Chapter 69: Prefectural Examination

Chapter 69: The Prefectural Exam

The process of the prefectural exam was largely the same as the county exam, with the only difference being that the venue was somewhat better.

Early in the morning, the five of them rose like clockwork, washed up, ate breakfast outside, and then prepared to walk to the examination hall.

The prefectural exam was stricter in its checks than the county exam, but the group of five no longer needed to vouch for each other.

However, the requirements for the guarantor scholar were higher—they now needed a more formal guarantee from a local stipend scholar.

This wasn't something they had to worry about. After all, Teacher Zhang was a stipend scholar.

When the five arrived, many people were already waiting outside the examination hall, with soldiers keeping order.

Looking at the sky, they figured it'd be a while before the inspection and entry started.

"Brother Shen."

Gu Chaoning and the others looked over—and wouldn't you know it, it was Zhao Kangsheng.

Zhao Kangsheng was older than all five of them. Though he called Shen Zhenghao "Brother Shen," he was twenty-three, after all.

Standing in front of Gu Chaoning, he towered a full head over him.

Gu Chaoning tilted his head up to greet him, then subtly edged away.

The others weren't familiar with Zhao Kangsheng and just exchanged quick greetings.

Zhao Kangsheng didn't seem to notice that he'd barged in on them, and cheerfully greeted each of them in turn before chatting casually with Shen Zhenghao.

Before long, more soldiers and officials arrived—a clear sign that the inspections were about to start.

Gu Chaoning and the others waited outside, watching as the examinees ahead of them were led trembling into the room by soldiers, only to come out looking pale.

Perhaps because every examinee who entered that room came out looking so shaken, those who had been murmuring in conversation all fell silent, simply staring straight ahead.

"Ah, 'from plow to palace in a single day'—the inspections are strict, but they're for everyone's benefit. This is your first time taking the exam, so don't freak out. As long as you haven't concealed anything on you, the officials won't give you a hard time."

Perhaps noticing their uneasy expressions, Zhao Kangsheng leaned over and said quietly beside Gu Chaoning and the others.

Zhao Kangsheng looked like someone who'd been through it all, and with his friendly manner, Xu Huaisheng chatted with him a bit.

Gu Chaoning, however, wasn't in the mood to chat. He remembered what Qi Aliu had said and silently scanned the crowd of waiting scholars, looking for him.

He scanned them one by one—not a familiar face in sight.

Gu Chaoning: "..."

He'd said he was a scholar taking the exam—he really had been lying!

Gu Chaoning's expression twisted.

He had believed Qi Aliu because of that clueless rich-kid vibe he had, treating money like it grew on trees.

Besides that, Qi Aliu's behavior was a dead giveaway—though he wore coarse hemp clothing, the inner garment visible beneath was good-quality cotton. His disguise was simple, and because he wasn't wearing silk, the skin on his wrists had chafe marks from the rough hemp.

His hands were smooth and delicate, with only a few calluses on the fingers he used for writing.

As the Great Traitor, to think he himself could still be deceived—Gu Chaoning couldn't stand it.

Before he could think further, a sharp shout rang out up ahead.

"Put it down! Hold him down!"

Looking up, he saw a scholar in just his undershirt, the front of his robe half-open revealing part of his chest.

Two soldiers had his arms pinned, his expression frantic and defeated. After a beat, he let out a wail.

"Sir, I'm innocent! I'm innocent! I, I, I—"

Before the scholar could finish, one of the soldiers clapped a hand over his mouth.

They were clearly old pros at this. They quickly dragged the scholar away with his mouth covered, and the line went back to normal, as if nothing had just happened.

The difference was that everyone had gotten even quieter, and a few people were clearly nervous.

"These people really are something—knowing the inspections are strict, yet still trying to cheat the system."

Hearing Gu Rong's voice, Gu Chaoning turned to agree.

But before he could get the words out, Zhao Kangsheng cut in: "Ah, they're poor guys too. Given their age, they must be—"

"Brother Zhao, are those your friends? They seem to be looking for you." Gu Chaoning watched the two men ahead who kept glancing back as they neared the inspection point.

Zhao Kangsheng's words died in his throat. Seeing who it was, he gave a quick bow and left.

Watching his retreating figure, it suddenly hit Gu Chaoning. He lowered his head and dug through his examination basket.

An inconspicuous little paper ball, like the peanut kernels Yin Hongxue and Gu Muan had shelled, nestled right against the fluffy white bun beside it.

Gu Chaoning: "..."

Too crude. He couldn't even get mad—it was almost ridiculous.

Sensing someone looking his way, Gu Chaoning quickly grabbed the little peanut and pinched it between his fingers.

At the same time, he murmured to the other four: "Just to be safe, let's check our examination baskets again."

That made sense. Nobody thought twice about it.

Even those around them who noticed them checking their baskets checked their own without thinking.

The next moment, Gu Chaoning saw Gu Rong's and Shen Zhenghao's faces change.

Gu Chaoning clapped Shen Zhenghao on the shoulder. "Brother Shen, have a peanut."

Shen Zhenghao looked over in confusion, "Huh?"

Gu Chaoning's finger moved, and the little peanut pinched between his fingers flicked right into Shen Zhenghao's mouth.

Whoever caused it has to deal with it.

Shen Zhenghao immediately realized what was in his mouth.

He didn't dare make a sound or take it out. Along with whatever was in his own basket, he swallowed it with a "gulp."

The next moment, Gu Rong did the same, and a peanut appeared in his mouth as well.

"It's your turn! You're about to go in and you're still eating!"

An official came over and saw Gu Chaoning and the others still stuffing food into their mouths, and angrily yelled at them.

They looked over and saw that, sure enough, they were almost up for inspection.

Without wasting any more time, they hurried over.

The inspection processed thirty people at a time, split across five rooms, with six people checked simultaneously in each room.

After Gu Chaoning entered, he stripped off his clothes without a second thought, and an officer came over to inspect him.

Whether it was due to the cheater they'd just caught or because they were always this meticulous, Gu Chaoning kept his gaze lowered and his mind blank, just treated the hands on him like they weren't there, hoping the inspection would be over quickly.

After the inspection, it was time to draw for the examination cell.

This time, Gu Chaoning was lucky; his exam cell was in a clean spot with a roof that looked sturdy and safe.

Not having to deal with the open sky and blazing sun, Gu Chaoning felt a fresh surge of motivation for the exam.

After giving the exam cell a quick, cursory check, he packed up his things again and settled down to look at the exam questions.

The prefectural examination lasted much longer than the county examination, and he kept writing until the end of the Xu hour (around 9 PM), when he finally heard the closing gong.

It was pitch dark; even with all the lanterns lit in the compound, you couldn't make out anyone's face. After the gong sounded, only the sound of many footsteps could be heard.

It was the officers and officials coming to collect the exam papers.

After waiting about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Gu Chaoning finally left his cell, and outside the compound, Gu Rong and the others were already waiting not far from the entrance.

It was late, so after they met up, nobody was in the mood for small talk. Each ordered a bowl of noodles, and after eating, they returned to the small courtyard to wash up and sleep.

Every exam meant waiting outside starting at the Yin hour (around 3-5 AM), and after a full day of mental exertion, Gu Chaoning slept until the Si hour (around 9-11 AM) the next day.

Only after fully waking up did he hear arguing coming from the small courtyard.