Quick, female general, I traveled through time to save my father

Chapter 353: The Mother of the Bomen Raises Her Stepson 20

Shen Junyao thought about it for a whole night and gave Sirong an answer the next day.

"Mother, I want to take part in this year's provincial examination." He turned around, his voice calm and firm.

Sirong was slightly startled, and then a relieved smile appeared in her eyes: "Yao'er, have you really decided?"

"Yes." He nodded, his eyes steady, "My son doesn't want to wait another three years."

Sirong knew that although Shen Junyao had no memory of his past life, his intelligence and tenacity were still there.

She gently held his hand: "Okay, mother supports you."

The news spread quickly that the eldest son of the Wuwei Marquis was going to take the exam early, which caused a lot of discussion for a while.

"Shen Junyao? He's just a green boy, yet he dares to dream of reaching the top overnight?" Several children from aristocratic families sneered in the teahouse.

The most unkind among them was Zhou Mingyuan, the son of the Minister of Rites. He had been highly regarded by his family since childhood and looked down upon everyone else.

When he heard that Shen Junyao was going to take the exam early, he felt even more disdainful, as he was another person with high aspirations.

One day, when Shen Junyao was selecting a book on policy and theory in a bookstore, Zhou Mingyuan deliberately knocked over the book in his hand and sneered, "Mr. Shen, the imperial examination is no joke. You should go back and study for a few more years before taking it again."

Shen Junyao's expression remained unchanged. He bent down to pick up the scattered pages and said calmly, "Thank you, Master Zhou, for the reminder, but..." He raised his eyes, a sharp glint in his eyes, "The imperial examination is not about age, but about real talent and knowledge."

Zhou Mingyuan's face froze, he snorted coldly and walked away.

When Wuwei Bo Shen Shigen learned that his son wanted to take the imperial examination, he also showed his displeasure.

However, it was not as intense as in his previous life, mainly because he had just returned to the capital and had not yet been frequently ridiculed and excluded by the civil servants as in his previous life.

He took a nonchalant attitude towards his son's desire to take the imperial examination.

Shen Junyao's teacher's surname was Xu. He was a teacher without any official title. He usually taught in a private school on the outskirts of the city. He was a simple person, but very knowledgeable.

Mr. Xu was very happy when he learned that Shen Junyao was going to take the exam early.

After a moment's silence, he said, "Jun Yao, your writing is quite impressive, but success in the imperial examinations depends not only on talent and knowledge, but also on the balance between concealment and disclosure."

Shen Junyao respectfully asked, "What do you mean, sir?"

Mr. Xu stroked his beard and smiled: "In a few days, I will take you to meet someone."

A few days later, Mr. Xu brought Shen Junyao to a secluded bamboo courtyard in the suburbs of Beijing.

In the courtyard, a white-haired old man was writing with a brush. His handwriting was as smooth as flowing water, yet it also had a hidden edge.

"Master Lin." Mr. Xu saluted respectfully.

The old man raised his eyes, his gaze fixed on Shen Junyao: "Is this the child you were talking about?"

Shen Junyao was shocked. Although this man was dressed simply, his every move and gesture showed the demeanor of someone who had held a high position for a long time.

Mr. Xu nodded and said, "Yes, I have the audacity to bring him here. I would like to ask Master Lin for some guidance."

Lin Mobai, the previous emperor's chosen top scholar, once held the title of Imperial Academy Scholar. Weary of the infighting of officialdom, he retired for many years. Although absent from the imperial court, he still retains a significant influence among his many students and friends.

Lin Mobai examined Shen Junyao's strategy papers and nodded slightly: "Your thinking is clear and your insights are unique, but..."

"Just what?" Shen Junyao asked humbly.

"It's just that you're too sharp." Lin Mobai said calmly, "In scientific research essays, you need to show your talent, but you also need to know how to hide your edge. Being too rigid can easily break, and being too straightforward can easily bend."

Shen Junyao seemed to be thinking about something.

