Joining the College Entrance Exam Cram Class
"Get up. Sit here." Madam Cui walked to the main seat for the guests and sat down, then asked Xu Xi, "How did you discuss my suggestion with your elders the other day?"
"I only managed to tell them last night because of some family matters. My elders are very supportive of my taking the imperial examinations," Xu Xi said.
Upon hearing this, Madam Cui's serious face broke into a smile, and she said Gao Xing, "That's good, that's good."
"However, I still stick to my original idea: I want to study the other subjects that interest me with my classmates. As for the imperial examinations, I will definitely complete the assignments given to me by the teachers and strive to take the exams next spring."
Seeing that Teacher Cui's smile faded and he seemed about to object, Xu Xi quickly said, "Please allow me to try for a month. If I fail to meet your expectations and requirements in the study of the Four Books and Five Classics within this month, I will stop all other studies and focus solely on the imperial examinations."
Seeing the unwavering determination in Xu Xi's eyes, Madam Cui had no choice but to nod helplessly.
She had spent many years in the Women's Academy, and whether it was a wealthy family or an ordinary household, the education of girls required chastity and obedience. This was the first time she had met someone like Xu Xi who had her own ideas and opinions.
"Then let's set a timeframe of one month. There are five other people taking the imperial examination with you, but they will all drop out of their other classes to focus solely on the exam. You were originally the top student among the six. I won't make any overly demanding requests of you; as long as you can rank in the top three among the six, you can continue with your other classes."
"It's a deal," Xu Xi said Gao Xing.
Madam Cui stood up, picked up a stack of books from the table, and placed them in front of Xu Xi: "These books are provided free of charge by the academy. If you have any other difficulties with expenses, please feel free to ask."
"Thank you, Master." Xu Xi rose and bowed, then shook his head. "It's not difficult at all."
"From today onwards, the six of you will have separate classes. The location is nearby; I'll take you there." Madam Cui stood up.
Xu Xi quickly picked up the stack of books and followed Madam Cui.
Following Madam Cui out the door and turning left, they walked along the corridor for several dozen steps before exiting and entering a small courtyard.
Although it's called a small courtyard, it's much larger than the Tea Tasting Residence where Xu Xi lived in the Marquis of Huanping's Residence. At first glance, each row of rooms is as big as three modern classrooms. There are nine classrooms in total, in three rows on the east, west, and south sides.
Xu Xi would occasionally bring some snacks for the old women guarding the gate and enjoyed chatting with them. In just a few days after entering the Women's Academy, she had already learned about the general situation of the academy.
The classrooms for the four classes of this academy were all built around the courtyard where Madam Cui and the others lived. The three teachers' courtyards were arranged in a triangular shape. The one in the middle was a separate place for Grand Princess Shangde to rest, called the South Courtyard. The other two were used by Madam Cui, Madam Zhang, Madam Chen, and other teachers who managed the academy's affairs and taught the Four Books and Five Classics, called the East Courtyard; and the other was used by female teachers like Madam Xiao who taught music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, called the West Courtyard.
As for the male teachers like Kang Shilin, they rested in another courtyard near the main gate, which was part of the outer courtyard. Because many bamboo trees were planted nearby, the courtyard was called the Green Bamboo Courtyard.
"This additional courtyard was built specifically for students taking the imperial examinations; we call it the North Academy. Not only the six of you will be attending classes here, but also a dozen or so students from Classes A, B, and Class Bing. However, once you're here, you won't be in your original classes anymore; instead, you'll be assigned to classes based on how quickly you've mastered the Four Books and Five Classics. We'll have an exam every month, and all four classes will use the same set of questions. The group with the best results will be Class Jia, with Classes B, C, and D following in order."
Xu Xi mentally calmed the system that was about to pop up and asked Teacher Cui, "What ranking is needed to get into Class Jia?"
"Class assignments will not be based on ranking, but solely on ability. We will have experienced examiners to evaluate you. If they deem that all of you have a good grasp of the Four Books and Five Classics and meet the standard for taking the exam, then Class Ding can be eliminated, and you will all be placed in Class Jia."
"Host, keep it up! With your intelligence, as long as you work hard, you'll be in Class Jia soon, and the opportunity to get a high score is right in front of you. Keep it up, keep it up, keep it up!" The system was in high spirits, as if it were on drugs.
Xu Xi didn't stop it, because she was also looking forward to it.
She had always been a top student and had high aspirations. Now that she was in ancient times and preparing to take the imperial examinations, she couldn't allow herself to fail to pass the lowest level (xiucai) even after several years of trying. That would be too embarrassing for a time traveler and would tarnish her reputation as a top student.
Okay, let's set a small goal first. It's already late July, and there are only four days left until the end of the month, so it's probably too late. Let's try to get into Class Jia in next month's monthly exam. Class Jia is like a college entrance exam preparation class, with several months of intensive study to pass the exam and become a scholar next year. That's her short-term goal.
Madam Cui, who was still explaining the situation to Xu Xi, was unaware of her thoughts. If she had known, she would have definitely wanted to beat her to death.
In ancient times, countless male scholars began their studies at the age of seven or eight. If they could pass the imperial examinations at seventeen or eighteen, they would be considered child prodigies with bright futures. Even if we deduct the two or three years spent learning the Three Character Classic, the Hundred Family Surnames, and the Thousand Character Classic to build a foundation, they still immersed themselves in the Four Books and Five Classics for at least ten years. You, a little girl, think you can catch up with them in just a few months? That's utterly arrogant and conceited.
"The regular classes are specially scheduled with the Four Books and Five Classics in the morning and the arts (music, chess, calligraphy, and painting) in the afternoon; the teachers here give lessons in the morning, and you can study, review, and practice calligraphy on your own in the afternoon. So it doesn't conflict for you to have classes here in the morning and there in the afternoon. Now you don't need to go over there anymore; I'll just let the teachers there know," said Madam Cui.
"I have a younger sister over there, and she'll definitely worry about me if I don't go. I'll go over and say hello to her before coming back."
"That's fine."
After giving her instructions, Madam Cui led the old woman back home. Xu Xi, on the other hand, stayed in the classroom of Class Ding.
Besides the desks and chairs used by the teachers, there were only ten sets of desks and chairs for the students in the classroom. Xu Xi casually found a desk and chair, took out his pen and ink, and prepared to practice calligraphy to improve his grades. Meanwhile, students from other classes next door had already arrived.
The elite class is really different; everyone studies very hard.
With that thought in mind, Xu Xi ignored what was happening outside, ground the ink, and began practicing calligraphy.
However, after writing only five words, she suddenly heard the system announce, "Congratulations, host, your Wisdom Points has increased by 100."
Xu Xi was startled and almost wrote the character she was writing crookedly.