Chapter 942: The Exam Is a Physical Challenge!

head smiled and greeted them, "Be sure not to swallow the seeds, spit them out and keep them. This year this thing is too valuable. Everyone just try a fresh one. Next year, we'll plant all the riverb...Seeing that Jia Xi and Jia An had both boarded the ship and set off for their hometown, Li Laotai's eyes reddened. Even Tao Hongying and Zhao Yurui were moved to tears.

Madam Wen also let out a soft sigh, while Hui'niang and Wenjuan tilted their heads to peek curiously.

Only Liu's wife was doing well. Her eldest son had just married a daughter-in-law, and her youngest son was also by her side. There was only an old man in the family, so she wasn't too worried.

Coral leaned against her grandmother's arm and whispered comfortingly, "Grandma, don't worry. Let the fourth and fifth brothers go ahead of us. We'll return in the autumn."

"At that time, I'm going to go back with grandma and take a look at our Suijin Tan hot spring valley. Let me try the sweetest jade melon in the world."

"Well, well, that's our own backyard. When the time comes, there will be plenty of jade cucumbers. Eat as much as you want." Li Lao Tai, coaxed by her daughter-in-law, perked up and smiled.

Lin Lang came from a merchant family. She was intelligent and articulate. At this moment, she smiled and said, “Grandma Li, Suijin Beach is our territory. How good it is, we will know when we go there later.”

But now you are in Quanzhou, our turf!

"Come on, let me take you to our family's restaurant! You can try the skills of our chef. Although it's not as exquisite as our restaurant's dishes, it's a specialty here to deal with seafood!"

Liu Saozi chimed in, "That's right, aunt. Let's all go out for a bit and have dinner with Linlang before heading home."

"You don't know, I've been wanting to try the dishes at her family's restaurant for ages. Unfortunately, my wife is a bit stingy and has never taken me there. Today, I'll just take this opportunity to satisfy my cravings."

Lin Lang quickly hugged her mother-in-law's arm and pouted, "Mother, you are wronging me. It was you who kept saying that you wanted to go with Grandma Li and the aunts, otherwise you would be eating alone."

"Haha, alright, alright. Your mother was wrong to blame you. Mothers always say that once a daughter gets married she's like water spilled—there's no going back, and there's certainly no point in coming back to her parents' house and taking advantage of things!" Aunt Liu and her daughter-in-law sang in perfect harmony.

Lin Lang, like a thief, glanced sideways and whispered, "Mother, as you said, a married daughter is like spilled water. Since I'm not part of the Yue family anymore, of course, I can't control that much. If I have the chance to take advantage, then I should!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

The Yue family adored their daughter, Linlang, and in the days leading up to her wedding, they practically sent someone every day with gifts just to make sure she was doing well.

This is where you have a daughter who's like water that's been thrown out She's clearly a precious jewel in your palm.

Linlang said that just to make everyone happy.

Everyone did not disappoint her intentions, got on the carriage, all the way open windows, blowing in the wind to Yue's family restaurant, eating seafood, looking at the street view, chatting and laughing, it was also lively.

This time, Jiayì and Liuyang were left behind to fight the sudden invasion of Japanese pirates. They did not accompany the envoy to Beijing.

Li Zhensheng did not trust his family members at home and wanted to stay in Quanzhou. He only arranged for capable managers to be on board the ship.

But the cat, Mao Ge'er, insisted on going home to see his family.

Li Zhensheng was unable to (do something). He instructed him to return with the fleet afterward, and only then did he let him go……

The journey was arduous, yet it went smoothly with fair winds. It was a silent voyage all the way.

In Xindu, the sun rises and sets, and in the blink of an eye, it's been six or seven days. Finally, the big exam is over.

A few days ago, the entrance of the Gongyuan was still relatively quiet. However, in the last few days, it became as lively as boiling water about to burst.

Because, there are constantly older candidates, or those with weak bodies, being carried out.

Some people were unwilling to accept it. After years of hard work, everything was destroyed in an instant. They still cried and struggled on the stretcher, wanting to go back. Unfortunately, their faces were as pale as gold paper, and they were about to lose half their lives. Even if they wanted to continue taking the exam, the examiner would not allow it.

