Chapter 338: Disregarding Her Life
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
As the second examination approached, Qin Zhenzhen and Su Ning, in their customary fashion, accompanied Su Bin to the examination site.
To their surprise, they once again crossed paths with w.a.n.g Yizhi. This time, w.a.n.g Yizhi’s rotund wife had opted not to send him off personally; instead, she dispatched two servants in her stead.
w.a.n.g Yizhi’s condition, however, appeared far from robust. He seemed dejected, his complexion pallid, and his gait somewhat unsteady. He was entering the examination in such a state—did he have a death wish?
Su Ning muttered, “What rotten luck to run into him again.”
This time, Su Bin remained unperturbed by w.a.n.g Yizhi’s presence. He acted as if he didn’t recognize him and proceeded to submit his food basket for inspection.
Qin Zhenzhen, observing w.a.n.g Yizhi’s demeanor, could tell that he would not endure three days of confinement. Mental exhaustion would likely leave him dizzy and disoriented. If he chose to forfeit the examination voluntarily and seek medical attention, he might recover.
However, should he persist in completing the examination, his life could be in jeopardy. In ancient times, many examinees succ.u.mbed to the rigors of the examination hall.
Ultimately, w.a.n.g Yizhi’s choice would hinge on whether he valued his life more than his future.
After escorting Su Bin into the examination hall, Su Qing returned to Meijiang Prefecture City. His role in managing their family’s business there demanded his presence.
His trip to the provincial capital had been prompted by business matters.
Upon the conclusion of the second examination, only Qin Zhenzhen and Su Ning arrived to collect Su Bin.
After enduring another three days of rigorous examination, the examinees appeared even more pitiable than before. Moreover, a noticeable stench clung to each of them.
After Su Bin and the others emerged from the examination hall, they consciously maintained some distance from Qin Zhenzhen. Su Bin was concerned that she might detect an unpleasant odor.
He explained helplessly, “The bucket in the room was empty last time, and they probably keep it that way for three days. The smell is really…”
Qin Zhenzhen quickly grasped the situation. It explained why all the examinees seemed to carry an unpleasant odor.
One of the examinees piped up, “If I ever attain a high-ranking official position in the future, the first thing I’ll do is reform the examination hall rules. That bucket must be emptied immediately after each examination.”
“The water in the vat should also be changed after every test.”
The confined s.p.a.ce containing the water vat and bucket was narrow indeed. Not only did it test the examinees’ endurance when it came to drinking water, but it also challenged their stomachs.
Qin Zhenzhen privately chuckled at the thought. Perhaps only in such an unforgiving environment could candidates with robust physical fitness and unwavering mental resilience be selected to shoulder the weighty responsibility of governance.
Surprisingly, as they were preparing to leave, they once again encountered w.a.n.g Yizhi.
Soldiers were escorting w.a.n.g Yizhi out of the examination hall.
Initially, they hadn’t identified the person being carried out as w.a.n.g Yizhi. It was only due to the conversations of some examinees.
“What’s the name of the guy being carried out?”
“I recognize him. His name is w.a.n.g Yizhi. He came from Meijiang Prefecture City. He brought his illness into the examination hall. He should’ve left a long time ago, but he refused.”
“My room was next to his. One day, a soldier noticed he couldn’t hold on any longer and tried to convince him to leave, but he insisted on completing the exam.”
Even though the examinees were confined to small enclosures upon entering the examination hall, there were still individuals monitoring their well-being from above. The government didn’t view scholars’ lives as expendable, especially within the context of the examination hall. If anyone was found unconscious in their “room,” they would be promptly carried out for medical attention.
Perhaps someone could not take it anymore and had no choice but to knock on the door for help. Immediately, soldiers came to bring him out.
He did not expect w.a.n.g Yizhi to disregard his life..