Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 946: There’s a Way

Gu Dexing and the others arrived five days early, rested for a night, and then started reviewing their studies the next day. If there was anything they didn’t understand, they would consult Scholar Shang.

Scholar Shang has been visiting the Gu Family daily lately. However, rather than constantly studying alongside Gu Jin’an and the others, he often acts as a temporary teacher for Brother Cheng, helping him with his lessons.

Scholar Shang does this partly so that he’s available to answer questions whenever Gu Jin’an and the others have them, and partly because he knows that students are often afraid of their teachers; particularly Gu Dexing, who is very nervous. To help him relax, Scholar Shang doesn’t approach them himself but waits for them to come to him when they have questions.

Gu Dexing feels considerably more at ease because of this.

Meanwhile, everyone has noticed Gu Dexing’s anxiety; he hasn’t slept for two nights, and his eye circles are darker than coal.

Mrs. Chen is worried sick and grabs him, asking: "What’s wrong with you? Why aren’t you sleeping at night? Are you missing your wife? I’ve told you to focus on your exams. Do well, and we’ll find you a rich young lady to marry. Why won’t you listen? Carrying on like this, there’s no way you’ll pass."

After saying this, she felt it was inauspicious, quickly spat several times and prayed towards the east: "God, I was just speaking carelessly. Please protect Brother Xing to pass the exam. He’s getting old and if he doesn’t pass, he won’t be able to marry, and the village women will laugh at him."

Gu Dexing heard this and wanted to die; what’s Auntie doing? He hasn’t been thinking about a wife!

As expected, Mrs. Chen was scolded again by Gu Dagui: "Can you watch your mouth? If you can’t say anything sensible, just keep it shut. You’re making Brother Xing lose face."

Mrs. Chen retorted, jumping up: "Why are you shouting? I’m just worried! If you’re so capable, then tell us what to do. Can you cover his eyes and make him sleep?"

Gu Dafu could only try to intervene: "Stop arguing."

But neither Mrs. Chen nor Gu Dagui listened. They were fuming and looked ready to brawl, sleeves rolled up.

Gu Dexing hurriedly stepped between them, saying: "I’m fine. I’m just too nervous and scared I won’t pass, so I can’t sleep."

He wants to sleep, but he truly cannot; his mind is like mush, foggy and dizzy.

"Oh? It’s because of that?" Mrs. Chen and Gu Dagui were worried; if it’s from nerves, there’s not much they can do.

Third Grandma glared at the couple and said: "All you can do is bicker. Get out of here, stop distracting the child."

She added: "Xiao Yu can make pills. I’m going to ask her to prepare some sleeping pills for Brother Xing to help him sleep tonight."

Mrs. Chen, upon hearing this, quickly grabbed Third Grandma’s hand: "Oh, you always have solutions. Let’s go, I’ll accompany you to find Xiao Yu."

Gu Jinli, upon hearing their intent, said: "Brother Dexing’s issue is caused by nerves. Just taking sleeping pills won’t help."

"Then what should we do? Oh, is our Brother Xing destined to not be an official?" Mrs. Chen almost cried. After waiting so many years, hoping smoke would rise from the family’s ancestral grave. If this doesn’t happen, she wouldn’t become a scholar aunt.

"Why are you wailing? Xiao Yu surely has more solutions. Listen to what she says." Third Grandma nudged Mrs. Chen’s back, stopping her from sobbing.

Gu Jinli said: "Besides taking medicine, there’s indeed another way. But it requires giving up nighttime study time."

Mrs. Chen is quite smart and knows priorities, immediately nodding: "Right now, Brother Xing needs to sleep. Whether he studies or not at night doesn’t matter."

Gu Jinli explained the method. It’s simple: after Brother Dexing finishes dinner, an hour later he should start physical training for two hours. This will tire him out, leaving no room for idle thoughts, letting him sleep peacefully at night.

Upon hearing this, Gu Jin’an also joined in with Qi Kangming and others, and that night they all slept like logs, waking the next day bright and refreshed, in much better spirits than before.

Without idle thoughts, Gu Dexing could focus on his books. With a clear mind, his articles’ coherence improved, and the pieces written two days before the exam were much better than before.

They continued this way until the night before the Prefecture Examination commenced.

On the morning of April 9th, they awoke very energetic. After paying respects to the ancestors with the adults, they ate noodles symbolic of academic success, packed their things, and took the family mule cart to the Prefecture City Ceremony Room.

The Prefecture City Ceremony Room is next to the Prefecture Government Office, a relatively tranquil large residence. Nowadays, the main street is crowded, full of exam candidates holding torches, lanterns, riding mule carts, or surrounded by family members.

Everyone coming to the Prefecture Examination must have passed the county examination, and candidates from several counties gathering together was a spectacular sight.

Starting from the Prefecture Examination, the rules change. Though like the county examination it includes three tests, candidates cannot leave the Ceremony Room for three days. Beginning the exam on April 9th at dawn and staying until afternoon of April 11th.

This is done to simplify matters, avoiding daily checks of candidates. Later, for college examinations, candidates will spend many days and nights; starting the Prefecture Examination this way prepares them for the trials of official exams.

Gu Jinli also came to see Gu Jin’an and the others off, giving them advice: "Check the items given by the government thoroughly, be it food or necessities. If it’s too easy to conceal cheats or you can’t check them thoroughly, better not take them. You’ve taken my pill, so you won’t catch cold even if you get rained on. Don’t be afraid if you draw a bad lot; just remember to sniff your sleeves."

Since no items can be easily brought in, she had devised a refreshing, odor-removing potion, applied to their sleeves.

The scent is very light, only noticeable when held to the nose, but it’s highly effective, keeping the mind clear and free from distracting odors.

Gu Jin’an and the others all nodded: "Got it, don’t worry."

Bang, bang, bang!

As they spoke, the drum in the Ceremony Room sounded.

Government Officials shouted upon hearing the drum: "Attention, candidates! In an hour, it’ll be time to enter. Prepare your guarantee certificates and dispose of unneeded items. Concealment is forbidden; violators will be punished by law!"

They reminded: "Concealment is a serious crime, punishable by death!"

Great Chu uses strict measures, and since exams distribute noble family and official positions, to secure places for their own, courtiers and noble families have imposed severe penalties on the exam, any infraction could lead to execution.

Candidates all understood and hurriedly checked their clothing, sleeves, inner pockets, even untied their hair to check, ensuring no cheating before queuing up.

An hour quickly passed, and Gu Jin’an and the others, towards the front of the line, waited another while before entering.

Once inside the Ceremony Room, they underwent a body search like the county examination.