After that, he came to Zhuyuan for advice every ten days. Lin Mobai not only gave him guidance on writing articles, but also taught him how to hide deep meanings between the lines, so as not to show off his talent while making the examiners shine.

Three months before the provincial examination, he also met a new friend, Lu Mingchuan, who shared the same ideals as him.

Lu Mingchuan lost his father at a young age, and his mother barely made a living by weaving. Thanks to the support of his clan elders, he was able to continue his studies until now.

At that time, he was standing on tiptoe to reach the "Essentials of Strategy Theory" high on the bookshelf, but because he was not tall enough, he could not reach it. Seeing this, Shen Junyao raised his hand to take it down for him and said with a smile: "Brother, are you reading this book too?"

Lu Mingchuan bowed and thanked them. The two chatted one by one and found that they were all students who went to take the exam early.

Shen Junyao invited him to a teahouse to discuss the matter in detail. Lu Mingchuan hesitated for a moment, touched the few coins left in his sleeve, and declined politely, "I have something else to do today. Let's talk another day."

Shen Junyao saw his embarrassment, but did not point it out. He just said, "Then I will wait for you here at this time tomorrow. I just happen to have some policy questions I want to ask you."

Lu Mingchuan appreciated his thoughtfulness and nodded in agreement.

Later, during several interactions, Shen Junyao discovered that they had many of the same views, and they immediately felt a sense of mutual understanding and goodwill.

Zhou Mingyuan, who disliked Shen Junyao, also disliked Lu Mingchuan.

In other words, it's not that he dislikes it, he just wants to eliminate any existence that poses a threat to him as much as possible.

A month or so before the provincial examination, major poetry societies in the capital held literary gatherings, providing opportunities for the students about to take the exam to exchange ideas. On this day, the Qingya Pavilion in the south of the city hosted a large-scale poetry gathering, and Shen Junyao and Lu Mingchuan were invited to attend.

Zhou Mingyuan arrived early and was surrounded by a group of students who were fawning over him. Seeing Shen Junyao and the others enter, a sinister look flashed in his eyes, but he immediately put on a false smile and greeted them: "Mr. Shen, Mr. Lu, I have long heard of your great names."

After the poetry gathering began, the organizer suggested writing a poem titled "Autumn Thoughts." Zhou Mingyuan took the lead, writing a well-written seven-character regulated verse. When it was Shen Junyao's turn, he paused for a moment before writing:

"When the golden wind and jade dew meet, it is better than countless things in the world..."

As soon as the poem came out, the whole room was in uproar. Even several older candidates could not help but applaud.

Lu Mingchuan then presented a song:

"Falling leaves gather and scatter, jackdaws perch and are startled..."

Its artistic conception is profound and is in no way inferior to the works of Shen Junyao.

After the poetry gathering, Zhou Mingyuan summoned his trusted subordinates and said, "Did you see this? If these two people participate in the provincial examination, they will become a big threat to us."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"Old rules." Zhou Mingyuan smiled grimly.

Three days later, late at night, Lu Mingchuan was studying in the inn when he heard a strange noise outside the window. Cautiously, he blew out his candle and hid behind the door. Sure enough, two dark figures pried open the window and climbed in.

“Where are the people?”

"Search!"

"no!"

Zhou Mingyuan meant that they should cripple his hand so that Lu Mingchuan would not be able to take part in the imperial examination.

“If you can’t find the person, just destroy his manuscript!”

Lu Mingchuan held his breath and quietly moved to the door. Just as the criminals were rummaging around, he suddenly opened the door and rushed out, running all the way to the Shen residence.

After listening to Lu Mingchuan's narration, Shen Junyao's eyes flashed with coldness: "Sure enough, it's Zhou Mingyuan again." He pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "Mingchuan, just stay here with me and let me take care of the rest."

The next day, a piece of news suddenly spread among the people: Yesterday, some bad guys broke into the inn where Lu Mingchuan was staying. He was so frightened that he injured his leg while escaping and decided to give up this imperial examination.

Zhou Mingyuan was overjoyed upon hearing the news and ordered people to prepare a banquet to celebrate.