Chapter 2140: Chapter 2140: Farewell to Concubine Hou
After Shu Yu finished talking with Meng Yunzheng, she waited for a long time before the sound of gongs finally came from the gate of the Examination Hall.
The provincial exam was presided over by the Ministry of Rites, and there were four chief examiners.
At this time, the few of them were all standing outside the Examination Hall. Soldiers were beating gongs to quiet everyone down, and then they began lining people up to inspect them before entry.
Meng Yunzheng picked up his exam basket and said to Shu Yu, “I’m going in now. You should go back early. It’s still early in the hours, so go home and catch up on some sleep, don’t wear yourself out.”
“Got it, go on in.”
Xun Sheng looked at how reluctant they were to part, shook his head, and clasping his hands behind his back, left first.
Only then did Meng Yunzheng slowly follow after him. Shu Yu and the others were stopped outside the outer perimeter by the soldiers and could only watch from a distance as they were inspected one by one and entered.
The inspection process was very strict. In this bitterly cold weather, they weren’t allowed to wear padded jackets that could hide slips of paper or books; they could only wear single-layer clothes.
So Meng Yunzheng’s clothing was layered one over another; he had put on many layers.
Just the inspection alone took quite a bit of effort.
When everyone had entered, the gong sounded again, and then the main gate of the Examination Hall was shut, pletely cutting off the sounds from outside.
Those who had e to watch the excitement or to see off examinees gradually turned and left.
Shu Yu only left once almost everyone else had gone.
However, Xia Yan stayed behind, and many others stayed as well, all waiting by the gate of the Examination Hall just in case.
After all, in past provincial exams, there were always a few people who couldn’t hold out and were carried out. These people either got chilled and frozen, or were too nervous, or their bodies simply couldn’t endure so many days.
Anyway, there were always all sorts of things that could happen.
But it was only the first day now, so these problems most likely wouldn’t appear yet.
Even so, Xia Yan still stayed nearby to keep an eye on things at all times.
Shu Yu went back first to the small courtyard in the south of the city with Ying Xi and Zhao Xi. She was still a bit tired; she hadn’t slept very well last night.
After returning, she really did sleep for a while. When she woke up, Zhao Xi, Shuyou, and Little Huohuo had already gone out, and once again only she and Ying Xia were left in the small courtyard.
For a moment, the whole house felt cold and cheerless, a bit empty.
Shu Yu got up, washed her face, and after eating her noon meal, she was about to go out.
However, just as she walked into the courtyard, there was a knock at the door from outside, followed by a strange voice, “Excuse me, is this Young Master Meng’s residence?”
Shu Yu paused, turned her head and exchanged a look with Ying Xi, then stepped forward and opened the door.
Standing outside was an unfamiliar old woman, her hand still raised. When she saw the door open, she instinctively took a step back.
Shu Yu sized her up. “You are…?”
“May I ask, are you the Wen’an County Lord?”
Shu Yu nodded. “I am.”
The old woman’s face lit up and she quickly said, “I am a nanny from the Wan Residence, acpanying my concubine here to pay a visit.”
Wan Residence… concubine?
Shu Yu abruptly lifted her head and looked toward the carriage behind the old woman.
The old woman had already turned back to the carriage, saying something toward the inside.
The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a face unusually familiar to Shu Yu.
As soon as their eyes met, both of them couldn’t help but smile.
“Aunt Hou.”
Madam Hou was a little excited to see her, and quickly held onto the old woman’s hand to get out of the carriage.
“Yu.” She went up the steps in a few strides and said with a smile, “I had actually wanted to e two days ago, but I thought Young Master Meng still needed to prepare for the exam, so it wouldn’t be good to disturb him at home. Today is the opening day of the provincial exam, so I figured you would be free, and came over.”
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