The youths listened to the string of rules, each feeling their scalps tingle with unease.
He Zheng couldn’t help but mutter, "Going without food or water for a day is bearable, but not using the restroom for a whole day? That’s a bit excessive, isn’t it?"
Jiang Yan, the only one present who had previously taken the palace examination, replied, "There’s no choice. This is to ensure fairness during the exam. We’ll just have to endure it—there’s no other way."
Xu Wan added, "Finish your meal before 7 PM tonight and try to drink as little water as possible. Relieve yourself once tomorrow morning before the exam, and that should help you hold out until it’s over."
Shen Yibai groaned, "And we have to kneel all day too? My knees are going to shatter! Can’t we secretly cushion them with something?"
Jiang Yan quickly shot that down. "No disrespect to His Majesty."
Shen Yibai sighed. "...Fine."
"So many rules," Zong Jincheng grumbled, rubbing his temples.
Pan Hongzhi and the others, however, were in high spirits. "Rules or not, just having the chance to take the palace exam is the dream of countless scholars across the land. Most candidates are too excited to care."
Wei Xinglu suddenly remembered something. "Oh right, when Jincheng told people the exam hall was just a cramped, run-down little room, they were still envious."
The little troublemaker pouted. "Alright, alright. I feel better now."
After going over the palace exam rules, they skipped the other pre-exam regulations—they already knew them well enough.
For the rest of the day, Xu Wan gave them a short break, letting them relax at home and prepare mentally for the exam the next day.
The little troublemaker, however, had no interest in relaxing. He pestered Xu Wan about rewards. "Mother, once the results come out tomorrow and I make the top rank, you’ll get that 100,000 taels reward. Can’t you spare me just a little?"
If he hadn’t mentioned it, Xu Wan might have forgotten entirely.
Oh right—she’d initially taken on this little rascal because her mother-in-law had dangled that enormous sum in front of her. And now, she was about to claim it.
Cui Zhi chimed in, "The old madam and the old marquis left early this morning—seems like it was for this very matter."
Xu Wan gasped. "Mother-in-law’s already gone to collect the money?!"
Her retirement dream was actually coming true!
Zong Jincheng tugged at her sleeve. "Mother, I want a reward too! I’m your biggest contributor!"
He wasn’t wrong.
Thanks to this golden grandson of hers, Xu Wan had been able to take on this astronomically lucrative tutoring job.
In a good mood, she asked, "What do you want?"
Once the exams were over, everything would return to normal. She wouldn’t need to control his spending anymore—he could buy whatever he wanted and would never lack silver.
Zong Jincheng grinned. "I want a wish. But I haven’t thought of what yet."
Xu Wan laughed. "You’re putting in a reservation for a wish? If you don’t tell me now, what if you ask for the whole 100,000 taels later? Should I just hand it over?"
Zong Jincheng whined, "Not silver! Something else, a different wish!"
Xu Wan considered it. "Fine. I’ll see when the time comes. If it’s doable, I’ll grant it. If not, you’ll have to wait for a new wish."
Zong Jincheng: "..."
That sounded like both a yes and a no.
The little troublemaker wasn’t satisfied and was about to press further when a maid hurried in. "Madam, the general has sent someone to fetch the young master. The Duke Protector wishes to see him."
Zong Zhao had gone to the Duke Protector’s residence early that morning.
Xu Wan knew they were discussing important matters regarding the post-exam arrangements. They probably had some questions for Jincheng.
She nodded. "Prepare the carriage. I’ll take him there shortly."
"Yes."
Zong Jincheng brightened. "Finally, a chance to go out! Even if it’s not for fun, visiting the Duke Protector’s estate isn’t bad—it’s way bigger than ours. Mother, why don’t we buy the neighboring property too? I want to expand our home!"
Xu Wan took his hand as they walked. "Why double the size? It’s already big enough. Do you really want to spend half an hour just walking home every day? Exhausting."
Zong Jincheng quickly clarified, "No, no! We’d keep our living quarters the same. The new space could be for a training ground, a riding field, even a chicken coop!"
Xu Wan burst out laughing. "That… actually doesn’t sound bad. Plant a vegetable garden too, and maybe Scholar Su would come sniffing around."
Zong Jincheng beamed. "Haha, so my idea’s good, right? We’d have enough fun at home to last a whole year without stepping out!"
Xu Wan nodded. "I like it. We’ll ask your grandmother and the others what they think later."
"Deal!"
By then, they’d already boarded the carriage.
As the curtain was about to close, Xu Wan hesitated and called out, "Cui Zhi and Shunzi can stay behind. Replace the coachman and attendants with the household guards."
Cui Zhi looked puzzled. "Madam, shouldn’t I come along?"
Why did Xu Wan keep taking Cui Liu instead of her lately?
Was there no future for maids who couldn’t fight?
Not wanting to draw too much attention, Xu Wan replied, "Go check on their dinner instead. Tell the kitchen to stick to familiar ingredients."
"Yes." With that task assigned, Cui Zhi withdrew.
Inside the carriage, Zong Jincheng blinked at her.
Xu Wan smiled. "With the exam tomorrow, it’s best to be cautious. Wouldn’t want you causing trouble."
The little troublemaker pouted. "Mother, that’s slander! I don’t cause trouble—I’m the best-behaved child in the world now!"
Xu Wan chuckled. "Yes, yes, you’re very well-behaved. But our little Jincheng has such a strong sense of justice. What if you spot someone in need of help along the way? I’d better have extra hands ready to assist you."
Zong Jincheng grinned. "Makes sense! You know me best, Mother!"
Xu Wan murmured affectionately, "Silly boy."
The carriage rolled smoothly toward the Duke Protector’s residence.
The sky darkened ominously, hinting at an approaching storm.
Worried about the rain, Xu Wan called out, "Cui Liu, it’s still a long way. Tell the coachman to turn back. Send word to the general and the Duke Protector—with the rain coming, Jincheng won’t be visiting today. If he catches a chill, it might affect tomorrow’s exam."
"Yes."
But before Cui Liu could finish speaking, shadowy figures emerged from the rooftops on either side of the street—ghostly black-clad figures radiating a murderous aura, their presence thick with the stench of death.
Cui Liu recognized them instantly.
Even her usual composure faltered.
These weren’t mere assassins.
They were… death warriors.
