met free Chapter 312 Do You Know? Lin Yitang 26
Chapter 312 Do You Know? Lin Yitang 26
In the sixth year of the Qingli reign, as the only pregnant Consort Rong, the Emperor generously promoted her to the rank of Zhaoyi. Although it was a promotion at the same level, Zhaoyi was the head of the Nine Consorts.
Lady Rong was beaming with pride. As long as she gave birth to a prince, she would surely be promoted to the rank of imperial concubine. The entire court and the harem were eagerly anticipating Lady Rong's pregnancy.
Lin Jingya and the Bai family moved to Bianjing and bought a three-courtyard house at the intersection of the merchant and official residential areas. At the beginning of the year, Lin Jingya sent her a letter saying that he would take the imperial examination this year and was currently preparing for it with all his might.
Seeing that Lin Jingya already understood the situation, Lin Yitang felt much better. She decided it would be safer to wait until someone with influence in the court was pregnant.
Moreover, her younger brother is not married yet. If she were to marry a woman from a scholarly family, her influence would increase even further. Of course, it would be better if her younger brother liked her.
At the end of February in the sixth year of the Qingli era, the spring breeze was slightly cool, and the spring rain was falling silently. Today was the triennial imperial examination.
With great anticipation, many students came to Bianjing to participate in the imperial examinations, hoping to pass the exams, become officials, enjoy wealth and honor, and leave their names in history.
Before dawn, the Bai residence was bustling with activity. The faint sound of Madam Bai scolding the servants could be heard as the servants came and went, all preparing for the day.
After Lin Jingya finished getting ready, his servant Mo Qing, carrying the examination supplies that had been prepared in advance, slowly walked to Master Bai's courtyard.
Mr. and Mrs. Bai were already waiting for Lin Jingya. Upon seeing Lin Jingya, Mrs. Bai stood up and asked with concern, "Jingya, are all the things prepared? Mama Yue, are you all ready?"
Lin Jingya listened attentively to Madam Bai's concern. In his heart, Madam Bai was his own mother. When he saw that Mother Yue was about to step forward to check again, Lin Jingya interrupted, "Mother, everything is prepared. I have already checked it five times."
"That won't do. We need to check it carefully again. This is a major event for the Bai family!" Madam Bai said, both nervous and excited.
Taking the opportunity, Master Bai said, "Alright, Madam, it's getting late, we need to set off."
Master Bai and Madam Bai accompanied Lin Jingya to the examination hall. Madam Bai and Master Bai rode in one carriage, while Lin Jingya rode alone. The entire route was filled with horse-drawn carriages, which slowed things down considerably.
As they approached the examination venue, the number of people and carriages increased. There was still some distance to the venue, and the coachman stopped the carriage, which remained stationary for a long time.
After waiting for a while, Lin Jingya asked, "What happened?"
The coachman said cautiously, "Young master, there are many carriages stopped ahead, blocking the road."
Lin Jingya had anticipated this, and said directly, "Okay, I'll get off here and walk to the examination hall."
After getting off the carriage, Mr. Bai and Mrs. Bai, who were in the carriage in front, followed. When Mr. Bai saw Lin Jingya, he went over and gently patted his shoulder without saying a word.
Madam Bai comforted him, "Jingya, don't be too nervous about the exam. Your mother knows your abilities and you will do well. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Lin Jingya nodded and took the basket from Mo Qing. Because the weather was still quite cool, Lin Jingya wore a cloak, which was specially made for him by Madam Bai.
Before entering the examination hall, the yamen runners at the gate checked him carefully. When it was Lin Jingya's turn, the yamen runners saw that he was well-fed, clothed and used, so they didn't make things difficult for him. It was just a pity that the steamed bun was cut into several pieces.
Upon entering the examination room, Lin Jingya found his seat according to the instructions; thankfully, it wasn't a bad number.
Not long after, the examination room door closed. It would not be reopened for nine days. Today's chief examiner led his men in, said a few words, and then quietly distributed the exam papers.