Chapter 59

Chapter 59

The Metropolitan Examination, also known as the Spring Imperial Exam, typically takes place in February or March of the year following the Provincial Examination.

Held in the capital, it requires all successful Provincial Examination candidates from across the land to converge there.

Given the remoteness of some regions, many candidates arrive a month or two in advance.

Consequently, the capital noticeably buzzes with more activity than usual after the New Year.

Now residing in the capital, Yun Zhangxie is spared the arduous journey. While others rush to the capital early, he dedicates this time to diligent study.

This year, in addition to Yun Zhangxie, the Yun family sees Yun Zhangmu from the eldest branch, Yun Zhangyao from the third branch, and Yun Zhangyou from the second branch all participating in the Metropolitan Examination.

By this time, Yun Zhangxie had already learned that Yun Changgeng failed to pass the Provincial Examination.

Similarly, news of Yun Zhangxie’s success in the Provincial Examination had reached Qiuping County.

Predictably, Third Madame must have thrown quite the tantrum over it.

Unfortunately, by then, Yun Zhangxie’s family had already moved to the capital, leaving her with no audience for her frustrations.

This year’s Metropolitan Examination was scheduled for February, which is colder than March.

Moreover, the capital, being further north, is significantly colder than many southern regions.

Cold is far more punishing than heat, especially for someone as frail as Yun Zhangxie—it could almost be described as torture.

To prepare for the upcoming examination, Yun Zhangxie stopped sharing the Spirit Spring water with Su Qingruo and their child.

His Spirit Spring produces only five drops per day.

The previously accumulated Spirit Spring water had nearly run dry.

Now, with three people using it, the supply was insufficient.

Fortunately, Su Qingruo had long since recovered, and their child was in excellent health.

As long as they stayed indoors in the cold weather, they were unlikely to fall ill.

Recently, knowing he needed to focus on the examination, Su Qingruo kept their child from disturbing him.

Their household had many members, along with a group of servants to attend to their needs.

Su Qingruo didn’t need to wash clothes, cook, or personally care for the child, so her daily life was quite manageable.

Most of the child’s care now was handled by Tian Sang and Du Ruo.

Occasionally, when Liu Shi was in a good mood, she would take charge of the child for a few days.

Under such circumstances, the child’s needs never troubled Yun Zhangxie.

Raising a child isn’t most difficult during birth but rather in the arduous daily care of nurturing afterward.

If left to just one person, the burden could easily wear one down.

Thankfully, they lived in ancient times rather than the modern era—otherwise, neither Su Qingruo nor Yun Zhangxie would have had such support.

The Metropolitan Examination commenced on the ninth day of February. Like the Provincial Examination, it consisted of three sessions, each lasting three days, totaling nine days.

The only difference was that candidates didn’t have to remain in the examination hall for all three sessions.

Since the examination took place in February, when the weather was frigid, the first session was held from the ninth to the eleventh, followed by a day of rest on the twelfth.

The second session began on the thirteenth, with another rest day on the sixteenth, before the third session commenced on the seventeenth.

The selection process for the Metropolitan Examination was distinctive, divided into the main list and the secondary roster.

Those on the main list were considered provisional jinshi.

As long as they participated in the Palace Examination without major mistakes, they would generally become full jinshi or associate jinshi.

Candidates on the secondary roster, though less outstanding than those on the main list, were ineligible for the jinshi title nor could they participate in the Palace Examination. However, they could still be appointed to government posts. Some could even enter the National Academy for advanced studies.

On the morning of the ninth, Yun Zhangxie, led by his academy tutor, presented himself early at the examination compound’s entrance.

He took his place in the second line and, while listening to his classmates’ chatter, caught sight of Yun Zhangmu in the first line.

Yun Zhangmu studied at the same academy as him, and as cousins, they should have been quite familiar with each other.

Yet, despite being classmates for nearly three years, they had hardly spoken.

Compared to his cousin Yun Zhangmu, Yun Zhangxie was actually closer with other classmates.

One of them noticed Yun Zhangmu deliberately ignoring Yun Zhangxie and couldn’t help but exclaim indignantly, "Your cousin really is so full of himself—every time he sees you, he acts like he doesn't see you."

