Before long, the day to attend the academy arrived. Classes began at the chen hour, eight in the morning, and ended at three in the afternoon, after which students could choose to stay for self-study. Some students felt that the long journey back and forth wasted time, so they paid to live in the dormitories.
Rong Zheng had no such plans. He believed walking every day strengthened the body. As the saying went, life lay in exercise, and the body was the foundation of the revolution. Only a healthy physique could support the demands of intensive study!
...Bullshit. He just wanted to see his beloved husband every day.
He got up early to fetch water and water the vegetables. Xiao Chen no longer needed to fetch water lately; Rong Zheng had begun teaching him basic swordsmanship movements, though for now, Xiao Chen used a branch instead of a sword.
When he returned from the fields, his husband had already prepared breakfast. After eating, Rong Zheng went into their room to change.
When Ye Yun came in from outside, he saw the belt still lying on the table, untied. He walked over and picked it up, reached around Rong Zheng's waist, and carefully fastened it for him. His nimble fingers tied the knot, then he gently smoothed the creases from the clothes and straightened the sleeves.
My husband is going to study at the academy today. He needs to be properly dressed!
Ye Yun only reached Rong Zheng's mouth in height. His eyes were lowered now, his long lashes hiding them as he focused on arranging Rong Zheng's clothes. His movements were natural... as if. Rong Zheng had already spotted his husband's bright red ears.
It was Rong Zheng's first time having someone help him dress, and a smile welled up from his heart, spreading across his handsome face. He obligingly spread his arms to make things easier for his husband.
It was his husband's first time dressing someone else, so some awkwardness was inevitable, but he worked attentively, the very picture of a devoted spouse.
Rong Zheng's heart tickled, as though a kitten were gently plucking at his heartstrings with its soft paws, leaving him utterly smitten. He bent toward his husband's scarlet ear and nibbled it, reached out to rub his neck, then let go and whispered tenderly, "Thank you for straightening my clothes, my husband."
The sensations against his ear and neck were so distinct, especially with that low, alluring voice sounding beside his ear. For an instant, Ye Yun shuddered, then tingles spread through his entire body. He did not even dare look up.
It took quite a while before Rong Zheng's clothes were finally in perfect order. He said goodbye to his husband and set off for the academy.
An ordinary person would need nearly two hours on foot, but with his martial arts training, lightness skill combined with brisk walking got him there in less than an hour.
Quite a few scholars were already scattered around the classroom. Rong Zheng was looking for an empty seat when a voice called out:
"Brother Rong, over here! Sit with me."
It was Huang Yi, the young gentleman he had met when selling the wolves last time. Seated toward the back, he waved enthusiastically at Rong Zheng.
Once Rong Zheng walked over and sat down, Huang Yi began talking nonstop:
"Classes started over three months ago. Why are you only coming now?"
"I had matters at home to deal with, so I could only come now."
"We really are fated to meet. By the way, are you sitting the preliminary examinations next year?"
"Yes."
"That's wonderful! We can act as mutual guarantors!"
"Sure."
Huang Yi was a chatterbox, chattering away without pause.
Rong Zheng had a very good impression of Huang Yi. He was an optimistic, cheerful young man, and extremely friendly. With such an entertaining classmate around, his days of studying would not be too dull!
Speaking of "acting as mutual guarantors," there were three necessary steps before the tongsheng examinations.
The first was "local sponsorship." The village chief and neighbors vouched for the candidate, confirming the accuracy of his personal information, including his age, native place, physical characteristics, and the backgrounds of three generations of his family.
For the second step, a candidate needed to find four others taking the examinations with him, forming a group of five to act as mutual guarantors. This step further strengthened the guarantor system, preventing candidates from colluding with their fellow villagers and neighbors to cheat.
The five had to guarantee that none of them had falsely claimed a native place, concealed a mourning period, impersonated someone else, or had an unclear family background, among other issues. If any one person's information proved false, all five would be barred from the examinations. If anyone cheated during the examinations, all five would be held jointly responsible.
For the final step, the candidate needed to find a stipend student from his county. Stipend students were top-ranking xiucai who received a monthly government grain allowance; in this dynasty, the county's top five could attain that status. The restrictions had now been relaxed: anyone unable to find a stipend student could have a teacher from his academy vouch that all the information he provided was true. Only then would he qualify to take the examinations.
Just then, Teacher Zhao entered the classroom, and everyone immediately fell silent.
"As the saying goes, reviewing the old brings new understanding. Before the lecture, I will call on someone to recite. Stand when you hear your name."
