The Imperial Examination System

The anger in Bai Peilan's eyes grew fiercer and fiercer. Just as she was about to lose her temper, Bai Mo hurried over and began kneading her shoulders, coaxing her. "That's all, really. He took the things and left. There's nothing going on between us."

Seeing her daughter trying so hard to please her, Bai Peilan knew she had always been incorrigibly reckless. The more she listened, the less willing she was to scold her.

She sighed deeply and said earnestly, "Ah, never mind. I thought you had truly made progress and wanted to study and better yourself. I was mistaken.

"Actually, as long as you like him, my child, even if he's a courtesan, I can find a way for him to stay by your side with a clean reputation. But a man on the courtesan register cannot sully our Bai family bloodline. He can only be a bedchamber attendant, and he must never have children. I hope you'll remember that."

Where did that come from? I already said there was nothing between us...

Seeing Bai Peilan looking disappointed in her for not striving to do better, Bai Mo hurriedly continued to placate her. "Mother, I really don't have any other intentions. Young Master Yunwu is extremely beautiful. Maybe I'm just friendlier to good-looking people. Don't read too much into it."

"Extremely beautiful?"

"Then..."

Before Bai Peilan could continue, Bai Mo hurriedly changed the subject.

"Mother, did you ask about the tutor like I asked you to? You know I can't read a single character. I have to start by learning to read."

Hearing that her daughter truly intended to study, Bai Peilan felt considerably reassured and spoke calmly. "I've been making plans for you these past two days. The autumn examinations are in two months, and this is the busiest time for academies everywhere. I'm afraid none of them will be able to take you."

"Why don't you start learning to read at home? I'll hire a tutor for you. As long as you're willing to settle down and study, with your natural intelligence, I doubt it would be hard for you to become the top scholar someday. Hahaha."

"Hehe." Bai Mo chuckled awkwardly. With the original owner's pig brain? Top scholar? I'd better go to bed early tonight...

Anything is possible in a dream!!

"Yes. Sorry for the trouble, Mother. I'll be sure to study hard."

"Just wait, my child. I'll find a way to bring you a tutor in the next day or two."

The maids began bringing out the meal one after another. Once mother and daughter were seated,

Bai Mo asked, "Mother, could you give me a brief explanation of our dynasty's imperial examination system and when the exams are held?"

Bai Peilan picked up her wine cup and took a small sip, then explained everything to her daughter in detail.

"After the empress ascended the throne, our dynasty's imperial examination system changed greatly. The struggle for the throne had been so fierce that various factions stood behind each imperial princess, and talented people from all walks of life had pledged themselves to them.

"New emperor, new ministers. As a result, our dynasty lost a great many talented people. The empress also didn't want to remain constrained by the noble families, so she set out to cultivate children from humble backgrounds. She changed the examinations from once every three years to once every two, with the autumn examinations held in the sixth or seventh month of the examination year.

"The empress feared provoking the noble families' fury, so she gave them a slap and then a sweet date. Any woman born into a noble family who was under eighteen could be exempted from the preliminary examination and take the academy examination directly to become a xiucai, provided she was recommended by a juren or a fourth-rank official.

"Only after obtaining the xiucai degree could she take the provincial examination the following year to become a juren.

"After that comes the metropolitan examination, to become a gongsheng or jinshi. Noblewomen whose metropolitan examination rankings did not qualify them for the palace examination could still enter it if they were under twenty-five and recommended by three jinshi."

Bai Peilan set down her wine cup and looked at the pensive Bai Mo.

"Did you understand, my child? It's all right if you didn't. When the time comes, I'll accompany you every step of the way, so there's no need to worry. After all, I'm a jinshi myself. My abilities may be ordinary, but I can still guide you part of the way."

Bai Peilan looked at Bai Mo, her face full of a mother's kindness.

Bai Mo immediately smiled back, showing a mouthful of white teeth.

"Mother, I understand. There's an academy examination in two months too, right? If you recommend me, can I take it?"

The question took Bai Peilan aback. She shook her head. "The autumn examination in two months is the provincial examination. The academy examination is in one month."

"Oh, I see. Mother, eat up."

Bai Mo eagerly put several helpings of food into Bai Peilan's bowl, then happily tucked into her own meal.

Seeing how happily her daughter was eating, Bai Peilan refrained from discouraging her. Who could study for one month and pass the xiucai examination? No matter how clever her daughter was, she would have to wait until the next one. So Bai Peilan said no more.

Bai Peilan changed the subject and began chatting about household matters. Though it was all idle talk, Bai Mo could hear her fondness for Madam Chen and her concern for Bai Yuanshuang in her tone.

Are they that close?

Then those two can't just die yet... I'll have to put some thought into dealing with them?

After the meal, Bai Mo returned to her courtyard and directed Xiaohan to set up the study. She also sent Lixia to buy brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone, keeping herself happily occupied!

Bai Mo intended to pass the xiucai examination in one month, so time was extremely tight...

She thought about how she still had to go treat Shen Qing's poison later.

"Oh, what a life of toil I lead!!"

She turned and instructed Xiaoman, "Prepare some water. I want to bathe."

At the hour of the pig.

Bai Mo changed into black clothes suited for traveling at night.

She instructed Xiaohan, who was keeping watch, "Go to bed. Don't keep watch tonight. Come in tomorrow morning when I call you, and don't barge in without permission."

"Yes, Young Miss."

Bai Mo put out the light and slipped out through the window.

It was much easier today. She knew the way and soon reached the Grand Preceptor's Residence, then crossed into the Pure Elegance Courtyard in a single leap.

Strangely, the courtyard was exceptionally quiet. There was no light in Shen Qing's room, its door was tightly shut, and not a single servant was in sight.

Bai Mo felt uneasy. He isn't away from home today, is he?

She would enter through the back window and take a look first.

Bai Mo jumped into the room, reached back to ease the window halfway shut, and felt her way toward the inner chamber.

Before she could get close, a very faint moan reached her ears.

It's Shen Qing...

Something's wrong with his voice. Did something happen?

Bai Mo hurried over to the bed and called softly, "Shen Qing."

The answer was a clearer, more agonized moan.

She reached the bedside and put out a hand. He was icy cold to the touch, and his whole body was damp. Cold sweat had soaked his clothes through.

Bai Mo immediately activated her Wood-Element Ability, intending to probe Shen Qing's body and see what was happening.

As soon as her ability entered his body, Bai Mo frowned deeply.

For every inch it advanced, it was devoured ravenously, as though it had run into a bottomless black hole. His moans grew more painful as well.

Bai Mo's lips turned slightly pale, and she hurriedly withdrew her ability. Shen Qing's poison has flared up. It can't be treated while it's flaring up!!

She felt a slight tremor beneath her palm.

He's in terrible pain...

Bai Mo searched her space with her mind. What is there that I can use?

Antidote... none!

Suppressant... none!

It seems there's nothing at all...

The wood element was the strongest healing element to begin with, so Bai Mo had never considered storing various antidotes. Now she suddenly felt a little regret.

The smell of blood reached her.

Bai Mo hurriedly took out a small night-light and lowered the bed curtains to keep the light from shining outside and needlessly arousing suspicion.

Blood was seeping from the corner of Shen Qing's mouth.

This is bad!

Bai Mo took a soft square cloth from her space, rolled it up, pried Shen Qing's mouth open, and put it between his teeth. Fortunately, he had not bitten through his tongue.

Then she saw two streams of tears running from the corners of his eyes. How much pain is he in? Even someone with his temperament has been tormented into unconsciousness, his tears flowing without end...

After a moment's hesitation, Bai Mo took out an anesthetic injection!