Another added, "Exactly! He’s been studying at the academy for almost seven or eight years and is still just a Provincial Scholar. What’s there to be so proud of?"

Yun Zhangxie, despite his poor health and having attended the academy for less than three years, had already become a Provincial Scholar.

Yet he never put on airs. He remained courteous to everyone and never disparaged others for their backgrounds.

Coupled with his good looks, Yun Zhangxie was quite popular in the academy.

Yun Zhangmu, on the other hand, associated only with scions of noble families, disdaining merchants and scholars from humble backgrounds. His demeanor was always aloof, his words sharp—he paled in comparison to Yun Zhangxie. It was unclear what gave him such pride.

Yun Zhangxie declined to join their criticism—a gentleman shouldn't speak ill of others behind their backs. But since they had spoken up for his sake, he could hardly chastise them either.

Instead, he changed the subject to the exceptionally bitter cold weather.

"Today is especially chilly. Both of you must remember to keep warm during the examination—don’t let yourselves catch a cold."

The two agreed, one involuntarily hunching against the cold.

"We’ll be careful. Don’t worry about us—you’re the one with poor health. You should mind your own health."

They didn’t chat much longer, as candidates soon began entering the examination hall.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Su Qingruo sat by the window, holding Fu Shun in her arms, gazing absently.

She had risen early when Yun Zhangxie left, meaning to escort him to the examination hall.

But Yun Zhangxie had insisted that this was just testing the waters for him—if she personally saw him off, he would feel unnecessary pressure.

After some consideration, Su Qingruo thought better of it.

After all, Yun Zhangxie had his attendant accompanying him, and there were so many tutors and classmates at the academy. A grown man like him would be fine.

Moreover, Yun Zhangxie felt that sending him off would stress him out, so not going would take some weight off his shoulders.

After Yun Zhangxie left, Su Qingruo couldn’t fall back asleep.

The child had been taken away by Tian Sang, and with nothing else to do, he simply sat holding the cat, lost in thought.

Over the past two years, Fu Shun had aged quite a bit and wasn’t as keen on going outside anymore.

It’s said that cats can live up to fifteen years or so.

This cat of theirs was already quite old when it first came to their home, and several more years had passed since then. There was no telling how old it was now.

The mountain sparrows Yun Zhangxie had raised were all gone. Su Qingruo figured they must have died long ago.

Birds have short lifespans, and cats don’t live very long either.

If Yun Zhangxie ever wanted to keep little animals again in the future, Su Qingruo would have him choose ones with longer lifespans. That way, once they grew attached, they wouldn’t have to watch them pass away.

At daybreak, Su Qingruo got up and went to the kitchen to warm goat milk for the child.

Men of his kind couldn’t nurse, so when they had children, they usually bought a lactating goat. Those from wealthier families might even splurge on a rare dairy cow.

The eldest branch of the Yun family had just had a grandson, and Vice Minister Yun had bought plenty of supplies for the baby.

Shortly after, Su Qingruo’s child was born, so they didn’t need to buy any more.

Since the eldest branch’s child couldn’t possibly drink all that milk, they sent some over to them.

Their little male carrier disliked cow’s milk and only drank goat’s milk.

Yun Zhangxie, worried about bacteria in the goat milk, even rigged up a homemade filter to kill germs.

The rest of the Yun family had no clue what he was up to, but they always went along with his ideas.

If Yun Zhangxie said it was good for the child, no matter how much hassle, they were willing to help.

While busy with these tasks, Su Qingruo noticed his health had improved significantly compared to before.

In the past, when the weather turned cold, his hands, feet, face, and ears would get frostbite at the drop of a hat.

Even after they had servants to take care of him and he no longer needed to work in the cold, his hands would still often puff up from the cold.

But this winter, not only had his chilblains not returned, the cold didn’t bite as deep as before.

Strangely enough, even though they had moved to the capital—where winters were harsher than in Qiuping County—he had found it bone-chilling the first couple of years.

This year, somehow, it didn’t feel as unbearable?

As he pondered this, Su Qingruo wondered if his little male carrier might be his good luck charm. Otherwise, why else would his health have improved so dramatically?