Chapter 134
**Chapter 134: The Spring Examination Begins**
The news of Shen Wei giving birth to a daughter reached the Empress, and naturally, it also made its way to the Confucian Temple in the outskirts of Yanjing.
Tomorrow marks the start of the Spring Examination.
Madam Rong strutted into the Confucian Temple, exuding an air of arrogance as she tossed two coins to Shen's mother. "Your daughter gave birth to a girl last night. While a daughter may not be of much use, at least she can help the Wangye expand his family. These two coins are from the Shen family; take them."
Shen's mother was teary-eyed.
She didn’t bother picking up the coins from the ground. Trembling, she asked, "Is my girl alright? Is she feeling unwell? Madam, can I go into the Wangfu to see my daughter?"
As a mother, not being able to be by her daughter's side during childbirth left Shen's mother distraught, tears streaming down her face.
Madam Rong turned her back, her posture haughty. "What makes you think your status allows you to enter the Wangfu? The Shen family is still alive, so she hasn’t died yet. The child will be sent to the Wangfei to be raised after a month."
Shen's mother trembled all over. "Raised by the Wangfei? Will she take good care of the child?"
Madam Rong shrugged, offering no reply, and strutted away from the Confucian Temple.
Shen's mother collapsed onto the ground, overwhelmed with sorrow and pain. Inside the room, Shen Xiuming packed his belongings and rushed out to help his mother back inside.
He poured her a glass of water and patted her back until she finally caught her breath.
With anguish, Shen's mother slapped Shen Xiuming's shoulder, crying, "If you hadn’t gambled back then, your sister wouldn’t have had to sell herself into the Wangfu as a concubine. Now her child has to be raised by the Wangfei... How could the Wangfei care for a child that isn’t her own? Your sister must be suffering so much..."
Shen Xiuming knelt heavily on the ground, bowing his head to his mother. "Mother, don’t worry! I will definitely succeed in the examination this year! I’ll rescue my sister from her suffering!"
Madam Rong's arrogant words echoed in Shen Xiuming's ears.
He transformed his grief and anger into motivation.
He must excel in the examination and escape his status as a peasant. Once he became an official, his sister would have support in the Wangfu.
After bowing to his mother, Shen Xiuming shouldered his bag and stepped outside. At the entrance, Mr. Yang Xuanji's carriage was already waiting.
Shen Xiuming climbed into the carriage.
Mr. Yang personally took him to the examination site. As the carriage moved slowly, Shen Xiuming seized every moment to ask Mr. Yang various questions. The carriage finally arrived at the Ministry of Rites.
At the street corner, the carriage came to a stop.
"You are talented and gifted. This is your first time participating in the Spring Examination, and you have a good chance of making a name for yourself. During the exam, stay humble and calm; a steady mindset is key," Mr. Yang said, looking at the ambitious young man before him, momentarily seeing a reflection of his younger self.
Shen Xiuming knelt on both knees, bowing three times to Mr. Yang. "Teacher, thank you for your guidance! I have no way to repay you, but if I succeed in the future, I will honor you for life!"
His eyes were filled with sincerity.
Having lost his father at a young age, Shen Xiuming lacked paternal love and had strayed into gambling.
Later, he turned his life around and met Mr. Yang. A learned scholar with excellent character, Mr. Yang not only taught Shen Xiuming academic knowledge but also how to be a good person. After months of close interaction, Shen Xiuming had come to regard him as a father figure.
"Go now; I await your good news," Mr. Yang said, his nose tinged with emotion as he helped Shen Xiuming to his feet.
With his books and belongings on his back, Shen Xiuming walked step by step toward the Ministry of Rites. Candidates from all over the Qing Kingdom gradually gathered, ready for this grand examination.
...
The Spring Examination lasted three days, with different subjects each day. The students wrote their essays in a semi-enclosed space.
On the first day of the examination, Shen Xiuming entered his small cubicle. Taking a deep breath, he skillfully took out his writing tools, waiting for the examiners to distribute the test papers.
