has the company of the two children, which makes things easier. But as night falls, the empty room and the once warm and comfortable bed seem far too spacious. Jiang Miao wraps himself in the blankets, pretending they are Pei Che’s arms holding him. It’s strange—before he and Pei Che got together, sleeping alone never bothered him. But now, he finds it hard to adjust.

On the afternoon of the third day, Jiang Miao arrives early outside the Imperial Examination Hall to wait. Everything inside has been settled, so security outside is no longer as strict.

There are many people waiting outside—elderly with white hair, young children, women in veiled hats, and strong, sturdy men. Each of them looks eagerly toward the gates, their faces filled with the same hope—that the years of hard study will finally bear fruit.

As evening approaches, a deep bell sounds, and soon after, the gates of the exam compound open. One by one, the examinees emerge, some with smiles of joy, others with heavy expressions of defeat. Their performance in the exam is clear from their faces.

Jiang Miao keeps a close eye on the people walking out of the gates, hoping to spot Pei Che first. But for some reason, Pei Che is nowhere to be seen.

Unable to wait any longer, Jiang Miao jumps out of the carriage and pushes his way through the crowd. Being nimble, he quickly makes it to the front. There are guards posted at the gate, and as Jiang Miao sees fewer and fewer people coming out, he can’t help but feel anxious. Could something have happened to Pei Che inside? Did he faint on his way out?

The more Jiang Miao thinks about it, the more frightened he becomes, and it starts to show on his face. Just as he is about to ask the guards if he can go inside to search, Pei Che’s voice suddenly sounds nearby.

Jiang Miao’s eyes light up, and he looks around, spotting Pei Che walking out slowly, supporting an elderly man. The man has white hair and a white beard, clearly a veteran of the exam scene.

It turns out that right after the exam proctors collect the papers, the elderly man rushes to leave but is pushed and falls to the ground, twisting his foot slightly. Pei Che has been helping him, which is why he comes out so late.

At that moment, the old man’s family arrives, and they are extremely grateful to Pei Che for helping him. After thanking him, they carry the old man away.

Pei Che looks toward Jiang Miao, who is waiting outside, and feels a surge of warmth in his heart. To have someone waiting for you, someone who cares—what a wonderful feeling it is.