The prefectural examination

April arrived in the blink of an eye, and Rong Zheng set out for the prefectural seat to take the prefectural examination.

The examination was presided over by the prefect, roughly the equivalent of a modern mayor serving as chief examiner. The questions and format were the same as those of the county examination, only more difficult.

At the beginning of the hour of the Rabbit, a pale, fish-belly white had just appeared on the horizon, and the examination compound's gates slowly opened in the dawn light.

When Rong Zheng reached the entrance, a burly guard with a broad saber at his waist stepped forward and subjected him to another, more thorough body search. The guard's movements were rough, his gaze sharp as an eagle's, conveying an unquestionable authority.

Just then, a startled cry suddenly came from nearby, breaking the quiet outside the examination grounds. A guard conducting a body search on the other side had brought his blade down and sliced off the hem of a candidate's robe.

Next, the guard deftly slit open the seam, revealing a tiny sheet of paper concealed inside, densely covered in writing. The cheat sheet fluttered to the ground as the guard worked.

The candidate who had been caught instantly turned deathly pale. His eyes widened in terror, his legs gave way, and he dropped straight to his knees, begging for mercy over and over.

The guard, however, remained completely unmoved. He called over two colleagues and announced coldly, "This man concealed materials for cheating on his person. Drag him away and deal with him immediately."

The two guards stepped forward, clapped the candidate in shackles without allowing a word of protest, and escorted him out of the examination grounds. The entire process was swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

As for what punishment awaited that candidate, no one present knew.

At the sight, the candidates waiting in line behind him turned pale or solemn, and fear even flickered in some of their eyes.

Rong Zheng marveled inwardly. Judging by this zero-tolerance attitude toward cheating, the current court certainly attaches great importance to the fairness and integrity of the imperial examinations.

"The inspection is complete. You may enter," said the guard searching Rong Zheng.

Rong Zheng quickly straightened his clothes and strode into the examination grounds.

A young boy carrying a lantern immediately came forward and led Rong Zheng farther inside.

Rong Zheng surveyed his surroundings as he walked. The grounds were vast, with rows of examination cells lining both sides of the cobblestone paths. Walls separated the cells, much like modern cubicles, keeping each candidate apart in a space of his own to ensure privacy and independence during the examination.

Compared with the county examination venue, which had merely provided tables and chairs in a large hall, some of them uneven... this examination compound was more than a level above it in terms of facilities, with a very orderly layout.

After leading Rong Zheng to the cell indicated on his examination permit, the lantern-carrying boy left.

Rong Zheng entered the cell. Inside was a simple writing board, already set with brushes, ink, special paper, and other examination supplies. A rather thin quilt lay behind it. Everything was provided by the examination compound; this time, nothing except the examination permit could be brought inside.

He touched the quilt. It was a little damp. Sigh, it's only early April, and the nights are quite cold. With this lousy quilt, it would be all too easy to catch a chill.

Without a healthy body, one really could not even take the imperial examinations...

The prefectural examination consisted of three sessions: passage recall, miscellaneous composition, and policy essays. The content centered on the Four Books and Five Classics. The first two sessions each lasted one day, while the third ran for two consecutive days.

For those four days, the candidates had to remain in their cells. They were allowed three breaks each examination day, and someone would deliver meals and clean water. If they needed to use the latrine, designated examination staff would guide and watch them.

Rong Zheng felt rather dismayed. Frankly, the cell was terribly crude, and the sleeping space looked unbearably narrow. At 1.9 meters tall, he would have to curl up inside.

And with no bathing for several days, the examination grounds would soon be fragrant with unpleasant odors.

Clang, clang, clang~ Clang, clang, clang~

With the sounding of the bronze gong, the examination officially began. Rong Zheng steadied his mind and breathing, studied the questions in thought for a long while, then dipped his brush in ink and bent over his work.

At last, he made it to the afternoon of the fourth day. "Whew~" Rong Zheng let out a breath. He was finished. He had been in even better form than during the county examination, and his answers had flowed smoothly.

He lowered his head to check his papers, then, after confirming there were no mistakes, pulled the little bell beside him, ready to hand them in.

After a while, two people carrying a box came up to Rong Zheng and collected his papers. They inspected everything on the desk, then took it all away.

When he emerged from the examination grounds, Rong Zheng knew he must look considerably more haggard, even without a mirror. In such a cramped compartment, he could not even straighten his legs, making a good night's sleep difficult.

Without a healthy body, one really could not compete.

The other candidates gradually came out as well.

"That cell was far too cramped! Sleeping in it left my back and waist aching!"

"You were taking an examination, and you were still expecting comfort?"

"Brother Li, how did you write your final policy essay? Toward the end, I realized I'd gone off topic!"

"Ah, the prefectural examination was much harder than the county examination. I almost couldn't finish."

"Same here. I hurriedly wrapped things up just before time ran out."

"I'll probably have to come back next year."

Rong Zheng did not join the discussion. He remained confident about this examination. The prefectural examination was still among the lowest-tier examinations in the imperial examination system. If he could not even handle this, he might as well give up pursuing that path altogether.

After the group returned to the inn, rested, and ate, Fang Zihao offered a rather tempting suggestion with a somewhat rakish smile:

"Brothers, why don't we take this opportunity to experience the splendor of the prefectural city's pleasure houses? I hear both the scenery and the beauties there far surpass those in our little town. They're ideal places for men of letters to seek pleasure and stir their inspiration."

At this, a flicker of excitement crossed Chen Yujie's eyes, and he nodded in agreement, clearly quite tempted by the suggestion.

Even Mu Han, who was usually quiet and sparing with words, showed a rare trace of hesitation and curiosity.

Huang Yi, however, looked troubled. His father had forbidden him from visiting places of pleasure until he qualified as a licentiate, threatening to break his legs otherwise.

Rong Zheng shook his head and declined. "I already have a husband at home, so I won't be going."

Fang Zihao tried to persuade Rong Zheng to join them. "If we don't say anything, how would your husband ever know? Besides, men of letters have always been romantic libertines."

Rong Zheng merely smiled faintly and politely declined again, then turned toward his room.

Since he had chosen someone to share his life with, he had to remain faithful. That was his principle. If his husband learned of it one day, he would inevitably feel hurt, and Rong Zheng did not want something like this to drive a wedge between them.

Huang Yi, who had been wavering, no longer wanted to go either when he saw Rong Zheng refuse. He caught up with him and sighed. "It seems I'm not enough of a romantic libertine to be a man of letters! I wonder if they'll laugh at the two of us."

Rong Zheng said, "In my view, a scholar's romantic spirit is never displayed in places of pleasure, but in his writing, in the talent that shines through his words."

After hearing this, Huang Yi pondered for a long time. He felt that Rong Zheng's disposition was unlike that of anyone else he had known.