Before the exam began, Shen Xiuming felt a bit nervous. He feared that if he didn’t perform well, his poor sister would lose her support.
"The Prince of Yan has arrived."
A shout from the officials echoed outside.
The Prince of Yan was one of the examiners for this Spring Examination. The candidates all stood up and bowed toward the elevated platform. This was Shen Xiuming's first time seeing the Prince, and after bowing, he discreetly raised his eyes to observe the esteemed prince of Da Qing.
His sister's nominal husband.
The Prince of Yan wore a wide silver robe embroidered with gold, his hairpin standing tall. He exuded an air of nobility and strength, and from his elevated position, a palpable sense of authority radiated. Flanking him were two burly guards in black, their broad shoulders and sharp gazes intimidating.
Shen Xiuming ground his teeth in silence.
It was this Prince of Yan who had repeatedly harmed his sister. Shen Xiuming still remembered the scars on Shen Wei's arms and the weariness in her reddened eyes.
A fierce flame ignited in his heart as he clenched his fists. He had to study hard for the exam! He aimed to reach the palace examination and secure the top spot!
With his sister having support, the Prince of Yan would no longer overlook her.
"Please return to your positions."
"The Spring Examination is about to begin."
The candidates returned to their cubicles, and the officials from the Ministry of Rites methodically distributed the test papers.
On the high platform of the examination hall, the Prince of Yan took a sip of tea, his gaze landing on one of the cubicles. His keen senses picked up that this candidate had been looking at him strangely.
It seemed unfriendly, almost as if he were being scrutinized.
After a brief moment, a guard behind him presented a dossier. "Your Highness, we have found the information on the candidate from Room 36."
The Prince opened it.
The dossier detailed "Shen Xiuming": a young scholar who had once excelled but had fallen into a period of decline, later studying diligently at the Confucian Temple in the outskirts of Yanjing. He had received guidance from Mr. Yang Xuanji and was participating in the Spring Examination this year.
"Shen Xiuming..." The Prince pondered the name, feeling a sense of familiarity.
He quickly recalled that Shen Wei had mentioned having a scholarly brother.
He hadn’t expected Shen Wei’s brother to be on the list of candidates for the Spring Examination.
A smile crept onto the Prince's face. "Not bad, he could be useful."
The Prince of Yan was engaged in an increasingly fierce struggle with the Prince of Heng, with both sides vying for talent to expand their factions.
Shen Xiuming, being Shen Wei's brother and possessing considerable talent, especially with Mr. Yang's guidance, was indeed a valuable asset.
...
The Prince of Yan supervised the examination for three days straight.
After the Spring Examination concluded, he had no time to spare, sending people to oversee the examiners as they graded the papers, keeping a watchful eye to prevent any corruption.
He was busy for over ten days, almost living in the Ministry of Rites and the East Palace. Sometimes, when he missed Shen Wei and the child, he would take a moment to return home and spend a little time with them before rushing back to his duties.
Once the Spring Examination was completely wrapped up, under the dim night sky, the Prince of Yan returned to the Wangfu, dragging his weary feet. As soon as he stepped into the Liuli Pavilion, he heard the loud cries of a baby.
Shen Wei and two maidservants were leaning over the rosewood cradle, each frowning at the newborn.
"Wangye, you’re back! The baby has been crying non-stop, and I really don’t know what to do," Shen Wei said, her face lighting up with joy upon seeing the Prince return.
The Prince stepped forward to take a look.
In the rosewood cradle, the baby was wailing. Unlike the wrinkled appearance at birth, the baby’s skin had become fair and tender, adorably plump, like a little meatball.
Shen Wei picked the child up from the cradle, but the baby continued to cry.
"It just won’t stop crying. I’ve tried soothing her for so long, but she still cries," Shen Wei said, distressed, and then handed the baby to the Prince. "Wangye, why don’t you hold her?"
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