Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. It was Spring Festival again, and snow fell in Hangzhou. Thick snow blanketed the courtyard of Bai Residence, turning it into a beautiful world of silver.
Jiang Hao and Bai Suzhen sat in the pavilion admiring the snow. As for Xiao Qing, she had burrowed into the warm room to sleep.
"Wife, after the New Year, I plan to go to the capital," Jiang Hao said.
"What are you going to the capital for?"
"To take this year's Metropolitan Examination."
"I'll go with my husband."
The Metropolitan Examination was held in the second month, which was why it was called the Spring Examination. It took place at the examination compound in the capital, where candidates from across the country gathered. When Jiang Hao arrived in the capital, a convoy of carriages was waiting at the ferry crossing to receive him. The lavish procession drew countless curious glances.
Jiang Hao, Bai Suzhen, and Xiao Qing were brought to a grand residence. The steward said respectfully, "Mr. Xu, the Imperial Preceptor instructed that you stay in this residence during the examination period. If you have any other requests, please feel free to speak."
"It's fine. You may leave."
Xiao Qing looked around the grand residence and said with a smile, "Brother-in-law really has status. The moment he arrived in the capital, the Imperial Preceptor personally sent people to receive him and even arranged such a large residence for him."
Jiang Hao merely smiled without saying anything.
The Metropolitan Examination began and lasted three consecutive days. When the other candidates emerged, they all looked exhausted. For ordinary scholars, three days of examinations in the cold and hunger was absolutely miserable.
A few days later, the Metropolitan Examination results were announced. Xu Xian of