Chapter 55

Baimountain, the ancestral land of the Xun family, is where the tombs of several ancestors are located.

At the foot of the mountain, wisps of smoke rise from the fields, crisscrossed by farmlands, and houses stand in rows, numbering about three thousand households. Besides the Xun family, there are also the families of the old soldiers who once fought with Xun Maode and the later fief of Duke Maode.

In one of the large residences, Xun Kun and a young man sat facing each other: "How about it? Can these things be used?"

Xun Sheng flipped through the documents, and many of the specific characters in the articles were circled or highlighted in red.

"Not bad. Xun Yi's homework and textbooks from these past few years are all here. In the remaining days, I can focus on studying his writing style. It's clear that his style is very similar to Uncle's, as expected of someone raised by Uncle from a young age." Xun Sheng's face showed a hint of pride. Regarding the matter of Zhu Tu being the examiner, Xun Yi might not want to take advantage of it, but Xun Sheng didn't see it that way.

"Zhu Tu and Uncle were close friends from the same school. Even if Xun Yi doesn't go to seek his help, as long as Zhu Tu sees his writing style, he will give him a good score."

Xun Kun played with a sandalwood bracelet and pondered, "Three years ago, you started learning Uncle's writing style. Now that you have Xun Yi's homework, how much can you imitate in a few days?"

"Pretty well." Xun Sheng pointed to Xun Yi's article and smiled, "We scholars avoid mentioning the names of the respected, the relatives, and the virtuous. This kid always puts filial piety first, so he wouldn't dare to casually mention the names of his parents, grandparents, or ancestors."

According to the current etiquette, one cannot casually mention the emperor's name, even homophones should be avoided. As children, one cannot write the names of their parents in their articles. Xun Yi was raised by Xun Yu from a young age, so whenever he encountered the character "Yu," he would either use a homophone or leave it blank and draw a circle.

Just by looking at the writing, one can roughly understand Xun Yi's usual habits.

"Ancestor Maode is often referred to as Duke Maode, but his true title is a single character 'De.' Although people usually call him Duke Maode, how can we, the younger generation, dare to write his name directly?"

"I often use the character 'Wu' with an extra stroke to replace it. But his current style uses the character 'Mi' as a substitute."

After carefully studying Xun Yi's writing style, Xun Sheng nodded continuously. "This time, getting his articles was indeed the right move. His style is completely different from a few years ago. He must have noticed my deliberate imitation and changed his style over the past two years."

Two years ago, after Xun Yu left, Xun Sheng began preparing for the imperial examination. He knew that Xun Yu had left Xun Yi many connections, so he deliberately imitated Xun Yi's writing style to confuse people.

However, Xun Yi sensed this from the beginning and gradually modified his style subconsciously. Originally, Xun Yi used a method of reducing strokes when encountering taboo characters. For example, he would write "Mao" as "Wu" with an extra stroke, "Yu" as "Wang" with one less dot, and "Yuan" with the water radical replaced by a vertical stroke. This writing style, once understood, would immediately reveal Xun Yi's identity to anyone familiar with him.

This was also a way to recognize each other during the exam.

Of course, the more subtle aspect was the handwriting. The pressure applied to certain strokes would be different, and those truly close would immediately recognize it.

However, after realizing his drafts were missing, Xun Yi quickly changed his style, using homophones and synonyms. His handwriting also gradually adjusted.

"Who knows if Zhu Tu will look at Xun Yi's articles from the past few years? Better to be safe." Xun Sheng asked his brother to steal Xun Yi's articles. After checking them, he thanked Xun Kun again.

"Brothers fight together, no need for thanks. As long as you succeed in the exam, the two of us can work together to lead the Xun family." Xun Kun smiled meaningfully, and Xun Sheng understood, saying, "Big brother, rest assured. If I succeed, I won't compete with you for the position of family head."

The Xun family's main line of the "Ri" generation has only three men and three women. Xun Yuan has a son, Xun Yi, and a daughter, Xun Tan. The second branch has Xun Kun and Xun Sheng, who are about the same age as Xun Yi and are also participating in this special examination. Xun Yi's third uncle has two daughters, Xun Jing and Xun Xing.

If Xun Yi were to have an accident, the position of family head would inevitably go to either Xun Kun or Xun Sheng.

Xun Kun nodded, his gaze looking out the east window at a grand building complex in the distance. He silently thought to himself: One day, this Maoyuan will be mine.

