Chapter 44 - 43
The post house had to accommodate not only the caravan headed to the Academic Palace but also envoys passing information between north and south, as well as various officials. The Academic Palace candidates held a distinguished status, though not excessively so. According to regulations, after a simple meal, a fellow student from Yizhou suggested holding a banquet in the pavilion that evening, where they could recite poetry and engage in literary exchanges. However, Ji Linglang refused, citing her need to study the classics.
Zhai Yiming also spoke up in agreement, saying that they would face the first round of the Academic Palace examinations a month after arriving in Chang’an and thus had to study the classics every minute they could. Once Zhai Yiming had spoken, the fellow student, feeling embarrassed, apologized. Everyone then returned to their rooms, and Li Ang went back to his to read as well.
The first two rounds of the Academic Palace exams would test general topics: Scriptures, strategies, poetry, and the like. Li Ang’s foundation in these areas was weaker than his peers, so it was natural for him to cram. However, he didn’t seek special tutoring from Cheng Juxiu.
On one hand, Cheng Juxiu was leading the Academic Palace Patrol, so it would be unacceptable to blatantly ask for extra tutoring or hints about the exam. On the other hand, Cheng Juxiu himself had admitted that he hadn’t read Confucian classics much in recent years. His proficiency had declined significantly, making Song Shaoyuan a better option for help.
Therefore, in the following days, Li Ang spent nearly all his waking hours fiercely studying, accumulating deep, dark circles under his eyes. The others weren’t faring much better. The closer they drew to Chang’an, the more tense the Yizhou students became—except for Ji Linglang. She came from a wealthy family and had lived in Chang’an with her father, Ji Chi, as a child, so for her, this was like returning home.
The caravan journeyed north to Chang’an. Along the way, more caravans from other southern State Mansions joined them, and the Yizhou contingent also met students from these other State Mansions.
Everyone was enthusiastic upon meeting. Before long, they were addressing each other as brothers and sisters, discussing philosophy and composing poetry. As for their true private thoughts, who could say? After all, everyone they met on this road was a competitor for the Academic Palace, any one of whom could snatch away their own spot.
Of course, with the Academic Palace Patrol present, such underlying conflicts wouldn’t surface. Instead, all candidates were even more mindful of their conduct, daring not to overstep in the slightest.
In this complex and subtle atmosphere, the caravan, consisting of over a hundred horse-drawn carts, finally entered the post house outside Chang’an City.
"I’m... I’m about to die..."