Standing at the lectern, he surveyed the room. Noticing that Rong Zheng had come to class, his gaze paused briefly.
Don't call on me. Don't call on me. Huang Yi's scalp prickled. He had been so busy playing yesterday that he had forgotten to memorize his text. Noticing the teacher's gaze resting on his seat, he was terrified, his scalp tingling, afraid his name would be called. He nervously closed his eyes and began praying under his breath...
Seeing his resistance, Rong Zheng was inwardly amused. This fellow really was a character.
"Rong Zheng, recite the Amplified Instructions on the Sacred Edict."
Hearing Teacher Zhao call Rong Zheng's name, Huang Yi raised a hand to wipe nonexistent sweat from his forehead and let out a soft breath. Teacher Zhao only tested one person's recitation each day. He had scraped through today.
Rong Zheng stood calmly. His pace was even and his pronunciation precise, not a single word omitted. The words flowed smoothly, without the slightest hesitation.
He set himself a daily study plan, including copying texts, memorization, reading poetry, and essay writing. As the Amplified Instructions on the Sacred Edict was compulsory material for the second session of the county examinations, he had devoted particular attention to memorizing it many times and already knew it by heart.
"Very well recited, but understanding is the key. Explain your views."
Study required thought and understanding; rote memorization alone was inadvisable. Rong Zheng naturally understood this and had paid particular attention to it while studying, so he answered with ease!
Once Rong Zheng finished, Teacher Zhao was extremely satisfied. It seemed that although Rong Zheng had missed the first three months of classes, he had not slacked off. The lad was worth teaching!
"A thorough understanding. Sit down." He surveyed the room and said, "Today, we will analyze this passage from the classics."
During the midday break, Rong Zheng took a policy essay he had written recently and respectfully asked Teacher Zhao for guidance.
Teacher Zhao was stern, but quite patient with those eager to learn. He accepted Rong Zheng's essay, glanced at it, and was astonished:
"Your handwriting has completely changed! Strong and vigorous, yet flowing and lively-it has quite the air of a master's work!"
"After my repeated failures in the preliminary examinations three years ago, I reflected painfully on my mistakes. My first resolve was to practice calligraphy, and I studied quite a few famous masters' copybooks."
"Excellent. This beautiful handwriting alone tells me that you have not neglected your studies and have been most diligent."
Changing his former style and developing handwriting comparable to a master's was no overnight task; it took years of effort. It seemed Rong Zheng was extremely determined to earn tongsheng status this time! So Teacher Zhao thought... but he was overthinking it. That fine handwriting was actually thanks to the foundation Rong Zheng had built through childhood practice before transmigrating. That was how he had developed a style that both suited this dynasty's mainstream tastes and retained his own character in around three months.
Teacher Zhao began reading closely, his heart filling with astonishment. "This is very well written. Broad thinking, a clear central argument, and sound analysis. But there is one small flaw here." He pointed to a passage. "This example is not representative enough. Your analysis needs to stay closely tied to current circumstances."
With Teacher Zhao's guidance, Rong Zheng realized that his thinking unconsciously leaned toward the modern era when he wrote. He had not focused on this dynasty's current affairs and political style, leaving the examples he analyzed insufficiently compelling.
Different dynasties could implement vastly different policies and principles. Coming to the academy had been the right choice. Only with a teacher pointing out his shortcomings could he clearly recognize his weaknesses and remedy them quickly.
There was less than half a year until the examinations. He needed to spend his time where it mattered most.
Rong Zheng thanked the teacher for his guidance and humbly accepted his instruction.
Seeing his respectful attitude, Teacher Zhao continued, "Overall, your policy essay analyzes the subject from a unique perspective and follows rigorous logic. That is very rare. Going forward, focus on current affairs. Only then will representative examples come readily to hand."
Afterward, Rong Zheng also asked about the classics, poetry, and rhapsodies.
Teacher Zhao explained everything carefully. As they discussed, he regarded Rong Zheng with increasing respect, feeling as though he had become a different person. It seems that in the three years since the upheaval in his family, this young man has matured considerably. The depth of his thinking is nothing like it was before.
...Please trust that feeling.
Finally, he said earnestly:
"Rong Zheng, you have changed a great deal. Three years ago, you were taciturn, somewhat proud at heart, and lacked depth in your scholarship. Now, your improvement is clear. Prepare well for the examinations. Your chances are very good this year."
"Thank you for your praise, Teacher. I will certainly work hard."