Chapter 027: The Autumn Examination

Chapter 027: The Autumn Examination

The day before the autumn examination, Fu Jiaze had a dream. In the dream, he was hit on the back of the head at Princess Mingrui's flower banquet and fell into the water. He flailed in the water for some time, with no one coming to save him.

Water entered his lungs, making his breathing weaker and weaker until he eventually passed out.

Fortunately, he was unconscious face-up, which prevented him from drowning immediately. Eventually, he was pulled out of the water.

With water in his lungs and having been submerged for so long, he developed a high fever upon returning home.

This illness lasted a long time, severely damaging his lungs. Every time he coughed, it sounded like a bellows, and he would even cough up blood.

Logically, such a condition should have prevented him from participating in the autumn examination. However, he was already engaged to Lin Baozhen, and Lin Yi, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Rites, subtly suggested that he should take the exam.

Fu Jiaze also felt the need to give it a try, so he took strong stimulants. Unfortunately, the autumn examination was marked by three consecutive days of rain, and his body could not withstand the cold. After three days of exams in the imperial college, everything around him began to blur, and his hands shook as he held the pen. He barely managed to complete the exam and was carried out.

Naturally, there were no good results, and due to his persistence, his lungs were completely ruined, causing him to cough incessantly.

Lin Yi did not show any intention of breaking the engagement, but Lin Baozhen was the cherished treasure of the Changqing Hou Mansion, and they were considering backing out. Uncle Fu Bin, however, made another move during this critical period, ensuring that Lin Baozhen married Fu Jiaze.

Participating in this examination nearly cost him half his life. After weighing his options, Fu Jiaze decided to stop taking exams altogether and start as a county magistrate instead.

When Fu Jiaze woke up from the dream, his mind was still foggy. He clutched his chest, feeling the lingering sensation of near-suffocation.

Xiao Wu promptly came forward to rub Fu Jiaze's back. "Young Master, are you alright?"

Last time when Fu Jiaze had an incident, Fu Bin was uneasy about his nephew's safety. He assigned Xiao Wu from the Embroidered Uniform Guard to serve as Fu Jiaze's attendant, responsible for both his safety and daily care.

"I'm fine," Fu Jiaze said, taking a deep breath. "It was just a nightmare."

Xiao Wu added, "Dreams are often the opposite. Today, Young Master will surely have a smooth journey."

Fu Jiaze did not expect things to go smoothly; he merely hoped to pass the examination, as his ultimate goal was to become an official. Preparing for the exams had only delayed his plans.

Determined, Fu Jiaze asked Xiao Wu to bring him some cold water to refresh himself. Feeling rejuvenated, he got ready.

Xiao Wu brought Fu Jiaze's clothes. "Young Master, breakfast is ready."

...

Fu Heng and Fu Wanan had also woken up and were waiting for Fu Jiaze to eat breakfast. Knowing that his examination had not gone well, they acted as if nothing had changed.

Last year, after finally participating in the autumn examination and achieving excellent results, their family celebrated. But who would have thought that the chief examiner, to avoid suspicion, stripped him of his title?

Now, Fu Heng checked Fu Jiaze's examination basket and laid oil paper inside. "Let's go."

Fu Jiaze shook his head, not wanting to make a fuss. "Mother, there's no need to come along."

"Nonsense," Fu Heng said. "Since this is your last attempt, I must see you off."

The Fu family accompanied him to the vicinity of the imperial college, where the Embroidered Uniform Guard stopped their carriage. "You can only get off here; you'll have to walk the rest of the way."

Some people were complaining about the Embroidered Uniform Guard's involvement this year, especially since it was raining.

However, both Fu Jiaze and Fu Heng knew it was Fu Bin's doing. While it meant all candidates had to walk further, it better maintained order.

Opening their oil paper umbrellas, the three walked together. At the entrance of the imperial college, they saw Qin Yuanting leaning against the gate. His gaze seemed casual as it swept over them, but Fu Heng and Fu Jiaze knew he was paying attention to them.

Fu Wanan smiled at a familiar face, not minding if Qin Yuanting ignored her.

Fu Heng handed the examination basket to Fu Jiaze and patted his shoulder. "Good luck. This is your last chance, and don't forget that next month is your wedding."

Fu Jiaze, knowing Lin Yingxue wouldn't appear, still glanced around. Unexpectedly, he saw Xie Jingzhi, who had come alone with his attendant, without the Wei Wuhou or the elderly lady.

Fu Jiaze turned away and joined the queue.

With the Embroidered Uniform Guard's presence, the queue moved slowly but orderly.

Qin Yuanting's sharp gaze caught those trying to cheat, finding hidden notes in inconceivable places, such as ears and shoe soles.

Those caught were expelled.

Suddenly, Fu Jiaze felt someone cut in line behind him.

"Excuse me," said Lord Xie Jingzhi, slipping silver to the person behind Fu Jiaze and switching places.

Xie Jingzhi's eyes were darkened with fatigue. He said to Fu Jiaze, "Sir Fu, perhaps you don't know me, but I know you."

Fu Jiaze smiled slightly. "Lord Xie jests. We met at Princess Mingrui's banquet."

"Is that so?" Xie Jingzhi's planned words were disrupted. He rubbed his temples, saying softly, "I thought we hadn't met."

Noticing Qin Yuanting's gaze again, Fu Jiaze said, "Lord Xie, if you have something to say, let's discuss it after the autumn examination."

"No, some things have been on my mind for a long time. Since I didn't know where you lived, I couldn't speak to you. Now that we've met, I want to tell you to treat Miss Lin well. She's facing significant changes at home and is in a precarious position. Don't blame her for not being able to see you off today."

Fu Jiaze, knowing Lin Yingxue and Xie Jingzhi had no connection, thought his words implied otherwise.

"I understand," Fu Jiaze said. "As her fiancé, I naturally care about her."

Xie Jingzhi sighed, looking at Fu Jiaze with a hesitant expression. Last night, he dreamed of topping the charts and presenting flowers to Lin Yingxue during the parade, despite already having a wife. Why did reality differ so much from his dream?

Qin Yuanting approached. "No talking. Lord Xie, you cut in line. Go back to your place."

Qin Yuanting's intervention forced Xie Jingzhi back. He looked resentfully at Fu Jiaze, who turned away.

Was this autumn examination meant to shake his resolve? Fu Jiaze stepped firmly into the imperial college, determined. If so, this autumn examination would be too easy.