Chapter 1981: Entering the Examination Hall

Chapter 1981 -1983: Entering the Examination Hall

The exam location is called the Imperial Academy, and it’s somewhat far from where they live. ℯ

As the saying goes, it’s best to set out early to avoid any delays on the road, so Yang Ming and the others departed very early.

Even though they left quite early, upon arrival, they found that there were plenty who arrived earlier than them.

They hadn’t yet reached the gate of the Imperial Academy but could see from a distance at the alley’s entrance the sheer crowd—a scene blocking any way through.

Carriages were completely barred from passing and had to stop far away.

After getting off, they squeezed toward the Imperial Academy.

At one glance, Xiaoxiao exclaimed—could there be hundreds of people on this street? Many cases were like theirs, with family accompanying, removing the companions, there were still a good hundred or two students.

“Husband, are there so many scholars?”

Have the scholars become so abundant?

But as far as she knew, it was quite an achievement to become a scholar—if a village produced one, or even a few villages combined, it was something remarkable, otherwise, why would Yang Ming receive such regard from the villagers?

“These are half of the scholars from across the country; the other half would go south to the Imperial Academy there for exams. We are here in the north, and after this exam, they’ll proceed to Beijing for the official examination,” Yang Ming explained.

With this explanation, Xiaoxiao seemed to understand.

Turning to Wang Kui, she advised, “Wang Kui, hold onto Xiaoqiu, be careful, there are too many people here, just in case a stampede occurs.”

Xiaoxiao was genuinely worried because a stampede could be deadly, and caution was necessary; after speaking, she also held tightly onto Yang Ming.

The few of them squeezed toward the interior like this.

The grand entrance of the Imperial Academy was tightly closed, just by looking at the huge doors painted in red lacquer and the towering walls, one could see that this was a very solemn and sacred place.

At the entrance, there were soldiers uniformly maintaining order, with commoners unable to approach the entrance.

Thus, a large vacant space was seen right at the entrance of the Imperial Academy.

Dedicated personnel were checking outfits, carried pens and ink, ink slabs couldn’t be too thick, pen tubes must be hollow, and so forth.

Only after passing these checks could one enter.

Students were already starting to enter the venue gradually.

“Husband, check again, is everything there?”

For some reason, Xiaoxiao suddenly became nervous, even more than during her own college entrance exams.

“Wife, everything was checked when we came over.”

“Check it again, check it again, there could be unforeseen changes en route,” Xiaoxiao prompted.

In case anything was encountered on the way, belongings lost accidentally, being found out at the gate would mean not being able to enter, all these must be careful about.

Yang Ming had no choice but to stand there in the crowded space, checking everything again; after confirming no issues, Xiaoxiao let out a sigh of relief and then said, “Husband, you should go in quickly, do your best in the exam, don’t stress too much, even if it doesn’t go well, we can treat this as an experience.”

Yang Ming nodded in agreement and suggested, “Then go wait at the teahouse by the road there; don’t keep standing here.”

“Alright, alright, hurry and get inside.”

And so, Yang Ming left Xiaoxiao and the two behind, heading toward the front.

Xiaoxiao and the two watched as Yang Ming was checked by the guard and eventually entered inside the Imperial Academy gates.

“Third sister-in-law, don’t worry, third brother will surely do well.” Seeing Xiaoxiao was anxious, Yang Qiu comforted her.

“Yes.”

Just as she agreed, a person suddenly rushed up and bumped into Xiaoxiao, spoke rather rudely, “Don’t block the way.”