If you die in the gongyuan, it would be very unlucky.

Some examinees accidentally caught a cold at night, burning with fever and flushed face. They were unconscious and sought medical attention as soon as they left home.

Xindu was always a lively place, and even those without examinees in their families came to watch the excitement. They gathered at the entrance of the Gongyuan's alley, stretching their legs and peering into the crowd, buzzing with chatter.

"This year's candidates are really pitiful, I heard over a hundred of them were carried out."

"Yes, yes, I remember a few years ago when we raised over seventy. This is about to double."

"The harder the struggle, the greater the triumph. Studying is no easy feat, and in the end, you have to compete with your physical strength as well."

"Who says it's not true, these scholarly gentlemen are too pitiful."

"What's pitiful! If one just passes the exam, they'll be an official for life. This year the lord is going to retake Jiangbei, and with so many prefectures and counties in disarray, they're going to need countless officials. Before, people had to queue up for positions, but now there's no need for that anymore."

"Well, that's true. Just being on the list is like having half your butt in the chair!"

People had envy, jealousy, and more importantly, they were eager to go home and urge their sons to study hard.

Maybe there will be a time in the future when I can bring honor to my ancestors!

So, that night, all the children were brought before their elders to be tested on their lessons, and then they had a solid meal of "ruler-fried meat"!

Of course, that's all for later.

The gate of the Gongyuan opened for the last time, as all the examinees left.

Even the most robust and healthy examinees, after nine days of hardship, would have pale complexions and weak legs.

Jia Ren, Li Ge'er, Jia Xu, and Lu Cong were walking in the middle of the crowd.

Both Jiarren and Li Ge'er exercised regularly, so besides looking a bit haggard, they were doing alright.

Lu Zhong was born into a family of martial generals, so he naturally excelled as well.

Only Jia Xu's feet were a bit numb, and his face was flushed red. He had also caught a cold, but it wasn't serious. He insisted on taking the exam despite it.

He was being supported by Jiarren and Luzong, and Kao Lan was also held in Li Ge'er's hands.

As soon as a few people stepped out of the alley, Li Lao San, Li Lao Si, and Jia Huan and others surrounded them. Without saying a word, each person grabbed one and carried them away.

Leaving the crowd, they hurried to a quiet street corner where four carriages stood.

Lu's steward and the Jia family were both anxiously awaiting.

It's not that they don't want to go in and greet people, it's just that they can't fit.

Luckily, Li's family had Li Lao Si. He stepped forward bravely and charged into the fray.

Seeing that Jia Xu's condition was not good, Old Master Jia and Second Master Jia didn't have time to say much. They quickly took Jia Xu away and, with their hands clasped in a bow, thanked everyone before hurrying home to treat him.

At that moment, the carriage door swung open and out jumped two young girls, it was actually Jia Yin and Bao Zhu.

Baopu missed her brother, so she hurriedly greeted Jiayin before following her family onto their carriage.

It was a pleasant surprise. Jia Yin found herself surrounded by her overjoyed family members, including Jia Ren, Li Ge'er, and Lu Zong.

"Sister, how have you been these few days Are you alright"

Although the family had made it clear, they still hadn't seen their sister. Both Jiah Ren and Li Ge were very worried.

Now that I see my little sister in person, of course I can't help but ask her a few questions.

Lu Zong didn't speak, but he carefully sized Jia Yin up from head to toe, and let out a silent sigh of relief.

Jia Yin pinched her rounder face and smiled at her brothers, "Brothers, I'm in trouble. I gained a few pounds again! My old dress won't fit!"

Everyone couldn't help but laugh, Jia Ren even reached out to rub his sister's hair, completely relieved.

Li Laosan stood outside, smiling sheepishly. He happened to catch a glimpse of Lu Zong's expression and frowned...he guessed that things were not as simple as they seemed, but she didn't press for details.At lunchtime, all the braised dishes cooked at home were brought to the backyard. Tao Hongying had extra porr...