Smiling Under Lanter Chapter 124 - 72: A Night with Secrets1

Chapter 124: Chapter 72: A Night with Secrets_1

The night wind howled like a woman’s wailing, but within the courtyard of the Liu Family’s mansion, faint sounds of laughter could be heard.

Tomorrow was the Imperial examination, and Liu Zide, the youngest son of the Liu Family, would also enter the fray early on. Wang Chunchi, Liu’s aunt, had specially prepared a feast to celebrate her son’s upcoming journey to the examination hall.

The table was laden with chicken, duck, and beef, and in the center was a bowl of bird’s nest soup. Wang Chunchi picked up the small bowl of bird’s nest and handed it to her youngest son, her smile especially bright, "My son, after you finish this bowl, you’ll have to endure a few hard days in the examination cells."

The Imperial examination comprised three sessions, each lasting three days and three nights, adding up to a total of nine days and seven nights spent in the examination cells, where eating, drinking, and sleeping all took place without ever leaving. Bird’s nest was out of the question; even the dry rations were enough to choke on.

Liu Zide, dressed in his brand new satin robes, drained the bird’s nest soup in front of him in one gulp. His brows slightly raised, revealing a hint of uncontrollable pride.

He had every reason to be proud, for the silver ant to bribe the Minister of Rites Chief Examiner had already been sent. Once the examination was over, he would beco a candidate for scholarship just like his brother. After a little more waiting, he would blend into the ranks of officials and no longer be the son of a noodle vendor. Everyone he t would have to respectfully address him as "My Lord".

Thinking of the title "My Lord