Beauties in Simulation Cross over into Reality

Chapter 60: Chapter 53: The Imperial Scholar Probably Won’t Be Coming for a Few Days

A heavy snow fell upon the Qi Kingdom’s Imperial City.

After a day, the entire Imperial City was a vast expanse of white.

Walking the streets of the Imperial City, one could see the white mist of people’s breath with every exhale.

After seeing Lord Zhang off from the capital, Xiao Mo had remained in his inn, studying.

Before he knew it, the weather had gradually warmed, and it was already the beginning of the third month.

On this day, the street vendors and stalls lining Xuanwu Avenue, the road leading to the Imperial Examination Hall, had been cleared away.

Today was the day of the Metropolitan Examination.

After being searched, Xiao Mo entered the examination grounds and found his assigned cubicle.

The examination was divided into three sessions, one per day.

The first session on the first day was poetry and odes.

Candidates were tested on one “poem” and one “ode.” This was the most crucial part of the examination in the Great Qi, directly determining who would be accepted as a Presented Scholar.

The topic for the poem was usually quite open-ended.

However, the topic for the “ode” was often drawn from Confucian School classics, historical records, or imperial edicts.

This session tested one’s literary talent, metrical rules, and parallelism.

The topic for the poem was “The Bright Moon.”

Xiao Mo wrote a poem titled “Water Melody·When Will the Bright Moon Appear?”, slightly altering the first stanza to fit the prompt.

The topic for the “ode” was “The Rise and Fall of a Nation.”

Xiao Mo emulated the style of the “Ode to the Epang Palace” and wrote his own “Spring Li Palace Ode.” Conveniently, this world had numerous dynasties and a rich history, making it easy to find allusions to substitute for those in the original ode.

’With this first session,’ he thought, ’I should at least secure my qualification as a Presented Scholar, regardless of anything else.’

The second session: The Essay.

Candidates were tested on one “essay.”

It was similar to the argumentative essays from the university entrance exams of Xiao Mo’s past life, requiring a discussion on a specific historical event, governing philosophy, or philosophical proposition.

It tested the Scholars’ insights, logical thinking, and writing skills.

The third session: The Policy Proposal.

Candidates were tested on five “policy proposals.” This was a test of practical administrative ability, covering specific issues in politics, economics, military affairs, law, and the people’s livelihood.

After the three days of examinations were over, Xiao Mo felt as if he had emerged into a different world upon leaving the examination grounds.

Xiao Mo was quite confident about his chances of passing.

As long as he passed the Metropolitan Examination, the Palace Examination would be more straightforward.

In the Great Qi, although there were initial differences in status between “First-Class Presented Scholars,” “Second-Class Presented Scholars,” and “Third-Class Presented Scholars,” the most important factor was one’s subsequent struggles and achievements in the officialdom.

「Ten days later, in the early morning.」

As the bells on Xuanwu Avenue chimed, not far from the entrance of the Imperial Palace, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Lord Fang, personally hung up the spring announcement list under the protection of his guards.

The Scholars crowded beneath the list, craning their necks in anticipation.

“I passed!”

“I passed too!”

“Young Master! What’s your rank?”

“I’m ranked fiftieth! HAHAHA!”

“Quick! Seize him!”

“I didn’t pass… I didn’t pass…”

“HAHAHA, I’m twenty-second! HAHAHA!”

“That one, the twenty-second! Quick, grab him and take him back to the manor!”

The results of the Metropolitan Examination had just been posted, and people were already “snatching sons-in-law from the announcement board.”

Seeing his own name in first place, Xiao Mo didn’t dare make a sound. Fearing he’d be seized by someone who wouldn’t let him leave until he agreed to marry, he quickly and quietly slipped away.

But he could hide for a moment, not forever. In the Qi Kingdom, all inns where Scholars were staying had to be registered.

How could a National Scholar like Xiao Mo possibly remain hidden?

Before long, the dignitaries and nobles of the Qi Kingdom’s Imperial City swarmed the inn where Xiao Mo was staying.

Fortunately, Zhang Qianzhi had already prepared for this, having anticipated this day before he left the capital.

Miss Zhang had her guards stand watch at the door to Xiao Mo’s room, forbidding anyone from disturbing him.

