Chapter 404: Lesson

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

After the initial month of the Lunar New Year, students from Shangjing embarked on their journeys to the capital, one after another.

The capital examination, also known as the Spring Quarter Examination, closely resembled the modern college entrance examination.

Typically, candidates participating in the capital examination were already esteemed as High Scholars. Nevertheless, there were exceptional individuals who joined the capital examination as Cultivated Talents.

This unique circumstance arose because the county examination for Cultivated Talents occurred only once a year, specifically in the autumn every three years. Consequently, those who underwent the county examination in a given year couldn’t participate in the local examination during that period.

However, certain outstanding Cultivated Talents could gain entry to the capital examination in the subsequent spring, provided they received joint recommendations from both the academy and local officials. This was especially true for impoverished scholars residing in the Capital who had experienced a fortunate twist of fate.

Had they achieved the status of a High Scholar first, they would not have remained in the ranks of impoverished scholars.

It’s worth noting that the imperial examination system varied across different dynasties. Some dynasties dispensed with the examination altogether, allowing anyone classified as a Cultivated Talent to take the examination in Beijing.

In the context of the dynasty depicted in the book, a total of 150 individuals had the opportunity to pass the Imperial Examination and secure a place in the rankings. To put it differently, the Imperial Examination of that year would admit 150 scholars.

Scholarships were categorized into three levels: first-class, second-class, and third-class.

The prefecture capital wasn’t too far from the main capital; a few days of travel by carriage would suffice. This proximity made Su Bin feel no need to rush.

Moreover, he had no desire to arrive in the capital too early. His plan involved bringing his wife along, and he firmly held the belief that, “You will never leave your wife, and you will never leave your son.”

Su Bin harbored concerns that if they arrived in the capital prematurely, the conniving Crown Prince might manipulate someone in their household to feign illness, luring Qin Zhenzhen into visiting the Crown Prince’s residence.

Another rationale for their delay was the lack of urgency. Unlike other examinees who had to scramble to secure accommodations upon their arrival in the capital, they possessed a house there. Their objective was to find a suitable residence and acclimate themselves to the capital’s climate so as not to perform poorly in the examination due to unfamiliarity.

A day or two in advance would suffice for Su Bin’s arrival in the capital.

Furthermore, Su Bin had promised to bring Su Ning along this time, which filled her with excitement as it marked her first visit to the bustling capital. She yearned to witness the legendary prosperity of the city.

Initially, Qin Zhenzhen contemplated objecting to Su Ning’s inclusion on the trip, mainly because the Third Prince resided in the capital. She wanted to preempt any opportunity for Su Ning to develop deep feelings for him. However, Su Bin had made this promise long ago, and Su Ning’s enthusiasm made it difficult for Qin Zhenzhen to dampen her spirits.

In Su Bin’s family, only his eldest sister and younger sister had never been to the capital. Resigned to the situation, Qin Zhenzhen decided they should bring Su Ning along, hoping that their paths would never cross with the Third Prince’s.

Throughout the journey to the capital, Su Ning couldn’t contain her curiosity.

“Third Sister-in-law, is the palace where the emperor resides, right?”

Qin Zhenzhen nodded in response. “Yes.”

Curiosity filled Su Ning’s eyes as she inquired further. “How extensive is the palace, and how high are its buildings?”

With a sweeping gesture, Qin Zhenzhen illustrated her explanation. “The palace isn’t particularly tall. The tallest main hall has four floors, but it sprawls over an immense area, covering approximately a thousand mu.”

Su Ning couldn’t hide her astonishment. “A thousand mu? That’s incredibly vast! ”

Qin Zhenzhen affirmed, “Indeed. It houses the emperor’s 3,000 consorts, his numerous offspring, and the concubines of the previous emperor.”

Su Ning’s amazement grew. “Third Sister-in-law, does an emperor truly marry three thousand consorts?”

Qin Zhenzhen took this opportunity to educate her. “That’s correct! Aside from the empress, there are also four primary consorts. Beyond them, there are dozens of secondary consorts, not to mention countless other beauties in the palace..”

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