"Brother, you can study slowly. I'll leave first." Xun Kun got up and left, leaving Xun Sheng to study Xun Yi's articles alone. His smile gradually faded, and he looked at the candlelight with a cold expression: "Give it to you? The title of top scholar and the accompanying noble title would be much more intimidating than just the title of top scholar, wouldn't it?"

...

In August, the autumn examination coincides with the blooming of osmanthus flowers, so it is also called the "Osmanthus List." The phrase "picking osmanthus in the moon palace" has a symbolic meaning.

However, this special examination is different. It takes place in June when lotus flowers bloom, so it is called the "Yun List." The examination venue is the former imperial palace where the palace examination was held. Later, it was renovated by Duke Maode and Lord Cao, turning the golden hall into a venue for the provincial examination in Longchuan Prefecture.

Perhaps due to the literary fortune of the previous dynasty, the top scholars of Longchuan Prefecture have always performed well in the subsequent metropolitan and palace examinations.

Li Xinghong and the Xun family members sent Xun Yi to the examination venue. Li Xinghong gave Xun Yi all the lucky pens he had bought recently: "These things can protect your literary fortune during the exam."

"The examination venue limits each person to five pens. Why bring so many?" Xun Yi shook his head, took five pens at random, and prepared to enter the venue after packing his belongings.

Just then, he saw Li Junde and Xun Sheng. Zhang Yuqi and Li Junde pushed and shoved each other, entering first.

"Brother Yi, since you're here too, why don't we compete to see who can pick the osmanthus first?"

"This is a special examination in June, coinciding with the thousand-year banquet. It's a golden Yun List. Picking osmanthus has nothing to do with it. Are you planning to compete again next year? In that case, I won't join you." Xun Yi laughed loudly, "I'll leave the top scholar to you next time. This time, I'll take it honestly." Xun Yi passed the entrance check and entered the venue.

Xun Sheng's face darkened, and he thought coldly, "Let you be arrogant for now. Wait until I get the title of top scholar, and see what you have to say." Xun Sheng was very confident about this special examination. Xun Kun had spent a lot of money to get the internal exam questions, making this special examination just a stepping stone for him.

If he could achieve the three consecutive top ranks, his name would be recorded in history. This was Xun Sheng's goal, and the competition with Xun Yi was just a game.

Everyone entered the venue, and Zhu Tu appeared with two other examiners. He scanned the crowd, looked at Xun Yi, and said, "Mark your luggage and write your names on them, then leave them in the venue. Each person will receive a set of clothes to change into before the exam."

Immediately, there was an uproar. Li Junde said, "This exam doesn't even allow us to bring stoves and bedding?"

"The examination venue has prepared everything. Each room has a stove, a water basin, and two sets of clothes for changing. The four treasures of the study are already provided. You just need to enter with a clean body."

Xun Yi blinked. In other words, Li Xinghong's efforts were in vain. Not even the pens are allowed, so his money was wasted. However, why is this special examination so strict?

Zhu Tu ignored the commotion below, ordered the luggage to be confiscated, and then distributed a set of clothes to each person. After changing, they were led into the venue.

The special examination consists of three sessions: the first session tests literature, the second session tests mathematics, and the third session tests politics. Each session lasts three days. By the time Xun Yi and the others entered, it was already past noon.

Outside, Li Xinghong and the others watched as the examination venue's gates closed, feeling uneasy. Suddenly, someone ran over and whispered something in Li Xinghong's ear.

"What? This time it's a double examination system?" Li Xinghong jumped up. "Why didn't the court mention this beforehand?"

Then, Li Xinghong covered his face. "Terrible, terrible. This time, Uncle is completely finished. Forget about the top scholar, even making the list is uncertain."

Li Lan was shocked and was about to ask when she saw Li Xinghong muttering, "Should we start a fire in the examination venue to delay the time? Or find an official to help?"

Li Xinghong considered whether his and Xun Yi's influence were enough, and Aunt Xue, who was secretly observing, felt a surge of doubt and began to spy on the examination venue.

However, a red light emerged from the examination venue, repelling Aunt Xue's divine sense and forming an image of the God of Literature in the air.

Aunt Xue's face turned pale. "It's the God of Literature." The divine power spread, blocking all ghosts and gods from spying on the examination venue, completely sealing it off, not even allowing an ant to enter.

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Today is also a triple update, but I had something to do in the morning, so the morning update was delayed until now. I'll prepare the other two updates soon. Mobile users can visit http://m.piaotia.net

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