Chapter 2178: The End of the Spring Emperial Exam (Patreon)
Content
Chapter 2178: The End of the Spring Emperial Exam
Shu Yu was already not far from the gates of the Spring Emperial Examination Hall, so she naturally moved forward.
In the previous two rounds, Meng Yunzheng had always been the first to come out. However, this time, there was no sign of him. Instead, a middle-aged man was the first to emerge.
Shu Yu was somewhat worried, and Zhao Xi furrowed his brows. "Could something have happened on the last day?"
He knew the young man's temperament well; after finishing the exam, he would rush out to see Shu Yu without delay. Now, it had been a quarter of an hour since the exam ended.
Shu Yu looked around and finally spotted a figure that seemed vaguely familiar, someone from the Changjin Prefecture who she had seen before.
She hurriedly approached him and asked, "Sir, have you seen Meng Yunzheng?"
The man stumbled forward as if his legs were weak, thinking that it was his servant calling out to him. His legs gave way, and he almost fell to the ground.
Fortunately, Zhao Xi, with keen eyes and quick reflexes, caught him. He checked the man's pulse and confirmed that he was just physically exhausted. He promptly gave him a sip of warm water.
The candidate realized who was in front of him after drinking water and being supported. His voice was hoarse as he replied, "Oh, right, you're County Princess Wen'an. You're looking for Brother Meng, right?"
"Yes, I haven't seen him come out."
The candidate waved his hand dismissively. "It's nothing. After Brother Xun finished the exam and walked halfway, he suddenly fainted. Brother Meng is taking care of him, and he should be out soon."
Shu Yu breathed a sigh of relief and left the candidate in the care of Meng Yunzheng's servants before continuing to wait quietly.
One by one, the candidates gradually came out of the Provincial Examination Hall. It was only then that Shu Yu finally saw Meng Yunzheng, who was carrying Xun Sheng on his back.
They hurried over, and Zhao Xi naturally took over Xun Sheng's care. After a quick examination and a wave of his hand, he said to Xun Sheng's servants who had also arrived, "It's fine; he was just too tense. Now that the exam is over, and he suddenly relaxed, he fainted. Take him back and let him rest. After he wakes up, have him eat some easily digestible food."
"Thank you, Doctor Zhao. Thank you."
The servants of the Xun family thanked Zhao Xi and quickly took their master back to the inn where they were staying.
On Shu Yu's side, she helped Meng Yunzheng onto the carriage, and they headed straight for the small courtyard in the southern part of the city.
Meng Yunzheng's condition was similar to the previous two times; it was as if he had been reborn and was full of vitality after resting for a night, just like the first day he entered the examination room.
Now that the exams were over, everyone finally asked him about his exam experience.
Meng Yunzheng replied calmly, "I think it went fine."
As for the rest, he couldn't say for sure. After all, the examiners had their preferences, and if they happened to encounter someone who didn't like the type of essays he wrote, there was nothing he could do.
When they returned home, Shu Yu and the others had prepared a table of delicious food to reward him.
Sitting in a chair after changing his clothes, Meng Yunzheng closed his eyes and sighed, "It's so comfortable at home."
Zhao Xi, who was helping his son put on a bib while wrestling with a chicken leg, laughed, "Of course, your exam room was so cramped; you couldn't even stretch your legs."
Shu Yu added, "Now it's finally over, and only the palace exam is left. It's a one-day exam, so you won't have to work so hard."
Zhao Xi wanted to tease her. For everyone else, wouldn't the palace exam be even more stressful? Except for Meng Yunzheng, who had known the current emperor since they were young and remained calm in front of him, the others would likely feel even more pressured.
As they were enjoying themselves, a knocking sound suddenly came from outside. "Young Master Meng, I've brought someone for you."