Chapter 2138: One Fried Dough Stick, Two Eggs (Patreon)

Chapter 2138: One Fried Dough Stick, Two Eggs

After this incident, the rumor about Meng Yunzheng and Shu Yu having a child out of wedlock was completely clarified.

Meng Yunzheng's name had left an indelible impression in the minds of the courtiers.

Shu Yu quickly learned about the incident in the court. The next day, she and Shu You and others went to visit the Yao family. They happened to meet Yao Tianqin returning from the court and explained the situation to them.

The Yao family found it quite puzzling and advised Shu Yu to talk to Meng Yunzheng when she returned home. They suggested that he not meet anyone and focus on preparing for the exam. She followed their advice.

As the date of the imperial examination approached, Shu Yu herself began to feel nervous.

On the day of the spring imperial examination, Shu Yu checked and rechecked the items she had prepared for Meng Yunzheng in the examination hall.

On the morning of the examination, before it was even light outside, Shu Yu woke up. She couldn't sleep and decided to get up, putting on clothes and heading to the kitchen.

Since she hadn't accompanied Meng Yunzheng during his previous exams, this was the first time she had prepared breakfast for him before an important exam.

Shu Yu didn't know what exactly to prepare, as she was unfamiliar with the customs. She prepared something simple, mainly focusing on ensuring it was filling.

She worked alone in the kitchen and didn't ask Ying Xi for help.

By the time she finished cooking, it was just starting to get light outside.

Meng Yunzheng woke up at some point and leaned against the doorway, watching her busy figure. His heart warmed at the sight.

When Shu Yu turned around and saw him smiling, she immediately said, "You're awake? Hurry up and wash up; we need to finish breakfast and head to the examination hall."

"Alright." Meng Yunzheng smiled and turned to wash his face.

When he returned to the hall after finishing his morning routine, he found a plate on the table—just one fried dough stick and two eggs?

Even though Meng Yunzheng was well-read, he couldn't understand why the food was arranged this way.

Shu Yu placed a bowl of porridge on the table and said, "This porridge is quite thick. I was worried that you might find it inconvenient to drink a watery one while taking the exam at the provincial examination hall."

However, she didn't want it to be too dry, causing him discomfort.

"Why are you still standing? Sit down." Shu Yu gestured for him to sit.

Meng Yunzheng sat down and then looked at her. "Does this fried dough stick and two eggs have any special meaning?"

Shu Yu hesitated and then awkwardly chuckled. "There's no special meaning; I just made them randomly."

Shu Yu didn't know the traditions and superstitions surrounding scholars and their exams, so she prepared breakfast based on her past experiences during school exams. Her parents used to prepare a fried dough stick and two eggs to symbolize a perfect score.

But now that she thought about it, there was no concept of a perfect score in this context.

However, since she had already prepared it, they might as well eat it.

Meng Yunzheng didn't press further and obediently ate the fried dough stick and eggs. The thick porridge also filled him up.

After he finished, Zhao Xi, who had arrived late with a yawn, said, "You guys are up so early."

"It's not early; the examination hall will open soon. We're leaving in fifteen minutes. If you want to join us, you'd better have your breakfast quickly," Shu Yu replied with a hint of annoyance, glancing at him. "We're leaving soon."