Unlike other well-bred young ladies, Miss Zhang often appeared in public and had a certain reputation in the Capital City, so many people recognized her.

Seeing that Miss Zhang had arrived, the others naturally did not dare to act presumptuously.

“Thank you, Miss Zhang,” Xiao Mo said, bowing deeply to Zhang Shuqing.

“There is no need for thanks, National Scholar Xiao,” Zhang Shuqing said with a smile. “However, with me bringing my people here today, I’m afraid all the officials in the Imperial Court will know that you are one of my father’s men.”

Xiao Mo replied calmly, “I already was.”

Ever since he was nominated as a Provincial Scholar, he had been considered Lord Zhang’s man. Not to mention, he had later paid a visit to Mr. Zhang.

But Xiao Mo was already prepared for this in his heart.

’In the Imperial Court, how could one not choose a side?’

He was now aligned with Lord Zhang, which meant he was also aligned with Prime Minister Fang.

Zhang Shuqing nodded with a smile and said no more.

「Ten days later, the Palace Examination.」

The Palace Examination in the Qi Kingdom was different. There was no written component; instead, the scholars met the Holy Emperor in turns.

The scholars all resided in the Outer Palace and could only leave after everyone had their audience. This process usually lasted two to three days.

The order of the audiences was determined by drawing lots.

Xiao Mo’s luck was poor; he drew the very last slot.

On the third day, Xiao Mo walked into the grand hall.

In the hall sat the Sovereign of the Qi Kingdom, Prime Minister Fang, and the other Six Ministers.

Everyone knew of the relationship between Xiao Mo and Zhang Qianzhi.

Everyone knew of that “Edict of Propagation.”

And now, everyone also knew of “Water Melody·When Will the Bright Moon Appear?” and the “Spring Li Palace Ode.”

When Xiao Mo entered, nearly everyone looked toward the Prime Minister seated beside the Emperor.

Xiao Mo was considered a student of Zhang Qianzhi, which also made him a junior of Fang Ling.

After Xiao Mo came in, Fang Ling closed his eyes, remaining silent and still, as if he neither saw nor heard anything.

“Your student, Xiao Mo, pays his respects to the Holy Emperor and greets all you lords,” Xiao Mo said, performing a solemn bow.

“’When will the bright moon appear? With wine in hand, I ask the blue sky. I do not know what year it is tonight in the celestial palaces,’” Lord Qi recited, looking at Xiao Mo with a smile. “What a brilliant and handsome young man! My beloved ministers, hold your tongues. Let Us test him first!”

A typical scholar’s audience during the Palace Examination lasted for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, at most.

But Xiao Mo remained in the grand hall for a full hour.

After Xiao Mo left, Lord Qi looked at those around him. “For this Palace Examination’s Imperial Scholar, I trust none of you beloved ministers have any objections?”

…

「Mid-fourth month.」

In the County Magistrate’s Mansion in Qingshan County.

Magistrate Sun was in his courtyard, brewing tea and playing with his pet bird.

“Master! Master!”

Just as Lord Sun was adding water to the parrot’s cage, a servant came stumbling in, scaring the parrot into a flurry of flutters.

“What is it? Such recklessness! You’ve frightened my bird!” Lord Sun scolded.

“Master! Someone from the Imperial City is here!”

“Someone from the Imperial City?” Magistrate Sun jumped in fright. ’I haven’t been that corrupt, have I?’ he thought.

“Master, the man from the Imperial City says he’s here to give you a commendation! Xiao Mo, from your county! He’s achieved the Triple Crown!”

“What!” The County Magistrate of Qingshan County was overjoyed. “Excellent, excellent! Quick, let’s go see the imperial envoy!”

But halfway there, the County Magistrate of Qingshan County suddenly had a thought. “Quick, prepare a decorated red horse and a large red flower! We need to arrange a parade for the Imperial Scholar!”

“Um… Master… The Imperial Scholar didn’t come to the county seat.”

“Not to the county seat? Then where did the Imperial Scholar go?”

“It seems the Imperial Scholar returned to his village.”

“…”

“Master, I’ll send someone to fetch the Imperial Scholar right away.”

“There’s no need.” The County Magistrate of Qingshan County gathered his sleeves and gazed toward She Mountain. “The Imperial Scholar… likely won’t be coming for the next few days…”