Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 250 - 249: A Unique Taste

Others take the imperial examination seriously by focusing on answering the questions.

Liu Ji, during the exam, glances at the ceiling, peeks at the invigilator, then looks down at the exam questions, wondering how long this torturous hour will last.

But the imperial exam is a very serious matter, requiring solemnity and silence. One cannot make noise or fall asleep, as behavior is also scrutinized by the Chief Examiner.

Liu Ji notices that the prodigy is in the same exam room as him, with the Chief Examiner standing in front of this prodigy for a long time, eyes fixed on their answers.

This shows that a prodigy is indeed extraordinary. If it were him being watched like that, he would have gone crazy long ago.

There is no break at noon. The candidates either continue answering questions or take a sip from the water they brought, rub their eyes, and keep working.

Liu Ji sips water, feeling like sitting on needles, desperately wanting to get up and walk around.

During the initial test, he was surrounded by familiar faces, even the examiners were those he knew. Standing up during the lunch break wasn’t an issue, as no one paid much attention.

But the official exam is entirely different. Liu Ji, who is used to being lazy, feels it’s as torturous as being imprisoned.

And this is just a small local exam; next come the provincial exam, the metropolitan exam, where the invigilating officials are fifth-rank or higher court officials... tsk tsk tsk, just thinking about it makes Liu Ji feel suffocated.

However, mixed within this suffocation is a somewhat unrealistic hope that one day he might stand in this exam room as a crucial official selecting talents for the court.

Liu Ji spends the entire morning lost in idle thoughts. Only in the afternoon does he pick up his pen to begin answering questions.

Attitude is important; Liu Ji knows that the Chief Examiners of these academic administrations value this greatly.

You can answer poorly, but you cannot leave the questions unanswered.

Your handwriting must be neat. It might not be pretty, but it can’t be so bad that it makes the Chief Examiner remember you for your ’bad handwriting’ and blacklists you.

Liu Ji cheerfully thinks to himself that the doctrine of the mean is indeed marvelous.

Liu Ji finds amusement for himself, unaware that his behaviors upon entering the exam room have all been noticed by someone.

Qi Xian’s initial confusion and puzzlement have given way to a silent smile.

He initially thought this exam was dreadfully dull, but unexpectedly found amusement.

After finishing the last word, Qi Xian sets down his pen, doesn’t even check his paper, and promptly submits it.

Then, he packs his belongings, shoulders a heavy book box, and is the first to leave the exam room.

Before leaving, his eyes fall on the pastel book box in the front right corner of his seat.

The original color should be pure black, with four small wooden wheels at the base, now covered in painted flowers of various colors.

The black book box lid also has a line of flowers spelling out ’Wenquxing possessing.’

Qi Xian’s mouth twitches, such unique taste.

He’s unsure if he feels envy or something else, but he thinks he will never cross paths with such a person again.

"Mother, someone’s coming out!" Si Niang excitedly shakes the adult next to her.

Qin Yao is sitting on Second Lang’s book box with her eyes closed, half asleep. After sending Liu Ji into the exam room in the morning, they went back to the inn.

She left four kids in the guest room doing homework while she went out alone to inquire Jiang Wen about lumber merchants.

Busy until noon, with the sun blazing outside, she wanted to take a nap.

But the four little ones were eager to wait at the exam entrance for their father, so she didn’t get to nap.

Sitting now under a small tree in front of the exam gate, she empties her mind and dozes off.

Qin Yao briefly opens her eyes, glances toward the exam gate, and pats the excited little girl, "It’s not your dad."

So, she closes her eyes again for a bit.

"Isn’t it?" Si Niang runs forward a few steps, clearly sees the person exiting, and excitedly runs back, "Mother, it’s the young Immortal Official prodigy."

"Oh." Qin Yao lazily responds, unconcerned about who it is, as long as it’s not the underachiever Liu Ji.

Plus, the prodigy exiting first is completely normal.

Da Lang and Second Lang’s eyes follow Qi Xian until he gets into the He Family’s sedan chair before finally looking away.

"He’s amazing!" Da Lang says admiringly.

Second Lang pats his brother’s shoulder, proudly saying, "Bro, you’re not bad either."

Da Lang shyly smiles, understanding his brother’s good intentions.

"Did you see Young Master Ding?"

Hearing Qin Yao’s clear inquiry, Si Niang immediately turns her head, "Mother, you’re awake."

Qin Yao yawns, gets up from the book box, feeling the box services them well as a desk, a cart, and now a bench.

"Young Master Ding should be here too."

Qin Yao looks toward the exam gate. Ding Shi came for the local exam last year, escorted by Landlord Ding.

But he didn’t pass as a scholar last year. His result this year remains unknown.

So, if someone with Ding Family’s resources struggled to pass in one go, it’s even less likely for someone like Liu Ji dabbling in it.

Yet, despite this, the four Da Lang siblings still hold expectations for their father.

After all, their father passed the initial test in one go!

Seeing their hopeful expressions, Qin Yao doesn’t say much. She can’t tell the kids their dad got the child student spot through connections, right? 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

When Qin Yao asks about Young Master Ding, Da Lang shakes his head and says, "There were too many people in the morning, didn’t see. Maybe Young Master Ding came early and went in early."

Qin Yao nods, glancing at the sun, now leaning west, indicating it is around four in the afternoon.

Technically, candidates can submit the exam paper any time today, even at night.

So, someone exiting as early as Qi Xian is rare.

Qin Yao looks at the four kids and suggests, "Should we go back to the inn for dinner and come back?"

The Dragon and Phoenix Twins shake their heads, squatting down, determined to wait.

Da Lang doesn’t mind, but Second Lang finds it boring to just wait. So, he generously takes out the money bag and buys half a bag of pumpkin seeds from a nearby store.

And so, the mother and children nibble seeds while waiting, until dusk when Liu Li exits, but Liu Ji is still absent.

"What’s going on?" Qin Yao feels something’s not right. This isn’t Liu Laosan’s style. Could he have written this much?

Liu Li thought Liu Ji would have exited early, as they’re in different exam rooms, unaware of Liu Ji’s situation. Seeing him not out yet makes them worried.

Just as Liu Li hesitates to mention Liu Ji’s morning distractions, Liu Ji finally appears at the exam gate.

"Dad!" Second Lang shouts, and the remaining three siblings quickly run over.

Qin Yao beckons Liu Li, both follow, "Why so late? Is everything okay?"

Liu Ji waves his hand, flustered and disoriented, eyes darting as if searching for something, he hastily answers:

"It’s a long story; I’ll tell you later. First, find me a bathroom, I’m about to explode!"

Qin Yao: "..."

Liu Li and others: "..."